Saturday9

Saturday 9: Flipper (1964)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Flipper ran for three seasons, from 1964 to 1967. Are you familiar with the show? I remember the show. Were you a fan? Not really. We saw the movie and I was 14, so I wasn't interested.

2) Brothers Sandy and Bud consider a bottle-nosed dolphin, named Flipper, their pet. Do you currently share your home with any animals? My dog, Annie! She's great company. Just wish she could do something with her hair--she sheds! Here she is guarding her toys.

3) Bud and Sandy's dad was Chief Warden Porter Ricks of the fictional Coral Key Marine Preserve. In reality, the show was filmed in Miami and Key Biscayne. When were you last in the ocean? I think 2014. Which ocean was it? The Gulf of Mexico, Port Aransas, I think.

4) There was no one single "Flipper." In close-ups, the role was played by a dolphin named Susie. While Susie was good at interacting with people, she had trouble with stunts, and sometimes a male dolphin named Clown was brought in for action sequences. Do you consider yourself more social, like Susie? Or are you more athletic, like Clown? I used to be fairly athletic, I am somewhat social--not extremely outgoing.

5) Without looking it up, do you know the difference between a dolphin and a porpoise? No I'm hoping you will tell us.

6) Flipper wasn't just a TV pet. He was an industry! During the show's run, Flipper comic books, coloring books and puzzles were very popular. As an adult, do you entertain yourself by reading comics, coloring, or completing jigsaw puzzles? No.

7) The Flipper lunchbox was also a big seller. It came with a Thermos topped with a red cup. Do you own a Thermos? I just got rid of one. I had a plaid lunchbox with the thermos in it. I carried a plaid lunchbox all through elementary school and the thermos always had chocolate milk in it. You can't see it that well, but I am holding it in this pic.

8) In 1964, when Flipper premiered, it was up against The Outer Limits and The Jackie Gleason Show. If those were your only viewing choices, would you watch the family show about the dolphin, the sci-fi anthology show, or the comedy-variety show? (Or would your rather flip through a magazine?) I would rather read a book. But if we must choose something to flip, I would choose one of my magazines.

9) Random question  -- Which would you be more comfortable explaining: how a car engine works, the current IRS tax brackets, or the rules of baseball? Oh mercy, I will have to keep silent.