Captain Kangaroo cast notes

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The Captain's real name was Bob Keeshan. He was born June 27, 1927 in New York City, and passed away January 23, 2004 in Vermont. He was the first Clarabell the Clown on the Howdy Doody Show. While Captain Kangaroo's show (first called the Treasure House and then the Captain's Place) ran for almost 30 years, Bob Keeshan appeared on many other shows. The Captain's TV show premiered October 3, 1955, the same day as the Mickey Mouse Club show.

The part of Mr. Green Jeans was played by Hugh "Lumpy" Brannum. Lumpy was born in Sandwich, Illinois on January 5, 1910 and died in Sailorsburg, Pennsylvania on April 19, 1987. He was a musician and storyteller, and contrary to rumor was not related to musician Frank Zappa.

We remember the magic drawing board that kept us guessing until the picture was almost finished. We remember it raining ping pong balls with Bunny Rabbit and Mr. Moose laughing nearby. We remember Town Clown and Grandfather Clock and Dancing Bear. But we just don't remember any potty humor.

We can't speak for The Captain, but it's appropriate to remember him in these ways: Put your kids on your lap and read to them. (Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel would be a good one!) Watching television isn't all bad, as The Captain proved! But I think it was The Captain who encouraged moderation in all things. (Well, no, that was Ben Franklin, but he was a good guy, too.) Also, Support your kids' school activities and teachers.

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