Back then, Howdy Doody was just a voice that Smith did on the radio. When Smith appeared on the television for the first time it was on a program called the “Puppet Playhouse” on December 27 ...

NBC’s “Howdy Doody,” a lop-legged, mop-wigged puppet with a Snerdish grin, is the children’s special delight.* Having recently decided to run for President, Howdy adds a new “thingumajig ...