BEFORE WE HAD T.V.

It seems more likely they were on the boxes of Borax products.

Wheaties and Cheeros had trains on the back of their boxes. You would cut out the pieces and assemble a 3-D train engine. They looked pretty neat. Cheerios had comic books lots of times, such as series of Donald Duck comics, by Carl Barks, and series about the origin of The Lone Ranger. Some of the duck comics were in 3-D.

Ticking off westerns, I totally forgot Rawhide and Wagon Train. Rawhide had some actors I really enjoyed, particularly, Sheb Wooley and Clint Eastwood. Ward Bond had been in probably hundreds of movie roles before portraying the wagon master on Wagon Train. I liked the show for a pretty good while, but finally tired of the soap opera aspect of it.

It was on my list higher up. I can definitely remember watching it in the late 50s. Good watch.

I watched an episode of Rawhide on Japanese TV, while in Osaka. It was quite a kick to see Gil Favor hold up his hand and say, "Hayako" instead of "Head 'em up. Move 'em out." I think I miss-spelled Hayako, but don't know for sure.

That would have been a good laugh, for sure!

I used to watch a lot of dubbed martial arts type movies, at one time. It was fun just to see the crumby dubbing results.

We watched a lot of Ed Sullivan, but now and then switched over to Steve Allen.
There were musical shows that were good. I particularly liked
Ed Sullivan
Nat King Cole
Dean Martin
Tennessee Ernie Ford
Bobby Darin

After 72 years, TV's `Guiding Light' switching off
April 1, 2009, 12:48 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) -- The soap opera "Guiding Light" is switching off after a 72-year run that predates television.

CBS says the show will have its final episode in September. Like most daytime dramas, "Guiding Light" has suffered from declining ratings and CBS is looking for a lower-cost alternative to the hour of programming.

The Guinness Book of World Records has cited it as the longest-running television drama.

It began as a 15-minute serial on NBC Radio in January 1937 and debuted on CBS television in 1952, focusing on the Bauer family of Springfield.

I never watched soap ops, but an interesting factoid nevertheless, Edgar.

To me... it's the end of a very long non-event.

As a child, the only thing the Guiding Light ever meant to me was that it took up valuable air-time which could otherwise have been filled with cartoons. May all the daytime soaps rest in peace one of these days (sooner rather than later).

I feel a bit of nostalgia, because I recall hearing snippets of soap operas each time, playing outside, I went past the kitchen window. Dear dead days beyond recall, as Joyce put it.

Stone-face Ed Sullivan just knew how to pick his guests.
Nat King Cole has always been one of my favorites singers.
The Dean Martin Show was always good for a laugh or two.
Tennessee Ernie Ford settled here in Northern California before his passing.
Bobby Darin is a Canuck, isn't he? Mack the Knife.

Bobby was born Robert Walden Cassotto. I don't recall where his near family was from.

Seems his birthplace was Bronx, NY.

TV is so over-rated! I love listening to NPR on Saturdays; some of the programs are so great. Garrison Keeler has a great program!

I listen to NPR while driving much of the time.

How about The Jackie Gleason Show for comedy? I always figured he was pretty funny.

And, also The Red Skelton Show!

I liked those also, reyn.

I enjoyed all of those plus Groucho (one of my favorites).

I loved Groucho the way you love an old uncle.