The Banana Man

His early act involved him taking cups and saucers from hiding places in his clothing, and pouring milk from his sleeves.

[2] The Banana Man act consisted of Proper, dressed as a clownish character in a baggy tuxedo, producing an amazing and apparently impossible number of props from countless pockets and secret places in his costume.

These props included (among many other things) a clarinet, a mandolin, a huge magnet, a violin, a music stand, several watermelons, and three hundred bananas.

He did not speak in words, but uttered cries of delight, surprise, etc., in a nasal falsetto, and imitated the sounds of the musical instruments he "played."

[4] The Jones family owns the most extensive collection of Captain Kangaroo memorabilia in the world, including the Dancing Bear costume, as well as the Mr. Moose and Bunny Rabbit puppets used on the show.

picture of the banana man costume and props
The Banana Man costume and props reside in a private collection in Cleveland, Tennessee. The costume is seen here with the original Dancing Bear costume.
Picture of christmas card designed by A. Robins, Banana Man creator
A Christmas card designed by A. Robins, who created the Banana Man character. The card resides in the collection of Captain Kangaroo collector Allan Jones in Cleveland, Tennessee.