File puptcrit/puptcrit.0909, message 79


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
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