This short film, which apparently originally aired on Channel 4 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, takes a look at the Duncan Yoyo, a toy developed by the American toy manufacturer Duncan Toys Co. They were known best for their line of yo-yos. Duncan was founded in 1929. The show probably dates to the late 1950s, possibly 1958 when the Butterfly yoyo was introduced. The yo-yo actually originated in the Philippines. These were made popular in the US as Duncan hosted competitions throughout the country from the 1930’s through the 1950’s. Duncan was later absorbed by Flambeau.
The film begins with a brief shot of WWII footage from a program that preceded this yoyo film on the air on Channel 4 (:16). The yo-yo return top appears (:26). Demonstrators sling the toy up and down (:36). Duncan Yoyo Champion Fred Fortunado (last name unclear) stands at the left (:42). He had just returned from a tour of the major cities of the far west teaching youth how to yo-yo as part of the company’s method to expand. The two yo-yo-ers are introduced by the host as Fred Fortunado and “Speedy Gonzales” (1:18). Fred demonstrates how to ‘walk the dog’ (1:46). The ‘creeper’ method follows (1:54) as well as the three leaf clover (2:05). Other tricks are called ‘skin the cat’ (2:19), ‘sleeping beauty’ (2:22) and ‘rock the baby’ (2:34). An advertisement encourages the youth to join the Duncan yo-yo contest for the chance to win big prizes (2:51). The grand prize was a trip to Disney in California (3:09). Fred demonstrates how to conduct the ‘around the corner’ trick (4:17). The ‘sleeping beauty’ is revisited in slow motion (5:29). He shows how to conduct the ‘breakaway trick’ (6:39). The advertisement returns (7:59) to showcase the Duncan Number 77 Tournament Yo-Yo (8:01). The Sonic Satellite Yo-Yo is zoomed in on (8:15). The Number 707 Butterfly (8:33) had an open wing design making it easier to catch the string. The Butterfly was first released in 1958. Viewers are encouraged to purchase their own toys at locations such as Gimbals (8:52). Young guests (9:08) do the ‘spinner’ trick together on stage. They also practice ‘walk the dog’ (9:57) and ‘sleeping beauty’ (10:31). The host reminds viewers of the upcoming contest (12:43) at Troutman’s and at the Clairton Fire Department. Fred’s regional contests are displayed (13:14) in the Olympia shopping center among other locations. The host disappears off screen as the yo-yo-ers play (14:06). Viewers are encouraged to go to Troutman Department stores — a Pennsylvania store that had locations in Butler and other cities — (14:21) to purchase their own.
The Duncan Toys Company is an American toy manufacturer based in Middlefield, Ohio best known for its line-up of yo-yos. The company was founded in 1929 by Donald F. Duncan Sr. and purchased the Flores Yo-Yo Company from Pedro Flores, who brought the yo-yo to the United States from the Philippines. Duncan popularized the yo-yo through competitions that spread throughout the country, publicized in his publications by William Randolph Hearst in exchange for a requirement that contestants had to sell subscriptions to Hearst newspapers as a condition of entry. In 1965, a federal court ruled that Duncan did not have exclusive rights to the word “yo-yo” because the word had become a part of common speech. In 1968, Duncan Toys became a division of Flambeau.
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