Johnny Ginger

[@chrisput1024]

I also remember Milky, the Twin Pines Magic Clown from this time. I am suprised that I can still remember this stuff.

[@MJCPeters]

I especially remember the small clock in the bottom of the picture, thats how I knew it was time to leave for school

[@MikeBlitzMag]

Just saw Johnny Ginger live in concert (June 2011). As always, he was the consummate entertainer, excelling at impersonations, ad libs and a few musical salutes. We are truly blessed to still have him with us.

[@Iguana56]

This brings back so many memories from my childhood. I remember Johnny Ginger showing the Three Stooges every morning before I went to school. He even did a phone interview with Moe Howard who claimed that - due to his Stooge haircut - was the original Beatle. It might just be nostalgia talking, but I remember Detroit local TV as being pretty good! Ginger was pretty far ahead of his time with his mastery of the era's crude technology. His timing was amazing.

[@skyemacallister1306]

I remember that episode like it was just on the tv!!!

[@garywright313]

I watched Johnny Ginger too every morning! BTW does anyone out there remember Jerry Booth's Funhouse on ch9 in Windsor/Detroit area? Loved that show too!

[@timmcinnes2594]

I sure do. Boofland, my Boofland. Jerry Booth and Larry Sands had their own show a few years after Jingles on CKLW.

[@iaintnobody9694]

@@timmcinnes2594 Larry Sands did some great bird impersonations. "Kids! What's the matter with kids today?" Then Jerry Booth on his little set with Clyde on the wall.

[@skyemacallister1306]

Don't forget Soupy Sales! The Detroit area sure had a ton of tv talent, didn't it?

[@RayPointerChannel]

Before Jerry Booth's Funhouse, there was JINGLES IN BOOFLAND. That was the same era as this clip. FUNHOUSE came by the time Johnny left WXYZ and went to WKBD, the big new station. But it wasn't the same as when he was at channel 7. It seemed he was either limited in what he could do or just didn't care.

[@smooches1368]

In late 1957 my family moved from west Michigan to outside the Detroit area. Instead of three network channels, we now had four with the Windsor station CKLW. What an improvement. Canadian programing was unique and classy. Remember Bill Kennedy? He made me a big fan of movies of the 30s and 40s. I watched black and white movies on a black and white TV. I am very sentimental about the kids shows: Friendly Giant, Johnny Ginger, the early silent cartoons from the 20s that were accompanied with some cool jazz music. Remember Mary Morgan on Million Dollar Movie? More films from the first 20 years of Hollywood movie making. Did Jerry Booth play the part of Poopdeck Paul? He was preceded by Captain Jolly on who's show I saw classic Popeye cartoons for the first time. Gotta go, this has been fun.

[@stever427]

I watched Johnny every day during the late 50's and very early 60's. Boy does this bring back memories. I used to love these sketches and as I watch it now I don't know how he did it so perfectly considering the technology of the times. As I type this, one that comes to mind is one he did with Jackie Wilson's "Lonely Teardrops". Hey, rochestra, does your dad have a copy ot that one?

[@bobwallace9814]

Watched the show every morning before going to elementary school. All the guys at school saw it and we were like a dozen Three Stooges recalling the episode. Johnny always wore the bellhop outfit and introduced each Dick Tracy cartoon with a "Dick, get up on that chandelier" and each time a different "Get up on that...." to which each cartoon started with Dick Tracy saying , Yes Chief, I'll get on it right away"!

[@conifergreen2]

I grew up in Windsor and as a child loved the Johnny Ginger show.

[@DetroitLives313]

This is so good to see. Johnny's son Kevin was one of my best buddies in grade school.

[@geebeeman1]

How in the world did you get hold of this??!! What memories!

[@rochestra]

I am Johnny's son. I'm glad you enjoyed the clip.

[@michaelrutledge7048]

You can be proud!! JG was great kids entertainment!! An era loooong gone!! I’m glad I grew up in it.

[@skyemacallister1306]

Loved him so much. My older sister and I used to "sing" the opening music when we'd open the drapes at home. Johnny's back!!! (Johnny's front)

[@skyemacallister1306]

Dear Johnny's son.... is Dad still with us???

[@TheRealUncleErnie]

I knew your father from Mortan-Tailor? stables where he kept Tag. and I swept up for free riding. I remember when he was on Gun Smoke. Just a fan.

[@smooches1368]

One afternoon two years ago I saw Johnny on "The Rifleman" and have been seeking film clips of him since then. I finally found the Three Stooges movie "The Outlaws is coming" in a collection of three Stooges movies and trimmed out the scene Johnny is in, playing the part of Billy the Kid. From what I can find on Wikipedia, Johnny is still alive and approaching 87(?) years old. I hope this is true.

[@voodooacrobat]

Outstanding clip!! What a gem! And damned clever for its time.

[@rochestra]

This is from Johnny's personal collection. He had them transfered to 16mm film back then.

[@solongago57]

I wish more could be uploaded. He was more clever and multitalented than I remembered. Was he lip syncing Jolson, or was he actually impersonating him?

[@sneezepal]

Just saw an article about JG in Filmfax magazine. It's cool to be able to watch this clip of his vintage show---the article said all the tapes had been wiped by the TV station. Thanks for posting!

[@jsmwoodworth]

My dad watched this showing growing up and we had fun looking up this video

[@Kirke182]

Wow! It's been a long, long, LONG time!

[@timmcinnes2594]

What fuzzy memories this brings back, growing up in Windsor in the 1950's. Johnny was doing things like this with the new medium of television that only Ernie Kovacs came close to. In fact he may have been too talented, if that's possible. He never became as big a name as he should have, internationally, although he opened for world class acts like Sammy Davis and Bobby Darrin at the Elmwood Casino in Windsor. I don't think Detroit released what a talent they had for 11 years.

[@RayPointerChannel]

Well, Soupy Sales took off and wisely left Detroit when he realized he had outgrown the market. I always though we had some of the best talent on our local shows, better than what I saw on local shows in New York. But Detroit was that way. There were many who left to realize their destinies. Thank goodness we had them when we did.

[@thomasjkaminski]

Johnny used to live one street over from me when I was growing up in Garden City during the 60's. Use to go over there all the time and ask for 3 stooges picture, etc..

[@rochestra]

Yes, that puppet's name was Blackjack. Unfortunately, we have no footage from that era.

[@rochestra]

@ppixi123 Hi Patti! Thanks for sharing your memory of my Dad!

[@chemcat1]

Wow, I never thought I'd ever be able to actually SEE him again, let alone segments from his show back in the early '60's. Thank you. Where did you get this from anyway? We didn't have any recording devices, nothing. How you do it???

[@mikekalkaska]

Wow, It's been a while.......

[@Helenem55]

I used to get ready for school in the a.m. watching this at 7:30 a.m. they showed 3 stooges episodes, right?

[@conifergreen2]

I loved Captain Jolly and Poopdeck polly!

[@michaelrutledge7048]

conifergreen2 Poopdeck Paul, wasn’t it??

[@skyemacallister1306]

Poopdeck Paul. He was on Saturday and Sunday to give Captain Jolly a break.

[@jenwombatexcelsior]

johnny ginger is resposiblefor my interest in the three stooges I wish I couldthank him personally! I watchedhimin a.m. andp.p..

[@drose6894]

When I was a small child, around 1969 perhaps, I vaguely remember my sister and I being on "The Johnny Ginger Show". I think I remember him talking to a puppet that came out of a door on the wall but perhaps I am getting this mixed up with something else. We went home with a year supply of vitamins. Do you have any clips of that show?

[@walterroma7368]

Soupy Sales.

[@solongago57]

Was that "Let's do the Charlie Bopp" an actual song of the time? Maybe I've misheard the lyrics, but I'm finding nothing similar on Google.

[@rochestra]

My dad (Johnny) would love to see them! Can you scan them?

[@ferociousgumby]

Can Captain Jolly be far behind?