Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Family Bible Storytelling Media Blog: One Year Later
Blogging is a like a second job and after researching some ministries and resources on using time wisely, I hope to upload more content on a regular basis for Year Two. I also hope to upload a new post to this blog every Wednesday for the rest of 2016.
In addition to these posts I also wish to expand the listings on historic radio and television ministerial drams from the past found at the top of this website.
There will be more to come with radio dramas, film clips and links to some of the best Christian programming from the past and present.
- James R. Stewart Jr.
Monday, June 6, 2016
For D-Day Anniversary - The Light of The World" - June 6th, 1944
The Light of The World - daytime/soap opera (March 18, 1940 - March 2, 1950, NBC, CBS). Sponsored by General Mills.
Yes, in a decade where over 40 soaps operas could air in a single week, there was one based on the Bible! It was a hit with audiences and clergy during its run and adapted mostly stories from the Old Testament. Sadly like most daytime dramas, surviving episodes are very scarce. My research suggests that at least 7 episodes exist in various archives and collections. LOTW was one of several shows from Frank and Anne Hummert, of the Hummert Factory of daytime dramas.
Other dramatizations of the Bible were attempted with some success before television. There were the programs Bible Dramas (NBC, 1928) Immortal Dramas (1935, sponsored by Montgomery Ward), and more famously The Greatest Story Ever Told (ABC radio, 1947 - 1956, ABC television 1951 - 1952).
This special V-E Day episode (6/6/1944) is enjoyable and hopefully will give you the modern lesson insight into that date. Please forgive the sound quality, the audio is from a very compressed MP3 file.
The Light Of The World. June 6, 1944. CBS net. Sponsored by: General Mills.
Ted Campbell (announcer), Robert Trout (news bulletin), Frank Hummert (creator), Anne Hummert (creator)
The commercials have been suspended because of D-Day. The story of the Bible continues. Genesis 22:1, 2, 3. Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac, Moses and the Burning Bush, the 23rd Psalm.
(Above citation is from the RadioGOLDINdex)
For more about this series:
Don't Touch That Dial!: Radio Programming in American Life, 1920-1960: Soap Operas Go To War
http://jfredmacdonald.com/war.htm - Page includes a link to an undated episode beginning the story of King David and Saul.
Dunning, John. 1998. On the air: the encyclopedia of old-time radio. New York: Oxford University Press.
Yes, in a decade where over 40 soaps operas could air in a single week, there was one based on the Bible! It was a hit with audiences and clergy during its run and adapted mostly stories from the Old Testament. Sadly like most daytime dramas, surviving episodes are very scarce. My research suggests that at least 7 episodes exist in various archives and collections. LOTW was one of several shows from Frank and Anne Hummert, of the Hummert Factory of daytime dramas.
Other dramatizations of the Bible were attempted with some success before television. There were the programs Bible Dramas (NBC, 1928) Immortal Dramas (1935, sponsored by Montgomery Ward), and more famously The Greatest Story Ever Told (ABC radio, 1947 - 1956, ABC television 1951 - 1952).
This special V-E Day episode (6/6/1944) is enjoyable and hopefully will give you the modern lesson insight into that date. Please forgive the sound quality, the audio is from a very compressed MP3 file.
The Light Of The World. June 6, 1944. CBS net. Sponsored by: General Mills.
Ted Campbell (announcer), Robert Trout (news bulletin), Frank Hummert (creator), Anne Hummert (creator)
The commercials have been suspended because of D-Day. The story of the Bible continues. Genesis 22:1, 2, 3. Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac, Moses and the Burning Bush, the 23rd Psalm.
(Above citation is from the RadioGOLDINdex)
For more about this series:
Don't Touch That Dial!: Radio Programming in American Life, 1920-1960: Soap Operas Go To War
http://jfredmacdonald.com/war.htm - Page includes a link to an undated episode beginning the story of King David and Saul.
Dunning, John. 1998. On the air: the encyclopedia of old-time radio. New York: Oxford University Press.
Friday, April 22, 2016
Classic Television: Raymond Massey Reads The Bible
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| Opening title frame for "Raymond Massey Reads The Bible", 1951. |
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| Opening title frame of "Raymond Massey Reads The Bible", 1951. |
Raymond Massey Reads The Bible
Brief segments of Bible reading and teaching.
(produced 1951. syn. c. 1954 - ?)
The distinguished gentleman of this scenario was Canadian/American actor Raymond Massey (August 30, 1896 – July 29, 1983). The series Raymond Massey Reads The Bible was produced by Imperial World Films, Inc of Chicago, a distributor of wrestling films.
After decades of being off the air, 6 episodes have been digitized and presented online as part of the Russ and Sylvia Davis Film Collection at the Chicago Film Archives website.
Massey sat down to film at least 65 five minute episodes in 1951. The series was written by Morton Wishengrad (1913 - 1963), a future Tony and Emmy nominated scriptwriter who also worked on the religious anthology TV series Frontiers of Faith and the Jewish radio anthology program The Eternal Light.
Russ Davis (1909 - 1969), the president of IWF found that there was not large demand for a 5 minute series right away and the films went undistributed for over two years. By 1953 the demand for more Bible-based programs and five minute fillers had increased and the series availability was announced in Billboard and Variety. It is not clear to the author of this blog how widely syndicated this series was. This may be extra hard to determine as it is unlikely local newspaper TV listings would highlight a series with a running time of less than five minutes.
Following the second World War, there seemed to be a surge in Bible-based programming on radio and on television. There were also several recordings of Bible readings and dramatizations starring other big named actors like Herbert Marshall, Charlton Heston, Claude Rains, Robert Ryan and most notably Alexander Scourby. I will write more about these recordings and broadcasts another time.
To watch episodes of Raymond Massey Reads The Bible follow these links to the Chicago Film Archives pages. There are three episodes per online video and both files are downloadable:
Raymond Massey Reads the Bible: Man’s Choice, David & Bathsheba & Rules of Living
Raymond Massey Reads the Bible: The Greatness and Divinity of Man, The Returned of the Ransomed, On the Bible
Also dear readers, if anyone remembers this series I would love to hear from you in the comments section.
Activity Idea:
Try to use modern digital technology to film a minister or teacher briefly reading the Bible in a casual or formal surrounding. Maybe plan a series of videos for your ministry's webpage or channel.
Sources:
5-minute mart broadens, aids IWF bible films. (1953, Feb 14). Billboard
A guide to T.V. film series now doing job for their sponsors. (1955, May 28). Billboard. p. 27
Russ davis expands. (1954, Jun 16). Variety 195, 37.
TV film series in production since june I. (1954, Aug 14). Billboard
Friday, March 18, 2016
Phil 3:17 Portrait - Tessa Colina
Philipians 3:17 - Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
While attending a church book sale a few years ago, I came across the book pictured below. I bought it only for the curiosity of owning an older children's book about the Bible. Finally in preparation for some new articles this Easter, I picked this book up and took a closer look. It is filled with great poems and stories about the life of Christ for the child's level.
Then I took a closer look at the author's name. "Tessa Colina". It is a distinct name I thought, so I must do some research on her.
Tessa Colina was the author of at least 24 books for children and families about the Bible and biblical teaching. All of Colina's books were published by David C. Cook and/or Standard Publishing where she was a writer and publisher for over 40 years. Her books touched on arts and crafts ("Fingerplay and How To Use Them", 1952), church youth education & program services ("A Year of Programs For Children's Church", 1962), and adaptations of Bible stories ("Bible Stories About Jesus", 1954).
A lot of information is not available online about Colina's life outside of what is printed in her brief obituary. Also look at her "Find A Grave" page.
The following is not a complete bibliography of Colina's books, but may be close based on what is available in libraries listed in World Cat: This listing is also available in World Cat
Colina, Tessa. 1949. Stories from Daniel. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Publishing.
Colina, Tessa. 1952. Fingerplays and how to use them. Cincinnati: Standard Pub. Co.
Colina, Tessa. 1952. How to conduct the primary department. Cincinnati: Standard Pub. Co.
Colina, Tessa. 1954. How to conduct a vacation Bible school. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Pub.
Colina, Tessa. 1954. Bible stories about Jesus. Cincinnati: Standard.
Colina, Tessa. 1954. My Bible dictionary: with pictures. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Pub.
Colina, Tessa, and Vera Kennedy Gohman. 1955. Ark full of animals. Cincinnati, Ohio: The Standard Publishing Foundation.
Gohman, Vera Kennedy, and Tessa Colina. 1955. Ark full of animals. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Pub. Co.
Colina, Tessa, and Romilda Dilley. 1960. Children in Bible lands: stick-on art. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Pub.
Colina, Tessa, and Romilda Dilley. 1960. Noah and the animals: stick-on art. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Pub.
Colina, Tessa. 1962. A year of programs for children's church. Cincinnati: Standard.
Colina, Tessa. 1963. Pattern book: ideas & patterns for decorations, teaching aids, handcraft. Elgin, Ill: D.C. Cook.
Colina, Tessa. 1963. Missionary programs for the church. Cincinnati: Standard.
Colina, Tessa. 1963. Christmas programs for the church. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Pub.
Colina, Tessa. 1963. Easter programs for the church. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Pub.
Colina, Tessa. 1965. As we saw it. Chicago: D.C. Cook.
Colina, Tessa. 1965. Tested ideas for presession activities. Elgin, IL: David C. Cook.
Colina, Tessa. 1966. Easter program helper. Franklin, Ohio: Eldridge Pub. Co.
Colina, Tessa. 1968. Tested ideas for socials. Elgin, IL: David C. Cook.
Colina, Tessa. 1969. Christmas program helper number 15: program ideas for the Sunday School. Elgin, Ill: David C. Cook.
Colina, Tessa. 1971. Christmas program helper number 16. Elgin, Ill: David C. Cook.
Colina, Tessa. 1978. Jesus and me: 52 lessons on the life of Jesus with stories, illustrations, and activities. Cincinnati: Standard Pub.
Moncure, Jane Belk, Tessa Colina, and John Bolt. 1980. You and me: a handbook about needs. Elgin, Ill: Child's World.
Colina, Tessa, Jean Shannon, and Dan Loprieno. 1981. Tom's terrible secret. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Pub. Co.
Colina, Tessa, Hertha Depper, and Marianne Lindgren. 1986. Den första julen. Örebro: Evangeliipress.
While attending a church book sale a few years ago, I came across the book pictured below. I bought it only for the curiosity of owning an older children's book about the Bible. Finally in preparation for some new articles this Easter, I picked this book up and took a closer look. It is filled with great poems and stories about the life of Christ for the child's level.
 |
| Cover & dust jacket for "Bible Stories About Jesus" by Tessa Colina. Standard Publishing. 1954 |
Then I took a closer look at the author's name. "Tessa Colina". It is a distinct name I thought, so I must do some research on her.
Tessa Mae Patterson Adams Colina
November 16, 1915 - February 24, 2003
Tessa Colina was the author of at least 24 books for children and families about the Bible and biblical teaching. All of Colina's books were published by David C. Cook and/or Standard Publishing where she was a writer and publisher for over 40 years. Her books touched on arts and crafts ("Fingerplay and How To Use Them", 1952), church youth education & program services ("A Year of Programs For Children's Church", 1962), and adaptations of Bible stories ("Bible Stories About Jesus", 1954).
A lot of information is not available online about Colina's life outside of what is printed in her brief obituary. Also look at her "Find A Grave" page.
The following is not a complete bibliography of Colina's books, but may be close based on what is available in libraries listed in World Cat: This listing is also available in World Cat
Colina, Tessa. 1949. Stories from Daniel. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Publishing.
Colina, Tessa. 1952. Fingerplays and how to use them. Cincinnati: Standard Pub. Co.
Colina, Tessa. 1952. How to conduct the primary department. Cincinnati: Standard Pub. Co.
Colina, Tessa. 1954. How to conduct a vacation Bible school. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Pub.
Colina, Tessa. 1954. Bible stories about Jesus. Cincinnati: Standard.
Colina, Tessa. 1954. My Bible dictionary: with pictures. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Pub.
Colina, Tessa, and Vera Kennedy Gohman. 1955. Ark full of animals. Cincinnati, Ohio: The Standard Publishing Foundation.
Gohman, Vera Kennedy, and Tessa Colina. 1955. Ark full of animals. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Pub. Co.
Colina, Tessa, and Romilda Dilley. 1960. Children in Bible lands: stick-on art. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Pub.
Colina, Tessa, and Romilda Dilley. 1960. Noah and the animals: stick-on art. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Pub.
Colina, Tessa. 1962. A year of programs for children's church. Cincinnati: Standard.
Colina, Tessa. 1963. Pattern book: ideas & patterns for decorations, teaching aids, handcraft. Elgin, Ill: D.C. Cook.
Colina, Tessa. 1963. Missionary programs for the church. Cincinnati: Standard.
Colina, Tessa. 1963. Christmas programs for the church. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Pub.
Colina, Tessa. 1963. Easter programs for the church. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Pub.
Colina, Tessa. 1965. As we saw it. Chicago: D.C. Cook.
Colina, Tessa. 1965. Tested ideas for presession activities. Elgin, IL: David C. Cook.
Colina, Tessa. 1966. Easter program helper. Franklin, Ohio: Eldridge Pub. Co.
Colina, Tessa. 1968. Tested ideas for socials. Elgin, IL: David C. Cook.
Colina, Tessa. 1969. Christmas program helper number 15: program ideas for the Sunday School. Elgin, Ill: David C. Cook.
Colina, Tessa. 1971. Christmas program helper number 16. Elgin, Ill: David C. Cook.
Colina, Tessa. 1978. Jesus and me: 52 lessons on the life of Jesus with stories, illustrations, and activities. Cincinnati: Standard Pub.
Moncure, Jane Belk, Tessa Colina, and John Bolt. 1980. You and me: a handbook about needs. Elgin, Ill: Child's World.
Colina, Tessa, Jean Shannon, and Dan Loprieno. 1981. Tom's terrible secret. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Pub. Co.
Colina, Tessa, Hertha Depper, and Marianne Lindgren. 1986. Den första julen. Örebro: Evangeliipress.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Phil. 3:17 Portrait - Jack Hamm, Centennial of a Life and Art Dedicated to God
Philipians 3:17 - Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
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| "Who Wrote The Great Book?" From the Grace Bible Fellowship Collection. |
Jack Beaumont Hamm (March 5, 1916 - December 22, 1996)
In my honest opinion, all how-to drawing and cartooning books pale in comparison to the finely detailed writings of Jack Hamm. The (still) best selling author, cartoonist, teacher and minister was born 100 years ago this week. In this blog post I would like to share a bibliography of links to biographies and collections of his amazing art so that more would be instructed and touched by how his work and his life were used for God.
ONLINE BIOGRAPHICAL RESOURCES
Jack Hamm Graphics - Grace Bible Fellowship
Hamm personally gave copies of his art to this ministry for use of spreading the Gospel.
http://www.gbfc-tx.org/Pages/Jack%20Hamm.html
Wayback Machine Link for titles and bio: https://web.archive.org/web/20161106043524/http://www.gbfc-tx.org/Pages/Jack%20Hamm.html
Jack Hamm biography - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Hamm
Jack Hamm profile - Christian Comics International
http://www.christiancomicsinternational.org/pioneers1.html#Anchor-JACK-48213
Dorisnel Hamm Sims - Obituary for Jack's wife of 52 years.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/obituary.aspx?n=dorisnel-hamm-sims&pid=138073673
Grave of Jack and Dorisnel Hamm, Gordo, Alabama. "Art and Life Dedicated To God"
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=128120570
Ryan, Terri Jo. "Baylor grad Jack Hamm combined faith with love of illustrating". Waco Tribune
http://www.wacotrib.com/news/waco_history/baylor-grad-jack-hamm-combined-faith-with-love-of-illustrating/article_b738c08a-e131-573c-a208-d714e58ab049.html
PUBLISHED BOOKS
Note: Some of the dates listed are of reprints, currently available in libraries worldwide. To find out if your local library has any of these titles please look at my WorldCat listing for Jack Hamm.
Hamm, Jack. 1950. Christian democracy. Waco, Tex: Religious Drawings, Inc.
Hamm, Jack. 1954. Cartoons that live. Wheaton, Ill: Van Kampen Press.
Religious Drawings, Inc. (Waco, Tex.), and Jack Hamm. 1955. Race.
Hamm, Jack. 1958. The living Scriptures; religious drawings. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications.
Hamm, Jack. 1960. Jack Hamm's custom clip art for churches. Antioch, Tenn: Knight Media.
Hamm, Jack. 1961. He will answer; a book of cartoons. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday.
Hamm, Jack. 1961. Saints alive; [the best in church humor]. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications.
Hamm, Jack. 1968. Drawing toward God; the art and inspiration of Jack Hamm. Anderson, S.C.: Droke House; distributed by Grosset & Dunlap, New York.
Hamm, Jack. 1974. Jack Hamm's custom clips for churches. Dallas, Tex: Cresendo Book.
Hamm, Jack. 1976. Still-life drawing and painting. New York: Grosset & Dunlap.
Hamm, Jack. 1978. How to draw scenery. Toronto: Coles.
Hamm, Jack. 1978. How to draw and paint still-life. Toronto: Coles.
Hamm, Jack. 1979. How to draw cartoons. Toronto: Coles.
Hamm, Jack. 1980. Drawing scenery: landscapes and seascapes. New York, NY: Grosset & Dunlap.
Hamm, Jack. 1982. How to draw animals. New York, N.Y.: Perigee Books.
Hamm, Jack. 1982. Cartooning the head & figure. New York: Perigee Books.
Hamm, Jack. 1982. Drawing the head and figure. New York: Perigee Books.
Hamm, Jack. 1982. Drawing scenery: landscapes and seascapes. New York, N.Y.: Perigee Books.
Hamm, Jack. 1985. Jack Hamm's custom clip art for churches, vol. 2. Antioch, Tenn: Knight Media.
Hamm, Jack. 1985. Jack Hamm's Handy clip art for church bulletin covers: 96 pieces of quality art work for 5 1/2 x 8 1/2" worship bulletins and newsletters on 27 different subjects. Antioch, TN (60 Benzing Road, Antioch 37013): Knight Media.
Hamm, Jack. 1985. Jack Hamm's illustrated clip art Bible verses. Antioch, Tenn: Knight Media.
Hamm, Jack. 1987. How to draw the figure. Toronto: Royce.
Hamm, Jack. 1988. First lessons in drawing and painting. New York, NY: Perigee Books.
Hamm, Jack. 1988. Jack Hamm's quality clip art for churches. Nashville, Tenn: Broadman Supplies.
Hamm, Jack. 1989. Jack Hamm's quality clip art for churches #2. Nashville, Tenn: Broadman Supplies.
Hamm, Jack. 1990. Drawing & cartooning for laughs. New York, NY: Perigee Books.
Hamm, Jack. 1991. Drawing and cartooning 1,001 faces, places, and things. New York, NY: Perigee Books.
Hamm, Jack. 1996. The stories and art of Jack B. Hamm. S.l: s.n.
Jack Hamm Graphics - Grace Bible Fellowship
Hamm personally gave copies of his art to this ministry for use of spreading the Gospel.
Wayback Machine Link for titles and bio: https://web.archive.org/web/20161106043524/http://www.gbfc-tx.org/Pages/Jack%20Hamm.html
Jack Hamm biography - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Hamm
Jack Hamm profile - Christian Comics International
http://www.christiancomicsinternational.org/pioneers1.html#Anchor-JACK-48213
Dorisnel Hamm Sims - Obituary for Jack's wife of 52 years.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/obituary.aspx?n=dorisnel-hamm-sims&pid=138073673
Grave of Jack and Dorisnel Hamm, Gordo, Alabama. "Art and Life Dedicated To God"
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=128120570
Ryan, Terri Jo. "Baylor grad Jack Hamm combined faith with love of illustrating". Waco Tribune
http://www.wacotrib.com/news/waco_history/baylor-grad-jack-hamm-combined-faith-with-love-of-illustrating/article_b738c08a-e131-573c-a208-d714e58ab049.html
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| "Come Now, And Let Us Reason Together". From the Grace Bible Fellowship Collection. |
PUBLISHED BOOKS
Note: Some of the dates listed are of reprints, currently available in libraries worldwide. To find out if your local library has any of these titles please look at my WorldCat listing for Jack Hamm.
Hamm, Jack. 1950. Christian democracy. Waco, Tex: Religious Drawings, Inc.
Hamm, Jack. 1954. Cartoons that live. Wheaton, Ill: Van Kampen Press.
Religious Drawings, Inc. (Waco, Tex.), and Jack Hamm. 1955. Race.
Hamm, Jack. 1958. The living Scriptures; religious drawings. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications.
Hamm, Jack. 1960. Jack Hamm's custom clip art for churches. Antioch, Tenn: Knight Media.
Hamm, Jack. 1961. He will answer; a book of cartoons. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday.
Hamm, Jack. 1961. Saints alive; [the best in church humor]. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications.
Hamm, Jack. 1968. Drawing toward God; the art and inspiration of Jack Hamm. Anderson, S.C.: Droke House; distributed by Grosset & Dunlap, New York.
Hamm, Jack. 1974. Jack Hamm's custom clips for churches. Dallas, Tex: Cresendo Book.
Hamm, Jack. 1976. Still-life drawing and painting. New York: Grosset & Dunlap.
Hamm, Jack. 1978. How to draw scenery. Toronto: Coles.
Hamm, Jack. 1978. How to draw and paint still-life. Toronto: Coles.
Hamm, Jack. 1979. How to draw cartoons. Toronto: Coles.
Hamm, Jack. 1980. Drawing scenery: landscapes and seascapes. New York, NY: Grosset & Dunlap.
Hamm, Jack. 1982. How to draw animals. New York, N.Y.: Perigee Books.
Hamm, Jack. 1982. Cartooning the head & figure. New York: Perigee Books.
Hamm, Jack. 1982. Drawing the head and figure. New York: Perigee Books.
Hamm, Jack. 1982. Drawing scenery: landscapes and seascapes. New York, N.Y.: Perigee Books.
Hamm, Jack. 1985. Jack Hamm's custom clip art for churches, vol. 2. Antioch, Tenn: Knight Media.
Hamm, Jack. 1985. Jack Hamm's Handy clip art for church bulletin covers: 96 pieces of quality art work for 5 1/2 x 8 1/2" worship bulletins and newsletters on 27 different subjects. Antioch, TN (60 Benzing Road, Antioch 37013): Knight Media.
Hamm, Jack. 1985. Jack Hamm's illustrated clip art Bible verses. Antioch, Tenn: Knight Media.
Hamm, Jack. 1987. How to draw the figure. Toronto: Royce.
Hamm, Jack. 1988. First lessons in drawing and painting. New York, NY: Perigee Books.
Hamm, Jack. 1988. Jack Hamm's quality clip art for churches. Nashville, Tenn: Broadman Supplies.
Hamm, Jack. 1989. Jack Hamm's quality clip art for churches #2. Nashville, Tenn: Broadman Supplies.
Hamm, Jack. 1990. Drawing & cartooning for laughs. New York, NY: Perigee Books.
Hamm, Jack. 1991. Drawing and cartooning 1,001 faces, places, and things. New York, NY: Perigee Books.
Hamm, Jack. 1996. The stories and art of Jack B. Hamm. S.l: s.n.
MORE TO COME
I will post more about Hamm in the future and I especially hope to uncover more about his television program the "Jack Hamm Show" which he reportedly traveled over 100 miles weekly to shoot from KBTV and KRTC-TV out of Dallas, Texas.
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Phil. 3:17 Portrait - Remembering Jimmie Dodd (1910-1964)
Philipians 3:17 - Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
My apologies for any confusion that may come from the first sentence; this blog article was originally supposed to be posted the first week of October in 2015.
Saturday, October 3rd was the 60th anniversary of the premiere of the original Mickey Mouse Club on ABC-TV back in 1955. While the famous opening song declared the mouse as the leader of the club, there is almost no doubt the real leader was singer, songwriter Jimmie Dodd. Watching re-runs of the Mickey Mouse Club late at night on the Disney Channel, I was struck at episodes in which Dodd referenced scriptures from the Bible as he spoke directly to audiences while strumming his guitar.
After several decades it is still not generally known that Dodd and his wife Ruth were born-again Christians and that he served as president of the Hollywood Christian Group in 1958 and 1959. The Hollywood Christian Group was a collection of movie stars who embraced the Gospel during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s which included celebrities like Roy Rogers, Dale Evans Rogers, and Jane Russell. The closest the Walt Disney Company probably ever came to releasing a Gospel album was the 1957 album "Mouskehymns" and a 1966 gospel album with songs written or arranged by Dodd.
A few years before he passed, Dodd completed the album Children's Bible Story-Time : Jimmie Dodd for Word Records Incorporated of Waco, Texas. This album is Jimmie at his best; his narrative voice and easy guitar playing.
A few years ago I included an excerpt of this album for my first digital project on Bible storytelling media. Click HERE to here Dodd tell "The Parable of the Sower and the Seed"
My apologies for any confusion that may come from the first sentence; this blog article was originally supposed to be posted the first week of October in 2015.
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| Jimmie Dodd, c. 1955. Photo from non-commercial use source |
Saturday, October 3rd was the 60th anniversary of the premiere of the original Mickey Mouse Club on ABC-TV back in 1955. While the famous opening song declared the mouse as the leader of the club, there is almost no doubt the real leader was singer, songwriter Jimmie Dodd. Watching re-runs of the Mickey Mouse Club late at night on the Disney Channel, I was struck at episodes in which Dodd referenced scriptures from the Bible as he spoke directly to audiences while strumming his guitar.
After several decades it is still not generally known that Dodd and his wife Ruth were born-again Christians and that he served as president of the Hollywood Christian Group in 1958 and 1959. The Hollywood Christian Group was a collection of movie stars who embraced the Gospel during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s which included celebrities like Roy Rogers, Dale Evans Rogers, and Jane Russell. The closest the Walt Disney Company probably ever came to releasing a Gospel album was the 1957 album "Mouskehymns" and a 1966 gospel album with songs written or arranged by Dodd.
A few years before he passed, Dodd completed the album Children's Bible Story-Time : Jimmie Dodd for Word Records Incorporated of Waco, Texas. This album is Jimmie at his best; his narrative voice and easy guitar playing.
A few years ago I included an excerpt of this album for my first digital project on Bible storytelling media. Click HERE to here Dodd tell "The Parable of the Sower and the Seed"
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Christmas Library 2015 - First Televised Church Sevice
Classic Television: The Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Grace Episcopal Church, 1946
According to some sources, the very first televised church service was broadcast December 24th, 1946 from the Grace Episcopal Church at the intersection of 10th and Broadway in New York, NY. Like virtually all pre-1950 programs this landmark broadcast cannot be seen today, but that Christmas candlelight service was a tiny beginning to the use of television for ministry (like a tiny seed). Nearly 70 years later, millions of church services have aired around the world reaching millions who ponder about the truth of the Gospel and where they can go to worship.
The Grace Episcopal Church Candlelight service was lead by the church rector, Rev. Dr. Louis W. Pitt, and the choir of 50 boys was director by the church organist and choir director, Ernest Campbell. The broadcast filmed by WABD, could be seed by audiences in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D. C. via a network arranged by the United States Rubber Company. The program was especially designed to reach hospitalized war veterans.
Until the next entry from The Christmas Library.... Merry Christmas!
Bibliography:
Service to be telecast : Christmas eve service at grace church 1st to be carried. New York Times. (1946, Dec. 22) p. 17.
According to some sources, the very first televised church service was broadcast December 24th, 1946 from the Grace Episcopal Church at the intersection of 10th and Broadway in New York, NY. Like virtually all pre-1950 programs this landmark broadcast cannot be seen today, but that Christmas candlelight service was a tiny beginning to the use of television for ministry (like a tiny seed). Nearly 70 years later, millions of church services have aired around the world reaching millions who ponder about the truth of the Gospel and where they can go to worship.
The Grace Episcopal Church Candlelight service was lead by the church rector, Rev. Dr. Louis W. Pitt, and the choir of 50 boys was director by the church organist and choir director, Ernest Campbell. The broadcast filmed by WABD, could be seed by audiences in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D. C. via a network arranged by the United States Rubber Company. The program was especially designed to reach hospitalized war veterans.
Until the next entry from The Christmas Library.... Merry Christmas!
Bibliography:
Service to be telecast : Christmas eve service at grace church 1st to be carried. New York Times. (1946, Dec. 22) p. 17.
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