Wrapped in the Flag

For almost any admirer of classic television, Mr. Ed is a timeless classic everyone must see. A situation comedy that aired from 1961 to 1966, the TV show followed the exploits of a wise-cracking, talking horse and his master. A good natured farce that made an appearance at the end of what many believe to be the golden age of television, Mr. Ed always seemed to get the imagination of audiences in many ways. Therefore, let’s take a closer look at the backstory of this terrific program to fully grasp some of the factors why the show was so well liked.

The Early Days of Mister Ed

Contrary to many shows of today, Mr. Ed was created from a set of short stories by author Walter R. Brooks. Recognized for his compilation of twenty six children’s novels showcasing the character Freddie the Pig, Brooks’ talking horse character initially appeared in a 1937 issue of Liberty magazine. Similar to Freddie, the horse character lived with humans, however chose to speak to only his master. Oddly enough, Director Arthur Lubin had previously directed a number of movies showcasing another equestrian star, Francis the Talking Mule, as well as Abbott & Costello films. Moreover, it’s believed that the Director’s administrative assistant is credited with giving him the concept of Mr. Ed by showing Lubin the Brooks stories.

The Unforgettable Cast of the Mr. Ed Show

Although the idea of the show was captivating, it was the cast that truly made this TV show unique. The character of Mr. Ed was played by palomino gelding Bamboo Harvester, however his characteristic voice was supplied by former western star Allan Lane. In addition, though there were numerous actors who played frequently curious and exasperated neighbors, certainly Alan Young who played the eccentric, but friendly Wilbur Post was an integral ingredient in the cast. An every-day guy, Young made the character of the klutzy architect stand out so that viewers could easily see him as a neighbor of their own. With such a relatable personality, it’s easy to understand why the show became so popular.

Precisely How Did Mr. Ed Speak?

There are numerous urban legends concerning the methods used to make Mr. Ed talk. Actually the puzzle has added to the allure of the show. In a 2004, Alan Young said that he had started the tale of using peanut butter on the roof of Ed’s mouth to make the horse move his mouth and lips. However, this was strictly a red herring Young confessed. Initially a piece of nylon thread was placed in Ed’s mouth, but later the behavior was achieved in other ways. The horse eventually produced the behavior emulating speech when his trainer touched his hoof and later the horse could actually “speak” on cue. There’s no doubt that the illusion of a talking horse enchanted viewers and added to the attraction of the show.

Star Studded Mr. Ed Episodes

Although many of the episodes typically involved common scenarios surrounding everyday life, there were quite a few episodes that took Ed and Wilbur beyond the barn and into some ridiculous situations, not forgetting the presence of some of the most famous celebrities of the time. Some of the most absurd scenarios in which Ed found himself included surfing, flying an airplane and driving a delivery truck among others. Furthermore, the number of celebrities that appeared on the show is a real testament to its popularity. George Burns, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Clint Eastwood and LA Dodger’s Manager Leo Durocher all graced Ed with their presence. Naturally with such a multitude of heavy hitting pop culture super stars, it’s clear why this show was so popular.

The Mr. Ed television show is plainly a classic and with a great basic story, engaging cast, wacky stunts and famous guest stars, it’s no wonder why the show was so popular.

Regina T. Roby loves animals and safeguards them with pet insurance. In fact she has cat insurance on all of her 3 tabby cats Joe, Ramone and Farsworth.