Research Guru / Moderator
Posted:
Jan 23, 2004, 12:12 PM
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Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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Though neither a captain nor a kangaroo, Bob Keeshan was beloved by generations of TV-watching children as Captain Kangaroo.
Now the man with the walrus mustache is no longer with us.
Keeshan, whose Captain Kangaroo debuted on CBS in 1955 and ran for 30 years before showing up for another six on public TV, died Friday at 76.
He died of a long illness, his family said in a statement from Quechee, Vermont. His was the longest-running children's network television show of all time.
Besides entertaining and educating children as his character, Keeshan was the producer of the Terrytoons series The Adventures of Lariat Sam, a series of 13 stories -- each consisting of three five-minute chapters -- which ran on his show beginning in September 1962.
The cartoons starred idealistic cowboy Lariat Sam, who traveled the West with his derby-wearing horse Tippytoes. Sam refused to carry a gun, using only his trusty lariat to defend those in need. The duo kept the Old West safe from outlaws like Badlands Meeny. (Dayton Allen voiced all three characters.)
The show also broadcast the Terrytoons series Tom Terrific.
Keeshan made at least one cartoon appearance himself, guesting as Aesop in Hercules and the Kids, a 1998 episode of Disney's Hercules.
Captain Kangaroo (the man and the show) was hugely popular among children. The program won six Emmy Awards, three Gabriels and three Peabody Awards.
With his bowl haircut and uniform coat, Captain Kangaroo would walk each day through his Treasure House, chatting with his friend Mr. Green Jeans (played by Hugh "Lumpy" Brannum, who died in 1987).
The Captain would visit with such puppet animals as Mr. Moose, who loved telling knock-knock jokes, and Bunny Rabbit, who was chided for eating too many carrots.
But Captain Kangaroo, on whom the show was centered, got his name after the kangaroo pouch-like pockets of the coat Keeshan wore.
"I was impressed with the potential positive relationship between grandparents and grandchildren, so I chose an elderly character," said Keeshan, who was only 28 years old when the show began.
He was born Robert James Keeshan on June 27, 1927 in Lynbrook, Long Island. While still a young man, he served in the United States Marine Corps reserves.
Keeshan's broadcasting career came early. He started as a page at NBC, first appearing on-air as the original “Clarabell the Clown” for NBC's Howdy Doody Show.
As "Corny the Clown," Keeshan was the first host/performer of WJZ/WABC-TV's Time For Fun/The Johnny Jellybean Show, broadcast in New York weekdays at noon from September 21, 1953 to July 29, 1955. He was the co-creator, co-producer and host of Tinker's Workshop with Jack Miller on WJZ/WABC weekday mornings from November 15, 1954 to September 9, 1955.
Captain Kangaroo debuted on CBS on October 3, 1955. During the show's 1964 run, Keeshan also took on the guise of "Mister Mayor" on Saturday mornings for a year, but always stayed the Captain until the show ended in 1993. He also hosted CBS Storybreak in 1985.
Elected to the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the Clown Hall of Fame, Keeshan published Growing Up Happy in 1989. In October 1996, he published Good Morning Captain: 50 Wonderful Years with Bob Keeshan, TV's Captain Kangaroo.
Keeshan also wrote the Itty Bitty Kitty children's book series.
He was married to Anne Jeanne Laurie from 1950 until her death in 1995. They had two daughters, Laurie and Mave, and a son, Michael.
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"Oh boy." -- Allan Sherman
(This post was edited by eminovitz on Jan 23, 2004, 4:45 PM)
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Directing Animator / Contributor
Posted:
Jan 23, 2004, 12:32 PM
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Re: Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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Other cartoon shorts that were shown on "Captain Kangaroo" included Terrytoon's "Tom Terrific" (with his magical funnel hat and his wonder dog Manfred) and Sutherland Associates' "The Most Important Person" (with Fumble the friendly ostrich-like creature, cranky Bird, and the child-like troll Hairy).
After Captain Kangaroo's run ended in 1984, Bob Keeshan hosted the "CBS Storybreak" series from 1985 to 1987 with children's books adapted to cartoon stories animated by Hanna-Barbera Productions. Some stories include "How to Eat Fried Worms" and "A Chinese Cinderella Story".
Thanks for making my mornings great, Captain.
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"Don't chew gum on camera. Don't whistle. You may kiss Bob Barker but please don't kill him." -announcer Johnny Olson briefing the audience of potential contestants for "The Price is Right"
(This post was edited by artytoons on Jan 23, 2004, 12:33 PM)
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Research Guru / Moderator
Posted:
Jan 23, 2004, 12:57 PM
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Re: Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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In his 1960 album Omnibust: 60 Years of Music America Hates Best, Spike Jones and the City Slickers recorded a parody, "Captain Bangaroo."
The very infectious instrumental theme from Captain Kangaroo, "Puffin' Billy," wasn't written for the show. It was pulled off a record produced by a British production library known as the "Chappell Recorded Music Library"! Edward G. White was the original composer.
The tune's original title referred to a British steam locomotive. It became so popular that in 1957, permission was granted for Mary Rodgers (daughter of Richard Rodgers, of Rodgers and Hammerstein fame) to write lyrics to the tune. It was given the vocal title "Captain Kangaroo."
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"Oh boy." -- Allan Sherman
(This post was edited by eminovitz on Jan 23, 2004, 12:57 PM)
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Cartoon Aficionado / Contributor
Posted:
Jan 23, 2004, 1:57 PM
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Re: Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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The show also featured the animated series "Captain Nemo." Later, it offered reruns of "The C.B. Bears" and "Undercover Elephant."
Keeshan was also the host of "CBS Storybreak," an anthology of animated adaptations of children's books. Among the best-known episodes of this series were "How To Eat Fried Worms" and "Chocolate Fever."
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"Never walk alone in a danger zone."
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Animator / Contributor
Posted:
Jan 23, 2004, 3:57 PM
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Re: Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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A great loss indeed; I have nothing but admiration for Keeshan.
Remember another of the show's running characters (from the 60s)--"The Town Clown"? Did Keeshan also play that clown?
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"UGGA-UGGA-BOO,
UGGA-BOO-BOO,
UGGA!" --Mel Blanc & Hans Conried
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Inbetweener
Posted:
Jan 23, 2004, 4:14 PM
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Re: Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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From both an acting and human point of view there are some lessons to be learned from him. By interacting with those around him he made the audience come into the show. The way he broke the fourth wall was more an invitation. Neither he nor anyone on the set ever played down to, patronized or overplayed anything that was done on the show. It was entertaining without violence, although the cartoons had action, as well as instructive on manners and teaching kids how to communicate with others. I am also sure that Sesame Street and Mr. Rodgers learned a lot from his style of presentation, as he was the first in that style of format. Come to think of it, was Mr. Bunny the first TV Muppet and who played him/her? I still have a warm place in my heart for who he was and what he did. After growing up I realized how hard he must have worked at his craft.
After reading the above comments I did give my one minute of silance.
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Sincerelyl; Stan. http://homepage.mac.com/ssagan2/SlayersSerious/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Slayers_Serious_anime_info/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LinaNagaboard/?yguid=10291554
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Directing Animator
Posted:
Jan 23, 2004, 4:35 PM
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Re: Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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Bob Keeshan (CBS-TV) 1955-84 as "Captain Kangaroo" will be greatly missed! 
(Click Image) "Good Bye Old Friend!"
Star Fox! 
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ToonRadio! Dog City-Editer:TV.Com! Big Cartoon DataBase!
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Research Guru / Moderator
Posted:
Jan 23, 2004, 4:59 PM
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Re: Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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"Our father, grandfather and friend was as passionate for his family as he was for America's children. He was largely a private man living an often public life, as an advocate for all that our nation's children deserve," Bob Keeshan's family said in a statement.
"Bob Keeshan was a true pioneer in children's television whose legacy goes unmatched," said CBS chairman Leslie Moonves. "Throughout Captain Kangaroo's historic 29-year run on CBS, Bob entertained millions of children across the country. He was a great entertainer, showman and innovator, and he will always hold a special place in the history of CBS and the hearts of television viewers. Our condolences go out to his family and friends."
Bozo the Clown, otherwise known by his real name, Larry Harmon, called Keeshan's death "a big loss to generations of American kids."
Psychologist Dr. Joyce Brothers, who was on Captain Kangaroo for three seasons, called the show "a wonderful service for children and parents....Parents could turn on the TV with complete security that what was shown wouldn't be harmful in any way."
The show wasn't nearly as improvised as it appeared, said Peggy Charren, founder of Action for Children's Television. "He never did anything that would disappoint you. He was a constant in lives that were not always full of constants."
Keeshan credited Buffalo Bob Smith, host of The Howdy Doody Show (in which Keeshan created the character Clarabell the Clown), with influencing his creative and professional life.
"One of the reasons that Captain Kangaroo was such a success is that it ran so smoothly, and that happened because I ran that show with all the talents that Bob Smith taught me," Keeshan wrote.
"He is my father in the business. I put what he taught me to work on Captain Kangaroo, and we ran for thirty years," he said.
"Television is a wonderful tool. It can teach, it can educate, it can be a great cultural influence on our young people," he once said.
In a 1999 interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Keeshan told of his frustration with the lack of creativity in kids' TV (which he blamed on the emphasis on the bottom line) and ever more violent video games.
"When you play some of these games, the only way to win is to be skilled at violence. If you want to be conciliatory or to mediate, you're going to lose. You take a game like Mortal Kombat, the conditioning of violence involved, it's sickening," he said.
"Parents are the ultimate role models for children," he said. "Every word, movement and action has an effect. No other person or outside force has a greater influence on a child than the parent."
Keeshan recalled how he and Fred Rogers the host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, spoke often about how children's programming was going: "I don't think it's any secret that Fred and I were not very happy with the way children's television had gone."
Keeshan found Barney and Friends to be gentle but boring -- "what we used to call 'a program in a telephone booth.'"
"There's no room to stretch. They have to break out and get away from that and build more characters, and build other aspects to the show," he said in 1993.
In 1987, Keeshan and former Tennessee governor Lamar Alexander (now a U.S. senator) co-founded Corporate Family Solutions, an organization which provided day-care programs to businesses around the United States.
Keeshan believed that children learn more in the first six years of life than at any other stage. He advocated day care which provides children with emotional, physical and intellectual development.
"Play is the work of children. It's very serious stuff. And if it's properly structured in a developmental program, children can blossom."
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"Oh boy." -- Allan Sherman
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Research Guru / Moderator
Posted:
Jan 24, 2004, 2:51 PM
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Re: Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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In a retrospective, Chicago Daily Herald TV/radio columnist Ted Cox observed:
"The Captain, don't forget, never looked down on cartoons, either, as anyone who can recall Tom Terrific, Crabby Appleton and the Mighty Manfred can attest."
Earlier in his career, as Corny the clown, Bob Keeshan hosted a noontime cartoon show at the ABC station in New York. And as Corny, he lobbied to remove cartoons that were overly violent or racially stereotyped from the program.
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"Oh boy." -- Allan Sherman
(This post was edited by eminovitz on Jan 24, 2004, 6:53 PM)
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Research Guru / Moderator
Posted:
Jan 26, 2004, 3:31 PM
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Re: Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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A private service is being planned in the spring for Bob Keeshan, his son Michael said Monday.
The service, for family and friends, is scheduled for sometime in March or April. A location has not yet been determined.
A separate service, possibly at the Children's Hospital of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, is also being considered, Michael Keeshan said.
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"Oh boy." -- Allan Sherman
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Apprentice
Posted:
Feb 1, 2004, 5:58 PM
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Re: Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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R.I.P., Captain Kangaroo. We will all miss you. I remember when I was a kid during the 1980's, I watched Captain Kangaroo a lot on the weekends.
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Inbetweener
Posted:
Dec 23, 2006, 8:12 PM
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Re: Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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Dear DingDog,
Yes!
Mr.Keeshan did play
"The Town Clown"first on
"Mr.Mayor"and later on
"Captain Kangaroo!".
Thanks For Remembering
"The Town Clown"and "Captain
Kangaroo!",
4CK.
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Supervising Animator / Contributor
Posted:
Dec 28, 2006, 10:01 AM
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Re: Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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I remember National Geographic exploreer's hall had an exhibit on time. I turned around & there in the corner was Granfather clock. It blew my mind!
Years later Bob came to my local Zany Brainy (also gone) to autograth his collection of stories. I told him about GC, & he said that he still owned him(it?) & loaned it to NG.
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 "... when you're good and crazy, oooh, oooh, oooh, the sky is the limit."
"Because in this business reality can be *pretty* hard to come by."
- the Tick
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Inbetweener
Posted:
Oct 31, 2007, 8:28 PM
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Re: Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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Dear Eminovitz,
Mr.Keeshan played"Corney The Clown"
on "Time For Fun!"weekday afternoons on
WJZ/WABC TV Ch.7 from Monday September 23,
1953 to July,1955.
He would also serve as the co-creator,host,
performer and instructor"Tinker The Toymaker"
on"Tinker's Workshop!"Weekday mornings on
WJZ/WABC TV Ch.7 in NYC from Monday November
15,1964 to September,1955.
4CK.
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Animator
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Jan 8, 2008, 5:13 AM
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I still remember his show, as I was "getting ready for school" around 1970. & 2 Character names that I have not forgot are "Mister Green Jeans" & puppet, "Mr. Moose".
On one of his shows, he told the story of "Chicken Little" & re-named it "Chicken Licken".
Robert James Keeshan's Lifetime was Monday, June 27, 1927 - Friday, January 23, 2004.
Meaning: His lifetime, in days amounts to/totalled 27,969 DAYS =ing 3,995 WEEKS & 4 DAYS.
63x927is58401.
& BCDB's Math_Maestro.
"Type To You Later".
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"I Will Type To You, Later" & "BCDB's Math_Maestro"
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Supervising Animator / Contributor
Posted:
Jan 8, 2008, 6:50 AM
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Re: Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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Whenever I think of Bob Keeshan or Captain Kangaroo, I can hear that theme song from his show. I never heard it played anywhere else and can't think of the Captain without hearing that theme in my head. Does anyone know it's title?
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"If it's hot, don't sit on it." —NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg
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Research Guru / Moderator
Posted:
Jan 8, 2008, 9:08 AM
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Re: Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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"Puffing Billy," said to be the most successful "music library" record ever made because of its role in this series.
The story goes that Bob Keeshan and the other production folks were desperately searching about for a theme for the kids' show, which was ready to have its first broadcast, when somebody found this tune on a 78 from the Boosey and Hawkes music library. It was just what they were looking for. The rest, as they say, was history.
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"Oh boy." -- Allan Sherman
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Directing Animator
Posted:
Feb 7, 2008, 3:59 PM
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Re: Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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I don't mean any disrespect to the memory of this wonderful man and his accomplishments; but I have to say I was ROFL at the parody of his show, "Captain Combat" that John Candy did on SCTV several years ago. I especially loved the part where "Mr. Green Fatigues" accidentally shot the puppeteer, who manipulates Mr. Bunny Rabbit, while trying to show the children how to fire a machine-gun! The puppeteer could be seen staggering off the set and collapsing as the end credits rolled!
I always loved the theme-song to the old Captain Kangaroo show; I never knew the name of the actual composition until now (kudos, Ethan). If I remember correctly, the show used a different theme-song during its final seasons on CBS and on PBS.
During the show's early years, didn't Bob Keeshan adopt an Australian accent for the Captain? I thought I saw an old kinescope of the show from the 50's in which he did speak with a notable Australian accent. This appears to have been dropped by the early 1970's, when I first started watching the show.
I remember an old PSA that Keeshan did as the Captain with Mr. Moose; it was on the subject of the importance ofchildren's vaccinations and somehow the Captain managed to talk Mr. Moose (using reverse psychology) into going to the doctor's office for a booster shot.
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"I'd like to cover you with furs and automobiles!"
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Directing Animator
Posted:
Feb 7, 2008, 4:00 PM
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Re: Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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Holy cow, Ethan... is it already Friday where you are?! 
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"I'd like to cover you with furs and automobiles!"
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Inbetweener
Posted:
May 1, 2008, 6:34 AM
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Re: Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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Dear Zavkram,
I've seen kinnies of"Captain Kangaroo"
and I've seen the actually series..when it was
being broadcast on CBS TV back in the late 1950's
and early 1960's.
Mr.Keeshan's"CK"didn't speak with an Austriallian
accent..he spoke with a southern accent.
Because I heard him say"The name is Kangaroo
..Captain Kangaroo..what you all doing here?"
A gentleman from the South would say that
..not a mate from Aussieland!
Within time of course?
"CK"dropped the southern accent,trimmed his
mustache and his greying buster brown like wig,
dicthed his fireman's cap and got out of the oversized
body suit and became the kindly old caretaker of
"The Treasure House"/"The Captain's Place!"that we
have come to know and love.
4CK
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Captain Kangaroo jumps into TV heaven
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