Wallace and Ladmo Foundation

Ladimir Kwiatkowski as Ladmo (from left), Bill Thompson as Wallace and Pat McMahon as Gerald on "The Wallace & Ladmo Show."

If you missed your shot at a Ladmo Bag as a kid, now’s your chance.

AZTV Channel 7 began airing old episodes of the “The Wallace & Ladmo Show,” a beloved Arizona kids’ show, on Jan. 1.

The daily variety show, which started on KPHO in 1954, starred Bill Thompson as Wallace and Ladimir Kwiatkowski as Ladmo. It ended in December 1989 after more than 10,000 episodes.

AZTV is airing edited versions of the shows on Sundays at 4 p.m. through April.

Rick Soltesz, general manager of AZTV, told KJZZ News the idea to air 18 episodes was proposed by Michael Gallagher, a station administrator. Soltesz said the feedback so far has been very positive. 

“Yes, it is amazing, the response. I think people just want to take a breath and enjoy,” said Soltesz.

The Show also featured Pat McMahon, who has been a fixture on Phoenix-area television and radio for six decades. McMahon, who is now 90, played the characters Gerald, Aunt Maud and Capt. Super, among others.

“The real story is Pat and how he transcends all ages and who is still on AZTV 7 for 21 years now,” said Soltesz. 

Viewers can enter for a chance to win a Ladmo Bag, a brown paper sack filled with prizes that was given away to a lucky few kids in the live studio audience during the show’s run. There have been more than 3,000 entries to the contest in the first three weeks.

As for the contents of the coveted bags, those are a bit of mystery.

“I am sorry, but I’m not sure I’m allowed to say what is in the Ladmo Bag,” Soltesz said. “You would have to ask Pat himself.”

More stories from KJZZ

• 'Wallace And Ladmo' band once outsold the Beatles in Phoenix
• Ladmo came to Arizona for baseball training