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Mr. Bingle is a fictional character, a snowman assistant to Santa Claus. Originating as a mascot of the Maison Blanche department store in New Orleans, Louisiana, the character was later marketed in New Orleans and elsewhere by Mercantile Stores and Dillard's, and it remains part of the popular culture of the Greater New Orleans area. ==History== Mr. Bingle was originally conceived by Emile Alline, an employee of Maison Blanche, in 1947. Mister Bingle shared the initials of his home, "M.B.", as the store was often called.〔Hans J. Sternberg, ''We Were Merchants: The Sternberg Family and the Story of Goudchaux's and Maison Blanche Department Stores'' (LSU Press, 2009), ISBN 978-0807134498, p. 95. (Excerpts available ) at Google Books.〕 Mr. Bingle became best known in puppet (or marionette) form at the Canal Street Maison Blanche, puppeteered by Edwin "Oscar" Isentrout (who also played the voice of Mr. Bingle), assisted by Ray Frederick and Harry J. Ory.〔Peggy Scott Laborde & John Magill, ''Christmas in New Orleans'' (Pelican Publishing Company, 2009), ISBN 978-1455602179, pp. 16ff. (Excerpts available ) at Google Books.〕 These puppet shows occurred each day for the few weeks leading up to Christmas for about 15 minutes at a time, and were a favorite of local children. Mr. Bingle also appeared in musical radio and television commercials. The puppet shows ended in 1985 when Isentrout died. For years Mr. Bingle related merchandise, especially plush toys, were sold. Mr. Bingle's theme song: : Jingle, jangle, jingle : Here comes Mr. Bingle : With another message from Kris Kringle : Time to launch your Christmas season : Maison Blanche makes Christmas pleasin' : Gifts galore for you to see : Each a gem from MB! Later Dillard's bought the Maison Blanche chain and the Mr. Bingle trademark. Today, many locals consider Mr. Bingle a cultural icon, fondly remembering the times when Mr. Bingle's shows were one of the most anticipated activities of the Christmas season. Mr. Bingle was also displayed as a large papier-mâché figure on the front of the flagship Maison Blanche store on Canal Street, first standing next to Santa Claus and later in a flying form. The flying figure was displayed at the Metairie, Louisiana Maison Blanche Store and later at a Dillard's Metairie location when the Canal Street store was closed. By 2004 the Mr. Bingle figure was in such poor condition that it could not be displayed, although Dillard's continued to market small replicas.〔Sean P. Doles, ("In Search of Mr. Bingle" ), ''Gambit'', December 21, 2004.〕 A 2004 novel entitled ''Saving Mr. Bingle'' became a local success in New Orleans and Memphis;〔("Book About Store's Christmas Pitchman Becomes Big Easy Hit" ), Associated Press in ''The Harlan Daily Enterprise'', December 24, 2004.〕 proceeds from the book were later used to buy a gravestone for Isentrout's unmarked grave at Hebrew Rest #3 Cemetery in New Orleans.〔(""Mr. Bingle" animator gets tombstone" ), ''The Advocate'' (Baton Rouge), December 16, 2005 (pay site).〕 When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in August 2005, a levee collapsed near the warehouse where Mr. Bingle was stored, and the neighboring buildings were destroyed but Mr. Bingle survived. Spurred by this discovery, funds were raised to refurbish the display and it became a centerpiece of the Christmas 2005 "Celebration in the Oaks" light display at New Orleans City Park.〔Scott Gold, ("Mr. Bingle Helps Save Christmas in New Orleans: The beloved mascot is back, anchoring the holiday light festival as the city tries to recover from Katrina." ) ''Los Angeles Times'', December 25, 2005.〕 By 2011 the Mr. Bingle figure was again reported to be in need of repairs.〔("No Jingle, No Jangle: Mr. Bingle To Miss Holiday Parade" ), WDSU, December 1, 2011.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Mr. Bingle」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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