GE

Though I have written about it in my books, many people don't realize that the General Electric Company not only sponsored the first three Rankin/Bass TV Specials on NBC, but they went on to form an Entertainment division called Tomorrow Entertainment, to sponsor the Rankin/Bass specials through 1974. The General Electric Color Fantasy hour was where the first three Rankin/Bass TV Specials aired on NBC-TV. #rankinbassproductions #history #television www.miserbros.com

General Electric signage circa 1964

GE financed all of the Rankin/Bass TV specials under their entertainment division, known as Tomorrow Entertainment.  This signage is circa when GE sponsored Return to Oz and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 

Rankin/Bass' Marco

With the discovery of the MARCO Animagic figures over the weekend, I dug out this rare press photo from my archives of Desi Arnaz, Jr. and fiancee Liza Minnelli. Arthur Rankin always told me about them dating on the set, but the press release said on July 15, 1972, they posed on the Kublai Khan palace set after announcing their engagement. I did some research and I think Liza divorced her first husband in 1974. The early 1970s were interesting times to say the least.

RANKIN/BASS' FESTIVAL OF FAMILY CLASSICS!

Our friend Joanne has some cool RANKIN/BASS things in her collection! She will be parting with some of it and I will post the material on my blog :)

ARTHUR RANKIN and JULES BASS