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This Day in Pop Culture

This Day in Pop Culture for January 5

Mister Ed and divorce American style

January 5, 2020

2–3 minutes

1961: Mister Ed Gets His Voice

Mister Ed, the TV series about the talking horse, began airing in syndication on this day in 1961. It was later picked up by CBS which continued to air the show from October 1 to February 6, 1966. Director Arthur Lubin had initially wanted to create a TV series based on Francis the Talking Mule movies (Lubin had directed the first six Francis movies) but was unable to secure the rights. However, his secretary, Sonia Chernus, brought to Lubin’s attention Walter R. Brooks’s children’s book, The Talking Horse on which the TV series was based upon.

It was comedian George Burns who help fund the show’s original pilot starred Scott McKay as Mr. Ed’s “owner,” Wilbur. When the show failed to interest the networks, Lubin set out to create a syndicated show securing more than 100 TV stations on the idea and recast McKay with Alan Young. Connie Hines played Wilbur’s wife, Carol and Allan Lane provided the voice for Mister Ed while Bamboo Harvester actually played the role of the horse.

In 2004, FOX had planned a revival of the TV series with Sherman Hemsley providing the voice of the horse, but the series did not get past the pilot stage. (Image: Wikimedia)

1643: The First American Divorce

Generally speaking, the divorce rate in America, is about 50%. Perhaps we can blame that on the Clarkes.

On this day in 1643, Anne Clarke of the Massachusetts Bay Colony was granted a divorce from her husband, Denis. According to records, Mr. Clarke abandoned the Mrs. and their two children for another woman whom he had two other children with. After stating his refusal to return to Anne, the Puritan court awarded a divorce to Anne.

The Quarter Court’s final decision read: “Anne Clarke, beeing deserted by Denis Clarke hir husband, and hee refusing to accompany with hir, she is graunted to bee divorced.” (Image: Pixabay)