Hospitality and welcoming. These qualities were a big part of Captain Kangaroo, the classic TV series that ran for decades every weekday morning on CBS, and I think this photo is an illustration of some of those attributes, in both setting (the most charming, most "real" version of the Treasure House, seen on the show 1965 through 1971) and cast (both people and puppets). Some associate the Thanksgiving holiday with Captain Kangaroo because from 1959 through 1965 (perhaps even later), Captain and his friends hosted the Thanksgiving Day parade coverage on CBS. But in what was an annual tradition for a good number of years, Captain would celebrate Thanksgiving within the show broadcast on that particular November Thursday. The conclusion of the Thanksgiving show was particularly powerful: To illustrate that for which we as a country should be grateful on this national day of thanks, Captain would display Norman Rockwell's famed series of paintings, The Four Freedoms. Then, as the Perry Como version of the hymn "Prayer for Thanksgiving (We Gather Together)" played, the Captain, Mr. Green Jeans, Dancing Bear, Bunny Rabbit and Mister Moose (the very characters seen on this record cover) gathered at a festive Thanksgiving table and reverently bowed their heads in prayer. The hymn ended with Perry and chorus powerfully singing the compelling lyric "Lord, make us free." Silence. Fade to black. There were no closing credits and no closing theme music... just a dramatic reminder of what Thanksgiving is supposed to be about: giving thanks.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thanksgiving At The Treasure House
Hospitality and welcoming. These qualities were a big part of Captain Kangaroo, the classic TV series that ran for decades every weekday morning on CBS, and I think this photo is an illustration of some of those attributes, in both setting (the most charming, most "real" version of the Treasure House, seen on the show 1965 through 1971) and cast (both people and puppets). Some associate the Thanksgiving holiday with Captain Kangaroo because from 1959 through 1965 (perhaps even later), Captain and his friends hosted the Thanksgiving Day parade coverage on CBS. But in what was an annual tradition for a good number of years, Captain would celebrate Thanksgiving within the show broadcast on that particular November Thursday. The conclusion of the Thanksgiving show was particularly powerful: To illustrate that for which we as a country should be grateful on this national day of thanks, Captain would display Norman Rockwell's famed series of paintings, The Four Freedoms. Then, as the Perry Como version of the hymn "Prayer for Thanksgiving (We Gather Together)" played, the Captain, Mr. Green Jeans, Dancing Bear, Bunny Rabbit and Mister Moose (the very characters seen on this record cover) gathered at a festive Thanksgiving table and reverently bowed their heads in prayer. The hymn ended with Perry and chorus powerfully singing the compelling lyric "Lord, make us free." Silence. Fade to black. There were no closing credits and no closing theme music... just a dramatic reminder of what Thanksgiving is supposed to be about: giving thanks.
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6 comments:
It is so nice to know that the Captain left many of us with wonderful memories of his Thanksgiving show. Every Thanksgiving morning I would help my mother prepare the stuffing while watching the Captain and Mr. Greenjeans set the table and listen to "We Gather Together".
I just wish the show was on tape for my grandchildren to see.
1965 is the year most network shows were in color. NOT 1960. I was born in 1950. Believe me. I was there.
I do believe you. I'm not aware of anyone mentioning color network shows in this post or the comments.
It wasn’t Thanksgiving until I saw The end of Captain Kangaroo’s show. Even when I was in middle school, when Captain was on repeats on my local television station. I am now 59 years old and still have very fond memories of Thanksgiving morning with Captain Kangaroo.
WOW! I am one who definitely remembers the Captain gathering his friends for Thanksgiving during Perry Como. It is a powerful memory. The captain, Mr. Green Jeans, Bun, and Mr. Moose all set the table (the Captain's big counter top) and those Rockwells, and the wonderful ending. It was a tradition for many years of my childhood. There is one thing I have been desparately trying to find: Mr. Green Jeans' annual Thanksgiving storytelling of "The Doubtful Pumpkin Seed," who couldn't figure out who he was, but grew into a beautiful pumpkin. The story was drawn from seed to pumpkin, as he told the story. Anyone remember this? I'd be so grateful to see it again.
I am 63 years old and when I was in grade school I had to watch Captain Kangaroo at 8 every morning before school I love Captain Kangaroo I am so happy to be able to see it again
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