General Electric Theater (TV Series) Tippy-Top (1961) User Reviews

Red Buttons' death reminds me...

[david-1976 · 7/10 · 14 July 2006]

I, too, was compelled to remember this episode when I heard of the death of Red Buttons, a wonderful entertainer who needs to be seen more often in his film and TV roles.

I never saw the entire episode: parts of it were featured in a movie whose name I have forgotten--the protagonist was trying to remember who Tippy-Top was, and there were several flashbacks to Ronny Howard singing in the bathtub: "I love Tippy-Top, Tippy-Top loves me," and having conversations with Red Buttons who wore some sort of sailor outfit.

Anthology series like "GE Theatre," "Omnibus," and "Armstrong Circle Theatre" were an important cultural aspect of the "Golden Age" of TV, and it would be a real service to the public to show them--complete with original commercials--today. It was, I think, on "Armstrong Circle Theatre," for example, that I first saw Aeschylus' "Agamemnon," sitting in my Grandma's living room in 1956 or 7. Pretty heady stuff for a 7-year-old, but I still remember it, as well as that "live TV look." The chorus was unseen, portrayed by a slide of masks.

These early TV shows that arouse such vivid memories need to be revisited.

I am the Randy in this Teleplay

[randy-365 · 16 March 2006]

My uncle is the writer of the show, Sidney Michaels. Evidently when I was little, I did indeed have an imaginary friend by the name of Tippy Top. I don't remember "Tippy" unfortunately, but do remember when the show was being filmed with Red Buttons and Ron(nie) Howard playing me. I remember Frank Aletter played Bob, my father. We were staying with my uncle in LA that summer and he would talk about the day's shoot and how amazing it was to work with Ron Howard, and how he captured the spirit of having the "friend" that I once had.

Then to see the show on GE Theater later on, and see the listing in TV Guide... that was a wow of unforgettable proportions.

Today I get pleasure in saying that Ron Howard played me, and that a future president was the host who introduced my imaginary friend to the world way back when.

Tippy Top

[HedySoreco · 10/10 · 13 July 2006]

An emotional child-hood memory . . . yes, that's what "Tippy Top" is to me , a story of a sensitive, adorable boy with an "imaginary" friend, "Tippy Top". I have not seen this since I was 11 years old, and although I am now 56, I have never forgotten this beautiful story. Ronny Howard, ("Opie" from "The Andy Griffith Show) is the young boy who befriends "Tippy Top", and "Tippy Top" is lovingly played by, Red Buttons. Red Buttons has just passed away, and a flood of memories of "Tippy Top" has once again, re-surfaced. If it is available anywhere to view, I strongly recommend seeing it, for children of all ages .... up to age 106 and beyond. They just don't make 'em like this, anymore.