TV Broadcast Archives | Zoo & Aquarium Video Archive

Episodes of Zoo Parade from 1950

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 20:47:32 +0000

Zoo Parade, starring Lincoln Park Zoo’s director Marlin Perkins, was the first animal show in the history of television.

Zoo Parade pioneered the many wildlife programs that were to become popular to future television viewers. Its mission was simple: to provide entertainment and education through visits with zoo animals.

The show actually originated in 1945, when Marlin was asked to bring animals to the experimental television station WBKB and talk about them. A mobile unit came to Lincoln Park Zoo on May 22, 1949 to bring the show Zoo Parade to television viewers. Over the years the series had many sponsors, including Jewel Food Stores, Quaker Oats and Mutual of Omaha.

The show was a huge success and earned many accolades, including a Peabody Award (1951), TV-Forecast Award (1951 & 1952), Lions Club Award of Merit (1951), and School Broadcast Conference Award (1950). Other recognition followed for Best Children Show, Best Educational Show and Best Family View Show. Soon the series branched out to visit other US facilities such as Woodland Park Zoo, Brookfield Zoo, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Detroit Zoo.

Its’ last big push were two shows on location in Africa (1955) and the Amazon (1957). After the South American trip, the show had run its course and was cancelled, after a national broadcast run from 1949-1957.

Marlin Perkins instinctively knew the power of television and said “I knew it was going to be a dynamic medium, because television is radio that you can see”.

Zoo Parade’s legacy as a ground-breaking series is immense. Marlin and his animal friends brought zoos and natural history to the attention of the American public. Much of the support for today’s environmental movement may be attributed to the proliferation of wildlife programs on the small screen, and those in turn can be traced back to Perkin’s pioneering efforts with Zoo Parade.

We look at these early kinescopes of Zoo Parade and, as much as they seem dated, find that their message about animals and respect for all living things is timeless.

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The Cromie Circle

Sat, 18 Jun 2022 15:50:38 +0000

Robert Cromie covered World War II for the Chicago Tribune. WGN television broadcasted his show the Cromie Circle from 1969-1980. His interview style showed he enjoyed meeting people and always focused on their stories.

Courtesy of WGN television

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A Conversation with Heini Hediger

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 00:28:10 +0000

Courtesy of Prof. Terry L. Maple, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.

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George Spiedel Interview

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 22:16:07 +0000

George Speidel was part of a zoo dynasty. He married Mary Bean in 1939 whose father Edward Bean was director of Brookfield Zoo. He later moved to Racine, WI where he became director of the small zoo on the lakefront.

In 1947 he accepted the position of zoo director for the Washington Park Zoo in Milwaukee. Soon the zoo needed more space and the County purchased 165 acres in 1954 to house a brand new zoological park with a new name the Milwaukee County Zoo. The entire animal collection was moved from the old zoo to the new setting in 1963. Under Speidel’s direction an entire zoo was built in the theme of many European zoos with predator/prey exhibits. He served as director of the zoo until 1978.

George Speidel interview, courtesy of Milwaukee PBS.

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Episodes of Zoo Parade from 1956

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 18:50:27 +0000

Zoo Parade, starring Lincoln Park Zoo’s director Marlin Perkins, was the first animal show in the history of television.

Marlin Perkins instinctively knew the power of television and said “I knew it was going to be a dynamic medium, because television is radio that you can see”.

We look at these early kinescopes of Zoo Parade and, as much as they seem dated, find that their message about animals and respect for all living things is timeless.

The post Episodes of Zoo Parade from 1956 appeared first on Zoo & Aquarium Video Archive.

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Episodes of Zoo Parade from 1955

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 18:45:51 +0000

Zoo Parade, starring Lincoln Park Zoo’s director Marlin Perkins, was the first animal show in the history of television.

Marlin Perkins instinctively knew the power of television and said “I knew it was going to be a dynamic medium, because television is radio that you can see”.

We look at these early kinescopes of Zoo Parade and, as much as they seem dated, find that their message about animals and respect for all living things is timeless.

The post Episodes of Zoo Parade from 1955 appeared first on Zoo & Aquarium Video Archive.

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Episodes of Zoo Parade from 1954

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 16:47:49 +0000

Zoo Parade, starring Lincoln Park Zoo’s director Marlin Perkins, was the first animal show in the history of television.

Marlin Perkins instinctively knew the power of television and said “I knew it was going to be a dynamic medium, because television is radio that you can see”.

We look at these early kinescopes of Zoo Parade and, as much as they seem dated, find that their message about animals and respect for all living things is timeless.

The post Episodes of Zoo Parade from 1954 appeared first on Zoo & Aquarium Video Archive.

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Episodes of Zoo Parade from 1953

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 23:01:48 +0000

Zoo Parade, starring Lincoln Park Zoo’s director Marlin Perkins, was the first animal show in the history of television.

Marlin Perkins instinctively knew the power of television and said “I knew it was going to be a dynamic medium, because television is radio that you can see”.

We look at these early kinescopes of Zoo Parade and, as much as they seem dated, find that their message about animals and respect for all living things is timeless.

The post Episodes of Zoo Parade from 1953 appeared first on Zoo & Aquarium Video Archive.

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Episodes of Zoo Parade from 1952

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 21:59:56 +0000

Zoo Parade, starring Lincoln Park Zoo’s director Marlin Perkins, was the first animal show in the history of television.

Marlin Perkins instinctively knew the power of television and said “I knew it was going to be a dynamic medium, because television is radio that you can see”.

We look at these early kinescopes of Zoo Parade and, as much as they seem dated, find that their message about animals and respect for all living things is timeless.

The post Episodes of Zoo Parade from 1952 appeared first on Zoo & Aquarium Video Archive.

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Episodes of Zoo Parade from 1951

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 22:27:44 +0000

Zoo Parade, starring Lincoln Park Zoo’s director Marlin Perkins, was the first animal show in the history of television.

Marlin Perkins instinctively knew the power of television and said “I knew it was going to be a dynamic medium, because television is radio that you can see”.

We look at these early kinescopes of Zoo Parade and, as much as they seem dated, find that their message about animals and respect for all living things is timeless.

The post Episodes of Zoo Parade from 1951 appeared first on Zoo & Aquarium Video Archive.

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