Captain Kangaroo and Dancing Bear

[sandik]

As well as Ann Miller, Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo) died last week, which reminded me of one of the characters on his show, Dancing Bear. Does anyone here know who performed in that bear suit, and if he choreographed his own material (or perhaps worked with someone else)? I have a very distinct memory of a dance he did on a swivel chair (the conceit was that DB had hurt his foot and couldn't dance on it) -- it was a charming number.

[Treefrog]

This from my husband, who runs the American Center for Children and Media:

A quick search reveals that Cosmo Allegretti, the puppeteer

who also did Mr. Moose and such on CK, was Dancing Bear.

Couldn't find anything as to whether he did his own

choreography.

[sandik]

Thanks to you, and thanks to your husband, for the information!

[BryanM]

Kangaroo was so much a part of early TV memories for me, its great to see him remembered here.

Thanks

[Mel Johnson]

It might be worthwhile to recall that Bob Keeshan was the original Clarabelle the Clown on the "Howdy Doody" Show. He preceded Henry McLauglin, Bob Nicholson, and Lew Anderson in that part.