Remember This? I Had One, Who Else Had One?

On August 24, 2016 - TV History

Remember This? I Had One, Who Else Had One?

“Plunk your magic twanger, Froggy”! Sound familiar? Ever seen it said in COLOR? No? Then click this link for a surprise, and read on for more surprises. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9pPFCjRPvM

I watched “Andy’s Gang” on NBC, which ran from August 20, 1955, to December 31, 1960. It was hosted by actor Andy Devine and was the successor to the radio and television programs “Smilin’ Ed McConnell And His Buster Brown Gang”, later shortened to “Smilin’ Ed’s Gang”. Devine took over the television program when Ed McConnell died suddenly from a heart attack in 1954. McConnell took it to TV in 1951. Devine inherited a number of the characters on the show and the sponsor, Buster Brown shoes.

When Devine took over, some episodes of the show began to be shot in color at The Nassour Studios in Los Angeles, which later became Metromedia Square. This was the first television job for a lady that would become one of the top cartoon voices in the business…June Foray (voice of Rocky on “Rocky & Bullwinkle”, among many others).

Thanks to Barry Mitchell for sending this picture of Froggy, which is in the window at Antiques & Collectibles at 40 West 25th Street, New York, in case you need another. Froggy squeaks and sticks his tongue out when you squeeze him…much like Arch Presby, the show’s announcer and voice of Froggy. Enjoy and share! -Bobby Ellerbee

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9 Comments

  1. Bill Shrode August 25, 2016

    My mother has had one of these since the day i was born. I was told the sisters at the hospital(Cuneo in Chicago) gave it to her. I never knew anymore about it but I saw it in a box at her house a couple of months ago.

  2. Bob Hollis August 24, 2016

    I had one!

  3. JM Collins August 24, 2016

    Buster Brown and his dog Tige(sp?). I remember it well

  4. Michael Karman August 24, 2016

    Midnight The Cat

  5. Tom Williamson August 24, 2016

    June Foray also did some character voices on radio, I think.

  6. Ray Dilfield August 24, 2016

    Froggy was the only TV character that ever totally creeped me out as a child. Clowns, monsters, whatever? No problem.
    Froggy came on and I was out of the room.

  7. Dave Coopman August 24, 2016

    “Hi ya kids, hi ya, hi ya!”

  8. Jeff Jeffares August 24, 2016

    I saw them as a kid onstage at the Decatur (GA) Theater between double features! Of course, plugging Buster Brown Shoes.

  9. Ralph Langer August 24, 2016

    Another Froggy Photo…