''Mr. I. Magination'' was one of the earliest American television shows for children. It ran live as a half-hour weekly show on CBS from 1949 to 1952 and was broadcast from

Grand Central Terminal Grand Central Terminal (GCT; also referred to as Grand Central Station or simply as Grand Central) is a commuter rail terminal located at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Grand Central is the southern terminus ...

in Manhattan. The host, Mr. I. Magination (

Paul Tripp Paul Tripp (February 20, 1911 – August 29, 2002) was an American children's musician, author, songwriter, and television and film actor. He collaborated with a fellow composer, George Kleinsinger. Tripp was the creator of the 1945 " Tubby ...

), dressed as a train engineer, gathered a group of children each week. The same child actors appeared on a rotating basis. Two would be selected to ask about a career, occupation, activity, and such. Tripp would then play a "magic" slide flute, then he and the children would board a train and travel to Imagination Land, where they would meet a professional from each of the two areas for that week's show. Guests were as diverse as Damu, a lion tamer from Ringling Brothers Circus, and test pilot Scott Crossfield. His wife, Ruth Enders Tripp, also acted in the sho

The show was also a pioneer in using simple, early special effects, such as making it appear as if the opening train ride went through a tunnel to enter Imagination Land, emerging from the smoke from its engine. Yul Brynner served as the director of the show at times, but did not appear as a performer. The show also featured performances by

Walter Matthau Walter Matthau (; born Walter John Matthow; October 1, 1920 – July 1, 2000) was an American actor, comedian and film director. He is best known for his film roles in '' A Face in the Crowd'' (1957), ''King Creole'' (1958) and as a coach of a ...

, Richard Boone, Joe Silver, Ted Tiller, and Simon Oakland. Mr. I. Magination also was featured on several RCA records for children, including ''Billy On A Bike'' and ''Mr. I. Magination Meets Rip Van Winkle''; there are at least two versions on LP (long playing) record.

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* {{DEFAULTSORT:Mrimagination 1940s American children's television series 1950s American children's television series 1949 American television series debuts 1952 American television series endings CBS original programming Television shows filmed in New York City Television series about rail transport