LUNCH WITH SOUPY SALES

LUNCH WITH SOUPY SALES

(ABC, Syndication, October 3, 1959-January, 1962)

ABC Television Network

MAIN CAST:

Soupy Sales – Host

Clyde Adler – Puppeteer, various

        Milton Soupman was a comedian, actor and media personality probably best known by his stage name: Soupy Sales. Initially interested in journalism, Soupy became a writer and disc jockey at radio station WHTN (now WVHU) in West Virginia, while also performing comedy in clubs. He then became a morning DJ in Cincinnati. Initially, he adopted the stage name Soupy Hines from his childhood nickname of Soup Bone. After he became established, it was decided that his name seemed too similar to the Heinz soup company, so he changed it to Sales after vaudeville comedian Chic Sale.

Soupy in his signature "costume".

            Soupy’s television career began in 1950 as the host of Soupy’s Soda Shop, TV’s first teenage dance television program, followed by Club Nothing, a talk show that incorporated Soupy’s zany brand of comedy. In 1953, Soupy joined Detroit’s WXYZ-TV, an ABC affiliate, where he began doing The Soupy Sales Show. Soupy opted not to don some kind of silly costume for the show, convinced by a colleague who dressed as a clown that in sacrificing his anonymity off the air, he also couldn’t be easily replaced by putting someone else in the suit. Soupy chose to wear a large polka-dot bowtie, a disheveled top hat, and a sweater that became his signature outfit (the tie would shrink over the years). 

Soupy enjoying his lunch with the audience.

ABC gained interest in the local program and slated it as the summer replacement for Kukla, Fran and Ollie in 1955. Although hopes were dashed at the network picking up the show on a permanent basis, Soupy found more work at WXYZ in the form of 12 O’Clock Comics (soon renamed Lunch with Soupy Sales since he always ate his lunch with his audience), a daily daytime kids’ show that consistently outperformed the network offerings, and the late-night show Soupy’s On which often featured jazz musicians whose venues would often sell out after an appearance. ABC took another look at Soupy and offered him a Saturday slot for Lunch.

Pookie drops by the window for a visit.

Lunch with Soupy Sales debuted on ABC on October 3, 1959. Airing at noon (traditionally considered lunchtime), Lunch was an unscripted variety show aimed at children. While they had a general idea of where an episode would go and what would happen, improvisation was their key to success. The setting of the show was Soupy’s kitchen (as opposed to his living room in other versions of the show) where he would interact with a host of puppet co-stars: White Fang, the country’s biggest and meanest dog (carried over from Soupy’s radio days, seen only as a white and black furred clawed arm that came in from off-camera); Black Tooth, a sweet dog with an incoherent growl (created to be White Fang’s opposite); Pookie, a happy-go-lucky lion that initially was mute, but eventually gained a voice and a hipster personality and often lip synched to novelty records and pre-recorded bits (the puppet was found in a prop box at the studio); and Willie the Worm, a latex accordion worm that lived in an apple, always had a sneezing cold, and read birthday greetings to local kids. All of the puppets were performed by Clyde Adler, who also filled in any other role as needed; especially the “man at the door”, whose arms were the only thing visible on camera when Soupy answered the door. 

Soupy being berated by the "man at the door".

Soupy’s comedic styling was slapstick in nature, which often meant his shows involved pratfalls or his being hit by some kind of object—most notably a cream pie, especially when he answered the door. In fact, the pie was his signature gag in all of his programs, and it was estimated that he had been hit with tens of thousands in his career. Celebrity guests who appeared on the show also never left without getting one slapped into their own faces. These routines would inspire Fred Rogers to get into television in order to provide more educational content to children. Other recurring bits were his signature dance, the Soupy Shuffle, and “Words of Wisdom”, whereby Soupy would impart smart-sounding nonsense. Soupy also incorporated his love of jazz into the program whenever possible.

Soupy and friend thoroughly creamed.

            After the first season, production of the show moved to Hollywood. It remained on ABC until March of 1961 when the network cancelled it; however, it continued on as a local show until January of 1962. ABC wasn’t done with Soupy, recognizing his immense popularity in the area. Immediately following the cancellation, they gave him a new Friday night version of The Soupy Sales Show to replace The Steve Allen Show. Eventually, The Soupy Sales Show moved production to New York City where it lasted until 1966. Soupy would go on to have a career appearing on and hosting game shows, as well as one final revival of The Soupy Sales Show in 1979. Because of the lack of archival practices of the time, and the fact that the earlier shows were done live, the majority of Lunch with Soupy Sales had either been destroyed or erased. 

EPISODE GUIDE:

N/A

THE MILTON THE MONSTER SHOW

THE MILTON THE MONSTER SHOW

(ABC, October 9, 1965-April 2, 1966)

Hal Seeger Productions, ABC Television Network

MAIN CAST:

Bob McFadden – Milton, Heebie, Jeebie, Goo Fee, Gung Ho, Lady Deflyah, Horsey the Horsefly

Dayton Allen – Professor Weirdo, Fearless Fly, Chester Penguin, Stuffy Durma, Bradley Brinkley, Flukey Luke

Larry Best – Count Kook, Muggy-Doo, Two Feathers

Bev Arnold – Flory Fly, Penny Penguin

Hetty Galen – Beulah Penguin

            Move over, Frankenstein—there’s a new mad scientist in town.

            Professor Montgomery Weirdo (Dayton Allen), with the aid of his assistant, Count Kook (Larry Best), created his own monster by pouring various sinister liquids into a mold. Fearing his creation may become so terrifying as to turn against him, Weirdo added some “tincture of tenderness” into the mix. Unfortunately for the not-so-good doctor, Kook caused him to mix in a bit too much and out came Milton (Bob McFadden, using a Gomer Pyle-inspired voice): a good-natured and clumsy monster whose hollow head would emit various amounts of white steam or smoke depending on his mood.

            Created by Hal Seeger and produced by his production company--the first of theirs to be broadcast on television--the series was intended to be a parody of old-time horror films. Weirdo lived in a castle on a hill in Transylvania and was always in competition with another mad scientist, Professor Fruitcake, who lived in another castle on top of another hill. Also in residence in the castle was a skull-faced ghoul in a top hat named Heebie (McFadden, impersonating Peter Lorre) and a slow-witted cyclops named Jeebie (also McFadden) whose single sharp tooth was used to open soda cans. When not competing with Fruitcake directly, Weirdo could always be found trying to profit off of his monsters by selling them out to the highest bidder or by concocting a scheme to banish Milton permanently from the castle (which always failed). Little did Weirdo know that Kook wanted to get rid of Weirdo as well in order to take over the castle and hatch his own plans.

Muggy-Doo (top) in trouble as usual, and Stuffy Durma resisting Brinkley's influence.

However, Milton was only in one of three segments in the program, and usually the last one each episode. For most of the run, the first segment featured the adventures of Fearless Fly (Allen); an ordinary housefly named Hirem who ducked into a matchbox to don a red sweater and high-powered glasses that “provided millions of mega-tons of energy through the sensitive muscles in his head.” His primary foes were the Fu Manchu-like Dr. Goo Fee and his sidekick, Gung Ho (both McFadden, and before racial stereotypes became taboo in cartoons). Professor Weirdo also went up against Fearless Fly a few times. In “Fearless Fly Meets the Monsters,” their first encounter also served as a pilot to the overall series as it featured Milton’s creation. Except in that instance, his name was George, he had a deeper voice, Frankenstein monster-styled hair, and a forehead scar. Heebie and Jeebie also exchanged voices. When not battling evil, Hirem hung out at the Sugar Bowl bistro with his girlfriend, Flory (Bev Arnold), while dealing with bully Horsey the Horsefly (McFadden again).

Flukey Luke and Two Feathers (top) and Penny Pengin up to no good.

The second segment had a rotating line-up of characters and their own adventures. One featured Flukey Luke (Allen), an inept cowboy detective who had a Native American sidekick, Two Feathers (Best, using an Irish accent), that brought their skills to the big city. Luke’s name came from the fact that it was only dumb luck that allowed him to apprehend any criminals. Another feature starred Stuffy Durma, a hobo who inherited ten million dollars and resisted attempts to be made civilized by his valet, Bradley Brinkley (both Allen). The next feature starred Muggy-Doo (Best), a sly box fox who often tried to strike it rich with a variety of schemes that often failed. The final feature starred Penny Penguin (Arnold), a bratty teenager who often caused problems for her parents Chester (Allen) and Beulah (Hetty Galen) ala Dennis the Menace.

Both Muggy-Doo and Stuffy Durma appeared prior to Milton. Seeger originally created them for the comic Muggy-Doo, Boy Cat from Stanhall Publishing in 1953. Muggy was a blue cat whose yellow t-shirt always had a message that changed to match his situation ala The Yellow Kid, and worked as a junkman (er, cat). Stuffy Durma also appeared in his own feature in the comic, but was depicted as an actual pig named Stuffy DERMA. The comic only ran for four issues, two of which were reprinted in 1963 by I.W. Enterprises. Muggy was later adapted for the screen in the theatrical short, Boy Pest with Osh, which featured the fez-wearing hound from the comic. Both characters were redesigned for the show, with Muggy becoming a fox and Stuffy a human.

Milton, Heebie and Jeebie hitting the road.

Milton the Monster was co-produced by ABC, where it also aired for its sole season beginning October 9, 1965. Even after its run ended, ABC kept it on its schedule until 1968 where it then entered into syndication. Despite the series’ name, the breakout character of the show was Fearless Fly, who became incredibly popular with viewers. While the format remained the same for most of the run, for a few episodes Milton segments were doubled up and Fearless Fly was moved to the rotating second segment roster. The series was written by Beverly Arnold, Kin Platt and Heywood Kling with music was by Winston Sharples. 

The sole issue of Milton's comic.

Despite its long stay on ABC, there was very little in the way of Milton merchandise. In 1966, Gold Key released a single issue of Milton the Monster and Fearless Fly, but without any of the other featured segments represented. That same year, Milton Bradley produced a board game inspired by the show. In 2007, Shout! Factory released the complete series to DVD.

EPISODE GUIDE:

“Trick or Treatment / Loot Pursuit / Zelda the Zombie” (10/9/65) – Goo Fee uses super-adhesive flypaper against Fearless Fly / Spider Webb attempts to steal the Hopeless Diamond. / Milton, Heebie and Jeebie fight for Zelda the Zombie’s affections.

“Horse Shoo Fly / Gogh Van Gogh / Boy Meets Ghoul” (10/16/65) – Goo Fee challenges Fearless Fly to a game of horseshoes. / Muggy-Do steals an organ grinder’s monkey to make art. / Professor Weirdo tries to marry Milton off with a wealthy spinster.

“Fatty Karate / You Auto Be In Pictures / Monsters for Hire” (10/23/65) – Fearless Fly battles a karate champion. / Muggy-Do gets a job in publicity at Paranoid Pictures. / Professor Weirdo hires out his monsters for rent money.

“Captain Fligh / Doo or Die / Who Do Voodoo?” (10/30/65) – Fealress Fly battles Captain Fligh. / Muggy-Do goes from vacuum salesman to spy. / Professor Fruitcake makes a voodoo doll of Professor Weirdo.

“The Goofy Dr. Goo Fee / From Riches to Rags / The Pot Thickens” (11/6/65) – Gung Ho captures Horsey instead of Fearless Fly. / Muggy-Do fleeces a movie star staying at the hotel where he works. / Professor Weirdo tries to hide Milton from his Aunt Hagatha.

“Sly Fly / From Wrecks to Riches / Medium Undone” (11/13/65) – Goo Fee tries to get Gung Ho to take out Fearless Fly for him. / Stuffy Durma gets a visit from a friend. / Professor Weirdo holds a séance.

“Throne For a Loss / Missin’ Masters / Monster Mutiny” (11/20/65) – Goo Fee tries to get Hiram to betray Fearless Fly. / Spider Webb steals valuable paintings. / Count Kook rebels against Professor Weirdo.

“The Bomb’s Rush / There Auto Be a Law / Ghoul School” (11/27/65) – Goo Fee pretends to be dying in order to trap Fearless Fly. / Penny Penguin pits her father against a mechanic. / Aunt Hagatha teaches the monsters manners.

“Fly Hijack / Tired Gun / Hector the Protector” (12/4/65) – Goo Fee attempts to kidnap Fearless Fly by stealing his matchbox. / Spider Webb sends a Mexican bandit after Flukey Luke. / Professor Weirdo sells Milton to a gangster.

“Si Si Fly / Palace Malice / Horrorbaloo” (12/11/65) – Goo Fee sends a Mexican bandit after Fearless Fly. / Flukey Luke saves a royal prince’s money. / Two monster clubs want Fangenstein to join them.

“The House-Fly Guest / Fortune Kooky / Goon Platoon” (12/18/65) – Goo Fee offers his servant a throne for Fearless Fly. / An astrologer honors Muggy-Do. / Milton, Heebie and Jeebie are drafted.

“Invincible vs. Invisible / Suit Yourself / The Dummy Talks” (12/25/65) – Goo Fee has his newly-invisible servant steal art. / Stuffy joins a boys’ baseball team. / A shrunken head wants revenge on Professor Weirdo.

“Fly by Might / Hobo Hootenanny / A Pie in the Sky” (1/1/66) – Fearless Fly has to stop Professor Weirdo’s experiments on animals. / Stuffy tries to sneak Ash Can Annie into the mansion. / Professor Weirdo and Professor Fruitcake engage in a deadly game.

“The Sphinx Jinx / Penny Ante / Monsterous Escape” (1/8/66) – Goo Fee tricks Fearless Fly into building a Sphinx. / Penny Penguin wants an allowance increase. / Professor Weirdo tries to sell Professor Fruitcake Heebie and Jeebie.

“The Spider Spiter / Sickened Honeymoon / Abercrombie the Zombie” (1/15/66) – Fearless Fly battles Professor Weirdo’s giant spider. / Penny Penguin ruins her parents’ second honeymoon. / Professor Weirdo sells Milton to Professor Fruitcake.

“Fearless Fly Meets the Monsters / Crumb-Bumming / V for Vampire” (1/22/66) – Professor Weirdo’s newest monster is too nice to fight Fearless Fly. / Muggy-Do bothers Osh at his bakery. / Professor Weirdo tries to capture a vampire.

“Monster vs. Mobster / Martians Meet Their Match / Witch Crafty” (1/29/66) – Mobsters kidnap Milton. / Fearless Fly fights Martians. / Witches catch Heebie and Jeebie spying on their convention.

“Camp Gitchy Gloomy / Let’s Phase It / The Hearse Thief” (2/5/66) – Professor Weirdo sends his monsters to camp. / Fearless Fly fights a glitch computer system at an auto plant. / Professor Weirdo accuses Milton of sealing his hearse.

“Boo to You / Under Waterloo / Kid Stuff” (2/12/66) – Heebie and Jeebie pretend to be ghosts. / Fearless Fly fights Barry Cuda. / Professor Weirdo takes in an underprivileged kid.

“Horror Scope / Lady Deflyah / The Flying Cup & Saucer” (2/19/66) – Professor Weirdo is buried alive in order to fend off a curse. / A seductress learns Fearless Fly’s secret. / Moon-men devour Professor Weirdo’s furniture.

“Monster-Sitter / Robinson Shoesole / The Moon Goons” (2/26/66) – Mechanical Mike babysits Milton. / Goo Fee and Gung Ho end up stranded on an island. / Milton attempts to rocket himself to the moon.

“Think Shrink / Private Fly / Skullgaria Forever!” (3/5/66) – Fangenstein kidnaps the shrunken head to find buried treasure. / Goo Fee hires a private detective. / Milton is brainwashed by spies in order to aid their mission.

“Crumby Mummy / Stage Plight / Fort Fangenstein” (3/12/66) – Lightning brings Professor Weirdo’s mummy to life. / Goo Fee directs a movie starring Fearless Fly. / Fangenstein and Abercrombie build a corral for the mummy.

“Safari Harry / Nuggets to You / Batnap” (3/19/66) – Goo Fee takes Fearless Fly on an African safari. / Stuffy meets prospector Grubstake Greeley. / Professor Fruitcake kidnaps Blackie.

“Dunkin’ Treasure / Ferocious Fly / Monsterous Monster” (3/26/66) – Milton’s crocodile finds a treasure. / Fearless Fly battles sultan Ferocious Fly. / Professor Weirdo’s formula turns Milton into a real monster.

“Napoleon Bonafly / Violin Violence / The Mummy’s Thumb” (4/2/66) – Goo Fee investigates a war between Fearless Fly and a French general. / Flukey Luke guards a violin. / Milton discovers the Mummy’s Thumb turns anything into gold.


Originally posted in 2015. Updated in 2021.