Elmer the Elephant - John's New Coat

Kid-show host John Conrad was caretaker to the mischievous Elmer (an elaborately designed puppet) in ELMER THE ELEPHANT, which aired on Chicago TV from 1953 to 1964. In this installment from the early 1960s, Conrad's pride in his new coat is offset by Elmer's pranks. (This clip appears courtesy of the late John Conrad.)

Read about ELMER THE ELEPHANT and other Chicago kids shows such as GARFIELD GOOSE, GIGGLESNORT HOTEL, KIDDIE-A-GO-GO and SUPER CIRCUS in the book THE GOLDEN AGE OF CHICAGO CHILDREN'S TELEVISION available from Lake Claremont Press at www.lakeclaremont.com

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Elmer
• the
• Elephant
• john
• conrad
• chicago
• childrens
• television
• 1960s
• 60s

[heine71]

Was this from a film print on some complimation of shorts or from the Chicago Museum of Broadcast Communications (yet to be reopened by 2008) archives?

[ToonORama]

This and other Elmer the Elephant postings on ToonORama are taken from video transfers of 16mm prints from the collection of the late John Conrad. Prior to his death last year, Mr. Conrad was kind enough to furnish us with copies and granted us permission to post them on YouTube, although we didn't get around to doing it until now.

[143AC]

"Elmer"was one of the first puppet costume characters in kids

history..before "The Muppets"or The Krofts"H.R.Puffenstuff". The other kids tv costumed puppet character was"Reject The Robot"on the nationally syndicated version of"Johnny Jupiter".

[tmkrjk]

I was actually laughing at this.

[kes1963]

not growing up in chicago, i never got to see this show. its pretty cool

[143AC]

He was a real talent..It's sad that we lost

poor Mr.Conrad last year.

Thank God these clips still exsist.