Matinee Classics - Classic TV Shows

Diver Dan (1960-1964)

Diver Dan

(1960-1964)

Adventure / Kid's Shows

Diver Dan was a series of 104 seven-minute live-action shorts made for children's television.

The series featured the adventures of a diver in an old-fashioned diving suit who talked to the passing fish. The series was filmed in live action with puppet fish; the underwater effect was achieved by shooting through an aquarium.

Cast:

Allen Swift as the voices of the many puppets, the unseen Captain, and the narrator.
Frank Freda as Diver Dan. The actor and writer lives in Manhattan.
Suzanne Turner as Miss Minerva, the beautiful mermaid queen, who referred to Diver Dan only as "The Diver" and shyly kept away from his sight.

The characters included Diver Dan and Miss Minerva, the Captain (heard but not seen), and a puppet cast including the villainous Baron Barracuda, his henchman Trigger (a trigger fish), Finley Haddock, Doc Sturgeon, Georgie Porgy, Gabby the Clam, Gill Espy, Glow Fish, Goldie the Goldfish (who spoke only in peeps and squeaks), Hermit Crab, Sam the Sawfish, Scout Fish, Sea Biscuit the Seahorse and Skipper Kipper.

Opening theme song:

Below in the deep there's adventure and danger;
That's where you'll find Diver Dan!
The sights that he sees are surprising and stranger
Than ever you'll see on the land!

Closing theme song:

He moves among creatures
Of frightening features:
Flashing teeth, slashing jaws,
Flapping fins, snapping claws!
He protects and he saves
His friends under the waves;
That's where you'll find Diver Dan!

Episodes: