June 27
CLARABELL KANGAROO
“Hey kids ... what time is it? It’s Howdy Doody time!” The year was 1947 and the peanut gallery surrounded Buffalo Bob Smith, Phineus T. Bluster, Indian Princess Summer-Fall-Winter-Spring, Judy, Flubadub and a clown who didn’t talk named, Clarabell. The clown could make noise with a horn, like Harpo Marx, and could spray seltzer water. But that was it. Clarabell was Bob Keeshan in disguise, a man who was born on this day in 1927.
Two years later, Clarabell got restless. He wanted to talk. So, despite what Buffalo Bob and an NBC players contract said, Clarabell was determined to talk -- even silently. As relations between the clown and the star of the show (Buffalo Bob, not Howdy) got even more tense, Clarabell mouthed the words “Bye Kids” at the close of a Howdy Doody show and was fired on the spot.
Clarabell was out of a job until getting the big payback in 1955. Clarabell -- now back to being Bob Keeshan -- signed on with CBS for the only network children’s show to be broadcast on a daily basis. That show, Captain Kangaroo, became an integral part of American culture for two decades. Keeshan introduced us to Grandfather Clock, Mr. Green Jeans, Bunny Rabbit, Mr. Moose and many other characters who taught kids a lesson. The phrase, “And be sure to say ‘please’ ... and ‘thank you’!” was just one of many. Captain Kangaroo became the model for truly excellent children’s television which led the way to Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, Sesame Street and others.
Bob Keeshan died on January 23, 2004.
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