Comic books were enjoyed during quiet times, and often read over and over again. A \u201cviewer\u201d was popular and I would look at Robin Hood and other stories through it. Nonna had showed me some pictures of Italy and other places with a viewer, but I, do not know what happened to it.<\/span><\/p>\n Television was being introduced during this time and I was fortunate enough to see WTVT and WFLA come on the air for the first time. The shows would start off with patriotic music and a salute to the flag. Programming would usually stop around 11:00 P.M. They would end the programming with patriotic music and a picture of the U.S. flag. There was not enough programming on air to fill twenty-four hours, so the network would sign off and then start again the next morning. Our grandparents along with our parents were among the first to have a television, so we were fortunate to be able to see many of the newest programs.\u00a0 Saturday mornings were set aside for cartoons and various kid shows which depicted characters as role models along with comedies and talent shows. Sundays and Saturday nights were more for adult entertainment: although, the Wonderful World of Disney came on Sundays and they showed all their cartoons, movies, and various continuing shows.<\/p>\n Talent shows which included singing, dancing, and comedy were popular and many adults including my parents and grandparents watched these.<\/p>\n Your Hit Parade<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cYour Hit Parade<\/i> \u201cwas a weekly network television program that aired from 1950 to 1959. The program enjoyed some popularity, but was never as successful as its radio predecessor, which began in 1935, and ran for fifteen years before moving to television.<\/p>\n Lawrence Welk<\/strong><\/p>\n This show included a wealth of talented singers, dancers, and musicians who entertained millions of\u00a0people\u00a0with what became known as \u201cChampagne music\u201d each Saturday night.\u00a0A wealth of talented singers, dancers and musicians entertained millions of people on TV with what became known as Champagne music over its 30 year and 1,065 episode history.A wealth of talented singers, dancers and musicians entertained millions of people on TV with what became known as Champagne music over its 30 year and 1,065 episode history. A wealth of talented singers, dancers and musicians entertained millions of people on TV with what became known as Champagne music over its 30 year and 1,065 episode history.<\/p>\n Perry Como\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n “The Perry Como Show”\u00a0 aired on CBS from October 2, 1950, through June 24, 1955. Although, he did other shows in radio and television this was the one I remember them watching the most. He did a Christmas show each year as well! These were among favorites of television viewers.<\/p>\n Perry Como was among my grandparents\u2019, aunts, and uncle\u2019s favorite shows. Even though much was not understood by Nonna, she loved watching and listening. Aunts Francis and Jennie would interpret for Nonna when needed.<\/p>\n Click picture to hear \u201cFly Me to the Moon<\/a>\u201d as sung in 1963 by Perry Como.<\/p>\n Perhaps most popular song with my grandparents was:<\/p>\n \u201cAva Maria\u201d and in English here are the words:<\/p>\n To hear a portion of this song click on \u201cAva Maria\u201d.<\/p>\n Ava Maria<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ave Maria! maiden mild! Among the Saturday television shows that were my favorites included:<\/b><\/p>\n Zorro, Sky King, Roy Rogers, Gene Audrey, The Howdy Dowdy Show, The Little Rascals, Superman, Lassie, Mickey Mouse Club, Rin Tin Tin, Sergeant Preston and the Yukon, and others. They instilled values, lessons, heroes, and how to be successful and polite in the world. The original Superman was quite an influence on me and I valued his judgments more than his strength. Many times, I would fanaticize my dad was Superman; although, I knew better. His motto was: \u201cTruth, Justice, and the American Way\u201d.<\/p>\n As a young boy, I was influenced by the shows and sometimes would act out these characters. My cousin, Phyllis Zambito, would have to tolerate my acting skills! I would take on the main character and she would have to be the sidekick, \u201cputting up\u201d with the antics that were sometimes portrayed in the shows. Many times, I asked her to place something on her head and I would try to use a whip (like Zorro) to knock it off, or even take a rope and try to lasso her (as would Roy Rogers). She was a great sport and never really complained much, but I knew she did not like her role.<\/p>\n As you read the descriptions I\u2019ve given, notice that each show had something they wanted to share with their audience, other than just pure entertainment. They were clean, fun, entertaining, and contained messages to be good citizens, do right, and respect others. These values were understood and never questioned.<\/p>\n Sky King and His Niece Penny<\/strong><\/p>\n Out of the clear blue of the western sky comes Sky King, a WWII naval aviator-turned rancher, who flies his twin-engine Cessna high above the Arizona plains. Accompanying Sky on his adventures is his nephew, Clipper, and his teen niece, Penny.<\/p>\n He was truly a western hero of the more modern time using his plane to catch the villains.<\/p>\n The Mickey Mouse Club<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Click Picture\u2026<\/p>\n \u00a0Another wonderful show that was produced by Walt Disney was the Mickey Mouse Club. Not only was it entertaining, but had various mini-series portraying life and making the right choices. There were always funny cartoons and great characters in the show, which led to wonderful watching. Notice the rounded screen corners, as this is how televisions were made.<\/p>\n \u00a0 Annette Funicello, a member of Disney’s original “Mickey Mouse Club” from the 1950s, is dead at the age of 70 from complications of multiple sclerosis, a disease that she’s\u00a0 Each week there could be a different series to identify with and then the usual singing and dancing by the Musketeers.<\/p>\n Our Gang \u2013 \u201cSpanky and Our Gang\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0One of my favorite television shows created in the 1940\u2019s, was broadcast on television as \u201cThe Little Rascals,\u201d which centered on the adventures of a group of neighborhood children and all the fun they would get into. It seemed to be a fair representation of growing up and many of my adventures (when I think about it) were probably initiated in part by the scenes on some of those predicaments. Some examples of my adventures would be: building of push wagons and taking them to the park, building clubhouses, or charging neighborhood children admission to view a show we would put on.<\/p>\n A lot of this behavior was heightened while living on Kathleen Street. Even though we were a little older, we still had the childish dreams of skating down a hill, building push-carts, getting into mischief along the river\u2019s edge, or roaming about in the neighborhood.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n Howdy Doody<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/b>Howdy Doody is an American children’s television program (with circus and Western themes) that was created and telecast on NBC from 1947 until 1960. It was a pioneer in children’s television programming and set the pattern for many similar shows.\u00a0 Howdy was a puppet and had 48 freckles at the time due to the United States having only 48 states when it began (up until January 3, 1959, when Alaska was admitted as the 49th state).<\/p>\n It was almost a variety show that had many of the same characters on, but made you laugh and escape the day.<\/p>\n This show was fun to watch. It was done with an audience and included many puppet acts and various mini-series shows within the show. It was well written, as I would look forward to watching it each Saturday, in a small den while at Nonno\u2019s house.\u00a0 I could watch television, which was close to the kitchen should I need a snack. Also, a cat called Midnight appeared weekly on the show.<\/p>\n Zorro<\/strong><\/p>\n The television show Zorro portrays the only son of Don Alejandro and his return to California to fight the corrupted local military in 1820. He plays the foppish dandy by day and the masked swordsman, Zorro, who slashes “Z”s everywhere by night. He shows that one person can fight corruption and crime and that good will take evil; although, evil persists every day. It was a fun, exciting series which portrayed another hero to look up to. He was one of my favorite characters and I would use a rope as a whip reenacting scenes from the show. Phyllis Zambito, my first cousin, sometimes had to take the brunt of my role playing, as I would use her to play the part.<\/p>\n \u00a0 Zorro is an American action-adventure seriesproduced by Walt Disney Productions. Based on the well-known Zorro character, the series premiered on October 10, 1957, on ABC, and the final network broadcast was on July 2, 1959. Seventy-eight episodes were produced, and 4 hour-long specials were aired on the Walt Disney anthology series between October 30, 1960 and April 2, 1961.<\/p>\n Superman<\/strong><\/p>\n The Adventures of Superman was a hit series from 1952 to 1958. George Reeves, Superman, is a reporter and befriends Lois Lane at the Daily Planet. He fights crime with the help of his friends at the Daily Planet, but does not reveal his secret. This was among one of my top loved series and enjoyed that Superman took care of crime, no matter how difficult it was. Sometimes as a child, I wanted to believe Dad was Superman! During a hurricane or on windy days, we would place towels around our necks and pretend to fly when the winds would reach high speeds. There was an empty lot on St. Louis and I remember doing this for hours, along with playing in the wind. I had many dreams of flying as a kid and they all started out the same way. I would have to jump and the jumps would be done effortlessly. Afterwards, the jumps would turn into flying. I\u2019m not sure if flying dreams came from this show, but it was my favorite dream. I continue to have this same dream, but not as often. It follows the same format and is very relaxing!<\/p>\n It was my all-time favorite television show! This show taught right over wrong and the \u201cgood guy\u201d always wins. The show begins with: \u201cLook in the sky, it is a bird, it is a plane, no, it\u2019s Superman. Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive,\u201d Truth, Justice, and the American Way were always the central theme of the show.<\/p>\n In the 1950\u2019s, there were no major hurricanes or storms that were near Tampa Bay, but we would have winds when they were nearby. Superman shows inspired me when we did have high winds to go out with a towel around my neck and pretend we could fly. Of course that never happened, but it was fun to believe during storms that it may. My friends would do the same thing to pass the time on a windy day.<\/p>\n Roy Rogers<\/strong><\/p>\n Here was a true cowboy, which has the story of the King of the Cowboys, Roy Rogers, and The Double R Ranch which featured his Horse, Trigger, and The Queen of the Cowgirls, Dale Evans, and her horse Buttermilk, their dog, Bullet, and even Pat’s jeep, Nellybelle. Not only could he ranch, ride a horse, and catch the \u201cbad guys\u201d, but Roy could sing as well. They always closed the show singing Happy Trails to You<\/span>.<\/p>\n Click song title Happy Trails to hear part of the song.<\/b><\/p>\n Happy trails to you, until we meet again. It’s the way you ride the trail that counts, Happy trails to you, ’till we meet again<\/p>\n As I have written, shows gave morals, lessons and values. Here is an example of what Roy Rogers shows were about.<\/p>\n Roy Rogers Riders Club Rules:<\/b><\/p>\n 1. Be neat and clean. Roy and Dale usually went over these rules on most of the shows that I remember. Therefore; giving morals to young children who watched the show other than today\u2019s shows, which seem to teach getting by with what you can and hoping you don\u2019t get caught. If you do wrong the \u201csystem\u201d may get you off. (Just my opinion)<\/p>\n Here is something that Joe Mistretta found on the internet and emailed to me in June of 2013.<\/p>\n THE END OF AN ERA…….<\/p>\n The Roy Rogers Museum in Branson, MO has closed its doors forever. \u201cIt is extremely sad to see this era lost forever. Despite the fact that Gene and Roy\u2019s movies, as well as those of other great characters, can be bought or rented for viewing, today’s kids would rather spend their time playing video games. Lassie<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n <\/i>Lassie<\/i> was a favorite show that follows the adventures of a female Collie dog, Lassie and her companions. One of the longest running dramatic series on television, this show chalked up seventeen seasons on CBS before entering first-run syndication for its final two seasons. Initially filmed in black and white, the show transitioned to color during 1965. This was a show you hated to miss because of the good clean simple living, portraying people who enjoyed each other, there was always a problem, but with the help of Lassie and Timmy, the problem was solved by the end of the show.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n I Love Lucy<\/b><\/p>\n How can anyone leave out this show! Not only was it popular, but continues to run daily in the United States and around the world. The story is about a woman who is a little \u201ccrazy\u201d and is married to a band leader. She and her neighbors are always getting into comical situations that have us laughing throughout the series.<\/p>\n The main characters in the show were:<\/p>\n Lucy Ricardo played by: Lucille Ball<\/p>\n Ricky Ricardo played by: Desi Arnaz<\/p>\n Fred Mertz played by: William Frawley<\/p>\n Ethel Mertz played by: Vivian Vance<\/p>\n Lucy and Ricky were in 181 episodes during the 1951-57 shows and Ethel was in 177 shows and Fred was in 176.<\/p>\n Lucy \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Ricky \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Ethel \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Fred<\/b><\/p>\n Storyline:<\/b><\/p>\n Cuban Bandleader, Ricky Ricardo, would be happy if his wife, Lucy, would just be a housewife. Instead she tries constantly to perform at the Tropicana, where he works, and makes life comically frantic in the apartment building they share with landlords, Fred and Ethel Mertz. Many of the scripts involved funny situations that anyone would have in real life, such as a postdated check, unexpected guests, or a wife that loved the \u201cspotlight\u201d.<\/p>\n Lucille Ball changed television forever when “I Love Lucy” aired in 1951. It featured a woman as a main character, which was rare back during that time and age. And the fact that the woman did not listen to her husband often was even more controversial. It was controversial because her husband was Cuban, and back in the ’50’s, barely anyone married other races, and if so, the subject was definitely not the premise for a television show. But, it was a window to how the world would change and although filmed back in the 50\u2019s, it is still just as funny to watch today.(I heard rumors that he was Mexican, but I think it was more acceptable to play the role of Cuban.)<\/p>\n Flipper<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n![\"Television](\"https:\/\/binarybytes.com\/d1\/wp-content\/uploads\/Television-Entertainment-0001.jpeg\")
<\/a>\n <\/a>\n <\/a>\n <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/a><\/a><\/p>\n
\nListen to a maiden’s prayer!
\nThou canst hear though from the wild;
\nThou canst save amid despair.
\nSafe may we sleep beneath thy care,
\nThough banish’d, outcast and reviled –
\nMaiden! hear a maiden’s prayer;
\nMother, hear a suppliant child!
\nAve Maria
\nAve Maria! undefiled!
\nThe flinty couch we now must share
\nShall seem this down of eider piled,
\nIf thy protection hover there.
\nThe murky cavern’s heavy air
\nShall breathe of balm if thou hast smiled;
\nThen, Maiden! hear a maiden’s prayer,
\nMother, list a suppliant child!
\nAve Maria!
\nAve Maria! stainless styled.
\nFoul demons of the earth and air,
\nFrom this their wonted haunt exiled,
\nShall flee before thy presence fair.
\nWe bow us to our lot of care,
\nBeneath thy guidance reconciled;
\nHear for a maid a maiden’s prayer,
\nAnd for a father hear a child!
\nAve Maria.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nbat<\/span>tled since 1992. She died peacefully at her home in Bakersfield, California on April 8, 2013. She was my and ma<\/span>ny boys\u2019 my age first crush.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nLyrics to “<\/b>Happy Trails<\/b><\/a>” by Dale Evans Rogers<\/b><\/p>\n
\nHappy trails to you, keep smilin’ until then.
\nWho cares about the clouds when we’re together?
\nJust sing a song and bring the sunny weather.
\nHappy trails to you, ’till we meet again.
\nSome trails are happy ones,
\nOthers are blue.<\/p>\n
\nHere’s a happy one for you.
\nHappy trails to you, until we meet again.
\nHappy trails to you, keep smilin’ until then.
\nWho cares about the clouds when we’re together?
\nJust sing a song and bring the sunny weather.<\/p>\n
\n2. Be courteous and polite.
\n3. Always obey your parents.
\n4. Protect the weak and help them.
\n5. Be brave but never take chances.
\n6. Study hard and learn all you can.
\n7. Be kind to animals and take care of them.
\n8. Eat all your food and never waste any.
\n9. Love God and go to Sunday school regularly.
\n10. Always respect our flag and our country.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe contents of the museum were sold at a public auction.
\nRoy Rogers told his son, if the museum ever operates at a loss, close it and sell the contents. He complied!<\/p>\n
\nToday it takes a very special pair of parents to raise their kids with the right values and morals.
\nThese were the great heroes of our childhood and they did teach us right from wrong, to have respect for each other, and the animals that share this earth.
\nYou and I were born at the right time. We were able to grow up with these great people, even if we never met them.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe show’s first ten seasons follow Lassie’s adventures in a small farming community. Fictional eleven-year-old Jeff Miller, his mother, and his grandfather are Lassie’s first human companions until seven-year-old Timmy Martin and his adoptive parents take over in the fourth season. Lassie was a heartwarming show that depicted a farm life with Lassie as the heroine. She was able to get everyone out of trouble and back to normal each time. The show evolved as the years went on, but Lassie remained the true heroine.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n