101. Mrs. Marmaduke (15:00)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Fignewton Frog (puppet) and Dora (person) tell a story about whales paying attention to the difference between whales with teeth and whales with baleen. The whales are portrayed with shadow puppets.

102. Mrs. Screech Sees Things Different (15:13)

Date:
1959
Summary:
Some of the habits and oddities of owls are brought out in this story of Mrs. Screech Owl, who felt her sight was failing and therefore bought a pair of glasses. Dora and Fignewton Frog tell the story by means of the peep-show parade and animated figures on small stage sets.

103. Mrs. Spider Goes to a Wedding (15:10)

Date:
1959
Summary:
Fignewton Frog and Dora tell a tale of Mrs. Spider, who helps a hummingbird get a bridal veil. Using the peep-show parade and a series of miniature sets with moving figures, they tell of some of the unusual features of spiders.

104. Music Contest Opens (15:09)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Fignewton’s second contest deals with music and the first half of this contest find the children guessing the types of musical instruments and later identifying the instruments by the sounds they hear.

105. Mystery of the Tired Boy (15:09)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Dora investigates the mystery of a tired boy. She discovers that he is eating too much candy and has a lack of energy due to his poor diet.

106. Navajo life (09:04)

Date:
1961
Summary:
Visits the national monument of Canyon de Chelly in Arizona. Describes the life of the Navajo Indians living in the canyon. Shows the ancient ruins of early Indian cliff dwellers. Tells how the Indians farm, raise sheep, cook, and build their homes. Concludes with scenes of a trading post and Indian rodeo. (KETC)

107. New Girl at School (15:10)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Linda doesn’t like being the “new girl at school” until she helps Brushy and Susie-Q, and finds she doesn’t feel like a new girl at all. Thus she learns to feel at home in a new environment.

108. Nursery rhymes (14:58)

Date:
1955
Summary:
The Friendly Giant shows Jerome the giraffe some of the pictures in the book, Tommy Tittlemouse Nursery Rhymes, illustrated by Katherine Evans, and published by the Children's Press. Jerome tries to guess the nursery rhyme that goes with each picture, and the Friendly Giant reads all the rhymes that Jerome does not know. (WHA-TV) Kinescope.

109. Old home implements (15:05)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Tells the story of changes which have taken place in home implements. Shows an early vacuum cleaner, phonograph, washing machine, butter churn, and candle mold.

110. Oliver Loses His Dignity (15:07)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Fignewton Frog (puppet) and Dora (person) tell a story about "Oliver and his Dignity." Oliver is an otter, and this episode features shadow puppet theater.

111. One eye, two eyes, three eyes (15:05)

Date:
1957
Summary:
Two Eyes, the prettiest and sweetest sister is mistreated by her mother and sisters and never gets enough to eat. Her fairy godmother tells her that her pet goat is magic and if she will say a magic rhyme she will have all the food she wants. Realizing that Two Eyes is eating better than they, the two sisters learn her secret and the goat is killed. Two Eyes then buries the goat's heart by the door step and a gold and silver fruit tree appears. When the Prince comes by and asks for some fruit only Two Eyes can pick it for him. When he learns of her cruel treatment, he takes her to his castle to be his bride.

112. Onions and Potatoes (15:10)

Date:
1959
Summary:
This is the story of the plants we eat and how some of the things we eat were brought her by the first settlers. Bash Kennett tells the history of some of our fruits and vegetables and the Lillian Patterson dancers illustrate an imaginary gardening scene. Songs include “Aunty Minna’s Cooking the Syrup,” “Goober Peas” and “Onions and Potatoes.”

113. Opening program (35:51)

Date:
1957
Summary:
This is the first in a series of children’s program. Poindexter introduces his friend Mr. Raccoon, Miss Red Hen, The Princes and the Boy from “The Story that Never Ended,” the shoemaker from the story of “The Elves and the Shoemaker,” puppets from the “Grasshopper and the Ants,” the Gingerbread Boy, The Three Little Pigs, and many others. This program sets the scene for the story adventures ahead in this series.

114. Our food : eggs and dairy products (27:25)

Date:
196u
Summary:
William C. “Bill” Smith of Oregon Educational Broadcasting, who hosts and narrates this group of programs, takes youngsters on a day’s jaunt to an Oregon “egg factory,” a dairy farm and a dairy manufacturing plant to show them that, though milk, butter and eggs still come from the same old reliable sources, the ways which they are processed have changed considerably. On a farm where 100,000 laying hens produce enough eggs in one day to feed cities the size of Schenectady; New York; St. Joseph, MO; and Kalamazoo, Michigan, we see how eggs are gathered, cleaned and graded, and sent to market. On the dairy farms we see modern milking methods and milk being transported to a manufacturing plant. Processes involved in bottling milk and making cheese are seen, and the ice cream bar section is visited.

115. Our food : fruits and vegetables (27:25)

Date:
unknown/unknown
Summary:
Fruit and vegetables are the familiar products examined in this program. Bill Smith journeys to the farm to see how peas are harvested, processed, and packed – a highly mechanized operation. He visits a strawberry patch where the luscious, red fruit is being picked. As a side trip he visits a carton factory to see how frozen food containers for peas and strawberries are made.

116. Paper (15:09)

Date:
1959
Summary:
A sheet of paper is taken for granted today, but it was a treasure in other times. Bash Kennett tells of man’s attempt to create something on which he could record his thoughts. She traces the discovery of wood pulp which led to the conquest of America’s forests by loggers who cut the trees for paper mills. Songs include “Poor Pitat” and “Oh Susannah.”

117. Patrick, Penny and Pat (15:22)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Young opposums are carried in their mother's pouch and they learn to use their tails to hold on to things. While Fignewton runs the shadow puppets, he illustrates the store of little Pete Opposum, who helps to capture a bandit, because he cannot hold on to things with his tail.

118. Percival Leads the Parade (15:14)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Dora shows how to make a penguin puppet out of a clothespin. The Make Do Theatre production tells the story of Percival Penguin who always lands on his head when coming out of the water. He has a special hat he wears and to keep it dry, keeps his head above water and in doing so lands on his feet.

119. Play in the Community (15:03)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Because “Robbie” the cartoonist for Fignewton’s Newspaper is ill, Fignewton asks Brushy, Linda, Skip and Susie-Q to draw the cartoon illustrations. They draw pictures of where to play and where not to play in the community.

120. Polly's Pride and Joy (15:08)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Pollywogs grow their legs and lose their tails as they become frogs. Dora Velleman tells the story of Polly, a pollywog, who is very vain of her beautiful tail. She snubs all her friends as a result, and she is very lonely. Finally she loses her tail and as she grows legs, she rejoins her friends who forgive her for being so vain. Fignewton Frog illustrates the story on the shadow theatre.

121. Post Riders (15:05)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Bash’s story begins when the only way letters were delivered was in a sack of mail throw on the corner table of a coffee house, to be picked up, perhaps, by the owner or his friend. Early envelopes, quill pens, sealing wax are shown, and then the first rides of the Post Riders, through difficult forest paths are described. The developments in various of the colonies add stories of letters passing from plantation to plantation, and of sheriffs empowered to commandeer horses and riders to deliver official papers. Then came the first paid postmaster, whose job it was to receive mail and see that it got to the proper addresses. Stagecoach delivery of mail ends the program, with a model of the famous Wells Fargo coach, and mention of the Pony Express. Songs include “Green & Yellow Basket,” “Cotton Eye’d Joe” and “Yankee Doodle.”

122. Puss and boots (15:14)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Marionettes are used to tell the delightful age-old story of the cat who wore boots when he visited the King for his Master. Puss told the King that his Master was the Marquis and presented him with his favorite good rabbit. The King invites the Marquis to visit him. Puss tells a servant at the Ogre’s castle to tell the King that all the land around the castle belongs to the Marquis. The Ogre is tricked into changing himself into a mouse which Puss quickly eats. The Marquis goes to the castle, meets the King and the Princess. The Princess and the Marquis fall in love and are married and live happily ever after.

123. Railroads (14:36)

Date:
1958
Summary:
After looking at the first railroad engine, the Tom Thumb, and the De Witt Clinton, and seeing an engine in a race with a horse, wherein the horse won, Bash climbs aboard a real engine of the early days, and has a ride. She shows how the engine worked, and even mounts to the cab to throw wood in the firebox, and handle the throttle. The engine is the “Genoa, #12,” of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, which hauled millions of dollars’ worth of gold from the Comstock Lode in Nevada. Songs include “Puffer Belly,” “Casey Jones,” and “Little Red Caboose.”

124. Rain (15:11)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Explains how rain if formed. Demonstrates how water vapor gets into the air, collects as clouds, and drops as rain. (WCET) Kinescope.

125. Raindrop splash (15:26)

Date:
1955
Summary:
The Friendly Giant reads the book, Raindrop Splash, by Alvin Tresselt, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard, and published by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard. After the story, the Friendly Giant and Jerome the Giraffe talk about how you can keep dry when it rains. (WHA-TV) Kinescope.

126. Rapunzel (14:32)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Marionettes are used to tell the story of a wife who longed for some rapunzels (cross turnips and rutabagas) which grow in a witch's yard. The husband agrees to give the witch his first child in exchange for the rapunzels, but does not tell his wife of this. Their first child is born and the witch comes for her and takes the child away to a tower and names the child Rapunzel.

127. Refraction (15:01)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Uses demonstrations to explain the principle of light refraction. Illustrates with a penicle in water and a magnifying glass. Shows an optical illusion and tells how it happens. (WCET) Kinescope.

128. Rest that builds good health (10:49)

Date:
1953
Summary:
Presents and demonstrates the value of three ways to rest: sleep, relaxation, and change. Relates rest, exercise, and food to good health and pictures a boy, his sister, and his dog observing the rules to achieve good health.

129. Rhythm in music (13:19)

Date:
1951
Summary:
An elementary school orchestra, rehearsing for a school program, is having some difficulty in keeping the rhythm. The teacher illustrates familiar kinds of steady beat with a stethoscope, pulse rate, a clock, and a metronome. The drummer illustrates accented beats, and members of the orchestra play tunes in each rhythm. The rhythm of the piece they were practicing becomes clear, and the rehearsal proceeds.

130. Riches of Guatemala (13:47)

Date:
1948
Summary:
Shows Guatemala's natural resources, crops, and other products. Includes the cultivation of coffee, bananas, corn, pepper, cinchona for quinine, and plants for rotenone. Includes a short Spanish lesson.

131. Riverboats and Keelboats (15:08)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Early use of rivers is described, form the Indian canoe of hollowed log to the flatboats and keelboats of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Bash tells of the importance of water transportation, of families building flatboats and traveling down the currents with even their cows and chickens aboard, and she shows the ways the keelboats were propelled upstream by sweeps and by men with tow ropes walking along the banks. Cargoes of wheat, corn, animal skins and log rafts are related in their importance to the lives of the people. Songs include “Sewanee River,” “Shenandoah,” and “Old Woman.”

132. Road Signs (15:10)

Date:
1959
Summary:
Bash describes the manner in which the Indians marked the first pathways. She tells of the boot nailed to a tree which told postmen a settler lived nearby and wanted mail delivery. Singing “Big Rock Candy Mountain,” “I Know Where I’m Going” and “Wanderin.” Bash traces many landmarks.

133. Roads and Wagons (15:10)

Date:
1958
Summary:
The interesting development of roads, from a path through the forest which a horse could scarcely travel, on through the building of the roads which led westward, and which were used by the huge Conestoga Wagons for hauling freight. A model of the Conestoga Wagon is shown, and models of the various kings of roads, those made of logs, those of boards, and later the McAdam Road. The building of the Cumberland Road is described, and the life which centered around those who used the roads depicted. The early toll road is mentioned, and a tie-in made with the Turnpike of today. Song material includes, “Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Bad,” “On Top of Old Smoky,” and “Low-Backed Car.”

134. Routes to Gold (15:26)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Bash describes the three ways there were to get to California when the nation was excited about the gold found there, 1848-49. The use of the covered wagon, and “Prairie Schooner” is described, including information that it was shaped as it was so it could float across the rivers that had to be crossed. The route of taking a ship to Panama, then crossing the swampy Isthmus on foot is described, and then the third way, that of taking the long and dangerous trip by ship all the way around Cape Horn. Maps and authentic pictures illustrate the material, and a model of the record breaking Clipper Ship, “The Flying Cloud” is shown. Songs include “She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain,” “Let the Rest of the World Go By,” and “Sacramento.”

135. Safe living at school (second edition) (09:42)

Date:
1969
Summary:
Stop-action photography of common school mishaps illustrates potential safety hazards and ways they can be avoided. Points out that a school building is constructed for maximum safety: accidents are caused by people. Stresses the individual child's responsibility for accident prevention.

136. Safety on the street (11:00)

Date:
1951
Main contributors:
See Other Contributors
Summary:
Shows the contest between Fred and Judy for a position on the safety patrol. During the contest they learn not to play in the street, not to run into the street from between parked cars, and how to cross streets safely.

137. Sailing I (26:59)

Date:
unknown/unknown
Summary:
Provides beginning sailors with a general overview of the principles and terminology of elementary sailing and the effect of wind upon the sail and boat. Illustrates the functions of the mast, boom, rudder and centerboard housing. Emphasizes that each person must know how to swim and shows the correct way to use a life preserver.

138. Sailing II (27:02)

Date:
1967
Summary:
Presents a beginner's guide to smooth and efficient sailing by investigating the effects of weight placement, wind, and sail adjustment. Demonstrates the rules and courtesies of navigation and gives several examples showing which boat has the right-of-way under various conditions.

139. Sailing Ship Balclutha (15:09)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Bash describes the rugged life aboard an early day sailing vessel … the various chores of the crews, and the romance of sailing to faraway ports in search of cargoes. On film, Bash goes aboard the ship Blaclutha, showing the rigging, the tall masts, how the sailors climbed to the yardarms, and how they paced around the capstan, to pull up the heavy anchor chain. She visits the crew’s quarters, and demonstrates the various kinds of “scrimshaw,” the sailors’ handiwork of carving whalebone, knotting ropes for decoration, and making model ships.

140. Sally Starfish (15:09)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Host Dora shows Fignewton Frog the puppet how to make a star hand puppet and a cut-out fish to enact a play. She uses these to tell the story of Sayy the too-inquisitive starfish, who gets into trouble by being nosy. Dora recommends books on sea life.

141. Seasonal Workers (14:56)

Date:
1958
Summary:
The movement of traveling farmers, who follow the crops around the country, picking them as they ripen at different times in various areas is described in this program. The beginnings of the seasonal worker, when the land for farming for one’s self became difficult to find, start the story. It carries on through the possibility of following various crops all over the country, moving from one to another as they ripen. The ripening of cotton, apples, onions, tomatoes, strawberries and various others are shown on a large map, and the travels of the seasonal worker depicted on an animated visual. Songs include, “Chilly Winds,” “He’s Gone Away,” and “The Big Rock Candy Mountain.”

142. Second Half of Literature Contest (15:07)

Date:
1958
Summary:
The children have to write their own story for a second part of the contest. Susie-Q decides to tell the story of how her kitten finally got to the cat show and won a prize.

143. Second Half of Music Contest (15:19)

Date:
1958
Summary:
In the second part of the music contest, the children do a square dance and act out a folk song in competition. They learn about music as a means of self-expression.

144. Shadows (15:04)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Uses demonstrations to explain shadows. Illustrates materials that cast shadows and others that do not. Shows how to make a sun clock. (WCET) Kinescope.

145. Shoes and Smiths (15:05)

Date:
1959
Summary:
Bash Kennett visits with a blacksmith and watches him prepare and fit horse shoes. She describes the days when the smith’s shop was the busiest place in town and tells of the interdependence of the pioneer and the horse. Songs include “Old Paint,” “Donney Gal,” and “Horse Named Bill.”

146. Simpleton (15:12)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Simpleton dreams of living in a palace. He takes the silver coin his mother has given him and sets out to seek his fortune. One day on the road, he meets a man with a goose and buys the goose to give the King. Two guards at the palace refuse to let Simpleton see the King until he promises to give them half of what the King gives him for the goose. The King is very pleased with the goose and asks Simpleton what he wants in return. Simpleton replies he wants a beating. When the King asks his reason for such a reward, Simpleton tells him of his treatment by the guards. The King orders the guards out of the palace and appoints Simpleton as a Royal member of the guard.

147. Skip Hides From Health (15:07)

Date:
1958
Summary:
When Skip learns it is time for the children at school to have their shots, he decides to hide and miss the shots. The others decide that he can’t join them in their later fun if he is going to be ill because he didn’t look after his health.

148. Song of America (15:44)

Date:
1959
Summary:
Accompanying herself on the guitar, Bash sings songs of American life. She shows how music was a part of work, worship, love and fun. Her selections include “Aunt Rhody,” “Frog Went a Courtin,” “Fiddle Dee Dee,” “Sara Jane,” “I Ride an Old Paint,” “Bold Fisherman,” “Blow the Man Down,” “Pick a Bale o Cotton,” “Saturday Night,” “Cotton-eyed Joe” and “Chilly Winds.”

149. Southwest 'Hope-Out' Customs (15:09)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Tells the story of the custom of helping out in the Southwest. Explains how people worked together in building their homes, harvesting crops, and promoting social activities. Discusses the cultivation of sugar cane and making of syrup.

150. Spray of Violets (15:17)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Host Dora tells the story of Eloise the Skunk, a kid skunk who couldn't spray until one day a dog almost attacks her and she learns how to spray because she is scared. The dog asks to be adopted by her and she asks her mom and the familys takes in their new pet dog.

151. Spring on the farm (10:56)

Date:
1947
Main contributors:
Encyclopaedia Britannica Films, inc., E. Laurence Palmer
Summary:
Joan and Jerry Johnson observe the changes on their parents' farm during the spring. Includes plants, trees, birds, farm animals, a frog, a moth, and a rabbit. Also shows some of the children's activities.

152. Springtime for Jeanne-Marie (15:11)

Date:
1955
Summary:
A book about a little French girl, her duck and her sheep. We look through the giant’s pipe to see the Eiffel Tower –and sing a French song. The book is by Francois, published by Charles Scribner and Sons.

153. Stagecoaches (14:31)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Tells the story of traveling by stagecoach. Explains how stagecoaches were made and used. Uses 19th century pictures and illustrations of early stages and discusses the dangers encountered during their trips. Host Bash Kennett plays guitar and sings the songs "Black Eyed Susie," "Every Night When The Sun Goes In" and "Old Joe Clark."

154. Sunday in the South (14:53)

Date:
1958
Summary:
The importance of Sunday customs in the southern part of the country is described. The activities of the week, the tilling of the fields, the house chores, the sewing and gardening all came to a climax looking forward to Sunday. The families met at church, where the men and women then planned get-togethers for the afternoon. Of course, food was all-important, huge spreads of hams, yams, two-story biscuits, etc. At the meal, a house-raising is discussed, and the custom of helping neighbors to build a house is pictured. Songs include “Way Down Yonder in the Paw Patch,” “I’m Just a Poor Wayfarin’ Stranger,” and “Mr. Banjo.”

155. Synthetic fibers : nylon and rayon (13:38)

Date:
1949
Main contributors:
Encyclopaedia Britannica Films Inc., Malcolm Dole
Summary:
A chemist explains to two boys how a spider's method of spinning a web compares with the manufacture of synthetic fibers. They shows in detail the processes by which rayon and nylon are made. Pictures briefly the manufacture of nylon hose.

156. The "Nest Beautiful" Contest (15:10)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Fignewton Frog (puppet) and Dora (person) tell a story about a contest put on by the fictional magazine "Nest Beautiful" for the best picture of a bird's nest. They then recommend books about birds for children that can be found at the library. Includes drawings by Robert Robison.

157. The apprentice (30:44)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Poindexter tells this Grimm fairy tale about an apprentice lad who starts for home with his wages and begins trading. He trades his gold for a horse, his horse for a cow, the cow for a pig, the pig for a goose, and so on, until he has nothing.

158. The bears bargain (15:10)

Date:
1957
Summary:
Hand puppets enact the story of a man and wife who were too lazy to plant their own pear trees. Their neighbor tells them they may have all the pears that fall from the tree on their side of the fence.The husband goes to fetch wood and meets a bear who agrees to carry wood to the wife if he can have some bread pudding. The selfish husband and wife eat all of the pudding before the bear arrives. When he sees he has been tricked, the bear upsets everything in the house and leaves. He comes to the pear tree and decides to take the pears. Just then the wife sneezes, the bear thinks they are shooting at him so he drops the pears and runs away. The neighbor comes by and recovers the pears that were dropped, leaving the lazy man and wife with nothing.

159. The brave tailor (15:07)

Date:
1957
Main contributors:
WKNO-TV, The Junior League of Memphis, Tom Tichenor, Diane Parrish, Emma Wade, Al Gresham, Al Wood, Bill Orr, Howard Holst
Summary:
Marionettes reveal the story of a Young Tailor who buys jam for one slice of bread which attracts seven hungry flies. The tailor kills all seven flies with one blow, decides he is very brave, and goes to the castle to win the hand of the Princess. He presents himself to the King and Queen, who sent him to kill two giants who have been destroying the kingdom. They promise the tailor the Princess in marriage when the giants are dead.

160. The Bremen town musicians (16:20)

Date:
1972
Summary:
No longer wanted by their masters, a donkey, dog, cat, and rooster set out for Bremen to become musicians. They prove clever enough to outwit some robbers.

161. The Butterfly Who Didn't Want To Go South (15:12)

Date:
1958
Summary:
With Fignewton handling the make-do puppets and Dora narrating, this is the story of a butterfly, who because she helped her friends, managed to migrate anyways, in spite of her first intention to stay at home. The story show that many butterflies, like birds, migrate.

162. The Candlemaker (15:29)

Date:
1959
Summary:
After explaining the uses and preparations of candles in early times, Bash takes a film trip to a modern candle factory and compares techniques of the two ages. She sings “Dublin City” and “How Old Are You.”

163. The Carpenter (15:11)

Date:
1958
Summary:
The importance of men who have learned to work with wood is Bash’s theme in this program. She tells of early settlers who had to do their own building and carving with crude tools. Through film, she then introduces a modern carpenter who demonstrates the use of a collection of historic tools, including one which was used to make wagon spokes. Songs include “Polly Put the Kettle On” and “Ham and Eggs.”

164. The country mouse and the city mouse (30:40)

Date:
1958
Summary:
The country mouse visits his city cousin and decides that though life in the city is exciting, life in the country is safer. Poindexter and his friends act out the story.

165. The Discontent Koala (15:12)

Date:
1958
Summary:
The home and habits of the koala bear are illustrated in this tale of the bear who leaves home to seek his fortune at sea. Dora tells the story to Fignewton Frog who manages the shadow puppets.

166. The doctor (11:04)

Date:
1947
Main contributors:
Encyclopaedia Britannica Films Inc., Louis W. Sauer
Summary:
Shows the day's activities of a child specialist in his office, on a home call, and at a hospital. He makes a physical examination, vaccinates a baby, visits his hospital patients, and diagnoses a case of measles.

167. The Dolls of America (15:15)

Date:
1959
Summary:
Tells how dolls were made by the pioneers. Explains how they used corn husks, dried fruit, and wax to make dolls. Host Bash Kennet sings "Ha Ha Thisaway", "Gogabie", "Buck Eye Jim".

168. The dolphin kick (08:16)

Date:
1956
Main contributors:
Jorhal Pictures, Francis Dixon
Summary:
Slow-motion and underwater photography are used in demonstrating how swimming students emulate the motins of the dolphin as they learn the dolphin kick, the accompanying body undulations and the butterfly arm action which combine to increase the power of the breast stroke. Educational author, Francis Dixon.

169. The elves and the shoemaker (15:18)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Hand puppets tell the story of a kind but poor husband and wife who are making their living as shoemakers. Two elves decide to help the couple and come to their home at night to make shoes for him to sell.

170. The emperor's new clothes (14:31)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Marionettes are used to tell the story of a very vain King who orders a new suit for his parade. Two mice, one very clever, and one quite a dullard, plan to trick the king. They pretend to have some material that can’t be seen by anyone but those who are worthy of their office. The King and his Prime Ministers all pretend they can see the material rather than admit they are unfit for office.

171. The Farmer's Tools (15:08)

Date:
1959
Summary:
Bash Kennett takes a trip to show the crude wooden tools used by the pioneer and tells the story of tools from the plow, combine and steam tractor to modern farm equipment. The use of primitive farm tools illustrates a way of life; with each improvement in tools came a change in the way of life of the settler and thus history is reflected in the tools farmers use. Songs include “Old Joe Clarke” and “I Know My Love.”

172. The Fish Hatchery (15:08)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Bash takes a film expedition to a fish hatchery and shows the pools where fish are raised. She shows close-ups of a giant rainbow trout and goes with the hatchery truck to plant fish in the river. She walks down a stream to watch a boy fishing and then tells of the importance of natural wildlife in the past and today. Songs include “Irene” and “Long, Long Trail."

173. The fish that turned gold (1:07:40)

Date:
1962
Summary:
Presents the story of a goldfish from spawning until the goldfish is sold to a child. Begins at the world's largest goldfish hatchery. Introduces the main character, Goldey, developing inside a goldfish egg and follows his growth. Shows the goldfish's appearance, size, natural habitat, food, and adjustment to a home aquarium environment. Provides story-telling material through a dream sequence involving Goldey and Silvey, a silver fantail.

174. The forgetful bear (15:17)

Date:
1958
Summary:
This is the old favorite, "The Three Bears," with a whimsical touch by Tom Tichenor. The Baby Bear always forgets to do what he is told to do. He has a terrible time remembering instructions given him by Mother Bear. When the Three Bears go for a walk Baby Bear forgets to lock the door. Goldilocks finds the door open, helps herself to the porridge, breaks Baby Bear's chair, and goes to sleep on his bed. When the Bear family returns, they find her asleep. Frightened by the Three Bears, Goldilocks runs away and Baby Bear promises never to forget again.

175. The gift of the magi by O. Henry (22:03)

Date:
1952
Summary:
Presents Saki's story of an impoverished husband and wife who sacrifice their most prized possessions to provide Christmas gifts for each other. Introductory remarks are made by John Steinbeck. Excerpt from O. Henry's Full House.

176. The gingerbread boy (15:14)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Hand puppets tell the story of a lonesome couple who want children. The wife decides to make some gingerbread and makes it in the shape of a little boy. When she takes him out of the oven he comes to life. The gingerbread boy runs away from his new home and meets a worker in the field who tries to catch him. The Gingerbread boy meets a wolf, who offers to let him ride on his back across the stream. The little boy sits first on the wolf's tail, then on his back, and finally on his head. The wolf quickly eats the Gingerbread boy.

177. The Grist Mill (14:34)

Date:
1959
Summary:
Bash Kennett visits an old time grist mill, pointing out the huge water wheel used to turn the mill where wheat was ground into flour. She shows viewers the patterned mill stones and tells of activities in the days when settlers did everything form the planting of wheat to the baking of the bread. Songs include “Old Mill Stream” and “Waltzing Matilda.”

178. The Happiest Snowman Ever (15:00)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Dora teaches the audience about how snowflakes grow in size as they fall through the sky. Shows how to make a snoman puppet out of a paper bag and how to cut out various shapes of snowflakes.

179. The Happy Travelers (15:14)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Dora and Fignewton Frog teach about different types of plant seeds including a milkweed, dandelion and maple seed along with a burr and how they travel and get planted. They ride wind currents and travel on a fox's fur until they find a place to land together.

180. The History of a Bicycle (14:56)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Tells the story of the bicycle as a means of transportation. Demonstrates various early models. Includes the songs "The Old Gray Mare" and "Lonesome Road Blues"/"Going Down the Road Feeling Bad".

181. The Life of A Tree (14:59)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Bash takes a film trip to the high mountains and shows the life of trees in the forest. She traces the progression of a seed packed tightly in a cone throughout the growth of a young tree struggling to get sun and sending its roots deep into the soil for water. Bash visits a juniper tree which is over a thousand years old and shows the marks of its struggle for survival. She shows how it adapted to changing conditions when necessary. Songs include “Billy Boy” and “Long, Long Trail.”

182. The Lighthouse (14:58)

Date:
1959
Summary:
Form the earliest time men ventured out on the open seas, lighthouses have saved him from the dangers of the coast. In this program, staring with the ancient lighthouse, which was a fire built on a cliff, viewers learn about lighthouses all over the world. Bash Kennett takes a film trip to two lighthouses in this country, showing the powerful prism reflectors, radio equipment and the life of a lighthouse keeper. Songs include “The Eddystone Light” and “Hi Barbaree.”

183. The Literature Contest Opens (15:09)

Date:
1958
Summary:
This contest opens with the children trying to guess what the special gift from each writer is. Each gift is an illustration from a story dear to all children.

184. The Little Man Who Danced on a Cloud (14:48)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Clouds are composed of water vapous. Mr. Robinson, a designer artist and illustrator uses the roll-around sketch board to illustrate Dora's story of the little man who always wanted to be able to dance on a cloud and how he finally did.

185. The Little Rainbow (15:13)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Fignewton Frog (puppet) and Dora (person) make rainbows, raindrops, and puppets out of household materials to perform a play called "The Little Rainbow" in the "Make-Do Theater." The play tells the story of why people think there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. They then recommend books about weather that children can find at the library.

186. The Logger (15:05)

Date:
1959
Summary:
Bash Kennett describes the life of a logger, his forest chores and his camp evenings. She tells of the use of the axe in the conquest of the wilderness and discusses the Golden Age of Logging. Songs include “The Frozen Logger” and “Jam on Jerry’s Rocks.”

187. The Long, Long Trip (15:16)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Some birds do not spend the winter in their northern homes. Dora shows how to make a simple bird puppet and then she and Fignewton Frog use the make-do theatre to tell the story of the bird who was too lazy to fly south and how he bought a fur coat to stay warm through the winter.

188. The Mayflower (15:27)

Date:
1959
Summary:
Tells the story of the Mayflower. Explains the preparations for the voyage and what the Puritans hoped to find in the New World. Describes the life of Pilgrims. Bash Kennett sings the songs "Three Blind Mice", "Pretty Saro", "Barbara Allen", "Do You Know The Muffin Man", "Wee Willie Winkie". Plays the lute as well as the guitar.

189. The monkeys and the hats (15:10)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Rico, whose mother sews hats for a living takes some hats to the fair to be sold. On the way, he stops for lunch and two monkeys who have run away from the circus start to play with his hats. After trying unsuccessfully to get the hats away from them, Rico discovers that they will do anything he does. He recovers the hats and sells all his hats at the fair. When he learns that the circus parade can't be held until the two monkeys are found, he takes the circus manager to the tree where he saw them and the two monkeys follow Rico into a cage. Back to the fair go the monkeys for the circus parade and Rico gets two tickets for the Circus.

190. The mountain men (09:09)

Date:
unknown/unknown
Summary:
Visits Grand Teton National park near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Discusses the life of the early French beaver trappers. Explains their methods of survival, and how they lived, traded, and fought with the Indians. Shows traps used by the early mountain men and demonstrates how they were set. Illustrates with film footage, dioramas, and photographs.

191. The Old-Fashioned Baby Carriage (15:13)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Host Dora (person) and Fignewtown Frog (puppet) narrate and perform a shadow theater shadow puppet show about a family of seahorses. While the mother seahorse is preparing for a teaparty, father seahorse takes the babies to the park in an old fashioned baby carriage. Father seahorse loses the children, only to finally find them hiding in the pocket in his belly. The hosts encourage viewers to seek out books about the seashore and sea life at the library.

192. The Open House (15:00)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Susie-Q forgets to look after the plants and fish in the classtoom just when the school open house is coming up. Brushy helps her get things in order and the visitors and teacher are very pleased. Thus Susie-Q learns the importance of working at school.

193. The plump princess (15:15)

Date:
1957
Summary:
Beautifully costumed marionettes bring this original story by Tom Tichenor to life. It’s the tale of Princess Frumptious who is called "Frumpy" by her servants and people of the kingdom, because her hair is never combed, her apron never tied, her manners always rude. Youngsters will be intrigued with the manner in which she changes her habits and has her name changed to Princess Scrumptious.

194. The Poster Contest (15:12)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Skip and Susie-Q make posters about health rules for a class project. When the teacher finds she likes them both so well, she decides they must both have a prize.

195. The princess who could not cry (14:46)

Date:
1958
Summary:
The Princess is a loveable lion cub who laughs constantly. Her father, a lion with raised eyebrows, decrees that a reward will be given to the one who can make his daughter cry. Many try but finally Delilah Duck comes to try her luck. Soon the Princess is heard crying and Miss Duck explains that all she did was peel an onion. Delilah receives the reward and the King has a daughter who can now laugh and cry.

196. The Puritans (15:13)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Bash begins with the story of the Puritans living in Holland, and their sorrow that their children are not growing up to speak English nor learning English customs. She tells of the elders’ trip to England, at the risk of imprisonment, to make arrangements for two ships to take them away. They plan to pay for them by cutting and shipping timber and furs back to England and sending fish back there. She tells of their voyages and their landing and their struggles with the Indians. Songs include “Lord Randall,” “Cookies and Mussels,” and “Wee Cooper of fife.”

197. The real princess (15:06)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Marionettes tell the story of a Prince who searches for a "real" princess to marry. One night when a storm was raging, a beautiful princess seeks shelter at his palace, she is disguised as a simple maiden. After dinner the Queen orders a room prepared for the maiden and puts twenty mattresses on the bed and a pea, a very small pea, on the bottom. The maiden discloses next morning that she was unable to sleep because the bed was so uncomfortable. The Queen and the Prince are convinced that she is a real princess and they arrange for the "Real" Princess and the Prince to be married immediately.

198. The Remembering String (15:04)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Dora and Fignewton Frog tell the story of Freddie Firefly who uses a string tied onto his finger to remember that he has to get fuel for his lamp. Uses story board illustrations to tell his story.

199. The Seed That Grew So Slowly (15:16)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Trees grow from seeds; some deciduous trees grow very slowly. Dora Velleman and Fignewton Frog use the peep-show parade to tell the story of an impatient young seedling who learns that there are compensations to growing up slowly.

200. The Shakemaker (15:00)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Bash takes a trip to the mountains to watch a man make shakes for roofs, in the same manner that shakes were made when the first house were settled. The method hasn’t changed, except for the use of power saws instead of chopping with an axe. The skakemaker fells an 85-foot sugarpine tree, then with wedges and saws, reduces it to shakes for roofing homes. He demonstrates how he uses the same tools which have been in use for hundreds of years, and how carefully he measures and splits the shakes to make even roofs. Songs include “Hush Little Baby” and “Knick Knack.”