Aired on Treasure Island Oldies – October 2010
On October 23, 2009 we lost one of the great, zany comedians, who many of us grew up with in North America. He was 83 years old.
His television show was a hit with kids and teens in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. His offbeat humor and antics often got him and his crew into trouble.
However, his talents were not confined to television. He recorded a number of chart-topping albums and gave live performances on Broadway, in dinner theaters and at comedy clubs. In the late 60s, he became a regular on one of TV’s most popular programs, “What’s My Line?” (staying for seven years).
He also recorded a Halloween song that was a regional hit but failed to make it on the national charts.
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Born Milton Supman on January 8, 1926, in Franklinton, North Carolina, the youngest of three sons, this soon-to-become slapstick specialist grew up in Huntington, West Virginia and received his B.A. in journalism from Marshall University. He landed a local job as a radio scriptwriter after college, moonlighting as a comedian. The radio station eventually moved him on air and he became the top-rated deejay in the area.
After moving to Detroit in 1953, he quickly became a popular television personality, especially among young audiences.
After seven years on air in Detroit, he moved to the west coast where his show became Los Angeles’ #1 show, attracting such guest stars as Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. He was beloved by viewers as much for his wild personality as his signature pie-throwing antics.
He moved his show to New York in 1964, and it was syndicated throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand during the next two years.
In 1965 he had a hit dance record that made the Billboard charts called “The Mouse” which he performed on his show on numerous occasions.
However, prior to this he recorded a song that is now heard here and there during the Halloween period.
Most of us know Milton Supman better by his stage name, Soupy Sales. And in the mid-60s whatever “Soupy Sez” was what ruled with the kids. Perhaps the following gem was one he should have directed to Dracula – “be true to your teeth and they won’t be false to you.”
Let’s keep that in mind as we listen to Soupy informing us that “My Baby’s Got A Crush On Frankenstein.”
YouTube listing of the song:
This “Moments In Time” story is yet another example of a “golden oldie” or forgotten favorite that earned its place in the evolution of Rock & Roll.