Original TV costume of Chicago television legend ROY "Cooky" BROWN, the 'kooky cook' from BOZO'S CIRCUS (WGN-TV Channel 9 Chicago). The longest-running children's program in TV history, this hugely popular show had a 12 year wait for tickets at one point. I obtained this costume directly from the late Mr. Brown, who was also a talented artist and additionally puppeteered two other Chicago TV legends- Garfield Goose, and Cuddley Dudley the dog. The top hat (above lower right) belonged to Ringmaster NED LOCKE, aka "Mr. Ned", and is his 1960s original. After being worn out/damaged, this hat became a WGN-TV "stockroom prop"-not only on Bozo's Circus (regularly used in a bit about Ned's top hat being sent out by the clowns to be blocked, of course with the expected disasterous results!), but also RAY RAYNER AND FRIENDS, especially for Ray's record-pantomime bits, where he would act out well-known recordings while mouthing the words. One such bit concerned a hobo/bum character. Cooky is seen here (ABOVE LEFT) with another TV legend, the incredible Bob "Bozo" Bell. ----------Seen below is the day Cooky took over the Circus because Frazier Thomas, the then "circus manager" got 'stuck in a snow drift' and couldn't make it to work(!) Oddly, his name here is spelled "Cookie" instead of the usual "Cooky". -------------courtesy Back Lot Charlie collection ----Bozo The Clown c. Larry Harmon Pictures
SEE A TRIBUTE TO COOKY ON THE YOUTUBE VIDEO LINK ABOVE.
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SEE my other vintage TV/film props on YourProps.com: The Addams Family (1964), The Munsters, Bozo, Forrest J Ackerman, The Three Stooges-1930s originals), PAPER MOON, Elvis, and MORE!
