Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 26

12 TV See May 31, '53 DETROIT FREE PRESS A Detroit-Born TV Shoio lias Parents Exclaiming 'Playsehoo Ki ove dsL It I IV4 hiihmnr rtmiy iritf-iiiiWimiiiiififtiiiririi-' it 1 ft Hint i i- nimnrrir rmi-m UNSEEN, guiding hands behind "Playschool" are Walt Kosti, left, and Joe Brendel, technical director. SEEN is Magic Fairy, who seems to guide show. "Playschool," Detroit's an- swer to mothers' morning baby-sitting problems, was born when an harassed father had to spend a day caring for a pair of energetic sons. Last year, WWJ-TV producer Walt Kosti found himself in full charge of Peter, 2, and Mike, 1. "By mid-morning," says Kosti, "the boys were crawling all over me, I had no breakfast and there was nothing for them to watch on TV.

Kosti worked out "Playschool" and sold the idea to the program directors of WWJ-TV. On Jan. 20, 1952, the show made its debut, the first program of its kind on television. Kosti's sons are still "Playschool's" chief critics. Kosti says, "They let me know when they think it's sagging." MOST DETROIT MOTHERS feel "Playschool" is much bet-" ter than "Ding Dong School," its more famous, and younger, counterpart in Chicago.

At one time, NBC was considering "Playschool" for the network. But shortly after, "Ding Dong School" made Its debut. Since network transmission is easier from Chicago, Detroit's program was bypassed. But Detroiters have let "Playschool" know how they feel about the show. Last summer when time changes threatened to remove it from the air, 13,500 letters of protest flooded the station in five days.

FROM THE beginning, "Playschool'' has been aimed at youngsters from 18 months to five years old. For the youngsters, all the characters of the cast are real. One mother told Midge that her young daughter observed, "Midge doesn't talk mean to her babies on 'Playschool'." Lady Dooit, on a personal appearance, patted a young admirer on the back. That young person promptly announced she wasn't ever going to wash her back again. Eko, who illustrates "The Story Spinner's" tales, daily receives the handiwork of young artists for hi3 expert opinion.

ALL THE CAST has had experience working with children. Merrie Melody is Elenora Welch, a graduate of Wayne University in music education. She worked with youngsters as part of her training. Most of the little tunes she sings and plays are her own. Midge, with her menagerie of stuffed animals and who is the guide to cartoonland, is Laura Marxer.

She has had wide experience in Michigan little theater groups and was managing director of the Dearborn Children's Theater and women's editor of WKMH. Lady Dooit is Ona Sidoff off camera. Her do-it-yourself ideas first attracted televiewers' attention when she was a guest on the Bud Lanker show over WXYZ-TV. In the nearly two years she has been on "Playschool," she has never duplicated "a work project for the youngsters. k-rr f-r' I if 4 I.

I. Backstage magic of cameras, etc, for 'Playschool I 1 'v "O' -v 1 -rr i I f. II i i ri A3 I i Hi i 4 I bl I i i' fi I 1 i r-V- inn Ii3 taifc wil mniteMiajLt i I I in tmmm.i.i II i. vl EKO'S swift fingers bring Story Spinner's tales to life before camera. MKRRIE MELODY greets youngsters with ungs and twinkling tunes on her celeste, left.

MR. GOOD HEALTH provides many tips on health. BEHIND EKO'S artist's tie and smock, is Edward Kozak. A well-known artist and mu-ralist, he has done illustrating work for children. He does most of his drawing on camera, although occasionally he does a complicated background beforehand.

Eko's associate, "The Story Spinner," who never appears on camera, is Frances Boddy. A lecturer and public speaker, fche writes most of the stories Eko illustrates. Mr. Good Health, who presides at Playstore for the commercials, is better known as Jim Deland. Deland is a radio and television veteran.

He has had music shows on WWJ-TV' and WJR. The Magic Fairy is Ardis Kenealy, the only member of the cast who didn't start with the show. She has been on "Playschool" eight months. She is also hostess on "Commander Theater" every Sunday over WWJ-TV (4). EVEN THE MEN behind the scenes are known to the small viewers.

Producer Kosti la "Pops" to the children, and technical director Brendel is "Uncle Joe." Keans on TV CBS-TV is negotiating with the Kean Sisters, Betty and Jane, for a television show to star them. I I Jt i 7. irq- i i MIDGE'S animal pal, Mr. Teddybear, enjoys a foaming bubble bath and a good back rub. LADY DOOIT, with paste pot, scissors and colored paper shows how to make Mommy a shopping bag..