Storybook Squares
| Storybook Squares | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Format | Game show |
| Presented by | Peter Marshall |
| Narrated by | Kenny Williams |
| Country of origin |
 United States |
| No. of episodes |
16 (1969 version) 30 (1976-1977 version) |
| Production | |
| Location(s) |
NBC Studios Burbank, California |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | NBC |
| Original run | January 4, 1969 – December 30, 1977 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | Hollywood Squares |
Storybook Squares is a short-lived Saturday morning version of Hollywood Squares for children.[1][2][3]
The primary difference, apart from having children as contestants, was that it featured celebrities (usually the same ones from Hollywood Squares) in costume as well-known fictional characters and some as historical figures.
As with the adult version, Peter Marshall was host and Kenny Williams was announcer; Williams read the characters' names off a scroll as "The Guardian of the Gate", a role similar to his "Town Crier" on Video Village.
The series originally ran on NBC from January 4 to April 19, 1969, with repeats airing until August 30.
Format
Like the normal version, two contestants competed (with a boy as X and a girl as O). The game was played exactly the same as the original Hollywood Squares, but no money was involved. Instead, the children played for prizes, with one being awarded per game won.
Panelists (1969)
The only panelist from the adult show who played as he normally would was Cliff Arquette, who carried his "Charley Weaver" persona over to Storybook Squares. The other panelists played characters from fairy tales and books, historical figures, or in some cases the characters they played on television.
Unlike the parent series, on Storybook Squares each panelist/character was given an elaborate introduction as they entered the set and took their place on the board, allowing for a brief comic interaction with host Marshall as they did so.
- Jim Backus as Mr. Magoo (animated character for whom he provided the voice) and Thurston Howell III (his character from Gilligan's Island)
- Wally Cox as Paul Revere and Davy Crockett
- Bob Crane as Colonel Hogan (his role on Hogan's Heroes)
- Abby Dalton as Little Miss Muffet
- Barbara Eden as Jeannie (her role on I Dream of Jeannie)
- Nanette Fabray as The Old Woman Who Lived in the Shoe
- Stu Gilliam as Merlin
- Arte Johnson as his character the "Very Interesting!" Nazi from Laugh-In
- Paul Lynde as Frankenstein's monster and the Evil Queen from Snow White
- Carolyn Jones as Morticia Addams (her role on The Addams Family)
- Rose Marie as Pocahantas and Annie Oakley
- Soupy Sales as Henry VIII and Thomas Edison
- William Shatner as James T. Kirk (his character from Star Trek)
Revival
Although the original 1969 series only made 16 episodes, the format returned as part of the regular series from 1976–1977 for special theme weeks. However, the format differed slightly, featuring teams with three generations of family members (for example, grandmother/mother/daughter). Each game was worth $300, with each team earning $50 per square should time run out (similar to the short-lived NBC primetime version from 1968). The kids played for the first segment of the show, and their parents squared off in the next game, and the grandparents for the rest of the game, unless time was running out, in which case all three players on each team played.
The team with the most money at the end of the game won a large prize, such as a car or exotic vacation.
Panelists (1976–1977)
- Milton Berle as Old Mother Hubbard
- Valerie Bertinelli as Little Miss Muffet
- Big Bird (Muppet played by Caroll Spinney)
- Paul Lynde as Atilla the Hun, The Frankenstein Monster, and The Wicked Witch
- Vincent Price as Captain Hook
- William Shatner as Captain Kirk
- Elke Sommer as Guinevere
- Connie Stevens as The Queen of Hearts
- Karen Valentine as Mona Lisa
- Anson Williams as Simple Simon
- Rip Taylor as General Custer
- Roddy McDowall as Sherlock Holmes
Set
The 1969 set was decked out in a medieval theme for the host and players' podiums, while the gameboard remained the same as on the adult version. The 1970s sets extended the medieval theme to the entire set, with a sweeping castle facade built around and behind the "Squares".
Episode status
The 1969 version's status is unknown. Although almost all of NBC's Saturday-morning programs from this period exist, network practices of the era would have most likely destroyed the series.
The status of the 1970s episodes are equally uncertain due to network practices of the era. Game Show Network aired a December 1977 episode as part of a Halloween-themed marathon in 2002; it was the only NBC daytime episode to be rerun by GSN.
References
External links
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