Back in the mid-1950s, when television was young, children’s TV was even younger. Primetime television, which then started at 7:30 PM (instead of 8 PM as it does today) often led off with children’s flavored programming. Westerns, Disneyland or other children’s fare ruled the early evening. Among these programs was a show that ran for 49 episodes, that in hindsight, is most notable for its cast of Micky Braddock, Robert Lowery and Noah Beery, Jr. The show? Circus Boy (the pilot episode is at the link).
The show’s premise was not all that unusual for 1950 American TV. An orphan, whose parents were hard working people, but tragically killed, is taken in and raised by the community. In this case, the community were circus people in the late 1800’s. The show’s message to the children of those who had just fought in World War II was that no matter what happens we take care of our own and we will take care of you. It was a powerful message to the children who were growing up with the atomic bomb. But this post is not about Circus Boy’s message, but rather about its cast.
The circus was owned by Big Tim Champion, a hero’s name if there ever was one. Champion was played by Robert Lowery. Lowery was one of the most recognizable faces of late 50s and early 60s TV. He didn’t have many TV or movie roles as the hero, but I recall him most often as a “bad guy” on many early westerns. Lowery is noteworthy (to me) because he played Batman in the 1949 Batman and Robin movie serial (a clip is below). I personally think Adam West’s Batman pales in comparison to Lowery’s. (And yes, West’s Batman pales to almost everyone, but West wasn’t allowed to play Batman any other way.)
Joey the clown was portrayed by Noah Beery, Jr., nephew of Wallace Beery. Beery made a career out of playing sidekicks. He worked with John Wayne when Wayne was making B picture westerns for Lone Star before his big break in the 1939 Stagecoach. In 1934, Beery got a chance to act with his father, Noah Beery, Sr. and Wayne in the 54 minute movie The Trail Beyond (which is hosted on Mystic-Nights.com). Beery would later gain fame in the ‘70s as the father of Jim Rockford (James Garner) in The Rockford Files.
Finally, there was Micky Bradford (pictured above) who starred as Corky Foster, the circus boy. Bradford would later change his last name back to his birth name of Dolenz. In 1965, Dolenz would be casted in the NBC series, The Monkees, a role which has defined him for more than 40 years. Like the Beatles, who they were modeled after, the Monkees (Peter Tork, Michael Nesmith, Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz) would eventually take over creative control of their product and ultimately fall apart because of internal squabbling and friction. Just like the Beatles, all of the band band members could sing lead, but it was Dolenz’ voice that gave the Monkees a distinctive sound. As can be seen in the video below, Dolenz, a child of the ‘50s made the children of the ‘50s forget all about Circus Boy, because they, like him, were all grown up. Dolenz still sings and tours as his schedule permits. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Dolenz is a competent voice actor as well having done the voice of Skip in the Funky Phantom and the original voice of Arthur in the Tick.
Circus Boy was a forgettable program, but its cast made themselves unforgettable.