Davey and Goliath

Believable characters and situations, and a main character who was a real boy, not a dunce like Beaver Cleaver. Great stop-motion performances from the principals.

A painfully obvious moral in every episode. This show wouldn't fly if it were made today. What a shame.

"A Mighty Fortress is Our God" (Martin Luther, circa 1529) serves as the theme song for this well-received children's series, produced by the Lutheran Church in America, and often written by children's book author Nancy Wible, who initially would also voice this program's female characters.

But while the message remains constant, times do change. Beginning at a time when ladies, gentlemen and children would continue to wear their finest clothing to Sunday services, difficult choices may lie between selecting a dress or blouse and skirt, hat or veil, or between a suit and blazer, necktie or bow-tie, and fedora, which gentlemen were expected to remove upon entrance, whereas the ladies were expected to retain hair coverings indoors. Today, while few fellowship retain such mandates, this series helps to reminisce upon changes reflected by society, while politeness toward others remains, of course, virtuous.

Between 1960 and 1965, the series of 314 fifteen-minute episodes would gain in recognition and popularity, to air across network lines for broadcast to a height of a 90% market share on Saturday mornings or sometimes on Sunday mornings between presentations of church services or sermon programs.

For a period, the fifteen-minute format was set aside in favor of recurring 30-minute "Davey and Goliath" specials, before resuming in its regular format for several additional seasons.

Vocal Talent for this clay animation (or Claymation) series is provided by an assortment of performers in the roles of parents (voice), John Hansen (Hal Smith, 1961-1976) and Elaine Hansen (Ginny Tyler, 1961-1962, also doubling as Sally), daughter Sally Hansen (Nancy Wible, 1960-1968), son David 'Davey' Hansen (Dick Beals, 1960-1964; Norma MacMillan, 1965-1975), and various friends, neighbors and community leaders. Goliath the pet dog stands nearly as tall as Davey, who is able to hear his voice whereas nobody else in the cast may.

Davey's peers would differ in configurations, usually three friends, including an African-American buddy, as the youth would learn a moral lesson of the day, initially regarding a topic of respect or reverence, then segueing into topical concerns of the period, whether they apply these lessons immediately or learn by episode's ending.

But the presentation would remain non-didactic, but open to connect with audiences of all faiths and creeds in beneficial manner, suitable to manners then and now, for "Davey and Goliath" remains a Classic from age to age, and for audiences of all ages.

It aired as a segment of the children's show "Boomtown" in the Boston area. Boomtown was hosted by Rex Trailer, and he sang (and played guitar) for his own special intro to Davey And Goliath. I still remember the words:

This is the story of The Lord This is the story of The Lord The way they tell it may be new But every word is true This is the story of The Lord

Imagine a children's show host getting away with that in today's world!

I'm happy to report that those of you who subscribe to Comcast Cable in the Boston area can find the show playing occasionally on the Boston Catholic Television Channel, which is also known as the Religious Channel, usually Channel 56 on the listings.

is regularly broadcast. I agree with most previous reviews, that this is a sad commentary on our broadcasting system, in America at least.

What was so universal about this show is while it did have a message, it was not heavy-handed, nor sanctimonious. Davey and Goliath get into regular mischief, he learns a lesson, but it is not overly preachy, nor is it violent and imbecilic(which is what we see today).

The writing is insightful and humanistic. How refreshing to know that, at least in the 60's and 70's we had access to quality children's programming.

I hope it is possible to buy a complete set of DVD's. My seven year old is just beginning to appreciate this. 10/10

Some of my best memories as a boy were getting up early on Saturday mornings to watch "Davey and Goliath." they were enjoyable, moralistic without being heavy-handed about it, and the characters were very much like people you knew, not goody-goody types. Unfortunately, kids today are very different, and I doubt that they would respond to it the way our generation did (I'm 42 now). Still and all, a good show, despite what the authors of "Saturday Morning Fever" have to say, and I still get a nostalgic twinge when I see it on cable TV these days.

Incidentally, I didn't realize until I saw IMDB's profile that upright father figure John Hanson was voiced by Hal "Otis-the-Mayberry-town-drunk" Smith. Talk about diametricaly opposed!