Clarabell the Clown facts for kids
Clarabell the Clown was a famous clown character. He was a main part of The Howdy Doody Show. This popular TV series ran from 1947 to 1960. Clarabell wore a big, striped costume. He didn't speak with words. Instead, he used gestures and honked a horn. A honk meant "yes" or "no". He also loved to spray Buffalo Bob Smith with seltzer water!
Who Played Clarabell?
Several actors brought Clarabell to life. The first regular actor was Bob Keeshan. He later became well-known as Captain Kangaroo. After Bob Keeshan, Robert "Nick" Nicholson took over the role. He also played J. Cornelius Cobb on the show.
The third and last main actor was Lew Anderson. He played Clarabell from 1954 until the show ended in 1960. Lew Anderson even returned as Clarabell for later specials. These included the 1976 New Howdy Doody Show and a 40th anniversary special in 1987. Other actors like Dayton Allen also played Clarabell when needed.
Clarabell's Special Song
Buffalo Bob Smith and the "Kids of the Peanut Gallery" had a special song for Clarabell. They sang it to the tune of "Mademoiselle from Armentières".
Who's the funniest clown we know?
Clarabell!
Who's the clown on Howdy's show?
Clarabell!
His feet are big, his tummy's stout,
But we could never do without,
Clara, Clara, Clarabell!
Who has fuzzy-wuzzy hair?
Clarabell!
It's partly red but mostly bare.
Clarabell!
And since the day that he was born,
He's honked and honked and honked his horn.
Clara, Clara, Clarabell!
The Famous "Goodbye, Kids."
Throughout the entire series, Clarabell never spoke. He communicated using gestures and his toy horn. But in the very last episode, on September 24, 1960, everything changed. Clarabell kept hinting that he had a big surprise.
No one could guess his secret, except Mayor Phineas T. Bluster. Clarabell had told him, but made him promise to keep it a secret. In the final moments of the show, Clarabell revealed his surprise. He showed Howdy Doody and Buffalo Bob that he could actually speak!
Buffalo Bob was amazed. He told Clarabell to prove it right then. The camera zoomed in close on Clarabell's face. A drum roll played and then stopped. Clarabell whispered, "Goodbye, kids." A tear rolled down his eye as the screen faded to black. It was a very emotional moment for everyone watching.
