Monday, February 27, 2012

Mr. Ed: Background of a TV Classic

By Regina T. Roby


For virtually every admirer of classic television, Mr. Ed is an eternal classic everyone must see. A situation comedy that was broadcasted from 1961 to 1966, the show followed the exploits of a wise-cracking, talking horse and his master. A good natured farce that appeared towards the end of what many consider the golden age of television, Mr. Ed always seemed to capture the imagination of tv audiences in a number of ways. Consequently, let's take a closer look at the backstory of this great show in an effort to fully grasp several of the reasons why the show was so well loved.

The Early Days of Mister Ed

Unlike many televsion shows these days, Mr. Ed was created from a series of short stories by author Walter R. Brooks. Known for his series of 26 children's novels presenting the character Freddie the Pig, Brooks' talking horse character initially appeared in a 1937 issue of Liberty magazine. Comparable to Freddie, the horse identity lived with humans, however made the decision to speak to only his master. Oddly enough, Director Arthur Lubin had earlier directed several movies showcasing another equine star, Francis the Talking Mule, as well as Abbott & Costello films. Furthermore, it's thought that the Director's administrative assistant is credited with giving him the concept of Mr. Ed by showing Lubin the Brooks stories.

The Unforgettable Cast of the Mr. Ed Show

Although the idea of the show was captivating, it was the cast that truly made this TV show unique. The character of Mr. Ed was played by palomino gelding Bamboo Harvester, however his characteristic voice was supplied by former western star Allan Lane. In addition, though there were numerous actors who played frequently curious and exasperated neighbors, certainly Alan Young who played the eccentric, but friendly Wilbur Post was an integral ingredient in the cast. An every-day guy, Young made the character of the klutzy architect stand out so that viewers could easily see him as a neighbor of their own. With such a relatable personality, it's easy to understand why the show became so popular.

How Did Mr. Ed Speak?

There are numerous urban legends concerning the techniques used to make Mr. Ed talk. In fact the mystery has added to the mystique of the show. In a 2004, Alan Young said that he had started the story of using peanut butter on the roof of Ed's mouth to make the horse move his mouth and lips. Nonetheless, this was purely a red herring Young admitted. At first a piece of nylon thread was placed in Ed's mouth, but later the behavior was achieved in other ways. The horse ultimately produced the behavior resembling speech when his trainer touched his hoof and later the horse had the ability to "speak" on cue. There's no doubt that the impression of a talking horse enchanted viewers and added to the attraction of the show.

Memorable Mr. Ed Episodes

Although many of the episodes typically involved common scenarios surrounding everyday life, there were quite a few episodes that took Ed and Wilbur beyond the barn and into some ridiculous situations, not forgetting the presence of some of the most famous celebrities of the time. Some of the most absurd scenarios in which Ed found himself included surfing, flying an airplane and driving a delivery truck among others. Furthermore, the number of celebrities that appeared on the show is a real testament to its popularity. George Burns, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Clint Eastwood and LA Dodger's Manager Leo Durocher all graced Ed with their presence. Naturally with such a multitude of heavy hitting pop culture super stars, it's clear why this show was so popular.

The Mr. Ed television show is plainly a classic and with a great basic story, engaging cast, wacky stunts and famous guest stars, it's no wonder why the show was so popular.




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