Let's talk local

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

The groundhog saw his shadow, so it's six more weeks of winter. For many years we had our own Groundhog Day tradition down at Barnaby's, before it became Redbones - I'd stick my head out the front door - and if I didn't see my girlfriend's angry face heading toward the bar, it meant that I had time for six more ounces of draft beer.

Chilly Februarys always remind me of the time my sister Christine and I bundled up, got into the '53 Chevy and drove to our big television debut. We appeared on a local television program called “Big Brother, Bob Emery.” It was filmed in the Brighton area I think - and the theme song was “The Grass is Always Greener in the Other Fellow's Yard.” Big Brother sang it and played the ukulele. I don't know how my parents did it, but there we were on the show - I remember drinking chocolate milk and saying the pledge of allegiance. If I'm not mistaken (and I'm sure someone will correct me), Bosco chocolate syrup was a sponsor. Then, as “Hail to the Chief” played, the camera zoomed in on a portrait of President Eisenhower - that was one of my coolest memories.

We had lots of these locally produced kids show in the New England area - another favorite was “Boomtown” with Rex Trailer. I never made it on that show, but my friend Dennis O'Neal got to be the featured weekly outlaw - they took a picture of him with a bandana over his face and then the posse would hunt him out of the crowd. Over the years, Rex had two sidekicks - first there was Pablo and then came Cactus Pete, then Sgt Billy - the poor man's Sgt Agarn (from F-Troop). The best part of Boomtown was when Rex rode his horse to the tune of “Hoof Beats.” It was supposed to look like he was riding through the open prairie, but if you looked closely, I think you could see a sign for Dave Dinger Ford in the background!

Then of course there was Frank Averuch as the always-cheery “Bozo.” For each show they would pick a “Butch For A Day” - that lucky kid got to wear a ringmasters jacket and hat. One time Bozo couldn't make it, so his cousin “Nozo” filled in and then there was another clown cousin - and I believe his name was “Prozo” - he rarely appeared because he was always in a bad mood.

Romper Room with Miss Jean had a good local run - remember when she would look through the mirror with no glass in it and chant: “Romper, stomper, bomper boo, tell me, tell me, tell me true, magic mirror tell me today, did all my friends have fun at play?” I can't remember my pin number to my ATM card, but I remember that silly ditty after 50 years. Then she would say, “Well, I see little 8 year old Bobby from Medford pulling his sister's hair…stop that Bobby”, etc.

And what about “ Feep”?  Does anyone remember him? I think the show was called Fantasmic Features - I also remember a certain high raking Somerville High School teacher that we used to call “Feep.” Am I alone on this one??

We watched Community Auditions and we sat through the annoying Willie Whistle, but the cream of the locally produced crop was, by far, Major Mudd. I got to visit the Major Mudd set when I was in acting school - I'm pretty sure there was also a robot named Clank on that show. Ed T.McDonell was the actor who played Major Mudd and he actually appeared in The Three Stooges' last feature film "The Outlaws Is Coming" playing the part of Bat Masterson. I was proud to have been an honorary member of Major Mudd's “Lost Battalion.”

Today's locally produced shows aren't as entertaining as they used to be - The Phantom Gourmet can't hold a candle to Major Mudd and Rex Trailer. So as Rex's horse Gold Rush beds down for the night in that big Boomtown in the sky - I say to all my friends out there: “IBBY - I'll Be Blasting You!”

You can email Jimmy with comments directly at jimmydel@rcn.com

Comments

[JARfromWard3]

Jim:

Great memories (as usual). Remember "Captain Boston"? He used to MC the afternoon kiddy offerings on Channel 56--"That great new channel in town". I can't recall who played him. He reminded me of Adam West. Let's face it; it was campy, low-budget fun... and we loved it! And you're right... Willy Whistle WAS annoying.

Rex Trailer rode a horse in the Memorial Day parade on Highland Ave. last May. He looks fabulous at age 85 or thereabouts. Seeing him go by, you just wanted to yell "BOOM, BOOM, BOOMTOWN!" Heck, I can still here the kids singing the jingle... "Come along kids, cause we're gonna have some fun in Boom, Boom, Boomtown!!!"

I was just recollecting with my brother Mark, who is an Air Traffic Controller about this and thought you might find it of interest...

Back around 1976, when he was first qualifying for his flight data certificate, he was assigned to the tower at Hanscom Field. The controller he worked with there at the time was none other than Billy O'Brien--as in "Sargent Billy"... just in case you ever wondered what his day job was. Mark said he was a cracker jack at separating planes and would occasionally bring his banjo up to the tower.

I was on Bozo once. I was 8 or so at the time. It's amazing how different the show looked from the studio seats, with its concrete floor and backdrops; an early lesson in camera-magic and theatrical backdrops.

Thanks again.

73
JAR

[Ward 3 Voter]

bozo ha ha ha. how about major mudd, rex trailer, and yes even willie whisltle

[dapper dan]

Who remembers Bob Gamere and "Candlepins for Cash"? Was it my vivid teenage imagination or did Bob look a little tipsy from time to time...Bowling was big because we also watched the Saturday bowling program starring Don Gillis (is that right?) from "Sammy White's Brighton Bowl"...the best female bowler was Stacia Czernicki (?sp)--you just can't get quality bowling programming anymore...

As a host nobody could hold a candle to Dave Maynard.."Star of the day, who will it be? Your vote may hold the key..."

[Tricky]

Quick question (50 Cambriville points for JAR or Jimmy) that came up on the Davis Square LJ: What was in the Caning Shoppe on Elm Street before it was a Rent-a-Center?

[Ron Newman]

Was it some sort of furniture store? I wish I could remember.

[Dave]

Wasn't it Goff's Auto Parts?

[Performance Car Parts]

yes it was Goffs actually.

[Kathy]

Speaking about Sgt. Billy, I know at one time he worked at the phone company. I know this because he was friends with my uncle who worked there. He even came to my uncle's house after a Paragon Park appearance with Rex Trailer. We were at Paragon Park with Rex Trailer for having a backyard MD carnival? Remember the carnivals?

[Tib]

I seem to remember that Clank the Tin Can Man was an occasional on Bozo, but it sure was long ago. His arms and legs were obscured with flexible dryer ducts and his body was something akin to a galvenized trash barrel. No expense too great in those days!

[Bill]

Hi Jimmy

Great memories. I was on Major Mudd show, and I was also on Bozo. I used to watch Bob Emory and also Boomtow (when he had Pablo before there was Sgt. Billy). Yes I remember Feep, under the costume he was Major Mudd. He did two shows. Also do you remember Captain Bob who was an old seacracker with a sea cap and a beard and he drew pictures for the kids? Captain Bob also had cartoons on.

I grew up in Milton and watched all the Boston shows. Also Romper Room with Miss Jean. Haha. Thanks for the memories.

[J]

My father was Clank the Robot as well as General Funn :) I wasn't born at the time, nor an inkling in his eye, but it's great to watch the old shows and see my dad up there in all his glory :)