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DeAnn (Wolkow) Kruempel, Columnists
The Wisdom of Solomon and the Strength of Atlas
“One man in each century is given the power to control time. The man chosen to receive this power is carefully selected. He must be kind. He must be fair. He must be brave. You have fulfilled these requirements; and, we of the Outer Galaxies designate to you the wisdom of Solomon and the strength of Atlas. You are Captain 11!”
The above announcement, proclaimed in a vibrato, space-age-type voice, summoned youngsters across the Midwest to their television sets every weekday after school. The original “Captain 11” show began in Minnesota on WMIN, broadcast on channel 11. Jim Lang was the first Captain on the show which ran in 1953-1954.
South Dakota’s KELOLAND co-founder Larry Bentson recommended the successful program to fill a temporary time slot. A flip of a coin determined the KELOLAND Captain, Dave Dedrick, who was the station weatherman.
The set was made from the parts of an old pinball machine. The first live broadcast was March 7, 1955. Because of his ability to control time and space, Captain 11 chose children to flip switches which launched various cartoons and serials. He filled time by introducing and interviewing kids in the studio, reading letters and awarding prizes from a treasure chest.
Children wrote letters to be entered in a drawing. When their letter was drawn, Captain 11 chose a key. If the key opened the chest, that child won a prize. When our brother Delmer was in second grade, he wrote a letter. His name was drawn and the key opened the box! A bundle of John Morrell meat products and a toy semi-truck were that day’s prizes.
The KELO-LAND studio in downtown Sioux Falls was the gathering place for South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota youngsters, who were invited to appear on live broadcasts.
The daily production often concluded with the Captain asking the children on stage to wave to their parents with one hand. Then he ordered waving with both hands and then both hands and both feet. Then he would yell, “Freeze!” and the camera panned over the youngsters who were attempting to stand still.
Dedrick donned the blue pilot’s Captain 11 suit for 41 years. The show, which originated to fill a temporary slot, became the longest continuously-running children’s TV program in television history. Throughout those years, Captain 11 influenced the lives of thousands of youth.
Variety shows for children in the 1950s and 60s used gentle, interactive formats and often taught moral lessons. Are “Romper Room,” “Captain Kangaroo,” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood?” pressed between the pages of your memory? “The Friendly Giant” and “Ding Dong School” also presented a nurturing and educational experience that fostered positive behaviors.
The final Captain 11 show aired on December 7, 1996. Dave Dedrick’s autobiography reveals interesting background about the show, including why the Captain’s trademark headphones were discarded after many seasons. A collection of memorabilia, including the television studio set and other items from the KELOLAND show are on display at the South Dakota State Historical Museum in Pierre.
Today, many dedicated people in our world still work to educate, nurture and enrich the lives of youngsters. They are kind, fair and brave and must often possess the wisdom of Solomon and the strength of Atlas. Thank you to every one of them!
Kruempel’s ten books are available on Amazon. Signed copies may be purchased at the Harrison County Welcome Center. Contact the author at deannkruempelauthor@gmail.com.
