Tony Sarg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tony Sarg
|
|
|---|---|
From a 1921 magazine
|
|
| Born | April 21, 1880 Cobán, Guatemala
|
| Died | March 7, 1942 (aged 61) |
| Occupation | Puppeteer, writer, animator |
| Years active | 1915–1935 |
Tony Sarg was a super creative artist from the early 1900s. He was known as "America's Puppet Master" because he brought puppets to life in amazing ways! He was also a talented illustrator and animator. Many people say he helped create modern puppetry in North America.
Contents
Early Life and Creative Beginnings
Tony Sarg was born in Cobán, Guatemala, on April 21, 1880. His father was German, and his mother was English. When Tony was seven, his family moved back to Germany.
He joined a military school at 14 and became a lieutenant by 17. But Tony's real passion was art, not the military! In his mid-20s, he left the army and moved to the United Kingdom. There, he married Bertha Eleanor McGowan, an American woman. They had a daughter named Mary.
In 1914, when World War I started, Tony and his family moved to New York City. He became an American citizen in 1920. Tony grew up with puppets and even inherited a collection from his grandmother. This hobby soon turned into his full-time job!
Bringing Puppets to Life
Tony Sarg officially started his puppetry career in 1917. He loved making puppets move and telling stories with them.
Animated Adventures
In 1921, Tony Sarg created an animated film called The First Circus. It was a very imaginative cartoon! He also made a series of short cartoons called Tony Sarg's Almanac from 1921 to 1923.
Macy's Parade and World's Fair Magic
Tony Sarg is famous for his work with Macy's department store. In 1928, he designed huge, animal-shaped balloons filled with helium for the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. These balloons, some as long as 125 feet, floated high above the streets of New York! His protégé, Bil Baird, helped build them.
In 1935, Tony also designed Macy's amazing animated window displays for the holidays. These displays brought joy to many people between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
His work was a big hit at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. Millions of people watched his puppet shows there!
Beyond Puppets: Illustration and Design
Even though he was a puppet master, Tony Sarg also loved to draw. He illustrated many magazine covers and children's books. He designed fun games and toys too. He even created fancy interiors for restaurants and department stores, like the Waldorf Astoria in New York.
For the 1939 New York World's Fair, Tony designed the official map and many colorful fabrics. These fabrics, with World's Fair themes, were used for scarves, dresses, and home decorations. His student, Bil Baird, later designed the puppets for the famous movie The Sound of Music.
His Last Years
Tony Sarg had surgery on February 17, 1942. He sadly passed away on March 7, 1942, at the age of 61, due to complications from the surgery. He is buried in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Remembering Tony Sarg
Tony Sarg left behind a wonderful legacy of creativity. The Academy Film Archive has saved many of his films, including The Original Movie and The First Earful. His work continues to inspire puppeteers and artists today.
