Rankin/Bass-historian: 12/27/09

Saturday, January 02, 2010

The Famous MR. ED

We were sorry to hear about Connie Hines' (Carol Post) passing a few weeks back (she was 78). She looked and sounded great in her April, 2009 interview on the season one DVD set of MR. ED (SHOUT FACTORY). I have been watching MR. ED on ME TV and their channel THIS! for a while now and am glad season sets are finally coming out on DVD.

The cast of MR. ED with the 1962 Lark Skytop (Lark was the original sponsor when it started out as a syndicated series and then it later wound up on CBS).

All items from my collection!

posted by Thomas Frederick

ARTHUR RANKIN & JULES BASS

Arthur and Jules (Pictured in 1965) with the help of Romeo Muller, took the character of RUDOLPH and embellished the short story and song and created and added the Island of Misfit Toys, the BUMBLE, YUKON CORNELIUS, CLARICE, HERMEY THE ELF, etc. etc. They made RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER for television and created something that will last for generations. RUDOLPH is now a household name and part of just about everyone's Christmas.

JOHNNY MARKS

Robert L. May's brother-in-law came along and took RUDOLPH and turned him into a musical sensation! The first big hit was recorded by Gene Autry and many recorded the tune after him. Johnny was Arthur Rankin's neighbor and he convinced him to make the TV Spectacular. Marks wrote all of the songs for the 1964 classic.

ROBERT L. MAY

ROBERT L. MAY started it all! He is pictured here circa 1964 with his daughters Betsy and Martha (Who appeared on a segment of CBS NEWS with me years ago). Robert actually wrote the story book for Montgomery Ward & Co. and he was the same age as I was when I wrote my MAKING OF RUDOLPH book :) He lived in Evanston, IL too...we are both from Illinois. He passed away in 1976 and this RUDOLPH pictured with him is now housed at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Robert's 1954 follow up to his classic story for Montgomery Ward

posted by Thomas Frederick

RANKIN/BASS' THE BALLAD OF SMOKEY THE BEAR

c. 1966 RANKIN/BASS PRODUCTIONS/RICK GOLDSCHMIDT ARCHIVES

One of my favorites to watch on DVD with the GENERAL ELECTRIC FANTASY HOUR opening!

Still have a few shirts left from the LIMITED first print run! $26 shipped! e-mail Rickgoldsc@aol.com

c. 1965 RANKIN/BASS PRODUCTIONS/RICK GOLDSCHMIDT ARCHIVES

$20 shipped

PAUL COKER, JR.

2010 SALE!

We sold out of the unsigned card set! Through this weekend we are making the signed set $10 + $1 shipping. Both cards are signed by RANKIN/BASS Character designer PAUL COKER, JR.! PAYPAL Rickgoldsc@aol.com

Friday, January 01, 2010

NEW YEAR'S WEEKEND Book offer!

Book package offer this weekend...by purchasing the book for $55 shipped...you can make a choice of RARE RANKIN/BASS shows on DVD! I have THE COMING STRIP (w/ TIGERSHARKS, STREET FROGS, MINI MONSTERS, KARATE KAT), or THE SMOKEY THE BEAR SHOW (2 DVDs) or KID POWER (2 DVDs)! PAYPAL Rickgoldsc@aol.com or e-mail for mailing instructions :)