Puppetry (1947)

now I'm handsome we're expecting you come in this way please this is our workshop and here's the master puppeteer he's just finished the layout for a new marionette great all he uses a soft wood that won't crack or split easily this skillful puppeteer carves the heads but there are other ways to make them easier ways for beginners the carving tools are well sharpened as he works the artist carefully brings the features down to proper proportions when finished the head will look just like Gretel's head should look from start to finish every detail is planned to help carry out the characterization as the puppeteers interpreted great need some makeup very oil paint covers the wood first an overall coat them a flesh tone for a basic complexion then deeper color for the cheeks now Hansel here's your little assist gracol nice work now she needs a party and here are the parts the torso should be the heaviest part of the marionette so that even when the head and limbs move freely they will not swing the body a cloth hinge allows free movement at the waistline the kind of joint depends on the action needed at hips and knees leather joints the ankle joint hinged on a bread or small nail carved wooden shoes now arms for Gretel carved wooden hands attached to cloth upper arms the easiest hands for beginners to make our little cloth mittens stuffed with cotton now before Gretel is dressed she gets screweyes for her shoulders strings will be tied to the screw eyes these will support the weight of the marionette their placement helps determine posture and nature of movement interlocking screw eyes will allow proper neck motion they permit the head to turn sideways but prevent its swinging clear around time to get dressed the puppet mistress has designed and made great oz clothes she has used books on the history of costumes to guide her a marionettes clothes are made light and loose to allow freedom of action the designer has planned the costume to suit Hansel's little sister size proportions facial expression and costume all help make the storybook cradle cradle Zweig is made right on her head by gluing theatrical crepe hair to it crepe hair is used for a poor little peasant child oh boy is she nice look now controls for Strings the strings will go through holes board in short strips of wood on the marionettes screw eyes for Strings - on her knees - holes on her hands do screw eyes for the head and one seat screw eye the to shoulder strings support the marionettes weight strings long enough to reach from the level of the operator's chest to the marionette on the floor because great will can't move her lips her head and hands must be able to move very freely for gesturing linen carpet thread or fine fishing line is used extra strings may be added for special needs the basic strings are nine to nine Gretl is ready to learn what a well-trained marionette should know puppeteers practice with each new marionette so they can control it now over here is where we rehearse rehearsing helps make movements rhythmical what's the foot control held ahead of the main control left right left right left right left right left right the hamstrings are at the center of the main control right hand left hand left hand right left booth and the head strings they turned the head left and right left right all the movements of the marionettes should harmonize with the part it plays now the nine strings tour for the feet - for the hands - for the head - for the shoulders these support the marionette and once each string used for balancing and bowing now if greater wants to sit down it's as easy as this - coordinator various movements if you know how rehearsing in front of a mirror helps the puppeteers perfect the movements of the marionettes [Music] here's our stage the puppeteer stands on the bridge at the back the marionettes hang from a puppet rail when they're not in use but where is Hansel from the back rail hangs the scenery needed for the show wings cut off the view backstage from the audience stage properties are kept simple lifes are important main lights footlights spot as for any theater we're ready for dramatic action the back rail supports the backdrop and also provides support for the puppeteers while they work we'll see how a bit of a marionette show of Hansel and Gretel looks to the audience greetings Oh what should I do push you're in the oven I can't I can't you have to all right I'll try panel greater get in the oven I don't know how well I'll show you open magic door now then you bend over like this and you put your head in like this in C yes I say and then what do i do then I give you a good big push close magic door close close stores magic too [Music]