Andy's Gang
A children's show hosted by Andy Devine with puppet Froggy the Gremlin.
Andy's Gang is a children's television program that aired on NBC from August 20, 1955, to December 31, 1960. It was hosted by actor Andy Devine, who took over after the death of Smilin' Ed McConnell, the original host of the earlier radio and television program Smilin' Ed McConnell and His Buster Brown Gang. The show continued the sponsor Buster Brown shoes and featured several characters inherited from McConnell's program.
Quick Facts
- Network
- NBC
- First air date
- August 20, 1955
- Last air date
- December 31, 1960
- Host
- Andy Devine
- Sponsor
- Buster Brown shoes
- Predecessor
- Smilin' Ed McConnell and His Buster Brown Gang
Facts from the source article.
Smilin' Ed McConnell
Smilin' Ed McConnell and his Buster Brown Gang was among the first children's TV shows filmed in Hollywood. McConnell would greet the audience with "Hiya, kids," then lead them in a song for Buster Brown shoes. After the song, he thanked his "buddies and sweethearts" and announced the show as a "good old Saturday hullabaloo." Produced on a small budget, the program brought to life the Buster Brown advertising characters and helped sell millions of shoes. Initially filmed before a live audience, the show later intercut prefilmed children's reaction shots as McConnell's health declined. Regular features included music and stories from "Smilin' Ed's Storybook" and a serial set in India called "Gunga, the East India Boy," following the Maharajah, Gunga Ram, and his friend Rama in filmed segments around the village of Bakore. A popular segment involved the green puppet Froggy the Gremlin, who appeared in a puff of smoke when McConnell yelled "Plunk your magic twanger, Froggy!" Froggy would interrupt the story and cause trouble. McConnell died of a heart attack in 1954.
Andy Devine
After McConnell's death, Andy Devine, known for his rough voice and gentle demeanor, took over the show in 1955. Devine had previously appeared as Jingles on The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok. His segments were done without a live audience, with studio reaction shots intercut, allowing limited special effects such as Froggy's appearances and disappearances. The show began with Devine sitting in a big easy chair reading from a book titled Andy's Stories, illustrated by film clips. Regular characters included Midnight the Cat, Squeeky the Mouse (portrayed by a hamster), and Grandie the Talking Piano. Midnight, a big black cat, sometimes operated an organ grinder and would say "Nice" in a falsetto meow when asked her opinion. In filmed segments, Gunga Ram was played by Nino Marcel, and his friend Rama by Vito Scotti, helping the Maharajah. Comic actor Billy Gilbert appeared regularly, often interrupted by Froggy or told to do Froggy's bidding, leading Gilbert to chase Froggy until he disappeared. Devine closed each show with the words, "Yes, sir, we're pals, and pals stick together. And now, gang, don't forget church or Sunday school."
Legacy
Some original filmed programs hosted by Devine have survived, including a few color segments from near the end of the run in 1960. VHS and DVD home videos have been issued, and clips are available on several websites. The entire inventory of filmed programs and presumably the broadcast rights are owned by Hubbard Broadcasting of St. Paul, Minnesota. Buckner & Garcia paid tribute to Smilin' Ed McConnell and Froggy the Gremlin in their 1982 novelty song "Froggy's Lament" about the arcade game Frogger, featuring the lyrics "Hiya kids" and "Plunk your magic twanger, Froggy!" Several clips from the show, including a sequence with Midnight the Cat and Squeeky the Mouse performing Jesus Loves Me, appeared in the film The Movie Orgy.
More in American Television Shows Featuring Puppetry
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