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November 16, 1953: Mr. Moon Debuts on KOIN TV

November 16, 2011 by Dave 6 Comments

Mr. MoonLong 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.

Filed Under: History, Portland, This Day in History

Comments

  1. Trisha Straight says

    June 23, 2016 at 7:46 pm

    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

  2. Derek drake says

    January 28, 2019 at 12:20 pm

    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

  3. Vicki says

    September 26, 2021 at 8:35 pm

    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!!

  4. Moe lau says

    May 13, 2022 at 9:38 pm

    I went to the show when I was in the Cub Scouts. He had a huge head.

  5. Derek Drake says

    May 31, 2022 at 10:46 pm

    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

  6. Jon Petersen says

    October 26, 2022 at 8:30 pm

    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.

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