Traveler's Insurance: Restoring Homes and Childhood Memories

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

…a new television spot from Traveler's Insurance might be stirring a pleasant memory from your childhood - it certainly did for me.

In the spot, a family's home is destroyed, much to their dismay, by what seems to be an earthquake. Actually, it's a dollhouse, and it is destroyed by the child owner of the house. The point is that Traveler's can restore your home. The music that runs under the spot is a piece entitled Puffin' Billy, originally written for a BBC children's program about a steam engine.

It was chosen by a CBS actor/host named Bob Keeshan for his own new children's show that ran for nearly 30 years from 1955 to 1984. The tune was used as his theme song until 1974. I can't post the music here, but you can click on the link below to hear the music - and see if it doesn't stir a childhood memory for you, too!

Puffin' Billy.

 

[lt1jane]

Wow! I recognize the song, but didn't know that Captain Kangaroo used that as a theme song. I'm too young to remember that. I remember his "Good Morning Captain" song. I used to hate Walther Cronkite in the morning because I had to wait for him to finish before the Captain would come on. I was a Captain Kangaroo child more so than a Sesame Street child.

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

When I was a kid, the Captain was on every morning. His coat was black - of course, we only had a black and white television but it didn't matter, because the entire show was in black and white until 1968, long after I had outgrown the series. When it went to color, his jacket became bright red.My other outstanding memory of the show was Mr. Green Jeans. I remember the very first time I saw Mr. Green Jeans - and remember, I was just a little kid - I recognized his voice and identified him as Uncle Lumpy. Lumpy Brannum was a musician and actor that had his own children's show in New York. Before that, he had worked with Bob Keeshan on the old Howdy Doody program, where Keeshan was Clarabelle the Clown. Brannum also played the bass and was with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. On the Fred Waring radio program, Uncle Lumpy would tell Little Orley stories that were later published on Decca Records. I had (and still have!) four of those Little Orley stories on 78 RPM records. That's how I recognized Mr. Green Jeans as Lumpy Brannum, from listening to those Little Orley records over and over again. (It's a wonder my mother didn't end up institutionalized.)

 

[magentablue]

I am 32 and I recognize the show. Captain Kangaroo was still on when I was a kid in the 1980s.

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

Yes, but the theme music, Puffin' Billy, was dropped in 1974. A few notes of it were used in the new theme song (with proper credit given to the original composer) but the entire recording was no longer used after 1974. The show continued until the end of 1984.

 

[pampered1224]

Oh wow! That actually gave me goose bumps! I grew up on the Captain and Mr. Green Jeans and Bunny Rabbit! In fact, if I go back I think that was the one show I really remember from way long ago! Thanks KG. There is always something wonderful in those types of memories.

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

You can learn more about Mr. Green Jeans on the official http://www.littleorley.com/history.htm. If you follow the links to the samples of the Little Orley Stories (or just click on the link below) you'll hear his voice as he tells you the stories of http://www.littleorley.com/orleyradio.html. (Which took place on Valentine's Day!)

 

[chefa]

I've seen that commercial and immediately thought "that's the theme for Captain Kangaroo!"

Ok, so we had the Captain, Mr. Greenjeans, Bunny Rabbit. Do you remember Mr. Moose and Cornelius and Mr. Bainter the Painter, Grandfather Clock and Dancing Bear? How about Tom Terrific?

Boy, I'm really showing my age! Memories are good things!

 

[colegrovet]

I know what you mean KG.. I remember the show in black and white too..

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

Tom Terrific, with Mighty Manfred, The Wonder Dog.Besides Mr. Green Jeans, Hugh "Uncle Lumpy" Brannum played The Professor, Greeno The Clown, The Old Folk Singer, and Mr. Bainter the Painter. During one episode, when the show was live, a lion cub bit Mr. Green Jeans on the finger. Brannum put his hand in his pocket and did not break character for the rest of the show. Bob Keeshan worked with Brannum back in the Howdy Doody days, and said that Mr. Green Jeans was pretty much an extension of Brannum's real life persona.

 

[lt1jane]

Glad somebody remembered Mr Moose!! Can't forget the ping pong balls!! When I was in college in the early 90's the local PBS station in Milwaukee played re-runs. I babysat for a three year old and it was a big treat to watch Captain Kangaroo while he was eating breakfast. When "Picture Pages" with Bill Cosby came on, it was time to make sure that shoes, and jackets were on so I could take him to school.

 

[raebates]

Thanks! I couldn't place the music. I had quite the crush on Mr. Green Jeans. Mr. Moose and the ping pong balls always made me laugh. Still does.

 

[Kathy's_Kitchen]

Thanks for the memories - loved Captain Kangaroo, Mr. Green Jeans, and the whole gang!

 

[chefjeanine]

I had a pair of green jeans and my brother and sister called me Mrs. Green Jeans.