The Thing, The Gashouse 4 Plus 1 Hand Puppets
77.THE THING HAND PUPPET
This is a small cardboard box, painted black inside and open
at the bottom for the operator's hand. A loop on the bottom fits the thumb, a loop on the
underside of the lid holds the fingers. By opening and closing his hand the operator can
make the lid snap like a mouth. Two eyes dangle on a bit of black felt, which masks the
fingers when the lid is opened. Legs can be added. A black sleeve covers the operator's
wrist, and so the Thing must perform before a black background.
Puppets and Music
The Thing is designed for use in presentation of a comic
novelty song in an LP album called The Monster Rally. However, the numbering and
availability of recordings changes so rapidly, no order numbers can be given in this book.
It is suggested that the puppeteer train himself to listen continually for musical
possibilities and that he never pass up the chance to buy or write down the name of a
record he thinks might be useful in the future. This includes background music for
plays.
78.THE GASHOUSE 4 PLUS 1 HAND PUPPET
Here is a five-member tailgate Dixie
Land band. Two of them are full hand puppets, the rest are mounted on springs in the wagon
bed and jiggle to the rhythm of the music. The two front wheels are practical and can be
rolled along the playboard while the boys blow like fury.