The first time I saw Burr Tillstrom in person was on a Saturday early in 1948 when the Kuklapolitans were making a personal appearance at the Lyon and Healey music store in Evanston, Illinois. I was seven years old at the time.

The last time I saw Burr Tillstrom in person was on a Saturday early in 1980 when the Kuklapolitans were taping their "Crisis at the Egg Plant" Easter special in studio A in the Merchandise Mart. My son Nicholas was seven years old at the time.

Though Burr had not had a regularly-scheduled television program for roughly a twenty five years, his periodic specials were religiously watched in our home. My son was just as enchanted by the Kuklapolitans as I had been a generation earlier.

I therefore took Nick to work that Saturday so he could see his television friends in the flesh (unfortunately, Fran Allison was ill at the time and did not appear in "Crisis at the Egg Plant"). During the lunch break (held in studio Q, a smaller studio, originally designated studio B, adjacent to studio A), we sat at Burr's table with Monte Newman, vice-president and general manager of WMAQ-TV. Monte had brought a still camera with him---it sat on the tavle as we were eating.

When lunch was completed, Burr turned to Nick and asked, "How would you like to have your picture taken with Kukla and Ollie? Meet us in studio A. We'll be right there."

Nick, Monte (with his camera) and I rushed across the hall to the "Crisis at the Egg Plant" set. Moments later, Burr, Kukla and Ollie arrived. And Monte shot the photo you see above.

Several years later, following Burr's death, I had occasion to interview Fran Allison. I showed her the photograph. She autographed it on the back.

The links below will tell and show you more about these remarkable performers.