Friday Fun: An Early Twentieth Century German Animation

This silent animation comes from Germany in the early Twentieth Century and depicts a traditional Punch & Judy scene (in Germany, they’re known as “Kasperl" and "Gretl").  Mr. Punch and his wife are having one of their patented spats.  The film is crafted so that it forms an endless loop.  It’s quite interesting.  That's the way to do it!

Friday Fun: Mr. Punch and Scaramouche

Mr. Punch and Scaramouche
George Cruikshank, 1827
From the George Speaight Punch and Judy Archive
at The Victoria and Albert Museum

We have previously enjoyed a video by Australian Punch and Judy Man, Chris van der Craats which showed us a recent recreation of some of George Cruikshank’s 1827-era drawings of the “Comical Tragedy or Tragical Comedy of Mr. Punch.” Here’s another recreation—complete with Piccini Punch. This one shows Mr. Punch and Scaramouche.

In the early Nineteenth Century version of the puppet show, Mr. Scaramouche was Mr. Punch’s neighbor and the original owner of Dog Toby. Punch encounters Dog Toby who bites his “beautiful nose,” and, then, Scaramouche confronts Punch about harassing his terrier. Punch confused Scaramouche by dancing with him, and, then beating him with his cudgel—eventually, taking Dog Toby as his own companion. This video begins just after Punch has had his first meeting with Dog Toby.  

Friday Fun: Mr. Punch’s Russian Cousin, Petrushka

An antique "Petrushka"
marionette

Mr. Punch has cousins all over the world who look and act quite a bit like him. His Russian counterpart is called “Petrushka” (meaning Parsley). Dressed in red with a jester’s painted face, Petrushka has a long nose like Mr. Punch and a very similar “swazzle”-created voice. 


Petrushka also relies on slapstick comedy, but the stories take a slightly different approach than the adventures of Mr. Punch. Petrushka stories focus on his military service, his medical treatment and his training of a horse.

Thanks to Chris van der Craats (Australia’s “Professor Whatsit”), we get this fascinating glimpse at this Russian puppet cousin to our Mr. Punch. 

Saturday Special: An Animated Scene by Jean-Marie Phalibois

Another work by Phalibois--
a monkey-like fisherman

Jean-Marie Phalibois (born 1835) began his career in the cardboard industry. However, he soon began producing simple scenes encased in glass. These scenes featured automata which worked in conjunction with music boxes. Soon, the scenes became increasingly complex and ornate with figures which were able to reproduce intricate movements.

After a time, Phalibois began creating complicated free-standing automata. After his retirement in 1874, his son took over the family business.

This intriguing scene of a monkey magician is typical of Phalibois' early work.  
 

Friday Fun: Mr. Punch and the Devil

Drawings by George Cruikshank, 1828

This video clip from 2012’s May Fayre and Mr. Punch’s 350th birthday was filmed by Australia’s Chris van der Craats. I’m not sure who the professor is, but he has given us a wonderful recreation of one of George Cruikshank’s famous 1820s illustrations of Mr. Punch. In this scene, Punch is defeating the Devil. That’s the way to do it!

Friday Fun: Antique Marionettes

Puppets.uk.com

As I’ve mentioned before, our Mr. Punch started his antics as a marionette until “professors” concluded that glove puppets were easier to transport and manipulate. Marionettes are quite complicated and it takes a skilled puppeteer to manage them gracefully. There’s a certain elegance about a marionette.

These antique puppets show some of the cleverness and artistry that went into Victorian stringed puppets. They’re rather lovely. As much as I love puppets, I have to say that the “Grand Turk” creeps me out just the tiniest bit. But, I love it nonetheless.





Friday Fun: Bunny Mooning

Another Max Fleischer cartoon to remind us that, in the 1930s, people had odd ideas about how animals functioned.

Friday Fun: A Pulcinella Show in Covent Garden

At this year’s May Fayre in Covent Garden, people from all over the world gathered to celebrate Mr. Punch’s 35oth birthday, so it was only natural that among the human revelers, some of Punch’s puppet cousins would be in attendance. Since Mr. Punch is a descendant of Pulcinella, I’m glad to know that the black-masked puppet made an appearance at Punch’s birthday festivities. 


Here’s a Pulcinella show from the event as performed by Phillipe Saumont, Irene Vecchia and Gianluca Di Matteo. 

Friday Fun: Punch and the Beadle

The Beadle
as envisioned by Chris van der Craats

Well, as much as I love him, I must admit that Mr. Punch is a rather naughty fellow. For all of his cuteness and charm, he does occasionally do some things that just aren’t “the way to do it.” So, it’s inevitable that his actions should attract the attention of the law. In traditional Punch & Judy shows, Punch is confronted by a variety of representatives of the law. He usually meets a constable or beadle, a judge, and even the hangman. Still, we know that the wooden-headed hero can “beat the Devil,” so something as simple as escaping the law shouldn’t be too difficult for him.

Let’s watch this snippet from a Punch & Judy show as performed by Australian Punch Judy Man, “Professor Whatsit,” also known as Chris van der Craats. I have a particular fondness for van der Craats’ puppets. He makes them himself and they are some of the best out there. These puppets have the look and charm of the figures used in the earliest Punch performances. You can buy Professor Whatsit’s hand-made puppets on his Web site.

Friday Fun: Professor Mark Poulton Discusses The History of Punch and Judy

The Victoria & Albert Museum

As part of 2012's 350th birthday celebration for Mr. Punch, Punch & Judy Professor Mark Poulton worked with the V&A to discuss the history of our favorite puppet friend.

The video has just become available online, so I thought I'd share part of it with you.

Mr. Punch's Puzzles: The Riddle of the Week

Once, again, Mr. Punch with my help, is offering up a true Victorian riddle. The first person to answer correctly--by posting in the comments--will receive public congratulations.

So, here's this week's riddle. We ask that you don't Google the answer. Mr. Punch would not find that sporting at all. Give it a shot and see what you can come up with. Here we go... No cheating...

What is that which goes with a carriage, comes with a carriage, is of no use to a carriage, and yet the carriage cannot go without it?

And, the answer is...

NOISE

Which falls somewhere between Darcy's satellite radio, Gene's mother-in-law, and Dashwood's existentialism and closest to Angelo's answer of a horn.  Well done, today.  Come back next week for another of Mr. Punch's Puzzles.

Mr. Punch wants you to always know “the way to do it,” so why not check out our “That’s the way to do it!” products which are available only at our online store.  

Friday Fun: Emanuele Luzzati’s “Punch and the Magic Fish”

Previously, I've posted films animated by the painter, scenic designer and director, Emanuele Luzzati which depicted scenes from the daily life of Mr. Punch’s Italian cousin, “Pulcinella"--this one included.

Still, after a couple of years,  I can't help but repost this enchanting film by Luzzati and Giulio Gianini entitled, Pulcinella e il pesce magico (Punch and the Magic Fish).  Based on a tale by the Brothers Grimm and retold with Pulcinella as the lead, this adorable film was also translated into a picture book of the same name.  

Enjoy!  Again!

Mr. Punch's Puzzles: The Riddle of the Week

Once, again, Mr. Punch with my help, is offering up a true Victorian riddle. The first person to answer correctly--by posting in the comments--will receive public congratulations.

So, here's this week's riddle. We ask that you don't Google the answer. Mr. Punch would not find that sporting at all. Give it a shot and see what you can come up with. Here we go... No cheating...

What walks all day on its head?

And, the answer is...

A shoe nail!

As usual, you all came up with some much more clever answers than the real answer.  Come back for another of Mr. Punch's Puzzles on an upcoming Friday!

Mr. Punch wants you to always know “the way to do it,” so why not check out our “That’s the way to do it!” products which are available only at our online store.  

Friday Fun: Mr. Punch and Scaramouche

Mr. Punch and Scaramouche
George Cruikshank, 1827
From the George Speaight Punch and Judy Archive
at The Victoria and Albert Museum

In the early Nineteenth Century version of the puppet show, Mr. Scaramouche was Mr. Punch’s neighbor and the original owner of Dog Toby. Punch encounters Dog Toby who bites his “beautiful nose,” and, then, Scaramouche confronts Punch about harassing his terrier. Punch confused Scaramouche by dancing with him, and, then beating him with his cudgel—eventually, taking Dog Toby as his own companion. This video begins just after Punch has had his first meeting with Dog Toby.  

Friday Fun: The Start of a Punch & Judy Show

David Wilde's Punch & Judy

Hello all, sorry, we won't be doing a "Mr. Punch's Puzzles" today since I've got a day full of appointments, and Bertie is having a play date with his friend Oscar Cat.

So, I thought we could have some video fun...

Apparently, Mr. Punch doesn’t care for monkeys. With good reason, it would seem.

This short video clip shows the musical start to David Wilde’s Punch & Judy show. As if often the case, “Joey the Clown” starts the proceedings with a dance which highlights his peculiarly articulated neck. “Joey the Clown” is a traditional Punch & Judy character. Often, Joey tries to get the better of Punch. It’s usually Joey’s question of “Who wants dinner?” which elicits the display of the famous sausage links. Typically, Joey will act as Master of Ceremonies.

And, so, here we see Joey doing his thing, followed by a feather-dusting monkey and the introduction of Mr. Punch.

“Clap with Mr. Monkey.”

Friday Fun: Professor Mark Poulton by the Seaside

Mark Poulton

This week’s “Friday Fun,” is another Punch & Judy show—this time performed by the talented Professor Mark Poulton. Professor Poulton brings decades of experience to the art form. Enjoy his version of Mr. Punch as “Old Red Nose” is introduced by Joey the Clown.

Mr. Punch's Puzzles: The Riddle of the Week

Once, again, Mr. Punch with my help, is offering up a true Victorian riddle. The first person to answer correctly--by posting in the comments--will receive public congratulations.

So, here's this week's riddle. We ask that you don't Google the answer. Mr. Punch would not find that sporting at all. Give it a shot and see what you can come up with. Here we go... No cheating...

Poke your fingers in my eyes to open wide my jaws and fuel my greedy lust.

And, the answer is...

Scissors.

This was a weird one, I know.  You all gave brave and ingenious answers and I am duly proud, as is Mr. Punch.  Come back next Friday for another of "Mr. Punch's Puzzles."

Mr. Punch wants you to always know “the way to do it,” so why not check out our “That’s the way to do it!” products which are available only at our online store.