R.I.P.: Gene London, Philly Children's TV Host

Gene London June 9, 1931 – January 19, 2020

Gene London, 88, the former children’s TV host known to a generation or more of Philadelphians, died Sunday, Jan. 19, in Reading. The cause was a cerebral hemorrhage after a fall Friday, reports The Philadelphia Inquirer..

One of the last to be lost from a pantheon of local stars that included Sally Starr, Captain Noah, Pixanne, and Chief Halftown, Mr. London — born in Cleveland as Eugene Yulish — hosted a show on WCAU (Channel 10) from 1959 to 1977 that aired under a variety of titles, including Cartoon Corners and The Wonderful World of Gene London.

After the TV show ended, he went on to work in the fashion industry as a designer in New York for Broadway shows, television, and films, as well as for private clients. Fashion was also his hobby, and he regularly exhibited selections from his 60,000-piece collection of Hollywood costumes and accessories.

A recent exhibit at the Allentown Art Museum, “Designing Hollywood: Golden Age Costumes from the Gene London Cinema Collection,” included the Cecil Beaton costume that Leslie Caron wore in Gigi and a costume Morton Haack designed for Debbie Reynolds in The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Mr. London was planning future exhibitions when he died.

But it was as a TV host that Mr. London will best be remembered by those who grew up with the Cartoon Corners theme song.

In 2009, Mr. London was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia’s Hall of Fame. Gerry Wilkinson, who headed the group until retiring last week, got to know the former host through the Pioneers. Mr. London was featured on a 2007 WHYY12 program for which Wilkinson was a consultant, Philly’s Favorite TV Kids Show Hosts.