The Banana Man

When I was a kid things were a lot different and a lot simpler than they are now. I can't imagine what it's like to be a kid now--it's certainly not simple. I look at my grandkids and think how much more savvy and mature they have to be at their tender age than I ever had to be. Of course, that's not to say that Desi and I had it easy--for we didn't...but that's a story for another time.

One of my fondest memories was of seeing the Banana Man on Captain Kangaroo. It never seemed like he visited the Captain anywhere near often enough to suit me, but it was always a very special treat when he did visit. Kids today would probably look at those of us who remember his act with fondness and wonder where our brains are. I'm sure they would think the act was extremely cheesy. Looking at the world, as they must, with much wizened eyes, they couldn't understand the fascination he held for us.

I was constantly amazed by the amount of "stuff" that he was constantly pulling out of his coat...bunches of bananas, musical instruments, other fruit. It was hilarious to me. I've only found a couple references to him on the web and it's sad that this bit of our childhood should achieve so little remembrance in my contemporaries minds. Maybe it was only those of us who were the dreamers that could feel such longing for something so simple as a grown man who found his delight in amusing children with silliness. The world has, indeed, grown too sophisticated for its own good. How sad...