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The Howdy Doody Show

Original title: Puppet Playhouse
  • TV Series
  • 1947–19601947–1960
  • TV-GTV-G
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
230
YOUR RATING
The Howdy Doody Show (1947)
  • Family
The first nationally televised American children's TV program and a prototype for what followed. Buffalo Bob Smith hosts while the puppet, Howdy Doody, stars.The first nationally televised American children's TV program and a prototype for what followed. Buffalo Bob Smith hosts while the puppet, Howdy Doody, stars.The first nationally televised American children's TV program and a prototype for what followed. Buffalo Bob Smith hosts while the puppet, Howdy Doody, stars.
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
230
YOUR RATING
  • Creator
    • E. Roger Muir
  • Stars
    • Bob Smith
    • Robert Keeshan
    • Bill LeCornec
Top credits
  • Creator
    • E. Roger Muir
  • Stars
    • Bob Smith
    • Robert Keeshan
    • Bill LeCornec
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 15User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Episodes225

    Browse episodes
    1 Season

    Photos20

    The Howdy Doody Show (1947)
    The Howdy Doody Show (1947)
    The Howdy Doody Show (1947)
    The Howdy Doody Show (1947)
    The Howdy Doody Show (1947)
    The Howdy Doody Show (1947)
    The Howdy Doody Show (1947)
    The Howdy Doody Show (1947)
    The Howdy Doody Show (1947)
    The Howdy Doody Show (1947)
    The Howdy Doody Show (1947)
    Bob Smith in The Howdy Doody Show (1947)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bob Smith
    Bob Smith
    • Buffalo Bobas Buffalo Bob…
    222 episodes222 eps • 1947–1960
    Robert Keeshan
    Robert Keeshan
    • Clarabell the Clown #1as Clarabell the Clown #1
    110 episodes110 eps • 1947–1953
    Bill LeCornec
    • Chief Thunderthudas Chief Thunderthud…
    99 episodes99 eps • 1950–1960
    Dayton Allen
    Dayton Allen
    • Flubadubas Flubadub…
    95 episodes95 eps • 1949–1952
    Judy Tyler
    Judy Tyler
    • Princess Summerfall Winterspringas Princess Summerfall Winterspring
    95 episodes95 eps • 1950–1953
    Lew Anderson
    • Clarabell Hornblow the Clown #4as Clarabell Hornblow the Clown #4…
    13 episodes13 eps • 1954–1960
    Bobby Nicholson
    • Clarabell the Clownas Clarabell the Clown…
    9 episodes9 eps • 1952–1958
    Ted Brown
    • Bison Billas Bison Bill
    7 episodes7 eps • 1954–1955
    Gina Genardi
    • Princess Summerfall Winterspringas Princess Summerfall Winterspring…
    7 episodes7 eps • 1954–1955
    Gil Lamb
    Gil Lamb
    • Clarabell the Clownas Clarabell the Clown
    7 episodes7 eps • 1950
    Allen Swift
    • Howdy Doodyas Howdy Doody…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1954–1960
    Nick Nicholson
    • J. Cornelius Cobbas J. Cornelius Cobb
    3 episodes3 eps • 1958–1960
    Rufus Rose
    • Sandra the Witchas Sandra the Witch
    3 episodes3 eps • 1958–1960
    Bernie Morshen
    • Clarabell the Clown #2 (Brief Sub)as Clarabell the Clown #2 (Brief Sub)
    3 episodes3 eps • 1952
    George 'Gabby' Hayes
    George 'Gabby' Hayes
    • Gabby Hayesas Gabby Hayes
    1 episode1 ep • 1954
    Spike Jones
    Spike Jones
    • Selfas Self
    1 episode1 ep • 1956
    Spike Jones Jr.
    Spike Jones Jr.
    • Selfas Self
    1 episode1 ep • 1956
    Alene Dalton
    • Self - Story Princessas Self - Story Princess
    1 episode1 ep • 1956
    • Creator
      • E. Roger Muir
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This was the first nationally televised American children's television show.
    • Quotes

      [final episode. Clarabell speaks for the only time in the show's history]

      Clarabell the Clown: Goodbye, kids.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Movie Orgy (1968)

    User reviews15

    Review
    Top review
    Wonderful Television Program
    Howdy Doody went off the air fourteen years before I was born. Until today, I had never seen a single episode. Oh yes, I had seen the clip of Clarabell crying on the last episode, but it was not until today--at age 31--that I saw the show for the first time with my five year-old son.

    I can't say that I have ever seen such a quality children's program. Maybe this is because Bob Smith & Co. were trained in radio and live television back in the 1940's, but there was something authentic about their performances. Their diction, their facial expressions, their chemistry, and their interaction with the kids... And then the story lines were not bad either. Plus, after seeing the live commercials, I was expecting my son to ask for Wonder bread.

    All you have to do is compare their work product against any children's show today and you will see what I mean. They had a connection with the audience--something the Power Rangers don't have. Frankly, I feel sad for my son's generation, because there is nothing so real on television for him today. Instead of finding role models like Buffalo Bob on TV, all he has are impersonal cartoons; and if, God forbid, he should ever change the channel from these shows, he might find Jerry Springer and Maury Povich.
    helpful•18
    1
    • the_matman
    • Apr 28, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 27, 1947 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Howdy Doody
    • Filming locations
      • NBC Studios - 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      30 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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