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Emmyreg AwardWinning Stories of The American Puppet Documentary will...

om Mazzarella Media (www.mazz.com).

Produced and directed by Mark Mazzarella, who also co-wrote the documentary with his brother Tony Mazzarella, "Stories of The American Puppet" originally aired on PBS and won an Emmy in 2001 for Outstanding Writing. Narrated by Dan Lauria (The Wonder Years), "Stories of The American Puppet" brings the story of American puppetry to life through archival film, rare photographs, historical reenactments, insightful interviews, and in depth profiles of some of the most influential puppeteers of the 20th century, including Jim Henson, Shari Lewis, Paul Winchell and Edgar Bergen. Suggested retail price for the 58-minute DVD is $19.95.

"The art of puppetry has made a huge impact on American entertainment and our cultural heritage," said Mark Mazzarella, the brainchild behind the project. "But people also need to know that there's an artistry and special talent involved from designing puppets and conceptualizing their personalities, to manipulation of their movements and to storylines that are unique to the puppets' personalities. That's what 'Stories of The American Puppet' is all about."

This expansive documentary chronicles puppetry evolution from the 18th-century street puppets Punch and Joan (later better known as Punch and Judy) to the 20th-century Muppets, highlighting many of the puppeteer masters and classic characters that have shaped American culture. The film beautifully illustrates the passion behind the art of puppetry and how the masters of the craft have constantly and fervently striven to raise the level of performance and create a truly iconic theatrical experience.

Beloved ventriloquist, puppeteer, performer and host of her own television shows and award-winning videos, Shari Lewis, gives her last interview and shares her belief that "You can only really bring to life a puppet that is a facet of you. You have to let the puppet tell you if it wants to talk. Maybe the answer to longevity is the truth of the character." Lewis, who passed away in 1998, created some of the most well known and loved puppet characters including Lamb Chop, Charlie Horse and Hush Puppy.

Other puppeteer masters profiled include Tony Sarg, German-American puppeteer and illustrator who has been referred to as "America's Puppet Master" and as the father of modern puppetry in North America; Edgar Bergen, actor, radio performer and ventriloquist, best known for his performances with sidekick Charlie McCarthy (and father of Candice Bergen, Boston Legal, Murphy Brown); Robert Emil Schmidt, a.k.a. "Buffalo Bob" Smith, host of the iconic 1950's Howdy Doody children's show; Paul Winchell, ventriloquist, creator of Jerry Mahony and Knucklehead Smiff and early television pioneer; and Jim Henson, film director, television producer, creator of The Muppets and perhaps the most widely known American puppeteer in modern American television history.

"Jim felt he could reach people in a very universal way," reminisces interviewee Jane Henson about her late husband's work with modern puppetry. "He wanted to be someone who made a difference."

Additional interviews include Bart Roccoberton, University of Connecticut Puppet Arts; Margo Rose, former Tony Sarg puppeteer; Allen G. Cook, noted puppet collector; John Bell, professor of theatre, Emerson College; Steve Abrams, president, Puppeteers of America; and Vincent Anthony, founder, Center for Puppetry Arts, Atlanta.

"We are delighted to present many of the performances in their entirety on the bonus extras section of the DVD," said Mazzarella.

To order "Stories of The American Puppet" call 1-800-583-1988.

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