"Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom" (1963) TV series 1963-

Creator:

Don Meier
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 19 | 22 | 23 | unknown

Release Date:

6 January 1963 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary | Family

Plot:

Host Marlin Perkins explores various animals in their natural habitats.

Plot Keywords:

Animal | Nature | Science

Awards:

Won 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 9 nominations

Cast

Marlin Perkins	...	Himself - Host / ... (6 episodes, 1963-1985)
Jim Fowler	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1963-1964)

Series Directed by
Don Meier		(4 episodes, 1980-1983)

Series Writing credits
Allan Eckert		(3 episodes, 1979-1981)
Don Meier		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Don Meier	....	producer (6 episodes, 1979-1984)
Robert W. Davison	....	associate producer (2 episodes, 1968-1979)
Richard Reinauer	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Richard A. Girvin		(3 episodes, 1979-1981)

Series Cinematography by
Robert W. Davison		(7 episodes, 1965-1984)
Rod Allin		(unknown episodes)
Warren Garst		(unknown episodes)
Fred R. Krug		(unknown episodes)
Ralph Nelson		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Bernard Braham		(5 episodes, 1979-1984)

Series Sound Department
Jim Moore	....	sound effects / foley mixer (6 episodes, 1979-1984)
Michelle Landes	....	foley artist (unknown episodes, 1980-1985)
Greg Curda	....	sound editor (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Carol Riggins	....	animal trainer (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Don Meier Productions

Distributors

• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1963-1971)

Also Known As:

"Wild Kingdom" - USA (alternative title)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Don Meier Productions

Trivia:

Revived in the 2000s on the Animal Planet cable channel.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Nanny: The Nanny-Napper (#2.6)" (1994)

Echoing fond memories...

I would like to second Huck's comments.

"Wild Kingdom" was my first show and the beginning of my career. I was one of those guys in the the offices on Chicago's Miracle Mile. I was a young lad, hired as an apprentice sound editor by the late, great Jim Bourgeois, my mentor and Master. Jim's company, Sync Marc, which included editors Richard Albrecht and Denny Hough was subcontracted by Don Meier to do sound editing.

"Wild Kingdom" was very well done, and in a way spoiled me because I thought all shows would be that good, both technically and creatively. It set my standard. Production was, in deed, a well oiled machine and post followed suit.

I fondly remember my frequent trips to Zenith for mag transfers of SFX, BGs, and MX. We are in the digital age with many advances, but "Wild Kingdom" taught me about the power of FILM, physical FILM, in my hand.

The toss I always liked was, "Just like the Giant Antellope, you too need protection. Mutual of Omaha..." well....I think he said that....Or did I just cut a new one from trims?

Here's to a great show and a personal milestone.