Dear Abby - Famous TV Dog: Tiger from The Brady Bunch

Dear Friends,

I have a famous TV dog this week who I think lots of you will remember.  Tiger the dog appeared on the first and second seasons of The Brady Bunch.  He was a friendly looking Sheepdog mix, and in the show's storyline, he belonged to Mike Brady's family before he married Carol.

Tiger only appeared in ten episodes, but they are memorable appearances on the show.

"The Honeymoon"
"Kitty Karry-All Is Missing"
"Katchoo"
"Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore"
"54-40 and Fight"
"Every Boy Does It Once"
"Tiger! Tiger!"
"The Tattle-Tale"
"The Impractical Joker"
"What Goes Up..."

There is a sad story about why Tiger disappeared from the show after this short time.  The dog who played Tiger was killed by a delivery driver on the Paramount Studio lot.  He was replaced by another dog who was not a good match for the series, so Tiger was written out of the show.

Here is a short clip of a Tiger episode of The Brady Bunch:


Did you watch The Brady Bunch, and do you remember Tiger?  My Momma grew up watching this show and she says she always liked Tiger.   I would love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Thanks for reading, and wishing you a great weekend!

Love,
Abby

Dear Abby - Famous TV Dogs: Scooby Doo

Dear Friends,

I hope you are having a good week!  

Today I would love to chat about one of my favorite TV dogs -- Scooby Doo.  Scooby Doo was a Great Dane who appeared in the Scooby Doo cartoon series as well as several movies.  The cartoons first ran on CBS (1969 - 1975):  Scooby Doo, Where Are You? and The New Scooby Doo Movies.  Later there were a number of Scooby Doo cartoons on ABC (1976 - 1991).  The original cartoons were created by Hanna-Barbera.

Scooby Doo helped his teenage friends solve mysteries.  The human members of Mystery, Inc. were Shaggy, Fred, Velma, and Daphne.  Scooby spoke - and he sounded a lot like Astro from The Jetsons.  That is not a coincidence -- Scooby Doo and Astro were both voiced by actor Don Messick.  Scooby is often hungry and gets scared easily - just like his human buddy, Shaggy.

Of course, Scooby inspired lots of merchandise, like lunch boxes:

Comic books:

Toys, like this View-Master reel:

A few fun tidbits of Scooby Doo trivia:

• When the show was in the planning stages, the dog was originally a Sheepdog named Too Much.
• Scooby Doo's full name is Scoobert "Scooby" Doo.
• Scooby Doo's nickname came from a line in the Frank Sinatra song "Strangers in the Night."
• Scooby's catch phrase is "Scooby Dooby Doo!"
• Scooby has a nephew named Scrappy Doo.

Scrappy Doo

Here is the opening of the Scooby Doo cartoon (1970).

Do you remember Scooby Doo?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Love,
Abby xoxoxo

Dear Abby - Famous TV Dogs: Rin Tin Tin

Dear Friends,

When I asked my Facebook friends for favorite TV dogs, several people answered Rin Tin Tin.  My Momma and I have heard of this dog, and knew he was a handsome German Shepherd, but neither of us have seen the old TV show.  So it was fun to learn more!

Rin Tin Tin was a German Shepherd dog.  Much like Lassie, Rin Tin Tin originally starred in a series of movies (1922 - 1947).  And, also like Lassie, Rin Tin Tin was played by a series of different dogs.

The TV series The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin was a children's series on ABC, and it aired from 1954 - 1959.  It was the story of a little boy named Rusty who lived on a U.S. Calvary post called Fort Apache.  (The series was filmed on the set of the John Ford movie Fort Apache.)  Rusty had a special friend named Rin Tin Tin.  He was initially played by a dog named Rin Tin Tin IV (a descendent of the movie star dog), and later by a German Shepherd named Flame, Jr.

Rin Tin Tin was later mentioned in the novel Sunnyside by Glen David Gold and Rin Tin Tin: The Life and Legend by Susan Orlean.

Anne Frank wrote in her diary that she wished she had a dog like Rin Tin Tin (June 14, 1942).

Like Lassie, Rin Tin Tin was popular in toys and books for children.  A few examples include this comic book:

This Marx toys Fort Apache playset (note little Rin Tin Tin figure):

... and even a toy gun:

Here is a short video with the opening and closing credits for The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin:



Thank you for visiting today!  I hope you enjoyed reading about Rin Tin Tin.  Have you seen this TV show before?

Love,

Abby xoxoxo

Throwback Thursday - Records, Cassettes, 8-Tracks, or CDs: What Did You Grow Up With?

Music has been a big part of my life since childhood.   My parents felt the same way, and I grew up with music as a source of real happiness.  It still is for me.

Did you grow up with vinyl records (45's and LPs)?  I had records as a child - both kiddie records (Disney music, etc.) and 45's of favorite songs.  I played them on a little portable record player in my bedroom and in our basement while I rollerskated.  My parents also had a hi-fi stereo with a fabulous record collection.  They loved jazz (including big band), classic pop, the Rat Pack, Broadway musicals, and Christmas music.  This is all music from my childhood, and I love it to this day.

Did you have 8-tracks?  I never had an 8-track player, although I remember them in friends' cars!

Or did you grow up with cassettes (both the purchased ones and, of course, mixtapes too)?   I loved cassettes, and especially making mixtapes.  I went to an urban university and listened to a Sony Walkman on the subway and as I walked downtown to classes.  Cassettes remind me of my college years.

If you are young, maybe you grew up with CDs?   Even in this age of digital music, I still love CDs and have a bunch of them.  Of course, I especially love retro music on CDs!

How about you?  What are your music memories?   I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Throwback Thursday - Halloween Costumes with Plastic Masks

Do you remember Halloween costumes with plastic masks?   I vividly remember going to the local Woolworth to shop for Halloween costumes.  They came in a box, with costume and mask.  The costumes were fun but the masks were hot and hard to breathe out of (two tiny air holes at the nose).   I recall eventually using the little half masks instead.  Much easier!

What did you like to dress as for Halloween?   As a little girl some of my favorite costumes were witch, princess, and angel.  My Mom loved to sew and made some cute costumes for me from patterns, too.  They were always my favorites!

I would love to hear your Halloween costume memories in the comments, below.

Throwback Thursday - Bank Coin Savers

Do you remember bank coin savers?  Are these still around?   When I was growing up, children were given these little folders at the bank - and sometimes even special programs at school.  The covers were usually cute, like the outer space motif seen above.  The goal was to save coins (usually dimes or quarters) in a little book, and then take it to the bank to deposit when it was full.  I loved the way this made saving money fun ... so it evidently was a good idea!

Do you remember these coin saver books?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Throwback Thursday - Comic Books

Did you know that September 25 is National Comic Book Day?   I just learned about this retro holiday, and it made me immediately think of comic books from my childhood.

My favorite was Archie, and the related Betty and Veronica comic books as well.  I thought these were really cool when I was little!   They were, of course, about teenage kids and as a little girl, I thought it was fun to read about their high school adventures.

Later I also discovered the Partridge Family comic books.   I was in elementary school when these were popular, and like most girls I knew, I had the biggest crush on David Cassidy.  So of course I loved the comic books, too!

Did you like comic books when you were growing up?  What were your favorites?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Throwback Thursday - Retro School Supplies

When I grew up, the school year started after Labor Day and ended before Memorial Day.  As a result, I always, to this day, think of back to school after Labor Day is over.

My favorite thing about back to school was school supplies.  How I loved shopping for them!  

In elementary school, you always had to find a pencil case.  I had a roll-top pencil case like this several times, and loved it.  This was right up there with Crayola crayons as an early school supply memory for me.

How about you?  What school supplies did you love as a child?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Did You Know Tuesday: Play-Doh

Play-Doh was invented in the 1930's by Noah McVicker in Cincinnati.  He worked for Kroger to invent a product that was originally marketed as wallpaper cleaner.  Noah McVicker worked with his nephew, Joe McVicker, to market this product.  The early product was off white and came in a 1.5 pound package.

In the 1950's everything changed when children in a nursery school discovered how much fun Play-Doh was to play with - as modeling clay.  In 1956 the McVickers formed the Rainbow Crafts Company.  The early working name for this toy was Kutol’s Rainbow Modeling Compound.   Thankfully, it was renamed with something cute and catchy: Play-Doh. 

By 1957 Play-Doh was made in three primary colors.  It was originally sold in one gallon cans and purchased for school use.  Play-Doh was sold at Macy's and Marshall Fields.  Play-Doh commercials appeared on popular children's shows, including Captain Kangaroo.

Pictured below, a mid-1950's advertisement:

In the 1960's, Play-Doh was purchased by General Mills and manufactured for Kenner.  The Play-Doh brand expanded with toys as well as modeling dough.   I had one of the Fun Factory sets and loved it.  This ad is from 1968:

The original Play-Doh mascot was Play-Doh Pete, a little boy in a beret.  Over the years the mascot changed, and he eventually wore a baseball cap.

This 1970's ad gives another glimpse at retro toy marketing:

Play-Doh is now made by Hasbro.  It is still loved by children, and over 100 million cans are sold yearly.  This popular crafting toy even has its own special day - September 16.

Did you love Play-Doh as a child?  Any retro Play-Doh memories to share?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Throwback Thursday - World Book Encyclopedia

I grew up before the Internet.  When we had a research paper assigned at school, kids went to the library to look for information in books and the reference section -- and usually had a set of encyclopedias at home.

In my family, we had The World Book Encyclopedia.  I used it often for school reports, and sometimes just read at random about interesting topics like animals or dogs.  I remember there were some pages that had acetate layers, so you could look, for instance, at parts of the body one layer at a time.  My Mom still has this encyclopedia set at her home, and I still enjoy looking at it.  

We also got a yearly annual from World Book, with updates on current events and new information from the previous year.

World Book is still around and published in both print edition and online resource -- visit World Book here.  I found it heartening to know that this beloved encyclopedia is still around!

Did you have an encyclopedia set when you were growing up?  What do you remember about it?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Throwback Thursday - Recording Favorite Songs from the Radio

Do you remember listening to your favorite radio station with cassette recorder ready ... just to record your favorite songs when you came on?   I vividly remember doing this in the 1970's.   Pictured:  a 1972 cassette recorder ad.  I'd love to hear your memories in the comments, below.

Did You Know Tuesday: Space Food Sticks

In honor of the anniversary of the first moon walk (June 20, 1969), let's look at Space Food Sticks today.

Dr. Howard Bauman created Space Food Sticks for Pillsbury. Before working for Pillsbury, Dr. Bauman created the first solid food consumed by an astronaut (small food cubes for Scott Carpenter, Aurora 7, 1962). 

Space Food Sticks were first sold in 1970.  They were marketed for children, and I will admit that they often made their way into my lunchbox. Space Food Sticks came in several flavors. They were chewy but soft. I loved the peanut butter variety!

Astronauts on Skylab 3 (1972) ate these sticks in space.   Unfortunately, they disappeared from grocery shelves in the 1980's.  They have been revived in recent years by Nestle in Australia, but went back out of production in 2014.

This is an early package design, as I remember this product from the early 1970's.

This box (late 1970's to 1980's from the graphics) is for Chewy Chocolate Space Food Sticks.

And ... a fun commercial from the 1970's!

Do you remember Space Food Sticks? What was your favorite flavor? I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Did You Know Tuesday: 5 Fun Facts About Pixy Stix

Do you remember Pixy Stix?  These little paper straws contained flavored, colored sugar.  They also came in GIANT plastic sticks.   (Those were highly sought after during my childhood.)

 Of course, they were also favorite Halloween treats.

I have not had Pixy Stix for many years ... they are too sweet for even me, a dedicated retro candy enthusiast.  But -- for some reason I was thinking about them and wanted to find out more.   Here are a few Pixy Stix facts for you:

1. They are Pixy Stix, not Pixie Sticks.  (I am not entirely sure that I knew this!)

2. This candy started out as Frutola in the 1930's.  The creator was J. Fish Smith.  Frutola was originally intended as a drink mix, but children preferred them as powdered sugar candy.

3. Pixy Stix as we know them today were first made in 1952 by the Sunline Company.  

4. The giant plastic Pixy Stix is 2 feet long.  Yes - two feet of sugar!

5. Pixy Stix are now made by Nestle under the Wonka brand.  Current Pixy Stix flavors:  Grape, Orange, Cherry, Lime, Shelly Belly, and Maui Punch

Do you remember Pixy Stix?  Do you still crave them, or are they too sweet for you now, too?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

blueberry, orange, watermelon, lemon, pineapple, strawberry, Maui punch, cherry, green apple and grape.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/facts_5195333_invented-pixy-stix-candy_.html

blueberry, orange, watermelon, lemon, pineapple, strawberry, Maui punch, cherry, green apple and grape

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/facts_5195333_invented-pixy-stix-candy_.html

My 10 All Time Favorite TV Shows

What are your favorite TV shows - past, present, comedy, drama?  What shows will you always stop to see if you spot them as an unexpected rerun?

My list is more or less chronological, but the first show happens to also be my all-time favorite.  I love I Love Lucy.  When I was a little girl, I watched this in reruns with my mother, who also loves the show.  Lucille Ball was such a gifted comedienne, and the cast is absolutely perfect.  I love everything about this show.  As well as being so funny and so well written, the 1950's NYC period details are fabulous!

If I had to spend a month in a TV show, it would be The Andy Griffith Show.  There is something so sweet and appealing about Mayberry.  I love the Taylor family with Andy, Opie, and Aunt Bee.  Barney Fife is one of my all time favorite tv characters (I even named my late, beloved dachshund after him!).

The Dick Van Dyke Show is another show that so perfectly captures a time and place.  From early 1960's suburbia to work as comedy writers on a sketch comedy show ... what a fun show!  Rob and Laura Petrie (Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore) are my favorite TV couple. 

The Brady Bunch is the ultimate show of my childhood.  I grew up with this show.  The house, the clothes, school life, friends all remind me so much of my childhood.  This is tv "comfort food" for me.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show was a great favorite in my family.  My parents loved all the MTM produced shows, so I have happy memories of watching these with my family when I was growing up.  I think Mary Richards was a great role model as a single career woman ... but this whole cast was perfect.  I love the newsroom scenes and also Mary's interactions at home with friends Rhoda and Phyllis.

The Bob Newhart Show was my father's favorite show.  It is such a smartly written show, and another great cast.  Bob and Emily Hartley (Bob Newhart and Suzanne Pleshette) are another of my favorite TV couples.  The juxtaposition of Bob's work life as a psychiatrist and his home life is also fun, with another strong cast.

Rhoda was one of my favorite shows as a young teenager.  I remember thinking that Rhoda's life as a NYC window dresser was very exciting ... and of course there was also her romance with handsome Joe Girard.  I also loved her family.  (Any scene with Nancy Walker is great.)

I was young to watch Upstairs Downstairs, but I watched it anyway!  It was my first period piece drama, my first Masterpiece Theatre obsession, and I love it to this day.  As a young girl I remember looking for books inspired by the show and reading about Edwardian England.  It really captured my imagination.

The Vicar of Dibley is my favorite Britcom.  I did not see it in first run, but my best friend gave me the series on DVD because he said it was the ultimate "Trish show."  He was absolutely right.  Dawn French plays a vicar in a small town in England.  The tone of the show is gentle and heartwarming (with occasional earthiness).  I love the way Geraldine Granger (played by Dawn French) is written, as a character of faith, kindness, and good humor.  This show was created by Richard Curtis (Love Actually, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones's Diary). 

If you read my blog often, you will know that Downton Abbey is my favorite current show.  (I recap it weekly on the blog.) It reminds me a lot of Upstairs Downstairs.  I love everything about this show - life upstairs, life downstairs, the relationships, the social mores, the costumes and sets.  It is absolute perfection!

And a few runner up shows!

It was hard to make a list of just 10 shows.  The following shows just barely missed the list:

That Girl - I loved the story of a single woman pursuing an acting career in NYC in the 1960's.  Donald Hollinger (played by Ted Bessell) is my favorite tv boyfriend ever - handsome, smart, and funny!

Columbo - Columbo (Peter Falk) is my favorite detective, with his rumpled raincoat, Basset Hound, and VW Beetle.  A TV world with Columbo solving mysteries is a very good place.

Felicity - Felicity's college years in the 1990's remind me so much of my life in the 1980's.  I related to Felicity's romances, friendships, and debate about career (in her case, art vs. medicine).  This is my favorite J.J. Abrams show.

Veronica Mars - Veronica Mars is a modern day Nancy Drew meets young adult fiction.  I loved the mysteries, her relationship with her father (who is a detective), the high school, the little town of Neptune ...

Sex and the City - I go back and forth on this show.  I absolutely loved the stories of friendship and romance.  However, I was not a fan of the consumerism presented in this show.  (I have never waxed rhapsodic over designer shoes!)

So there you have it ... my list of favorites, plus a few runner ups.   What are YOUR favorite tv shows?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Throwback Thursday: Brach's Pick-A-Mix Candy

Do you remember Brach's Pick-A-Mix candy displays at the grocery store?  I loved these as a little girl.   Here's an ad, probably early 1970's vintage:

You got a little paper bag, like the one in the ad, and filled it with an assortment of your favorite candies.  It was weighed at the checkout.

My favorite of the Brach's candies were the Nougats.  I haven't had these in years!

I also really liked the Neapolitan candies.  They reminded me of my favorite three stripe coconut candy bars.

My Mom or Dad must have liked these Royals, because we always had some of these in the Brach's bag.

Do you remember these Brach's assorted candies?  Which ones were your favorites?