Big Jon And Sparky
Big Jon And Sparky is a delightful Old Time Radio children's series that aired during the 1940s and 1950s. This charming program features engaging stories and entertaining segments that captivate young audiences.
Join Big Jon and Sparky on their adventures, filled with fun and imagination. It's a wonderful way to introduce children to the magic of radio storytelling.
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.
Chapters
Reviews
Actually Very Funny
johngreenink
I was wondering what to expect from this based on the descriptions, and the first two episodes drag on a bit, but Sparky is actually very funny and gets in a lot of great lines. He's a typical girl-hating young boy, but the cast of other grown-up guys have their own interesting problems and observations. Occasionally Sparky has some genuinely bright and optimistic views of the world which are just the way I recall seeing things as a child as well. The sound scapes are pretty nice, too - you can get lost in the little world they create. Definitely worth a listen, many of the jokes had me laughing, which is pretty good for a kids' puppet show.
Big John and Sparky a childhood mainstay
JM Yaden
My brother and I listened to this show on Family Radio all through our childhood (80's). It is incredible how much of Jon Arthur's characterizations made it into our family lexicon permanently. My brother and my silly "old man" voice is basically an impression of Mayor Plumpfront, we still say "fine" sometimes in the style of Eukey Butcher, and I just realized having re-listened that my mother sometimes says "whaaaaaaat?" just like Sparky. My favorite episodes were those that surrounded the mysterious neighbors whom Sparky is convinced are Martians, and the visit to the Tangly Tower.
Here's the missing show
Moongleam
There is a show missing after bigj_Ep_Ar_Look_Whos_A_Lawyer.mp3 The missing episode is AR2_Yukie_Takes_The_Stand.mp3 and it can be found on this site at this <a href="http://archive.org/details/Big_Jon_and_Sparkie_rare" rel="nofollow">link.</a>
A SECOND THOUGHT
fitzpjo
My first comment was not too positive but after listening to several replays I have changed my mind. It is very enjoyable and you have to listen to the program as a nine year old kid, This was my favorite program back in the late 40's. I sent a buddy of mine the web page and he is getting a kick out of Big John and Sparkie. Funny How a show I listen to in 1947 is bringing a smile to my friend in 2011.
I remember!
Nutsy345
I've told my children and grandchildren about this show for many years! My older sister and brother didn't remember it but I sure do! I was 2 yrs old when this show began and I remember loving it ! I even remember the words too the song and can still hear in my old noggin hearing the beginning on Saturday saying "There's no school today"! I asked so many people my age about this show and nobody remembers it but me...lol! So glad I'm not the only one who remembers this show I so loved starting at age 2. My memory is crystal clear from my 2 yrs. Old brain but don't remember yesterday...lol! Thanks for the memory!
big jon and sparky weekday show
justaskmike
big jon and sparky was both a weekday and Saturday show over ABC radio. The weekday show was 30 min 5-5:30 and is probably the show that you feature on the internet. The Saturday show, probably better remember, was about a hour and a half. It featured records of songs and stories with Sparky telling about Captain Jupiter, his movie serial hero. It was sponsored by Rubels Rye Bread and Barques Root Beer, both Cincinnati home grown products. The show itself was broadcast from Cincinnati and was also a television show over Channel 9. Jon Arthur later hosted a radio teen show called Juvenile Jury.
Trivia.
fleabag2
It seems to be a little known fact that this program was broadcast as late as the early 1990's over a Christian radio network known as Family Radio. I was living in New Jersey at the time, and would sometimes tune in to radio station WFME out of Newark and listen to it out of curiosity on Saturday mornings.
Pseudo Valium for Adults
BixLives
I find them relaxing. My mind is thoroughly switched to quiet blankness and my troubles vanish. Caution: This is a powerful drug!