Super Circus Television Show with Claude Kirchner & Mary Hartline

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When ever I hear the voice of Claude Kirchner, its a memory flash back to my boomer past when he did the voice overs for the Marx toy line of commercials in the 1950's and 60's.

In the 1980's when I had a public access show in New York City showing many of the rare and one of a kind commercials and television shows I uncovered, among my fans was Claude Kirchner, and we became close friends.

At that time Shari Lewis was having a resurgence in her career with a new popular kids show, and Claude was hoping to do the same thing with an updated version of Super Circus, but we couldn't get anyone to take an interest.

Notes: This Super Circus show was restored from a 16mm Kinescope in my collection. Over the years I located a dozen or more shows, and many sadly have decomposed.

Super Circus aired live on Sunday afternoons from 5 to 6pm Eastern Time from 1949 to 1956 on ABC.

The show was produced in Chicago by WENR-TV, continuing through its call letter change to WBKB (today's WLS-TV) through 1955, and its production moved to New York City and WABC-TV for its final season.

The award-winning show featured circus and clown acts performing in front of a studio audience. Mary Hartline and Claude Kirchner were the hosts (Jerry Colonna succeeded Kirchner as "Ringmaster" in the final New York season), and Bruce Chase conducted the band.

Phil Patton was the producer, and Ed Skotch was the director.
Sponsors for the show included Kellogg's, Mars, Canada Dry Ginger Ale, and Sweetheart Soap.[

Mary Hartline, known for her short skirts, white boots and long blonde hair, became one of television's first sex symbols, spawning merchandise such as dolls, clothes, and boots --- three dozen different Mary Hartline products.
In 1951, the program received a Micahel Award as the best children's show on television. Also that year, the Lion's Club of Illinois named it the best children's TV program, and the Chicago Federated Advertising Club rated it as one of the four best shows on TV.

Claude Kirchner, Clownie, Terrytoon Circus, Super Circus & more