SKY KING FILE

SKY KING

Info collected by Rick Plummer

RADIO SERIES

Network ABC 1946-1950 Mutual 1950-1954
Serial version began October 28, 1946 daily 15 minute
1947 Tues. and Thurs 30 minute complete program sponsored by Peter Pan Peanut Butter (owned by Derby Foods, Inc.)
voice of Sky King: Roy Engle, Jack Lester, Earl Nightingale
voice of Penny: Beryl Vaughn
voice of Clipper: Jack Bivens
announcer: Mike Wallace

Note-Derby Foods appears as the copyright holder of the series from 1951 thru 1959.

TELEVISION SERIES
1951-1954

Sky King portrayed by Kirby Grant
niece Penny portrayed by Gloria Winters
nephew Clipper portrayed by Ron Hagerthy
ranch foreman Jim Bell portrayed by Chubby Johnson
aerial advisor Paul Mantz
episodes were filmed for a little less than $9000.00
by Jack Chertok Productions, Inc.
1040 North Las Palmas Avenue
Los Angeles, 38, California
phone HE-5106

Sky King began on the NBC Television Network on Sept 16, 1951 (Sunday afternoon) and ran until Oct 26, 1952. ABC picked up the series and aired the same films from November 8, 1952 until September 12, 1954. Jack Chertok Productions, Inc. filmed all of these episodes for Derby Foods. Jack Chertok Productions, Inc. produced the Lone Ranger, Cavalcade, Private Secretary, My Living Doll, Western Marshall, The Lawless Years, and My Favorite Martian. A falling out between the sponsor (Peter Pan Peanut Butter) and the advertising agency cancelled production of the series at the end of 1952. As was the practice of the time, the series was filmed using 35 mm film.

1955

A new set of episodes were filmed in 1955 for Derby Foods, Inc. and sponsored by Nabisco (National Biscuit Company). These episodes were syndicated to individual stations. McGowan Productions, Inc. filmed the series on 35 mm film. Distribution (bicycle prints) copies were made on 16 mm film and sent to individual stations. These episodes featured a 1955 Chrysler New Yorker station wagon. The Songbird remained the Cessna T-50 (tail number N67832) which was built in 1943.

McGowan Productions, Inc.
Kling Studios
1416 North La Brea Avenue
Hollywood 28, California
phone HO 2-0804
Dorell and Stuart McGowan were co-owners of McGowan Productions
the 1960 address:
McGowan Productions, Inc.
915 North LaBrea
Los Angeles 38, California

McGowan Productions were the program producers for Death Valley Days, Snowfire, Santa Fe Trail, and the Littlest Hobo.

1956

Some 20 episodes that were copyrighted in 1956 ( LP#9290 "The Neckerchief" thru LP#9309 "Showdown") were actually seen on the NBC television network during 1951 and 1952.

1957

2 episodes of the series were copyrighted in 1957: LP#9782 "Mystery Horse" and LP#9783 "Double Trouble". Production numbers 9780 and 9781 were copyrighted in 1958 which preceed the production numbers of the series copyrighted in 1957.

1958

20 episodes carry a 1958 copyright.

1959