Although Howdy and the gang were nearing the end of their TV run in January 1959, I'm sure that the appearance of Clarabell at Oakwood Shopping Center was still a big deal – especially since he was accompanied by local TV host, Barnaby. Barnaby's show (which featured made-for-TV Popeye cartoons) and Howdy Doody were both on KYW Channel 3.
Here's the tall ad promoting the big event. It ran in the Lorain Journal on January 29, 1959.
(It reminded me of a story my mother told me. She had taken my sister all the way to Halle's in Cleveland on the bus to see Mr. Jingeling – only to find out that the guy who played him on TV wasn't at the store the day they went there; it was some other actor. Mom said my sister wasn't fooled and was pretty unhappy about it.)
Anyway, click here to read an extremely comprehensive and well-written story about the Howdy Doody show.
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"Big Chuck" Schodowski's passing a few days ago was a sad reminder to those of us who grew up watching and enjoying The Hoolihan and Big Chuck Show on Channel 8 (and later, Big Chuck and Lil' John) that we're all getting older and time is marching on. It's hard not to be a little sad seeing these old friends like Big Chuck that we welcomed into our homes for so many years pass away; they're almost like family.
6 comments:
I was born a few years earlier than you, Dan, but still have no recollection of Howdy Doody.
Barnaby, of course, I do recall (If anybody calls, tell them Barnaby said hello). And Capt. Penny (You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool Mom!). Woodrow wasn't a favorite. I have no idea who the guy in the pointy hat is.
Big Chuck, sure, but it has to be with Hoolihan.
Big Chuck and Hoolihan or Lil John was always a welcome treat on Friday nights. Mom would let us stay up late to watch the movie, but all we really cared about were the skits. Chuck was a long time homeowner on Kelley's Island spending his summers up there. Sad to see he passed away.
Also, that clown is terrifying.
That's Franz, the Toymaker, who had a kiddie show on Channel 8 in the mid-Sixties.
I vaguely remember Howdy Doody; I was four when he went off the air.
I am the the old guy in this conversation, and I remember Howdy Doody well. I can't say I would have turned out to honk Clarabelle's horn (ahem) but I did like the show.
Unlike many if not most Greater Clevelanders, I seldom watched Big Chuck, Houlihan, Ghoulardi et al. The films were dreadful and the skits not enough to hold my interest. They do represent a lost era in local television, though.
Fox 8 is going to be having a retrospective on Big Chuck this coming Friday at 11PM if anyone wants to relive a little TV magic once again.I know I will be glued to my TV set just like I used to be when I was little.
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