Film Appearances

Pelham Puppets have appeared a number of times in films, below is a list of all the details we have.

If you have any information about a film appearance please help us fill in the blanks by posting the information in the forum

Bananarama

The video for bananaramas single "cheers then" (roughly 1984) is a pastiche of "the sound of music",and sees the girls playing with pelham puppet versions of themselves.

Pictures of them can also be found on the inside sleeve artwork of their "deep sea skiving" album.

Factory Video

Video: Name Unknown

A video was made in 1973 to promote the company. It showed Anna Cox aged 9 and Andrew Mackichan, both life long fans of Pelham Puppets and coming from Marlborough going round the factory.

No other information available

Lili

lili-film-poster

Film: Lili (1952)

Directed by Charles Walters
Produced by Edwin H. Knopf

Members of a circus troupe "adopt" Lili Daurier (Lesile Caron) when she finds herself stranded in a strange town. The magician who first comes to her rescue already has romantic entanglements and thinks of her as a little girl. Who can she turn to but the puppets, singing to them her troubles, forgetting that there are puppeteers. A crowd gathers around Lili as she sings. The circus has a new act and Lili now has a job.

The film starred Mel Ferrar and was based on the story "the love of seven dolls" by Paul gallico

The puppets used in the film were not actually made by the Pelham Company but by famous Puppeteers Paul W. Walton and Michael O'rourke. They were later copied by Pelham Puppets and sold to the public as a special range of the puppets in the film only Carrot Top, Golo the Giant, Margarét (Pelham named it Marguerite) and Renaldo the Fox were made for sale.

These puppets featured moving eyes, mouth and moulded hands. The film was produced in 1952 by Loew's Incoperated and Metro-goldwyn-Mayer. The puppets were operated in the film by Paul Walton, Goerge Latshaw and Carlyle O'rourke.

These puppets are very difficult to find.

Carrot Top

Bolo the Giant

Marguerite

Renardo the Fox

Old King Coke

Film: 50's
Directed by
Running Time:

This is a film made in the 50's for Britsh Gas but we have no other details

Pictures of the puppets can be found on page 32 of Dvid Leech's second book

Pulling Strings

Film: (1952)

Directed by (Not known)
Running Time: 31mins

The film Illustrates leading artists of the puppet world and thier acts. part of the film shows a walk around the Pelham Puppets factory though the eyes of a child. Nine year old
Ann Harrison, daughter of A. W. Harrison who was a partner was the young star. She was seen going round the factory looking at everything and asking questions.

To date we cannot track down a copy of this

Pulling the Strings

Film: Look at Life

Directed by (Not known)
Narrated by Tony Britton

This film shows several different types of puppets and puppet theaters around the UK.

Part of the film shows the inner workings of the Pelham Puppet factory. Produced by the rank Organisation.

Although the title of this film is very similar to the 1952 it is not the same as some of the puppets shown are from after 1963.

Assembly Room

Assembly Room
images/stories/media/pst3.jpg

Hands in the drying rack

Close up of hands in the drying rack

Hand Painting a Horse

Hand Painting an SL Wolf

Pinocchio Heads & Hats Table

Stringing Room

Scrooge

Video: (1982)

At the board meeting on 25th Feb, point 5 of the minutes says

"Film Project - Information was given regarding a proposition from Harold Bain for making puppet films of classical stories for showing on cable and video cassettes. We would be involved in the design and making of sets as well as all the special puppets. A meeting had been arranged to discuss the matter in more detail."

At the board meeting on 22nd April the film project meeting had taken place but information was still being waited for

A letter dated 26th April 1982 from Harold Bain of a company called Videology Limited based
in London wrote to Lillian Ross concerning a film project, The letter says how delighted they were that Pelham Puppets had decided to proceed with the prototype of "Scrooge"

The minutes of the board meeting on 11th June says that a meeting had been arranged for 17th June to discuss the sets and costing for the Film Project and that filming was hoped to start in October.

In the minutes of 15th July it was reported that Mr Harold Bain had changed his plans and
would arrange a meeting to duscuss the changes. From all research th film project was not referred to again in company minutes.

Stamp Your Feet

Promo video for Emma Gillespie

Features the pop singers and an SM Girl

The Pancake House

Film: (1966)

Directed by Bob Pelham
Running Time: 22 mins

A black and white film showing a puppet version of Hansel and Gretal.

To date we cannot track down a copy or any other information about this film.

Wah-Wah

Film: 99 minutes, UK/France/South Africa (2005), rated 15

Director: Richard E Grant

Starring:
Gabriel Byrne
Emily Watson
Miranda Richardson
Nicholas Hoult
Celia Imrie
Julian Wadham
Fenella Woolgar
Zachary Scott

Producer
Jeff Abberly
Pierre Kubel
Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar

Photographer: Pierre Aïm
Composer: Patrick Doyle
Screen Writer: Richard E Grant

Richard E Grant writes and directs this semi-autobiographical tale of a young boy's experiences growing up in colonial Swaziland, and his difficult relationship with his alcoholic father

Pelham puppets are featured

http://www.wahwahmovie.co.uk/ for more details

How many eyes has a typical person? (ex: 1)

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