Who were "Kukla, Fran and Ollie"?

"Kukla, Fran and Ollie" was an early American television show using puppets. It was created for children, but soon watched by more adults than children. It did not have a script and was entirely ad-libbed. It was broadcast from 1947 to 1957.

Burr Tillstrom was the creator and only puppeteer on the show, which premiered as the hour-long "Junior Jamboree" locally on WBKB in Chicago, Illinois, on October 13, 1947. The program was renamed "Kukla, Fran and Ollie" (KFO) and transferred to WNBQ (the predecessor of Chicago's WMAQ-TV) on November 29, 1948. The first NBC network broadcast of the show took place on January 12, 1949. It aired from 6–6:30 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday from Chicago.

"Fran" was Fran Allison, a radio comedian and singer who usually was the only human to appear on screen, filling the role of big sister and cheery voice of reason as the puppets engaged each other concerning their foibles. The design style of puppets was in the style of Neapolitan puppet shows, or Punch and Judy without the slapstick, but their personalities were less caricatured. The puppet cast included "Kukla", the earnest leader of the troupe and "Ollie", or " Oliver J. Dragon", a roguish one-toothed dragon (who would slam his flat chin on the stage in frustration or roll on his back to be endearing).

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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39 Comments

Jack Holroyd

A memory from my childhood, there is a value to being old

Christopher Neal Wigley

Loved that show. Kukla was so sweet!

Chrissy Krainock Luders

I did not know it was ad-libbed. For all 10 years? What a talent!

Sergey Boev

Had no idea, but “kukla” on my language means a puppet, so I choose the first answer.

carole winslow

Another time when being born in 1947 pays off.

Stephen Forest

I'm old enough to have seen this, but they didn't show it in England, where I grew up (allegedly). Totally ad-libbed show sounds great!

Kevin Dale Streets

1947 to 1957? I was born in 1966, and I remember it. They must have been reruns.

Joanne Serin

sonnybeaudoin, probably reruns

Joanne Serin

Richard Levine, I wore one when I took ballet lessons.

Joanne Serin

Marianne Frederick Halterman, early refers to early TV...in the US.

Joanne Serin

I remember watching it.

Boyd Tracy

Yes.... although us kids would gather around the TV to watch b/c of the puppets, my recollection is that the adults would actually be more attuned to the interaction than us kids. Can recall that although there was considerable slapstick type physical stuff which kept us kids entertained the verbal exchange among the characters and Fran seemed a bit over our heads. Can recall Ollie the dragon had one big tooth and seemed to get batted around a lot with a club wielded mostly by Kukla but also a craggy old witch. No question that the draw of such an eclectic audience to a “puppet show” was unique and very avante guard.

earlepg

Marianne Frederick Halterman, In regards to television shows it was "early American". Even had "test patterns" when not airing.

earlepg

Sergey Boev, Nice to know the probable source of the name.

earlepg

sonnybeaudoin, Broadcast 1947 - 1957 per the article.

Marianne Frederick Halterman

"Early American"???? Why wouldn't you just say, 1950s, for heaven's sake! Early American should be about furniture and design...not a reference to TV shows, good grief!