Kukla, Fran and Ollie

I remember the Kuklapolitans when they were on PBS and when they hosted the CBS Childrens Theatre back in the 70s, and my aunts and uncles watched them frequently when they were growing up. This was clearly one of the best TV puppet theatres (although I also enjoyed Garfield Goose when I was a kid... anyone growing up in Chicago during the 60s and early 70s remembers this local favorite!), and Fran Allison was an absolutely charming hostess. I was fortunate enough to obtain a copy of a Christmas special they performed in 1979(!!!) called "'Tis the Season to be Ollie", where the Kuklapolitans try to come up with a new idea for a holiday show. Ollie's idea of making it a glitzy production, complete with sequined disco outfits, mirror ball and strobe lights, is priceless! For television history buffs, the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago has this available on a wonderful DVD-R, which also includes classic 1950s holiday cartoons "Hardrock, Coco and Joe" (a/k/a "The Three Little Dwarfs"), "Suzie Snowflake" and "Frosty the Snowman".

It was in color, and the movies I remember seeing on it often included some "groovy" 60's-70's psychedelia. I just wish there was a list somewhere of the movies that were hosted back then ... I consider this show to be my introduction to foreign films, it really broadened my tastes and interested me in other cultures. Sometimes the movies were a little boring to me (sorry, but try to get a hyperactive 8-year-old to watch a movie about rugby... ), but there were a few that I'd love to track down and see again.

I am longing to see the shows reissued. Years ago, the Kuklapolitan website carried a number of the shows -- and I'd give anything to see Buela's Spanish Fantasy again -- this was great theatre -- not just kid's puppet theatre. Buelah, the ugly witch dances the flamenco believably, with no feet. She reminisces. The melancholy is palpable. Well the site has withdrawn this video. It's nowhere to be found. Why is the copyright holder punishing us? Let us see these great works of art again!

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!