The Famous Adventures of Mister Magoo

Synopsis of Saturday Morning Show

Mr. Magoo was a snooty, incredibly near-sighted character who was constantly getting himself into comedic trouble due to his intense myopia and chronic stubborness. Despite his lack of vision, Magoo had been entrusted as the caretaker of his little nephew Waldo, who was always drawn in to his uncle’s mishaps.

Jim Backus, perhaps best known as millionaire Thurston Howell III from Gilligan’s Island, provided the ornery voice for Magoo before, during, and after the actor’s island stay.

In this NBC night time incarnation of the popular character, Magoo was the host, narrator, and star of tales taken from both history and literature. As with the 1963 TV special, Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol, in which the cranky character played Scrooge, Magoo would take on such actors’ dream parts as Don Quixote, Cyrano DeBergerac, William Tell, and many more. The show even took on such weighty material as Ulysses and Moby Dick. Unfortunately, the program left the air after only one season, and Magoo had to wait until 1977 to get another series, What's New, Mr. Magoo?

See also: Mr. Magoo, What’s New, Mr. Magoo?

Release History

9/19/64 - 8/21/65 NBC

TV Sub Categories

animated

TV Studio

United Productions of America

Television Cast

Mr. Magoo Jim Backus

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