"The Howdy Doody Show" (1947) "Puppet Playhouse" (original title), TV series 1947-1960

Creator:

E. Roger Muir
(more)

Seasons:

unknown

Release Date:

27 December 1947 (USA)

Genre:

Family

Plot Keywords:

Marionette | Rocket | Clown

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win

Cast

Bob Smith	...	Buffalo Bob (7 episodes, 1955-1960)
Nick Nicholson		(3 episodes, 1958-1960)
Bill LeCornec	...	Chief Thunderthud (3 episodes, 1958-1960)
Lew Anderson	...	Clarabell the Clown (3 episodes, 1954-1960)
Rufus Rose		(3 episodes, 1958-1960)

Series Directed by
Bob Hultgren		(3 episodes, 1958-1960)
Sandy Howard		(unknown episodes, 1947-1959)

Series Writing credits
Willie Gilbert		(3 episodes, 1958-1960)
Jack Weinstock		(3 episodes, 1958-1960)
E. Roger Muir		(1 episode, 1955)

Series Produced by
E. Roger Muir	....	producer (3 episodes, 1958-1960)
Edward Kean	....	co-producer (unknown episodes)
Hal Schaffel	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Martin Stone	....	producer (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Paul Jacobson	....	unit manager (2 episodes, 1958)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Eleanor Tarshis	....	associate director (1 episode, 1960)

Series Art Department
Norman Davidson	....	scenic designer (3 episodes, 1958-1960)

Series Sound Department
Tom McNamara	....	audio (3 episodes, 1958-1960)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Aaron Stephenson	....	lighting director (2 episodes, 1958)

Series Other crew
Carl Cabasin	....	technical director (3 episodes, 1958-1960)
William Simmons	....	technical director (2 episodes, 1958)
Dayton Allen	....	puppeteer (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Distributors

• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1947-1960) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Image Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Image Entertainment (2001) (USA) (VHS)
• Moviecraft (2004) (USA) (VHS)

Also Known As:

"Puppet Playhouse" - USA (original title)
"Howdy Doody" - USA (alternative title)

Runtime:

30 min (2343 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (1955-1960) | Black and White (1947-1955)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Trivia:

The series finale appears as a 'bonus' disc in the recently released DVD collection of 40 installments, and differs from all the other chapters (which are on kinescope), as it is the only one in color and on videotape. Tape technology was still in its infancy at the time of this 1960 broadcast (color tape was only two years old), and the network took the opportunity to make it a special event: expanding the normally 30-minute show to a full hour, and introducing the finale with the still new animated NBC peacock- with some original lyrics sung by the 'Howdy Doody' puppets for the 'NBC chimes' jingle.

Quotes:

Host:Say, kids, what time is it?
Peanut Gallery:It's Howdy Doody time!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Goof Troop: Axed by Addition (#1.3)" (1992)

The very first TV program I ever saw.

I first saw "Puppet Playhouse" at the age of 5 on a neighbor's 5-inch GE TV (with a magnifying glass over the screen so that we could all see it). At that time, I lived near Buffalo, NY. Buffalo Bob's constant references to places around Buffalo brought the context a little closer. Then there were the old time movies, featuring Mickey McGuire and the Tons of Fun.

I also watched The Camel News Caravan, I Remember Mama, Milton Berle and all sorts of programs which stimulated my curiosity and imagination. And all this without the benefit of special effects that are now available. And, more importantly, a lot more imagination at play, than one would find in later years.

Years later when I'm watching my children watch cartoon characters flying around with devastating rays coming from their bare hands, I quickly devise ways to get the kids away from this stuff. My opinion is that (like another commenter) is that my kids missed some pretty neat stuff.