Birthday House (1963–1967)

Children's Television Show (live, 5 days). With a birthday boy and/or girl and their friends as on-air guests, viewers were engaged in games, songs, stories, craft-making, informational ... See full summary »

Stars:

Paul Tripp, Bernice, Jimmy Blaine

Cast

Credited cast:
Paul Tripp	...	Paul - Host (1963-1967)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bernice	...	Freckles (1966-1967)
Jimmy Blaine	...	Guest Host (1966)
Ruth Enders	...	Ruth (1963-1967)
Stu Hample	...	Guest Host (1966)
Kay Lande	...	Kay (1963-1967)
Jan Lara	...	Jan (1963-1967)
Chuck Leedham	...	Science Expert (1963-1967)
Tom Tichenor	...	Strawtop, Puppeteer (1964-1967)
Murray Zaret	...	Animal Expert (1963-1967)

Storyline

Children's Television Show (live, 5 days). With a birthday boy and/or girl and their friends as on-air guests, viewers were engaged in games, songs, stories, craft-making, informational segments, puppet plays and interviews with guest performers and personalities.

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Plot Keywords:

birthday

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Genres:

Family

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 April 1963 (USA)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lester Lewis Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 1966-67 "Birthday House" featured "Freckles" a Saint Bernard puppy. She first came on the show when she was 6 weeks old, and came back every week (growing 8 - 10 pounds each week) until she was a gigantic 160 pound dog. She went on to an expansive career in show business, appearing in Midnight Cowboy, and starring in an opera at Lincoln Center ("The Stoned Guest").

User Reviews

One of the First TV Shows I Remember

When I was five years old and living in New Jersey, one of the first TV shows I remember watching was a local kids show on WNBC-TV titled "Birthday House." The show was hosted by Paul Tripp and featured his wife, Ruth Enders, Jan Lara, Kay Lande and Tom Tichenor, who was also the shows puppeteer. He also played a character named Strawtop.

There were also the puppet characters George, Ducky, Mrs. Oven, Knock Knock and TC, the Talking Toychest. In one episode, Tripp said "TC stands for Toychest."

On each episode, a youngster and a few friends celebrated their birthday on TV. After a number of educational segments and songs, it would be time for the birthday cake and presents. The one song I remember from the cake segment that Tripp always sang went:

Make a wish Don't Tell. And if your wish comes true, I told you so.

I also owned a album of songs from "Birthday House", which included the song that opened each episode "Good morning good morning. Someone's birthday is today." "How old are you Today" "Hi Mike" and "Everybody up. Everybody up. Everybody up up up."

Even though "Birthday House" has been off the air for more than 40 years and Tripp has passed away, the show brings back fond memories of growing up in New Jersey. The concept of kids celebrating their birthday on TV would still work today as a reality show, a departure from the mean-spirited shows that have permeated the airwaves.

Welcome to Birthday House.