UPDATE Coming Soon!
Where Is Carrot Top?
Click to see The Festival on KABC-TV with George Pennacchio
Search is on for the missing puppet Star of the classic 1953 MGM musical film “Lili” starring Leslie Caron
Ms. Caron will be making a rare appearance at the Santa Monica Puppetry Festival in October
Festival director Steve Meltzer takes his search public in order to reunite Ms. Caron with her puppet Co-star
The first annual Santa Monica Puppetry Festival promises to be a week of world-class puppetry. Festival director Steve Meltzer, following his lifelong passion for this special art form and the classic American film about a puppeteer, has teamed with several other presenting organizations to make possible the appearance of the film’s star, Leslie Caron.
But where is Carrot Top? The adorable little boy hand puppet who sang the oscar winning song “Hi Lili, Hi Lo” with Ms. Caron in the film was last seen at an auction of props at the MGM studios back in 1971. Alan Cook, curator of the International Puppetry Museum in Pasadena was able to acquire the other three puppets from the film but the whereabouts of Carrot Top have remained a mystery for almost 40 years. The puppets were built by legendary marionette artists, Paul Walton and Michael O’Rourke and voiced by the film’s late co-star, Mel Ferrer. It is hoped that if Carrot Top is located, his current owner will consent to a reunion with Ms. Caron, who will be the guest of honor at two special events, a special screening of Lili and an all star “Celebration Of Puppetry” starring Mallory Lewis and Lambchop featuring master marionette artists Bob Baker, Tony Urbano and Rene Zendejas.
The festival’s other highlights include a tribute to the late ventriloquist Paul Winchell, “Puppets On The Edge” hosted by Dan Horn and two shows for kids. The festival will close on Sunday with two performances by Phillip Huber, whose work was featured in the 1999 film “Being John Malkovich”
A week long special exhibit at the Santa Monica Puppetry Center will feature puppets from stage and screen including the ‘Lili’ puppets.
Consider this to be the first ever all points bulletin for a hand puppet.
Help us bring him home!
If you have any information please call 310 656-0483