13. Howdy’s Maker Once Stole Him From Smith
Smith didn’t make Howdy Doody. A man named Frank Paris did. The department store, Macy’s, once called Paris to negotiate making a doll to sell. When Paris approached the studio about it, Smith declined. He had every right, literally; he owned the rights to Howdy Doody. Paris lost his cool, started yelling about getting cheated, then stormed off with Howdy. That day, the show had to air without Doody. Smith told the kids that Doody was ongoing plastic surgery to look good for the campaign trail.