Bob Smith

Children's Show Creator/Host - The Howdy Doody Show

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his nearly three-hour interview, “Buffalo” Bob Smith (1917-1998) talks about his early years and interest in music, which eventually led to his vocal group, the High Hatters Trio, being discovered by Kate Smith, and brought to New York City to be on radio. He describes his vaudeville act and his career as a radio announcer when he was known as “Smilin’” Bob Smith. He chronicles the creation and development of the character of “Howdy Doody” from the Triple B Ranch on radio, to Puppet Playhouse, and eventually Howdy Doody on NBC television. Smith recounts the creation of the “Howdy Doody” puppet, and discusses the many side characters of the show including “Clarabell the Clown” (first portrayed by Bob Keeshan), "Phineas T. Bluster," "Dilly Dally," and "John J. Fadozzle." He outlines the popularity of the show, the show converting to color in 1955, and the final episode of the show, where “Clarabell” finally spoke. He concludes by talking about his book Howdy and Me, and he sings a song written especially for Howdy Doody’s 50^th anniversary. Michael Rosen conducted the interview on April 30, 1998 in Flat Rock, NC.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"Kids would come home from school, sit in front of the television, listen to the recorded music and watch the test pattern until I got there. And at five-thirty we'd say, 'say kids, what time is it?' Then the whole world blasted out, 'it's Howdy Doody time!' If they were watching television, they were watching Howdy Doody."

People Talking About ...

Bob Smith

Highlights

"Buffalo" Bob Smith sings the theme song from The Howdy Doody Show

02:28

"Buffalo" Bob Smith on the introduction of "Clarabell the Clown", played by Bob Keeshan, on Howdy Doody

05:57

"Buffalo" Bob Smith on hosting various early radio shows

06:42

"Buffalo" Bob Smith on working with a puppet on live television on Howdy Doody

03:06

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his early life and influences; on his early musical abilities and performances

On his early interest in sports, and on playing the organ for silent movies; on his early vocal group the High Hatters Trio, and on the trio being hired to be on radio; on Kate Smith bringing his singing trio to New York City, and on New York City in the '30s

Chapter 2

On his vaudeville act; on appearing on radio on "Boys Club of the Air", and on changing his air name to "Smilin' Bob Smith"

On his experience with World War II; on the format of his early radio show; on hosting various early radio shows

Chapter 3

On his radio show which originated from the William Hengerer Company Store in Buffalo, and various other radio jobs; on the show "Triple B Ranch", where "Howdy Doody" was born, and the origins of Howdy Doody; on the first time he saw television, and on early television programming

On the set of Howdy Doody ; on the first week of production on Howdy Doody, originally known as Puppet Playhouse, and on "Howdy Doody" making his first appearance; on the Howdy Doody theme song, and on the creation of the "Howdy Doody" puppet

Chapter 4

On the introduction of "Clarabell the Clown", played by Bob Keeshan, on Howdy Doody; on the creation of the second "Howdy Doody" puppet, and how "Howdy Doody" running for president of all kids.; on working with a puppet on live television on Howdy Doody

On the scripts of Howdy Doody; on the side characters of Howdy Doody including "Clarabell the Clown"; on how the Howdy Doody cameras were placed

Chapter 5

On the logistics of working with the puppets on Howdy Doody; on the sponsors of Howdy Doody; on Howdy Doody winning the Peabody Award

On selling the rights to Howdy Doody, and on their 1,000th show; on the popularity of Howdy Doody; on his 1954 heart attack, during his tenure as host of Howdy Doody, and on the show becoming color in 1955

On Howdy Doody going from daily to Saturday mornings; on the final episode of Howdy Doody; on the 40th anniversary of Howdy Doody

Chapter 6

On the key to Howdy Doody's success; on his then-current activities, and on his fan mail; on his book about Howdy Doody, "Howdy and Me"

On the then-current state of children's television, and on what represents the best of television; on various people he worked with in his career; sings a song about Howdy Doody

On b-roll footage from his career- the cast and crew of Howdy Doody in the studio; the original "Hoody Doody" puppet; with "Howdy Doody"

Shows

Howdy Doody

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"Buffalo" Bob Smith on the show "Triple B Ranch", where "Howdy Doody" was born, and the origins of Howdy Doody