Big Jon And Sparkie originated in Cincinnati and started in 1947 and moved to ABC Network 02/01/50. It played weekdays as Big Jon & Sparkie. But, it found it's biggest audiences on Saturday Morning. Big Jon, was played by Jon Arthur. The show included recorded stories and songs which kids and grownups are enjoying to this day.
The Further Adventures of Big Jon and Sparkie developed through the 1950's and went to a longer format broadcast on Saturday mornings as "No School Today." Sparkie's irrepressible sense of belonging in a real if slightly wacky world, is very involving. John Dunning, in "On the Air, The Encyclopedia of Old Time Radio," says "It remained, for those who heard it, one of the most important and poignant pieces of childhood."
.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThese shows were recorded in the late 1960s in San Francisco, for Family Radio Network. I believe the scripts are re-makes of the original 1950s shows.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know where I can find the "Birthday Song" and if it is in any of these? If not, is there anywhere I can find it in "No School Today"?
ReplyDeleteThanks