|
Rootie Kazootie - Freckled-faced
hand-puppet on the children's program ROOTIE KAZOOTIE/NBC/ABC/1950-54.
Host Todd Russell & Puppet Cast
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
"the Boy Genius at Work"
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.
|
 |
 |
|
Todd Russell &
Mr. Deetle Dootle |
El Squeako
& Poison Zoomack |
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. "Big" Todd Russell hosted this half-hour children's show
set at the Rootie Kazootie Club. The series as written, produced
and created by Steve Carlin.
|
 |
 |
 |
| |
 |
|
|
Rootie
Kazootie Memorabilia |
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.
In 1990, Lawrence Naumoff's second novel was entitled ''Rootie
Kazootie.'' The Washington Post Book World called the book
a "brilliant comedy of errant romance."
External Links
Back to Top
|
