From: "Preston Foerder" <preston-AT-pfpuppetry.com>
To: <puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Date: Thu, 2 Jun 2005 17:55:04 -0400
Subject: RE: [Puptcrit] Burr Tillstrom hand ballet UNIMA fest 1980


Thank you, Fred. My response was going to be "Anyone who considers Burr
Tillstrom's work primitive is an idiot" but yours was much more
eloquent.

Preston

-----Original Message-----
From: puptcrit-driftline.org-bounces-AT-lists.driftline.org
[mailto:puptcrit-driftline.org-bounces-AT-lists.driftline.org] On Behalf Of
Angusson-AT-aol.com
Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 11:22 AM
To: puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Burr Tillstrom hand ballet UNIMA fest 1980

Hi Leslie:

Burr also did a 'ballet' called (I believe), 'Power' in which he used a 
leather glove. The 'wearer' was -- and became -- the oppressor. It, too,
was a 
brilliant piece.

I suppose there are some who 'may' consider Burr's 'Kuala, Fran and
Ollie' as 
being "'primitive' in the field of puppetry...'" but I, for one, do not.

Burr succeeded with his show where many have failed in that he, like Jim

Henson, understood his medium (TV) and exploited it. It was a natural
'fit' as 
Burr did not force his ideas on the medium but, rather, used TV and its 
possibilities as just another means of communicating with his audiences.

Burr's success and appeal came from the fact that he respected his
audience 
and believed in his characters. The fact that he was a genius didn't
hurt. I 
understand that he did not script the show, but, rather, used a typed
outline 
tacked up backstage as a guide. That it was done 'live' only adds to the
wonder 
of it....
Fran added that charming 'front man' element which provided the foil for
the 
antics of the Kukapolitans. Fran and Burr were on the same 'spiritual' 
wavelength. Fran's ability to hold a conversation 'with' the puppets
rather than 
'talking to' the puppets or simply doing lines made the difference.

While the puppets were rather 'primitive' in their construction, they
still 
held a strong appeal and one easily could fall into their thrall.
Burr's 
clever, sophisticated banter and intelligent content elevated this
simple hand 
puppet show to prime time perfection.  He had a loyal following which
included 
fans of all ages.
I don't know all of the details but do recall the uproar when 'K, F & O'
was 
removed from its 7:00 p. m. prime time slot (IMAGINE!!!). I believe that
even 
TIME magazine (?) carried a story about the change and the outcry.....
I rarely missed a broadcast.... 

Jack Fascinato, the Kuklapolitans' resident musician and composer
provided 
the intros, (remember the theme?)  and sometimes accompanied a song...
One of Kukla's songs, (which I recall, for some really strange reason)
was 
sung, I believe, when Mars' orbit brought it close to the earth:

'Mars, Mars, beautiful Mars,
Glimmering like a ruby.
High in the heavens, I see your bright light,
That is where I would like tobe.' 
('Rhymes with ruby.' )

Kukla and Ollie (with those wistful eyes - or are they mischeivous?) are

among the very few puppet characters who have rightfully earned a
permanent place 
in puppet history - for all the good reasons.....

Burr's career is worthy of study. 

Thanks, Leslie, for the reminder....

Best,
Fred Thompson




<< I saw a clip of

his "Berlin Wall" hand ballet on the Unofficial

Kuklapolitan Web Page and it just blew me away.  I

know the Kuklapolitans are considered to be rather

"primitive" in the field of puppetry, but I still

enjoy them immensely.


Leslie >>

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