Bob Keeshan; Captain Kangaroo, the first Clarabell the Clown
Read about Bob Keeshan, the original Clarabell the Clown, known world-wide as Captain Kangaroo!It was during the period of product promotions by Bob Smith that Bob Keeshan was in Rochester,NY making an appearance as Clarabell for the Grand Opening of a Super Market. He stayed at the same hotel I used.On American Air we sat next to each other from Newark,NJ.Chatted a bit and found out we had the same hotel.Later that nite after Dinner we went walking looking at Rochester’s Retail Stores.I remember he talked about his job at’Howdy Doody’.He was in charge of keeping the kids in the live audience quiet and taking them to the bathroom. He seemed a bit shy and Said,
‘He was insecure in the job and totally didn’t care for’Grand Openings’ he was required to attend as Clarabell.He felt his experience called for better treatment’. I remember his stating there was a special kind of show offering a better position.
Then a bit later Captain Kangaroo appeared.Posted by on 09/07 at 03:38 PM