To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2006 02:07:12 GMT
Subject: [Puptcrit] Rubbery puppets


I think it is fair to say there would have been no D.C. Follies from Sid & Marty Krofft without the appearances on American TV of Spitting Image. It was rumoured about Hollywood that that many of the stars and politicians satirized on Sptting Image were given new incarnations on D.C.Follies because if the Spitting Image folks were not sued by the satirized celebs, D.C. Follies would not be either.  Frank Sinatra was supposedly not happy being included on the Follies show.

In Les Poupees de Paris, the Krofft's mini-Vegas style show, which preceded D.C. Follies, there were marionettes representing Pearl Bailey, Jayne Mansfield, Charlie Mc Carthy & Edgar Bergen, Brigitte Bardot and many others. 

Sadly, Jayne Mansfield was on the way to visit Les Poupees de Paris on Bourbon Street, New Orleans from her gig in Biloxi MS, the night she was decapitated by a mosquito-sprayer truck which had no lighted tail-lights (1968?).

Her portrait marionette was being put back in the show for her expected visit--but under the circumstances, those plans were cancelled. Backstage, things were kind of gloomy

Tony Urbano did a great show for Universal Studios Tour in Hollywood which featured many stars, and used taped voices of many of the personalities. To this day, I think it was the best attraction offered at the Universal Park.

Vodvil puppets often featured portrait marionettes--the Mantell Manikins had a Jimmy Durante performing in the 1920s/30's.

In the 1920s the Greenwich Follies reached Broadway with portrait puppets of Maurice Chevalier and other stage stars.
 
Politicians have appeared 
on puppet stages and in drawn renderings of puppet stages featurng hand puppet or marionette versions of politicians  being manipulated. With a little research one could fill at least one volume wih such political cartoons from Daumier's day to now (and earlier, too).

What is /was new about "rubbery puppets" ?  Answer: the material used to make them.

Technology applied to tradition is a great tradition.

ALAN COOK

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