(PR NEWSWIRE)  Detroit Institute of Arts Wins Custody of Howdy Doody
Detroit Institute of Arts Wins Custody of Howdy Doody
 
                  It's (almost) Howdy Doody Time at the DIA
 
    DETROIT, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- One of America's best-loved puppets is
about to get a new address.  United States District Court Judge Christopher F.
Droney has ruled that the Detroit Institute of Arts is the rightful owner of
the famous puppet, according to the terms of a 1967 contract between Howdy
Doody show puppeteer Rufus Rose and NBC.
    "The DIA is pleased with the court's comprehensive review of the issues
and the decision in this case," said museum director Graham W.J. Beal.  "Along
with our many other 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."
    In granting the DIA's motion for summary judgment, Judge Droney determined
that there was a clear contractual agreement between Rufus Rose and NBC
promising Howdy Doody to the DIA.  The ruling also authenticated the puppet,
noting that in a 1970 letter to Buffalo Bob Smith, Rose referred to the puppet
as "the one and only original Howdy Doody."  The decision noted that while
Howdy may have undergone repairs and replacement parts over the years, this
puppet was the one designated "original" by many key individuals including
Rufus Rose and Buffalo Bob.
    The DIA pursued the case to ensure that Howdy would join the museum's
collection, and to ensure that the wishes of Rufus Rose and NBC were honored.
"We felt compelled to do our best to see that the terms of the agreement
between Mr. Rose and NBC were fulfilled," Beal said.  "Maintaining the
confidence of donors and collectors is critically important to us and to our
current and future benefactors."
    Although the custody issue has been laid to rest, the DIA will not take
physical possession of Howdy Doody until a number of procedural issues related
to the litigation have been resolved.  As soon as those matters have been
resolved, Howdy will be released from the Rhode Island bank vault where he
currently resides and will join Punch and Judy, Kermit the Frog and hundreds
of other puppets in the museum's renowned Paul McPharlin Puppetry Collection.
    The Detroit Institute of Arts is located at 5200 Woodward Avenue in
Detroit's University Cultural Center.  Museum hours are Wednesdays-Fridays
11 a.m.-4 p.m., open the first Friday of every month until 9 p.m., Saturdays
and Sundays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.  Closed Mondays, Tuesdays and some holidays.
Suggested admission is $4 adults, $1 children and free for members.  For more
information contact the DIA at 313-833-7900 or visit the web site at
www.dia.org .
 
SOURCE  Detroit Institute of Arts
    -0-                             01/25/2001
    /CONTACT:  Annmarie Erickson of Detroit Institute of Arts, 313-833-9152/
    /Web site:  dia.org /
 
CO:  Detroit Institute of Arts
ST:  Michigan
IN:  TVN ART
SU:  LAW
 
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