Published in the February 21, 2018 edition
By GAIL LOWE
LYNNFIELD — Norma Baker.
Does the name sound familiar? No? Then how about Judy Valentine? That name should ring a bell for those growing up in the 1960s and early 1970s. That is, if they were fans of “The Bozo Show.”
Valentine starred in “The Bozo Show” along with Frank Avruch, who starred as Bozo. The show aired weekdays on WBZ-TV (Channel 5) in Boston in the afternoon. Young children would hurry home from school so they could watch the silly antics of their favorite clown and his sidekicks.
“I’m still shocked when someone recognizes me from the show,” she said.
JUDY VALENTINE once had a starring role on “The Bozo Show,” which aired in the 1960s & 70s. She is shown here with her Bozo doll. (Gail Lowe Photo)
Valentine, well into her 90s now, has been a Lynnfield resident for over 50 years and recalls how much fun she had singing and dancing on “The Bozo Show.”
She took time out of her day recently to visit with a guest who remembered the show from her own childhood days.
Valentine is still her pretty, petite self, and she is both warm and welcoming. She was born in Lowell as Norma Baker to a mother who loved to sing. As her song and dance talents emerged, her mother began calling her Judy Valentine, and the name stuck. Though she had no formal vocal training, in the early years she performed in variety shows at her high school and sang at night clubs. Years later, she performed with the Spotlighters of Lynnfield when the theatrical group staged shows.
“Frank Avruch was the best Bozo in the country,” she said, explaining that other major cities across the U.S. had their own Bozos. “It was a simpler time for children then. A happy time. Today, children are more confident, but they seem more interested in what’s in the palm of their hands.”
Bozo first appeared on television in 1949 and starred Pinto Colvig. In 1956, Larry Harmon purchased the creative rights, and the character became a common franchise. Local stations began producing their own Bozo shows.
Avruch and Valentine met several times when she was married to her first husband Sherm Feller, a music composer and public address announcer for the Boston Red Sox. Feller took an active role in promoting his wife’s career.
Valentine previously had exposure on radio, but soon after meeting Avruch, she was launched into the world of television when she was hired to appear a few days a week on “The Bozo Show” at $26 per episode. Other characters on the show included cartoonist Mr. Lion and Klank, the Tin-Can Man.
In the 1940s and 1950s, she recorded hits that included “I’m a Little Teapot,” “She Was Five and He Was Ten” and “Kiss Me Sweet.” All of her songs were delivered in a childlike soprano voice that she still has to this day. Eventually, she was hired to appear in a summer television children’s series titled “Judy and Goggle.”
“Goggle was a hand puppet operated by Caroll Spinney, who later became Big Bird on ‘Sesame Street,’” said Valentine. “I worked with him too.”
Around the same time, Valentine made guest appearances as “The Dancing Doll” and “Bixter the Leprechaun” on the “Captain Kangaroo Show,” and she enjoyed each of these roles.
While in the entertainment industry, Valentine said she made many friends, including the late Nat King Cole, George Liberace and New York pianist and composer Irving Fields. She continues to remain in touch with Maria Cole, Nat’s widow.
Over the years, Valentine has been involved in charity work, including local fairs held to raise scholarship money for students interested in pursuing a career in theater.
Valentine is the mother of composer and pianist Ross Berkal and daughter Shari, both of whom live locally. She is also the widow of Leonard Berkal, an attorney, and, despite the loss of her husband, she believes fully that life is good.
“Surround yourself with people,” she advised. “The best things in life are free — including music.”
What’s next for Judy Valentine?
In the short term, friends invited her to a tea at Rowe’s Wharf in Boston to celebrate — what else? — Valentine’s Day.
