Mystic Knights of the Sea
Those of us who remember Amos
'n' Andy will perhaps remember a character known only as the Kingfish, a man
whose entire life revolved around his lodge, the Mystic Knights of the Sea.
After a long and diligent search, we have been fortunate enough to find a
rare and elusive Kingfish jewel. This splendid specimen, nicely done in
ivory trimmed with 18 Karat gold and emeralds, dates from 1919 and is quite
possibly unique.
The "Mystic Knights of the
Sea" as depicted in the pre-1943 serial version of "Amos 'n' Andy"
were clearly intended as a Masonic parody. Charles J. Correll and
Freeman F. Gosden were both Freemasons and Shriners, and consciously
patterned the administrative structure of the Mystic Knights of the
Sea after that of Freemasonry: Great Supreme Kingfish = Grand Master,
Kingfish = Worshipful Master, Whale = Senior Warden, Mackerel = Junior
Warden, Shad = Secretary/Treasurer, Jellyfish = Deacon, Swordfish =
Tyler.
The initiation ceremonies of the
Mystic Knights of the Sea, as detailed in episode 65 (6/29/28), required the
candidate to be blindfolded and led through the lodge room to receive
instruction from the officers. Other rituals are occasionally referred to,
under the specifically Masonic term "degree work." Other Masonic terms,
including references to "demitting" or "taking a demit" from the lodge
occasionally occur during the early years of the program’s run. These
references were all dropped by the time the series converted to a situation
comedy format.
