Charles Phoenix - Bob Baker: This Is Your Life

An extravagant puppet show revue 75 years in the making starring hundreds of amazing vintage Bob Baker marionettes

Your host, Charles Phoenix, tells the story of Bob’s life and career with slides and film clips

And the final act – a very special performance by the master himself

Cake & coffee served afterwards in the festive party room

Bob Baker in his workshop,1954

Petunia in the Onion Patch, 1955

At the BOB BAKER MARIONETTE THEATER

1345 W. 1st St. Downtown Los Angeles

(under the bridge where Beverly meets 1st St.)

MAP

Saturday July 23, 8pm -

Purchase tickets

Questions? call producer D-J Haanraadts at 323.669.9876

Bob Baker, 81, is a local treasure. During his 75 year career his puppet shows have charmed millions. The Bob Baker Marionette Theatre, downtown Los Angeles since 1961, is an institution, a living museum and the country’s oldest continuously operating puppet theatre. Over 2000 marionettes, hand crafted in the workshop, hang backstage ready to go on.

As a showman and marionette maker Bob has been honing his unique talents since the age of eight when he performed with a marionette for the first time. While attending Hollywood High he began crafting marionettes that sold at Bullock’s Wilshire and other fine toy shops. Bob’s signature collection of Disney Character Marionettes has been sold at Disneyland since 1955. The deal, sealed on a handshake with Walt Disney, still holds to this day.

During the golden age of Hollywood Bob regularly performed in the homes of Lucille Ball, Joan Crawford, Ronald Reagan, Clark Gable and other stars providing entertainment for children’s parties.

Over the years Bob has done countless road shows appearing at thousands of fairs and festivals. He continues today to perform on the road – but rarely in his own theatre. Among his long standing road show gigs is the Easter Show he has staged at the Thunderbird Country Club in Palm Springs every year since 1952.

His innovative marionettes appear in a long list of television shows including Bewitched, Star Trek, Land of the Giants and Hawaiian Eye. Among his many Motion Picture credits are A Star is Born with Judy Garland, G.I. Blues with Elvis, Bednobs and Broomsticks and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Bob Baker is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and former Governor of the Animation Branch of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Bob Baker age 20, 1944

Bob Baker age 81, 2005