The Uncle Don’s Song Game and Paint Book was published by Melrose Music Corp in New York, USA in 1940. This book is one of the earliest Phantom crossover collectibles to bear the Phantoms image. The book contains 64 pages and is made up of Uncle Don’s biography, 20 songs, 15 coloring-in pages and 3 quizzes.
Uncle Don’s Song Game and Paint Book is believed to of been supported by King Features Syndicate. As a result, we see the Phantoms image appear on the outside back cover, amongst other King Features Syndicate comic book characters.
Uncle Don was a children’s radio program that aired on WOR radio from 1928 thru 1947. The host was Uncle Don Carney, a former Vaudeville performer. The half-hour program was broadcast daily, five to six days a week. The program quickly became the most popular children’s radio show in the country. Mr. Carney sang, played the piano, told stories, offered contests and talent quests as well and promoted beneficial institutions for the well-being of children’s future. Around the country Carney’s opening song was widely recognized.
“Hello nephews, nieces too, Mothers and daddies, how are you? This is Uncle Don all set to go, with a meeting on the ra-di-o! We’ll start off with a little song, To learn the words will not take long; For they’re as easy as easy can be, so come on now and sing with me: Hibbidy-Gits has-ha ring boree, Sibonia Skividy, hi-lo-dee! Honi-ko-doke with an ali-ka-zon, Sing this song with your Uncle Don!
Between 1938 and 1939, the program was also carried on the Mutual Broadcasting System, an American commercial radio network in operation from 1934 to 1999. In the golden age of US. Radio drama, Mutual was best known as the original network home of The Lone Ranger and The Adventures of Superman and as the long-time radio residence of The Shadow.
Thank you Christopher Smith for assisting with images and information.
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