Pixanne
Encyclopedia
Pixanne was a popular children's television program, created and hosted by singer-actress Jane Norman
, that ran from 1960 to 1969 on WCAU-TV in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
. The show was syndicated nationally for another 7 years.
, working at what was then WFIL and is now WPVI-TV
about a possible children's program featuring a Peter Pan
-like character. Though there were no openings available at WFIL, he suggested she go to the then CBS
owned-and-operated station WCAU-TV. She walked in with no appointment and described the show to the Program Director. Within three weeks, the show was on the air.
had used as Peter Pan, but with only one wire supporting her instead of the several that had harnessed Martin on stage. She remembers that perfecting the technique was quite painful, but it proved so effective as to be maintained for the entire run of the program.
The supporting cast of puppets included Oggie Owl, Fliffy Butterfly, Herkimer, Tearesa, Galumpagus, and the puppets of Addis Williams. Pixanne had at least two alter-egos as well — one was a witch called Windy, whom Norman also acted out. Guest appearances included singer Tiny Tim
.
Songs Norman sang on the show included "Swinging on a Star
," "If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a Cake
," "I've Gotta Crow" from the musical Peter Pan
, and "Look at That Face" from the musical The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd. The show's background music included Maurice Ravel
's Le Tombeau de Couperin
and a selection from Carl Orff
's Music for Children, the theme of Pixanne's daily cartoon introduction with her march with a magical flag. On the show Norman also introduced adventure films and made children's crafts, such as puppets and hats.
Pixanne received ratings of 10-12 and a 62% share of audience near the end of its run.
moderated, on NBC. She also wrote a best-selling book, The Private Life of the American Teenager, and appeared on more than 95 radio and television talk shows including the NBC News Today show in conjunction with the book. She is now a successful recording artist whose music for adults is played on hundreds of radio stations across the country.
Jane Norman
Jane Norman is an English clothing company, selling clothing aimed at women. In early 2007, Jane Norman reported a 45% rise in profits over 2006, and released plans to open 100 more stores around the country, having already almost doubled their number from the year before, to 116.The company was...
, that ran from 1960 to 1969 on WCAU-TV in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
. The show was syndicated nationally for another 7 years.
Beginnings
The show began when Norman, a onetime child prodigy who had been playing and composing music since she was 3 years of age, contacted one of her professors from Temple UniversityTemple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
, working at what was then WFIL and is now WPVI-TV
WPVI-TV
WPVI-TV, channel 6, is an owned-and-operated television station of the Walt Disney Company-owned American Broadcasting Company, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. WPVI has its studios located on the border between Philadelphia and Bala Cynwyd, and its transmitter is located in the...
about a possible children's program featuring a Peter Pan
Peter Pan
Peter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie . A mischievous boy who can fly and magically refuses to grow up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the small island of Neverland as the leader of his gang the Lost Boys, interacting with...
-like character. Though there were no openings available at WFIL, he suggested she go to the then CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
owned-and-operated station WCAU-TV. She walked in with no appointment and described the show to the Program Director. Within three weeks, the show was on the air.
Features
Norman appeared on the show as a "pixie" with a green outfit, tights and a hat with a feather. She worked out a method of "flying" using a similar apparatus to that which Mary MartinMary Martin
Mary Virginia Martin was an American actress and singer. She originated many roles over her career including Nellie Forbush in South Pacific and Maria in The Sound of Music. She was named a Kennedy Center Honoree in 1989...
had used as Peter Pan, but with only one wire supporting her instead of the several that had harnessed Martin on stage. She remembers that perfecting the technique was quite painful, but it proved so effective as to be maintained for the entire run of the program.
The supporting cast of puppets included Oggie Owl, Fliffy Butterfly, Herkimer, Tearesa, Galumpagus, and the puppets of Addis Williams. Pixanne had at least two alter-egos as well — one was a witch called Windy, whom Norman also acted out. Guest appearances included singer Tiny Tim
Tiny Tim (musician)
Tiny Tim , , born in Manhattan, was an American singer and ukulele player. He was most famous for his rendition of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" sung in a distinctive high falsetto/vibrato voice.-Rise to fame:Born to Lebanese parents in 1932, Khaury displayed musical talent at a very young age...
.
Songs Norman sang on the show included "Swinging on a Star
Swinging on a Star
"Swinging on a Star" is an American pop standard with music composed by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Johnny Burke. It was sung by Bing Crosby in the 1944 film Going My Way, winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song that year, and has been recorded by numerous artists since...
," "If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a Cake
If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a Cake
"If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a Cake" is a popular song written by Al Hoffman, Bob Merrill, and Clem Watts and published in 1950.The big hit version in 1950 was recorded by Eileen Barton in January 1950. The recording was released by National Records as catalog number 9103...
," "I've Gotta Crow" from the musical Peter Pan
Peter Pan (1954 musical)
Peter Pan is a musical adaptation of J. M. Barrie's 1904 play Peter Pan and Barrie's own novelization of it, Peter and Wendy. The music is mostly by Mark "Moose" Charlap, with additional music by Jule Styne, and most of the lyrics were written by Carolyn Leigh, with additional lyrics by Betty...
, and "Look at That Face" from the musical The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd. The show's background music included Maurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel
Joseph-Maurice Ravel was a French composer known especially for his melodies, orchestral and instrumental textures and effects...
's Le Tombeau de Couperin
Le Tombeau de Couperin
Le tombeau de Couperin is a suite for solo piano by Maurice Ravel, composed between 1914 and 1917, in six movements. Each movement is dedicated to the memory of friends of the composer who had died fighting in World War I...
and a selection from Carl Orff
Carl Orff
Carl Orff was a 20th-century German composer, best known for his cantata Carmina Burana . In addition to his career as a composer, Orff developed an influential method of music education for children.-Early life:...
's Music for Children, the theme of Pixanne's daily cartoon introduction with her march with a magical flag. On the show Norman also introduced adventure films and made children's crafts, such as puppets and hats.
Pixanne received ratings of 10-12 and a 62% share of audience near the end of its run.
Cancellation and syndication
When WCAU management changed in 1969, the new management took Pixanne off the air, much to the protests of millions of viewers. But the show soon came back in syndication, with WNEW-TV in New York as the flagship station. The show went off the air in 1976.Norman's later career
Jane Norman went on to produce family-oriented network television shows, including The National Kids’ Quiz, which Michael LandonMichael Landon
Michael Landon was an American actor, writer, director, and producer. He is widely known for his roles as Little Joe Cartwright in Bonanza , Charles Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie , and Jonathan Smith in Highway to Heaven...
moderated, on NBC. She also wrote a best-selling book, The Private Life of the American Teenager, and appeared on more than 95 radio and television talk shows including the NBC News Today show in conjunction with the book. She is now a successful recording artist whose music for adults is played on hundreds of radio stations across the country.