Tony Sarg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tony Sarg
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From a 1921 magazine
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| Born | April 21, 1880 Cobán, Guatemala
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| Died | March 7, 1942 (aged 61) |
| Occupation | Puppeteer, writer, animator |
| Years active | 1915–1935 |
Tony Sarg (born April 21, 1880 – died March 7, 1942) was a famous American artist. He was known for his amazing puppets and illustrations. Many people called him "America's Puppet Master." He is even called the "father of modern puppetry" in North America.
Contents
Early Life and Moves
Tony Sarg was born in Cobán, Guatemala. His father was a German diplomat, and his mother was English. When Tony was young, his family moved back to Germany. He joined a military school at 14 and became a lieutenant at 17. But he left the military in his mid-20s and moved to the United Kingdom.
In England, he met Bertha Eleanor McGowan, an American tourist. They got married in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1909. They went back to England, where their daughter Mary was born. When World War I started in 1914, Tony sent his family to Cincinnati. He followed them soon after. In 1915, they settled in New York City. Tony became a U.S. citizen in 1920.
Tony Sarg's Creative Career
Tony Sarg grew up around puppets. He even inherited a collection of them from his grandmother. What started as a hobby soon became his job in 1917.
Animated Films
In 1921, Sarg helped create an animated film called The First Circus. He also made a series of cartoons called Tony Sarg's Almanac from 1921 to 1923.
Macy's Parade Balloons
In 1928, Tony Sarg designed huge helium-filled balloons for Macy's department store. These balloons looked like animals and could be up to 125 feet long! His assistant, Bil Baird, helped build them. These giant creations were a big part of Macy's famous Thanksgiving Day parade. In 1935, he also designed Macy's amazing animated window displays for the Christmas season.
World's Fairs and Other Art
Tony Sarg's work was very popular at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. About 3 million people saw his puppet shows there!
Besides puppets, Sarg also became a successful illustrator. He drew covers for magazines, guide books, and children's books. He also designed games and toys. Tony Sarg even designed fancy interiors for high-end stores and restaurants, like the Waldorf Astoria in New York.
For the 1939 New York World's Fair, he created the official map. He also designed colorful fabrics with World's Fair themes for scarves, dresses, and home items. His assistant, Bil Baird, later designed the puppets for the famous movie The Sound of Music.
Later Life and Legacy
Tony Sarg had surgery for a ruptured appendix on February 17, 1942. He sadly died on March 7, 1942, from problems after the surgery. He is buried in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Academy Film Archive has saved several of Tony Sarg's films. These include The Original Movie, When the Whale Was Jonahed, and Why Adam Walked the Floor. His work continues to be remembered for its creativity and fun.
Animated Films by Tony Sarg
Tony Sarg co-animated and produced these films with Herbert M. Dawley:
- The First Circus (May 8, 1921)
- The Tooth Carpenter (May 21, 1921)
- Why They Love Cavemen (July 2, 1921)
- When The Wale Was Jonahed (August 20, 1921)
- Fireman, Save My Child (September 11, 1921)
- The Original Golfer (January 7, 1922)
- Why Adam Walked the Floor (February 5, 1922)
- The Original Movie (April 9, 1922)
- The First Earful (May 29, 1922)
- Noah Put The Cat Out (July 9, 1922)
- The First Degree (July 29, 1922)
- The First Barber (August 27, 1922)
- Baron Bragg and the Devilish Dragon (September 24, 1922)
- The First Flivver (October 22, 1922)
- The Ogling Ogre (November 19, 1922)
- Baron Bragg and the Haunted Castle (December 17, 1922)
- The Terrible Tree (January 14, 1923)
Images for kids
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Portrait of Irvin S. Cobb by Tony Sarg for The Saturday Evening Post, Oct. 1918.
