No Strings Attached To Howdy Doody
The original Howdy Doody puppet belongs with the Detroit Institute of Arts, no strings attached, a federal judge ruled.
The ruling settles a dispute between the museum and the family of Rufus Rose , the puppeteer of Howdy Doody, over who owns the 1950s television star. The ruling was dated Tuesday and issued publicly Thursday.
The Detroit Institute of Arts claimed that Rose, who died in 1975, promised to give the original Howdy Doody to the museum. The Rose family argued that no such promise was ever made and that the grinning, freckle-faced puppet they have may not even be the original.
Several copies of Howdy Doody were made, including a stunt "Double Doody." The puppet in question, estimated to be worth $50,000, is being stored in a bank vault in Rhode Island.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Droney found that letters between Rose and NBC showed that Rose intended for the museum to have Howdy Doody for its extensive puppet collection.
"Although there may be a question as to whether this Howdy Doody puppet was exactly the same in 1960 after the wear and tear of over 2,000 shows ... there is no question that the puppet now in the Rhode Island bank and subject to this case is the same that existed at the end of the show," Droney ruled.
The museum, which also houses Punch and Judy, Kermit the Frog and other puppets, said it was pleased with the ruling.
"Along with our many historic puppets, Howdy Doody will be cared for under the highest standards of museum conservation and will be exhibited for the enjoyment of the public," museum director Graham Beal said.
The Rose family is deciding whether to appeal, said their lawyer, Mark Block.
"Naturally, we're disappointed with the decision. We'll take a good, hard look at it," Block said.
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