The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-01-20
BY HELEN LINDSAY

BY HELEN LINDSAY
Gov. McNutt appears in new
stage production in suit made over
from one handed down by David F..
Milligan. Mrs. c. j. Finch. Seventh
District Federation of Clubs presi-
dent, appears with him in the per-
Torrance, wearing dress made of
a coat lining.
And both appear as debonair and
charming as they do in real life,
and know their lines well-for they
are represented by puppets in the
marionette show which is being dis
played by the publicity committee
of the Seventh District, in the in
terest of the radium fund drive.
While Gov McNutt busies himself
in reality with state affairs, his tiny
wooden counterpart is to maze
radio addresses before audiences of
Indianapolis clubwomen, in realistic
manner, urging Indianapolis to con-
tribute the remaining $4,000 to the
$4,000 fund intended to bring radium
to the cancer clinic at City Hospital
Six Puppets Used
Six puppets are used in the show
which had it's world premiere" last
week at the federation meeting. All
were made by WPA workers under
direction of the Marion County Rec
reation Bureau, and the script, also
written by WPA workers, is to be
dramatized by group of puppeteers
from this organization.
"The Governor was the most diff
cult of the puppets to make, because
we worked from a picture of him
and it was not easy to copy his
features in carved wood" Miss Ruth
Benefiel. who operates some of the
figures in the show, said.
AS in a real Punch and Judy"
show, there is plenty of action in
the production. Cancer and radium
have a hand to hand battle, in
which the villain, Cancer, of course
is defeated.
suggested Idea for Script
Theme of the script was suggest
ed by Mrs. H. P. Willwerth, pub
licity director for the radium fund
drive. who recently replaced Mrs.
Louis Markun, when Mrs. Markun
accepted appointment to the Indian
apolis Park Board.
II know it will make the public
eager to contribute the remaining
$4,000" Mrs. Willwerth says. 1.-THE
characters are so realistic, as they
are presented in the show. You al
most can see the Governor shake
his white hair as he speaks into the
microphone which the puppet rep
resenting his secretary holds before
him. And all of the women who
know Mrs. Finch think she has been
portrayed realistically"
While the show is intended pri-
marily for education and inspiration
in the drive. it is to be used by some
clubs actually to raise funds. Adj
mission is to be charged for the
performances, and in other organi-
cations, silver offerings are to be
aiken following the final curtain.
Made Puppets
The puppets have been made by
David F. Milligan, Paul Rouse,
Charles Bauerle and Miss Benef1el.
Mr. Milligan, Mr.. Rouse and Miss
Benefiel operate them, behind
screen built by WPA workers, which
also has been the stage for puppet
performances of 'Ichabod Crane"
and other marionette shows which
have been used by the recreation
bureau for group entertainments.
Bookings for the show are to be
made through Mrs. Willwerth. Res
ervations already have been made
by the Florence Nightingale Club,
Parent Teacher Association of
School A, 1908 Club, International
Travel and Study Federation and
the Brittany Travel and Study
Club.