General Mills was the sponsor [and owner] of "THE KING AND ODIE" (aka "KING LEONARDO AND HIS SHORT SUBJECTS"), which was still appearing on NBC's Saturday morning schedule at the time. However, the first 26 episodes from the 1960-'61 season [52 five minute segments] were syndicated in the fall of 1962, with a brief new title, sponsor I.D. and General Mills commercial attached to each, which could be inserted into live local kids' shows...
Our cub scout group got a chance to be on the Captain Penny show in 1961. We were all bussed down to 30th and Euclid and spent the entire day at channel 5. I remember getting a tour of the station and watching the show. Ron looked much younger in person than he did on TV. I got a chance to play with a Lionel train set on the floor of the studio! The best memory I have of that day, was the way Captain Penny would climb down from the engine, on a step ladder, in front of a rear projection screen.
I have a love-hate relationship with the Internet but one of the best thing about it is the posting of old programs from my childhood. I grew up in Jeromesville, which is about 60 miles south of Cleveland, and remember Captain Penny, Miss Barbara, Mr. Jing-a-ling, and Ghoulardi. Hard to believe that back then there were only 3 channels to choose from (WEWS, WKYC, and WJW).
Oh wow, to hear that theme song again is absolutely unreal...and to hear the King and Odie...and all those names again...things I had totally forgotten about....just incredible..thank you for posting these priceless memories!
WOW memories! I live out here in CA now and nobody out here has ever heard of him... Great memories. I really beieved what he said at the end, "You can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, BUT YOU CAN'T FOOL MOM...!"
He was a great guy. Tragically he died very young. His show was fun to watch. Loved the Jungle Larry segments, especially when Larry got bit by the tiger!
I have many memories of Captain Penny when I was a kid. We used to go to Chippewa Lake Amusement Park and Jungle Larry would appear there with his animals, too. But, Captain Penny was always one of my favorites.
I still have an autograph picture of Captain Penny from when he came to our local shopping center.I have happy memories of watching his show in the late 60's early 70's and also his guest from the Cleveland zoo Jungle Larry and the animals he would bring to the show.
Just loved Captain Penny! I wish the Mr. Jingaling song was available on the tube! Loved Dorothy Fuldheim, too. Wanted to grow up and BE HER, or at least, a cross between her and Brenda Starr! Thanks for posting.
Does anyone know the year "Silver Dust Blue" detergent become non-existent?
1985OldSkool 4 months ago
I was a kid at E. 107th and St. Clair myself back in the 50s before moving to Euclid. Always loved that theme song!!!
AllBobsAllTheTime 6 months ago
What was the Captain's original theme from the fifties that ran behind the pictures of a lionel train set?
trolleycoach 6 months ago
I grew up with the good Captain, I'm 60 now. Those were the days.
TheWerewolf64 7 months ago
General Mills was the sponsor [and owner] of "THE KING AND ODIE" (aka "KING LEONARDO AND HIS SHORT SUBJECTS"), which was still appearing on NBC's Saturday morning schedule at the time. However, the first 26 episodes from the 1960-'61 season [52 five minute segments] were syndicated in the fall of 1962, with a brief new title, sponsor I.D. and General Mills commercial attached to each, which could be inserted into live local kids' shows...
fromthesidelines 9 months ago
Back then, I lived in the Cleveland- Youngstown- Pittsburgh corridor and was able to watch all 3 tv markets.
sliderprimer 10 months ago
Our cub scout group got a chance to be on the Captain Penny show in 1961. We were all bussed down to 30th and Euclid and spent the entire day at channel 5. I remember getting a tour of the station and watching the show. Ron looked much younger in person than he did on TV. I got a chance to play with a Lionel train set on the floor of the studio! The best memory I have of that day, was the way Captain Penny would climb down from the engine, on a step ladder, in front of a rear projection screen.
georgejetson400 10 months ago
I have a love-hate relationship with the Internet but one of the best thing about it is the posting of old programs from my childhood. I grew up in Jeromesville, which is about 60 miles south of Cleveland, and remember Captain Penny, Miss Barbara, Mr. Jing-a-ling, and Ghoulardi. Hard to believe that back then there were only 3 channels to choose from (WEWS, WKYC, and WJW).
sarkelcpa 1 year ago
Oh wow, to hear that theme song again is absolutely unreal...and to hear the King and Odie...and all those names again...things I had totally forgotten about....just incredible..thank you for posting these priceless memories!
Debutantealways 1 year ago
WOW memories! I live out here in CA now and nobody out here has ever heard of him... Great memories. I really beieved what he said at the end, "You can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, BUT YOU CAN'T FOOL MOM...!"
Obummer4prez 1 year ago
@Obummer4prez Those were famous words from theCaptain, what memories, being a kid in Cleveland during the early to mid 60's was pretty good.
crazyromanian1 5 months ago
He was a great guy. Tragically he died very young. His show was fun to watch. Loved the Jungle Larry segments, especially when Larry got bit by the tiger!
tritonrocks 1 year ago
I have many memories of Captain Penny when I was a kid. We used to go to Chippewa Lake Amusement Park and Jungle Larry would appear there with his animals, too. But, Captain Penny was always one of my favorites.
Hisgraceforme 1 year ago
@Hisgraceforme - OMG Brook Park Days at Chippewa Lake! One of my fave childhood memories!
tadsgirl 6 months ago
"You can fool some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool Mom. ..."
GuitarGare 1 year ago
I was 5 and just got back from morning Kindergarten.
walts44 1 year ago
I still have an autograph picture of Captain Penny from when he came to our local shopping center.I have happy memories of watching his show in the late 60's early 70's and also his guest from the Cleveland zoo Jungle Larry and the animals he would bring to the show.
gnolt 1 year ago
Just loved Captain Penny! I wish the Mr. Jingaling song was available on the tube! Loved Dorothy Fuldheim, too. Wanted to grow up and BE HER, or at least, a cross between her and Brenda Starr! Thanks for posting.
mickindanny 1 year ago 2