Kids' shows were big in early television, and WBTV always had one or more on the air or in the works. Judging by the familiar cactus in the background, this is likely Fred Kirby's "Junior Rancho," maybe the earliest of his many series. This and other WBTV shows, like "Three Ring Circus," had studio audiences of from 20 to 50 wide-eyed children, like the one sitting on the right. It would be the duty of someone on the crew to shepherd the little ones to their seats, distribute trinkets, candy and other favors, and cue them to applaud and scream wildly at the least little thing. (The sugar in the candy helped keep them in a frenzy.)

Once the show was over, and their services no longer needed, the kids were herded out of the studio into the arms of their waiting mothers, and their mess (paper cups, candy wrappers, used gum) would be cleaned up by—you guessed it—the crew.

The station kept a big helium tank in the prop room exclusively to fill balloons for the little ones. It was inevitable that every new station employee, at least once, when passing by the helium tank, would fill their lungs with the gas and go around talking funny. Then, when they noticed that nobody else was laughing, that would be the end of that, until the next new employee came along.

In the photo, standing, from left, are Joe Boston, Don McDaniel, Virgil Torrence, Julian Massi, and Fred Kirby.

Secrets revealed: the guy in the Indian garb is probably not a real Native American.

Photo courtesy Don McDaniel

intro  first  prev  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  next  last