WGN Channel 9 - The Nine O'Clock News - "Farewell, Frazier..." (1985)

[@catherinenoble6214]

This really warmed my heart. I was trying to explain to someone, not from Chicago, about Frazier Thomas and how he affected Chicagoans, so I decided to look for Garfield Goose on KZbin and came upon this tribute. Frazier Thomas was a wonderful man! I remember when I was 5 years old and my extended family went to the Bozo show, and we got lost on the way there and showed up 30 minutes late for the taping. We had to wait backstage until a commercial to be seated, and as we were waiting, Bozo came up to my family and said, "Welcome, we've been waiting for you." And it was so kind and compassionate (because I thought we'd be yelled at for being late). I've never forgotten that crew. Really a class act. I miss you, Frazier and Bob Bell. Never a scandal about any of you. And true diversity. Rest in Peace.

[@krumbsbakery154]

i truly hope even though no scandal was ever brought up that these men personally never harmed a child or woman, i truly do

[@JohnHolton]

He was always there when I was a kid, with Garfield Goose and Family Classics. He was part of my life in a simpler time. Hard to believe it's been 30 years.

[@OlandoMcCall]

Yep

[@chuckwagon5518]

I still remember my family gathering in the living room on a Sunday afternoon to watch Gulliver's Travels on Family Classics. What a class-act Frazier was!

[@MesaBoogieman82]

Our family watched many but always joke about when we watched "Sink the Bismark" because for some strange reason our Mom got an escargot kit and made escargot that Sunday afternoon. I remember many movies , we always looked forward to Sunday Classics.

[@magoo9767]

Gosh I miss these guys at WGN. The best children's shows of the 60s and 70s.

[@KJ-xc6qs]

Loved Garfield Goose. Glad I grew up during this golden age.

[@22foozer]

he had such a comforting presence for all of us 60s kids

[@eddiea3782]

My childhood was enriched by this man. Garfield Goose and Family Classics. My whole family would sit and watch Family Classics. What a wonderful man.

[@Joscope]

Frazier along with Ray Rayner, Bill Jackson, and Harry Caray were our TV and radio friends growing up in Chicago. They were the best at what they did and cared enough for the audience and the kids to always put out a great product you could learn something from.

[@4687878]

I watched Garfield Goose every morning before grammar school and Family Classics on the weekend with my Grandma ,...he had a way when he talked, and he seemed sincere, and kids loved him !!! (Oh,.how I miss those innocent days) !!!

[@eyecyou4677]

I had to watch this every morning also, Clutch Cargo, Journey to the Beginning of Time (something like that), boy that was a long time ago !

[@danielmorse6597]

The programming was about the kids and not the fame. It was amazing. Family Classics, always the best! Thank you. No gimmicks, no marketing, honest programming always classy. I fond myself a little emotional remembering some of the best of my life.

[@krumbsbakery154]

@@danielmorse6597 it was the children's version of masterpiece theater

[@lancethompson3431]

WGN had such great children's programming when I was growing up in the Chicago area. It's amazing how well they did with all the low budget kid's shows. Just shows what great people and a little money can accomplish when they care about what they are putting on for kid's to watch.

[@ashforddaniel8487]

I live in the Caribbean and as a child in the 1980s I have fond memories of Frazier Thomas on the Bozo Show and on Family Classics every Sunday. Our local television station (SVG TV) used to join WGN channel 9 almost very day and so I saw a lot of the programming. I loved the theme of Family Classics and I still remember watching movies such as the Return of the Black Stallion. He would always end Family Classics by saying "Join us again next week, wont you?" When he died I remember my friend and I in primary school saying that we wished we were in America so that we could go to his funeral. He and Bozo and all of WGN helped cement my childhood as a very precious golden era that I would not trade at all.

[@phillipantkowicz1414]

My aunt bought me the Garfield Goose puppet as a child and I played with that thing so much I wore it out. Loved this show as a kid. I remember watching many Family Classics growing up.

[@jerrycummings1834]

Always watched this when I was a kid at home. Now a kid at 74 I still love looking back. I even named my Yorker, Beauregard Burnside. Everyone loves the name and asks were I got it from. So I would gladly tell them were it came from. Love you Mr. Thomas, thank you.

[@melissalovescoffee4963]

I grew up on Garfield Goose, Frazier Thomas and Family classics. It’s so great to see this now. Seeing this special is amazing to realize that he was everything to us. There wasn’t a show without him. ❤️

[@Harveycartoonlvr11]

Frazier was not only an excellent television personality...he was a Master Model Railroader too! I always looked forward to his, "Hobby Corner" on the old "Garfield Goose And Friends" show. As time goes by, and the years catching up with me very quickly, I realize that these TV Legends were as important to my childhood, and what I expect from being a television viewer today. Miss him and Ray Rayner too!

[@ToylandFalabellas]

I was on Hobby Corner, my family raised and bred Himalayan cats out of Chicago. I brought a cat on the Hobby Corner show, I remember how exciting it was! I was 9 years old, It was around 1973 or so??? i wish I could find a copy of that episode, those were the days!

[@raydemos1181]

I saw him in Klippers toy store on waukegan road buying some train stuff when i was a small child, my mom served him at the hearthfair steakhouse on waukegan road

[@paulakpacente]

I was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs. Thomas went on the air the year I was born, and I watched him for many years. What a different world than today... A better world then.

[@cuddzilla]

Such an amazing history Chicago television. I've NEVER heard people talk about television ANYWHERE else like they do about Chicago.

[@alitlweird]

Steve CUDDZILLA ya know what?? Neither have I!! It was an iconic childhood!

[@ericdillon1169]

WGN was one of the few networks we got in Galena. I vaguely remember Garfield goose. I guess I didn't realize he was the one on the bozo show. Damn, those were the days. I'm not sure is there another WGN that actually airs the news? Since WGN went to WGN America, I haven't been able to watch it. Jackie Bang was my favorite newscaster.

[@LaCroixCreative]

I think the one town that might come close is Cleveland, and its children's shows.

[@smith1958b]

I lived in Chicago in the mid-late sixties. Shows like Garfield Goose, Bozo, Ray Rayner & Friends, BJ & Cartoon Town were the greatest shows if you were a kid.

[@sharonmatuszak6638]

I was lucky enough to be able to go to Bozo Circus when my son was very young. Met Bozo, Whizz and Cookie who looked right at you and his eyes sparkled. Great memories!

[@johnm3152]

Tearing up a bit, especially seeing Garfield Goose, "the Goose who thinks he's king of the United States".

[@larryl1427]

Same here John M.

[@frankkolton1780]

I would have accepted him as king had he been around these last 4 years.

[@manebull6291]

I only recently discovered the Garfield goose and friends show on the lost media wiki, and I can clearly say that I'm in love with this crazy goose's show, but also 😢 that not much of has been saved or found.

[@WalterDWormack214]

And almost every kid in the City, was a loyal subject!

[@richcriscione1333]

I,m 71 I remember him and his shows I feel so lucky to have been around for all that its to bad we don't have anything like it today.

[@byronbenguche]

Family Classics was a staple in our house on Sundays Afternoons back in the 1970's and early 80's on WGN.

[@WeAreWhiteLight]

+Byron Benguche' Ditto...

[@danalong1237]

Before WGN's Family Classics was a Sunday Afternoon tradition, it was originally a Friday Night institution. After every film (which host Frazier Thomas personally selected and edited himself), Thomas would tell the viewers about the next week's film on Family Classics with his trademark catchphrase "I hope you can be there to see it" and then would sign off with "'Til then I'm your host Frazier Thomas wishing you all a very pleasant evening... and goodnight." After his death, the late Roy Leonard took over as host until its cancellation in the year 2000. I hope Family Classics is brought back to WGN one day!

[@AndreOutlaw]

Same in our house. I remember as a kid laying on the floor and watching with the rest of the family. It's strange that I didn't think of doing anything else and the rest of the family never made it seem as if they wanted to do anything else. And not to go into "get off my lawn" mode. But it seems that nobody wants to just sit down and watch a movie together any longer at home. Have to force them into a theater with a hundred other people to get them to stay there and watch.

[@danalong1237]

Movies on Family Classics included "Doctor Dolittle," "Sink the Bismarck," "Mysterious Island," "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," "Treasure Island," "The Desert Fox," "Jason & The Argonauts," "Swiss Family Robinson" and "Robin Hood," to name a few.

[@wadegarrett2053]

+Dana Long Boys Town, Kidnapped, etc. great memories

[@anneoboyle8447]

There's something so sweet about that wonderful, "Clack-Clack-Clacking" sound of Garfield Goose's darling little Beak! Clack-CLACK! with Gusto! Thanks 🙏 WGN!!!

[@SLAYERSWINE1]

Frazier Thomas & Family Classics was where I came to appreciate older movies. Garfield Goose was a great show to watch growing up.

[@donnajoann7545]

I love it !!! Great memories. Thank you!

[@samnataluk2604]

When I was a kid in Kankakee, Illinois I loved the Garfield the Goose shows. Frazier Thomas was one in a million. Super guy.

[@AmosNomore]

I learned as much or more about being a decent human being from people like Frazier Thomas, Fred Rogers, Andy Griffith, etc. as anybody else in my life. Do kids today have mentors like them to coach them along when their parents, teachers, preachers and other authority figures are too preoccupied with themselves to deserve any respect? It's such a tragedy that Garfield Goose (and Bozo, Ray Rayner, etc.) tapes were not preserved for rerun.

[@willunderwood7656]

+Steve Owens I have to agree with you on all points. When I talk about Creature Features no one knows, now I see! It was a Chicago thing.

[@willunderwood7656]

+AmosNomore I am fifty two. As I look back, I see the positive influence this man and all the Channel 9 shows had on me. If there were more people like Frazier Thomas, the world would be a much better place. RIP Frazier Thomas and Thanks!

[@larryl1427]

@@willunderwood7656 Thanks for saying that Will.

[@sillygoose635]

please, get off your high horse.

[@littlelomichigan9213]

Thank goodness dad put up our tower antenna in the 60's here in SW MI, we loved the Chicago stations of that era. Nothing better than watching Boys Town, Mysterious Island, Lassie come home, Moby Dick! On Family Classics, please bring this back..

[@hymmj147]

Hello, neighbor across the lil pond, 👋🏻 I'm in SE Wisconsin, and we, too, used our outdoor rotary antenna to pick up Chicago stations. Never missed Family Classics (unless it conflicted with a 3 pm Packer game!) and I watched Ray Rayner before school, and Bozo at lunchtime when I was 4 and 5.

[@littlelomichigan9213]

@@hymmj147 My sister once lived in Sun Prarie Wisconsin, but man those winters were cold! ☃At least in SW MI we have Lake Michigan to keep us a little warmer. The orchards here apreciate it! 😄I wish they would bring back the old shows!

[@luftwaffe6521]

Such an awesome childhood with these shows. Family Classics every Sunday. Thinking of those times makes me smile.

[@johnmiller8338]

R. I. P. Frazier-thomas (1918-1985) Chicagoland will miss you.

[@ronaldstubbs9450]

Brought back some great chilldhood memories.

[@fawnwoods6123]

I loved Garfield Goose. I'd watch it every day when I came home from school for lunch. I still love Gar.

[@tomyoung9049]

Loved Family Classics, a nice host. And such great movies.

[@jesusnodal8948]

Boy do I miss Frazier Thomas, he was the one and only!! I absolutely loved his shows!!!

[@Hazwaste63]

What a seemingly great guy and such a big part of the lives of those of us who grew up in the Chicagoland area in the 60's and 70's. Family Classics was a tradition for our family every Sunday.

[@JonAnderhub]

Thank you Frazier Thomas for all the wonderful childhood memories. You are sorely missed.😥

[@tintinogaillon8903]

Thank you WGN.

[@ruthegan1629]

I met this man in 1976. He was awesome!

[@ToylandFalabellas]

I met him when I was on an episode of Garfield Goose. I was 9 or 10 years old on hobby corner. We had himalayan cats, it was very cool! My family bred show cats, those were the days!

[@MrDanielwilliam]

Garfield Goose , always had a great organ riff in the background. What great memories growing up around Chicago. Shows were fun and wholesome for the kids. Now it's raunch 'adult' cartoons, 'gangster' music, etc etc. PS. she was cute (probably pretty old by now) I remember Shelly Long on the Homemaker commercials (before Cheers)

[@elainedotson6718]

Loved him, but that 'Family Classics' theme music always made me feel like crying. Was I the only kid in Chicago who felt that way?

[@hardlines4]

Elaine Dotson Not at all... Great memories and great entertainment we will never have again!

[@sdsuch4353]

No, tears of joy and anticipation.

[@pamparker4047]

No, I felt the same way ❤

[@resistanceisfutile76]

No your not!❤

[@norahnewman7600]

No. You're not alone in this. I watched Family Classics every weekend ❤️❤️❤️. Being older and reminiscing these days during the 70s leaves me tearful in a good way. The theme song always reminds me of my childhood in Chicago. ❤❤❤❤

[@chrismorrison2805]

He was my everything as a boy.

[@johnalang]

When Frazier says his final farewell on "Garfield Goose", you can tell he was upset and on the brink of tears.

[@keyboardwarrior2727]

Gone but not forgotten!

[@lesliechartier2136]

Those of us that grew up in the Chicago area had so many things that were really high quality and very professionally done but with such a charm long since lost to satellite entertainment of today. Even this lovely girl doing the report was top notch, and not to sound cliche but unlike the amateurs we see today, broadcasting the tripe they want us to accept. I too am nostalgic for all that came before but that is now gone. I am grateful for what we had and I do not take it for granted.

[@NoName-wq9ou]

I remember as a kid, we had to write a letter to someone famous and I chose Frazier Thomas. To my shock I got 2 postcards of him, Garfield, and the gang personally signed. I wish I still had them. He was a class act!

[@Paulywint]

I used to watch the Bozo Show nearly every morning before I went off to school. back in the early 80s

[@briancleary5528]

That Family Classics music really takes me back. I loved the Atlantis movie that he used to show. The special effects as the island sank really excited me.

[@pxbaa]

WE NEED MORE ! ! ! Anyone with Garfield Goose pleeeeeeeeeeese. Can't get enough!

[@mixon270]

Family Classics was Chicago true meaning to the word Family and Classics

[@chrismorrison3696]

My hero forever. His picture hangs on my wall.

[@starababa1985]

Garfield Goose was a must after school throughout my childhood. I still remember watching Tin Tin and other strangely fascinating cartoons like the Moon Maiden. Before Family Classics debuted, there was a program called The Blue Fairy. I was mesmerized by her drifting down to a background of harp music. Wonderful stuff on WGN in those days. Anyone remember Uncle Bucky?

[@drfalcon4102]

sadly. my family left Il in 1965 at that time Garfield Goose was on at 3.30 pm,, I never saw it again, a sad loss

[@kathyhowellnash5738]

I grew up watching him. They were the best times too. Family Classics, gave me the best books to read.

[@markgalassini8742]

Kathy Howell/Nash me too. It was my introduction to classic/ great movies. I lived in Lagrange and later hinsdale in the 1970s. Great times. Mark in Milwaukee now

[@jimmyb1559]

He was such a big part of our childhood. This still makes me sad.

[@penickcindy]

Marvelous memories RIP Fraiser Thomas!!💕

[@eds1994fatboy]

I guy I met back in 1978 who lived in Munster Indiana.....we mopped floors and worked together at Hammond Clinnic and were both drummers in local bands.He told me Frazier used to come by his neighbors house to buy custom model train items that the guy built....like buildings.......bridges and also weathered train cars

[@tvtimetravel]

At the time, I was living in Boise, Idaho where I had WGN on my cable service. I moved there the previous fall just after Joey D'Auria replaced Bob Bell as Bozo. The Grand Prize Game was my favorite feature.

[@danalong1237]

The Grand Prize Game had become a staple of WGN's Bozo's Circus over the years.

[@boggy7665]

I really felt bad for the kids who missed Bucket #1!

[@TheStrangeOne14]

My sister got picked for the Grand Prize Game in 1968 or 69.

[@macroevolve]

I forgot about the evening movie show he did. He was a wholesome person, he cared about the families and kids watching so he did everything himself, or almost everything in the production of his shows.

[@carlataft5086]

Good afternoon and thank you for posting Truly Missed never forgotten Countiue to Rest in perfect peace Mr.Fraizer Thomas

[@johnmal801]

Brings back memories of my younger days, or should I say the good old days. Great to watch again. Thanks for the video

[@Shelly58485]

Loved that show,as a kid

[@toolkien]

It's so easy to go on about "back then, _________ was so much better" but it's perfectly clear how articulate people used to be. Not so much today.

[@allenlovell1604]

OMG,I watched him for years on Garfield Goose and Friends, and I adored him on Family Classics ! It's so sad that he is gone, but glad for the memories I still have from watching his shows !

[@shorty42able]

The Bozo show, Garfield Goose, Family Classics. Now that was good clean tv. I'm glad I was part of that decade. so many good memories. :) I loved watching Frazier striking up a conversation with Garfield Goose and Romberg Rabbit. He knew what they were saying. :)

[@johnholliday5874]

I and millions of other Chicagoland and Region kids of my generation literally grew up with Frazier Thomas, Garfield Goose and Family Classics (ALWAYS good movies!). Very nice and entirely appropriate tribute, WGN.

[@adrianlyord3978]

I remember watching the Bozo Show in the mornings before I going to school. Great memories. RIP Mr . Thomas and thank you.

[@LaCroixCreative]

Here's my "where were you" moment with Frazier's death... I was actually taking Brian Mitchell of "Trapper John, MD" fame on a PR media tour around town for the March of Dimes the day Frazier died. My boss and I were in Brian's hotel room at the Drake during a break in the action, when Brian turned on the radio and we heard the news. Of course, Brian wasn't a native Chicagoan, and we had to explain to him why we were so upset!

[@KameraShy]

I grew up watching Garfield Goose when it was in black and white. When I heard that Frazier Thomas passed it was like a death in the family.

[@MsMadmax1]

I loved Frazier Thomas. Watching him on Garfield Goose and Friends along with his Sunday night appearances on Family Classics. I have wonderful memories of my family gathered around our black and white Zenith television and watching Family Classics together. The show inspired me to read the books the movies were based on and I'm eternally grateful to Frazier Thomas for introducing me to literature through film. Thank you, sir! May you rest in peace.

[@peggydenton9861]

Thank you for a wonderful childhood.

[@HRHolm-bi6zu]

I remember watching the GG show in the early-mid 1960s, and especially enjoyed the serials such as 'Space Angel', and 'Journey To The Beginning of Time', which were often a part of the broadcast.

[@barryhoward7284]

I loved those serials too along with Clutch Cargo, The Funny Company, and at Christmas time Hard Rock, Coco and Joe.

[@HRHolm-bi6zu]

@@barryhoward7284 Clutch Cargo was OK, but Space Angel was the best, it really was kind of a foreshadower of Star Trek, looking back. I do not recall the others you mention, however.

[@williamseamon5916]

Grew up watching him in all the shows he was in in the 60's I had a Garfield goose puppet as a kid. I actually attended the Bozo show in person.

[@maureencora1]

I Want All the Garfield Goose Show Cartoons on DVD When I Retire and Be a Kid Again.

[@johnnowakowski4062]

Never missed Family Classics. A great Era for Chicago television. Ray Rayner, Frasier Thomas, Bob Bell, Ned Lock...

[@donparker8246]

Garfield Goose, Family Classics, and, finally, Bozo's Circus. Childhood memories that will never be forgotten. 😥❤️😇

[@blackthorne1497]

He was a great host and I miss him. Over the years I have collected" most of the movies shown on "Family Classics", but they don't have Frasier Thomas on the screen to introduce them.

[@condensermike]

Large part of my childhood.

[@ronnyvonallmen6892]

WGN provided the Greatest Childhood…

[@krumbsbakery154]

wow, wasn't that old when he passed

[@bettybuckley7066]

One of my all time favorites. What was the Rabbit's name? It is on the tip of my tongue but I can't recall.

[@francisedwards4069]

I believe the rabbit's name is Rombert Rabbit

[@MA-wq2ih]

@@francisedwards4069 Romberg Rabbit.

[@GCSDMG]

It was indeed, Romberg Rabbit.

[@donaldclay9535]

God Bless Him. Heaven is for Heroes. R.I.P.

[@pianissimofortekeyboardpla5428]

Union Pacific, Mysterious Island, The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Time Machine! The list goes on. Certainly brings back memories..

[@RandyDubin]

And the sad part about this is, if he would had died a couple of days earlier, this would had been the most cruel April Fool's Joke in the history of the City of Chicago. Mainly B/C it was actually true. RIP Frazier Thomas.

[@FuzzyMemoriesTV]

Randy Dubin - He actually passed away on April 3rd, 1985.

[@BullCricket75]

I was on the Bozo show in 1980. So much fun. I loved Cookie the clown. So many warm fuzzy memories🥰

[@FuzzyMemoriesTV]

Did you save any videotape of when you were on the show by chance?

[@BullCricket75]

@@FuzzyMemoriesTV unfortunately, no. But I play the experience in my head all the time. Lol

[@jacenstarheart6256]

Wow it was really cool to see Bozo 1 and 2 plus Cookie without makeup loved it!

[@thefamouseugenekrabs]

Frasier Thomas iwth Family Classics and Garfield Goose! Great memories!

[@norahnewman7600]

I remember Mr. Frazier Thomas. Always a pleasure to see him on Family Classics. Miss you so much ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@southwesttexasm]

I know this isn't related but is it possible or could you please post More Night Beat segments I was I forgot how many years old six seven years old I would stay up to watch that show thank you very much for the Memories God bless

[@peterbarkley2648]

Remember many of the movies Frazier showed on Family Classics, I had managed to dig up a number of them on DVD. My favorite one: The Littlest Hobo.

[@hoborock007]

He's one of the reasons I'm glad I grew up in the 60s in Chicago.. i loved Family Classics and Bozo back then

[@jeffwilliams5675]

" Hot dogs hamburgers spaghetti and meatballs!!!! " 😜

[@vintagestrings6]

😂 OMG I forgot about that one!

[@jeffwilliams5675]

vintagestrings6 hehe,,,I started watching at 4 years old and remember it well,,😃

[@vintagestrings6]

@@jeffwilliams5675 I was watching back around 64ish. The world was a better place.

[@maureencora1]

Touche'. LOL (smile)

[@thomascollins4325]

I remember that Family Classics was on Friday evenings before it was switched to Sunday afternoon. Does anyone else remember that? What nostalgia!!!

[@sg2823]

We need more people on TV Like Frazier Thomas! I can't forget when he died 35 years ago.

[@gregoryarchibald32]

i remember the show to well. It's a shame there It's shows like that on TV now.

[@franciscodelvalle4866]

Brings heart felt feelings seeing it again. Kids are missing a lot today, compared to what we shared back then.

[@robert7984]

When that Sunday Classic music would come on...I would RUN to the TV and PLANT myself for the next 3 hours! Dang, I'm like 54 and I feel so old.

[@zt1053]

Something was definitely missing from The Bozo Show when Frasier passed away.

[@mountainghost5044]

WGN back in the 1960s and 70s was so great for Chicago area kids' entertainment. I loved watching Ray Rainer in the mornings, Bozo around lunchtime, and Garfield Goose in the afternoons (loved Clutch Cargo with Spinner and Paddlefoot). I remember one day when I was 5 years old in November of 1963 sitting on our rec room floor watching Bozo Circus with my baby sister and my Mom ironing clothes right behind us when an emergency bulletin interrupted the show, it said that John F Kennedy had been shot in Dallas Texas. I will never forget that moment in my life, my mom started crying.

[@KentKaliber]

Chicago Local TV in the 1980's was an absolutely INCREDIBLE institution! I lived in Louisville, KY but we will tuned into to WGN constantly. It's such a SHAME that WGN cancelled Bozo and their other signature programming. WGN today is a soul-less empty shell.

[@lisawillis-marsh951]

You are so missed Mr. Thomas Frazier. I wish this come back on T.V. I loved it as child.

[@johnwrobel1328]

I miss good programs for children!!

[@2bdefacto]

This was Chicagoland are viewed this. Young kids like us, back then, knew of Frazier Thomas, Family Classics, Ray Rayner show with this aggressive duck (Chauncy) Garfield Goose, Georges favorite was Diver Dan, we'd walk to school talking about, Ray's show or scary movies coming out

[@GCSDMG]

Ray Rayners agressive duck was 'Chalveston the duck.'