posted 11-19-2004 08:24 AM                      

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The Associated Press
Nov 16, 2004 : 6:34 pm ET

FLAT ROCK, N.C. -- Dayton Allen, a comedian and actor best known for his work as the voice of the cartoon character Deputy Dawg and the grumpy mayor Phineas T. Bluster on "The Howdy Doody Show," has died. He was 85.

Allen, who also was a regular on "The Steve Allen Show," died Nov. 11 at Pardee Memorial Hospital in Hendersonville after suffering a massive stroke, said his brother, Bradley Bolke of Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.

His most notable voice work came from his long-time association with the cartoon studio Terrytoons. He provided most of the voices for "The Deputy Dawg Show," a syndicated cartoon series that debuted in 1960. He was also the voice of the cartoon magpies Heckle and Jeckle, and many other characters.

Earlier, he spent four years on the original "Howdy Doody Show" with Buffalo Bob Smith, voicing such puppet characters as Phineas T. Bluster and Flub-a-Dub as well as such on-camera characters as Pierre the Chef.

After Howdy Doody, Allen was featured on the first interactive children's show, "Winky Dink and You," playing host Jack Barry's goofy assistant, Mr. Bumble.

He then joined the stable of comics on "The Steve Allen Show," often appearing as a bogus expert or in the comic "Man on the Street" interviews. His frequent comment, "Why-y-y-y-y not??", became a popular catch phrase.

Born Dayton Allen Bolke, he broke into the radio business with a disc jockey/comedy show on New York station WINS, then segued into radio acting in New York City, his brother said.

Allen then became a TV pioneer in 1948 with a children's show broadcast over the Dumont Network called "The Adventures of Oky Doky," providing the voice for the title character, a puppet.

Allen and his wife, Elvi, moved to Flat Rock earlier this year, his brother said. Besides his wife and brother, he is survived by a stepdaughter and a stepson.

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posted 11-19-2004 03:04 PM                      

quote: Ken Layton

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I'm familiar with Bradley's work in Paramount cartoons

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