CAPTAIN JET
SPACE FUNNIES

STAN SAWYER - "CAPTAIN JET"
JOE SILVER - "CAPTAIN JET"

"Space Funnies" was a 60 minute episode hosted children's space themed show on WCBS-TV Channel 2, in New York, New York, USA; under the title "Space Funnies" from 5 July 1953 until 9 October 1955, then changing name to "Captain Jet" from 10 October 1955 until 31 December 1960. The hosts of the show as "Captain Jet" were Stan Sawyer from 5 July 1953, until 12 June 1955, then Joe Silver from 19 June 1955 until 31 December 1960. Other characters included "Flip The Frog" and "Willie Whopper". The show ran on Saturday and Sunday mornings, originally screening "Laurel & Hardy" films. The show was aimed at children, with the home audience and a child to appear on set selected via mail, where members of the Captain's "Space Hoppers Club". The selected child joined the Captain in adventures in outer space as the co-pilot aboard the Starduster; for craft making, hobbies, stories, informational segments, games, contests and interviews with guest performers and personalities. This was done in between the reruns of films starring "Laurel & Hardy", "Charley Chase", "Thelma Todd", "Zasu Pitts", "Patsy Kelly", and "Leon Errol". When Joe Silver took over as "Captain Jet", he created his own visual effects using ordinary household items. STAN SAWYER Stan Sawyer, was a radio announcer and actor in New York City who was known as "the man of a thousand voices." Around the time he was recording commercials for RCA Victor televisions and Salem cigarettes, he also starred as Captain Jet in "Space Funnies," a popular local New York children's television show. STAN SAWYER as CAPTAIN JET JOE SILVER Joe Silver was born on 28 September 1922 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Broadway, motion picture, television, and voice actor from the 1950s to the 1980s, distinguished by a deep, resonant voice. He started his acting career on stage at age 20 in "Tobacco Road," and on CBS television's "Mr. I. Magination." He was a character actor and puppeteer for "Space Funnies" (in the role of Captain Jet) from 1955 to 1960. Probably more famous for playing Michael Caine's agent in the movie "Deathtrap" (1982) and the junk dealer Mr. Farber in "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz" (1974), opposite a then-new talent, Richard Dreyfuss. Although his movie, television, and voice work career were extensive, his heart and soul belonged to Broadway and the theater, and he eventually received a Tony nomination for the 1972-73 production of "Lenny" for his multiple characterizations (he played nine different roles). Other works include "Shivers" (1975), "You Light Up My Life" (1977), "Diary of a Bachelor" (1964), and a guest-starring role as a villain in an episode of the Bloodhound Gang segment on the first season of 3-2-1 Contact (1980). Silver passed away on 27 February 1989 in New York, New York, USA. JOE SILVER as CAPTAIN JET Joseph K. Chomyn, Major Roy Dix & Joe Silver (director 2nd from left) (second from right) (right)

LINKS

Internet Movie Data Base "Space Funnies"	The University of Alabama "Stan Sawyer"	Internet Movie Data Base "Captain Jet"
Internet Movie Data Base "Stan Sawyer"	TVparty! "The Laurel & Hardy Shows"	Internet Movie Data Base "Joe Silver"

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