The Golden Age of Chicago Children's Television Paperback - 2004

Ted Okuda is a film historian and writer. He is the author of "The Columbia Comedy Shorts," "The Golden Age of Chicago Children's Television," and "The Monogram Checklist "and the coauthor of "Charlie Chaplin at Keystone and Essanay," "The Jerry Lewis Films," and "The Soundies Distributing Corporation of America." He has written for "The Big Reel," "Classic Film Collector," "Cult Movies," "Filmfax," and "Movie Collector's World" and has appeared on "Chicago Tonight," "NBC-Channel 5 News, Nude Hippo: Your Chicago Show," " The Today Show," and "Three Stooges Stooge-A-Palooza." He lives in Chicago. Jack Mulqueen is a former puppeteer and producer of commercials, segments, and television programs, including three Chicago Emmy-nominated kids shows: "The Mulqueens," "The Mulqueens' Kiddie-A-Go-Go," and "The Swingin' Majority." He and his wife Elaine Mulqueen had a regular spot on "Bozo's Circus." He lives in the Chicago suburbs.

Ted Okuda is a Chicago-based film historian whose previous books include "The Golden Age of Chicago Children's Television" (coauthored with Jack Mulqueen), "The Columbia Comedy Shorts, The Monogram Checklist, The Jerry Lewis Films" (coauthored with James L. Neibaur), and "The Soundies Distributing Corporation of America" (coauthored with Scott MacGillivray). His most recent book credits include coauthoring "Charlie Chaplin at Keystone and Essanay: Dawn of the Tramp David Maska," contributing chapters for "Guilty Pleasures of the Horror Film and Science Fiction America," and writing the foreword for "Castle Films: A Hobbyist's Guide." Okuda's articles, interviews, and reviews have appeared in such media-themed publications as "Filmfax, Classic Images, Cult Movies, Outre, Classic Film Collector, The Big Reel, and Movie Collector's World." He has discussed film, television, and pop culture topics on "The Today Show, Chicago Tonight, Three Stooges Stooge-A-Palooza, Nude Hippo: Your Chicago Show," and NBC Channel 5 News. Ted was also a research consultant for the cable access anthology series "The Kings of Comedy."

Jack Mulqueen was born of Irish Catholic parents on the South Side of Chicago. John Mulqueen, father, was born in Kilrush Clare, Ireland. Marie, mother, (maiden name Calaghan) was born also on the South Side of Chicago near the steel mills. His father worked most of his life as a lab technician for the swift meat company and was known for his work in curing hams. However, Jack was always attracted to show business and loved movies. At every opportunity he would be entertaining the family, his sister, Maryann, friends and neighbors. His father soon realized Jack was one ham he couldn't cure.

By the time he reached High School, Chicago Vocational on the South Side, he was active in the glee club, school band, school paper, and produced and wrote a series of plays for the students. He got his first taste of TV, appearing on TV with fellow high school students from around Chicago interviewing Ross Hunter, producer of films that starred Doris Day and other stars. In college he had his own radio show weekly and produced a children TV special on WTHI, Terre Haute, IN, along with his fellow students.

During the Korean War, the Army gave him the opportunity to broadcast his own show with fellow army pal, Herb Wills, a magician; A kid show three days a week on KKTV in Colorado Springs. After the Army, he appeared on WTTW-TV every Monday for a half-hour show, working his puppets and sponsored by the Chicago Park District. In the 50s and early 60s he made guest appearances, sponsored by Coca-Cola on WGN-TV with his wife as Pandora, producing kid commercials. This exposure launched them into their own show on April 13, 1963. The "Mulqueens and Mulqueens' Kiddie-a-Go-Go" ran for eight years over WGN-TV, WLS-TV, and WCIU-TV.