Big Jon & Sparkie

Big Jon and Sparkie enchanted young listeners five days a week with the adventures of a whole community of make-believe characters. Sparkie was the fantasy friend of Big Jon, the only grownup on the 15-minute program. Big Jon had wonderful pretend times with his imaginary friends – Ukie Betcha the cab driver, Mayor Plumpfront, Sparkie’s little dog, Bunny and many more. He managed to guide the gang through strange events, accompany them on mysterious journeys and help them solve worrisome problems.

Big Jon in real life was Jon Arthur, and Sparkie was “the little elf from the land of make-believe.” Almost immediately after Big Jon and Sparkie began, the little elf and his friends added a weekly show on Saturdays that ranged from 90 minutes to two hours. The weekend program was named No School Today and opened with the playful theme music, “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic.”

From 1950 to 1958, Jon Arthur entertained little ones (and entire families) with the characters he created and voiced, about 200 of them before the pair said goodbye and vanished into the magical land of pretend. Little listener or grownup, it doesn’t matter. The lovable characters, humorous situations and down-home warmth still captivate anyone who loves to make believe.