Bernard Paul

Bernard Paul, creator of the marionette pupette theater Paul's Puppets, died Sunday, September 18, 2005. He was 98 years old. Paul's Puppets entertained children at schools, churches and hospitals around Maryland in the 1930's, 40's and 50's and eventually moved into the growing medium of television. Sponsored by Hutzler's department store, the Paul's Puppets TV show began on January 8, 1948 on WBAL-TV in Baltimore, MD. The 15-minute segments were seen every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 6pm until 1957.
Born in Baltimore, Mr. Paul lived in the house his parents built in Linthicum Heights from 1919 until 2004. He met his wife Edith there in the early 1920's and they were married in 1930, the same year they created Paul's Puppets. The couple's individual talents meshed to create every aspect of the theater productions. Edith wrote the scripts and made the costumes, while Bernard built the sets and made the puppets. Together they provided the voices that brought the characters to life. In 1934, the couple performed for the Roosevelts at the White House in conjuction with the annual Easter Egg Roll.
After the television show ended, Paul's Puppets continued performing at Hutzler's main and suburban branch locations into the 1960's and 70's. Mr. Paul was educated at the Severn School and graduated from the Maryland Institute of College of Art in 1930. While still a student, Mr. Paul produced a puppet show for the college and subsequently was asked to teach a class there on puppetry.
In addition to performing and teaching, the Pauls also created department store window displays - elaborate miniature stage sets for such occasions as Christmas and the 1937 coronation of King George VI.
An avid collector, Mr. Paul surrounded himself with such unique collections as bells, lead soldiers, Civil War armor, Japanese swords, and Asian art and masks. He also enjoyed woodworking, duck carving and spending his summers at their vacation home in Maine.
Mr. Paul was a longtime member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Linthicum Heights. He is survived by two sons, Peter Paul and Larry Paul, as well as 8 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.