Mr. I. Magination is one of the earliest American television shows for children. It ran live as a half-hour weekly show on CBS from 1949 to 1952 and was broadcast from Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan.^[1][2][3] It debuted on May 29, 1949, and ended on June 38, 1952.^[4]

The host, Mr. I. Magination (Paul Tripp), dressed as a train engineer, gathered a group of children each week. The same child actors appeared on a rotating basis. Two would be selected to ask about a career, occupation, activity, and such. Tripp would then play a "magic" slide flute, then he and the children would board a train and travel to Imagination Land, where they would meet a professional from each of the two areas for that week's show.^[5]

Guests were as diverse as Damu, a lion tamer from Ringling Brothers Circus, and test pilot Scott Crossfield.^[6] Ruth Enders, Ted Tiller, and Joe Silver also acted in the show.^[7] The show was also a pioneer in using simple, early special effects, such as making it appear as if the opening train ride went through a tunnel to enter Imagination Land, emerging from the smoke from its engine.^[6][8]

Yul Brynner served as the director of the show at times, but did not appear as a performer. The show also featured performances by Walter Matthau, Richard Boone, Joe Silver, Ted Tiller, and Simon Oakland.^[6]

Mr. I. Magination also was featured on several RCA records for children, including Billy On A Bike and Mr. I. Magination Meets Rip Van Winkle; there are at least two versions on LP (long playing) record.^{[9][10][11][12][13]}

The producers were Worthington Miner, Irving Pincus, and Norman Pincus.^[4] Hugh Rogers was the director. Tripp and Ray Carter composed music for the show.^[14] The show was broadcast on Sundays in time slots that ranged from 6 - 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time to 7:30 - 8 p.m. E. T.^[7]

A review in The New York Times called the program "a thoroughly rewarding half hour for viewers, both young and old".^[14] The review said that Tripp's personality created an "infectious enthusiasm" on the show while avoiding "any trace of embarrassing precocity".^[14] It also described the overall production as being "of a high professional order".^[14]

• Mr. I. Magination at IMDb