Billy Johnson strums his guitar and sings one verse of his theme song; Hoagy Carmichael's "Lazy River". Then, Billy congratulates WTOP-TV on their new Broadcast House facilities with tall 800-foot tower.

Sound klip taken from a kinesope of the WTOP-TV Broadcast House Opening program which aired at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, February 10th, 1954. This klip was provided by Walt Starling through the courtesy of John Dowling. 

Klip Number Two:
BILLY SINGS "GUFFY, THE GOOFY GOBBLER"

Billy strums his guitar and sings the seasonal song made famous by Gene Autry.

Sound klip taken from a recording of a 1955 National Forest Service "Smokey The Bear" Radio Show 

Skip McCloskey provides a sample of the tune which opened the broadcast of "Bozo's Circus" on WDCA-TV 20. The song is sung by Dick Dyszel and was actually recorded by Dyszel while he was portraying Bozo at WDXR-TV, Channel 29 in Paducah, KY. 

Skip says, "After the open was played, Bozo would be introduced and would pop out from behind a curtain to do the Bozo Dance."

Due to technical difficulties, the song has been shortened from its original length.

Jack Maier shares a tune that dates back to the 1940s: Bozo's Circus Band's rendition of "Bozo's Song (March)" which was written and conducted by Billy May.

WMAL-TV 7 staff announcer Bill Trumbull voices over a promo for the show. Claire, (but not Co Co), can be heard in sound bites from the program. Then, the late Johnny Batchelder gives a station ID.

Airdate of this klip is unknown, but it is likely 1966. The klip was extracted from a recording made (with a "micro- phone in front of the tinny TV speaker") on John Ahmad's father's reel tape recorder, and provided by Jack Maier. 

Provided by Sean Hall, here is an excerpt of his interview with Willard Scott where
Willard recalls some details about the Commander Retro program on Saturdays.

This klip excerpted from an interview by Sean Hall; heard on an edition of WTOP RADIO's "Issues".

Provided by Bill Halvorsen, here is the full 2-minute, 4-second LP album cut from which the "Countdown Carnival" theme was derived.  (The show only aired an excerpt of the song.)

Mr. Halvorsen writes:

"I grew up watching these shows and also grew up wondering what the themes were.  Bill Gormly actually announced the title once to his show - it was LITTLE BELLS AND BIG BELLS, arranged and conducted by Percy Faith on the album 'Passport To Romance'  (1956).  A viewer had written in and asked the question.  Gormly did not announce who recorded the album (rather important, since his was the only album that HAD this song)."

Mark Rockman adds:

"According to my good friend, Bill Halvorsen, ... Little Bells and Big Bells (Glocke und Glockchen)' was written by Helmut Zacharias.  ... The same recording was used, I remember, by ABC Television for a game show hosted by Jack Narz entitled 'Seven Keys.'  It turned up in various other places as well."

"Cap'n Tugg" checks with "Charlie Noble" and "Mr. Flannagan" as he prepares to get underway on the "Channel Queen".

The original airdate is unknown, but it was dubbed from "Glen Echo On The Potomac", a documentary by Kevin Wyrauch on the old days of Glen Echo Amusement Park; broadcast on WETA-TV 26. Provided by Jack Maier. 

Lee Reynolds as "Cap'n Tugg" as well as the voices of "Charlie Noble" and "Commander Salamander". 

The original airdate of this klip is unknown, but it was extracted from a 1985 show commemorating the 40th Anniversary of WTTG-TV 5, and donated by Jack Maier.

Bernie Smilovitz introduces Reynolds who tells how he simulated stormy weather on his "Cap'n Tugg" show.

The original airdate of this klip is unknown, but it was extracted from a 1985 show commemorating the 40th Anniversary of WTTG-TV 5, and donated by Jack Maier.

Lee Reynolds explains how he used then-new Video Tape Decks at WTTG to produce special effects.

The original airdate of this klip is unknown, but it was extracted from a 1985 show commemorating the 40th Anniversary of WTTG-TV 5, and donated by Jack Maier.

Lee Reynolds as "Cap'n Tugg" tells of two gifts waiting for tykes at area Keds stores during a 1966 broadcast. (The tape was stopped briefly, thus leaving an awkward jump.)

Original airdate of this klip is unknown, but it was made (with a "microphone in front of the tinny TV speaker") on John Ahmad's father's reel-to-reel tape recorder, and provided by Jack Maier.

Lee Reynolds as "Cap'n Tugg" pitches the pluses of Planter's Peanuts during a 1966 broadcast. 

Original airdate of this klip is unknown, but it was made (with a "microphone in front of the tinny TV speaker") on John Ahmad's father's reel-to-reel tape recorder, and provided by Jack Maier. 

Lee Reynolds as "Cap'n Tugg" intros a "Mighty Hercules" cartoon during a 1966 live broadcast. 

Original airdate of this klip is unknown, but it was made (with a "microphone in front of the tinny TV speaker") on John Ahmad's father's reel-to-reel tape recorder, and provided by Jack Maier.

Lee Reynolds as "Cap'nTugg" intros a  "G.I. Joe" toy commercial during  a 1966 live broadcast.

Original airdate of this klip is unknown, but it was made (with a "microphone in front of the tinny TV speaker") on John Ahmad's father's reel-to-reel tape recorder, and provided by Jack Maier.

Lee Reynolds as "Cap'n Tugg" extols the virtues of "Mighty White" toothpaste during a 1966 live broadcast.

Original airdate of this klip is unknown, but it was made (with a "microphone in front of the tinny TV speaker") on John Ahmad's father's reel-to-reel tape recorder, and provided by Jack Maier.

First, a quick spot for WTTG's "Kartoon Klub" and a short verse of theme music. Then, Grandpa welcomes kids, as he promotes his latest drawing contest on a typical opening of a Monday show.

The airdate of this klip is 5/27/57, and quality is only fair. It was dubbed from a video tape copy of an old kinescope by Tim Hollis, (author of "Hi There, Boys and Girls! - America's Local TV Programs" about local kid TV shows across the U.S.)  Forwarded by Jack Maier. 

Lee Reynolds as "Grandpa" explains exactly how "Flav-R Straws" can make Jimmy and Johnny into "two very happy young boys!".

The airdate of this klip is 5/27/57, and quality is only fair. It was dubbed from a video tape copy of an old kinescope by Tim Hollis, (author of "Hi There, Boys and Girls! - America's Local TV Programs" about local kid TV shows across the U.S.).  Forwarded by Jack Maier. 

Provided by Bill Halvorsen, here's Percy Faith's arrangement of a song titled BLUEBELL; the full 1 minute, 58 second LP album cut from which the "Grandpa's Place" show theme was derived. (The show aired only an excerpt of the song, as heard in Klip # 1.)

Tom Fielding recalls that the theme music for "Pete's Place" was "a full orchestra version of the 'Comedian's Gallop'. Pete used the part of the piece that sounds very similar to the 'Can-Can'."

Here is a modern performance of the "Comedian's Gallop"  which was recorded by Cuttime Players  (Visit Cuttime Players' Website at www.cuttime.com).

Tom Fielding remembers that the cartoon series "The Funny Co." was shown during Pete Jamerson's "P.J.'s Club" program.

Here is the theme music to that cartoon... complete with a "jump frame" due to a worn-out film print!

The Funny Company series was created by "Funny Co. Productions./Ken Snyder Productions", 1963. For more information, visit "The Toon Tracker" at: http://www.toontracker.com/funnyco/funnyco.htm The theme music was found at http://www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/polanski/407/funnyco.wav

Angela Robinson introduces a short klip of WTTG-TV's open to PICK TEMPLE'S RANCH, followed quickly by a chat between Pick and a pint-sized sharpshooter.

During the musical open, ("My Favorite Bread's Heidi"), the voice of the male announcer is not identified, but is likely that of WTTG's Matthew Warren.

The original airdate of this klip is unknown, but it was extracted from a 1985 show commemorating the 40th Anniversary of WTTG-TV 5, and donated by Jack Maier.

Recorded for the Library of Congress in 1948, here is a single verse of Pick's rendition of the folk tune "Colley's Run-I-O".

A CD containing a full version of this one song by Pick Temple, with other Cowboy Songs sung by different artists is available from Rounder Records. A cassette is available from the Library of Congress as catalog # AFS L 28: "COWBOY SONGS, BALLADS, AND CATTLE CALLS FROM TEXAS" ($8.95).

Recorded for the Library of Congress in 1948, here's Pick's full rendition of the folk tune "I Had A Bird".

From the phonograph album "Folk Songs of the People" on the "X" Label, Number LXA-3022 which was graciously provided by Jack Maier.

Tom Fielding remembers Pick's brief appearance on ABC-TV's "The Rifleman" western adventure series which starred Chuck Connors. Here is the first part of the bar room scene where Pick played guitar and sang 'Bluetailed Fly (Jimmy Crack Corn)'" 

Angela Robinson intros a very short klip of the original ROMPER ROOM "Jack-in- the-box" theme. Although the teacher's voice is not identified, Romper Room co-founder "Miss Nancy" Claster is the likely speaker.

The original airdate of this klip is unknown, but it was extracted from a 1985 show commemorating the 40th Anniversary of WTTG-TV 5, and donated by Jack Maier.

From a 1994  PBS "Great Performances" production "The World of Jim Henson", Directed by Judy Kinburg, and donated by Jack Maier. 

The sound clip is from a 1994  PBS "Great Performances" production "The World of Jim Henson", Directed by Judy Kinburg, and donated by Jack Maier. The photo was donated by Jack Maier.

According to Karen Falk, Archivist for The Jim Henson Company: "The 45RPM record was recorded under the Signature label ('A product of Hanover-Signature Record Corp.'). The main song was called 'Tick-Tock Sick"  and the flip side had a song called 'The Countryside'.

Both were written by Jim, and we have his typed lyrics for 'Tick-Tock Sick' in the archives. At the time Jim made the recording, he was living in Washington, DC and  performing Sam and Friends on local television as well as making appearances on variety shows and making commercials for various products. It is not clear that 'Tick-Tock Sick' was used for anything in particular, but it sounds like it may have accompanied puppet performances on Sam and Friends or a variety show. 

The theme of the song, the relentlessness of time,  was later explored by Jim in his 1964 short film,  TimePiece, and touched on again with the thirteen hour clock in Labyrinth.

Jim Henson accomplished an amazing amount in his life, but given the large number of files on unrealized projects that are in the archives, he clearly didn't have enough time to do all that he wanted to do. And 'Tick-Tock Sick' tells us that he was already feeling the crunch just six years into his career." (End of quote.)

The tune appeared on a compilation CD album entitled "Beat Jazz" on the Pesky Serpent label. The sound klip and the letter from Ms. Falk were donated by Jack Maier.

The spot is from a 1989 video provided to grocers by Wilkins Coffee, and donated by Jack Maier. The photo appeared in an article titled "What is a Muppet?" published in TV Guide issue 7/27 - 8/2/63, and donated by Jack Maier.

Bill Johnson closes a typical "Stooges" program during a 1966 live broadcast. 

Original airdate of this klip is unknown, but it was made (with a "microphone in front of the tinny TV speaker") on John Ahmad's father's reel-to-reel tape recorder, and provided by Jack Maier.

Theme for the "Three Stooges" cartoon shorts, produced in the 1960s and aired on WTTG's "Three Stooges" show. 

In what might be Ronald's first TV spot appearance, Ed Walker intros the "Hamburger-Happy Clown", (Willard Scott) whose "magic tray" keeps refilling with delicious fast-food goodies

Two additional commercials can be heard at the official web site of The Joy Boys hosted by Bob Bybee at www.TheJoyBoys.Com .

The main body of this commercial which dates to 1963 was provided by Jack Maier. The open and close of this spot was provided by Bob Bybee of TheJoyBoys.Com site. 

Around 1963, McDonald's* Drive-in Restaurants in the DC Metro area distributed a 45RPM recording of "Ronald McDonald" narrating the classic "The Night Before Christmas". 

Listen to the "scratchy" intro only (Klip Number Two) or download the full version in two parts (Klips Number Three and Four) which was newly remastered by Mr. Allan Rosson.  The full version will take a while to download, so please be patient!

The 45RPM recording was from the collection of Jack Maier, who generously provided the klip and the image of the phonograph record. The full recording in two parts was remastered by Allan Rosson for maximum high-fidelity.

Here is the short and scratchy intro to the piece;

Here is the remastered complete Side One of the record;

Here is the remastered complete SideTwo of the record;