Captain Kangaroo was a popular children's show that ran from October 3, 1955 – December 8, 1984, excluding a 1964-1965 break.The show was built around life in the "Treasure House". The Treasure House was where Captain Kangaroo would tell many stories, meet many new people, and do silly things with other characters of the show. The Captain had large pockets in his coat, which was where he got his name.
L-R: Cosmo Allegretti, Bob Keeshan, Hugh Brannum
Bob Keeshan was a page at NBC and eventually worked on Howdy Doody where he was the first Clarabelle the Clown. Keeshan was born to play Captain Kangaroo and originally had to wear heavy makeup to make him appear older as he was 29 when the show started and grew into the role. Keeshan was easy going and had high standards for what the role should be. He envisioned the show as a bridge between kids and their grandparents. Captain Kangaroo taught us good manners, respect and fair play.
During World War II Hugh (Lumpy) Brannum enlisted in the US Marine Corps and joined a Marine band led by Bob Crosby. After the war, he joined the Four Squires, later moving to Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians. Before his time on Captain Kangaroo, he hosted a local children's TV series called Uncle Lumpy's Cabin, seen weekday mornings on WABC-TV in New York City during the 1951 season. On Captain Kangaroo he played Mr Green Jeans because of his usual attire, green jeans, green plaid shirt, and straw hat. Mr. Green Jeans taught us to be nice to animals.
Cosmo (Gus) Alegretti began his tv career as one of the assistant puppeteers on the ABC show Rootie Kazootie from 1952 -54. He created many memorable characters for Captain Kangaroo including Mr Moose and Bunny Rabbit. Mr Moose would tell riddles and knock-knock jokes that would result in hundreds of ping pong balls falling from above, and hitting the Captain on the head. Bunny Rabbit spent all his time trying to get carrots from the Captain. Other characters played by Allegretti included Dancing Bear, Grandfather Clock, Dennis the Apprentice, and Fred from Channel One, the Aniforms man.
| The Captain with Mr Moose |
| Bunny Rabbit |
| Dancing Bear |
| The Captain, Fred, and Mr Green Jeans |
| Grandfather Clock Captain Kangaroo had a couple of cartoons on the show. Tom Teriffic and Lariat Sam were both produced by Terrytoons, owned by CBS, and Bob Keeshan Productions and alternated weekly. Tom Terrific was a kid who lived in a tree house and obtained magical powers by his funnel hat. His sidekick was his faithful dog, Mighty Manfred. The villains included Crabby Appleton and Isotope Feeny. Lariat Sam was a cowboy whose sidekick was his horse, Tippy Toes. There was also a cartoon from the BBC about Crystal Tipps and her dog, Alistair. |
| Tom Terrific and Mighty Manfred |
| Lariat Sam and Tippy Toes |
| Crystal Tipps and Alistair |
One of my favorite parts of the show growing up were the read-alongs where he read story books to us: Mike Mulligan's Steam Shovel, Hats for Sale, Stone Soup, Curious George, Make Way for Ducklings, and more.
Bob Keeshan died in 2004. Hugh Brannum died in 1987. Cosmo Allegretti is still alive and is 84 years of age.
Trivia:
Cosmo Allegretti was once married to Broadway star Carol Lawrence from 1956-59 but it was annulled.
The Captain Kangaroo theme actually had a real name. It was "Puffin Billy".
The show premiered on CBS the same day Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse Club premiered on ABC.
The Captain's original jacket and Mr Moose now reside in the Smithsonian Institute.
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