Date: Sat, 5 Sep 2009 07:20:16 -0400 From: Hobey Ford <hobeyone-AT-gmail.com> To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Who is this? Thanks Steve, that was a great story. I especially like the part about performing for Zulu royalty, I mean how do you get a gig like that? On Sat, Sep 5, 2009 at 1:14 AM, Steve Abrams<sapuppets-AT-gmail.com> wrote: > Mack divides his time between Wilmington DE and Fort Lauderdale FL > I have had many conversations with Mack. > > Here is a brief bio. > > *Mack Emmert 1925* > > Mack first became interested in theatre and dance at Upper Darby Jr High > School, very near Philadelphia, PA. =A0He played in summer stock at age 14. He > learned tap dance, acrobatics and jitterbug. Mack performed while serving in > the Navy during World War II. Bob (Andre Vern) Longfield (1911-2000) spotted > Mack while performing in Texas in 1945 and thought he would make a good > puppeteer. Bob taught Mack about puppetry and the two performed in the Navy > and then continued the act on their own after the war in 1946 appearing in > theatres and nightclubs. Back in the Philadelphia area in 1948 Mack did TV > work for Marjorie Kellberg (1892-1974). > > In 1949 Mack graduated from Penn State, and then studied at Harvard Business > School and the University of Wales. Mack said, =93My puppeteering paid for my > education at all 3 schools.=94 While in the U.K. at the University of Wales > Mack performed for war orphans. He also saw his name on a marquee of a > London West End theatre. > > His travels took him to South Africa where he performed for Zulu royalty. > Mack Emmert and Bob Longfield re-united for a performance at a PofA festival > in Minneapolis in 1953. > > Mack settled in Wilmington, Delaware. While perusing a business career Mack > still occasionally performed with his marionettes on cruise ships. At > national puppetry festivals Mack was frequent volunteer and performer at > potpourris. > > Catherine Westfield (1911-1992) and Herb Scheffel were friends and mentors. > > Mack especially likes the work of Bob Baker, the Yale Puppeteers, Walton and > O'Rourke and Frank Paris. While following a career in business Mack always > continued to perform with marionettes. He frequently performed on cruise > ships. At national puppetry festivals Mack was a frequent volunteer and > performer at potpouri > > As the health crisis with HIV began in the 1980's Mack volunteered to help > patients and entertain them. His volunteer work was honored in 1999 with > AARP's prestigious Heritage Award. After nearly 60 years of performing with > puppets Mack maintains his zest and enthusiasm for pleasing an audience. > > His puppets included trick marionettes such as a sailor (or clown) with a > balloon, a breakaway skeleton, and a roller skating bear. =A0His interest in > dance was reflected in his African dancer marionette his cancan dancer > marionette, and his jitterbug puppet. > > On Fri, Sep 4, 2009 at 10:51 PM, <dhpuppet-AT-aol.com> wrote: > >> That is Mack Emmet who just retired at age 84 that figure and several >> others were in the exhibit at this years National Festival in Atlanta. Mack >> is a fascinating man with many wonderful remembrances of his many years in >> show business. He also managed to earn a doctorate degree along the way. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Robert Rogers <robertrogers-AT-robertrogerspuppets.com> >> To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org >> Sent: Fri, Sep 4, 2009 4:27 pm >> Subject: [Puptcrit] Who is this? >> >> >> >> I'm always amazed by the number of puppeteers who used to work in evening >> gowns >> and tuxedos. =A0Here's a photo of one on ebay. =A0Can anyone identify him? >> >> >> http://cgi.ebay.com/Puppeteer-w-marionette-toy-doll-vintage-photo_W0QQitemZ270447585993QQcmdZViewItemQQptZArt_Photo_Images?hash=item3ef7eeaac9&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 >> >> Robert Rogers >> _______________________________________________ >> List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org >> Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit >> Archives: http://www.driftline.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org >> Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit >> Archives: http://www.driftline.org >> > _______________________________________________ > List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org > Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit > Archives: http://www.driftline.org > _______________________________________________ List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit Archives: http://www.driftline.org
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