Magic Window with Betty Lou (12/16/1955) part 1

In this episode of the Magic window, Deputy Dog and Dusty help Betty Lou decorate for Christmas. Earle Raun and Betty Lou discuss the anatomy and life habits of the bat; Noel the Elf brings craft material for construction of a bat. Betty Lou visits Rhode Island Red and they discuss toy guns, Indians, and tall tales, including the story of "Dirty Luke."

Host: Betty Lou McVay
Guests: Ray Varnum and Earl Raun
Director: Rene Bras

Original air date: December 16, 1955

Category:

Education

Tags:

• WOI-TV
• Children's Shows
• Iowa State University Betty Lou McVay
• Bats
• 1950s

[zekest]

I love Betty Lou....

[63keithernet]

Betty Lou scolded Domino the dog for eating the Christmas tree ornaments. Given dogs and trees, lady, things could've been worse. lol. Seriously, Thank you Betty Lou and company for all those wonderful days watching your show as a child.

[chuchunezumi]

Makes me want to break out my roll of "cellophane tape"...how many generations grew up with Betty Lou? She is a genuine treasure to the state of Iowa.

[dsmjerry]

wow. even the opening theme.... once it started, i could hum right along with it!

[TheHollz]

OMG ..I watched this growing up in the 80's. She taught me how to make paper lanterns and snowflakes. We did a skit based on her show in pre school. Memories...

[jsusreyn]

Yup. IRRC, McVey was her maiden name and she eventually married 'Red' Varnum, an engineer at WOI who did the puppets and voices.

I met 'Red' when I was attending ISU in the early 70's and he was managing a computer store. I told him I always enjoyed 'House with the Magic Window' and he responded by laughing -- in the exact voice of Gregory Lion :-) I'll always remember that moment...

[amesguy515]

She was so cool, but I didn't know she was on back in the 50's, I remember more in the 60's.

[jolie1957]

Same here!!! I remember Catrina, the puppet and how she would help Betty Lou pull the cord to reveal the white movie screen, after they'd say a little jingle that went something like, "Turn on the camera, turn off the lights,..." etc. etc. I watched her for years. This is when she was very young, and very thin. I think her name was Betty Lou McVey?

[meowfit]

I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!! "Magic Window" is right out of my childhood, having grown up in central Iowa:):):)

[j5collector]

I loved this show as a kid. And that was some pretty snappy dialogue between Betty Lou and the puppets. My favorite line is "It would be a shame if you died and missed Christmas!"