The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have had lots of in the house time so I decided to take on a larger transfer project than my normal 3 or 4 minutes videos. Some of you might remember Howdy Doody from the very early days of Television. I am 65 and only remember the show in reruns. My other half was actually on the show one time when young. This was originally a 2 78 RPM record set in 1949. I think later it was released on 45 RPM records which is what I used to make the video. Based on my research and referencing the Children's record charts in Billboard Magazine, I think it came out in early 1953. But, I don't really know. In any case, it is exactly the same recording. The booklet for both came with pictures to follow along with the record. I included them in the video.

Kids might like this, but given the time it came out I don't know. It is pretty fun and seems to have some good messages. Some of the good messages could be learned by many adults these days! If you need something to pass the time while cooped up, take a listen.

(Double-click the video above or click this link to watch the video on YouTube in HD.)

https://youtu.be/7oP5kFr96_U

Here are images from two Billboard Magazines that led me to believe the 45 RPM version may have come from 1953 instead of 1949 like the 78 RPM set.

The earlier one shows 50 weeks on the charts. The later one only 14 weeks on the charts. It might mean nothing, but it did lead me to believe the 1953 date.

Can you tell I am lacking for important things to do?

According to "The Fabulous Victrola 45", RCA initially used colored "wax" for different types of records starting at the launch of the 45 in 1949, but started phasing this out as early as 1950. The use of yellow "wax" for children's records was discontinued in 1952.

52089 wrote:According to "The Fabulous Victrola 45", RCA initially used colored "wax" for different types of records starting at the launch of the 45 in 1949, but started phasing this out as early as 1950. The use of yellow "wax" for children's records was discontinued in 1952.

That is interesting! Mine are yellow so perhaps the 78 and 45 versions both came out at the same time. Thanks for the info. I have that book but didn't even think to look there for date info on records.

Thanks for that transfer. I had it on in the background whilst I was doing something else. I've only ever heard of the show through the reference to it in the original Back to the Future film. So it was interesting for me to hear this. Nice transfer too by the way.

That brought back some memories... When I was a small child (born 1949) in the early '50s, I would look forward to watching the "Howdy Doody Show" on our B&W TV...
Thanks...