''Small Fry Club'' is a children's television program that was broadcast on the

DuMont Television Network The DuMont Television Network (also known as the DuMont Network, DuMont Television, simply DuMont/Du Mont, or (incorrectly) Dumont ) was one of America's pioneer commercial television networks, rivaling NBC and CBS for the distinction of being ...

. It debuted on March 11, 1947, with the title ''Movies for Small Fry'' and ended on June 15, 1951. Initially a weekly program, it grew in frequency to five days per week and in 1948 was aired seven days a week. The program is notable for having been "the first networked children's show".

Format

As the original title implied, ''Movies for Small Fry'' featured movies and cartoons for children. Bob Emery (who referred to himself as "Big Brother") provided off-screen voiceovers for the material. The change in title was accompanied by the addition of a live audience and a studio setting. ''Small Fry Club'' "promoted good behavior and healthy habits." In addition to films and cartoons, entertainment included demonstrations, songs,

puppet A puppet is an object, often resembling a human, animal or mythical figure, that is animated or manipulated by a person called a puppeteer. The puppeteer uses movements of their hands, arms, or control devices such as rods or strings to move ...

s, and actors dressed as animals who performed short sketches. Dressed in a suit and wearing glasses, Emery often played the banjo and sang, "... beginning each show with a rendition of 'The Grass Is Always Greener in the Other Fellow's Yard,' a song from the 1920s about being satisfied with what you have and not being envious of others." The song set the tone for Emery's teaching children in the audience about "good manners, self-discipline, and respect for others." The program was produced by Emery and his wife, Kay. It was sponsored by American Pipe Cleaner Company and Fischer Baking Company.

Promotion

Complementing the program, an actual Small Fry Club existed for youngsters who watched the show. Among other activities, they could submit artwork and written material and participate in contests. More than 10,000 children had joined the club by the end of 1947. Three years later, the number of members had reached 150,000.

Boston sequel

After DuMont ended ''Small Fry Club'', Emery began a similar program, ''The Big Brother Bob Emery Show,'' on

WBZ-TV WBZ-TV (channel 4) is a television station in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, airing programming from the CBS network. It is owned and operated by the network's CBS News and Stations division alongside independent station WSBK-TV (ch ...

in Boston. It ended with his retirement in 1968.

References

{{Reflist 1947 American television series debuts 1951 American television series endings 1940s American children's television series 1950s American children's television series Black-and-white American television shows American television shows featuring puppetry DuMont Television Network original programming English-language television shows Local children's television programming in the United States