Thursday, March 11, 2010

"H" is for "Howdy Doody"

Bonjour from Campagne Maison


Buffalo Bob and Howdy Doody


Say kids...what time is it?

It's Howdy Doody time,

It's Howdy Doody time,

Bob Smith and Howdy Do

Say Howdy Do to you

Let's give a rousing cheer

'Cause Howdy Doody's here

It's time to start the show

So kids let's go!

All you kids out there in "Peanut Gallery" can sing along....


Howdy Doody was a freckle-faced boy marionette, operated by 11 strings. His face donned 48 freckles--one for each state of the Union. His original voice was that of "Buffalo Bob" Smith.

Residing in the town of "Doodyville", other puppets on the show included Howdy's sister, "Heidi Doody", "Mayor Phineas T. Blaster", "Dilly Dally", "Princess Summerfall Winterspring" (who was later brought to life by actress Judy Tyler) and "Fub-a-Dub" who was a mixture of 8 different animals. The human population included "Clarabell the Clown", originally played by Bob Keeshan, who later became "Captain Kangaroo". Bob also played "Chief Thunderbird, the original "Kowabunga" man!

The show was created by E. Roger Muir and aired in the United States from 1947-1960 on NBC television station. The original "Howdy Doody" resides at Detroit Institue of Arts, but other duplicates, "Double Doody" and "Photo Doody" were made. " Double Doody" was used as a stand-in on stage and now resides at the Smithsonian. "Photo Doody" was used for personal appearances, photos, parades, and the famed NBC test pattern. He was sold to a private collector in 1997 for $ 113,000.

On September 24, 1960, the show ended with "Clarabell's Big Surprise", when "Clarabell" revealed to everyone that she could talk. With a tear in her eye, as the credits rolled, she said "Goodbye kids".

http://www.wikipedia.com/

I am linking this post to Jenny's Alphabe-Thursd ay. Please click the button to her link that is located on my sidebar and head on over there to read more fabulous "H" posts.

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company!

Au revoir,

21 comments:

Sonny G said...

Thanks for the memories..Happy Thursday to you.
Sonny

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

I like to read posts by someone of my vintage.....

Thanks for the stroll down Memory Lane!!

Unknown said...

Just a little before my time but my older sisters adored him!

Maggie said...

I so enjoy reading about the American way of life. I had heard of Howdy Doody but have never seen the show.
~Maggie~

Unknown said...

Oh I remember Howdy Doody!
but we do not get them in Malaysia though.

Happy Thursday!

hugs

shakira

HOPE FOR GREAT LAKES NOW!

THEME THURSDAY-HATS

Anonymous said...

LOL, now that song will be stuck in my head all day long. I don't remember the show, but I remember the song.

jeff campbell said...

Great post! I love Howdy Doody and wished it were still on the tele. Sometimes I wish I lived in Doodyville...might be a most pleasant place to be these days:-) Peace

Sea Witch said...

I was never a fan of howdy doody...just too much of a creep factor for this sea witch.

Sarah said...

Oh, what memories I have of Howdy Doody. We had one of the puppets. Makes me wonder what happened to it. I'll be humming that tune all day. Thanks for a fun filled post!

Anonymous said...

Hi, it's Howdy Doody time. I remember the show. I'm from that generation too. Those were simpler times. TL

Viki said...

Oh how fun, I never even thought about Howdy Doody. Good one.

Betty said...

Just last week I bought a set of DVD's of the Howdy Doody Show. I haven't had a chance to watch them yet, but I'm sure looking forward to seeing the shows again. Great choice for the letter H.

laterg8r said...

i never saw howdy doody, looks fun :D

Jackie said...

Howdy doody to you too!

Jo said...

okay, that puppet still scares me...

Pondside said...

Oh yes, I remember Howdy Doody very well and can still sing the song!

Unknown said...

I never saw the show but my uncle had the doll in my grandmas attic.....I always wanted to play with him, he looked so happy!

Amanda Lee said...

Love the Americana history lesson! I never got to see the show, but my older brothers did.

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

Oh my, I loved loved Howdy Doody when I was a kid..

Thanks for taking me back...

Steph said...

I remember Captain Kangaroo, but not Howdy Doody. Of course, I know the song, though. I didn't realize there were so many Doody doubles. Thanks for the fun post.

Gweny said...

Girl after my own heart. I love Howdy Doody. I was even on the show one time. I must have been 2 or 3 at the time... I don't remember it but remember Mom telling me about it.. If only life could be so simple again.