"Illustrated, Simplified and Painless Sunday School" (1973) TV series 1973-1977

Writer:

Alfa-Betty Olsen (writer) (1973-1977)

Release Date:

9 December 1973 (USA)

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

  (Series Credited cast)

Marshall Efron

...

Host

Also Known As:

Marshall Efron's Illustrated, Simplified and Painless Sunday School (USA) (complete title)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Company:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Trivia:

Efron created the title by studying the elaborate labels on antique patent medicine bottles.

alternative approach to Sunday school

This ran as part of the "Lamp Unto My Feet" program Sunday afternoons, when all us kids were bored with the absence of cartoons. Happily there was still entertainment from Mr Efron - always wondered how he got this past the censors and blue noses. The method was minimalist acting-out of bible stories, with just one person and a minimum of props. I don't know how many episodes there were, and I guess we all remember different elements. I can still see the Creation of the World: black out on stage, the voice intones: "And the spirit of God moved upon the waters" (slosh slosh slosh). Then there was the famous Harl - Ot case, with Marshall playing King Solomon as well as Ms Harl and Ms Ot, fighting over a dolly. I think I learned to lighten up on bible stories, and not take them for gospel.