(Original Caption) 'Howdy Doody' Time: Bob Smith and his pals, Howdy Doody (center) and the silent clown (Clarabell), were the favorite entertainers of a generation of children via The Howdy Doody Show, which ran on NBC-TV from December 1947 until January 1956. Smith created his famous wooden partner, Howdy Doody, and provided Howdy's voice. The show, which began as a weekly half-hour program, was expanded to thrice-weekly half-hours and then, because of its tremendous popularity, to a daily attraction. Its introductory song, It's Howdy Doody Time, soon became a favorite tune of youngsters all across the nation.
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