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ABSTRACT Title of Dissertation: THE PHENOMENOLOGY OF ...

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etween the idealized world <strong>of</strong> honor in a classic tale, and the racial inequalities <strong>of</strong><br />

modern New York City.<br />

Unlike Lano, Bufano never mentioned his feelings toward actual African<br />

Americans, but it would be counterproductive to question his motives in introducing<br />

these “darkies” to his marionette productions. What is clear, is that he adopted the<br />

artistic division articulated by McPharlin. Bufano had his Mr. Julius Caesar, but he also<br />

produced the most impressive blackface puppet available to this investigation. It was a<br />

breathtaking contribution to the exotic, highbrow tradition <strong>of</strong> blackface puppetry. Bufano<br />

produced it for an exhibit at the Hall <strong>of</strong> Pharmacy for the New York World’s Fair, 1939-<br />

40 (see figure 35). This “Voodoo Doctor,” when fully standing, towered at twice the<br />

Fig. 35. “Voodoo Doctor.” Photograph by Anonymous. Copied from: “These are Giant<br />

Puppets.” Paul. McPharlin. Collected documents in the Paul McPharlin Puppetry<br />

Collection (Detroit: DIA Library, ca 1939), 7.<br />

height <strong>of</strong> the puppeteer himself, approximately twelve feet from its toes to the horns on<br />

its mask. It was constructed <strong>of</strong> papier-mache, sheet copper, wood, and wire. The object<br />

was one <strong>of</strong> several giant marionettes representing physicians throughout history and<br />

157

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