Date: Sun, 23 Nov 1997 22:21:12 -0500
From: "David A. Syrotiak" <nmt-AT-sover.net>
Subject: Re: Les Poupees de Paris


Christopher Piper wrote:
> 
> Steve Weber wrote:
> 
> >(Useful information deleted)
> 
> >Dental Acrylic (Methyl -Methacrylate) on the other hand is affordable
> >and is commonly used
> >for casting in the special efffects industry.
> >As a matter of fact.. All the "LES POUPEES
> >DE PARIS" marionettes built by JACK SCHAFTON'S shop in Los Angeles, were
> >cast
> >in dental acrylic ...( they also weigh a ton!!)
> 
> Steve, my dad and mom worked for Sid and Marty Kroft performing LPdP in
> Seatle, Hollywood, and Las Vegas.  I remember them dragging home at 3 am
> with sore, aching muscles from hoisting the figures.  Our box office
> manager, John McAnistan did the show in New York and seconds the opinion
> that they were HEAVY!  I mentioned that my folks did the show to Tony
> Urbano in San Francisco and Tony said he made the puppets.  Since I
> remember Shafton being credited I wasn't sure what to say.  Do you (or
> anyone else here) know who did what, when?
> 
>   ________________________________________________________________________
>   * Christopher Piper }P-{>   ||||||||||||   The Puppet Co. Playhouse    *
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> 
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Dear Christopher:

I worked the World's Fair show in NY.  Jack Schafton was responsible for
building the figures for that show.  I BELIEVE Tony Urbano built the
show previous to the World's Fair show as well as figures for shows
following the World's Fair, and that is where the mis-understanding has
occured.  Aside from performing the show in 1964 I was also the person
who did repairs on Jack's figures.  Of course I examined them all very
carefully! (as any puppeteer would)  They were well designed and nicely
crafted...except for the decision to build the figures out of Dental
Acrylic... bad choice - but it was a new material.  Since everyting was
cast I can see why the material was chosen.  Too bad they didn't make a
couple of them first to check out the weight factor...and, Yes, they
were/are heavy...VERY!  The stage was six feet deep with a front bridge
and a back bridge and, during the performance, we had to pass figures
back and forth between the two bridges.  Looking back on it now I
realize just how badly designed the stage was - a real back breaker! 
But at the end of the season I was in terrific shape.  I only worked
with them that first season.  Trying to raise a young family at the time
the hours were too crazy and we were under an AGVA contract.  Went with
Bil Baird the second season under an EQUITY contract.  It was the
diffeence between night and day...and Bil's figures were lighter!!!!

Anyone else out there to back me up?

David Syrotiak


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