This installment of Treasure Ivan begins with a series of Knock-Knock jokes set to music by Spike Jones & His City Slickers, then quickly moves into a story record with riddles that were popular in the early 1950’s.
Knock Knock
Spike Jones & His City Slickers
Riddle Me This
Riddle Me This
Lee Sweetland
A trio of songs concerning marriage and post-marriage follows, beginning with this gem, adapted for children from Broadway Melody of 1929:
The Wedding of the Painted Doll
The Wedding of the Painted Doll
It’s followed by the lament of a very unhappy housewife:
Sixteen Pounds
Patsy Montana
And finally a song from the sixties written by Ivan himself, about the monotony of suburban life:
San Fernando
Mary McCaslin
Most of the children’s records produced in the 1940’s and 1950’s contain stories that are centered around boys — and the girls who do come into play are rarely liberated women by today’s standards. “The Little Cowgirl” is a notable exception. The story is by Raymond Abrashkin, who penned “The Little Cowboy” as well as the Danny Dunn books, and the award winning film, The Little Fugitive.
The Little Cowgirl
Sue Bennett
Tina the Ballerina may not present the same challenges as those found in “The Little Cowgirl” but it is similar in that Tina overcomes her fears to the delight of all those around her.
Tina the Ballerina
Jack Arthur
Tina the Ballerina
Ballerina
Vaughn Monroe
We close the show with a tribute to Sheriff John Rovick, pioneer of children’s televison, who passed away earlier this month. His ground-breaking program aired five days a week for 20 years on KTTV, Los Angeles. He was a true gentleman and will be missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to have experienced him.
Sheriff John
Laugh and Be Happy
Sheriff John Rovick