The Magic Door

I remember Magic Door also. I would go to 6:30 Mass with my parents on Sunday mornings and watch Tiny Tov with my brothers and sisters after that. It is a favorite childhood memory, so safe and calming. It helped me understand how Christianity evolved from such a rich tradition and also made me admire the Jewish people. It was a very fine contribution that helped provide a bridge of understanding.

I did not realize it ran until 1982 either. I wonder if there are DVD copies available of it? My children are too old for it, but I would love the warm fuzzies I get when I think of it. Just hearing the song would spark a memory when the world didn't turn so fast and childhood was an easy, happy place.

I certainly do remember this show. Tiny Tov lived in an Acorn, and flew on a feather, and chanted "a room zoom zoom a room zoom zoom, gily gily gily gily gily asa sah, come through this magic door with me, come through this door and wondrous things you'll see." Then they had old testament stories, and a character named Booby Beaver! I was (and am) Catholic, and enjoyed it though it was clearly directed at Jewish kids. I think it was on Sunday morning. I remember a Moses puppet and an Aaron puppet. It clearly was a local show in Chicago, but I am not sure what station it was on. I am surprised to see that it ran for 20 years, from 1962 to 1982, from before I started Kindergarten in 1963 to when I was a second year law student! Anyone else remember any more details?

I remember "The Magic Door", too; it was on WBBM-TV2 immediately preceding "Project Head Start", a "Romper Room" sort of show for inner-city kids hosted by Miss Felice Mooney. Another thing I remember about "The Magic Door": every Hanukkah, Tiny Tov would appear in costume, but not miniaturized, and would play his guitar and lead the boys and girls in songs about the Festival of Lights. The highlight of the show would be the reading of the Hanukkah story from the Talmud. Sunday mornings weren't too bad, TV-wise, at least in the late 60's; WMAQ-TV5 had the early "Astroboy" cartoons followed by "By Gemini", set aboard a lunar module (it was the Christian equivalent of "The Magic Door"), WBKB/WLS TV7 (via the ABC network feed) aired Saturday-morning "weak sisters" like "The Smokey Bear Show" and "Curiosity Shop", then the evergreen "Bullwinkle Show" and the public-affairs show "Discovery"; while WGN aired "Superman" and "Flash Gordon" reruns. It didn't beat weekdays on WGN, WFLD and WCIU, but they served rather well. Chicago kids had so much to watch in those days!

I remember this show! I think it was on Sunday mornings on WGN, channel 9. I remember the song, and a little man dressed like an elf dancing around a big tree singing that song and that's about all. I didn't know it was a Jewish-based show, not that it matters. But I do remember watching it as a last resort because there was nothing else on so early. I also remember watching, "BJ And Dirty Dragon", and "Davy and Goliath". These shows sort of fell into the category of not much on. I hated Sunday morning TV, there just wasn't a lot on. Saturday mornings were the best though!! Scooby-Doo and Looney Toons! Josie & The PussyCats, Tom and Jerry!

I really enjoyed "Magic DOOR" while growing up in Chicago. I remember gathering together with my brother and sisters in front of the TV weekly just to watch Magic DOOR and Tiny Tov. It was one of our favorite programs.

When I returned to Chicago after serving in the military from 1969-1973, my first job was at CBS in Chicago where I worked as a cameraman. So, guess what?

I had the special privilege to videotape Magic Door every week at WBBM Channel 2 Studios on McClurg Court in Chicago. So, I want to give a BIG THANKS to all of you who remember watching this program and am happy to hear you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed filming it. Shalom to all of you who remember this program.