Andy's Gang facts for kids

Andy's Gang was a fun children's TV show. It aired on NBC from August 20, 1955, to December 31, 1960. The show was hosted by the actor Andy Devine. It was the next version of a popular radio and TV show. That show was called Smilin' Ed McConnell and His Buster Brown Gang. Andy Devine took over the TV show when Smilin' Ed McConnell died in 1954. Andy kept many of the show's characters. He also kept the sponsor, Buster Brown shoes.

Meet the Cast

Many talented people were part of Andy's Gang. They helped bring the show to life.

• Andy Devine (the host)
• Nino Marcel as Gunga Ram
• June Foray as the voice of Midnight the Cat and Old Grandie the Witch
• Billy Gilbert as the teacher
• Lou Krugman as the Maharajah
• Jerry Maren as Buster Brown
• Alan Reed as the poet
• Vito Scotti as Pasta Fazooli and Rama
• Bud Tollefson as the voice of Tige, the dog

Smilin' Ed's Original Show

Smilin' Ed McConnell and his Buster Brown Gang was one of the first kids' TV shows. It was filmed in Hollywood. Smilin' Ed would start the show by saying, "Hiya, kids!" Then, the audience would sing a song for Buster Brown shoes. The song went, "I got shoes, you got shoes, everybody's got to have shoes, but there's only one kind of shoe for me—good old Buster Brown shoes!"

The show was made with a small budget. But it was very successful! It brought to life the Buster Brown characters. These characters had been used in ads for many years. The show helped sell millions of shoes.

Music and stories from "Smilin' Ed's Storybook" were common parts of the show. There was also a series called "Gunga, the East India Boy." This part was set in India. Gunga Ram and his friend Rama went on adventures. They were led by the Maharajah. These were filmed segments.

Froggy the Gremlin's Fun

A very popular part of the show was Froggy the Gremlin. Froggy was a green puppet. He would appear in a puff of smoke. He would say, "Hiya, kids! Hiya, hiya, hiya!" This happened when Smilin' Ed yelled, "Plunk your magic twanger, Froggy!" Andy Devine later used this same phrase. Froggy loved to interrupt the stories. He often caused funny trouble.

Smilin' Ed McConnell passed away in 1954. Andy Devine then took over the show in 1955.

Andy Devine Takes Over

After Smilin' Ed's passing, Andy Devine became the host. Andy had a rough voice but a kind heart. He was known for playing Jingles on The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok. Andy filmed his parts without a live audience. This allowed for some cool special effects. For example, Froggy could suddenly appear or disappear.

The show would begin with Andy Devine. He sat in a big easy chair. He would read from a book called Andy's Stories. These stories were shown with film clips. Other regular characters included Midnight the Cat. There was also Squeeky the Mouse, played by a hamster. And Grandie was a talking piano. Midnight, a big black cat, sometimes played an organ grinder. Midnight would also meow "Nice" in a high voice when asked for her thoughts.

Gunga Ram's Adventures

In the filmed parts, Gunga Ram was an Indian boy. He was played by Nino Marcel. Gunga and his friend Rama (played by Vito Scotti) helped the Maharajah. They went on many exciting adventures.

Funny Moments with Billy Gilbert

The funny actor Billy Gilbert was often on the show. Froggy would frequently interrupt him. Or Froggy would tell Billy what to do. Billy Gilbert would get playfully angry. He would then chase Froggy until the gremlin vanished. In one clip, Vito Scotti tried to explain singing. Froggy kept interrupting or making fun of him. Eventually, Scotti tried to grab Froggy. But the gremlin suddenly disappeared!

Andy Devine would end each show by saying, "Yes, sir, we're pals, and pals stick together. And now, gang, don't forget church or Sunday school."

Lasting Memories

Some of the original shows hosted by Andy Devine still exist today. A few parts filmed in color near the end of the show's run in 1960 have survived. You can find home videos of the programs on VHS and DVD. Clips from the TV broadcasts are also available online.

Buckner & Garcia honored Smilin' Ed McConnell and Froggy the Gremlin in a 1982 song. It was called "Froggy's Lament." This song was about the arcade game Frogger. It included the famous lines "Hiya kids" and "Plunk your magic twanger, Froggy!"