Just an additional comment to this column: Buster Brown shoes were the primary sponsor of Andy’s Gang, a kids’ show hosted by Andy Devine from 1955-1960, and one that featured the most sexually ambiguous catch-phrase of any kids’ show ever:
Plunk your magic twanger, Froggy!
I (author of the Staff Report) had that part of my childhood blanked, but for some reason was thinking about Andy Devine the other day. A flashback creeping through?
An enjoyable article, BTW, dropzone.
I don’t remember this but, have seen it on my “Jonny Quest” DVD set:a commercial for PF Flyers.
Before it was Andy’s Gang, it was Smilin’ Ed’s Gang, with Smilin’ Ed McConnell (who died in 1954). There was a tie-in comic book that shoe stores gave out. In those days, sponsors and shows were intimately tied together.
Prior to Andy Devine, I watch Smilin’ Ed do the show. Same thing, but maybe better.
I’m a kid compared w/ y’all, but didn/t Andy ride against a background running at half speed?
Are you thinking about the opening to Wild Bill Hickock?
Perhaps needless to say, not only women. Some [del]years[/del] decades ago DesertWife and I attended a Wednesday matinee performance of The Nutcracker put on by San Francisco Ballet. The place was overrun by hordes of 8- to 12-year old girls; the handful of boys were obviously (resentfully) dragged along for Sister’s sake. “Man,” I exclaimed during the intermission, “I’ve never seen so many hair bows, back bows, and Mary Janes in my life!” I can only imagine what it would have been like had it been a Family performance.
It’s a simple, practical flat. One for the ages, unlike two-ton, armor-plated wing tips.
with a quick Google image search, I found these:
a magazine ad with Howdy Doody endorsing Poll Parrot shoes
Poll Parrot’s Howdy Doody Comic Book
Howdy Doody’s Poll Parrot Coloring Book
Interestingly, when I was a kid (1980s), Buster Brown shoes were considered the definitive symbol of un-coolness. Saying that another kid wore Buster Browns was a high insult.
This was the same in the 70’s.
Here’s the Buster Brown theme song: BUSTER BROWN SHOES - YouTube
(to which I remembered all the words, nigh 60 years on…)
So much more is available online since I wrote that report. Did you know I was forced to use BOOKS?