Did you know Al Bell?
Monday, January 29, 2007 at 04:16PM I always thought Al Bell had the best job in the world. When I was a little boy growing up on the prairie back in the 1950s and 60s, our small school would bring in an Al Bell Production once a year to give an "assembly" program. This is how I am guessing Mr. Bell made his living. Bell and his wife would take a very nice vacation somewhere exotic each summer. Now in small town Iowa circa 1960, "exotic" might have been interpreted a little differently than it is today. I remember some of the places Al traveled were Calgary in Canada, Mexico, Washington State, and Ireland. Anyway, the Bells would go to a place, take some slides, buy a native costume (the more outlandish the better), and couple music recordings. From these materials, he would spend an hour combining his slides, jokes, dancing, and a touch of mania on a stage in front of 500 delighted elementary school kids (and grateful teachers) in a gym or auditorium, in different schools every day throughout the school year. I'm guessing he charged maybe $50 a show, two shows a day. In the late 50's, working even 50 school days a year would have made him a rather nice income.
Does any one else remember Al Bell? I know he existed since I found reference to his programs in school histories on the web. I remember hearing that his home town may have been Menlo, Iowa. Let me know if you remember an Al Bell production - they always started with a ringing school bell.
I thought of Al Bell because I gave a short talk to my Kiwanis club today on my Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu last November. Heavy on slides, a little trivia (there is a depiction of the Last Supper in the Cuzco Cathedral where guinea pig is being served), and a straight account of the rigors of the hike. It was well received, and I thought, I've finally gotten my chance to be Al Bell!
Sometimes accomplishing the small goals are just as satisfying as accomplishing the big ones.
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Update: May 2008 Thanks so much for all the responses and memories shared. Keep them coming! This photo came to me via blog reader. She attached a Christmas photo of the Bells from about 1958. 
There has been a great interest shown in finding and preserving the films and memorabilia from Al Bell's school programs by those of us who fondly remember him and appreciate the influence he and his wife had on our lives. They infused some wanderlust in many an Iowa farm kid! At some time, I will approach Iowa Public Television or the Iowa Historical Society with the this blog entry and all the interest shown, and hope they will pick up the ball. It may not happen until I retire - a mere 9 years away! In the meantime, if you'd like to leave a comment, sharing you memories of the Bells and leaving information about how family members might be contacted, please do so. Doug
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Update: May 2008
Jim Calkins from West Branch Middle School is working on putting together a list of Bell's topics and schools at which he spoke. If have specific information about either of these things, please e-mail Jim at conn53victor (a) mchsi.com. Thanks!
Here are a some newspaper articles from Wright County and Estherville about Al's visits.
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Update: March 2010
Another Al Bell post here with a link to a Des Moines Register article about the Bells and a Facebook Fan page.
Update: August 2010
An Al Bell Film Festival, Sept 12, 2010 in Stuart, Iowa and a movement to restore his films!
Reader Comments (212)
Yes! I remember Al Bell well. I went to Meservey-Thornton elementary in the 70's. I remember the blue-tongued chow he brought back from China and a story about a huge, fast spider in the room on one of his tropical trips. He ultimately killed it and was scolded by the resort manager/owner, because they'd been put in the rooms on purpose to keep the other bugs from overrunning the place.
He and his wife's visits were always the highlight of the school year. So glad you posted this!
I remember Al Bell. I graduated from LDF (now East Marshall) in LeGrand, Iowa, Class of 1981. My mom and I were just talking about Al Bell's annual productions---they were great fun! A highlight of my grade school memories! Al Bell was from Beaman, Iowa. I have searched online for information before but to no avail, until I found this blog. Even the local library was of no help.
Where's all the stuff they collected all those years? Where are all the films and photos, costumes and collectibles???? Someone surely had to have archived everything. Seems such a shame that all those 'Grrreeeaatttt' days can't be enjoyed by new eyes and revisited by us seasoned fans!!! If anyone knows more info, please let me know!! :)
Al Bell was the big highlight of our year in Montour, IA. I remember one year he brought a huge St. Bernard. He was tied in the Superintendent's office, and wet all over the floor. Big flood. What a treat for our very small school (which is no longer there). When a group of us get together we usually spend some time talking about Al Bell and his wonderful presentations.
The above post re: the St. Bernard was from my mom, Judi Durfey Detrich. Sorry for any confusion.
Dear Al Bell Fans: I have received the following communication from the Iowa Historical Society. If anyone knows how to contact Becky Bell-Greenstreet (she didn't leave any contact information on this blog), please let her know about this communication. I have several other 'feelers' out there and will keep updating you as things come up. Cross your fingers!!! Shaune Haas (shaas@austin.rr.com)
<<Shaune, we seem to have come up empty in terms of anyone knowing about where any archived memorabilia for Mr. Bell might currently reside – although Jerome Thompson from the State Historical Society staff did also forward your inquiry to the Marshall County Historical Society, and you may hear (or may have heard) something from them independently.
I think you also have received the email from Jack Lufkin from the State Historical Museum, who would be happy to take a look at such memorabilia to consider adding it to the museum’s collections, however – as you first indicated – it sounds as if it has to be located first.
I’m sorry we don’t have more information for you – but if you do receive other leads, please do contact the museum about any artifacts they might want to look at.
Mary Sundet Jones, Division Administrator
Iowa Arts Council
515-281-4641>>>
Thanks for doing this, Shaune!
Doug
"Hello there, fellas and gals! It's a Grrrrrrreatt Day!!!"
I grew up in Gilman and Le Grand in the 60s and 70s. Al Bell coming to town was a huge event in our school years. He had been places. Outside Iowa, even. He and Mrs. Bell (I don't think anyone actually knew her name.) put on a great show - and there was a MOVIE! It was great.
One summer, my family went to Okoboji, and we enjoyed the Al Bell Museum in Arnold's Park.
If the Bell collection is available, it should go into the State Historical Museum in Des Moines - near the Dwayne and Floppy exhibit.
Wow, I had no idea there was an Al Bell Museum in Arnold's Park. Does anyone else know about this?
Haven't been there for years, but the highlight of our summer was a trip to Arnold's Park. I love the Fun House and its wooden slide as a kid and the Rooftop Ballgarden as a teen. I need to drive through there this summer.
Doug
we had a trivia question in our group the other day. can someone help? what was al bell's wife's name? it is driving us crazy!
Mat,
Mrs. Bell?
Doug
Oh, I stopped at the Maritime Museum in Arnold' Park on Feb 18th. I spoke with the curator Mary Kennedy about an Al Bell exhibit and she did not know of one. Sorry! It is a great museum, however, and if anyone else has fond memories of the area, it is well worth a visit.
http://www.okobojimuseum.org/
Doug
It was a long time ago, but I believe Mrs. Bell's name was Rhea.
I went to school in Aplington, and Al Bell was always something the kids enjoyed. There never has been anything like it since. His family should be proud. I think it sad that the museum in Des Moines doesn't have anything for Al Bell, but a whole area for Floppy. Maybe in the future.
Al Bell wafted through my head the other day, as it occasionally does for no apparent reason. Today at work I remembered that I wanted to Google his name to see what I could find. I've been living in New York City for over 30 years, but grew in NW Iowa and attended grade school & junior high at Nemaha, Iowa. I remember the yearly Al Bell assembly programs as great experiences, not to mention a break from classes. I'm glad to find out others remember him, too.
For me, Al Bell linked my beloved but extremely provincial Sac County and the world. I still remember him leaning over backwards to kiss the Blarney Stone and I will not rest until I do the same. I frequently cite Al Bell when I talk about the schools' responsibility to introduce children to other cultures. In the recent nonpartisan movie, "War Tapes" one of the soldier/film-makers says that ignorance of others breeds brutality. Can you say Abu Ghraib? I'll bet the Abu Ghraib perps never saw Al Bell. - Gary Davis, Crestland High (Early/Nemaha, IA) Class of 1962.
i was 5 years old when he came to our school. he had a monkey with them. And being my birthday I got to ride a tricycle with it . I remember it to this day. November 22,1963
castana, iowa
I had completely forgotten about Al Bell until a visit last week by a good friend from Iowa, Pat Schlarbaum. Pat works for the Iowa DNR as a Wildlife Biologist at the Boone Research Station and is looking to put together an "honorary" of some sort for Iowans that have influenced us in our youth. And without really thinking about it, Al certainly has provided a guiding hand in my work.
I work as a Habitat Biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in the Bend area. I do presentations on wildlife and habitat for school groups as well as adult classes. I certainly learned the importance of props (hides, skulls, antlers, nestboxes, feathers, leaves, etc.) to make the presentation exciting for the kids. That certainly was an Al Bell influence.
I saw Al at Jesup Community School and the assemblies were always appreciated. If you provide Pat with Al Bell information, maybe Pat can help get recognition for Al Bell in joining the company of Ding Darling and other notable Iowans.
Larry
As a second generation of Al Bell filmgoers (my mom saw his shows in the fifties, I saw him throughout the seventies), Al had a dramatic influence on me. I want to go to all the places that I had envisioned as a child. I really remember his trip to Romania and the land of Count Dracula. Romania is very high on my travel wish list. I've had the pleasure of wisiting 13 countries and 3 continents since Al had his impact on me.
I always say that if I win the lottery, I am going to lead an Al Bell lifestyle.
My husband and I were just talking about Al Bell because of a historical article I read in my hometown paper. We both remember and loved those Al Bell programs but didn't remember that he had a radio show!
Article as follows:
1948 ... At the Happy Al Bell Opportunity Show, held at Ottosen, two winners were picked: The Humboldt Hot Shots, instrumental quartet, and Lucile Sween of Bode, who presented a vocal solo. Both winners appeared on Al Bell's radio show. The Humboldt Hot Shots are Paul Silbaugh and Stanley Fowler of Humboldt, Robert Jacobson of Rutland and Alvin Johnson of Hardy.