Marijane Landis

Inducted 1998
Born:  August 3, 1928, Lancaster, Pa.
Maiden name: Marijane Louise Frey  

Marijane Landis joined WGAL 8 (TV) in October 1952.  She was recruited from little theater work to host programs geared to female viewers.  She became one of the station's first generation of on-air talent, doing commercials and voice-overs and hosting game, variety, talk, and cooking shows for the fledgling television station. She remained with WGAL for 41 years.  

In 1954 the program manager at WGAL-TV asked Landis and Jim Freed to create an hour-long show featuring Santa Claus and Freed's puppets, Percy Platypus and Cousin Kiwi. The Christmas shows were so successful, the duo continued working together on Slapstick Theater, a 15-minute children's show. 

In 1955, Slapstick Theater expanded to a 30-minute format and was renamed Percy Platypus and His Friends. Landis was on-air host and co-creator of this Saturday morning children's program until 1974.  She then created and produced Sunshine Corners from 1974-1979.  

Although best known for her work in children's programming, Landis also wrote, produced, and hosted commercials, promotion spots, public service announcements, and a variety of programs during her 41 years with WGAL. For 28 years, she was one of the station's "Weather Girls." She also represented WGAL at community events.  

In 1978, Landis moved from on-air to behind-the-scenes to become WGAL's community services manager and personnel director. She developed public service announcements, worked with community leaders, and represented the station at community events. She retired in 1993 but continues to work at the station one day a week, helping with personnel matters.  

Landis has won many awards during her career, including one of three national United States Air Force 1984 American Spirit Awards.  She is also the recipient of the Lancaster Personal Achievement Award  (1987) presented by WLPA Radio; the Women in Communications Outstanding Communicator in Central Pennsylvania Award (1984); American Business Women's Association Lancaster Charter Chapter Woman of the Year Award (1974), and the Muscular Dystrophy Association Award for Sunshine Corners Children's Show.  The State Museum of Pennsylvania will feature puppets from Percy Platypus and His Friends in a permanent exhibit.  

Landis has served as a director and advisor in many civic and charitable Lancaster County organizations including United Way, March of Dimes, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Millersville and Shippensburg Universities.  She is active in the Antique Automobile Club of America.