Wake up, Smile and Shine....It's The Howdy Doody Show!  Join Howdy in the Peanut Gallery as we take a look back at Howdy Doody, Buffalo Bob Smith and all their friends from Doodyville! 

History of the Howdy Doody Show

For children of the 1950s, the freckle-face of Howdy Doody is instantly recognized and brings back great memories! Many laugh remembering how the Indian village was named Ooragnak...kangaroo spelled backwards...but fewer remember how Howdy Doody started out as a simple ranch hand named Elmer.

Back in 1947, a kids quiz show called "Triple B Ranch" debuted on Saturday mornings on NBC radio with the host, Bob Smith...aka Big Brother Bob (get it, BBB...triple B).  Bob introduced a character named Elmer on the show.  After he welcomed him with a hearty "Hi, Elmer!", he'd answer back, "Well, Howdy Doody...ho, ho, ho!" 

Soon kids visiting the radio show began asking about "Howdy Doody" and ...a star was born!

By the end of the year, NBC had a hit and wanted to move it to television.  They decided to call it "Puppet Playhouse" and to rename Elmer to "Howdy Doody".  One problem...there were no puppets yet....radio only needed voices, not actual puppets.

That didn't stop 'em!  Puppet Playhouse debuted on December 27, 1947 even though the Howdy Doody puppet was not ready.  So, Buffalo Bob Smith improvised brilliantly.  For the first two weeks of the show, Howdy Doody "hid" in Bob's desk drawer...too shy to make an appearance.   

On the third week, out popped Howdy Doody and The Howdy Doody Show.... into the fabric of America!

Howdy Doody Show Collectibles

Through the years, Howdy Doody's face was changed, the name of the show changed, and it moved from Saturdays to a weekly timeslot.  Howdy Doody was everywhere...from Ovaltine mugs to Tootsie Rolls and everything in between.  Howdy Doody and his friends images were used to advertise a huge variety of items from sponsors during the show's 13-year run on NBC. 

Through it all, kids loved Howdy Doody...and still love him today, over half a century later. Collectors on eBay can find many great Howdy Doody souvenirs, collectibles, and advertising premiums.  

The photo above illustrates some of the advertising brands that featured Howdy Doody...including Campbells, Colgate toothpaste, Blue Bonnet, Hostess, Kelloggs cereal, 5th Avenue, Royal, Welch's, Poll-Parrot,  and Wonder Bread. 

Game and toy manufacturers joined in on the fun, issuing everything imaginable...including books, puzzles, records, wind-up toys, puppets, dolls, chairs, hats, and trading cards....to name just a few.

The array of collectibles featuring Howdy Doody and his freckles is a collectors dream. The Howdy Doody Cookie Jar (pictured below) is a favorite...it was originally offered for $3.95!!  There's no telling what all great things Howdy Doody collectors will find!

A Glimpse at a Few of the Many Characters....

• Aunt Hazel - Phineas T. Bluster's aunt
• Bison Bob - Occasionally filled in for Buffalo Bob
• Buffalo Bob Smith - Host
• Captain Windy Scuttlebutt - the old sea captain who came to Doodyville with his tugboat
• Chief Bungathud - ancestor of Chief Thunderthud and founder of Doodyville
• Chief Thunderthud - Leader of the Oorganak tribe...he started a catch phrase that remains today with his battle cry "Cowa-Bunga"!!!!!!!! 
• Clarabell Hornblow - loveable clown, originally played by Bob Keeshan...always had his seltzer bottle ready to squirt the gang in the Peanut Gallery.  Honked his horns rather than speaking...until the last show, when he signed off "Good-bye Kids".
• Jasper Cornelius Cobb - "Corny" the shopkeeper...invented the do-it-yourself shopper.
• Dandy Doodle - Howdy Doody look-a-like who tried to get everyone to leave Doodyville for Dandyville
• Dilly Dally - Phineas T. Bluster's ear-wiggling nephew, bumbling carpenter and waterboy for the Doodyville High School football team.
• Don Jose Bluster - Phineas T. Bluster's uncle from South America.
• Flubadub - a fantastic animal found by Buffalo Bob in South America.  Made up from eight different animals, Flub-A-Dub loved meatballs and wore a hat made of flowers...but he ate the flowers!  Kids started eating flowers too, Moms howled...Flub-A-Dub's hat soon changed to one topped with spaghetti!!
• Grandpa Doody - Howdy's crusty 'ole granddad
• Gumby - the green clay character met Howdy in 1956.  He lived in Gumbyland.
• Gus Gasbag - made wonderful little balloon animals...which Clarabell promptly popped.
• Hamilton Bone - Doodyville Theater's own phantom
• Handy Andy - Rich tycoon who buys Buffalo Bob's soda fountain
• Hector Hamhock Bluster - Phineas T. Bluster's brother from England.
• Heidi Doody - Howdy's sister with great blonde braids...saved Buffalo Bob in Africa
• Howdy Doody - the freckle faced star of the show...Howdy had 48 freckles on his face for the 48 states in the Union when the show began.
• John J. Fadoozle - America's Number One private eye inspector
• Kokomo Jr. - the chimp that came on the show with Buffalo Bob...once eating the game "Fisherman's Luck" that Buffalo Bob was trying to play.
• Lanky Lou - the constantly talking cowhand and sheriff of Doodyville
• Miss Hickenlooper - Howdy Doody's school teacher
• Oil Well Willie - In his Gabby Hayes style, this real life persona asked "How yer doin' Buffaler Bob?"
• Peppi Mint - real life personal played by the actress Marti Barris
• Phineas T. Bluster - Mayor of Doodyville...always conspiring.  He created the Bluster Bounce dance.
• Princess Summerfall Winterspring - pony-tailed princess of the Tinka Tonka tribe who started out as a puppet but later became a real person on the show in 1951.
• Professor Fortissimo - grand entertainer that arrived in Doodyville in 1955
• Sandra the Witch - a good, friendly witch
• Sir Archibald - the explorer
• Tim Tremble - nervous friend of Buffalo Bob, played by Don Knotts
• Ugly Sam - the wrestler
• Val Carney - owner of the carnival who tried to get Clarabell to join...well known episode due to the laughing of the cast after Buffalo Bob accidentally tore up Clarabell's contract and Carney breaks into ad-libbed banter. 
• Zippy - real-life chimp who performed with Buffalo Bob

Buying Tips for Howdy Doody Collectors

• Do Your Research - Learn as much as you can about your desired Howdy Doody piece.  Has it been reproduced?  Not all sellers are knowledgeable of the difference between Howdy Doody items available.  If their description and/or photo leaves a question in your mind, then remember to ask the seller before the auction ends.  This lets you clear up things before the sale and keeps both you and the seller on the road to a successful transaction. 
• Understand eBay Jargon - Check out the list of eBay acronyms so that you can more quickly distinguish NM (near mint) from MNB (mint no box).  Informed buyers make smart buyers!
• Use Different Keywords - The Advanced Search option provided by eBay lets buyers search titles or the title and description or completed items. Keep in mind that not everyone will precisely list an item as a 1953 Howdy Doody in Funland Little Golden Book.   Rather than getting discouraged...expand your search, you might discover a piece listed simply under howdy book or 1953 golden book.  Changing your search increases the chances of finding your item. Save your search on your personalized My eBay page and receive an email notification when a new listing is posted.
• Remember eBay Stores - eBay offers buyers another area for Howdy Doody items through eBay Stores featuring TV toys. With great inventory selections and frequent updates, you just might find the perfect Howdy Doody novelty.  If you are still in search of a particular Howdy Doody item, be sure to post a notice to sellers in eBay's Want It Now section.
• Bid Safely and Smartly - Review the seller's feedback rating are their customers consistently happy with their purchase?  Do they have experience selling toys?  Are items sold "as is" or with a "satisfaction guarantee"?  Is there a shipping/handling fee? If you win the bid, keep in mind that PayPal provides buyers with a safe and secure means to purchase items without revealing their credit card numbers to sellers....this is a welcome (and free!) alternative.
• Savor the Journey - In conclusion....have fun with it! eBay is a great way to peek through an amazing selection of Howdy Doody items.  Discover pieces you did not know existed, meet other collectors, and remember....your dream vintage treasure from The Howdy Doody Show awaits!