And just like that, I am 5 years old again infront of the tv, with my little toy chairs, mimicking everything Friendly is doing, and hoping, HOPING that today will be a book day and not a music day. So much magic wrapped up in that show. Makes me cry to see it now. Nothing will ever top this. Kids will never understand.
1970's for me, but yes! The Friendly Giant, Mr. Dressup, and Sesame Street, on CBET Windsor 9, complete with snow in the picture, because their antenna is aimed in the other direction, lol.
Up in Port Huron We had to watch it on UHF with a coat hanger attached on the TV. I believe it was on Ch.29. Ch.42 was out off London. OH MAN THE MEMORIES!!!! HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA!!!! I was 8 and put the tv and a lamp under the covers with me so I wouldn't get caught up late and I fell asleep and the bed caught on fire! I ended up out on the street wondering "who won???" Still wondering...BUT I'M ALIVE!!! lol
Yeah 313 I did the same thing. I been thinking about the theme song a lot lately. I was a big Hockey Night In Canada then and now. Hail to Channel 9 , east side. Great memories 👌
CBC Toronto for me in the late 60s and early 70s I watched this every weekday morning then started school in 71 so no more Friendly for me until we were off on school breaks.
We had this growing up as 4-5yr old's in the early 70's.... The rest of these new protest marching 20-30yr old's now since 1980's-2023? They had rainbow colored cartoon agenda driven garbage? No wonder they listen to ghetto rat rap & worship that useless Swift-er-picka-fraud.....
Oh man does this take me back. :) I grew up with Friendly, Rusty and Gerome when I was a child in the early sixties and it made such a lasting impression that nearly sixty years later, I can still speak along with him during the opening and closing. I don't know what happened to us all in the decades since then, but I can't help but think we could *all* use some Friendly Giant in our lives these days.
It's amazing how one simple little cow jumping over the moon could have such a wonderful lasting effect on my life and on many others. The Friendly Giant, a masterpiece in it's simplicity!
a lot of my childhood memories seem like dreams or hallucinations until i discover that others share those same memories. we were the luckiest kids in the world to have been exposed to this wonderful show and others on the cbc network.
In the spring of 1984 I was doing work for CBC-Radio providing engineering services. On a break I crossed the parking lot at the now defunct CBC-TV studio complex on Jarvis Street in Toronto from the old radio building to TV. Back then you could do a little snooping without getting into too much trouble. I asked security if if was all right to stick my head into one of the studios, just to see what they were like. Friendly Giant was still in production in Studio 2. Again asked permission. OK if red light is off to go in like a mouse. I watched Bob Homme and John Duncan play the opening theme. Shivers ran up my spine. It was like being in a dream. Every opening was done live. There was absolutely nothing fake about anything in this fifteen minute production. I stayed for about two hours. Mr Homme and the entire crew were so gracious in letting me do that. It turned out that I had worked with Nina Keogh, one of the puppeteers in 1976 doing a show for Eaton's of Canada during the the Olympics. "Kooky Kanooky". Friendly Giant was my favorite show as a child. I watched it from the time I was five in 1958 and even watched it with great interest until I was a teenager wanting to break into television in a technical way. Since the early 1980's I have worked on thousands of television shows in Canada and the USA, including Jim Henson's Muppet Christmas done at the CFTO-TV studios and Mr. Dress-up at CBC Studio 4 and 4S formerly on Yonge Street. Nothing but nothing I have worked on has ever impressed me more than the visit I made in 1984 to CBC's studio 2 when I entered a double sound door to see Friendly Giant in person. I hate what has happened to television. I hate the way it sounds, I hate the way it looks. There are no crafts people, circumstances or talent left of any kind to permit quality like this in our digital world to ever exist again. It makes me terribly sad. There is no going back. Thank you Murray for posting this TV programme on You Tube. It actually brought a tear to my eyes and touched me profoundly.
I agree with you completely. I was 8 in 1958 and this was one of our favorite and touching times to watch television, especially in the early years. On a par with Howdy Doody and The Mickey Mouse Club show and maybe even Soupy Sales. It was simply done yet not so simplistic as to insult the childs' intelligence. I think sometimes adults don't give credit to children to be aware of and understand the adult world but I feel that often children are much more aware and focused on the moment where they can take in the deeper feelings and nuances of situations as they are not so distracted but the 'rational' mind and the constant stream of self speak- and criticism that seems to haunt us as we get older. The Friendly Giant was wonderful when we could revel in the fantasy of actually being in this castle , and almost vertitably thrust us into the wonderful comic book world of those books we'd read as children.
Corey Ferguson this is how I feel about the time and passion that used to go into movies. I hate the majority of movies and tv shows now. All that talent gone for nothing.
Generations of Canadians will hear this theme song .. and a smile will come to their face. I would love to see this played in public places during the morning rush hour. Would bring a smile to everyone's heart .. a great way to start the day.
Finally, another person who actually remembers Chez Hélène! Mr. Dressup was on a show called Butternut Square with Mr. Rogers prior to securing his own show. The Friendly Giant was always there and never changed...Rusty and Gerome didnt either. When I was a teenager and at home sick, I would watch Friendly and Mr. Dressup and I would feel so much better. A warm gentle hug is what we were lucky enough to experience. We will never see such the likes of such wonderful programming again.
One of my best memories from childhood. Watched this at home and also in kindergarten and first grade class on the AV setup. Touches my heart. I really felt that I went inside that castle each time it was on the screen. 🧡🧡
I was able to keep it together until the cow jumped over the moon, then out came the tears. What I wouldn't give to be four or five years old again, just for a little while.
Hank Murphy When I was little I thought Friendly (Bob Homme_) was a real giant. Greatly disappointed when I found out/realized the truth !! It's a little sad that there are no kid's shows like this anymore. A lot of them are dumbed down.
I met Bob Homme when I was in journalism school. He was giving an important lecture on broadcasting to a large group of students. But afterwards, all they wanted was to get an autograph from the Friendly Giant. I still have mine. The show wasn't an act. He really was Friendly.
How wonderful to see this again. We watched this every day when we were kids (the 60's). We could see Canada from a hill near our place (Montana). I realize how lucky we were to only have two or three stations -- one in North Dakota and two from Canada. A simpler time.... and we love our Canadian neighbors. We knew how to sing "O Canada" just as well as "The Star Spangled Banner!"
The real original anthem was an instrumental & set for June 24th ( St. Jean Baptiste jour ) the historical canada say ( Jacques Cartier founding canada / not to be confused with Giovanni Cabato landing at Bona Vista Newfoundland ) for French canadians. French original lyrics were added ( still the same ) vs the English version later on which is an Anglo silly adaptation & which has been changed to appease socialist judeo-bolshevist people.
Thank you Channel 9 in Windsor for this and Hockey Night in Canada for this boy growing up in Detroit during the 60's and 70's. Thank goodness that river wasn't too wide so we couldn't pick up the signal from the States over here. Thanks for uploading.
I used to love this show when I was a little kid. I grew up in Detroit which is right across the river from Windsor, Canada. We got a lot of of Canadian programs through Channel 9. This show and (and Che Helene) was my 3, 4 year old life (along with Captain Kangaroo, of course) The music bought back fond memories!
I loved this show when I was a little kid ! I play Harp now…no doubt influenced to learn it listening to John Duncan’s harp theme - “Early one Morning”- on Friendly Giant.
Amazing how a show like this could have such a huge impact on a persons life and the memories it brings back. Seems simple by today's standard but was greatly endeared by many a Canadian kid that had at most 3 channels to watch.
we had a black and white TV growing up...so it wasn't until I was in my 20's till I found out that Gerome was orange and purple! lol Friggen LOVED this show... I always wanted that furniture set at the end.
I think what made the Friendly Giant such an effective little show was its consistency. Kids need to be able to count on something and sadly we couldn't always count on the things going on around us, but we could always count on the Friendly Giant welcoming us into his home, inviting us to sit down, and, most of all,we could count on and look forward to the cow jumping over the moon. Children shows today could learn a lot from my friend the Friendly Giant..
I miss the days when good men were prominent in the education and guidance of children. In these days the morning t.v was full of Mr. Dressup, Fred Penner, Mr. Rogers, Captain Kangaroo, The Friendly Giant, The narrator from Hammy Hamster, Reading Rainbow's Levar Burton, Today's Special, and some good men on the Muppet Show as guests and Sesame Street. All positive, kind, big hearted men and excellent male roll models for boys and girls. Today's landscape seems full of cold hearted men, and women, all aspiring to ideals of power above and beyond the grasp of children, or just ditzy and condescending and not telling stories or taking us on adventures of the imagination.. These men were honest, slow and soft talking, kind, but strong, and approachable. I think we are missing something very special in the media these days for children.
It shared many of the same values as Mister Roger's Neighborhood, all positive and presented by men who put a high priority on listening to children and understanding what was most important to them. I remember this out of either Toronto, or maybe Hamilton, ON.
Ahhhh, this takes me back to my early youth/toddler years in the mid-to-late 1960's. Way back when simple hand puppets on TV were still very amusing and entertaining. 😎
I remember this show as a child. My dad use to come home from work (or on his lunch hour) and watch it with me. I was almost in tears when my dad gave me the news that the guy that played the friendly giant past away. This was and still is my favourite show.
So many memories! Rusty, Jerome and when the cow jumped over the moon at the end brings tears to my eyes. Thanks for uploading such a wonderful childrens classic ❤️
Hello dear friend Excuse my English (I'm French from Quebec) but in that time, i was very happy to listen at that tv show in English. For me it was "Friendly" and full of pieceful idea. I was only a 6 years old child in front of a ancient Motorola black in white TV and it was one of these tv show whoud taught me respesct for all. It was one of my favorite tv program wich taught me the English language and also about respect,peace and love for each other. The Friendly Giant was really Gently in his voice end his way to teach us peace and frienship. Thank you my friend. I hope the Giant be with all of us forever ! In our memory forever !
Why cant they just make shows like this today? Theres a real innocence to shows like this that can stand the test of time. Where it seems like everything else is just the next latest fad to get kids hooked on.
beautiful memories!!! :) this was my favorite show when i was a little girl. beautiful song, i sing it every morning,.. and my roommate plays it beautifully on his flute.
My father was telling me about this show at breakfast this morning, he didn't think I'd be able to find any footage of this show, thank you for uploading this!
OMG! I'm 62 and have vague memories of watching this when I was about 4 years old. Never thought I'd ever know what it was but was certain I use to watch it! Thanks for connecting me to such a long almost forgotten memory
So was I. When I was little CBC had a trifecta of kids shows on every weekday. First was Chez Hélène followed by Mr. Dressup, and finally Friendly Giant. I always hated the end of the show because it meant that I had to find something else to do until Sesame Street.
@@ryan489 I too would get sad as a child in the 70's, when the drawbridge went up and the lights got low. Seeing this brings tears to my eyes. To be a child again.
This is my Wife's account, my name is Jim. This reminded me when I was a boy and my Mom, Dad, and Brother was alive. Brought back so many wonderful memories! Thanks for posting this! God Bless!
I used to watch this as a kid along with Fred Penner, Under the Umbrella Tree, Mr. Dress Up, Sesamee Street, Today's Special, The Polka Dot Door and several others. Kinda miss being a kid wish I could go back in time just once more to relive all of this, there are times when it sucks being an adult. But heck I do not regret any of it, the kids shows today cannot beat the kids shows back than.
THIS WAS ALWAYS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE AND MOST ENJOYABLE SHOWS FOR MANY YEARS AS A CHILD AND AS A PRETEEN GROWING UP IN MONTREAL. --EMERITUS PROFESSOR BJNG LITTLE BEAR BRIAN. 🐻🚶🏊⏳⌛🐻
I grew up in suburban Detroit- Ann Arbor & we were lucky enough to get this Canadian channel 9 on our TV.. my 2 sisters and I loved this darling show! I have a chair by my fireplace that reminds me of Friendly💝💗
Thank you so very much for posting this, I watched it growing up in Vancouver on CBC....the best 15 mins on TV....brings back very fond memories of a simpler life...
I remember when I was little, I couldn't wait to get off the bus to get in the house and turn on the TV to watch this ! It was my favorite !! Brings back so many memories of my childhood !
It's December of 2022. And suddenly I remember that frequent admonition..."Look up...look up...look wa-a-ay up..." And I'm transported to the bygone decades. Peace be upon Bob Homme and all living or deceased associated with this delightful show.
I cannot add anything more to the awesome comments below except that seeing and hearing just tears me up. Great memories from a kid growing up in Calgary during the 60’s and 70’s. We need more people like Bob Homme today more than ever.
A bonus of living near Detroit was getting Canadian TV on Ch9 in Windsor. Growing up in the 60's/70's with Friendly Giant, Mr Dressup, and many other faves! Good wholesome shows! And Dad was a hockey fan so that was a bonus for him at night. lol
OH MY GOSH!!! Watching waaaaaaaaaaaay back in the Day The Friendly Giant and Mr. Dressup! A Memory BEYOND cherished. 60-some years later and I STILL remember Rusty being such a scamp! Jerome - OH MAN!!! Lived in Port Huron MI and watched on the old black and white sylvania laid out on the door watching so intently like I was sitting right there. OH MAN!!! THANK YOU for posting these!!!!!
A wonderful memory and a great escape from a toxic and volatile home life in the 60's and 70's. I still get goosebumps when I see the cow jumping over the moon. I'm in my 60's now. I never missed it.
I've been searching for this TV show from when I was very little for over 45 years! I've since heard the song, but no giant with that drawbridge until now! I'm so thrilled to have finally put the pieces together!!! Many, many thanks!!
Such a peacefull memory Ahh..the farm..village..animals..castle..concerts..and the main characters.It was a truly magnificent show for all who watched..Mr Homme did indeed read stories very well..and often the closing music would drift me to a nap..children today are missing forever that very kind gentle persona of THE FRIENDLY GIANT..May God rest him in peace..Amen..Thank You..Friendly Giant
I had the chance to know bob as he lived in grafton ont right next to my town of Cobourg, I did some yard work for him 25 some years ago, what a great man he is. he was the friendly man he was on tv, always positive and for the kids, he really devoted his life to this show and the kids who loved him.
I remembered the ending song note-for-note from when I was a young boy, but only recently remembered the name of the TV show. It's amazing how powerful music is, and sure enough, what I remembered was exactly the same. I really love these type of kids shows, wish we had them today.
I used to love this show! Seeing the draw bridge come down was always so magical and seeing it go up made me sad that it was over. I have even more memories of the opening and closing music than what was actually said on the show and I know I used to watch it until the end of the credits so I could hear the whole thing each time. So beautiful and evocative. I could remember parts of it but haven't heard the full song in years. Thank you for bringing back the memories.
i haven't seen this opening since i was a kid. it literally brought tears to my eyes watching the drawbridge go down. i am glad there is someone else that thinks this was so special!
I grew up in NW Pennsylvania. When the weather was nice and the wind was blowing in the right direction we used to be able to get Canadian television channels when the rabbit ears were in just right position on top of our black and white tv (LOL) I loved watching this program when I was around 5 or 6. I especially loved the music they played at the beginning and the end of the program. This brings back such good memories!
