Good Morning, Captain: Fifty Wonderful Years with Bob Keeshan, TV's Captain Kangaroo

Good Morning, Captain: Fifty Wonderful Years with Bob Keeshan, TV...

Category: (Book)

5 new, starting at $72.00

46 used, starting at $2.51

Buy Now

Editorial Reviews

A lavish photo history and intimate look at the career of Bob Keeshan, TV's Captain Kangaroo.

Customer Reviews

Captain Kangaroo

Reviewed by Timothy S. Smith, 2009-11-04

Excellent book for those of us who grew up with The Captain. The product and the price were both excellent. I was completely happy with both.

A very poignant, well-written autobiography

Reviewed by Mr Groovy 70s, 2006-02-01

Has anybody out there ever known somebody well enough who can (pardon the cliche) "tell it like it is"? Well, Bob Keeshan (aka Captain Kangaroo) does JUST THAT in this touching memoir.

It is, without a doubt, one of the BEST autobiographies in years. Mr. Keeshan had such a flair for staying sensitive, straightforward, sincere, and not to mention playful and humorous. A good example is on page 73, when he describes theping-pong ball joke Mr. Moose used to play on him: "Pulling a fast one on the ol' Captain was something that kids loved for more than thirty years. It never got old!" Not a bad one-liner, here, not bad at all. Likewise, Mr. Keeshan, neither did your show, which today, is a bona fide classic. (For those of you out there who think this is old school, guess again.)

It is also with such a drive for such perky optimism that really made the show an American institution. Mr. Keeshan elaborates this on page 136 in the chapter, "The People who Make it Happen" with all the quality talent he assembled: whether it was directors, writers, and even guest celebrities, such as Mike Farrell (MASH), Eli Wallach, and Carol Channing.

Besides, how many people know that among the talent here was Lynn Ahrens, who used to write for "Schoolhouse Rock"? She also wrote the show's last theme song. Anyway, here's how I remember it, with the last few verses:

Colorful, magical,
wonderful WOW!
The Captain is coming,
just look at him now!

Super-sensational,
special, and new!
The Captain is coming
and you're gonna love him,
CAPTAIN KANGAROO!

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, BOB KEESHAN. FROM WHAT YOU'VE WRITTEN HERE IN YOUR BOOK, YOU'RE A WONDERFUL, COMPASSIONATE, CHARISMATIC HUMAN BEING. FOR THAT, YOU NOW REST WITH THE ANGELS, FOR YOU'RE ALSO A REAL GOD-SEND. MAY YOUR LEGACY CONTINUE ON WITH THIS BOOK,AND MAY IT ALWAYS ENLIGHTEN AND INSPIRE THOSE WHO WANT TO REACH NEW HEIGHTS. ;)

Finnerty Flynn and His 101 Things

Reviewed by Cheddie, 2005-11-09

I have not read this book, but I am sure it is wonderful. I am all about Captain Kangaroo and Garfield Goose! I had an album that came with a small book; the album would "ding" when it was time for me to turn the pages. The album was narrated by Bob Keeshun (Captain Kangaroo); the album was called Finnerty Flynn and His 101 Things". I still have the album, but I can not find any information on it online. Does anyone know of this short book being in print, or even recorded on CD in the original album version? Captain Kangaroo would also read this book during his shows, along with Curious George, etc. Does anyone know where I could get DVD of the Captain Kangaroo and Garfield Goose series? Any help would be appreciated!

Words to Crabby Appleton song

Reviewed by Kathleen, 2004-01-25

A previous reviewer (Jane) asked if anyone knew the words to Crabby Appleton's song. I was surfing the web and found this:
"Tom Terrific was of my favorite segments of Captain Kangaroo.", TVpartier Ricky Waller writes, "I don't know if you have this documented, but the villainous Crabby Appleton sang a song that I will always remember and it went like this : 'My name is Crabby Appleton, I'm rotten to the core
I do a bad deed every day, and sometimes three or four
I can't stand fun for anyone, I think good deeds are sappy, I laugh with glee, it pleases me, when everyone's unhappy!'"

Childhood Revisited

Reviewed by Jan, 2003-11-21

Mornings sitting on the floor in front of the TV eating a bowl of Cheerios and watching the Captain. Bunny Rabbit tricking Mr. Moose with ping pong balls, and tricking the Captain to get his carrots.
Tom Terrific (does anyone know the words to Crabby Appleton's song?)
and the lovable Mr. Green Jeans, Mr. Bainter the painter, and waking up Grandfather Clock, I loved them all. This book takes me back to that special part of my childhood. I wondered where The Banana Man was, he wasn't included in the book. Na,na, na, na, na, wow!
This is a wonderful book full of memories.