Kukla, Fran and Ollie

If this show really ceased production in 1957, then you can knock me over with a feather. When I used to watch it in the late '60's or early '70's, I thought it was contemporary, as did everyone.

We all enjoyed Fran's lively banter with her puppets, Kukla the Clown, and Ollie the Alligator, but we really loved the short films Fran would show, usually with an international flavour. As I recall, the favourite of young boys was the series of Fatty and Skinny comedies, about two aptly-named Japanese boys. The plot always involved Fatty rolling/falling/toppling onto Skinny, but we loved them anyway.

I used to watch this on Saturday mornings and enjoyed the dialogue between Fran and the puppets, as well as their comments in regards to the film being watched. Ollie, who was a dragon, would often get flustered or frustrated with the suspense in the film and collapse his long neck onto the "stage". This show was fantastic!

When I first read that this show was filmed in the '40s & '50s I too was shocked. Yet, when I continued to search for further info I discovered the following on Wikipedia.

"In 1967, KFO began hosting CBS Children's Film Festival. In this context, their conversations were restricted to a brief introduction, commercial segues and a summary of the film, and could only provide a hint of what had made KFO so popular. Many people know the troupe only from this filmed show and their later taped series for PBS."

I would have loved to have seen the original show.

I love this show. What a trip to find some video clips.

I found some websites with video clips searching with google.com.

It has been almost 50 years since I have seen this show. Suddenly I am a little boy again, laughing at this simple fun program. God bless you Fran and the gang for adding a bright spot to this boy's life so long ago.

I am trying to get one of grandsons-to-be named Kukla but our daughter just tells me I am out of control. Imagine that!

One of the video clips was them doing Three Little Maids. Funny stuff.

Reminds me a little bit of Soupy Sales and White Fang and Black Tooth. Funny stuff there too.

Well, enjoy!

Hearkening BACK TO the dawn of the Television Era, this most uncomplicated of series had originated in Chicago on NBC affiliate, WNBQ (later WMAQ) Channel 5. Puppeteer Burr Tilstrom, a Chicago native, had gotten his initial experience with puppeteering in the Chicago Park District's activities. His easy manners and low key personality were obvious elements that shaped the brand of humour that was the essence of KUKLA, FRAN & OLLIE.

THE FERTILE MIND of the puppeteer was responsible for what can only be described as the most eclectically diverse and wild a bunch of characters ever assembled. Starting with Kukla-a boy character with a high pitched voice and male pattern baldness, Ollie-a Dragon, Beulah Witch, Fletcher Rabbit-who starched his ears and employed pants stretchers on his ears, Madame Oglepus-who secretly wore a wig, Doloras Dragon-Ollie's niece, Colonel Craclie-Madame Oglepus' singing partner, Cecil Bill-who spoke only "Toowee to toowee toowee!" and others.

ACTING AS OUR guide and "straight man" was veteran stage entertainer, Fran Allison. Fran did her best in keeping the action moving and in making it all believable. Her's was a near perfect counter balance to the low key but zany activities of the puppet stage.

THE VERY FANCIFUL situations and antics of the puppets, all of whom had distinctive and very diverse personalities, combined to make KUKLA, FRAN & OLLIE a favourite with all. It was revived and continued many times, sometimes being relegated to a local show; but it never failed to entertain.

AND ISN'T THAT what the Network Execs refer to as: "The bottom line?"

"Kukla, Fran and Ollie" premiered on October 13, 1947 and had a continuous run until 1957. The Kuklapolitans continued to appear on television in various shows: "Kukla and Ollie" in the early 60s, and as hosts of The CBS Children's Film Festival from 1967 to 1984. They also had a show on PBS in the early 70s, and appeared in specials in the 70s and 80s. Burr Tillstrom created and performed all the characters and they still seem real to me today!