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Airchecks, Haseoke, Rare Vinyl, and MORE!  A fun look at the best of Disc Jockeys, Newsmen, Big Voices, Game Show Men and the Rest of the Best! A picture-filled tribute to Buffalo Television in the 70s and early 80s as inspired by Wil Ferrell's hit movie ANCHORMAN. Established to record, duplicate, and preserve for the future; the oral histories of families, civic & community groups, veterans organizations, and businesses. We offer Digital Remastering of old analog audio; Custom Voice Work, Web Design, and a whole lot more!

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Santa's Workshop
WBEN-TV Presents.... SANTA
By Steve Cichon
Alternately known as "A Visit with Santa," "Santa's Workshop," or some combination thereof, The Santa Show brought the magic of the north pole into Buffalo living rooms on WBEN-TV from 1948 to 1973. The show ran for 15 minutes daily at 5pm from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve, and was the brainchild of WBEN-TV pioneer Fred Keller. Santa was played by two men during the show's 25 year run. Ed Dinsmore played the Jolliest of Elves from 1948 until his untimely death in 1954. WBEN staffer Bill Peters stepped in, and played the role for 19 years. Besides the Big Man, Warren Jacboer played "Freezy the Polar Bear," both Gene Brook and Bud Hagman played "Grumbles the Elf," and, arguably the most memorable cast member was Forgetful the Elf... as played by Johnny Eisenberger.

The Show was simple by our modern day TV standards... Most of the 15 minutes consisted of Santa reading letters from WNY boys and girls. But its long run... and the feelings it engendered... Makes it an all-time Buffalo classic. (Channel 4 helped deliver, on average, 50,000 letters a year to Ol' St. Nick.) The show was the first regular program broadcast in color in Buffalo starting in 1956.

The Two Men who Played Santa
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Ed Dinsmore: Santa 1948-1954Bill Peters: Santa 1954-1973

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Grumbles, Santa, Forgetful
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Santa Leaves
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Santa checks to see if you've been bad or good..
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Santa, the elves, and Freezy The Polar Bear
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Grumbles and Forgetful
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Johnny Eisenberger as Forgetful the Elf
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Santa, Elves, and toys
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Bill Peters as Santa
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Grumbles grumbling.
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Feet..
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Santa checks his list
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More List checking
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Santa and his helper
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The Elves fix up a nutcracker

Have a Santa on Channel 4 story, picture, or sound to share with the world? E-mail us! We'd love to add your memories!


Also be sure to visit the rest of staffannouncer.com for More pictures, memories and fun!

Irv, Rick, and Tom
Irv, Rick, and Tom Pictures...
Plus the History of WKBW-TV in hundreds of Photos!
WBEN at 75!
WBEN at 75!
Check out the dozens of pictures, sounds, and stories of one of Buffalo's great radio stations... With this 75th Anniversary tribute to WBEN!
Xmas '54
Christmas 1954
Ads and epherema taken from the pages of December 1954 editions of the
Courier Express


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Steve Cichon & Staffannouncer.com