Monday, April 21, 2008

Oh Captain, My Captain!

It was a poignant day, a few years ago, when Bob Keeshan passed away. I truly felt the loss of a special friend. In the late '50s, I would sit, eagerly watching the clock for 8:00 a.m. and Captain Kangaroo. The program would always begin with the same reassuring, upbeat theme song and a big ring of jingly keys, as Captain opened the door to his Treasure House, a plethora of interesting, entertaining events for children.

I was chatting earlier this year, to my youngest sister, about how I can honestly attribute my love of books to the Captain, who read aloud such favorites as Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, Caps for Sale, Make Way for Ducklings and Curious George. His soothing, easy going voice is with me to this day.

I also absolutely adored his “playtime shoebox”, kept below the counter, full of crayons, paste and those round end scissors. I can still hear the slow cut, cutting through the construction paper. Captain’s sidekick, Mr. Green Jeans, played by Hugh “Lumpy” Brannum, was the “outside” farm hand, who bottle fed cuddly baby animals.

One of my favorite memories was his ingenious "pie machine", a box, that would miraculously produce a freshly baked pie. Oh, yummy! My own children naturally enjoyed the more modern and upbeat programs of the 1980’s like Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock. But I will always have a special fondness for Keeshan’s calm, gentle spirit and those pleasant, simpler days.

Click [here] for a little trip down memory lane.

28 comments:

  1. I remember Captain Kangaroo making things from oatmeal boxes the most. I watched the show in the mid 60's. What fun it was back then!!!

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  2. Oh my, the memories.

    When my boys were little I always made sure that they had boxes of paper, tape, all types of drawing implements and glue.

    Somewhere along the way I realized this was because of Captain Kangaroo. I loved it when he showed the viewer how to make cars and doll furniture from everyday spools, oatmeal boxes and matchboxes. I wanted my kids to be free to create anything that they thought of.

    Thanks Captain, I am sure you contributed greatly to my own innate desire to be creative.

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  3. I remember Captain Kangaroo but I didn't watch him much. I think my brother must not have liked to watch the show, and since he was older, he 'controlled' the TV. I watched a lot of Mickey Mouse Club and I Love Lucy.

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  4. Thanks for the little video clip! I never would have remembered the music or the door with all the openings, but as soon as it started, it all came back to me! Mr. Moose, Bunny, pingpong balls, Mr. Green Jeans! And the huge pockets on his jacket! So fun! :)

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  5. I would absolutely hate it when the ping pong balls fell on him! I loved him so much that I didn't want him to be humiliated or hurt. ;)

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  6. What a great, wonderful tribute to the Kangaroo! He was incomparable!!! Gee, where has all the time gone? My kids are in their 30s. Lord, love a duck!

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  7. For some reason my husband and I (pre-children) would watch Capt. Kangeroo when we lived in LA in the mid 70's. It was on first thing in the morning.
    I used to long for the Capt. to get a better hairstyle.......
    ps loved the picture of the over-blogged-blogger!

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  8. Thank you for the memories-I could smell the crayons as I read the your story! Has anyone ever told you that you are a wonderful writer? :)
    For some reason, as I read about The Captain, I was also remembering Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.....would love to read your thoughts on them sometime :) :)
    Great Day to you Dear Friend!!

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  9. Victoria (I like typing that)...thank you for your extra kind comments. Yes, Roy and Dale were in that era, too. They would be a fun and interesting blog... Great day, to you, also, dear friend! :)

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  10. I didn't know your Captain, Willow, as my formative years were spent elsewhere... but he looks like a sweet guy.

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  11. Jeannie, yes, oatmeal boxes! He would always make fun things from them. I still think of it today when I recycle an empty one.

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  12. Stevie, my sentiments, exactly. He contributed so much to my formitive years. Creativity, reading, love of animals....and pie! ;)

    I even learned how to tell time on Grandfather Clock.

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  13. Elizabeth, yes, that awful wig! I remember as an adult seeing a photo of him for the first time out of costume and being shocked. ;)

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  14. My goodness ...my two oldest children grew up much the same way..they never missed Captain Kangaroo and I watched it right along with them...old faithful Mr. Green Jeans..I haven't thought of them in years...Our youngest child was born when the others were 12 & 14...so I know about Fraggle Rock and Sesame Street as well...how fun...Great post Willow...

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  15. "Counting flowers on the wall that don't bother me at all. Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo now don't tell me I've nothing to do." Reminded me of the lines from the song, I think it was entitled, "Counting Flowers on the Wall." I can't remember right now who sang it. Just more balderdash.

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  16. Eric Heatherly's song, Pappy. Had to google it and wouldn't you know it came up under cowboylyrics.com. How appropriate. ;) Your balderdash is always intriquing, BTW.

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  17. Oh, now this brings back some great memories! I remember watching Captain Kangaroo with my brother and sister. We all liked Mr. Green Jeans best, though.

    Didn't The Statler Brothers also record a version of the song mentioned by Texican? That's the version I think I remember my parents playing in the 70's.

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  18. Hi Willow; I've sent you an email about your post...my memory lapse about this show, which I know was a favourite of mine, is just plain embarrasing to reveal to the blogosphere.....(blushing, covering eyes with hands, shaking head bashfully))

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  19. Aaawww...Grandfather Clock! How could I have forgotten?? :)

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  20. Great tribute. I love the last line, because I surround myself with friends who have (as you so beautifully put it) ``calm, gentle spirits''.

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  21. Hi David, thank you for your kind and gentle comment! :)

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  22. I liked Captain Kangaroo and The Mickey Mouse Club and Howdy Doody Time....all great childhood memories. My kids liked Mr Rodgers, Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock.
    I wonder what children are watching these days? I know Sesame Street is still on...but is there anything else worthwhile for the little ones?

    Pat

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  23. Hi Pat, you know, I'm so out of touch with kids' tv right now. I'm in that in between stage, where it's been a long time since my own children were small, and no grandchildren yet. I'll have to admit...I'm clueless.

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  24. i was just thinking about 'the Captain' the other day and how much I loved him. I would not have known about Mike Mulligan were it not for him : ) And Ping, the duck.

    I grew up in the Midwest and we had a Kellogg's cereal commercial every morning with the Captain ... a model train with cereal in the coal car would chug up to a water tower which would dispense just the right amount of milk over the cereal, and then we'd see the words "Battle Creek, Michigan". Did yours have the same commercial?

    deb meyers

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  25. Thank goodness you are 'over-blogging' because you bring us stories and charming memories.
    I didn't realize C.K. started in the 50's - I started watching in the mid-60's when my kids came along! Loved him and all he stood for - a great man who helped us keep childhood as it was meant to be - gentle, kind and innocent.

    Also, we mustn't forget a contempory of Bob Keeshan - the extraordinary Fred Rogers of 'Mr. Roger's Neighborhood'. EVERYONE should read his book 'The World According to Mister Rogers' - awesome!

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  26. Yes, the wonderful Fred Rogers is another whole story. He was after my time, but I enjoyed him with my children. Another kind and gentle soul. I would enjoy his book! Thanks for the suggestion, Mary.

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  27. Ah, yes, Mr. Moose and the ping pong balls. Loved that show! I loved when he read from a different book each day. Would love to see your poetry.
    Alexandra

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  28. Never watched the show, but I know the poem and who it was written for .....

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)