High Quality Radio Recordings | Those Were the Days | Saturday, November 26th 1977

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26th
THE CINNAMON DEAR

It's time again for our annual presenta-
tion of the classic Christmas fantasy in which
Judy and Jimmy Barton, while searching the
attic for the Silver Star that belongs to the
top of their Christmas tree, meet Paddy
O'Cinnamon ... the Cinnamon Bear. This
year, we'll present the first 14 consecutive
chapters on the Saturday after Thanksgiving
and then tune in to three more consecutive
chapters each Saturday thru Christmas Eve.
"The Cinnamon Bear" was written by
Glen Heisch and directed by Lindsay MacHarrie.
Music was composed by Don Honrath and
conducted by Felix Mills and the orchestra.
The songs of Maybe Land were sung by the
Paul Taylor Quartet. The syndicated program
was electrically transcribed in Hollywood,
The Cinnamon Bear was played by Buddy
Duncan (who was just under five feet tall).
Judy Barton was played by Barbara Jean
Wong. The child actor who played Judy's
twin brother, Jimmy is not known.
Mrs. Barton, the twins' mother, was
Verna Felton.
Joseph Kearns was the Crazy Quilt Dragon;
Hanley Stafford was Snacker Snick, the
Crocodile; Howard McNear played Samuel
the Seal and doubled as Slim Pickin, the
Cowboy.
Elvia Allman was Penelope the Pelican;
Elliot Lewis was Mr. Presto, the Magician;
Lou Merrill was Santa Claus.
Frank Nelson played Captain Tin Top; Cy
Kendall was Captain Taffy, the Pirate, and also
the Indian Chief. Gale Gordon doubled as
Weary Willie, the Stork, and as the Ostrich.
Ted Osborne was both King Blotto and
Professor Whiz, the Owl.
Joe Duval portrayed Fe Fo, the Giant;
Martha Wentworth was the Wintergreen Witch;
Dorothy Scott was Fraidy Cot: Ed Max was
Assistant Blotto Executioner.
Lindsay MacHarrie who directed the series
also played the Bumble Bee.
It's not known who played Melissa, the
Queen of Maybe Land and some of the other
characters in the story.
Announcer Bud Heistand (Mel Blanc
Show and many other network programs)
was the narrator of the series.
(NOTE: Vintage radio collector Terry
Black of Springfield, Illinois was primarily
responsible for uncovering all this historical
information about "The Cinnamon Bear"
and it was thru his efforts that we have been
able to enjoy again this marvelous story for
youngsters of all ages.)
Chicagoans remember listening to the
adventures of Paddy O'Cinnamon and his
friends between Thanksgiving and Christmas
for many years. For a long while the program
was on WGN, but it was also heard on WCFL
Its long-time Chicago sponsor was Wieboldt's
Department Store and hostess June Marlow
encouraged us kids to visit Wieboldt's Toy
Teria to meet Santa Claus in person! (Ahhh,
those were the days!)
CHAPTERS 1 and 2 - 24:05

CHAPTERS 3 and 4 - 24:08
CHAPTERS 5 and 6 - 24:35
CHAPTERS 7 and 8 - 23:25
CHAPTERS 9 and 10 - 23:40
CHAPTERS 11 and 12 - 23:45
CHAPTERS 13 and 14 - 23:15