Most would disagree, but the All-New Version of the beloved Captain and his Treasure House wasn't all bad. The pacing was right, kind of laid back, the beloved characters Mr. Moose, Bunny Rabbit, etc were all there, and even the new ones such as Corneilous P. Digit held some potential. I will admit Joey the Kangaroo was just silly--he'll never hold a candle to the old Dancing Bear. But in a Hurley-burly age of anime, or computerized fun, it's still nice to see some old fashioned live action. The biggest problem with this version is that too many of us oldsters remember the first, and probably only "real" Captain Kangaroo, Bob Keeshan.I give John McDonough credit, but some shoes just can't be filled. If there had been some continuity, say, that young Green Gene is nephew to the first Mr. Greenjeans, with more "passing the baton" it might have worked. High marks for trying, kudos for at least taking a chance.
3 Reviews
A pale imitation of the original Captain Kangaroo
Viewer11126 April 2017
Tragically the original Captain Kangaroo Show is mostly lost to the ages. Of the literally thousands of original Captain Kangaroo Show episodes (something like 8000+ were made) less than twenty are still in existence. None of those are commercially available on DVD or streaming. There are a few VHS shows (like ten episodes) but those are all from the late 1970s to early 80s.
Anyway, this All New Captain Kangaroo is somewhat entertaining, but just is a pale imitation. It does have a few fun moments, but lacks the magic, and glory which was the original show. Thus, this all new show lasted only a short time.
Anyway, this All New Captain Kangaroo is somewhat entertaining, but just is a pale imitation. It does have a few fun moments, but lacks the magic, and glory which was the original show. Thus, this all new show lasted only a short time.
Couldn't compare to the original, but a nice try
mkaiser-331 December 2006
Saban, the same company that brought Power Rangers, went a different direction with this revival of Captain Kangaroo. Supposedly, Bob Keeshan, the original Captain, was offered a role as a Grandfather Captain, but he declined, premiering to be a creative consultant, but Saban said no thanks.
Most of the elements of the original are there, Mr. Moose, Bunny Rabbit, Grandfather Clock, even the treasure house has some resemblance to the one fans know and love. The opening has the Captain opening the doors and hanging his key onto a nail, just as it should. Frequent trips were taken to Sea World, just as the original Captain would frequently go to the zoo. The show also had the familiar gag of the Captain having ping pong balls poured over his head.
John Mc.Donough is passable as the new Captain. He wears the familiar jacket with big pockets, but it's blue instead of red. He has a long black beard, and like Keeshan, is a portly guy. To his credit, he seems to relish the role. I read an interview where he commented that he grew up watching the Captain and dreamed of having a chance to play with him as a kid.
Greenjeans (not MISTER Greenjeans) is much too young and is dorky. Lumpy Brannum's original Mr. Greenjeans worked so well because he was sort of a great sage and wise man. This Greenjeans just looks like he's just an amateur actor trying to play the part of a guy that loves vegetables.
Also, Joey the Kangaroo is an invasive addition to the cast. He's just too clumsy.
Still, with the exception of Digit, there was no attempt to "modernize" the show, it still had the feel and warmth of the original, despite the lack of chemistry between this Captain and Greenjeans.
Most of the elements of the original are there, Mr. Moose, Bunny Rabbit, Grandfather Clock, even the treasure house has some resemblance to the one fans know and love. The opening has the Captain opening the doors and hanging his key onto a nail, just as it should. Frequent trips were taken to Sea World, just as the original Captain would frequently go to the zoo. The show also had the familiar gag of the Captain having ping pong balls poured over his head.
John Mc.Donough is passable as the new Captain. He wears the familiar jacket with big pockets, but it's blue instead of red. He has a long black beard, and like Keeshan, is a portly guy. To his credit, he seems to relish the role. I read an interview where he commented that he grew up watching the Captain and dreamed of having a chance to play with him as a kid.
Greenjeans (not MISTER Greenjeans) is much too young and is dorky. Lumpy Brannum's original Mr. Greenjeans worked so well because he was sort of a great sage and wise man. This Greenjeans just looks like he's just an amateur actor trying to play the part of a guy that loves vegetables.
Also, Joey the Kangaroo is an invasive addition to the cast. He's just too clumsy.
Still, with the exception of Digit, there was no attempt to "modernize" the show, it still had the feel and warmth of the original, despite the lack of chemistry between this Captain and Greenjeans.
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