Angel Casey

Lorraine Meinecke (née Johnson), known professionally as Angel Casey, was an American television and radio actress.

For the television producer trio Angell-Casey-Lee, see Grub Street Productions.

Angel Casey
Born
Lorraine Shartle Johnson

1919
Middletown, OH, U.S.
Died2007
Chicago, IL, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actress, Children's show host
SpouseTristan Meinecke (m. 1947-2004)

Early life

She was born in Middleton, Ohio,[1] and attended the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music.[2]

Television and radio career

Angel Casey began her acting career in the mid-1940s. One of the earliest extant photos from this period is an advertisement for caviar, published in Life Magazine's August 1945 issue.[3] A television commercial in which she appeared drew favorable press in 1946.[4] She went on to act in numerous television and radio dramas in the late 1940s and early 1950s.[2]

Along with Bill Anson, she was the co-host of the WBKB show “Telequizicalls,” which first aired in 1945. It was modeled after Anson’s “Telephone Quiz” radio call-in show, and “purport[ed] to be the first audience participation show in visual radio.”[5]

In addition to regular acting roles, she made guest appearances with Martin and Lewis, Spike Jones and Dave Garroway.[1] In 1955, she was one of the celebrity guests at Chicago's State Street Christmas Parade.[6]


“The Playhouse” aired Monday through Friday at 9am on WBKB’s channel 7.[7] Her co-star, puppeteer Bruce Newton, describes her leadership as follows: "I don't think Angel ever missed a day either. We all contributed copy for the show, crafts, visuals, scripts, and guest suggestions. We did this from the debut on December 28, 1953, until the show went off the air on August 31, 1956."[8] Documents from her estate indicate that she created the concept for her puppet sidekick, Sir J. Worthington Wiggle, and successfully pitched it to producers.[9]


Later career and family life

Angel Casey remained a Chicago star in her later career, despite taking on smaller roles. In 1958 the Tribune's Lifestyle section featured a two-page story on the Meineckes' glamorous lifestyle, in which Angel was the primary subject of the article.[10] Another article from 1958 profiles the Meineckes as a household in which both parents have careers.[11] She acted as business manager and promoter for her husband, Chicago artist and architect Tristan Meinecke.[12]

After her death, her family alleged that "The Play House" may have been cancelled because she attempted to integrate it.[2]

She had two sons, Bradford and David Scott, and eight grandchildren.[13]

Notes
  1. Overholser, Martha (August 31, 1952), Angel Casey Builds Name as Pinch Hitter
  2. Eidson, Crystal (October 5, 2016). ""It's About TV: The hidden history of Angel Casey"". Mitchell D. Hadley.
  3. "Caviar", Life Magazine: 54, August 27, 1945
  4. "Balaban & Katz", Billboard Magazine, January 16, 1946
  5. ""Television Program to Be Started by WBKB"", Chicago Daily Tribune, April 25, 1945
  6. ""Gay Parade to Welcome Santa to State St. Today"", Chicago Daily Tribune, November 19, 1955, ProQuest 179624024
  7. ""March 10-16 1956"", TV Guide Local Program Listings, March 10, 1956
  8. Okuda, Ted; Mulqueen, Jack (June 1, 2004). "The Golden Age of Chicago Children's Television. Lake Claremont Press. ISBN 1893121178.
  9. Casey, Angel (1953). "Meet J Worthington Wiggle the Worm".
  10. Loring, Kathryn (March 2, 1958), "Angel Casey In Her Heaven", Chicago Tribune
  11. Kiedaisch, William (January 18, 1958), "Two Careers and a Baby", Chicago Daily News
  12. Lyon, Herb (February 2, 1959), "Tower Ticker", Chicago Daily News
  13. Dardick, Hal (February 29, 2004), "Tristan Meinecke, 88", Chicago Tribune
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