Ding Dong School
Are you old enough to remember these wonderful shows? I remember my little sister, Nancy, and our little brother, Mel, watching Ding Dong School. I wonder if Nancy learned some of her basic art from Miss Frances.
This lens is dedicated to Nancy - known better to you as Ohme!
Ding Dong School video is still available - wonderful, huh?
What memories are stirred when you hear this little tune?
Ding Dong School on the Internet
- Classic TV Shows - Ding Dong School, Miss Francis
- 1950's television show highlights
- Bonnie's On It: Ding Dong School Alum
- Bonnie remembers Ding Dong School
- Ding Dong School
- Billed as "The Nursery School of the Air," Ding Dong School was the brainchild of Judith Waller, an NBC executive. She engaged Frances Horwich, professor of education at Chicago's Roosevelt College, to develop an on-screen child-participation format that would appeal to preschoolers and their parents.
- Retroland | Ding Dong School
- When producer Reinald Werrenrath's three-year-old daughter saw the opening sequence of his new kids' show, she exclaimed "Ding dong school."%uFFFDAnd that became the name of the show. %uFFFD The show, just like ...
Wheaties Commercial
Ding Dong School Commercial with Miss Francis
Children's TV today is often violent and angry. Do you miss shows like Ding Dong School?
Ding Dong School Products are still available!
Click on your favorite Ding Dong School product for more information or to purchase.
Miss Frances' storybook of manners for the very young (A Ding Dong School book)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/08/2009) 
1955 Miss Frances Ding Dong School NBC TV Mennen Print Ad
Amazon Price: (as of 11/08/2009)
Daddy's Birthday Cakes: A Ding Dong School book
Amazon Price: (as of 11/08/2009)
Dressing Up (Ding Dong School Library, Number 206)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/08/2009)
Teacher Mrs. Frances Horwich on the TV Show "Ding Dong School." Premium Photographic Poster Print by Joe Scherschel, 24x32
Amazon Price: (as of 11/08/2009)
Miss Frances on Wikipedia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Frances Rappaport Horwich (born Frances Rappaport, 16 July 1907-22 July 2001) was the host of the popular children's television program "Miss Frances' Ding Dong School."
Miss Frances was born in Ottawa, Ohio. She earned her Master's degree in education from Columbia University and received her Doctorate at Northwestern University. She became the head of the department of education at Chicago's Roosevelt College.[1]
"Miss Frances' Ding Dong School" was developed by the show's producer, Reinald Werrenrath, Jr. together with Judith Waller, director of public affairs programming for the NBC Central Division[2] and began to air in the Chicago area on NBC. The show quickly gained popularity among young children and was quickly broadcast nationally, Monday through Friday, in November of 1952. In that year, she won the George Foster Peabody Award.[3] The show at one time is suspected of having a 95 percent share on all preschoolers. In 1954, Miss Frances moved to New York, where she supervised all of NBC's children's programming. She held this position until 1956, when the show was canceled in favor of The Price is Right. Horwich owned the rights to Ding Dong School and syndicated the show until 1965.
By 1970, Miss Frances returned to Chicago and became involved with local programming once again. She eventually retired with her husband, Harvey, to Scottsdale, Arizona. She died of congestive heart failure on 22 July 2001 at the age of 94.
Miss Frances is famed for her uncompromising principles. In addition to resigning from NBC in protest of what she felt was commercialism over education, she would never advertise products a child could not use and would never advertise toys she felt glorified violence. She is also cited as inventing the approach of talking to the viewing audience as if they were there with you. Other notable users of this style were Mr. Rogers and Sesame Street. Miss Frances was mentioned by name in three different Peanuts strips. Miss Frances was inducted into the Silver Circle of the Chicago Chapter of the National Academy of the Television Arts and Sciences on June 2, 2001. In 2006, an Ohio Historical Marker was placed by the local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter in her hometown of Ottawa, Ohio.[4]
A Ding Dong School Treasure
Premium Photographic Print">Teacher Mrs. Frances Horwich on the TV Show "Ding Dong School."
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Do you remember Miss Francis and Ding Dong School?
partybuzz wrote...
Oh, yes, I remember Ding Dong School! I loved it! I used to pretend I was really at school, since I wasn't old enough to actually attend. Thanks for the memories! 5*
Posted October 06, 2009
luvmyludwig wrote...
I've never heard of it, but judging from the clips I 'd have love it. I like shows with good old fashioned values. I love little house on the prairie and the waltons . Great job on this lens :)
Posted July 01, 2009
KimGiancaterino wrote...
I've never heard of Ding Dong School, but enjoyed your lens!
Posted July 01, 2009
Connie wrote
I had totally forgotten about Miss Frances and Ding Dong School. What great memories you have restored.
Posted June 30, 2009
GrowWear wrote...
I must have been living under a turnip. I never knew of the Ding Dong School. ...What a super lady!
Posted June 28, 2009
BlissNow wrote...
This was before my time, but it sure brought back memories of some of my good, clean favorites like Lassie and Little House on the Prairie. Well done and thanks for filling us in on Mrs Frances, she was a neat lady!
Posted June 25, 2009
puzzlemaker wrote...
Ding Dong school was before my time. My favorites were Mr. Rogers, School House Rock, Electric Company, Sesame Street, Gilligan's Island, Beverly Hillbillies and more. Very very few of today's shows interest me. They are so crude and brain numbing. I'll have to look into Ding Dong School for my dd.
Posted June 24, 2009
Joan4 wrote...
in reply to sittonbull For sure -- you and I would remember that test pattern! and Howdy Doody and Clarabell! and of course American Bandstand! Those were our years, for sure, my friend!
Posted June 24, 2009
sittonbull wrote...
I remember being called a ding dong... but don't remember Ding Dong School! Like BJ, I came along in the early days w/the test pattern and Howdy Doody! Of course you know I came along in the Cro-Mangan era don't you?
Posted June 24, 2009
Treasures-By-Brenda wrote...
Nicely done & blessed. I'm afraid I'm with those who have never heard of Ding Dong School...except on Twitter and Facebook and Masterminds lately!
Posted June 23, 2009
Shelly wrote
Sadly, we didn't get Ding Dong School at Kabetogama--I think maybe the Pony Express was still delivering the mail up there and rabbit ears were still attached to bunnies in those days. I think children today would still enjoy Miss Frances. Another charmer to your credit!
Posted June 23, 2009
sandyspider wrote...
I never heard of the Ding Dong School. That must of been before my time.LOL Thanks for the background on this children show. Nicely done!
Posted June 22, 2009
Susan52 wrote...
The name and the bell are familiar, somewhere in the dark reaches of my brain. Fun topic for a lens!
Posted June 22, 2009
Sojourn wrote...
Feeling deprived - I'd never heard of this show, but how cute for kids. :) I love how she talks. So much sweeter than Sponge bob. I was more shocked by the Kix commercial in the first video. Kix has been around that long? I thought it was new the first time I had it (maybe 35 years ago). Cute lens!
Posted June 22, 2009
Lensmaster Joan4, aka Joan Adams, has been a member since October 16 2007, has rated 3,637 lenses, favorited 3,736, and has created 183 lenses from scratch. Joan Adams donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "Halloween Songs". See all my lenses
by Joan4
I am a happy South Carolina Grandma! I enjoy writing about family issues, self-improvement and music! I love a good sing-along! My husband is legally...
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