Bob Keeshan
About This Interview
Related To This Video
Featured Content
Book: Good Morning, Captain: Fifty Wonderful Years with Bob Keeshan, TV's Captain Kangaroo
Video Clip: Captain Kangaroo 1960s show opening sequence
Resources
from the Museum of Broadcast Communications Encyclopedia of Television
Bob Keeshan is the actor and producer responsible for the success of the long-running children's program, Captain Kangaroo. As the easy-going Captain with his big pockets and his bushy mustache, Keeshan lured children into close engagement with literature, science, and especially music, adopting an approach which mixed pleasure and pedagogy. Children learned most easily, he argued, when information and knowledge became a source of delight. Keeshan's approach represented a rejection of pressures towards the increased commercialization of children's programming as well as a toning-down of the high volume, slapstick style associated with earlier kid show hosts, such as Pinky Lee, Soupy Sales and Howdy Doody's Buffalo Bob.
Keeshan was working as a receptionist at NBC-Radio's Manhattan office when Bob Smith started offering him small acting parts on his NBC-TV show, Triple B Ranch, and then, subsequently, hired him as a special assistant for The Howdy Doody Show. Though Keeshan's initial responsibilities involved supervising props and talking to the children who were to be program guests, he was soon pulled on camera, bringing out prizes. After appearing in clown garb on one episode to immense response, he took on the regular role of Clarabell, the mute clown who communicated by honking a horn. Leaving the series in 1952, he played a succession of other clown characters, such as Corny, the host of WABC-TV's Time For Fun, a noontime cartoon program, where he exerted pressure to remove from airplay cartoons he felt were too violent or perpetuated racial stereotyping. While at WABC-TV, he played an Alpine toymaker on Tinker's Workshop, an early morning program, which served as the prototype for Captain Kangaroo.
The CBS network was searching for innovative new approaches to children's programming and approved the Kangaroo series submitted by Keeshan and long-time friend Jack Miller. The series first aired in October 1955 and continued until 1985, making it the longest running children's series in network history. Keeshan not only vividly embodied the Captain, the friendly host of the Treasure House, but also played a central creative role on the daily series, supervising and actively contributing to the scripts and insuring the program's conformity to his conceptions of appropriate children's entertainment. Through encounters with Mr. Green Jeans and his menagerie of domestic animals, with the poetry-creating Grandfather Clock, the greedy Bunny Rabbit, the punning trickster Mr. Moose, and the musically-inclined Dancing Bear, the Captain opened several generations of children to the pleasures of learning. Unlike many other children's programs, Captain Kangaroo was not filmed before a studio audience and did not include children in its cast. Keeshan wanted nothing that would come between him and the children in his television audience and so spoke directly to the camera. He also personally supervised which commercials could air on the program, and promoted products, such as Play-Dough and Etch-a-Sketch, which he saw as facilitating creative play, while avoiding those he felt purely exploitative.
As his program's popularity grew, Keeshan took on an increasingly public role as an advocate for children, writing a regular column about children and television for McCall's and occasional articles for Good Housekeeping, Parade, and other publications. Keeshan wrote original children's books (as well as those tied to the Kangaroo program) and recorded a series of records designed to introduce children to classical and jazz music. He appeared at "tiny tot" concerts given by symphony orchestras in more than 50 cities, offering playful introductions to the musical instruments and the pleasure of good listening.
Upon his retirement, Keeshan became an active lobbyist on behalf of children's issues and in favor of tighter controls over the tobacco industry. A sharp critic of contemporary children's television, Keeshan is currently making efforts to get a new version of Captain Kangaroo onto the air, but since he does not own the rights to the character, there is some possibility that the captain may be recast.
-Henry Jenkins
FURTHER READING
Blum, David. "Fighting Demotion To Mr. Marsupial" (interview). New York Times, 14 June 1995.
Deutschman, Alan. "Lessons from Dad." Fortune (Chicago), 29 January 1990.
Kaye, Evelyn. The ACT Guide To Children's Television: Or How To Treat TV With T.L.C. Boston: Beacon, 1979.
Norton-Smith, Thomas M., and Linda L. Norton-Smith. "Two Conceptions Of The Value Of Individuals In Children's Programming." The Midwest Quarterly (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), Autumn 1992.
BOB KEESHAN. Born in New York City, New York, U.S.A., 27 June 1927. Died 23 January 2004. Attended Fordham University, 1946-49. Served in United States Marine Corps Reserve, 1945-46. Married: Anne Jeanne Laurie, 1950; children: Michael Derek, Laurie Margaret, and Maeve Jeanne. Began career as Clarabell for NBC-TV's Howdy Doody Show, 1947-52; appeared as Corny the Clown (ABC-TV), 1953-55, and Tinker the Toymaker (ABC-TV), 1954-55; starred as Captain Kangaroo (CBS-TV), 1955-85; president of Robert Keeshan Associates, from 1955; appeared as Mr. Mayor and the Town Clown (CBS-TV), 1964-65; president, Suffolk County Hearing and Speech Center, 1966-71; director of Marvin Josephson Associates, Inc, New York., 1969-77; director of Bank of Babylon, New York, 1973-79; chair, board of trustees, College of New Rochelle, New York, 1974-80; director of Anchor Savings Bank, 1976-91; chair, Council of Governing Boards, 1979-80; commentator, CBS-Radio, 1980-82; television commentator, 1981-82. Member: Board of Education, West Islip, New York, 1953-58; board of directors, Good Samaritan Hospital, West Islip, New York, 1969-78. Honorary Degrees: D. of Pedagogy, Rhode Island College, 1969; D.H.L. Alfred University, 1969; D.F.A., Fordham University, 1975; Litt.D., Indiana State University, 1978; L.L.D., Elmira (New York) University, 1980; D.L., Marquette University, 1983; D.P.S., Central Michigan University, 1984; D.H.L., St. Joseph College, 1987. Honorary Fellow: American Academy of Pediatrics. Recipient: Sylvania Award, 1956; Peabody Award, 1958, 1972, 1979; American Education Award, Education Industries Association, 1978; Distinguished Achievement Award, Georgia Radio and TV Institute-Pi Gamma Kappa, 1978; Emmy Awards,1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984; TV Father of the Year, 1980; James E. Allen Memorial Award, 1981; Distinguished Service to Children Award, 1981; National Education Award, 1982; American Heart Association National Public Affairs Recognition Award, 1987; Frances Holleman Breathitt Award for Excellence, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 1987; Clown Hall of Fame, 1990; AMA Distinguished Service Award, 1991.
TELEVISION SERIES
1947-52 The Howdy Doody Show
1953-55 Time for Fun
1954-55 Tinker's Workshop (also produced)
1955-85 Captain Kangaroo (also produced)
1964-65 Mr. Mayor (also producer)
1981-82 Up to the Minute, CBS News (commentator) 1982 CBS Morning News (commentator)
RADIO
The Subject is Young People, 1980-82
PUBLICATIONS
Growing Up Happy. New York: Doubleday, 1989.
Family Fun Activity Book. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Deaconness Press, 1994.
Holiday Fun Activity. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Fairview, 1995.
Books to Grow By. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Fairview, 1996.
Alligator in the Basement. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Fairview, 1996.
Hurry, Murry, Hurry. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Fairview, 1996.
Highlights
Bob Keeshan on remaining in character as "Clarabell the Clown", and his opinion on the Howdy Doody finale where "Clarabell" spoke for the only time
Clip begins at: 07:46, Duration: 01m 26s- Bob Keeshan on how much of his "Clarabell the Clown" moves were scripted on Howdy Doody
Clip begins at: 09:51, Duration: 04m 09s 
Bob Keeshan on the origin of Captain Kangaroo
Clip begins at: 00:01, Duration: 04m 42s
Bob Keeshan on Captain Kangaroo's switch from black and white to color
Clip begins at: 21:38, Duration: 04m 32s
Bob Keeshan on the industry's responsibility to children
Clip begins at: 08:43, Duration: 01m 40s
Interview
- Part 1
- On his early life and influences; on radio and books he enjoyed as a child; on his high school years
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On working at NBC as a page; on his service in World War II; on returning to college after World War II
Clip begins at: 15:58 - Part 2
- On the early days of television at NBC; on how he came to be "Clarabell the Clown" on Howdy Doody
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On playing "Clarabell the Clown" on Howdy Doody; on Howdy Doody's mission and sponsors
Clip begins at: 14:18 - Part 3
- On playing "Clarabell the Clown" on Howdy Doody and working with the cast; on rehearsal for Howdy Doody and his opinion of the finale; on how much of "Clarabell" was scripted
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On the cast and crew of Howdy Doody; on the limitations of his talents
Clip begins at: 14:29 - Part 4
- On "Buffalo" Bob Smith's feelings toward him; on being fired from Howdy Doody; on his memories of Howdy Doody
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On playing "Corny the Clown" on Time For Fun; on playing "Tinker the Toymaker" on Tinker's Workshop
Clip begins at: 15:25 - Part 5
- On the origin and pilot of Captain Kangaroo; on the character of "Captain Kangaroo"
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On Hugh Brannum playing "Mr. Green Jeans" on Captain Kangaroo; on Cosmo "Gus" Allegretti playing "Mr. Moose" and "Bunny Rabbit" on Captain Kangaroo; on the writing of the show
Clip begins at: 12:27 - Part 6
- On the main elements of Captain Kangaroo; on the cartoons, format, and music of Captain Kangaroo
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On Captain Kangaroo's sponsorship over the years; on Captain Kangaroo's switch from black and white to color; on his 1964 Saturday show Mr. Mayor
Clip begins at: 12:31 - Part 7
- On his show Mr. Mayor; on how Captain Kangaroo changed over the years and the end of the show; on Captain Kangaroo's move to PBS
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On "Captain Kangaroo" appearing on other shows; on the impact of Captain Kangaroo and what represents the best of television; on how he'd like to be remembered
Clip begins at: 15:49
Shows
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Lovely man
Captain... my Captain!
He still speaks to me at 55.
Obe Wan has nothing on the 'roo!
He seemed really upset about the phone ringing.
@DarrellLJames Somehow, at my young age, 5ish, or 6ish, knew enough to know, maybe from the commercials, that this show was American. My other Favorite show, was Mr. Dress up. All the ads were stuff that my parents could actually get in Canada. Of course, they didn't buy all the stuff that I wanted. But I remember, as a little kid wishing I was American, just so I could get some cool weird food. Don't get me wrong, I'm totally glad I'm Canadian! Big time!
I loved Captain Kangaroo! Even though, I knew he was NOT Canadian, I knew he came to my tv everyday!(border city) It used to "piss me off, that a lot of those products weren't available in Canada. "fruitloops, that suff with peanut butter mixed with jam"... Sounds stupid now, but when you're 5 or 7 years old, that's a big deal! he he!
As a Canadian kid, we had lots of great Canadian shows. I remember my favorite, was Mr. Dress up., but as young, as I was, I still knew that Captain Kangaroo wasn't Canadian. (meaning, not like myself)..but still liked the show.. I still liked him, he was "pretty much" considered a Canadian! ha ha!
we can learn alot from his demeanor, a true gentleman.
It just dawned on me that I probably got more nuruting from his show than I did from my parents.
the last Clarabell was my dad Lew Anderson who said "Goodbye Kids"
"Imagination is the soap that lubricates our getting through life." What a great quote!
i grew up with him on tv every mor, when i was a kid, an im glad i did,,,
I love him but boy does he look old. Older than he should for being around 70. I wonder what the illness was he died from? I'm betting he was already suffering from it.
He's obviously as mentally sharp as ever.
I miss him.
Thanks Captain, You are missed!
@wilejud as a kid i would cry to stay at home and watch it but it was part of my childhood and i miss those shows
i loved that show it was an important part of my childhood
Amazing. You listen to him in this interview and he is STILL the same character that I watched each morning eating my cereal before the school bus came. I always loved MR Clock and Bunny Rabbit (who had to wear specks..HA) to Moose dropping his ping-pong balls after a bad joke... Purely Priceless. I can whistle that theme song yet.
I agree with Mr.Keeshan..there are very few of today's toys that lend anything to a child's imagination..which is very sad.
20:57
"I went to boot camp at Parris Island, and we all expected that we would be, we were all trained as infantry people, and we would be on the beaches of Japan in November, December, that was the schedule. But when I was in my 7th week of boot camp, they dropped the bomb."
@TELEVISIONARCHIVES
Sorry this is so late....but back in the 60's & 70's, the practice of "wiping" or "junking" tapes was very common due to their high cost. Many shows like "Romper Room" and "Split Second" were recorded on tape, broadcast and then the tape was erased and re-used for another episode.
I suspect (but don't know for sure) that most of the episodes of "Captain Kangaroo" have been lost due to the practice.
Loved him when I was little and my children watched the shows too....His show allowed a CHILD TO BE A CHILD!! Thank you Bob Keeshan!!!
I met Bob in Portland, Maine many years ago when he would visit and stay at my uncles Hotel. Bob was a nice man.
Oh, Captain! My Captain!
The comments move me to tears.The demons that spend all day hating on other people are humbled by captain kangaroo.
"Marine Sergeant Bob Keeshan earned the Navy Cross for getting his men of the beach while wounded at the initial landing at Iwo Jima.."
I call bullshit..he was still a boot when we dropped the bomb.. did you even watch the video?
@LeMortso
I know what you mean. I get so nostalgic when I get on youtube.
This inteview was done in October of 1999. The interviewer is Karen Herman, who is the director of the Archive of American Television.
Mr. Keeshan needs no introduction to anybody who grew up in the 50's and 60's (and later). He was a master at weaving lessons of right and wrong into a humorous interface that kept children captivated. His show was the forerunner (and probably an inspiration) to later children's classics such as "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" and Sesame Street".
Captain Kangaroo - was the best show - I watched as a kid & when he was replaced when I was a young man I stopped watching...there was only one Captain and the person who replaced him must have been an idiot.
@brad04970 THANK YOU, and Semper Fidelis.
Marine Sergeant Bob Keeshan earned the Navy Cross for getting his men of the beach while wounded at the initial landing at Iwo Jima.... i'll bet most of you didn't know that... God Bless this Man who after the War wanted nothing but peace. he sent us off to school with a smile on our faces... Thank you Capt
The man we saw on TV was like that in real life!
I do agree with you..
This man and his cast and crew were very entertaining while I grew during the 50's and early 60's. Looking back, I guess a lot of us felt safe while we watched the Captains programs. Not like todays programs directed toward kids. Mr. Keeshan in these interviews cared about what we saw and heard...and I thank him for it. God Bless you Sir...
So cool to see and hear The Captain talking about his time. I remember the sad day when the news came out about his death. I was driving along a back road in California going to work, and I heard the news on the radio that he had passed. I had a really hard time getting to work that morning, because it was tough seeing through my tears. God bless you Captain wherever you are. I'm sure you're in a better place making all the children angels happy, just like you did for many of us as kids
It's very cool watching Bob Keeshan being emphatic about how a show should be run, collaboratively. And the lessons he learned from working with Bob Smith
I too remember how much he obviously loved and cared for me (at the time I considered PERSONALLY)! After all everyone knew he was MY personal friend when I was 4 or 5 years old!!!
Although... I always considered the Captain a little slow on the uptake or at least naive... after all I could see right through Mr Mooses plots almost immediately!
I am reliving my childhood!
Thank you Captain!
Love Dancing Bear
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