The Phoenix, AZ children's TV program "The Wallace and Ladmo Show" entertained generations of youngsters during its 35-year run and became synonymous with growing up in Arizona. Here is the story of the people (Bill "Wallace" Thompson, Ladimir "Ladmo" Kwiatkowski and Pat McMahon) the characters (Gerald, Aunt Maud, Capt. Super, Jodi, Hub Kapp and the Wheels, Boffo, the Science Lady and a host of others) who came together to create what is arguably the longest-running, continuous program in television history. The book includes 500+ photos and illustrations.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"In case you haven't noticed," writes Erma Bombeck in her introduction, "it isn't easy to get a child to laugh." This history of the show that entertained Arizona's kids for 35 years begins with photos of "little Billy Thompson," who would grow up to be Wallace, Ladmo Kwiatkowski as a boy in knickers and a chubby toddler Pat McMahon, and ends with pictures of their own kids and grandkids. In between are 35 years of memories, and lots of silliness and glee. If you loved the show, buy this book. -- Arizona Republic, Nov, 27, 1994
From the Author
Kids didn't grow up by "Wallace and Ladmo" alone. There were other kids' shows that caught the eye. But the magic of "Wallace and Ladmo" was in the closeness. They were on your screen all week and at Legend City on Saturday. Ladmo used to wave at kids walking home from school past his mother's house in Tempe. Cub Scout and Brownie Troops made pilgrimages to the cavernous KPHO sound stage to see the show live. We did. There will never be another television show that creates such vivid memories. There will never be another "Wallace and Ladmo Show". It was a special moment in Arizona, in children's television, in comedy and in broadcasting. (Richard Ruelas & Michael Sweeney)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE book for Wallace and Ladmo fans!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Title HoHo!HaHa!HeeHee!HaHa! The Wallace and Ladmo Show: 35 Years of Laughter (Hardcover)
This is THE book about the longest-running show in TV history (and rightfully so.) All the profits from it go to charity. I bought it a few years ago. It includes a chapter (biography and photos) on each of the show's four decades; what happened after the show ended; song lyrics ("I watched the tube today, Wall-boy/Captain Super didn't make the grade..."); fan comments; and sections on some of the show's behind-the-scenes people, other performers like Dan Horn, and regular guests like Officer Harry, celebrity guests; and more.The best thing about this book is all the photos. I loved the photos from the early years. I didn't start watching until the '70s, so those '50s and '60s photos are fascinating to me. I also liked the photos of their live shows (remember Legend City and the state fair?) and the photos of the set. Too many of them look a bit grainy or out-of-focus. It would've been nice to have more photos of Pat McMahon's hundreds of different characters. (That could've been a book in itself!) But since more/better photos probably don't exist, I can't fault the book for not including them. This book is as good as it could possibly be. It will be of interest to anyone interested in TV history and/or Arizona history. I think it should be required reading for all the masses of people moving here. And if you're a Wallace and Ladmo fan, how can you live without it? Damn, I miss these guys. Even Gerald. They make me proud to be an Arizona native. Here's to you, Ladmo!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great way to remember a show that is a part of Arizona history,
By
This review is from: Title HoHo!HaHa!HeeHee!HaHa! The Wallace and Ladmo Show: 35 Years of Laughter (Hardcover)
When I was a young child in Arizona, I used to watch Wallace and Ladmo every morning before I went to school up until I was 7 and moved to California. I didn't move back to Arizona until I was in my 20's and by then the show had gone off the air. But just because it is no longer on the air does not mean it has to fade away. This book was the greatest gift I could have ever received. Not only could I reminisce about the show I loved as a child but I also learned about how the show started and what happened in the years after I had moved away. And this book is filled with hundreds of photos that bring back so many memories. Even though I only watched the Wallace and Ladmo Show for a few years, it will always have a big place in my heart and I will always be able to relive those happy memories with this great book.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you loved the show, buy the book!,
By
This review is from: Title HoHo!HaHa!HeeHee!HaHa! The Wallace and Ladmo Show: 35 Years of Laughter (Hardcover)
If you grew up in Arizona like I did, and grew up watching the Wallace and Ladmo show after or before school...religiously as I did, you've got to get this book which chronicles the show wonderfully and really brings back very fond memories. KJ Chandler, AZ
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