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Howdy Doody marionette

National Museum of American History

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Object Details

Rose, Rufus
NBC
Smith, Bob
designer
Neil, Milt
Rufus Rose Marionettes
Rose, Rufus
Rose, Margo
Dawson, Velma
Rufus Rose Marionettes
Description
This is one of the three original Howdy Doody marionettes used in production of Howdy Doody, one of the most popular and influential children’s television series in American history. In its original run from 1947 to 1960, each episode opened with the voiceover question "Say, kids, what time is it?" Resounding from the peanut gallery—and from millions of television-watching kids around the country—came the reply, "It's Howdy Doody time!"
The creator of Howdy Doody, “Buffalo” Bob Smith, first performed the character on his WNBC radio show. When the show transitioned to TV, puppet builder Frank Paris created a marionette to match the voice. In 1948, a dispute over merchandising rights led Frank Paris to leave the show and take the original puppet with him. Velma Dawson created this new style of Howdy Doody puppet that debuted on June 8, 1948 after a break for “plastic surgery.” Throughout the series run on NBC, Bob Smith voiced the puppet, usually through recordings made before the show, while Margo and Rufus Rose were primarily responsible for building, maintaining, and performing the marionettes.
This particular Howdy Doody was known as "Double Doody" - being the second of this type made for the production. This marionette was most often used as a stand-in for the main marionette when needed, and in long shots. The marionette's body is made of pine and the head is made of plastic wood. Howdy's face is painted with 48 freckles - one for each state in the union at the time of his creation.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Margo Rose
1949
ID Number
1980.0123.01
accession number
1980.0123
catalog number
1980.0123.01
Object Name
puppet
Physical Description
wood, pine (overall material)
plastic (overall material)
paint (overall material)
fabric (overall material)
string (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 34 1/2 in x 8 in x 7 in; 87.63 cm x 20.32 cm x 17.78 cm
place made
United States: New York, New York City
See more items in
Cultural and Community Life: Entertainment
Popular Entertainment
Puppets
American Enterprise
National Museum of American History
subject
Puppetry
Television
Radio and television broadcasting
Television broadcasts
Children's television programs
Record ID
nmah_670111
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-04ba-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
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