Small Fry Club facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Small Fry Club |
|
|---|---|
| Genre | Children's program |
| Presented by | Bob Emery |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Release | |
| Picture format | Black-and-white |
| Audio format | Monaural |
| Original release | March 11, 1947 – June 15, 1951 |
Small Fry Club was a popular television show for kids. It aired on the DuMont Television Network in the United States. The show started on March 11, 1947, and was first called Movies for Small Fry. It ended on June 15, 1951. At first, it was shown once a week. Later, it became so popular that it aired five days a week, and by 1948, it was on seven days a week! This show was special because it was the very first children's program to be shown across a network of TV stations.
What Was the Show Like?
When the show first started as Movies for Small Fry, it mainly showed movies and cartoons for children. A friendly person named Bob Emery was the host. He called himself "Big Brother" and would talk over the films.
Later, the show changed its name to Small Fry Club. It also added a live audience of kids and a studio set. The show taught kids about good manners and healthy habits. Besides movies and cartoons, it had:
- Demonstrations
- Songs
- Puppets
- Actors dressed as animals who performed short skits
Bob Emery, dressed in a suit and glasses, often played the banjo and sang. He started each show with a song called 'The Grass Is Always Greener in the Other Fellow's Yard'. This song taught kids to be happy with what they have. Bob Emery used music and stories to teach children about being polite, having self-control, and respecting others.
Bob Emery and his wife, Kay, produced the show. It was supported by companies like American Pipe Cleaner Company and Fischer Baking Company.
Joining the Small Fry Club
There was a real "Small Fry Club" that kids watching the show could join. It was a way for young viewers to feel more connected to the program. Members could:
- Send in their own drawings
- Submit written stories
- Take part in fun contests
By the end of 1947, more than 10,000 children had joined the club. Just three years later, in 1950, the club had grown to an amazing 150,000 members!
What Happened Next?
After Small Fry Club ended, Bob Emery started a similar show in Boston. It was called The Big Brother Bob Emery Show and aired on WBZ-TV. He hosted this show until he retired in 1968.
