Turnabout Theatre
Encyclopedia
The Turnabout Theatre existed in Hollywood, CA., from 1941 through 1956. Regularly selling out all seats--attracting both the general public as well as many of Hollywood's top stars--it offered entertainment that combined both puppets (marionettes) for the first half of a show and a stage revue for the second half.
The name of the theater derives in part from the fact that the theater seats were former streetcar seat which could be turned to face a puppet stage at one end or the live revue stage at the other. Adjacent seats were labeled with humorous names (e.g., "Hot 'n Bothered," "Salt 'n Pepper," etc.), and after intermission theater-goers would "turn about" to see the show continued at the opposite end of the house.
The Theater originated with a group of puppeteers (the Yale Puppeteers) composed notably of Forman Brown
, Harry Burnett, and Richard (Roddy) Brandon. Many artists, some quite well known or soon to be well known (e.g., Elsa Lanchester
whose brother Waldo Lanchester was a famous puppeteer in the UK and Odetta
), also participated.
The history of the theater is documented in the film, "Turnabout: the Story of the Yale Puppeteers," directed by film maker Dan Bessie (a nephew of Harry Burnett). Brown wrote a book about the puppet troupe,
and Bessie also discusses the puppeteers in his memoir of his family, Rare Birds.
Prior to opening Turnabout Theatre, the puppeteers had toured with their shows. Their puppets also appeared in the 1933 film I Am Suzanne.
Harry Burnett is a brother of famous advertising executive Leo Burnett
.
The name of the theater derives in part from the fact that the theater seats were former streetcar seat which could be turned to face a puppet stage at one end or the live revue stage at the other. Adjacent seats were labeled with humorous names (e.g., "Hot 'n Bothered," "Salt 'n Pepper," etc.), and after intermission theater-goers would "turn about" to see the show continued at the opposite end of the house.
The Theater originated with a group of puppeteers (the Yale Puppeteers) composed notably of Forman Brown
Forman Brown
Forman Brown was one of the world's leaders in puppet theatre in his day, as well as an important early gay novelist. He was a member of the Yale Puppeteers and the driving force behind Turnabout Theatre. He was born in Otsego, Michigan, in 1901 and died in 1996, two days after his 95th birthday...
, Harry Burnett, and Richard (Roddy) Brandon. Many artists, some quite well known or soon to be well known (e.g., Elsa Lanchester
Elsa Lanchester
Elsa Sullivan Lanchester was an English-American character actress with a long career in theatre, film and television....
whose brother Waldo Lanchester was a famous puppeteer in the UK and Odetta
Odetta
Odetta Holmes, known as Odetta, was an American singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter, and a human rights activist, often referred to as "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement". Her musical repertoire consisted largely of American folk music, blues, jazz, and spirituals...
), also participated.
The history of the theater is documented in the film, "Turnabout: the Story of the Yale Puppeteers," directed by film maker Dan Bessie (a nephew of Harry Burnett). Brown wrote a book about the puppet troupe,
and Bessie also discusses the puppeteers in his memoir of his family, Rare Birds.
Prior to opening Turnabout Theatre, the puppeteers had toured with their shows. Their puppets also appeared in the 1933 film I Am Suzanne.
Harry Burnett is a brother of famous advertising executive Leo Burnett
Leo Burnett
Leo Burnett was an advertising executive who created the Jolly Green Giant, the Marlboro Man, Toucan Sam, Charlie the Tuna, Morris the Cat, the Pillsbury Doughboy, the 7up "Spot", and Tony the Tiger....
.
External links
- Turnabout Theater online exhibit at the Los Angeles Public Library