Talk:Farmer Al Falfa

The Talking Magpies
I thought I saw a Farmer Al Falfa-type character in the 1946 film The Talking Magpies which would lead, some months later, to the birth of Heckle and Jeckle. If it was him, that would probably make that short Farmer Al Falfa's only color cartoon appearance. –Wbwn 19:34, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

Wikipedia does have its strengths. Startling to find Junior Frolics and "Uncle Fred" Sayles listed, an arcane bit of TV history. As early as 1950, they had become the first children's cartoon show in the New York area, though they broadcast from New Jersey on Channel 13. Went on about 5, just before (of course) Howdy Doody. An old TV Guide (in those days, still Radio and TV Guide) would have the data.

My memory is that Uncle Fred Sayles is the one who, on the original Bloopers LP, is captured saying at a show's end, "Well, that should hold the little bastards."Profhum (talk) 09:39, 20 December 2007 (UTC)

Actually, the "little bastards" quote is usually attributed to Uncle Don, who had a children's show on the radio. Not true, according to snopes.com. (See http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/radio/bastards.asp.) (I cannot imagine Fred Sayles being guilty of such a gaffe.  He always spoke to the kids in his audience quite respectfully and without condescension.)  Kostaki mou (talk) 23:50, 25 January 2008 (UTC)

As I recollect, Uncle Fred was featured on Channel 13 in the New York Metropolitan area back in the late 40's and very early 50's.  This was before 13 became PBS. He not only showed Farmer Gray (Alfalfa) cartoons but also western movies featuring Johnny Mac Brown. As you can see I had a rather misspent childhood. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 165.155.110.74 (talk) 19:09, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Farmer Gray alternate name
I believe that this must have been common before the appearance of this character on television in the 1950s. In the 1938 movie Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938 film), one of the characters (Lola) says to her boss Tony Kent "Well if it isn't Farmer Gray" about 39minutes and 29 seconds into the film. This might very well be a reference to this character, who had been popular for a couple of decades by 1938.--Filll (talk | wpc ) 03:45, 15 July 2008 (UTC)
 * Or it may be that the name of an earlier character was afterwards transferred to Farmer Al Falfa. Kostaki mou (talk) 03:44, 7 April 2023 (UTC)