Mr. I. Magination
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox television
Mr. I. Magination is one of the earliest American television shows for children. It ran live as a half-hour weekly show on CBS from 1949 to 1952 and was broadcast from Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan.[1][2][3] It debuted on May 29, 1949, and ended on June 38, 1952.[4]
The host, Mr. I. Magination (Paul Tripp), dressed as a train engineer, gathered a group of children each week. The same child actors appeared on a rotating basis. Two would be selected to ask about a career, occupation, activity, and such. Tripp would then play a "magic" slide flute, then he and the children would board a train and travel to Imagination Land, where they would meet a professional from each of the two areas for that week's show.[5]
Guests were as diverse as Damu, a lion tamer from Ringling Brothers Circus, and test pilot Scott Crossfield.[6] Ruth Enders, Ted Tiller, and Joe Silver also acted in the show.[7] The show was also a pioneer in using simple, early special effects, such as making it appear as if the opening train ride went through a tunnel to enter Imagination Land, emerging from the smoke from its engine.[6][8]
Yul Brynner served as the director of the show at times, but did not appear as a performer. The show also featured performances by Walter Matthau, Richard Boone, Joe Silver, Ted Tiller, and Simon Oakland.[6]
Mr. I. Magination also was featured on several RCA records for children, including Billy On A Bike and Mr. I. Magination Meets Rip Van Winkle; there are at least two versions on LP (long playing) record.[9][10][11][12][13]
Production
The producers were Worthington Miner, Irving Pincus, and Norman Pincus.[4] Hugh Rogers was the director. Tripp and Ray Carter composed music for the show.[14] The show was broadcast on Sundays in time slots that ranged from 6 - 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time to 7:30 - 8 p.m. E. T.[7]
Critical response
A review in The New York Times called the program "a thoroughly rewarding half hour for viewers, both young and old".[14] The review said that Tripp's personality created an "infectious enthusiasm" on the show while avoiding "any trace of embarrassing precocity".[14] It also described the overall production as being "of a high professional order".[14]
References
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External links
- Template:Trim/ Template:Trim at IMDbTemplate:EditAtWikidataScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:WikidataCheck
- Pages with script errors
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- 1940s American children's television series
- 1950s American children's television series
- 1949 American television series debuts
- 1952 American television series endings
- CBS original programming
- Television shows filmed in New York City
- Television series about rail transport