For me, the important part of getting any documentary right is the subject matter and the characters involved. This isn’t as much as an obvious statement as you might think though occasionally some go with controversy in order to get noticed. Richard Butchins’ AN ATTIC FULL OF PUPPETS is something a little different as it tells the real-life story of Frank Mumford, a 95-year old puppet master who played to the crowned heads of Europe.
Frank was a master marionettist whose characterful puppets entertained around the world and, very interestingly, were occasionally considered a little too racy by the censors. He’s lived in a small flat in London’s Notting Hill Gate since 1946 and has always been surrounded by the memorabilia of his life, and has an extraordinary tale to tell. In this documentary, you get to see how he was still striving to live independently and we learn of his career with his late wife, Maisie, who together created one of the most glamorous Marionette variety acts to ever grace the stage.
Through the late 1940’s and 1950’s, they played prestige venues all over Europe, including the Moulin Rouge, Paris, London’s Savoy Hotel, and the Sporting Club, Monte Carlo. He performed for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Prince Rainer of Monaco, was given a gold cigarette case by General Franco, dined with Jean Cocteau and joked with Josephine Baker.
This insightful and remarkable documentary tells Frank’s story and with it reveals a very special soul that reminds us that there’s always a story behind everyone’s life and how important it is to witness the positive impact of such people, especially when they’re like Frank Mumford. His dreams and life are all here, it’s for ‘all those memories‘ and with it we get a quite delightful journey. Thanks to Director and Producer Richard Butchins, you can now watch it in full on YouTube, you won’t regret it.
I honour you with Bronx cheer from our household, it’s hugely deserved, Frank:
For more information on AN ATTIC FULL OF PUPPETS, please head to their Facebook page. You might also want to read an elegant obituary for him in The Telegraph right here.
