As a youngster I can remember watching many an episode of the "Captain Kangaroo" show during the morning on black and white television. This show was one of the longest aired children's shows of all time running on the CBS network from 1955-1984; perhaps you have seen it. This show then ran on public television from 1986-1993.
Bob Keeshan played "Captain Kangaroo", named for his big coat pockets. The "Captain would tells stories and converse with the regular characters and guests on the show. While attending Marietta College in 1972 I was told that Bob was an alumnus of the college. I have since learned that Bob Keeshan attended Fordham University in New York.
"Mr. Green Jeans" played by Hugh "Lumpy" Brannum, was "Captain Kangaroo's" main sidekick. Other characters on the show included "Bunny Rabbit", a puppet who always tricked the Captain into giving him some carrots. "Mr. Moose", a puppet, who would tell "knock knock" jokes and then the Captain would be showered from above by a bunch of ping pong balls. These puppet characters were played by Cosmo "Gus" Agretti who also portrayed "Grandfather Clock","Dancing Bear" and a few others.
Another character was the somewhat unusual "Banana Man" played by Sam Levine. The "Banana Man" would perform a tune that sounded something like this, "leeeee laalaalaalaalaalaa leeelooo" then he would produce a huge bunch of bananas or watermelons from his pocket and say "WOW HA HA" in a high voice.
Yes, "The Captain Kangaroo Show' had many memorable characters. Which character or characters did or do you like? Do you like "Bunny Rabbit?". Do you like "Mr. Green Jeans?". Do you like "Mr. Moose?". Do you like "Grandfather Clock?". Do you like "The Banana Man?"
Do you like "Dancing Bear?".
Sunday, March 15, 2009
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Loved the show! I didn't care for Mr. Green Jeans but loved Mr. Moose and Bunny Rabbit. The show was a much slower pace than what kids watch now. I had forgotten about the "Bob Keeshan attending Marietta rumor". Kevin Keeshan, Bob's nephew, is news director at KGO-TV in San Francisco.
ReplyDeleteHow about Dancing bear? Did you like dancing bear?
ReplyDeleteNo, I did not like dancing bear. I just had to refresh my memory by watching a youtube. DB is like Barney -- rather boring. Remember Capt. K's key ring?
ReplyDeleteCosmo Allegretti was Bunny Rabbit and Mr. Moose (both of which he also created), Dennis the Apprentice, Miss Frog, Mr. Whispers, Dancing Bear, Grandfather Clock, Uncle Ralph, was the voice of Aniforms puppet TV Fred (a live-action on-screen puppet that appeared behind the blackboard in the Treasure House),and was the artist behind the Magic Drawing Board. He was a 1951 graduate of Marietta College, same class as my dad.
ReplyDeleteRIP . . . Cosmo http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/09/arts/television/cosmo-allegretti-captain-kangaroo-actor-and-puppeteer-dies-at-86.html?_r=0
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