Raising Foodini: A Tribute to Pioneer Puppet Master Morey Bunin

September 14, 2003

A selection of rare kinescopes celebrating the work of early television puppeteer and animator Morey Bunin, this tribute features "The Adventures of Lucky Pup," a children's program described by writer William Saroyan in 1949 as "without doubt the best and most dramatic show on television." In contrast to its kinder rival "The Howdy Doody Show," the series contained adult humor, and its devilish lead character Foodini, a magician scheming for money and success, can be seen to anticipate the Muppets. By the 1960s, Bunin had developed the "Aniform" process, an innovative form of video animation that employs puppetry techniques. Members of the Bunin family will introduce the program.

Organized by Ronald S. Magliozzi, Assistant Curator, Research and Collections, and Hans Staats, Intern, Department of Film and Media. With thanks to the Bunin family and the American Museum of the Moving Image.