WTTW Channel 11 - The Storyteller - "The Case of the Cat's Meow" (1969)

Here's another rare episode of The Storyteller on WTTW Channel 11, hosted by Val Bettin. This was Episode #54, a reading of the book "The Case of the Cat's Meow" by Crosby Bonsall (read by permission of the publisher, Harper & Row, which put the book out in their "I Can Read" series), from a 3/4" dub of the original 2" quad master tape, recorded on February 22nd 1969. This was also one of WTTW's early color productions.

Includes:

Brief shot of production slate, with intermittent tone of approx. 415 Hz emitted each second; slate is marked "Storyteller - I.D. W-04764 #54 - Production 'Cats Meow' - Date 2-22-69 - Length 14:30"

Opening sponsor bumper for Marshall Field & Company (voiceover by ??)

Opening titles for The Storyteller, with "Greensleeves" as the opening theme, and voiceover (by Val Bettin) intoning:

"I dwell among the heroes of your favorite stories. Come, share with me the adventures of reading."

The Storyteller figurine then comes to life, reading "The Case of the Cat's Meow," which he introduces as "the story of some boys who wanted to be private eyes [detectives]." As he tells the story, pertinent illustrations of certain points are shown.

After he finishes the story, he invites viewers to write to him whether they liked what he'd read, and for them to add the books he reads to their collection. The station's mailing address (Box 1100, Chicago 60690) is then shown on the screen for a few seconds. Having gotten that out of the way, he then takes his position back in the bookend with the immortal words:

"And so my friends, until we meet again, may your hours be filled with the adventures of reading."

Ending credits (closing theme: "Greensleeves"):

The Storyteller - Val Bettin
Set Design - Michael Lowenstein
Artist - Norma McMullen
Created by Jim McGinn
Producer-Director - Richard Bowman
Executive Producer - Al Binford
WTTW/Chicago

"Made possible" bumper for Marshall Field & Company, whose book department provided the books read on the show (voiceover by ??)

This aired on local Chicago TV in late-February or early March 1969, most likely.

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