Original title
Captain Kangaroo
Released
10/3/1955
Origin country
US
Genre
Family, Kids
Status
Returning series
Number of seasons
38
Number of episodes
11
Captain Kangaroo was an American children's television series which aired weekday mornings on the American television network CBS for nearly 30 years, from October 3, 1955 until December 8, 1984, making it the longest-running nationally broadcast children's television program of its day. In 1986, the American Program Service integrated some newly produced segments into reruns of past episodes, distributing the newer version of the series until 1993. The show was conceived and the title character played by Bob Keeshan, who based the show on "the warm relationship between grandparents and children." Keeshan had portrayed the original Clarabell the Clown on The Howdy Doody Show when it aired on NBC. Captain Kangaroo had a loose structure, built around life in the "Treasure House" where the Captain would tell stories, meet guests, and indulge in silly stunts with regular characters, both humans and puppets. The show was telecast live to the East Coast and the Midwest for its first four years and broadcast on kinescope for the West Coast, as Keeshan would not perform the show live three times a day, and was in black-and-white until 1966. The May 17, 1971 episode saw two major changes on the show: The Treasure House was renovated and renamed "The Captain's Place" and the Captain replaced his navy blue coat with a red coat. In September 1981, CBS shortened the hour-long show to a half-hour, briefly retitled it Wake Up with the Captain, and moved it to an earlier time slot; it was later moved to weekends in September 1982, and returned to an hour-long format. It was canceled by CBS at the end of 1984.
Having let things slide during the week, the Captain finds that he needs assistance in cleaning the Treasure House. He then hangs a sign on the window asking for help. The helpers turn out to be The Professor (the president of the company) and guests Irving Harmon and George Zima, who do more resting than cleaning. Tom Teriffic appears in the complete story ""The Flying Sorcerer"".
Mr. Green Jeans brings a Revolutionary-type outfit (complete with powdered wig) to the Treasure House, as he thinks the Captain needs a new uniform. The Captain is unsure of the need, but wears it and marches to the tune of ""Yankee Doodle Dandy"". Bunny Rabbit volunteers to make the Captain a new suit, with unexpected results. The Captain daydreams about what kind of uniform would suit his style. Bunny Rabbit invents a Lion Catcher and sells one to Mr. Green Jeans, much to the dismay of the Captain. The story of ""The Lion and The Mouse"" is told in song. The Captain and Mr. Green Jeans visit with two owls and two Siberian Tiger cubs. Kay Hanneford and Her Pets visit The Treasure House, and the Captain makes a jukebox.
This episode opens with The Captain, Mr. Green Jeans and Dancing Bear playing trombones (using the song ""Lassus' Trombone"" from the album ""Gentlemen, Be Seated!""). Mr. Green Jeans shows his new watch to the Captain. A dancing figure dances to the tune of ""Thoroughly Modern Millie"" (from the album ""Thoroughly Modern Hits Of Today"" by The Banjo Barons). A public service announcement titled ""Don't Fence Me Out"" is shown. Mr. Moose presents ""The Tale Of The Tootle Bird"", using the soundtrack from the 1962 record ""A Musical Visit To Captain Kangaroo's Tresure House"". Mr Moose invents a Carrot Bank. The Captain shows a ""Most Unusal Fort"". Tom Teriffic appears in the cartoon adventure ""Terrible Tantrums"". The Town Clown plays a piano, and as he does, a potted plant begins to grow, with an enormous result. The Anson Brothers (as The Three Bears) make an appearance. Harley The Cool Clown plays the xylophone. The squirrel makes the sponsor's product appear from his hat (although this AFTRS copy
Mr Rogers visits the Captain's Place to try to locate a certain part for his phonograph. While he is there, he sings the song ""It's You I Like"".
The Captain and his friends visit their friend Mr. Willowby, who needs their help with his amusement park, which might have to close for lack of visitors.
Dolly Parton is in town, and comes to see the Captain to ask if Dancing Bear would want to be in her show. Unfortunately, he is on vacation, but the Captain thinks perhaps the Little Marching Band might do instead...Of course, she always just barely misses them...
The Captain's 25th anniversary special presents excerpts from the series' premiere episode. In addition, guest stars Barbara Mandrell, Ted Lange, LaWanda Page, Ja'Net DuBois, Todd Bridges, Kim Fields and Jean Stapleton, appearing as the Captain's biggest fan, are on hand to add to the festivities.
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