Captain Kangaroo Debut

One of my favorite television shows debut on this day October 3, 1955, with Robert James Keeshan (June 27, 1927– January 23, 2004) as Captain Kangaroo.
I remember watching this show with my brothers and sister. We use to laugh at Bunny Rabbit and his carrots, dancing bear, Mr. Green Jeans. I did not know that it ran 29 years.

The format was simple: Each day, Captain Kangaroo, with his sugar-bowl haircut and uniform coat, would wander through his Treasure House, chatting with his good friend Mr. Green Jeans, played by Hugh "Lumpy" Brannum. He would visit with puppet animals, like Bunny Rabbit, who was scolded for eating too many carrots, and Mr. Moose, who loved to tell knock-knock jokes. But the show revolved about the grandfatherly Captain Kangaroo, whose name was inspired by the kangaroo pouch-like pockets of the coat Keeshan wore.

Little known fact: Bob Keeshan was the original Clarabelle the Clown on the Howdy Doody Show when it aired on NBC.
















"Captain Kangaroo" debuted on Oct. 3, 1955, and Keeshan remained in that role until 1993.