 Uncle
Johnny Coons -Ventriloquist John David Coons (a.k.a. "Uncle
Johnny Coons") hosted the Chicago-based children's program UNCLE
JOHNNY COONS (LIFE WITH JOHNNY COONS)/CBS/NBC/1955-56.
Uncle Johnny Coons was a friendly, pudgy man sporting dark-rimmed
glasses and a variety of hats (for the many characters he played)
who hosted a 30-minute live-action Saturday morning series
consisting of narrated silent films, cartoons and segments designed
to teach youngsters moral responsibility.
Assisting him was George, a life-sized wooden dummy with a broad
simpleton smile and freckles who wore bib overalls and a plaid
shirt. Other characters included Blackie, the invisible dog, and
Joe, the invisible giant.
Johnny Coons also provided the puppet voices for UNCLE MISTLETOE
AND HIS ADVENTURES, a local Chicago show produced in 1948 and later
syndicated in 1952; and told western stories on PANHANDLE PETE &
JENNIFER, a weekday NBC children's show in 1950.
Uncle Johnny Coons (who died in July 1975) once said of his
programs, "Kids may not learn a lot watching me, but they have fun."
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