There is little as dispiriting as a marionette hanging motionless from its strings in the posture of somebody shot trying to escape over a fence, especially if it's Howdy Doody, during commercial ...

No, not Donald Trump. It's Howdy Doody, the redheaded, freckle-faced marionette born at the dawn of television. He will star in a Fourth of July marathon, the network announced.

Due May 7 on 30 discs for less than $100, it includes first seasons (" Smallville," "Lois & Clark," "Adventures of Superman"), archive films (old-time serials, cartoons) and animated adventures.

But casually destroying Howdy Doody? ”Howdy had been displayed in a trophy case in my office,” Muir said. ”He was one of the three original Howdys that still remain.

Discover showtimes, read reviews, watch trailers, find streaming options, and see where to watch Howdy Doody's Christmas (1951). Explore cast details and learn more on Moviefone.

Matthew Gruber manufactured a Howdy Doody automaton, a mechanically driven puppet synchronized to a tape played on a continuous loop.

It’s Howdy Doody, the redheaded, freckle-faced marionette born at the dawn of television. He will star in a Fourth of July marathon, the network announced last week.