Rockford, IL

I can remember with great fondness Kukla, Fran and Ollie. I would run to the t.v. to watch it. I loved everything about it. I looked back at them, just recently, and I see, again, how truly endearing they all were. I appreciate them more now than I did then. Wish we could go back, right?

Toms River, NJ

The most striking aspect of Kukla, Fran and Ollie, for me, was their ability to include the viewer. Their dialogue was among themselves, but they found a way to dissolve the \"fourth wall.\" They also, as often as not, dabbled in matters of the \"grownup\" world (Ollie as an advertising agent is a good example).The players\' personalities were relatable. There were components of all of us in each of them. Fran\'s smile could put a sunrise to shame. Her dulcet voice still rings in my ears. In short - they didn\'t just entertain. They communicated.

San Diego, California

I was born in Chicago in 58, and raised in Cassopolis, Michigan (Pleasantville) in the 60's and 70's. A boy growing up with Red Ball Jets, Schwinn’s Orange Create Five Speed bicycle, HO/AFX Slot cars, listening to WLS (Chicago radio station) and watching "Creature Feature" on Channel 9 (Chicago TV station) Saturday nights, Kukla Fran and Ollie kept me down to earth. One short film, I remember well to this day, had to do with a New Kid in the neighborhood who had to prove himself to the other kids that he could Skateboard as well as the other gain of boys could do. He did that and he gained a girlfriend in the process. Here in southern California, were it’s a Pop Culture Phenomenon and one of the most popular forms of transportation, across genders and amongst kids young and old. Haha lol… I wish I could share that short film with my two young boys, who also enjoy biking and slot car racing and skateboarding!
Is that film lost in time, when skateboarding is now so popular? It would be the classic show some skills and win the girl.

Paterson, NJ

I was not alive when the players were on the air, but knew about them from appearances on TV in the seventies and perhaps later. When one deals with the early days of television, one assumes that programs are lost, as so many of them were thrown out. How wonderful to know that over 700 episodes of KFO exist, and when I found out about the DVDs, I quickly ordered them. They are wonderful. The programs are in far better condition than many other kinescopes from that era. I will certainly order any new volume that comes out. Tillstrom was indeed a remarkable performer, and Fran Allison is perfect as the 'human' of the group.

Maryville, TN

I hope to put together a video about KF&O, and I remember a lovely moment in their show when Kukla (Burr) sang the song "If" to Fran. It was 1950 or 51, just before I went into the Air Force, never to see their show again.

Unfortunately the song is not on the DVDs.

Perry Como recorded "If" at the time, and if it turns out to be the only recording I can find I will use it. That would be a shame though, because Burr's gentle tenor is so much better, and if by chance any video recording is in existence, anyone's heart would melt on watching it.

Any help will certainly be appreciated.

Baton Rouge, LA

My earliest memories of KFO were the live shows at Marshall Field toy dept. While my mother went shopping, I was parked in a chair to watch the shows. Later, I watched on our new TV equipment, a small B/W screen in the living room.

Watertown, WI

Mark:

I am planning on a display at our local library this November of my KFO memorabilia. I have managed to acquire the play set, the KFO game, and numerous photos, some autographed among other things. I will send you some images when the display goes up.

Will there be a Vol. III of KFO "lost episodes"? If so, and I really hope there is, would you consider adding the "Reluctant Dragpn" to the mix as a sort of special extra? It is, like all things KFO, wonderful!

Thanks for all you do on the site--it's just great!

Elk Grove Village, IL

Fran Allison was my aunt; and not just an ordinary aunt but one of the most brilliant comedians I've ever seen. As a child, we'd sit looking out the front window counting the minutes until she would pull up. From that moment until the visit ended it was non-stop laughter. She was an amazing story teller-reliving stories from my father's and her childhood years in LaPorte City, IA. She was also completely engaged to the kuklapolitans both on and off camera and would talk about her day at work with them as though they were all employees at the same office. In fact when I was quite young I thought the kuklapolitans were some of our relatives from Iowa that I hadn't yet met.

Every visit with her was an amazing adventure. If we were out to dinner in downtown Chicago, fans would always come over to ask for autographs and we were so proud that she made everyone feel so special. She was incredibly kind and everyone who knew her, loved her. We were so very lucky to have her in our lives and we miss her so very much. Reading the comments on this site I can only tell you that what you loved on camera was the real deal. She was hilarious, kind, loving and incredibly intelligent... What a great lady.

Chesapeake Va.

My God have gone back in time with these DVDs print mor print aall these
are magical . I have laughed cried sang and just plain remembered how revolutionary Burr Tillsome was they are a part of true Americana God bless Burr and his KIDS for true entertainment.

St. Louis, MO

My grandmother was actually the first cousin of Burr Tillstrom. She (Betty Burr) was the daughter of Frank Burr, who was Burr Tillstroms Uncle. I was too young to know Burr, but my father remembers him fondly. My memory was watching the Kukla, Fran and Ollie specials, and the Children's Film Festival, which ran on Saturday mornings in our area. Unfortunately, both my father and grandmother passed away in the past 3 years. I appreciate this site for a link to my family's past.

Patrick Shoff

Manchester NH

I seems to me that there was a character named Delores that was related to Ollie. Is that correct?

Winter Park, FL

I was born in 1946 in Evanston, Illinois, just north of Chicago. When I was four years old (1950) I contracted Rheumatic fever followed by Mononeucleosis, confining me to bed at home for over six months. My father had bought an early TV console (Admiral) for our living room, but as I had to stay in my bedroom, I was not allowed downstairs to watch it. So, Dad bought another TV (RCA) for my bedroom. Not only were we one of the first on our block to have a TV, we probably were the first to have more than one - such extravagance!
But, it was the nightly expectation of watching Kukla, Fran and Ollie that really perked up my spirits every afternoon. Yes, there was Howdy Doody and Hopalong Cassidy, but the Kuklapolitans were the real treat. Looking back, I guess it was the casual, ad-libbing that entertained me so. Burr Tillstom and Fran Allison even sent me an autographed 8 by 10 photo as a get well wish. I totally recovered and have had a strong, healthy life so far. That photo,by the way, was the exact same one that appears on the back of the Volume One KFO DVD. Thanks for preserving these programs.

Rotonda West, FL

Always watched KFO. My memories are most of living in Chicago and being able to go to the studio on many occasions to see the show and meet Burr, Fran and the puppets. They were always cordial and willing to visit with a couple of kids. In fact I still have their signed picture in my collection. Great days. Glad their legacy continues

Watertown, WI

Mark, just saw the update about Vol. 2 and can't wait to get my hands on it! It sounds great! Thanks for all you do for KFO and Burr--this just makes my Christmas complete!

Miami Beach, Florida

I'm 61 so I fall into the age catagory perfectly when Kula, Fran and Ollie was on t.v. I loved it so much I would always have my mom know I wanted to watch it. Since I had a wonderful childhood, it brings back wonderful memories of an innocent era. Loved all the characters, especially Ollie the 'dragan' who would say long winded Maaaayyyypo for Maypo cream of wheat product. My family was living in Brooklyn in Bensenhurst at the time and what wonderful memories! If I could bring all that back I would in a heart beat! Thank you so much for having this site. Sandra Conti

AZ

I was born in 1940 and was 7 when we got our first tv so I have watched KFO forever and have many fond memories. I always got a giggle when Olli would just tip his head with a little jerk to th right and indicate a comment without even saying a word. When our first son was born in 1969 the muppets were on TV but I always told him about KFO and he ended up going to UCONN as a puppet major and now works in the field.
I am so happy you have a web site. Thank you.

Rhode Island

My earliest memory was the Trio on the CBS Childrens Film Festival. One of my favorite shows as a kid. I was 7 when it first came on. I loved the puppets so much it inspired me to create puppets and helped lead to my life in the fil and theater industries.

Watertown, WI

Hey Mark, is there going to be another volume of KFO rarities this Xmas? It wouldn't quite be the same without Kukla, Ollie, Fran and all the rest to look forward to.

U.S.A.

I am 39 so I don't have memories but what I do have is a complete set of the Kukla n Ollie ice cream spoons...all 6. Anyway can someone tell me about the rarity and so forth..thank you!

Cincinnati, Ohio

I was 11 years old in 1949 when I lived in Riverside, Illinois a suburb of Chicago. My father never watched TV in his 82 years except KFO show. He was a fan. He was an educated PhD in Chemistry who went on to teach at the University of Notre Dame. He spoke several languages. No use for popular culture except KFO. I enjoyed them too. Too bad entertainment of that type has disappeared. There was a comic strip that my Dad read too. It was POGO. Very close in print to KFO. I am going to get the DVD so my grand-daughter can see what it was like for me 60 years ago.