New Orleans Christmas Mr. Bingle is a photograph by Michael Hoard which was uploaded on December 3rd, 2016.
New Orleans Christmas Mr. Bingle
An original Christmas Holiday subject greets revelers at the annual Christmas Holiday Parade In New Orleans, Louisiana... more
Title
New Orleans Christmas Mr. Bingle
Artist
Michael Hoard
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
An original Christmas Holiday subject greets revelers at the annual Christmas Holiday Parade In New Orleans, Louisiana
The story of how Mr. Bingle was created:
The History of Mr. Bingle
Since 1948, a little white snow fairy named Mr. Bingle has been a magical part of the Holiday Season for children and adults in New Orleans and throughout the South.
Created by Mr. Emile Alline, a window decorator at the former Maison Blanche Department Store on Canal Street in New Orleans, Mr. Bingle came to life as a miniature snowman with an upside-down ice cream cone for a hat, holly-leaf wings on his back, a red ribbon and bells around his neck, red-striped mittens on his little hands, cherries for eyes and a licorice smile.
Mr. Alline also dreamed of presenting elaborate puppet shows with the doll, and for the task, he recruited Mr. Edwin H. �Oscar� Isentrout, an eccentric puppeteer who had been performing with his puppets at (of all places) a Bourbon Street burlesque club. With Isentrout providing movement and a squeaky voice for the character, legend has it that Mr. Bingle truly came to life, if only in the imaginations of the thousands of children who adored him.
Each year at Christmas time, Maison Blanche would erect a giant paper mache mannequin in front of the store, and Isentrout would perform four shows a day on the s tore�s third-floor stage. With the advent of television, Mr. Bingle began a daily 15- minute show that aired each weekday just before the evening news. He made frequent visits to Children�s Hospital to bring cheer to many sick or terminally ill children. For many, Mr. Bingle was their first TV friend, and he even had his own theme song:
Jingle jangle jingle,
Here comes Mr. Bingle,
With a message from Kris Kringle�
As the Maison Blanche chain spread, so, too, did Mr. Bingle�s popularity, at one time reaching as far as Tennessee and Florida. Mr. Bingle has even made an appearance at the White House as well as at the 1989 Citrus Bowl in Florida. Aside from the popular stuffed dolls, Mr. Bingle�s image could be found on everything from Christmas ornaments to coffee cups to clothing.
The Dillard�s Department Store chain bought Maison Blanche in 1998 and closed the Canal Street store shortly thereafter, but Mr. Bingle still lives on at the Dillard�s in Lakeside Shopping Center. Although his reach is limited to the Greater New Orleans area, he still makes the rounds to Dillard�s stores on the Westbank and across Lake Pontchartrain in Slidell and Covington.
Mr. Bingle�s creators, however, are no longer with us. Oscar Isentrout passed away in 1985 at the age of 61, and Emile Alline left us in 1998 at the age of 81. But these men, together, have left a gift that will endure forever in the hearts of all the children who have come to know Mr. Bingle.
Uploaded
December 3rd, 2016
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Comments (17)
Kathy K McClellan
Great capture Michael! L/Voted for this image in the Ninth Annual Red and Green contest.
Michael Hoard
Thank you to the wonderful buyer from Chalmette, LA with the sale of Mr. Bingle as a shower curtain, Cheers and Happy Holidays, Michael Hoard Art and Photography
Michael Hoard
Greetings Steve, thank you so much for viewing New Orleans Christmas Kris Kringle Christmas Holiday Parade downtown in New Orleans, its an annual parade and this image is a close up of the float which is quite large. Today I attending the annual parade and the Mr. Bingle float was awaiting to move into place of the ongoing parade. This whimsical character also use to suspend outside on the front of the department store Maison Blanche on world famous canal st., I appreciate the generous comment and the F, L, Cheers, eyeseeColors, Michael Hoard
Steve Harrington
Cute shoot, Michael! LF
Michael Hoard replied:
Greetings Steve, thank you so much for viewing New Orleans Mr. Bingle an original local Christmas holiday character from New Orleans, it pleases me this photo appeals to you and I appreciate the generous comment and the L, Fav, Cheers and Happy Holidays Michael Hoard eyeseeColors
Todd Dunham
Outstanding Image Michael !!!
Michael Hoard replied:
Greetings Todd, thank you for viewing New Orleans Christmas Mr. Bingle an original iconic Christmas holiday character from New Orleans, it pleases me this photograph appeals to you and I appreciate the generous comment, Cheers and Happy Holidays, Michael Hoard eyeseeColors
Jim Fitzpatrick
Great capture! FV
Michael Hoard replied:
Greetings Jim, thank you so much for viewing New Orleans Christmas Mr. Bingle an original iconic Christmas holiday character from New Orleans it pleases me this photograph appeals to you and I appreciate the generous comment and the Fav, V, Cheers and Happy Holidays, Michael Hoard eyeseeColors
Shoal Hollingsworth
Fantastic capture of this iconic New Orleans holiday symbol.
Michael Hoard replied:
Greetings Shoal, thank you so much for viewing New Orleans Christmas Mr. Bingle, it pleases me this iconic original Christmas character Mr. Bingle appeals to you and i appreciate the generous comments, Cheers and Happy Holidays, Michael Hoard eyeseeColors
Michael Hoard
Greetings K L you are correct humor is not a negative you should here his voice now that will make you laugh in stiches. He had a quirky, squeaky voice. Mr. Bingle is truly an original Holiday original. There may be an actual old video of the voice. I appreciate your generous comments and laughter!!!! Cheers from Nawlins and Happy Holidays!!!!
K L Kingston
Happy Holidays! Never see humor as a negative!! I laugh because I have never seen anything like this, with the bulging blue eyes, giant red bow tie and towering vantage point. Never been to Nawlins, but been to the alternative in Switzerland. All, great fun. ;)
Michael Hoard
Thank you so much for viewing New Orleans Christmas Mr. Bingle, but lol at him, smiling. Cheers from Mr. Bingle, Nawlins and Happy Holidays!!!