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21. Back to the Future: Winky Dink:The First Video Game

Cerebral Jukebox Magazine Posted on by

Winky Dink, and you,
Winky Dink, and me,
Always have a lot of fun together.
Winky Dink, and you,
Winky Dink, and me,
We’ll be pals in fair or stormy weather.

The best kids’ television was in the 1950’s, in my biased, humble opinion.

Winky Dink and You premiered on Saturday, October 10, 1953, at 10 in the morning on CBS. Our parents rushed to the 5 & 10 to buy the famous Winky Dink Kit, for 50 cents, which contained a plastic screen that when placed over the television screen–glass, not plasma, created a guiding drawing board. We traced dutifully, getting Winky out of trouble, providing him with ropes and bridges. He wasn’t 007, but he was surely cute.

As I mentioned somewhere previously about my childhood, I grew up in a large apartment development. My friend Pattie Brooks came down from the 10th floor during Winky time. I handed her a crayon and we saved Winky together and solved the mystery word that was provided in each episode. Pattie decided to clean the screen, aka, The Magic Window. She was wearing a dress, she pulled up the hem, and de-crayoned the Winky Window with her white cotton slip. I hate to think about what her mother did to her when she got home.

I miss Winky Dink, his dog Woofer, and Mr. Bungle. I loved his sweet funny voice provided by Mae Questel, who was also the second voice of Betty Boop. I liked that play didn’t need batteries, but imagination, I liked the weekly ritual of being carefree from homework or stress, I liked that I could be a hero and help little needy Winky in times of trouble. I like that Pattie Brooks who didn’t feel like looking for the winky cleaner rag and solved the issue on her own.

But most of all, I like the idea that your friends are there for you in fair or stormy weather; whatever happened to that?

P.S. I have a feeling Winky is Lisa Simpson’s grandfather!!!

 

Comments from the parallel universe of Yahoo

(2 total)

Mmm… TV of the 50s. I was born in 1960, but in my chilhood we had a lot of re-reuns from the 1950s, especially cartoons. I don’t remember all the ones you speak of, but I do remember Betty Boop, Felix (the cat) and other very old black-and-white cartoons. My favourite was that of a thin man with a beard who invented all kinds of “machines” with the most basic things like washboards? I think we was one of the characters from Betty Boop? He used to have a special hat, with a bulb on top and when he had an idea, the bulb would light. Do you remember him? Oh, I haven’t seen that in ages and I loved it. “Time-tunnel” blogs are great!

Saturday April 14, 2007 – 05:31pm (CDT)

Frida K- I was born years before you and had the ssme re-runs; many of the cartoons I think were from the ’30’s, maybe before. Betty was “born” in 1930. I remember the old machine guy. (The machines are “Rube Goldberg” machines.) I don’t think he was a Betty character, but maybe mixed in with the show. Here’s some neat Felix cartoons!! http://www.bibi.org/box/archives/2006/06/more_felix_cartoons_1.html hugs

Tuesday April 17, 2007 – 03:05pm (EDT)

Comments

(24 total)

Was a little before my time, LOL. I wasn’t born until 1970. But it was an interesting blog and clip. Thanks for sharing it with us. I’ll have to ask my husband about it when he gets home.

Friday October 12, 2007 – 03:12pm (CDT)

We moved to Roswell,NM in 1951. I know we had a television before that because I used to watch Howdy Doody. But I think Roswell did not have television stations. The next kids’ program I remembered was a local on in Albuquerque in 1954 – Howard and Thermo.

Friday October 12, 2007 – 02:58pm (MDT)

Didn’t know that one, Sue. Maybe before my time? Heehee. But similar pattern of kids shows in UK – parent figure and naughty cartoon/puppet. We had the Flowerpot Men – maybe the forerunner of 360 (‘oggleblog blog’).

Friday October 12, 2007 – 10:42pm (BST)

Ha!   Is this the “Time Tunnel”  series?   Ha. Dear Sue, I wasn’t born then and only starting here in those years, but anyway, when I was a child we had so many great dubbed series (Mexicans have an international prestige for excellent dubbing). But I never saw those cartoons!
We didn’t have those here, for sure. We had older ones, though… like Betty Boop?  Those were not dubbed. I remember they spoke in English! –Ha. My favourite character was Grampy. The inventor. Remember him? I need a Grampy to come up with such creative ideas –especially for home chores and repairs!

Friday October 12, 2007 – 05:48pm (CDT)

M-I-C K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E I loved Mickey Mouse Club I had my ears We watched Bobby and Annette
What I loved about this clip was both the imagination and the fact if you didn’t have your Winky dink kit It was not fun
So………………….
Mommy I want a Winky Dink kit although I wonder how many kids were coloring on the TV

Friday October 12, 2007 – 07:08pm (EDT)

Narice I LOVED MICKEY! Watched the Mouse Club without fail.and LOVED the series shown within–SPIN AND MARTY–actually bought some dvd’s maybe I can upload them! And yes, Fri,  Grampy, I remember him, maybe he can fix the porblems on YAHOO! That’s it, hire GRAMPY!!!!

Friday October 12, 2007 – 07:18pm (EDT)

I loved the Little Rascals: http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-CfyfZ3E9aLJVTKEd1NE1fA–?cq=1&tag=thelittlerascals

Friday October 12, 2007 – 07:26pm (EDT)

Here you go my friend
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-1hYseNM_erRQu0u.QcifuDnixauLpoqIKTYkynmT?p=1329

Friday October 12, 2007 – 08:09pm (EDT) Remove Comment

im a child of the 60s but we had the very same things it seems. i remember this show and the jingle of the song (smile). How about the guy that came out of the inkwell….There were so many great cartoons huh.

Friday October 12, 2007 – 10:27pm (EDT)

I want to repost my link to get to The Little Rascals easier:
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-CfyfZ3E9aLJVTKEd1NE1fA–?cq=1&tag=thelittlerascals

Friday October 12, 2007 – 10:50pm (EDT)

Would my link to the Outer Limits be good here ?
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-CfyfZ3E9aLJVTKEd1NE1fA–?cq=1&tag=theouterlimits

Friday October 12, 2007 – 11:12pm (EDT)

  • AB
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What a nice thing :0))) What imagination for the plastic screen!!
Well… just some evenings ago I was telling my brother how incredible is what you can do with a powerful video game consolle connected to internet and a 40′ LCD screen…. The world has changed indeed :0oooooooo

Saturday October 13, 2007 – 10:51am (CEST)

I do remember this. When I saw the show, it must have been reruns as I wasn’t born until 1962; but I did remember the name of the show and asked my mom. Sure enough, she said I had my little kit and never missed the show. She just had to keep an eye on me so I wouldn’t start adding things on the screen for other shows too! I was a TV baby even then!
This would be a great idea for a graphic tablet games for kids now. Something they could interact with the computer on in real life in a sense. It would certainly require a programmer that understands the need for the user to provide the imagination! Great memories, thanks!

Saturday October 13, 2007 – 12:11pm (EDT)

Howdy Doody, Sky King, Mickey Mouse, Kookla Fran and Olie. 

Saturday October 13, 2007 – 11:15am (MST)

I can remember when television was first born in the Forties and anyone with a TV was the most popular person in the neighborhood..I don’t remember the children’s programs but the comedy shows were outstanding starring Milton Berle,Sid Ceaser,Jimmy Durante to mention only a few..I was just the right age to think they were the greatest shows in the world.~~Papa

Saturday October 13, 2007 – 12:29pm (PDT)

Howdy Doody and Capt.Video was more my time.

Saturday October 13, 2007 – 03:33pm (CDT)

The earliest show that I remember loving was the original Scooby Doo that I couldn’t stand missing. I’m still a fan. I was very upset that I couldn’t marry him some day, so I decided I’d marry Shaggy and get them both. Yep, explains a lot doesn’t it.

Saturday October 13, 2007 – 05:19pm (EDT)

I was born in 51 but was 10 before we got a telly..I used to watch the Micky Mouse Club..Rin Tin Tin, Fury..I loved the animal shows..but in those days we only had one channel.. The first show I ever saw was Perry Mason. I remember sitting on a table next to the telly..couldn’t get close enough to the thing..

Sunday October 14, 2007 – 07:21am (EST)

Didn’t know this show at all(born 1962), and had never really heard of it. It is interesting that is was so interactive and involving for the viewers…(and love the name Mr. Bungle…I know a Mr. Bungle..) I loved watching Captain Kangaroo, Looney Tunes, Pink Panther, Heckle & Jeckle…STILL love cartoons and good kid’s TV today. As my daughter grew, I happily watched Arthur and SpongeBob Squarepants with her!

Saturday October 13, 2007 – 07:20pm (EDT)

As a young girl my favorite weekly show was Lassie. Every Sunday night sis and I gathered in front of the TV with our dog by our side to watch our canine heroine. There was series of episodes when Lassie was lost and Mom reported that both sis and I had a nervous breakdown about the whereabouts of Lassie until she was safely home with her beloved family. Good wholesome programming that obviously captured the hearts and minds of children of the early 60s. To this day when I see a collie it brings backs memories of my Lassie obsession.Obviously, the start of my lifelong love of dogs. What fun to remember!! Thanks for asking!

Sunday October 14, 2007 – 01:39am (EDT)

I didn’t know that one
It seems you have some good memories and had and have some good friends. I enjoyed taking a peek at your past. May your future hold many more pleasant times

Monday October 15, 2007 – 07:40am (VUT)

I love the shows I grew up with as a child. Looney Tunes and Mickey Mouse were favourites, but also several Australian TV shows that weren’t shown in the US. It is interesting how some of these old shows are being released on DVD now… Says something about the quality back then and the quality now, maybe? I don’t know Winky Dink, I suspect it was not shown here in OZ…

Monday October 15, 2007 – 02:29pm (EST)

Didn’t know this show. Funny thing is a friend just mentioned this show to me the other day! Now I know more about it thanks to you!!! LOL!! Good blog!

Monday October 15, 2007 – 07:04am (EDT)

How cute! I’ve never heard of Winky Dink, but the drawing aspect is so brilliant! I loved your description too. Thanks for the adorable video!

Monday October 15, 2007 – 09:18pm (EDT)

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