Long before Bumpity, another puppet show ruled the airwaves in Portland: Mr. Moon.
When 4:30 rolls around every Monday through Friday, you would hear Harry the Heron yell, “Come on gang, it’s time for Mr. Moon”. Over 100,000 youngsters in Oregon and Southwest Washington flocked to their TV sets to follow the fabulous adventures of Mr. Moon and his hilarious puppet crew. Beginning as a radio show in the early 1950s, Mr. Moon became one of the most popular kid shows in Portland.
Behind the Mr. Moon mask was longtime radio disc jockey Ed Leahy. He created the cast of characters from the Mother Goose Rhyme “Hey Diddle Diddle”. Another well-known Portland broadcaster, Art Morey, joined the show as the voice of Harry the Heron and other animal characters.
Mr. Moon debuted on November 16, 1953 one month after KOIN TV went on the air, and just over a year after television came to Portland. The show aired until 1958.
Trisha Straight says
I would like to know about Mr. Moon I am 65yrs. Old I was his fan. I am interested to his living situation. Any thing you may want to share. The reason is my Great Grandmother and Grandmother were his neighbors. I believe this story as a youngster my two grandmothers said he lived a couple doors away. This apartment I am trying to view and get information for family history. I am a grandmother and seeking Ancestry,knowledge, I also am willing to share what I know, Thank you
Trisha Straight
Derek drake says
My dad was on the show around the age of 6, he was born in 48, I’m trying to find copy’s of the show does anyone know where I can find them? Email me derecdrake88@gmail.com
Vicki says
Mr. Moon, Ed Leahy is my Grandfather. I love reading article about him… thank you.
On a side note my father has the Mr. Moon head and I have the puppets. I was to young (not born) so I never was able to see the show, the internet has allowed me to read up on it . Love it!!
Moe lau says
I went to the show when I was in the Cub Scouts. He had a huge head.
Derek Drake says
My dad Michael Drake was on the show around the age of 6 or 7, he was born in 1946, I’m trying to find copy’s of the show does anyone know where I can find them? Email me derekcdrake88@gmail.com
My last post I wrote my email wrong
I’d love any recordings hoping to find him
Jon Petersen says
I was born in ’48. My older brothers and I attended an airing of Mr. Moon.. Was a faithful TV viewer. I was maybe 6 or 7 when went to the studio. Never knew any details or who the actors were. Moved to LA in 1957, do that was the end of my Mr. Moon viewing. I enjoyed the show.
Gary Cisneros says
Mr Moon I remember him well back in the early 50’s while growing up.. We have a park model home here in Indio, Ca where we snowbird evry winter when we can, any way the electric crew is taking down the old street lights and the top of the light is a big round white piece m that was made of plastic which could pass for Mr. Moons head,so seeing that,I asked the crew what they were going to do with the pole and round ball,anyway to make a long story short I now have Mr.Moons head . We will be home in Oregon city in Mar. Maybe Ill put a Mr. Moon face on it. Thinks for the memories. Gary Cisneros
Toni says
When I was 3, maybe 4 I was in love with Mr Moon. I was still drinking from a bottle and could go to the refrigerator and fill it up myself. My mother was sick of it and threw it away. When I asked her what happened to my bottle she said it broke and she sent it to Mr Moon to fix it. She probably really hated it when I would incessantly asked, “When is Mr Moon gonna bring my bottle back?” Later I was also in love with Addybobkins, another Portland, Ore children’s cartoon host. After him came Rambin’ Rod. That made me mad! I was crushed to lose Addybobkins. ?