Boys Costumes Depicted in American Television Shows: Gallagher (1964-66)


Figure 1.-- In the initial episodes back east, Gallegher normally wore knickers. It was one of these episodes where he dressed up in a brown velvet Fauntleroy suit of sorts to help catch the bad guys, but manages to get waylaid by the local street gang in the process, who can't believe Gallagher is wearing a Fautleroy suit.

A HBC reader reports, "About a year ago I watched replays of a Disney TV series about a copyboy for an American newspaper. The stories usually involved the copyboy getting involved in some crime or mystery which he solved as a kind of amateur sleuth. The stories were set in America in the 1890s or thereabouts and had very interesting depictions of period boys' clothing. In one of the episodes, the boy hero dresses up in a Fauntleroy velvet suit with white long stockings in order to pursue his adventures. I think the boy had an Irish name. Can anyone give me more information about the name of this TV series? It was named for the Irish boy, I believe." The series was "Gallagher" which ran for three years. It appeared as part of Walt Disney's "Wonderful World of Color" serial in 1964, follwed the next year by "The Furtehr Adventures of Gallagher". "Gallagher Goes West" ran for one season in 1966. In the initial episodes back east, Gallegher normally wore knickers. It was one of these episodes where he dressed up in a Fauntleroy suit of sorts to help catch the bad guys, but manages to get waylaid by the local street gang in the process, who can't believe Gallagher is wearing a Fautleroy suit. The second year he goes west and switches to long trousers.

TV-ology

The series was "Gallegher" which ran for 3 years. The series was based on a short story written by Richard Harding Davis at the turn of the century. The series appeared as part of Walt Disney's "Wonderful World of Color" serial in 1964 depicting a coy boy trying to be a reporter for the Daily News. The firt series was followed the next year by "The Furtehr Adventures of Gallagher". "Gallagher Goes West" ran for one season in 1966. This apparently was an effort to benefit from the popularity of Westerns in the 1960s. I don't believe it was part of the original book. Gallegher had a special appeal to many Disney kid viewers in that he was constantly outsmarting the adults.

The Author

Richard Harding Davis (1864-1916) was a newspaoer reporter. He also wrote short stories. His short stories were popular in the late 19th century. Gallegher was one of his best known characters. I'm not sure how is work came to Walt Disney's attention. Perhaps he read the story as a boy. Another popular one was a tenacious bull terrier living on his own in the streets. This story was from the dog's point oview. The street dog in the end becomes a champion show dog--a kind of cannie Horatio Alger. I'm actually surprised that Disney did do this story rather than Galleger. The stort was, however, nor forgotten. It was made as a movie--"It's a Dog's Life". The fim starred Dean Jagger and Edmund Gwenn. Davis was best known as a reporter, especially his war reporting. Davis in the end covered six wars. His reporting was particularly notable from the Spanish American War (1898), Boer War (1899-1902), and World War I (1914-18). He only covered the first years of World War I as he died in 1916.

Cast

Roger Mobley (born January 16, 1949, in Evansville, Indiana) played the copyboy/junior sleuth for a big city newspaper editor, played by Edmond O' Brien. Occasionally, a few other young people in period costume played minor roles. Roger had played Homer "Packy" Lambert, Joey's (played by Bobby Diamond) young pal on the Saturday morning staple, "Fury" (1957-60). Although born in Indiana, Roger grew up in west Texas and spoke with a drawl, unlike his fellow cast members. The director of "Fury" didn't want Roger for the part. He wanted Jay North, who went on to play, of course, "Dennis the Menace". The producer of "Fury", a wonderful and kind man, Leon Fromkess, overrode his dirctor and hired Roger. The publisher Jefferson Crowley (Edmond O'Brien) was always om Gallagher's case, but really admired his pluck was. The main reporter who got many clues from Galegher was Brownie (Harvey Korman). Dwyer (Richard Derr), the sports writer, was involved in many of Gallefer's capers. There was also Adeline Jones (Anne Francis) added to give a women's lib angle to some episodes.

Setting

The stories were set in America in the 1890s or early 1900s.


Figure 2.-- Gallegher's brown velvet Fauntleroy suit had kneepants and he wore it with long white stockings.

Plot

The series was a Disney production about a copyboy for an American newspaper. The stories usually involved the copyboy getting involved in some crime or mystery which he solved as a kind of amateur sleuth. Call it rather predictable Disney fare in a period setting. Gallegher investigated crooks and conmen at the behest of his employer. Clothing had little relation to the plot lines, except for one episode. The title of this episode was "The Big Swindle" (October 3, 1965). Adeline Jones has pullied Editor Crowley into giving her a job. She doesn't like her assignment and launches an investigation into confidence men who target lonely widows. She cons Brownie and Gallegher into assisting her. She dresses poor Gallegher up in a Fauntleroy suit complete with a violin so he can play the son of a wealthy widow to attract the crooks. Gallegher is extremely reluctant an in fact is set upon by the local boys' street gang, surprised to see Gallegher in his fancy new duds..

Costuming

The "Gallagher had interesting depictions of period boys' clothing. Gallegher usually appeared in a gray knickers suit with black stockings, topped by a gray flat cap. In one of the episodes, the boy hero dresses up in a Fauntleroy velvet suit with white long stockings in order to pursue his adventures. In the initial episodes back east, Gallegher normally wore knickers. It was one of these episodes where he dressed up in a Fauntleroy suit of sorts to help catch the bad guys, but manages to get waylaid by the local street gang in the process, who can't believe Gallagher is wearing a Fautleroy suit. The second year he goes west and switches to long trousers.

Video

A HBC reader reports, "I found some "Gallagher TV titles" on a web site I think you would find very useful for movies. Under "Gallagher" there are 8 TV titles and 3 "made for video" titles (with dates in each case). But I'm not sure these are the same series we're talking about." HBC does not know of any Gallagher movies. These are probably videos with the Disney serial.

Sources

Maltin, Leonard. The Disney Films.

Smith, Dave. Disney A to Z.






HBC





Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main alphabetical "G" television page]
[Return to the Main theatrical page]
[Introduction] [Activities] [Biographies] [Chronology] [Clothing styles] [Countries]
[Bibliographies] [Contributions] [FAQs] [Glossaries] [Satellite sites] [Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]




Created: March 20, 2003
Last updated: May 18, 2004