Mister Ed

Mister Ed was a popular US television comedy show that aired on CBS from 1961-1966. The stars of the show were Mister Ed, an intelligent talking horse, and his owner, architect Wilbur Post (played by Alan Young). The comedy came from Mister Ed talking only to Wilbur.

Related Topics:
US - Television - CBS - 1961 - 1966 - Horse - Alan Young

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The other main characters in the show were Wilbur's tolerant wife Carol (Connie Hines) and their neighbours the Addisons (Larry Keating and Edna Skinner) until 1963 and then the Kirkwoods (Leon Ames and Florence MacMichael).

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The show was derived from the short story "Ed Takes the Pledge" by Walter R. Brooks, who is otherwise known for the Freddy the Pig series of children's novels, which likewise feature talking animals who interact with humans.

Related Topics:
Short story - Walter R. Brooks - Freddy the Pig

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The unaired pilot was called The Wonderful World of Wilbur Pope; reworked, it was first broadcast in January 1961 as a syndicated program before being acquired by CBS and aired by that network beginning in October. The 143rd and last episode was shown on September 4, 1966.

Related Topics:
January 1961 - September 4 - 1966

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Mister Ed was voiced by Allan Lane (speaking) and Sheldon Allman (singing). The horse portraying Mister Ed was Bamboo Harvester, born in California in 1949 and died in 1970. He was trained for the show by Les Hilton. Another horse that had played Mister Ed in some publicity work died in 1979. Allan ("Rocky") Lane remained anonymous as the voice of Mister Ed, and was listed on the show as "an actor who prefers to remain nameless".

Related Topics:
Allan Lane - Sheldon Allman - California - 1949 - 1970 - Les Hilton - 1979

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The show was parodied in a Harry Enfield comedy series, first shown on BBC, in which Mr Ed was transfigured to Mr Dead, the Talking Corpse.

Related Topics:
Harry Enfield - BBC

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A remake was planned for the FOX network, with Sherman Hemsley as the voice of Mr. Ed, David Alan Besche as Wilbur, and Sherilyn Fenn as Carol. However, the show's writer and producer, Drake Sather, committed suicide in March of 2004. The pilot was filmed, but has yet to be picked up by FOX.

Related Topics:
Sherman Hemsley - David Alan Besche - Sherilyn Fenn - Drake Sather

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The horse is buried north of Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

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