The term "magic twanger" refers to a fictional object or concept that is often associated with humorous or fantastical elements. Although the specific origins of the term are obscure, it has been used in various forms of popular culture, including literature, comedy, and music. In many contexts, the magic twanger is portrayed as a mystical or enchanted item that possesses extraordinary powers. It is often described as a small, stringed instrument that, when plucked or activated, can perform seemingly impossible feats or generate incredible effects. These effects can range from granting wishes and making objects levitate to causing people to disappear or transform into animals. The magic twanger is commonly utilized as a comedic device, often leading to unexpected and comical consequences.

Magic twanger

John Bryan

Signed, numbered, limited-edition print on fine, archival, acid-free paper

This exquisite signed, limited, and numbered print is made from a 26” x 32” watercolor painting that was featured during a 12-exhibition philanthropic tour, after which it was donated to the Gary L. Rhodes Art Collection of Reynolds Community College. The print’s remarkable color fidelity and extra fine detail result from one of the nation’s few TTI Digital Repropgraphics Workstations with Phase One’s FX scanning with resolutions up to 10,500 x 12,600 pixels – the system used by the U.S. Library of Congress.

Collection:

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Remember This? I Had One, Who Else Had One?

I watched “Andy’s Gang” on NBC, which ran from August 20, 1955, to December 31, 1960. It was hosted by actor Andy Devine and was the successor to the radio and television programs “Smilin’ Ed McConnell And His Buster Brown Gang”, later shortened to “Smilin’ Ed’s Gang”. Devine took over the television program when Ed McConnell died suddenly from a heart attack in 1954. McConnell took it to TV in 1951. Devine inherited a number of the characters on the show and the sponsor, Buster Brown shoes.

When Devine took over, some episodes of the show began to be shot in color at The Nassour Studios in Los Angeles, which later became Metromedia Square. This was the first television job for a lady that would become one of the top cartoon voices in the business…June Foray (voice of Rocky on “Rocky & Bullwinkle”, among many others).

Thanks to Barry Mitchell for sending this picture of Froggy, which is in the window at Antiques & Collectibles at 40 West 25th Street, New York, in case you need another. Froggy squeaks and sticks his tongue out when you squeeze him…much like Arch Presby, the show’s announcer and voice of Froggy. Enjoy and share! -Bobby Ellerbee

9 Comments

My mother has had one of these since the day i was born. I was told the sisters at the hospital(Cuneo in Chicago) gave it to her. I never knew anymore about it but I saw it in a box at her house a couple of months ago.

Froggy was the only TV character that ever totally creeped me out as a child. Clowns, monsters, whatever? No problem.
Froggy came on and I was out of the room.

I saw them as a kid onstage at the Decatur (GA) Theater between double features! Of course, plugging Buster Brown Shoes.

Plunk Your Magic Twanger Froggy

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Plunk Your Magic Twanger Froggy

Like most kids in the 1950’s, I was fond of Saturday morning TV. I tuned in to everything, but my favorites were Andy’s Gang, Sky King, Captain Midnight, and Superman.

I’ll never understand why I recall certain events and have no memory of others. I’ve already accepted the fact that if I live to be really old, my memories are going to be all over the place -- if I’m lucky enough to keep them intact at all. I have no expectations.

Except for one brother, my dad’s siblings all lived in Port Townsend when I was growing up. George and Lorraine, Lyall and Elva, Jim and Lillian, and Aunt Velna on Walker Street. I recall being at George and Lorraine’s house on Franklin Street near the courthouse one Saturday morning. We enjoyed visiting our cousins as they were around our age and we felt their neighborhood was more fun to play in than our own. This particular Saturday, however, my cousin, Denny, insisted we sit by their large wood console radio so we could find out what happened on Flash Gordon and Captain Midnight. This was something new to me and I was intrigued at how intently he listened.

Sometime later, Captain Midnight was a regular program on television. It became a show that I just had to watch. I recently saw a 1990 interview on YouTube with Richard Webb, who played Captain Midnight. He had a long list of movie credits under his belt, and had written a few books too. One about Captain Midnight, and another about ghosts in the old west as he believed in the supernatural. He discussed the secret decoder ring kids could send for if they mailed in labels from Ovaltine -- that chocolate mix in the brown jar that you stirred in milk. He said he never cared for the stuff.

The Smithsonian Museum called him to see if he would donate his Captain Midnight memorabilia and he was happy to do so. Unfortunately, he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound three years after this interview. His wife said he suffered for years from COPD.

Sky King starred Kirby Grant. One year he and Gloria Winters, who played his niece, Penny, performed as a song-and-dance team as headliners on the state fair circuit. When they were in Dallas at a Texas State Fair to sign autographs, waiting for their signatures were astronauts Gus Grissom, Pete Conrad, Alan Shepard, and Wally Schirra, all standing in line with their children.

Kirby, who was not wearing a seat belt, died in a car accident when he was ejected from the car. He was on his way to watch the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger at Cape Canaveral. He was to be seated in the VIP section because he was to have been honored by the astronauts for encouraging aviation and space flight.

Superman, played by George Reeves, can still be seen in reruns. A couple weeks ago I came across it and stopped to watch. I chuckled through the entire show. Especially one scene where Superman was going to go to Africa because Lois and Jimmy had been kidnapped by this evil fellow. A printed placard showed up on the screen indicating where the action was next going to take place. The sign, however said TIBET. While I couldn’t recall for sure exactly where Tibet was, I knew it wasn’t in Africa.

Before beginning his Superman career, George appeared in several other productions. One was in ‘Gone With the Wind’ where he played one of the red-haired Tarleton twins who were suitors of Scarlett O’Hara. Some controversy continues on whether George was murdered, but most believe he shot himself after a night of drinking at a party.

Smilin’ Ed McConnell was the original host of the Buster Brown Show. He was a beloved and jolly fat man, six feet tall and weighing over 250 pounds. Buster Brown and Smilin' Ed were joined together in 1944, with "Smilin' Ed's Buster Brown Gang" taking to the airwaves on September 2, 1950. The show continued on NBC radio every Saturday morning through April 11, 1953. There was an adventure story to open the show, plugs for Buster Brown shoes, and Froggy the Gremlin (Plunk you Magic Twanger Froggy) would sing a song or annoy a guest. The adventure show featured "Gunga, the East India Boy," a serial set in India. Led by The Maharajah, Gunga Ram and his pal Rama, they set out on great adventures around the village of Bakore in filmed segments. I LOVED these episodes!

When Smilin’ Ed died of a heart attack, Andy Devine picked up the reins and the show was called Andy’s Gang. This program began with Andy and his audience of kids singing:

"I got shoes, you got shoes, everybody's got to have shoes, but there's only one kind of shoe for me--good old Buster Brown shoes!"

It was considered cool if your parents bought you shoes with Buster Brown and his dog, Tige, inside. I can’t remember if I ever got one of those pairs or not, but we immediately named our dog Buster Brown. We thought that sounded better than Tige. I also remember getting a Froggy the Gremlin toy one Christmas. Or was that a toy for my baby brother? Anyhow, he was in our house for years.

The Red Goose Store at 831 Water was right next to Olberg’s at 837 Water. I think dad may have taken us to both places looking for the best price, but Olberg’s got our business most of the time. We also bought shoes at J.C. Penney’s at 929 Water next door to Guptill’s Sporting Goods at 925 Water. These are the businesses I remember when I walk along the main street today. I love going inside the businesses of today just to soak in the memories.

The magic twanger is commonly utilized as a comedic device, often leading to unexpected and comical consequences. Its unpredictable nature and amorphous capabilities make it a suitable tool for creating humorous situations and absurd storylines. Its presence in comedic works allows for imaginative and whimsical storytelling, often appealing to audiences who enjoy lighthearted and fantastical themes.

Aside from its comedic utility, the magic twanger is also sometimes used to explore themes of imagination and escapism. By introducing a magical element into a story or performance, creators can transport audiences into a world where anything is possible. This aspect of the magic twanger can serve as a metaphor for the power of imagination and the desire to break free from the constraints of reality. The concept of the magic twanger has permeated various forms of media, including literature, theater, and music. For example, in the popular children's television show "The Banana Splits Adventure Hour," the character Fleegle the dog was known for possessing a magic twanger. Similarly, the term has been referenced in works of fiction, such as the 1954 novel "The Magic Twanger" by Sid Fleischman. In conclusion, the magic twanger represents a fantastical and humorous concept that has been embraced by various forms of media. Its presence in popular culture allows for imaginative storytelling and comedic situations, appealing to audiences looking for light-hearted entertainment or a break from reality. Though its origins may remain mysterious, the magic twanger continues to captivate and entertain audiences of all ages..

Reviews for "An Interview with a Magic Twanger Virtuoso"

1. Jason - 2/5 - I was really looking forward to reading "Magic Twanger" based on the hype it received, but I was left disappointed. The plot felt scattered and the characters lacked depth. The humor fell flat for me and I couldn't connect with any of the situations the protagonist faced. Overall, "Magic Twanger" didn't live up to the expectations and was quite forgettable.

2. Sarah - 1/5 - I couldn't make it past the first few chapters of "Magic Twanger". The writing style was confusing and disjointed, making it hard for me to understand what was going on. The characters were unlikable and their actions made no sense. I simply couldn't get into the story and had no desire to continue reading. I regret wasting my time and money on this book.

3. Mark - 2/5 - "Magic Twanger" had an interesting concept, but it failed to deliver. The pacing was incredibly slow, and it felt like the story dragged on unnecessarily. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and the author's attempts at humor were cringe-worthy. The book lacked the magic and excitement I was hoping for, and I ultimately struggled to finish it. I wouldn't recommend "Magic Twanger" to anyone looking for a captivating read.

4. Emily - 3/5 - While "Magic Twanger" had its moments, overall, it fell short for me. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development, making it hard for me to care about their fates. The plot had potential but was executed poorly, leaving me unsatisfied by the end. However, there were some humorous moments that made me chuckle. Unfortunately, those moments were not enough to salvage the book.

5. Chris - 2/5 - "Magic Twanger" was a disappointing read. The story felt cliché and predictable, lacking any originality or unique twists. The writing style was average at best, with awkward descriptions and clunky prose. The characters were forgettable, and their motivations were unclear. Overall, "Magic Twanger" left me underwhelmed and I wouldn't recommend it to others.

Unveiling the Mystery: Demystifying the Magic Twanger