Sivad takes us on a tour of WHBQ-TV programming in 1964 -Pt2

PART TWO (of two)
In his film clip from 1964, the WHBQ Million Dollar Movie theme gives way to Memphis' own Sivad from the popular local TV show Fantastic Features. Our "Monster Of Ceremonies" takes us on a tour of the programming for the coming season on WHBQ-TV 13 in Memphis, Tennessee. This part two includes rare footage of a VERY young George Klein interviewing Pete Fountain. Clip also has exclusive information about The Elvis Presley Special on channel 13 that beat out Bonanza and Ed Sullivan in the regional ratings that week.
This video is jam packed with nostalgia and flashbacks for those of us old enough to remember all these old shows, as well as an interesting behind the scenes look at how a television station views its audience. Those too young to remember this time in television's toddlerhood should still find it of historical interest.
Shows mentioned in this clip include: WHBQ-TV Million Dollar Movie - Fantastic Features - Happy Hal's TV Funhouse - Cartoon Time - The Rifleman - The Littlest Hobo - Cannonball - Phil Silvers Show - Car 54 Where Are You - Tugboat Annie - Channel 13 Wrestling - Talent Party with George Klein - The Elvis Presley Special - and MANY many more!
Trivia: The station slogan at the time was, "your RKO General Station In Memphis".

NOTE: MemphisMemories would like to thank Harvey and Chet for finding this rare classic on a VHS tape at a flea market and making it available so it can be shared with everyone.

[@TimRopersCo]

This is a hoot. I practically grew up at WHBQ-TV in the 1950s. My dad (Gene Roper) was program director and the evening newscaster until 1962. He'd take my brother and me to WHBQ on weekends. I got to work puppets on the Happy Hal show, do live Sealtest ice cream commercials, watch Sputnik Monroe wrestle, and more. Best of all, the place was air conditioned! All of our Xmas toys came from Happy Hal's Toy Shop on Union. Dad was promoted to RKO in NYC, so we moved; I think Sivad came afterward.

[@davidringo1399]

grew up with him also a much better time in a once great city

[@flyboysteven9979]

I'll tell you something that really used to scare me when i was a kid in the 60s....you could be watching Sivad late at night and sometimes the station would be having technical difficulties and the picture went to black and the room would be dead quiet....you had no idea when/if the picture and sound would ever come back...then, just out of the blue, a technical difficulties screen would come on and voices started singing real loud, "Don't touch that dial! It'll be fixed in a minute!"...that used to make me jump out of my socks every time...it was scarier than Sivad!...it got to the point that when the screen went out like that, i would reach over and turn the sound all the way down so it wouldn't scare me so bad when it came back on......LOL

[@animeevergreenathena]

And I thought that my current workplace had bad technical issues. But since it's a news station, at least the anchors know how to put on entertaining, professional personas during those times. I have social anxiety disorder and possibly other mental conditions so I would've reacted the same way if I lived during those times, ha ha!

[@MaverickBAS]

Sivad! Man does this bring back memories of my childhood in 1960's Memphis. I never understood why he pulled that coffin out of the hearse or how he did it with just the stick, but that scene made the movies which followed much more scary. The movies shown on FF in the 1960's were generally 1950's reruns, Amazing Colossal Man, Attack of the Puppet People, I recall sending off for a signed picture of Sivad and joining some kind of Sivad fan club. RIP Mr. Davis, Savid, thanks for the memories

[@animeevergreenathena]

You must have quite a cool childhood to remember those moments. Up until recently, most of what I knew about Memphis dealt with crime, racism, and from time to time, happy entrepreneurship stories. So yeah, even today, it's tough for me to find my own footing in this city, despite the fact that I've been making my mark in the Asian community especially as Onigiri girl, among other titles since I was 16.

[@topazzz1546]

Classy.

[@markfostercrtgamer3201]

Very cool to see they had Elvis! That was great!

[@animeevergreenathena]

Although I will admit that it made me a little sad seeing only his back in this segment. It just makes you wonder if he was okay at the time. Of course, we know now that he wasn't deep down.

[@toonguy85]

I loved how WHBQ was ahead of the curve by extending primetime programming to 6:00 pm! The Littlest Hobo - Mondays; Cannonball - Tuesdays; Phil Silvers Show - Wednesdays; Car 54 - Thursdays; Tugboat Annie - Fridays; AND I ESPECIALLY love the fact that no less than THREE of these programs (Littlest Hobo, Cannonball and Tugboat Annie) were Canadian independent productions!!

[@rkrealtorva]

Thanks for posting this!

[@animeevergreenathena]

Tee hee! I swear, that Sivad knows how to steal the show. I'm so glad that I was introduced to him by Memphis's own father of underground cinema, Mike McCarthy, recently. I feel that Sivad deserves more international attention after all these years. I didn't live in Memphis until my family and I moved there back in 2011 so yeah, it took me a long time for me to see Memphis beyond its crime statistics and stories of racism. It especially didn't help that I had to deal with my own prejudice as a creative Asian American woman in and outside of home. If only Watson Davis is still alive. I'm sure that he would appreciate seeing his main viewers, now all grown up, preserving his life and legacy for generations to come. :)

[@dukeyflyswatter]

I watched Sivad every time I went to memphis to visit my Aunt. Whenever he would show up at the now defunct fairgrounds and amusement park the place would be swamped. Good times.

[@bobmarley4155]

Even creepier than you describe! And how about that music! Channel 13 supered a graphic at the beginning of each movie saying may not be suitable for young kids-30+ years before networks did it. Great movies! That's how I developed a love for the sci fi/horror genre

[@ilyastone4353]

I remember SIVAD as far back as 1970! Terrifying to the children. Hilarious as with each advancing year. Memphis in the 70s was a absolute Shangri-La of goofy trash culture, but with talent and an big dollop of cleverness at the same time. So much fun back then.

[@bobmarley4155]

Description says 1964, but end date says 1963 preview. Announcer is Jack Parnell, father of Sat Nite Live alum Chris Parnell. Jack had a classic voice, did commercials for absolutely every product ever made. Still working as late as 10-12 years ago. I grew up hearing that voice selling me King Cotton meat, Sealtest ice cream, Dean's milk, and Chip Barwick's Chevys.

[@BigJimDavis]

I appeared on the George Klein Dance Party with my band The Madisons on WHBQ in 1965-1966 when Cybill Shepherd was still a WHBQutie. If anyone knows if WHBQ has archives of these shows I would appreciate a lead. Thanks.

[@Stucifer]

I was always horrified by Sivad. I couldnt watch him as a child. Looking at him 40 years later... he's more comical than anything

[@animeevergreenathena]

I would've thought the same if I lived during that time as a child so no worries on your end. :)

[@tapthatt2012]

great clip. wish something like that would pop for NYC stations.

[@tinker38801]

yes those were the days

[@bobmarley4155]

Anybody remember Sivad's record "Gonna Bury Rock and Roll"? If so - is there any film/video of it? I believe he performed it on FF and on Talent Party/Top 10 Dance Party. I saw it. but can't remember which show. Summer of 63-so damn hot! 50 years ago - AHHHH!

[@grizzlyfan41]

I was scared of Sivad......Creature Feature......I know it's not scary now, but back then......whew!

[@parkkrr]

i saw KALTIKI and THE MANSTER ,on FANTASTIC FEATURES,IN THE 60'S....and both scared me to death nearly...but i loved it....i lived in HALLS,TENNESSEE at the time......

[@bobmarley4155]

Announcer was Jack Parnell. See my comment above

[@bobmarley4155]

Hal was also a toy and gift wholesaler and importer, painter, and world traveler. I photographed a couple of catalogs at his warehouse in 1982 and 83. Sivad would have loved the address: 666 Beale. Hal was a right jolly old elf, and I asked about Little Bo, in spite of myself. He had the coolest, weirdest toys, with suction cups, feathers, springs, pull rings.... . My ex won the daily toy giveaway, and her dad sold Hal tires, oil, and gas. I also worked with his son Allen

[@scottabelli3406]

I recall Lil Bo was cutting off a piece of H H s bow tie a day at a time and eventually it was cut to the center

[@yehudivenuti]

actually, as i recall, Happy Hal's Toy HOUSE was at the corner of avalon and union, then moved just a couple of spaces up to Happy Hal's Toy TOWN, where the art store is now. (me and my bros happen to have been on his show twice!) the reason i am seeing this now is because i looking at doing 'Sivad" for halloween.

[@bobbyjoehooperii2677]

It's a shame that Memphis don't exist today. Memphis changed when Dr WW Herrenton was elected mayor.

[@dpjenk]

@JonM11100 As I recall it was on Union Avenue and east of Avalon. It was on the north side of Union in a row of buildings.

[@tkaye2]

So that Elvis special was a WHBQ production? Even though his star had faded some by this time, that would have been quite the coup for a local station. I wonder if the dial on the TV in the Graceland living room is set to Channel 13!

[@38106chick]

Isn't that Charlie B. Watson narrating?

[@parkkrr]

i'm from the little town of halls,tennessee.....about 60 plus miles north of memphis...i wish i could find more old memphis stations programs on youtube....if anyone have an idea...let me know...appreciate it,if you can...thanks