Beginnings
The show was derived from a series of short stories by Walter R. Brooks, which began with The Talking Horse in the September 18, 1937, issue of Liberty. Brooks is otherwise known for the Freddy the Pig series of children's novels, which likewise feature talking animals who interact with humans. Lubin's secretary Sonia Chernus, is credited as developing the format for television, by introducing the Brooks stories to Lubin himself.
The concept of the show was similar to Francis the Talking Mule, with the equine normally talking only to one person (Wilbur), and thus both helping and frustrating its owner. The Francis movies were directed by Arthur Lubin, who performed the same duty on Mister Ed. The show had some regular writers such as William Davenport, Lou Derman, Larry Rhine and Ben Starr. The series was restricted in setting, but often quite amusing.
Read more about this topic: Mister Ed
Famous quotes containing the word beginnings:
“Let us, then, take our compass; we are something, and we are not everything. The nature of our existence hides from us the knowledge of first beginnings which are born of the nothing; and the littleness of our being conceals from us the sight of the infinite. Our intellect holds the same position in the world of thought as our body occupies in the expanse of nature.”
—Blaise Pascal (1623–1662)
“The beginnings of altruism can be seen in children as early as the age of two. How then can we be so concerned that they count by the age of three, read by four, and walk with their hands across the overhead parallel bars by five, and not be concerned that they act with kindness to others?”
—Neil Kurshan (20th century)
“These beginnings of commerce on a lake in the wilderness are very interesting,—these larger white birds that come to keep company with the gulls.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)