Rootie Kazootie - Freckled-faced marionette on the children's program ROOTIE KAZOOTIE/NBC/ABC/1950-54. Rootie Kazootie (Naomi Lewis) was a wide-eyed four-year-old all-American boy (a la Howdy Doody) who wore a baseball cap and had a lower lip that drooped to one side.

At the beginning of each show Rootie burst through a sheet of tissue paper as the theme song proclaimed "Who is the boy, who is full of zip and joy? He's Rootie Kazootie!"

Accompanied by his faithful dog, Gala Poochie Pup, Rootie Kazootie battled his arch enemy Poison Zoomack (Frank  Milano), a slick mustachioed confidence man dressed like a river boat gambler (top hat and string tie) who coveted Rootie's magic "Kazootie" and the polka dots from Polka Dottie, Rootie's girlfriend

Other characters on the program were Mr. Deetle Dootle, a mute human police officer (John Schoepperle/John Vee); and El Squeako Mouse, the Catodor with a Latin American accent (Naomi Lewis).

The show's puppets were handled by Paul Ashley, Frank Milano and Michael King. Todd Russell hosted this half-hour children's show set at the Rootie Kazootie Club.

TRIVIA NOTE: Rootie Kazootie was originally called Rootie Tootie until the Tootsie Roll candy company lodged a complaint. Gala Poochie Pup was originally called Little Nipper for the RCA corporate symbol. When RCA withdrew sponsorship, the dog was renamed Gala Poochie Pup and its spot's were removed.