Abbott and Costello's "Jack And The Beanstalk" at 70!

A childhood favorite to generations of children, "Jack and The Beanstalk" premiered April 12, 1952. One of two independent productions by Bud Abbott and Lou Costello during their time at Universal Studios, "Jack and the Beanstalk" is a fun musical comedy version of the famous folk tale.

The production is not as stellar as "The Wizard of Oz" (1939), the film it tries to imitate in design, but it is fun for children and families. As a 1990s kid who first saw this film on VHS it was an equal to "Oz" or any other live action fantasy film

Initial reviews of the film in 1952 were mixed to positive, and overwhelmingly recommending the movie to kids. Praised among the cast were Buddy Baer as the giant, 6' 2" Dorothy Ford as the giant's housekeeper, and Barbara Brown as Jack's mother. Adding romance and excellent singing were James Alexander, a stage veteran as the Prince, and Shaye Cogan a television vocalist as the Princess. 

The songs are fun and well written. Costello is a surprisingly good singer, able to still be funny while bolting a rhyming lyric.

Today after 70 years the film looks and sounds better than ever with new 4K restorations.

Watch Jack and the Beanstalk: 4k Restoration Special Edition on Tubi: https://link.tubi.tv/9mKqvnqjbpb

This Month(s) in Children's Media January - April 2017 (Part I)

Running a blog with a monthly feature is tough. There were several highlights from January through March that I've missed and I will share a few, but focus mostly on April. 

January 2017 

Radar Men From The Moon - January 9th, 1952. This famous (?) latter day Republic Serial has been in the public domain for most of its 65 years and may be one of the most widely seen of the old Saturday Matinee cliffhangers.

March 2017

100 Years Ago! - March 23, 1917 - Jimmie Dale Alias The Grey Seal  was a live action film serial verison of a pre-Zorro character who was a childhood favorite of Walt Disney. In fact Disney attempted to adapt The Grey Seal to television in the 1950s, but was more successful with Zorro. According to some sources, this entire serial may still exist in the archives of the Museum of Modern Art, but its preservation status is unknown.

April 2017

65 Years Ago! - April 4, 1952. The Abbott and Costello classic Jack And The Beanstalk turned 65 on April 4th, 2017. With its public domain status it may be their most widely seen movie. The duo was quite popular with children (they even had a Saturday morning radio show) and this film remains a great intro to these classic comedians.

75 Years Ago! - April 3, 1942.  The Jungle Book - Live action color version of the Ruyard Kipling book starring Sabu. In the public domain and enjoyed by several generations.

From Film Daily, April 7 1942 - http://lantern.mediahist.org/catalog/filmdail81wids_0056

75 Years Ago! April 4, 1942.  Spy Smasher - Famous wartime serial starring Kane Richmond and directed by William Witney.

Smithson, E. J. "Hazard Hero". Hollywood Magazine Vol. 31, No 7, July 1942.
This magazine was digitized by the Media History Digital Library. To read the entire 3-page article go to http://www.archive.org/stream/hollywood31fawc#page/n493/mode/2up  

April 8th, 1941 - Last year I missed the chance to recognize 75th anniversary of the death of Earle Graser (1909 - 1941) was not the 1st Lone Ranger, but he was the first to become widely known for the role. He was killed in an automobile accident 76 years ago today. He is one of the earliest examples of a broadcast star of a program popular with young audience who died suddenly during the production. His legacy would continue with the Lone Ranger television series as his cry of "Hi-Yo Silver" was used at times in the series. This video is one example from the 3rd episode of the TV series "The Lone Ranger's Triumph" originally broadcast September 29, 1949.

Eventually I would like to post a complete Lone Ranger radio adventure starring Graser.

'Lone Ranger' Killed in Michigan Crash, Motion Picture Daily - April 9, 1942.