Early programs began with Gene London opening the door of his General Store and flipping the sign to read "Open for Business." As the kids passed by Gene, he palmed the tops of their heads and sang the opening theme song.

Once inside the General Store, Gene told stories and used a large drawing pad to illustrate key scenes and characters from the tales ("Let's pretend that it's story time and I'll tell a tale to you. I'll tell you a story of make-believe and all your dreams will come true. And when the story's over and when we reach the end, we'll live happily ever after - Where? - In the land of let's pretend.")

Originally called GENE LONDON'S CARTOONS & STUFF, THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF GENE LONDON, and CARTOON CORNERS, the format for THE GENE LONDON SHOW changed over the years.

At first Gene worked for a general store that was located next to a confetti factory. His boss was Mr. Dibley, a.k.a. "Old Dibble-Puss" (who paid Gene 8 ½ and a half cents per week) and Gene had a crush on his employer's daughter, Debbie Dibley.

Later the program shifted to the haunted Quigley mansion located next door (the mansion's exterior establishing shot was just a painting) with stories and plots centering around ghosts, UFO, aliens.

Cartoon Corners Theme Song


Come right into the General Store
We have licorice, gumdrops and sourballs,
Anything you're hankering for
You'll find in Cartoon Corners General Store.

There's lots of stories and songs that you know
Toys to build and a big pot belly stove
Something else I've forgotten, let's see
Of course, Gene London, that's me!

When his show was cancelled, Gene moved to New York City and became involved in the fashion industry as a dress designer. Until 2001 Gene operated a retro clothes shop called 'Gene London: The Fan Club' on Manhattan's West 19th Street.

Earlier in life, Gene London (born Eugene Yulish in Cleveland) aspired to be a Disney artist. An imaginative child, Gene recalled "Alone in my room when all the other kids were playing ball, I'd tell myself the story, acting out all the parts, including Snow White standing by the side of the well singing, `I'm Wishing'." On his show, Gene often showcased Disney cartoons and movies.

Gene's early career includes stints as a camp counselor in the Pocono Mountains where he taught puppetry; occasional work on NBC-TV's HI MOM! hosted by ventriloquist Shari Lewis; a cast member on the puppet show JOHNNY JUPITER; and a puppeteer on ABC-TV's TINKER'S WORKSHOP starring Bob Keeshan (a.k.a. Captain Kangaroo) and a number of holiday-themed specials for THE TODAY SHOW on NBC with Dave Garroway.

In later years, Gene served as a Hollywood and Broadway fashion consultant and spokesman for the Mikimoto brand of jewelry. As a hobby, Gene had collected costumes worn by movie celebrities (some 60,000 gowns, dresses and fashion accessories).

In July of 2002, at the age of 71, Gene exhibited more than 50 pieces of his Hollywood gown collection at "Gene London Presents: Hollywood Glamour" at Showboat Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.

On May 17, 2003, he once again displayed his gowns at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Old Academy Players in East Falls, PA. The exhibit included a deep red dress with plunging neckline and fur-trimmed sleeves worn by Philadelphia-bred actress Grace Kelly (a.k.a. "Princess Grace of Monaco") in the Oscar winning film Country Girl (1954).

You can contact Gene London at cartooncorners@aol.com

External Links

• Gene London (IMDb)

Back to Top