Memories of Uncle Bob and The Lucky 7 Club

There was a time when children's shows weren't overfilled with unecessary production gimmicks, and a show's simplicity was its charm. Robert "Uncle Bob" Stewart was one of the first to conceive a wholesome show for children which he called, Uncle Bob's Lucky 7 Club. Co-hosted by two liveley puppets named Spanky and Pancho, the show was the epitomoe of children show fun in the early years of television broadcasting.

Our good friend Kuya Geezer was lucky enough to be part of the live studio audience, and was also one of the many proud club members. In this very special feature, he shares with us his fond memories of the show, and its gentle host Uncle Bob.

I got this back in ’66 like it says in the picture after I joined Uncle Bob's Lucky 7 Club. I also got my membership card with my "secret code" typed on the back of the card.

I joined Uncle Bob’s Lucky 7 Club probably even before I could read. I remember my Mom and Dad taking us to the studio to be part of the live audience. I was only four at the time. I remember because Uncle Bob interviewed my brother and me on TV, and he asked how old we were. He asked me first, so I said I was 5. I was wrong, but I didn’t know that yet. My older brother corrected me right away, right there on national TV, "NO YOU’RE NOT, I’M 5, and YOU’RE ONLY 4!" Of course he was right but who cares when you’re 4 years old? We started an argument right there. I think Uncle Bob went to commercial.


CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW
Here is a genuine letter from Uncle Bob typed on the RBS letterhead dated May 7, 1970. I was just 11 years old!!

Later on when I could already write semi-literately, this was when I was around 6 or 7 I asked to "officially" join the club. So after what seemed like an eternity I finally got my Lucky 7 membership card in the mail complete with my own "secret code number" in the back which I wasn't supposed to show anyone. What a thrill! Kids would write letters to Uncle Bob and he would always have a portion of the program where he would read them on the air. Whenever I wrote him, I wouldn't miss the show for the next three weeks so I could hear him read my letter to all the viewers. A lot of times we would draw something at the bottom of the letter and he would hold it up to the camera to show the artwork to the viewers.

Some of the advertisers I remember from his show were Royal Gelatin (pum pa rum pum pum…), Crazy Foam Gun, Pan Pizza, Marisol Manor, G.I. Joe, Panacraft Handicrafts, and the Popcar, the first battery ride-on toy car from Japan . I still remember him saying it only cost P200.00. I’m sure that was quite a bit of change for that time.

Also, would you believe that my older brother Pancho, was on of Uncle Bob’s puppeteers? I think he started in 1978 or so until he left for the States in 1982. Anyways that was way after my time as a member of Lucky 7 club in the sixties.

I'm glad I kept this all these years and brought it with me even when I came to America . Thanks for the great TV times Uncle Bob We all miss you! Uncle Bob passed away in his home in Phoenix, Arizona in 2006.



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