Minnesota KidVid

This photo, taken October 8, 1954, offers a look at some of the people who usually stayed on the other side of the camera: (left to right) Don Stolz (Tallulah and Towser), Clellan Card (Axel), Henry Shepard (WCCO-TV technician), Bill Dietrichson (set designer), and Harry Jones (director).

This photograph shows Don Stolz (as Tallulah), Clellan Card (as Axel) and Harry Jones (director) on the set of the color broadcast of Axel and His Dog on October 8, 1954.

This is a wide shot of the set during the color broadcast of Axel and His Dog on October 8, 1954.

A shot of Axel holding Sylvia on the color broadcast of Axel and His Dog. A shot of Axel holding Sylvia on the color broadcast of Axel and His Dog.

On October 8, 1954, Axel and His Dog was broadcast in color using an experimental technology, making it the first Twin Cities program ever colorcast. A new set was constructed just for the occasion, along with this sign. Notice that Clellan’s first name is misspelled!

Axel and Hazel the burro — like Sylvia the monkey, Hazel was another frequent animal guest during the first year of Axel and His Dog. Her tendency to relieve herself in the studio may have been a factor in her elimination from the cast! Next photo

Axel with Sylvia the monkey, who was a frequent, though rather uncooperative, guest on Axel and His Dog during its first year. Next photo