Mr. I. Magination
| Mr. I. Magination | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | 1949 – 1952 |
Mr. I. Magination is one of the earliest American television shows for children. It ran live as a half-hour weekly show on CBS from 1949 to 1952 and was broadcast from Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan.[1][2][3] It debuted on May 29, 1949, and ended on June 38, 1952.[4]
The host, Mr. I. Magination (Paul Tripp), dressed as a train engineer, gathered a group of children each week. The same child actors appeared on a rotating basis. Two would be selected to ask about a career, occupation, activity, and such. Tripp would then play a "magic" slide flute, then he and the children would board a train and travel to Imagination Land, where they would meet a professional from each of the two areas for that week's show.[5]
Guests were as diverse as Damu, a lion tamer from Ringling Brothers Circus, and test pilot Scott Crossfield.[6] Ruth Enders, Ted Tiller, and Joe Silver also acted in the show.[7] The show was also a pioneer in using simple, early special effects, such as making it appear as if the opening train ride went through a tunnel to enter Imagination Land, emerging from the smoke from its engine.[6][8]
Yul Brynner served as the director of the show at times, but did not appear as a performer. The show also featured performances by Walter Matthau, Richard Boone, Joe Silver, Ted Tiller, and Simon Oakland.[6]
Mr. I. Magination also was featured on several RCA records for children, including Billy On A Bike and Mr. I. Magination Meets Rip Van Winkle; there are at least two versions on LP (long playing) record.[9][10][11][12][13]
Production
[edit]The producers were Worthington Miner, Irving Pincus, and Norman Pincus.[4] Hugh Rogers was the director. Tripp and Ray Carter composed music for the show.[14] The show was broadcast on Sundays in time slots that ranged from 6 - 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time to 7:30 - 8 p.m. E. T.[7]
Critical response
[edit]A review in The New York Times called the program "a thoroughly rewarding half hour for viewers, both young and old".[14] The review said that Tripp's personality created an "infectious enthusiasm" on the show while avoiding "any trace of embarrassing precocity".[14] It also described the overall production as being "of a high professional order".[14]
References
[edit]- ^ "I. Magination" To Get Col. Wax. Billboard. 8 July 1950. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
- ^ Life Tours the Children's TV Shows. Life. 24 December 1951. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
- ^ Hollis, Tim, ed. (2001). Hi there, boys and girls!: America's local children's TV shows. University Press of Mississippi. p. 361. ISBN 1-57806-396-5. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
- ^ a b McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 558. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
- ^ Woolery, George W. (1985). Children's Television: The First Thirty-Five Years, 1946-1981, Part II: Live, Film, and Tape Series. The Scarecrow Press. pp. 341–343. ISBN 0-8108-1651-2.
- ^ a b c Honan, William H. (1 September 2001). "Paul Tripp, 91, Early Children's TV Host". New York Times. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
- ^ a b Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (1999). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present (7th ed.). New York: The Ballentine Publishing Group. p. 671. ISBN 0-345-42923-0.
- ^ Gould, Jack; Gould, Lewis L., eds. (2002). Watching television come of age: the New York Times review. University of Texas Press. p. 266. ISBN 0-292-72846-8. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
- ^ Mr. I-Magination Meets Rip Van Winkle. Billboard. 3 March 1951. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
- ^ Spaceship to Mars (with Mr. I-Magination). Billboard. 22 November 1952. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
- ^ TV and Disk Springboard For Greatest Number of Acts on Way to Stardom. Billboard. 8 July 1950. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
- ^ Columbia Hypos Kidisk Etchings. Billboard. 15 July 1950. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
- ^ Columbia Adds to Kidisk Line. Billboard. 16 August 1952. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
- ^ a b c d Gould, Jack (May 29, 1949). "Programs in Review: 'Mr. I. Magination' — Songs by Downey — 'Blind Date' — A Variety Revue". The New York Times. p. X 9. Retrieved August 6, 2024.