The Cap’n Five Show was a locally-produced children’s program that ran on WRAL-TV from 1958-1961. The show starred WRAL staff announcer Herb Marks as the commander of a submarine that docked in the TV fantasyland known as “Happy Harbor.”
The show was produced before a studio audience full of energetic children who would arrive at WRAL each day ready for their voyage into the world of television make-believe. Marks would don his skipper’s cap and perform with a Charlie McCarthy-like puppet—telling stories and jokes to keep the children entertained and under control.
In its early years Cap’n Five featured a huge submarine prop that was used as the centerpiece of the show’s studio production. Eventually that prop disappeared and Marks—who was an amateur ventriloquist and seasoned performer–became the central feature of the program.
Marks would entertain the kids and then introduce cartoon favorites like Popeye, Huckleberry Hound and Quick Draw McGraw. He also used an assortment of games and gimmicks, including a “Whatzit Box” that contained a secret object. If a child could guess what was inside he or she would go home with the prize.
WRAL legend Paul Montgomery made numerous guest appearances on Cap’n Five as a German-accented character known as “Heinrich von Stuplebaum.” Montgomery went on to star in his own children’s program, “Time for Uncle Paul.”
The Cap’n Five Show came to an end in 1961, but not before blazing a trail as one of the first locally-produced children’s shows on Channel 5.
CentralXpress.com was a WRAL-TV educational program designed for young teens. The cast was made up of local actors. The show won a national Gabriel Award for an episode dealing with school safety.
Television programming for children underwent a significant shift in the late 1970’s – early ‘80s. The days of a circus atmosphere including clown characters with wild hair and bright costumes, pie in the face humor and children marching around the studio quickly faded into history. Parents desired—and the FCC began requiring–programs that would prompt curiosity, show various cultures, explore history and provide an educational component.
“Frog Hollow” was a WRAL children’s program that premiered in July, 1981 and aired each weekend through early 1985. The program was designed for preschoolers and emphasized good moral values and effective problem solving techniques as taught through music, dance and humorous situations.
The setting was a country general store in the hamlet of “Frog Hollow.” Peter Anlyan auditioned and won the role as “Pete the storekeeper.” Anlyan arrived with a background in theatre from New York University and wrote many of the scripts for the show.
Becky Lofland was the voice behind the puppet named “Facetia.” Becky used her background in psychology to write scripts in a manner and tone to engage young viewers.
Vivian Wells played the school teacher. Betsy Blair portrayed a variety of characters and often used dance and mime in her skits. Michael Evans played several characters including the “Lone Trucker,” who would stop by the general store to chat and sing with Pete and help solve various dilemmas with the other characters.
Special guest appearances were made by local doctors, dentists, dieticians, musicians, and actors portraying various historic figures. Julie Wick served as the first producer of Frog Hollow, followed by Lisa Cline.
“Frog Hollow” won the 1984 National Iris Award presented by the National Association of Television Program Executives. The winning entry was produced by Lisa Cline and written by Peter Anlyan. The Iris Award is considered one of the most prestigious awards in television programming. The award signified “Frog Hollow” as that year’s best children’s program in the nation’s mid-sized television markets.
Romper Room was a syndicated children’s program that began in Baltimore in 1953 and ran on WRAL-TV in the late 1950s.
The program aired each weekday and featured a teacher leading a small class of preschoolers through games, exercises, songs and other lessons that sought to teach good manners and citizenship.
WRAL-TV’s first Romper Room “teacher” was Jo Ann Federspiel, a former classroom educator who came to Raleigh from South Carolina. “Miss Jo Ann” joined the WRAL staff in the spring of 1958.
The legendary Paul Montgomery provided musical accompaniment for the early Romper Room classes on Channel 5. Montgomery went on to fame as the host of the “Time for Uncle Paul” show. He was also a noted jazz musician.
SMART START KIDS
“Smart Start Kids” is an award-winning WRAL-TV children’s program designed for 3-to-5 year olds and their families. The program was produced in cooperation with the NC Partnership for Children/Smart Start, North Carolina’s nationally-recognized initiative to ensure that every child reaches his or her potential and is prepared to succeed in a global community.
In each of the program’s 74 episodes, local children share their “news,” explore their world and talk about their experiences. Each week “Willa,” host of Smart Start Kids, and the children engage in fun activities that promote healthy child development and serve as positive examples for viewers.
Produced in a magazine-style format, the children interact with “Willa” and travel to fun, educational places across the state. Together they experience trips to new geographical locations, learn from hands-on activities, and create their own memorable stories and music.
Young viewers were also able to participate from home or a childcare center by calling the Smart Start toll-free phone number to share their own exciting, personal stories such as a first trip to the beach or the arrival of a new puppy. This toll-free phone number provided access for all North Carolina children.
WRAL produced the program from 2002-2011. It won the prestigious Mid-South Regional Emmy Award in the Children’s Educational Program category in 2004 and 2009.
The Smart Start Kids program is still broadcast in syndication each week on WRAL-TV and WILM-TV in Wilmington. It’s also made available to UNC-TV for statewide distribution.
