Search - The Howdy Doody Show - Clarabell Speaks & Other Episodes on DVD

An astounding treasure, & an unheralded landmark DVD!

Kevin Segura | N.W. USA | 02/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Thought lost for years after a fire wiped out their eastern storage facility, NBC (in connection with the good folks at Rhino) have given all of us who care passionately about preserving our televsion heritage an amazing treat-- they have reunited the two existing halves of the color videotape of the final Howdy Doody show (controlled for years by two separate parties) and released it **intact** to the home video market, as part of their 4-volume "Howdy Doody" DVD series. Make no mistake-- the other shows on the disc (culled from B&W film kinescope masters owned by the network) are fine programs in their own right, but **absolutely nothing** you see before will prepare you for the breathtaking feeling of being transported back in time by seeing Doodyville once again in "living color"!! All of your favorite characters (Howdy, Clarabell, and the vastly underrated Chief Thunderthud) are here, and they truly do come to life in this, their swan song episode. The hour-long special is beautifully written: by turns heartfelt and truly sentimental, but never mawkish; and even though the occasion is regrettable, there's no shortage of fun to be had on this program. And, as a final bonus, all of the original commercial ads have been included, along with the original "first version" NBC peacock opening, network ID's and network movie promos. No fan of classic television will be disappointed by this disc... it's quite simply one of the few "must-have" milestone DVDs to have come down the pike. Kudos to NBC & Rhino for doing this one exactly right!!!"

Hey Kids, What time is it? It's Howdy Dowdy Time!!!!!!!

forrie | Nashua, NH United States | 07/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Early television (1947 - 1960) was dominated by this classic kids show. The kids of America (over 1 million) even voted "Howdy Dowdy" for President, twice (1948 & 1952). For thirteen years Howdy Dowdy , Buffalo Bob (Smith), Clarabell the Clown, Chief ThunderThud, the DowdyVille Gang and the Peanut Gallery entertained us on NBC television. This is Volume 4 of a restored 4 volume set. Including the final episode "Clarabell Speaks" a 1 hour special in NBC peacock color. This is a great nostalgic peice of America and early classic television. Almost 3 hours with 4 episodes, many collectable live commercials; such as "Wonder Bread" (builds your body in 12 ways), "Hostess Creme filled cupcakes" (the cupcake with a surprise inside) to mention a few. Sit back and watch and sing the song every kid sang for 13 years, "It's Howdy Dowdy time!!!""

My kids finally know what I am talking about!

Edward J Case | Boston, MA USA | 03/16/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For years I have trained my kids to respond to the question "What time is it?" with the answer, "It's Howdy Doody Time!". Now with these Howdy Doody episodes released on dvd and video, my kids finally know what I'm talking about! As a fan of the late-50's episodes, this is a real treat to be able to watch the episodes again with my younger children. This is nostalgia at its bets. My kids now are asking for Howdy Doody puppets!"

This One Is So Much Fun...

Edwin Graf Diemer | Red Bank, NJ USA | 10/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A great DVD-finally we are having important parts of our television history preserved in a format that collectors can archive. Great transfer and historic material besides. Nobody could talk to Howdy like the Buffalo-there was real affection there. Grab it, by all means!"