MUSEUM OF BROADCASTING SEMINAR SERIES, THE: HOWDY DOODY SEMINAR {NO. 1} {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in this series of seminars conducted by The Museum of Television & Radio, then known as The Museum of Broadcasting. The Museum celebrates the fortieth anniversary of the popular children's program "Howdy Doody" with a series of seminars featuring Buffalo Bob Smith, Lew Anderson (Clarabell the Clown), and show producer Roger Muir. Buffalo Bob performs with his freckled puppet Howdy and friend Clarabell, screens vintage moments from the original series, and takes questions from the audience. The seminar begins in progress. Roger Muir takes questions from the audience, discussing ownership of copyright for the program; the anniversary special soon to air on network television; the original idea behind the program; the program's ratings; and the reason the series went off the air in 1960. Next, Mendes Napoli from the museum's curatorial staff gives a short introduction to the show and then to Buffalo Bob Smith. Smith takes the stage and sings "It's Howdy Doody Time" and "Clarabell," after which he explains that he expects the clown any minute now. Clarabell then appears and sprays Buffalo Bob in the face with seltzer. The two play some games together, in which Buffalo Bob unvaryingly ends up with seltzer in his face. They also play a medley of songs, Buffalo Bob on the keyboard and Clarabell on the clarinet. Next, Buffalo Bob brings out Howdy Doody, and the two sing songs together, including "Popcorn" and "Go to Bed." After this, Buffalo Bob introduces puppeteer Paddy Blackwood. Next, Clarabell and Buffalo Bob perform a medley about old-time children's television shows. Buffalo Bob then brings series producer Roger Muir on stage again, and the two introduce clips from the program. The first clip features the original Howdy Doody marionette; Smith explains that Frank Paris, creator of the original puppet, took the puppet when NBC refused to give him ownership rights. Covering for the missing "star," Buffalo Bob explains, they created a story line in which Howdy Doody underwent plastic surgery to freshen up his face for a presidential campaign for kids. Smith then takes questions from the audience, prompting discussion of the following topics: his own heart attack in 1954; the process of recording the voices of Howdy Doody and the other puppets; cast member Bill Le Cornec, who played Chief Thunderthud and spoke for the puppet Dilly Dally; titles from the short movies played on the program; the origins of Princess Summerfall Winterspring and Judy Tyler, one of the performers who played her; and the untruthful rumor that Bob Keeshan, who originally played Clarabell, and Smith did not get along. Next to screen is a clip of the program's 1000th program; a clip featuring Ted Brown, who played Bison Bill during Buffalo Bob's convalescence from the heart attack; and a clip filmed in Buffalo Bob's basement. Smith then takes some final questions from the audience. Topics include the current location of the puppets, the origins of "Gumby" on the program, and the relative absence of mistakes in the filming of the program. The seminar ends with a clip from the last episode, including Clarabell's tearful first and only words: "Good-bye, kids."
(This program contains minor technical problems. This represents the best copy of this program currently available to the Museum.)
Details
- NETWORK: Paley
- DATE: November 10, 1987 Tuesday 5:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:45:18
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T87:0469
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: Indigenous Peoples Collection
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Mendes Napoli … Host
- Lew Anderson … Panelist
- Roger Muir … Panelist
- Bob Smith … Panelist
- Blackwood, Paddy (audio i.d. only)
- Ted Brown
- Keeshan, Bob (See also: Keeshan, Robert)
- Le Cornec, Bill
- Frank Paris
- Judy Tyler