George Boyle
Alan Young, the actor who played Wilbur Post on the TV show *Mister Ed*, was married three times, but it appears that his character on the show did not wear a wedding ring. In the show, Wilbur Post is married to Carol Post, played by Connie Hines. Wilbur is a clumsy architect who is the only person who can hear his mischievous talking horse, Mister Ed. Alan Young's personal life was quite different from that of his character, as he was married to Mary Anne Grimes, Virginia McCurdy, and Mary Chipman, all of which ended in divorce.
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What You'll Learn
Wilbur Post's marital issues
Alan Young, the actor who played Wilbur Post on the television comedy Mister Ed, was married and divorced three times during his lifetime. His marriages to Mary Anne Grimes, Virginia McCurdy, and Mary Chipman all ended in divorce. Young married his third wife, Mary Chipman, in 1996, and they divorced the following year in 1997.
Young's marriages and divorce history suggest marital issues, but there is no specific information available about the reasons for the divorces or any challenges he may have faced in his marriages.
It is worth noting that Young's most enduring fame came from his role as Wilbur Post in Mister Ed, which aired from 1961 to 1966. The show's plot often revolved around the unique relationship between Wilbur and his talking horse, Mister Ed, which may have been a source of confusion or tension for Young's wives, as suggested by one source. Carol Post, Wilbur's wife in the show, also faced pressure from her father, Mr. Higgins, who openly disapproved of Wilbur and encouraged Carol to divorce him due to his clumsiness and eccentric personality.
While there is no direct evidence of marital issues for Wilbur Post, the character's in-law troubles and the unique dynamics of his relationship with Mister Ed could have potentially contributed to or reflected contemporary perceptions of marital challenges.
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Mr Ed's unique talent
Mr Ed was voiced by movie cowboy Allan "Rocky" Lane and was trained to "talk" by placing a soft nylon strip between his gums and upper lip. Eventually, the nylon strip was removed, and Mr Ed learned to move his lips only after his co-star, Alan Young, had finished his lines.
Mr Ed's human co-star, Alan Young, who played Wilbur Post, once self-deprecatingly remarked, "He [Mr Ed] was the star. I was the supporting actor.".
The show, which aired from 1961 to 1966, featured a memorable theme song, "Mister Ed", written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans and sung by Livingston himself. The song includes the famous lyrics, "A horse is a horse/Of course, of course.".
Mr Ed's ability to talk was not the only unique aspect of the show. It was also one of the few series to debut in syndication and be picked up by a major network for prime time. Additionally, all 143 episodes were filmed in black and white, even as many other shows were switching to colour.
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Wilbur's eccentric personality
Wilbur Post, played by Alan Young, is a clumsy architect with a quirky and eccentric personality. He is the owner of Mr. Ed, a talking horse who would not talk to anyone but him, creating comedic situations with his wife, neighbours, and acquaintances.
Wilbur's eccentricities also manifest in his klutzy, half-hearted attempts to be friendly, which often clash with the emotionless and uptight personalities of those around him. For example, Carol's father, Mr. Higgins, loathed Wilbur and openly referred to him as a "kook" due to his clumsiness.
Despite his eccentricities, Wilbur is portrayed as a kind and gentle character. He is dedicated to his work as an architect, setting up his studio in the barn on his property to be close to Mr. Ed. He is also shown to be a loving husband, as evidenced by his gift of a diamond ring to his wife, Carol.
Alan Young's portrayal of Wilbur Post brought him enduring fame and he was well-loved by fans of the show. Young himself described Wilbur as a "supporting actor" to the horse, underscoring the character's eccentric yet endearing personality.
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The show's memorable introduction
The television show Mister Ed, which aired on CBS from 1961 to 1966, is remembered for its memorable introduction, featuring a bouncy barnyard theme song reminiscent of a nursery rhyme. The show's premise centred on the relationship between Wilbur Post, a clumsy architect played by Alan Young, and his mischievous talking horse, Mister Ed.
The introduction to the show, which included the theme song, set the tone for the light-hearted and whimsical nature of the series. Before the theme song began, viewers would hear the sound of Mister Ed whinnying, followed by his human-like voice saying, "Hello, I'm Mr. Ed." The theme song then started with the famous lyrics, "A horse is a horse, of course, of course."
The theme song gained renewed attention twenty years after the show ended when a preacher from Ohio claimed that it contained "satanic messages" when played in reverse. This led to teenagers burning over 300 records and cassettes of secular music with alleged satanic influences, although copies of "Television's Greatest Hits" were spared.
The show's introduction also included the memorable catchphrase "Willllburrrrr?", which became ingrained in American culture. Mister Ed was voiced by movie cowboy Allan "Rocky" Lane, who, at the time, was sleeping on the couch of a friend, the horse trainer Les Hilton. Hilton trained Mister Ed to "talk" by placing a soft nylon strip between his gums and upper lip. Eventually, the nylon strip was removed, and Mister Ed learned to move his lips only after Alan Young, as Wilbur Post, had finished his lines.
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The horse trainer, Les Hilton
Les Hilton's training methods were not only effective but also considerate of the horse's comfort. He began by using the nylon strip to teach Mister Ed how to move his lips, and eventually, the horse learned to do this without the aid of the strip. This training process required patience and a deep understanding of horse behaviour, which Hilton undoubtedly possessed.
The impact of Les Hilton's work extended beyond the realm of animal training. By teaching Mister Ed to "talk," Hilton contributed to the overall success of the show and the character's enduring legacy. The unique concept of a talking horse captivated audiences and left an indelible mark on American pop culture.
It is worth noting that the voice of Mister Ed, Allan "Rocky" Lane, had a serendipitous connection to Les Hilton. At the time he was cast as the voice of Mister Ed, Lane was experiencing financial difficulties and was staying with a friend. This friend was none other than Les Hilton himself, showcasing how their paths intertwined both on and off the screen.
The story of Les Hilton and his involvement with Mister Ed highlights the importance of behind-the-scenes talent in bringing beloved characters to life. His horse training expertise, combined with Allan "Rocky" Lane's vocal talents, resulted in a character that continues to be cherished by fans of all ages.
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Frequently asked questions
Alan Young, the actor who played Wilbur Post, was married to Connie Hines, who played Carol Post, Wilbur's wife. However, it is possible that Young did not wear a wedding ring in the show to maintain the make-believe world of the show, where Wilbur's wife is often frustrated by his relationship with Mr Ed.
Yes, Alan Young was married to Mary Anne Grimes, Virginia McCurdy, Mary Chipman, and Connie Hines. All his marriages ended in divorce. He later dedicated his book, "Mr Ed and Me", to Chipman.
The horse that played Mr Ed was trained to "talk" by placing a soft nylon strip between its gums and upper lip. The horse was also known to walk off the set when it was tired of working.
