Excerpt from the UCLA Film & Television Archive's digital restoration of "Mister Peepers" starring Wally Cox and featuring Marion Lorne as Mrs. Gurney. Air date: NBC, 12/27/1953.
I am pathetically old so having been on T.V. as a kid in the early 1950s (and before) I can tell you that what looks black almost always was dark blue. There was a problem with black, though I don't remember what it was, and a bigger problem with white because it sometimes burned into the camera lense. So what looks black and what looks while usually wasn't. It's incredible when you think everything was live, no chance to goof and redo.
Marion Lorne was the only bright spot in her role as Aunt Clara on "Bewitched". Her character could always relate to Samantha or Darrin, no matter how many times over. Likewise, she could always help promote a product on TV back then with All-New Energized Oxydol.
In the '40s and '50s, kinescope film {the film camera [24fps] had to be adjusted to properly "track" the 30fps video screen} was the ONLY way "live" television shows could be be preserved- and "repeated" (via "delayed telecasts") on those stations unable to carry live broadcasts. The idea was to send 16mm film prints to local stations, usually by mail, who aired those programs about a week- in some areas, almost six weeks- after the original telecast...and sent them to the next station, et. al.
It would be nice if some other home video production company, in conjunction with the UCLA Film & Television Archive, released the remaining episodes of "Mister Peepers" on home video (Blu-ray and DVD). A company called S'More Entertainment released Season One (including the pilots) and some episodes of Season Two, then abandoned the project. It has now been eight years since those last DVD releases of "Peepers," quite a disappointment to those who expected this series from TV's so-called "Golden Age" to finally be released to completion on home video. Another vintage TV dramedy broadcast live from New York and also preserved through kinescopes is "Jamie," which starred the (then) boy actor Brandon deWilde (most acclaimed for the film and stage versions of "The Member of the Wedding," and the films "Hud" and "Shane") and co-starred veteran TV character actor Ernest Truex ("Pa Remington" in "Mister Peepers," "Pops" in "Pete & Gladys," and star of the "Kick the Can" episode of "The Twilight Zone"), as well Alice Pearce (the first and, most agree,"best" "Gladys Kravitz" in "Bewitched") and Kathleen Nolan ("Kate" in "The Real McCoys," the original "Wendy Darling" in Broadway's "Peter Pan" ). The pilot of "Jamie," as with "Peepers," was written by renowned film and TV director/screenwriter David Swift.I understand UCLA's Film & TV Archive also houses the surviving kinescopes of "Jamie." I wish I knew how much it costs to finance one season of a kinescoped TV series to DVD format, might consider helping to finance one or both of these series' ("Mister Peepers" and "Jamie") home video releases myself.
in Albuquerque, at the old Washington Jr Hi and the old Albuquerque Hi we had teachers who dressed like these teachers and a few who were just as kind hearted and "eccentric" -- the love of teaching came through and the dedication, most of them whether single or with families held two jobs, week day teaching and the week-end and summer jobs outside of teaching.
Note how minimal the sets are. Budgets were so tight that on many of the daytime soaps such as "Love of Life" and "Search for Tomorrow" there were no walls, just darkness suggesting walls with paintings hung from above that appeared to be on walls on such. Color put an end to that.
"(While you're in New York City) why don't you look her up. She'd LOVE to hear you!" "I'd be happy to. What is her name?" "OH never mind the name..." lol
Not at all. It shows you appreciate a well-acted and well-written television series that had heart and wit, and are not distracted by the fact the series is not filmed in color or with today's abundance of artificial visual effects. By the way, the actor (Wally Cox) who portrayed "Robinson Peepers" was also the voice of "Underdog" in that same-named cartoon series. And many of the actors in "Peepers" went on to lengthy careers in film and television, including the actor (Tony Randall) who portrayed "Peeper's" best friend, history teacher "Harve Weskitt," perhaps best known for his portrayal of "Felix Unger" in TV's first adaptation of Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple," as well the co-star in some popular Doris Day-Rock Hudson films. I encourage you to maintain your independent sensibility regarding television as well film, music and life in general. Be true to what you genuinely like and find interesting, not so much influenced by the trends of what others say they like (which may or may not be of a superb quality). Have you actually watched all available Season One and Two episodes of "Mister Peepers?"
gymnastix Well I mean I've watched plenty of episodes from it. Not all of them, and I've seen Underdog and The Odd Couple, and etc. I have to thank my Dad for showing me so much stuff. I've seen stuff from the 50's, 60's 70's and 80's thanks to him. Its helped me gain more historical and cultural awareness.
Regarding kinescopes, they weren't done in the studio but almost always in a special film room at T.V. stations. It was more than a matter of pointing a film camera at a T.V. show; the setting had to be secure so nothing was shaken, the lighting was ample as possible and so on. The film camera was as I remember strapped in place, ditto the T.V. monitor. T.V. Guide once did a photo story illustrating it all. Kinescopes were awful; we thought so even back then.
This is true. Also, the films were made at local tv stations, which received the performance as they were performed. Then the kinescope versions were broadcast at the ideal local time.
Cool ps mrs story tommy story mom watched thus cool tv show many yeRs ago so I looked it up kn RUclips colitis there she said she named her parakeet bird mr peepers
First of all, so called "Marion Lorne" wasn't her full name. There was nothing wrong with his actual birth name, Marion Lorne MacDougal . Most likely the change was made as the result of a greedy Studio or Business Manager, with perceived notions of greater recognition accompanied with monetary gains? In reality, it's also shows blatant disrespect for one's parents & their family heritage, just to possibly obtain (not earn) a greater buck?! The ONLY reason a name change should be done, is for a woman when she gets married. If a woman gets married and DOESN'T change her name, then she doesn't accept the sanctity of marriage.
Marion Lorne - historic, brilliant actress to be studied by all serious students of acting, drama and comedy.
I read once that Alfred Hitchcock referred to Marion Lorne as "THE BEST" actress living after having worked with her in "Strangers on a Train" .
I am pathetically old so having been on T.V. as a kid in the early 1950s (and before) I can tell you that what looks black almost always was dark blue. There was a problem with black, though I don't remember what it was, and a bigger problem with white because it sometimes burned into the camera lense. So what looks black and what looks while usually wasn't. It's incredible when you think everything was live, no chance to goof and redo.
Originally broadcast December 27, 1953 and I just happened to find it on RUclips on December 27, 2018.
I LOVE Marion Lorne! She reminds me of my Aunt Ella when I was a kid. So honestly sweet!
Marion Lorne was the only bright spot in her role as Aunt Clara on "Bewitched". Her character could always relate to Samantha or Darrin, no matter how many times over. Likewise, she could always help promote a product on TV back then with All-New Energized Oxydol.
In the '40s and '50s, kinescope film {the film camera [24fps] had to be adjusted to properly "track" the 30fps video screen} was the ONLY way "live" television shows could be be preserved- and "repeated" (via "delayed telecasts") on those stations unable to carry live broadcasts. The idea was to send 16mm film prints to local stations, usually by mail, who aired those programs about a week- in some areas, almost six weeks- after the original telecast...and sent them to the next station, et. al.
I'd love to hear the old school song again...
"Jefferson Junior High,
Our hearts are true.
Jefferson Junior High,
Loyal to you (We're loyal)..."
It would be nice if some other home video production company, in conjunction with the UCLA Film & Television Archive, released the remaining episodes of "Mister Peepers" on home video (Blu-ray and DVD). A company called S'More Entertainment released Season One (including the pilots) and some episodes of Season Two, then abandoned the project. It has now been eight years since those last DVD releases of "Peepers," quite a disappointment to those who expected this series from TV's so-called "Golden Age" to finally be released to completion on home video.
Another vintage TV dramedy broadcast live from New York and also preserved through kinescopes is "Jamie," which starred the (then) boy actor Brandon deWilde (most acclaimed for the film and stage versions of "The Member of the Wedding," and the films "Hud" and "Shane") and co-starred veteran TV character actor Ernest Truex ("Pa Remington" in "Mister Peepers," "Pops" in "Pete & Gladys," and star of the "Kick the Can" episode of "The Twilight Zone"), as well Alice Pearce (the first and, most agree,"best" "Gladys Kravitz" in "Bewitched") and Kathleen Nolan ("Kate" in "The Real McCoys," the original "Wendy Darling" in Broadway's "Peter Pan" ). The pilot of "Jamie," as with "Peepers," was written by renowned film and TV director/screenwriter David Swift.I understand UCLA's Film & TV Archive also houses the surviving kinescopes of "Jamie."
I wish I knew how much it costs to finance one season of a kinescoped TV series to DVD format, might consider helping to finance one or both of these series' ("Mister Peepers" and "Jamie") home video releases myself.
Three years after your post: wondering if you ever found out how much it would cost to issue DVDs of these pioneer programs?
How about that? Mr. Peepers meets Aunt Clara.
Please, someone release the last seasons!!!
Love seeing "Aunt Clara" again.
Marion Lorne! Loved her on Bewitched
Some dude in Derry looks exactly like Mr. Peepers.
One can see the way that Mel from "Flight of the Concords" came partly from imitating Marion Lorne's facial expressions and mannerisms.
She used to be on bewitched
I almost forgot Mr. Peepers😃
in Albuquerque, at the old Washington Jr Hi and the old Albuquerque Hi we had teachers who dressed like these teachers and a few who were just as kind hearted and "eccentric" -- the love of teaching came through and the dedication, most of them whether single or with families held two jobs, week day teaching and the week-end and summer jobs outside of teaching.
it would be good if they would show wally cox as 'hiram holiday'
Note how minimal the sets are. Budgets were so tight that on many of the daytime soaps such as "Love of Life" and "Search for Tomorrow" there were no walls, just darkness suggesting walls with paintings hung from above that appeared to be on walls on such. Color put an end to that.
"(While you're in New York City) why don't you look her up. She'd LOVE to hear you!"
"I'd be happy to. What is her name?"
"OH never mind the name..." lol
Nice video
Is it odd that I'm 14 and I watch Mister Peepers?
Not at all. It shows you appreciate a well-acted and well-written television series that had heart and wit, and are not distracted by the fact the series is not filmed in color or with today's abundance of artificial visual effects.
By the way, the actor (Wally Cox) who portrayed "Robinson Peepers" was also the voice of "Underdog" in that same-named cartoon series. And many of the actors in "Peepers" went on to lengthy careers in film and television, including the actor (Tony Randall) who portrayed "Peeper's" best friend, history teacher "Harve Weskitt," perhaps best known for his portrayal of "Felix Unger" in TV's first adaptation of Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple," as well the co-star in some popular Doris Day-Rock Hudson films.
I encourage you to maintain your independent sensibility regarding television as well film, music and life in general. Be true to what you genuinely like and find interesting, not so much influenced by the trends of what others say they like (which may or may not be of a superb quality).
Have you actually watched all available Season One and Two episodes of "Mister Peepers?"
gymnastix Well I mean I've watched plenty of episodes from it. Not all of them, and I've seen Underdog and The Odd Couple, and etc. I have to thank my Dad for showing me so much stuff. I've seen stuff from the 50's, 60's 70's and 80's thanks to him. Its helped me gain more historical and cultural awareness.
No.
Aunt Clara from Bewitched.
Regarding kinescopes, they weren't done in the studio but almost always in a special film room at T.V. stations. It was more than a matter of pointing a film camera at a T.V. show; the setting had to be secure so nothing was shaken, the lighting was ample as possible and so on. The film camera was as I remember strapped in place, ditto the T.V. monitor. T.V. Guide once did a photo story illustrating it all. Kinescopes were awful; we thought so even back then.
This is true. Also, the films were made at local tv stations, which received the performance as they were performed. Then the kinescope versions were broadcast at the ideal local time.
Cool ps mrs story tommy story mom watched thus cool tv show many yeRs ago so I looked it up kn RUclips colitis there she said she named her parakeet bird mr peepers
Rod Rosenstein before he became Deputy Atty. General.
First of all, so called "Marion Lorne" wasn't her full name. There was nothing wrong with his actual birth name, Marion Lorne MacDougal . Most likely the change was made as the result of a greedy Studio or Business Manager, with perceived notions of greater recognition accompanied with monetary gains? In reality, it's also shows blatant disrespect for one's parents & their family heritage, just to possibly obtain (not earn) a greater buck?! The ONLY reason a name change should be done, is for a woman when she gets married. If a woman gets married and DOESN'T change her name, then she doesn't accept the sanctity of marriage.
Richie Tozier like this.