Aired: 1967 – 1968
Budget: $120,000 per episode
“Speed Racer” got its start as a Japanese graphic novel, otherwise known as a manga. The show featured the adventures of an ambitious young pilot who became a professional racer. The Speed Racer, known in Japan as “Mach GoGoGo,” debuted in America in fall 1967 and was more contemporary animation.
Some say the original episodes underwent minor editing to reach the form which aired in America while others say it underwent significant editing. Either way, the show was considered appropriate entertainment for the whole family.
Leave it to Beaver
Aired: 1957 – 1963
Budget: $30,000-$40,000 per episode
"Leave it to Beaver" has made a reputation for itself as one of the most iconic shows in history. The sitcom aimed towards children had six seasons and 234 episodes and starred Barbara Billingsley, Jerry Mathers, Tony Dow, and Hugh Beaumont.
The Cleavers represent "The American Dream," the ideal version of a 1950s family, and centered around "The Beaver." The adventurous boy seemed to always get into trouble, whether it be at home, school, or in the neighborhood.
Mighty Mouse Playhouse
Aired: 1955 – 1967
Budget: $50,000 per episode
"Mighty Mouse Playhouse" was a collection of short films starring the animated character Mighty Mouse. CBS ran the show for a half-hour from 1955 until 1967, making the character much more popularized than ever before.
The low-budget animation company was sold to CBS when more and more companies left behind short films and moved towards television shows. "Mighty Mouse" had a total of an astounding eighty short films throughout its run!
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?
Aired: 1969 – 1975
Budget: $130,000 per episode
Over the years, Scooby-Doo has become one of the most recognizable television characters of all time. The Scooby-Doo gang has been solving mysteries on television, in movies, and in books for decades. "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!" was created by Ken Spears and Joe Ruby and started airing in 1969.
The show would later get picked up by Warner Bros. and is currently featured on Cartoon Network. With all of the changes made to the show, the main cast's names remain the same!
The Electric Company
Aired: 1971 – 1977
Budget: $7 million in total
Perhaps one of the most famous educational series for children, "The Electric Company," had 780 episodes throughout six seasons. The show was written by Paul Dooley and directed by several people throughout its years on PBS.
The show was eventually syndicated through its sponsor, Johnson Wax, and kept airing reruns through 1985. The show starred some of who would become Hollywood's biggest names; Morgan Freeman, Rita Moreno, Bill Cosby, and Lee Chamberlin.