HowdyD Phono

Howdy Doody and the Phonograph

By Doug Boilesen, 2005

"It's Howdy Doody Time" is one of the most recognized theme songs of the1950's. Even kids who didn't grow up during the days of Doodyville and the Peanut Gallery have probably heard about Howdy Doody. President Reagan was called the first Howdy Doody President of the United States and it's a metaphor that still has meaning - at least for Baby Boomers and Gen Xer's.

Howdy Doody Phonographs

This gallery features three Howdy Doody Phono Doodle Phonographs made by Sure-Tone Products: The Howdy Doody Phono Doodle; the Howdy Doody "A" Phonograph; and the Howdy Doody Portable.

The Howdy Doody Phono Doodle

This Phono Doodle was advertised as the "smallest size, the loudest voice, the lowest price." It was a single-speed 78 RPM and the only colored plastic case model.

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Howdy Doody Phono Doodle, Shura-Tone - Single speed 78 rpm, plastic case and the smallest Phono Doodle, c.1955 MIB. (FP0622)

The Howdy Doody "A" Phonograph

This single speed (78 rpm) Phono Doodle was in a wooden case, paper covered with lithographs and no lid.

Howdy Doody Phono Doodle, Shura-Tone ©Kagran - Single speed (78 rpm) portable with no lid, c. 1955. (FP0397)

The Howdy Doody Portable Phonograph

This three speed Phono Doodle (78, 45 and 33 1/3 rpms) was a portable model with a carrying handle on the lid. A large lithograph of Howdy Doody covered the back of the lid. This was also know as the "Treasure Chest" design.

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Howdy Doody Phono Doodle, Shura-Tone ©Kagran - portable "Treasure Chest" design, c. 1955. (FP0641)

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1955 Catalog page showing the three Howdy Doody Phonograph Models.

HOWDY DOODY RECORDS

RCA Victor produced this 6 inch 45 rpm in 1954 and it was selected for Phonographia's "Talking Toy Hall of Fame" as one of the representatives of the countless records that entertained children in the 1950's.

RCA, ca. 1950-1954 Howdy Doody and You

RCA, ca. 1948-49 Howdy Doody and Santa Claus

RCA, ca. 1952 Howdy Doody's do's and don'ts

RCA, ca. 1950 Howdy Doody and Mother Goose

RCA, ca. 1951 Howdy Doody's Christmas Party

RCA, ca. 1952 Howdy Doody's Magic Juke-Box

RCA, ca. 1952 Howdy Doody's Crystal Ball

Golden Record, ca. 1955 Cowabunga/Big Chief

Golden Record, ca. 1955 Laughing Song/John J. Fedoozle

Golden Record, A Christmas Carol with Howdy Doody as Bob Cratchit, Dilly Dally as Tiny Tim and Captain Scuttlebutt as Scrooge

FACTOLA - The creator of Howdy Doody, “Buffalo” Bob Smith, first performed the character on his WNBC radio show in 1947...Throughout the series run on NBC, Bob Smith voiced the puppet, usually through recordings made before the show. (Howdy Doody marionette, The National Museum of American History - Behring Center.)

MISCELLANEOUS CONNECTIONS

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Phineas T. Bluster Handkerchief, c.1955 (FP1357)

Howdy Doody No. 1, Dell Comic, January 1950. (PM-2158)

Learn to be a Ventriloquist LP for Goldberger Howdy Doody Ventriloquist Doll, c.1970.

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Talking Clock with wake-up message from Howdy Doody

Howdy Doody is a popular culture character that could wake-up children with his talking clock. The clock used a playing mechanism inside the clock to play a minature record.

Howdy Doody Talking Alarm Clock, Janex, 1977 ( FP0925)