The Magic Cottage

Broadcast on the Dumont Television Network between 1949-1952, and almost forgotten by TV historians, what a wonderful early children's television show this was. For certain, no family killers or Columbine shooters were ever launched by the fare on this marvelous broadcast.

The host of the show was a cute and demure lady named, Pat Meikel, who looked somewhat like a schoolteacher. I'd love to know more about her, but there is little vintage television data on her or, surprisingly, her little gem of a show. The general concept of the show was so delightfully simple.

Miekle would skillfully draw in charcoal on an easel a character of her own invention (like the Good Witch Hazel, and the Spanish cavalier Juan Two Three), and then by uttering the same magic words each time - a-roo ba-roo, she'd summon them up. And through the early special effects available at the time, crude though they may have been by today's standards, they'd magically appear portrayed by real actors.

There were also many original teaching songs about morals, caring for the safety of others and racial prejudice which, unfortunately. I am longer able to remember the words to. But neither my much younger brother or me, both avid viewers of the show, ever forgot the impact of their meaning.

Where ever you are, Ms. Miekle, Bravo! You did a heck of a job and were the best and cleanest of inspirations for so many young minds of the time. Hopefully, we made you proud too.

I only recently (within the last 10 years!) discovered how Pat Miekle's named was spelled. I think I still remember that safety ditty manginess mentioned:

Johnny (or Jenny) was only jaywalking/ S(he) didn't mean harm to a soul/ But because (s)he was only jaywalking/ An auto went out of control./ Two thousand pounds of chrome and steel/ Flying through the air,/ That was the end of an automobile,/ And innocent kids that were there,/ etc., etc.

Thanks for bringing that back. It obviously really made an impression. I was also a great fan of Ray Forest's Children's Theater. (I spotted his obituary in the NY Times a few years ago and the past came reaching into the present.) Ah!, the good old days . . . .

"The shortstop simply could not play, with the jerk who's second sacker i.e. the second baseman}"

"Two thousand pounds of chrome and steel went flying through the air, that was the end of an automobile and TWO innocent kids who were there."

Does anyone know the US Navy recruiting song with the lyrics:

"You get a raise in pay, every time you raise your rate, You'll never be fired and when you're retired you'll only be thirty eight"

It was on TV back in the days of Magic Cottage (and Lucky Pup, say).

This was a staple of my childhood. Probably I would find it corny and preachy if I saw the programs today but I remember total immersion in the stories Pat started telling, with drawings, on each program. There was a live audience and my younger sister actually went to a filming. but was very disappointed to find out that only a small part of the audience was selected to sit in the televised area, the rest sat in a larger area. I'm not sure if only the televised children were given Arnold cookies - early product placement. I associate this program with the many public interest messages about safety ("Jenny was only Jaywalking") and racial acceptance ("You get Good Milk From a Brown Cow, the Color of the Cow Doesn't Matter Anyhow") on this network.

Back in the time of the Magic Cottage show, around 49/50 I was a guest on the show along with my older sister, older brother and next door neighbor plus a few other kids. We sat on a bench and were each given a present for appearing, my sister chose a garden swing (sat 4 kids) for our back yard, my brother chose a basketball set and I wanted the only Cocker Spaniel puppy they gave.Our neighbor, my sisters close friend, chose a mixinjg machine for a kitchen. Unfortunately the puppy had distemper and did not survive more than about 6 weeks. I understand there are only 2 surviving copies of the show, How can I get to see these copies, it would be a miracle if one of the saved copies is the one where I and my brother and sister apeeared in.