ABSTRACT Title of Dissertation: THE PHENOMENOLOGY OF ...
ABSTRACT Title of Dissertation: THE PHENOMENOLOGY OF ...
ABSTRACT Title of Dissertation: THE PHENOMENOLOGY OF ...
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Chapter VI: The Many<br />
Records compiled by the Puppeteers <strong>of</strong> America 1934-1939 show an impressive<br />
aggregate <strong>of</strong> plays with blackface characters. In 1934 alone, dozens <strong>of</strong> companies and<br />
individual puppeteers presented a diverse menu <strong>of</strong> plays, including: Robinson Crusoe,<br />
Little Black Sambo, The Emperor Jones, Casper Among the Savages, and Aladdin. From<br />
the Indianapolis Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum<br />
and Bailey Circus, to private stages throughout the country, thousands <strong>of</strong> spectators<br />
viewed diverse racialized fare. Nearly twenty-five percent <strong>of</strong> the companies depended on<br />
blackface puppets for their livelihood. 224<br />
In subsequent years, the percentage <strong>of</strong> such plays declined steadily. In 1935, only<br />
twenty percent <strong>of</strong> puppeteers showcased plays with blackface characters. Less than ten<br />
percent <strong>of</strong> companies incorporated blackface material by 1937. 225 In 1939, only Marjorie<br />
Batchelder (Mrs. Bones), the Proctors (Adventures <strong>of</strong> Sambo and his Hound Dog),<br />
Antonio de Leon Richardson (Uncle Tom’s Cabin), Philadelphia’s Stellar Marionettes<br />
224 Estimated from records in: Paul McPharlin, Puppetry: A Yearbook <strong>of</strong> Puppets and Marionettes<br />
(Detroit: Puppeteers <strong>of</strong> America, 1934), 80-94. Kay’s Marionettes adapted Aladdin (1934). George<br />
Berden, Peggy Bridge, Harry Ferris, Grace Gilden Macduff, Charles Mack, the Proctor Marionettes, and<br />
W. Norris Wenworth staged plays titled Punch and Judy. The Ep-Wep Puppeteers, the Roy Elbert<br />
Marionettes, and the University <strong>of</strong> Washington Puppeteers staged Robinson Crusoe. Harrisburg’s<br />
Community Theatre Puppeteers produced Cannibal Gold. Richard R. Casady presented a piece titled<br />
Casper Among the Savages. The Marionette Guild <strong>of</strong> New York presented The Emperor Jones. John<br />
Bastick Hanna showed the Marionette Follies <strong>of</strong> 1934. George R. New created In the Sultan’s Palace. The<br />
Maycourt Club produced the Clown Revue and Stanley Thompson produced The Clown Circus. Ruth<br />
Trappan created Juke’s Jungle. Harry Fowler, Sue Hastings, Edith and Romaine Proctor, Clara Sipherd<br />
produced school productions <strong>of</strong> Little Black Sambo.<br />
225 Estimated from records in: Paul McPharlin, Puppetry: A Yearbook <strong>of</strong> Puppets and Marionettes<br />
(Detroit: Puppeteers <strong>of</strong> America, 1936), 98-108 and Paul McPharlin, Puppetry: A Yearbook <strong>of</strong> Puppets and<br />
Marionettes (Detroit: Puppeteers <strong>of</strong> America, 1937), 8-16.<br />
175