File puptcrit/puptcrit.0703, message 123


From: "Alan Cook" <alangregorycook-AT-msn.com>
To: heatherjarry-AT-hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 20:20:09 GMT
Cc: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Subject: [Puptcrit] Austin connections to puppetry


Heather Jarry---You should know that the "mother of Clippo Clown", Virginia AUSTIN Curtis, was born in Austin, Texas where a brother lived and practiced medicine as an MD. She worked in Los Angeles in 1930s, had a studio in Los Angeles Chinatown then (which was conidered unusual at the time) where she made the first toy Clippo marionettes sold in local department stores.

Later, they were made in quantity by Effanbee Doll Company, and sold at Marshall Fields big store in downtown Chicago, where Burr Tillstrom demonstrated them and performed shows with them in the store auditorium (which no longer exists). It was Burr's first professional (paid) job in puppetry.

Virginia got fan mail from purchasers of Clippo from around the world.

ALAN COOK

P.S.
Later as a TV pioneer, Burr "sold" thousands of RCA TV sets simply by performing on NBC . In a high percentage of ads in magazines and brochures for RCA television sets, the pictures showed Kukla Fran & Ollie on the screens being enjoyed by families.

_______________________________________________
List address: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Admin interface: http://lists.driftline.org/listinfo.cgi/puptcrit-driftline.org
Archives: http://www.driftline.org

   

Driftline Main Page

 

Display software: ArchTracker © Malgosia Askanas, 2000-2005