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| One of several nostalgic coloring books in my private collection. |
Believe it or not, "Mister Ed" was popular way before my time! Every once and a while I pick up an old coloring book from my local flee market. This one cost me one dollar! Wow, it used to be only 29 cents. This talking horse is the 'official' Hollywood version, published in 1963. Maybe someday when it's copyright expires, I will upload the pages here.
The Mister Ed show concept was derived from a series of short stories by children's author Walter R. Brooks, which began with The Talking Horse in the September 18, 1937, issue of Liberty magazine. Brooks is otherwise best known for the Freddy the Pig series of children's novels, which likewise featured talking animals that interact with humans. Sonia Chernus, secretary to director Arthur Lubin, introduced Lubin to the Brooks stories and is credited with developing the concept for television.
The show's concept resembles that of the Francis the Talking Mule
movies in which an equine title character talks, but only to one
person, thus causing a variety of opportunities and frustrations. The
first six Francis films (1950–55) were also directed by Lubin.
Lubin wanted to make a Francis TV series but had been unable
to secure the rights. However someone told him about Brooks' series of
stories. He optioned these for TV.
Comedian George Burns financed the original pilot for Mister Ed which was shot at his McCadden Studio in Hollywood at a cost of $70,000. Scott McKay played Wilbur. Jack Benny was also involved behind the scenes.
Unable to sell the show to a network, Lubin decided to sell the show
into syndication first. He managed to get single sponsor identification
for the program on over 100 stations. The show was recast with Alan Young
in the lead. Production began in November 1960, although Lubin did not
direct early episodes because he was working in Europe on a film. The
first 26 episodes were well received enough for the show to be picked up
by CBS.
View old Mister Ed television series:
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