In the mid-nineties I was attending a recurrent training class 0f about 40 pilots at Continental Airlines when the instructor asked how many of us became pilots because of Sky King. Over half the people in the room raised their hands.
I started flying in 1975 at Ragsdale Aviation in Austin, Texas. I took a $5.00 demo flight and just signed up then. In their conference room was a Sky King poster.
This was a great interview with Gloria Winters. I loved the Sky King show when I was kid. This and Laurel and Hardy were my favorite shows on Saturday morning TV. And to top it off, Sky King aka Kirby Grant lived one street over from us in Northridge, California around 1959-1960. Met him once when he was out in the alley washing his Corvette. Me and my friends rode up on our bikes and said, we know you're Sky King. Can we have your autograph? Smiling, he said "just a minute boys" and went into the house brought back autographed cartoon caricatures of him and he signed them "Happy Landings" Your pal, Sky King. Very nice man.
In this interview, Gloria mentioned the pilot of a commercial plane, mentioning that Gloria had inspired him to become a pilot. Well, I was never a pilot, but I do blame Sky King for my 42 years in aviation. I became a mechanic.
N Ditto here. I watched the series and became fascinated with common biplane crop dusters. I joined the ANG in high school before Vietnam. Worked as a jet engine mechanic while in uniform. Still fascinated with Aviation and looking at plastic model airplane kits. I live in Tucson surrounded by major aviation attractions.
I’m 72 and watched Penny every Saturday morning. I had a really big crush on her. We named our first born daughter after her. Wonderful wholesome show.
I'm also 67, lol. I learned to love the sound of two propellers which are slightly out of sync. I always preferred live actors over cartoons on Saturday mornings. I even fantasized about hanging out with Penny and doing cool stuff with her like I was her little brother.
I'm 68 and grew up at the end of Biggs Army Airfield (BIF), a military airbase runway located on the Fort Bliss military base in El Paso Texas. As a child I got to see every military airplane known to mankind take off or land right over our tiny house at the end of the runway. I got to witness and hear several B-36's started their 6 turning and 4 burning engines fly right over our tiny house shacking everything in it. Later B-52s come in 24-7 for repair during the Vietnam war. As they landed I could clearly see the massive corrosion inside zinc chromate primer green painted wheel wells! At at that time I was a total SKY KING FAN and never missed one episode. Also Popeye and later The The Flint Stones were all the rage in Black & White TV shows too. I can not tell a lie, but I also had a crush on Penny, knowing she could fly an airplane... I eventually Married an Airline flight attendant and moved to Seattle to be near Boeing to teach my 3 children about the importance of flying... Thank You SKY KING and Penny. Sincerely Dan
When I was 12 she was my first crush..the show was a hghlight of my week. Unlike the other fans I did not become a pilot, but often remembered the show.
Over the years he would come to my home town ( Oakland, Il) with his family to visit his in laws. In 1961 all is kids lined up to get his autograph while he was sitting on the porch. Last time we talked was in 1984 when he came to visit Oakland again then about maybe 10 months later he died in a auto accident in FL. The mother of his children is buried few minutes from my home.
@@rogerashmore6720 amazing hometown story, Thanks! Because of Sky King, I couldn't wait to fly in a plane! My first flight ended in crash wreckage upside down, hanging from seatbelts! God must love me, wreckage all around me an I walked away without a scratch! But I still love flying! (Heck, I know what crashes are like, been there done that!)
@@timbarnett3898 mercy and you got back to flying again? Not me! In 1960 he was sitting on his mother in laws porch and all the kids in our small home town lined up for a signed pictures autograph. My grandmother was very good friends with his mother in law Mrs Gillis therefore I played with his children. He was very kind and giving. I do think now the last time we talked was spring of 1985 and he passed away in fall of 1985. Great sharing old memories with you. I am almost 69 years old.
@@rogerashmore6720 what was the weekly show title of spaceman, with decoder rings, decoding messages every week? Haha, an we can't forget Bronson on his Sporty Harley travelling America!
I’m 69. Sky King and Roy Rogers were my Favorite growing up. I guess it hooked me on wide open places and adventure. Been outlaw trucking coast to coast since 1977. Those TV shows taught you a lot about respect and responsibility. Good from bad. These days TV is doing more harm than good. Thanks for the memories.
One of my favorite shows as a little boy. I loved the sound of the Song Bird, and Penny as a strong female character able to do what needed to be done. Not the usual female falling down or screaming in need of a man's help. I received a Sky King DVD set from a friend recently. Time for a weekend binge watch. Thanks for posting this interview with Penny (Gloria)
AS A KID IT WAS MY FAVORITE SHOW.. SO MUCH SO AFTER I GOT OUT OF THE MARINE CORP. I BOUGHT A 1959 310D & THE SONGBIRD WAS A 310C.PHOTOS ON MY fb PAGE..
I can't thank you enough. I love all things aviation and grew up with Sky King and Penny...those were wonderful days and superb episodes! And the Cessna 310 remains one of the most beautiful airplanes every produced...
What a great memory to think back of the TV series. Funny, even though I don't recall any of the TV series I watched( I'm 70 now), I distinctly remember Sky King flying around going after the bad guys and from then on I loved flying in Airplanes. Great memories! Thank you Sky King and Penny!
Man oh man, that was one of my favorite shows growing up. I'm close enough to 60 to say I am and I still haven't grown up so that is still one of my favorite shows.
I used to get the old “bullet” microphone from an old wire recorder and do make believe radio calls to Sky and Penny when I was only a few years old. In more recent years, I have owned and restored classic aircraft. Currently I’ve restored and fly a 1955 Beechcraft Bonanza. I loved that show and know it was an inspiration for my passion for general aviation and the freedom of flight.
I watched Sky King every Saturday which led to my addiction of aviation, so I started learning to fly at 14 and soloed a 150 at FLL Int'l on my 16th Bday, went on to Eastern Airlines as an F/A from 1976 to 1989 based in SJU & MIA all thanks to Sky King ❤️😎.
I also was inspired by this show. Though I was never able to buy a 310, I was lucky enough to to fly a couple. ! I have been flying for 50 years now and owned my k model Skyhawk for 31 years . Thank you Penny and Sky for all the cool shows !
I loved Sky King and Penny as a child in 50s. My favorite Saturday morning lineup was Rin Tin Tin, Sky King, and Roy Rogers. Thank you for the wonderful interview 😊
I was just a little shaver when the shows first aired. I'd never miss an episode. I was in love with Penny, of course, in a five year old kind of way. I was shocked when that Cessna 310 replaced the Cessna Bobcat as the Songbird. The show inspired me to fly, and I recently retired as a United Airlines captain.
I loved and watched Sky King as a child. And it was at that point that I decided I wanted to marry a rancher which unfortunately I never did but I have had horses since 1976, and I Barrel race.💕🐎
I became a pilot largely because of Sky King. 55 years of aviation including building my own aircraft, I finally retired from flying because of health issues. I will never forget sitting in front of the tv watching those adventures. I remember from those days thinking that I just had to become a pilot. Coming from a poor family I could never afford lessons. But an airport manager who saw my enthusiasm for flying gave me lessons for odd jobs around the airport and allowed me to see my dreams fulfilled. I actually met Kirby Grant at a county fair and later got to examine the 310 that had been his airplane. One of the best highlights of my life.
For some reason your story about the airport manager giving you lessons for doing odd jobs around the airport brought me to tears. Wonderful recounting of your experience. Beautiful.
Just watched an episode -- for the first time in probably 55 years! And it was Penny's voice that most rang a bell. I wasn't expecting that. It was a good show, episode after episode.
*Sky King was one of my top shows back in the early 1960's, especially since my dad was a pilot back then, albeit a crop-duster pilot. And even as a boy I had a crush on "Penny".*
I really miss Sky King and all the good guys in the series. A lot of us became pilots, and even astronauts, after watching the show. You probably couldn't make it today...but then, it was an American's kid's dream to be flying with Uncle Sky! A sad postscript to this, is Sky King actor Kirby Grant was killed in an automobile accident in 1985 only a few miles from my home here in Central Florida. He was on his way to Cape Canaveral to accept an award from NASA. Sad, but he will always be remembered!
Husband speaking age 82 - today is 20 Dec. 2024. I also watched Sky King growing up. I was in the Air Force stationed in Moses Lake , Wash. maybe 1965 and a small traveling Circus came to the small town. I went to see what ever there was to see . I don’t remember anything except Sky King was there and you could get an autographed picture post card for 50 cents. I was pretty excited to meet him and get his signature- I was age 22. 😁
I was not born until after this series aired, however I have since found the series and it is great... Found it streaming on TH-cam. I love these episodes so much that I purchased the Full DVD Series...
Sky King got me a free helicopter ride over the Golden Gate Bridge. I worked at a gas station in San Francisco one day a guy came in with personal license plates Sky King, I told him I loved that show. We talked for a short while it turned out he ran a tourist helicopter service out of Fisherman’s Wharf he gave his business card and wrote two free passes on the back, my wife and I got treated like royalty the pilot thought we were big shots.
How did I miss this interview? My favorite show as a kid, as well as my brothers and sisters. I know it sounds cheesy, but we would sit behind two electric fans and "steer" the Songbird, copying Sky King take offs, aerial acrobatics and landings, when the show was on. I have been watching the reruns on TH-cam and I still love them!
I was surprised to find out the TV version started in 1951. I had no idea it was that old. I remember Steve Canyon started in '58, and I had thought Sky King was done about the same time. But it preceded Steve Canyon by quite a few years.
In April1970 I was 13 and lived in Athens Texas. My family went to the circus as it travelled through town and the Ring Master was Sky King. I was thrilled to get to meet him. I retired after flying for American Airlines for 35 years.
Saturday mornings Sky King was part of my program lineup along with cartoons. Around 1960 and I was 5. That was until 1962 when we moved to CA where they didn't carry the program.
I miss Sky King. I hope they come out with a season 1 and two, real soon. God bless you Ms. Gloria Winters. Thanks for sharing this gem of a interview.
Sky King would come to my home town Oakland, il several times over the years with his family to visit his in laws( Gillis)I would play with his children at the school yard. My grandmother Grace was very close friends with his mother in law. I have several signed photographs and a birth announcement of their first born child. He always had time to stop and visit. The last time I talked to him was in 1985 a few months later in passed away in in a automobile accident. His children stopped in Oakland maybe 6 years ago I assume to visit the gravesite of their grandparents and mother who are buried a few minutes from here. His wife was Carolyn Gillis. Miss them!
I got to meet Sky King and Penny at an air show in Wichita in 1960. I was 6 years old and remember it fondly. My father won free flying lessons from Cessna in a drawing that day.
I remember the show well. This and later the show Whirley Birds were some of my favorites as a young boy and became the foundation for my flying interests. The US Army let me fly helicopters in real life.Commercial Pilot license helicopter and airplanes and instructor ratings followed. What a step back in time.
I loved watching Sky King as a kid. I was about 7 years old and saw Sky King and Penny and got Penny’s autograph. I treasured that for years! Great interview.
I remember that when Sky King was on the air, you could buy a new Cessna 150 for less than $10k. Nothing changes faster and more quietly than the value of paper money.
As a child living in the South in the 50's I watched Sky King every chance I got, and it was so great to see Penny again after all this time~!!! Thanks for bringing her back. Liked and Subbed.
I adored Penny and wanted to emulate her. She is still a doll with her hallmark megawatt smile. This has been wonderful! Thank you for interviewing her.
Never commercial, but Sky King was a required watch, along with Whirlybirds. And every WWII aviation movie, plus “The Hunters” about F-86’s in Korea. Thankfully the 60’s was chalk full of aviation shows and movie. I made it my mission to be a pilot. I achieved that goal. My favorite flight was when. I took my former AF dad flying over the Arizona desert in the area of the Flying Crown ranch. I let him fly for a while. My favorite question he asked me was “How long before your palms don’t get sweaty?” To all the kids out there aspiring to fly. Don’t let that get away. It’s worth it.
I am now in my 60s. I watched SK in reruns some 50 years ago at a friend's house. Just watched a couple of episodes recently on TH-cam. It is a great series around 70 years after it first aired.
I remember an occasional episode with his nephew 'Clipper'.....Good trivia question.....Uncle Sky's first plane was a tail dragger but I was too young to remember what it was....Then he got a Cessna 310 I think....
I loved this show. Watched at age 5 and wanted to have a house with a plane on a bulkhead with a speedboat tied up. So i could just jump in the plane or boat and go. No car was in this fantasy. Maybe a horse... why not? I never thought getting a pilots license was reachable until I was 40. Took some lessons but was not able to finish. :(
Vehicles in King County in Washington State used to have a Golden Crown painted on them. At some point, a black smudge face replaced the golden crowns. Like many King County residents, I was disappointed to see the golden crown logos get removed. 🤠
Great video! I was also jazzed to see the Robin Hood pitcher at the end of this production. Is that the one Dean Jagger used as a prop in the movie, "Twelve O'Clock High"? If not, it is a great replica and I would die to have one if that is true! Thank-you!
I know it has been a year ago since you posted your remark, but did you know that stein on the mantle that you mentioned was used in "Twelve O'Clock High" was a symbol in the show to let everyone in the club know that the bar was closed because the squadron had just been notified that they had to fly a mission the next day?
A friend shared this video with me knowing I was a Sky King fan from my youth in the 50s. Still love airplanes and have friends who occasionally take me along in their gen av aircraft. Never could afford a pilot's license but I always enjoyed flying vicariously through Sky King and other aviation related shows. I hate heights but love flying, I'm a window seat nerd. Go figure!😁👍
Curious why they opted to stand in front of an aircraft other than a C-310 of similar vintage as Songbird II for this interview - even if not the same model year, it would have at least looked more like the Songbird II, a closer copy of which, I believe, is kind of visible behind Gloria.
Wow, the crazy transitions, costumes, and one note midi theme song! Very homespun production. Gloria Winters had a lot of class though. Always positive.
It's been years since I saw a video edited on an old Newtek Video Toaster. Putting these devices in the hands of non professionals always resulted in the editor attempting to use every one of the transitions available.
I'm quite heartened to read about so many who watched the show, who later became pilots!
In the mid-nineties I was attending a recurrent training class 0f about 40 pilots at Continental Airlines when the instructor asked how many of us became pilots because of Sky King. Over half the people in the room raised their hands.
I started flying in 1975 at Ragsdale Aviation in Austin, Texas. I took a $5.00 demo flight and just signed up then. In their conference room was a Sky King poster.
After all these years, she still had the same smile. I loved that smile!
Yes, sadly she has been gone for quite some time. The passage of time can be very cruel ! ( she lived for 78 yrs and went home 8/14/2010)
..She was one-of-a-kind!!
When I was young I really liked her. When I got older I realized why :) .
I’m 78, and a retired airline pilot. I watched Sky King every Saturday morning.
Brought to you by Nabisco!😄
@ Yep
This was a great interview with Gloria Winters. I loved the Sky King show when I was kid. This and Laurel and Hardy were my favorite shows on Saturday morning TV.
And to top it off, Sky King aka Kirby Grant lived one street over from us in Northridge, California around 1959-1960. Met him once when he was out in the alley washing his Corvette. Me and my friends rode up on our bikes and said, we know you're Sky King. Can we have your autograph? Smiling, he said "just a minute boys" and went into the house brought back autographed cartoon caricatures of him and he signed them "Happy Landings" Your pal, Sky King. Very nice man.
In this interview, Gloria mentioned the pilot of a commercial plane, mentioning that Gloria had inspired him to become a pilot. Well, I was never a pilot, but I do blame Sky King for my 42 years in aviation. I became a mechanic.
I was obsessed with aircraft but could never qualify. I did do some skydiving.
I became a pilot because of this show!
N Ditto here. I watched the series and became fascinated with common biplane crop dusters. I joined the ANG in high school before Vietnam. Worked as a jet engine mechanic while in uniform. Still fascinated with Aviation and looking at plastic model airplane kits. I live in Tucson surrounded by major aviation attractions.
@MakerBoyOldBoy I haven't lived in Tucson since June 1983.
I’m 72 and watched Penny every Saturday morning. I had a really big crush on her. We named our first born daughter after her. Wonderful wholesome show.
Great to see Penny. Brings back memories. I'm 67 and I still remember this cool series.
I am 73 And Remember it Too!
I’m 67 too and remember watching Sky King on Saturday mornings.
Brought to you by Nabisco.VROOM!
I'm also 67, lol. I learned to love the sound of two propellers which are slightly out of sync.
I always preferred live actors over cartoons on Saturday mornings. I even fantasized about hanging out with Penny and doing cool stuff with her like I was her little brother.
@@rb032682 I am 64 and loved to watch this show. It was responsible for me getting my pilots license. To this day I love to fly.
I'm 68 and grew up at the end of Biggs Army Airfield (BIF), a military airbase runway located on the Fort Bliss military base in El Paso Texas. As a child I got to see every military airplane known to mankind take off or land right over our tiny house at the end of the runway. I got to witness and hear several B-36's started their 6 turning and 4 burning engines fly right over our tiny house shacking everything in it. Later B-52s come in 24-7 for repair during the Vietnam war. As they landed I could clearly see the massive corrosion inside zinc chromate primer green painted wheel wells! At at that time I was a total SKY KING FAN and never missed one episode. Also Popeye and later The The Flint Stones were all the rage in Black & White TV shows too. I can not tell a lie, but I also had a crush on Penny, knowing she could fly an airplane... I eventually Married an Airline flight attendant and moved to Seattle to be near Boeing to teach my 3 children about the importance of flying... Thank You SKY KING and Penny. Sincerely Dan
When I was 12 she was my first crush..the show was a hghlight of my week. Unlike the other fans I did not become a pilot, but often remembered the show.
I to was a young kid watching Sky King every Saturday morning, what a thrill. I retired from a major air carrier after 37 years, THANK YOU SKY KING
WHAT A SMILE PENNY ALWAYS HAD
Gloria was a very down to earth lady! Very interesting to hear her stories about Sky King! RIP Gloria. Great interview!
Ski King was all our favorite TV show growing up!
0p
Over the years he would come to my home town ( Oakland, Il) with his family to visit his in laws. In 1961 all is kids lined up to get his autograph while he was sitting on the porch. Last time we talked was in 1984 when he came to visit Oakland again then about maybe 10 months later he died in a auto accident in FL. The mother of his children is buried few minutes from my home.
@@rogerashmore6720 amazing hometown story, Thanks! Because of Sky King, I couldn't wait to fly in a plane! My first flight ended in crash wreckage upside down, hanging from seatbelts! God must love me, wreckage all around me an I walked away without a scratch! But I still love flying! (Heck, I know what crashes are like, been there done that!)
@@timbarnett3898 mercy and you got back to flying again? Not me! In 1960 he was sitting on his mother in laws porch and all the kids in our small home town lined up for a signed pictures autograph. My grandmother was very good friends with his mother in law Mrs Gillis therefore I played with his children. He was very kind and giving. I do think now the last time we talked was spring of 1985 and he passed away in fall of 1985. Great sharing old memories with you. I am almost 69 years old.
@@rogerashmore6720 what was the weekly show title of spaceman, with decoder rings, decoding messages every week? Haha, an we can't forget Bronson on his Sporty Harley travelling America!
I’m 69. Sky King and Roy Rogers were my Favorite growing up. I guess it hooked me on wide open places and adventure. Been outlaw trucking coast to coast since 1977. Those TV shows taught you a lot about respect and responsibility. Good from bad. These days TV is doing more harm than good. Thanks for the memories.
Good old fashioned hard work
I remember Gloria “Penny “ Winters as Penny from Saturday mornings watching Sky King. She was a real cutie, as she still was in the interview.
I loved aviation as a kid. Loved this show. I did get my pilot’s license. Thank you Sky King!
Me too!
One of my favorite shows as a little boy. I loved the sound of the Song Bird, and Penny as a strong female character able to do what needed to be done. Not the usual female falling down or screaming in need of a man's help. I received a Sky King DVD set from a friend recently. Time for a weekend binge watch. Thanks for posting this interview with Penny (Gloria)
AS A KID IT WAS MY FAVORITE SHOW.. SO MUCH SO AFTER I GOT OUT OF THE MARINE CORP. I BOUGHT A 1959 310D & THE SONGBIRD WAS A 310C.PHOTOS ON MY fb PAGE..
Wasn't a 310B?
@@timrusling1459 Yes, it was a 310-B
I loved watching Sky King so much as a small child
I can't thank you enough. I love all things aviation and grew up with Sky King and Penny...those were wonderful days and superb episodes! And the Cessna 310 remains one of the most beautiful airplanes every produced...
What a great memory to think back of the TV series. Funny, even though I don't recall any of the TV series I watched( I'm 70 now), I distinctly remember Sky King flying around going after the bad guys and from then on I loved flying in Airplanes. Great memories! Thank you Sky King and Penny!
Man oh man, that was one of my favorite shows growing up. I'm close enough to 60 to say I am and I still haven't grown up so that is still one of my favorite shows.
I used to get the old “bullet” microphone from an old wire recorder and do make believe radio calls to Sky and Penny when I was only a few years old. In more recent years, I have owned and restored classic aircraft. Currently I’ve restored and fly a 1955 Beechcraft Bonanza. I loved that show and know it was an inspiration for my passion for general aviation and the freedom of flight.
I watched Sky King every Saturday which led to my addiction of aviation, so I started learning to fly at 14 and soloed a 150 at FLL Int'l on my 16th Bday, went on to Eastern Airlines as an F/A from 1976 to 1989 based in SJU & MIA all thanks to Sky King ❤️😎.
Penny, I am one of those youth that watched the show to later fly. Thanks for the inspiration!
I also was inspired by this show. Though I was never able to buy a 310, I was lucky enough to to fly a couple. ! I have been flying for 50 years now and owned my k model Skyhawk for 31 years . Thank you Penny and Sky for all the cool shows !
I remember this series on Sat morning. I became a commercial pilot and this series was an inspiration.
I loved Sky King and Penny as a child in 50s. My favorite Saturday morning lineup was Rin Tin Tin, Sky King, and Roy Rogers. Thank you for the wonderful interview 😊
Don’t forget Circus Boy and My Friend Flicka! Those were great days of TV! It gave you something to look forward to on those Saturday mornings!
I was just a little shaver when the shows first aired. I'd never miss an episode. I was in love with Penny, of course, in a five year old kind of way. I was shocked when that Cessna 310 replaced the Cessna Bobcat as the Songbird. The show inspired me to fly, and I recently retired as a United Airlines captain.
I enjoyed the interview. When I was a child I regularly watched the series. In high school I dated Kirby Grant’s niece.
I loved and watched Sky King as a child. And it was at that point that I decided I wanted to marry a rancher which unfortunately I never did but I have had horses since 1976, and I Barrel race.💕🐎
I became a pilot largely because of Sky King. 55 years of aviation including building my own aircraft, I finally retired from flying because of health issues. I will never forget sitting in front of the tv watching those adventures. I remember from those days thinking that I just had to become a pilot. Coming from a poor family I could never afford lessons. But an airport manager who saw my enthusiasm for flying gave me lessons for odd jobs around the airport and allowed me to see my dreams fulfilled. I actually met Kirby Grant at a county fair and later got to examine the 310 that had been his airplane. One of the best highlights of my life.
For some reason your story about the airport manager giving you lessons for doing odd jobs around the airport brought me to tears. Wonderful recounting of your experience. Beautiful.
Just watched an episode -- for the first time in probably 55 years! And it was Penny's voice that most rang a bell. I wasn't expecting that. It was a good show, episode after episode.
What a lovely woman. RIP Gloria Winters
Penny, You and Sky were my inspiration to become a pilot, which I later did.
*Sky King was one of my top shows back in the early 1960's, especially since my dad was a pilot back then, albeit a crop-duster pilot. And even as a boy I had a crush on "Penny".*
Dusters are real pilots.....the Kids with jets couldn't handle that type of flying for the most part
All us guys had a crush on Penny.
Everyone fell in love with Penny, so cute and a sweetheart.
She was still cute and sweet even in old age. Sadly Gloria passed away on August 14, 2010 age 78.
I really miss Sky King and all the good guys in the series. A lot of us became pilots, and even astronauts, after watching the show. You probably couldn't make it today...but then, it was an American's kid's dream to be flying with Uncle Sky! A sad postscript to this, is Sky King actor Kirby Grant was killed in an automobile accident in 1985 only a few miles from my home here in Central Florida. He was on his way to Cape Canaveral to accept an award from NASA. Sad, but he will always be remembered!
Bummer. Sky King and Whirley Birds was my weekly fix....
..Oohh, how sad! Forgot about how he met his demise. Glad I saw him in person in 1975!
@@craigwall9536 Same with me and my brother.
Husband speaking age 82 - today is 20 Dec. 2024. I also watched Sky King growing up. I was in the Air Force stationed in Moses Lake , Wash. maybe 1965 and a small traveling Circus came to the small town. I went to see what ever there was to see . I don’t remember anything except Sky King was there and you could get an autographed picture post card for 50 cents. I was pretty excited to meet him and get his signature- I was age 22. 😁
I came to this page to reply to a comment and ended up watching the entire video again. She was such a sweetheart.
I was not born until after this series aired, however I have since found the series and it is great... Found it streaming on TH-cam. I love these episodes so much that I purchased the Full DVD Series...
Just a note... The Full DVD Series (all 3 seasons) are available on Amazon!
Sky King got me a free helicopter ride over the Golden Gate Bridge. I worked at a gas station in San Francisco one day a guy came in with personal license plates Sky King, I told him I loved that show. We talked for a short while it turned out he ran a tourist helicopter service out of Fisherman’s Wharf he gave his business card and wrote two free passes on the back, my wife and I got treated like royalty the pilot thought we were big shots.
How did I miss this interview? My favorite show as a kid, as well as my brothers and sisters. I know it sounds cheesy, but we would sit behind two electric fans and "steer" the Songbird, copying Sky King take offs, aerial acrobatics and landings, when the show was on. I have been watching the reruns on TH-cam and I still love them!
One of my favorite tv shows when I was a kid, Saturday mornings I believe. Sky King, brought to you by Nabisco!
I watched on every occasions and like many my age wished I could fly with Penny. She still has it!
This series and Ripcord with Ken (Festus) Curtis were my two favorite flying based programs of the 60ies!
I had my kids watch her, to see how she could so quickly change her facial exspressions, She was so good for that show, lots of energy.
William Bendix did play Riley in "The Life of Riley" on TV. Watched it many times. Never saw Jackie Gleason in that roll...
I was surprised to find out the TV version started in 1951. I had no idea it was that old. I remember Steve Canyon started in '58, and I had thought Sky King was done about the same time. But it preceded Steve Canyon by quite a few years.
I ad the pleasure of flying (briefly) with Kirby when he was touring in 1977 to promote re-release of the Sky King series. He was a danged good pilot.
I met Kirby Grant at a western convention in Charlotte, N.C. in the 80's
In April1970 I was 13 and lived in Athens Texas. My family went to the circus as it travelled through town and the Ring Master was Sky King. I was thrilled to get to meet him. I retired after flying for American Airlines for 35 years.
I just loved that show.
Saturday mornings Sky King was part of my program lineup along with cartoons. Around 1960 and I was 5. That was until 1962 when we moved to CA where they didn't carry the program.
Hated when they switched to the Cessna 310. Loved that Beechcraft that they originally used.
Still a very beautiful, charming lady with a heart warming smile. Thank for the interview.
I miss Sky King. I hope they come out with a season 1 and two, real soon.
God bless you Ms. Gloria Winters. Thanks for sharing this gem of a interview.
Sky King would come to my home town Oakland, il several times over the years with his family to visit his in laws( Gillis)I would play with his children at the school yard. My grandmother Grace was very close friends with his mother in law. I have several signed photographs and a birth announcement of their first born child. He always had time to stop and visit. The last time I talked to him was in 1985 a few months later in passed away in in a automobile accident. His children stopped in Oakland maybe 6 years ago I assume to visit the gravesite of their grandparents and mother who are buried a few minutes from here. His wife was Carolyn Gillis. Miss them!
Captain Fred, Thank you so much for the interview, it was delightful.
I got to meet Sky King and Penny at an air show in Wichita in 1960. I was 6 years old and remember it fondly. My father won free flying lessons from Cessna in a drawing that day.
I remember the show well. This and later the show Whirley Birds were some of my favorites as a young boy and became the foundation for my flying interests. The US Army let me fly helicopters in real life.Commercial Pilot license helicopter and airplanes and instructor ratings followed. What a step back in time.
I loved watching Sky King as a kid. I was about 7 years old and saw Sky King and Penny and got Penny’s autograph. I treasured that for years! Great interview.
I’m a boomer child & this TV show was a great show. Fond childhood memories.
I loved this program ! Watched every week. Old as the hills now, but when I was young I was a Stew - never tire of flying.
I remember that when Sky King was on the air, you could buy a new Cessna 150 for less than $10k. Nothing changes faster and more quietly than the value of paper money.
And $10k per year was good money.
My favorite show on Saturday afternoons never missed it.
I loved this show when I was growing up....
I am nearly 70 and I remember Sky King. I watched it anytime I could find it on.
As a child living in the South in the 50's I watched Sky King every chance I got, and it was so great to see Penny again after all this time~!!! Thanks for bringing her back. Liked and Subbed.
I adored Penny and wanted to emulate her. She is still a doll with her hallmark megawatt smile. This has been wonderful! Thank you for interviewing her.
I loved the series. I'm 74.
Loved the interview and of course Sky King. Also my grand daughter's name is Penny!
As a kid, Sky King was my favorite show. And it lead me to take flying lessons and become a pilot. I later purchased a plane.
Never commercial, but Sky King was a required watch, along with Whirlybirds. And every WWII aviation movie, plus “The Hunters” about F-86’s in Korea. Thankfully the 60’s was chalk full of aviation shows and movie.
I made it my mission to be a pilot.
I achieved that goal. My favorite flight was when. I took my former AF dad flying over the Arizona desert in the area of the Flying Crown ranch. I let him fly for a while. My favorite question he asked me was “How long before your palms don’t get sweaty?”
To all the kids out there aspiring to fly.
Don’t let that get away. It’s worth it.
I am now in my 60s. I watched SK in reruns some 50 years ago at a friend's house. Just watched a couple of episodes recently on TH-cam. It is a great series around 70 years after it first aired.
they are the reason why I became a pilot. and doc on combat encouraged me to pursue a career in medicine.
I loved Sky King!
Saturday mornings with Sky King. Perfect together. And every guy would have loved to join Penny ( alone) in the Songbird and go flying.
Grover, Arizona?
Loved Sky King!! Never able to fly a Cessna twin, but owned a Beechcraft Sierra.
She looks great .
I remember an occasional episode with his nephew 'Clipper'.....Good trivia question.....Uncle Sky's first plane was a tail dragger but I was too young to remember what it was....Then he got a Cessna 310 I think....
She's still very pretty here. Don't know what year this was taped, but she still looks quite well -preserved!
haha, no woman wants to hear "you look good for your age" and defeatedly "well preserved" a double haha
I loved this show. Watched at age 5 and wanted to have a house with a plane on a bulkhead with a speedboat tied up. So i could just jump in the plane or boat and go. No car was in this fantasy. Maybe a horse... why not?
I never thought getting a pilots license was reachable until I was 40. Took some lessons but was not able to finish. :(
Vehicles in King County in Washington State used to have a Golden Crown painted on them. At some point, a black smudge face replaced the golden crowns. Like many King County residents, I was disappointed to see the golden crown logos get removed. 🤠
Bless you for this interview.
Great video! I was also jazzed to see the Robin Hood pitcher at the end of this production. Is that the one Dean Jagger used as a prop in the movie, "Twelve O'Clock High"? If not, it is a great replica and I would die to have one if that is true! Thank-you!
I know it has been a year ago since you posted your remark, but did you know that stein on the mantle that you mentioned was used in "Twelve O'Clock High" was a symbol in the show to let everyone in the club know that the bar was closed because the squadron had just been notified that they had to fly a mission the next day?
Gloria (Penny) is credited for 72 episodes of "Sky King". She passed away in 2010 at 78.
A friend shared this video with me knowing I was a Sky King fan from my youth in the 50s. Still love airplanes and have friends who occasionally take me along in their gen av aircraft. Never could afford a pilot's license but I always enjoyed flying vicariously through Sky King and other aviation related shows. I hate heights but love flying, I'm a window seat nerd. Go figure!😁👍
my God she is so charming and the definition of a " natural beauty ".thank you.
There can be no doubt that Sky King inspired many an aviation career. And Penny was a great role model. Ahead of her time.
Absolutely I would love to see Sky King come back on the air.
Gloria was a sweetheart.
Hot winch; tight pants
"Brought To You By NABISCO" ~ eat those Fig Newtons>>>>>>>>>
Curious why they opted to stand in front of an aircraft other than a C-310 of similar vintage as Songbird II for this interview - even if not the same model year, it would have at least looked more like the Songbird II, a closer copy of which, I believe, is kind of visible behind Gloria.
Behind Gloria is a Beechcraft Duke
Wow, the crazy transitions, costumes, and one note midi theme song! Very homespun production. Gloria Winters had a lot of class though. Always positive.
Ah... Saturday mornings and mother didn't interrupt my viewing until I was out of kid's shows. Those were the days...
It's been years since I saw a video edited on an old Newtek Video Toaster. Putting these devices in the hands of non professionals always resulted in the editor attempting to use every one of the transitions available.
Sky King to Penny.... Sky King to Penny.... over! Songbird... cool show wasn't it?
Wow! She was great! I loved this show as a kid. How old is this interview?