Bozo: the World’s Most Famous Clown, volume 1 starring Frank Avruch
Bozo: the World’s Most Famous Clown is a 4-disc DVD collection. It’s recordings of the live action Bozo the Clown show taped in Boston. It stars Frank Avruch as Bozo, as well as fellow cast members Mr. Lion and Kookie Kangaroo (played by Carol Spinney, later known as Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch), Professor Tweedy Foofer, and others.
For myself, and many others, Bob Bell was the one and only Bozo the Clown that we grew up with, courtesy of WGN-TV in Chicago. Having said that, don’t sell Frank Avruch’s portrayal of Bozo the Clown short. He does a very good job, and it’s well worth watching on two counts. First, it’s highly entertaining and keeps my children entertained for hours – even the thirteen-year-old who’s “too old” for such things. Secondly, it’s a visual encyclopedia of clown skits and routines that professional clowns could do well to learn from.
The basic format is the same as WGN-TV’s Bozo’s Circus. There is an introductory skit or two, followed by a “classic” Bozo cartoon, followed by the “Bozo Treasure Chest” game, ending with another skit. Frank Avruch does an excellent job, with a different cast of characters than I am used to. Professor Tweetiefoofer, a combination of magician and mad scientist, Ruth Carlsson, who juggles, unicycles, and fills in otherwise as needed, Mr. Lion, who is a talented speed artist, and several others.