So that you can truly appreciate the legacy of Horn's Punch & Judy Show, we have provided this brief overview that traces the history of this famous puppet show in the state of Maryland up until the present day Professor Horn.

According to Constance Lippincott's 1902 publication, Maryland as a Palatinate, Punch & Judy shows were first spotted in Annapolis prior to the thirteen British colonies declaring their independence during the American Revolution. We suspect that this puppet play was presented by an English entertainer.

However, we do know that James Edward Ross was the first local resident to make a precarious living with this attraction. Using the stage name of Professor Rosella, Ross premiered his famous puppet show - which he learned from magician/puppeteer, Spaff Hyman - in April 1897 at Pat Harris' Dime Museum on Baltimore Street.

It wasn't long before Rosella presented Punch & Judy puppet shows throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. President Franklin Roosevelt was his most distinguished patron and letters from the president claimed that Rosella's performance was the "best Punch & Judy show he had ever seen." Foreign diplomats also engaged Rosella to entertain guests at their Washington, D.C., chancelleries. For 25 years Cardinal Gibbons insisted upon sitting in the front row of 500 laughing children while Rosella rollicked through his Punch & Judy act for the Archbishop's annual Christmas party.

During the summers of 1913 and 1914 Rosella gave several shows a day in Atlantic City at Young's Million Dollar Pier, where, it was noted, that sea lions applauded enthusiastically by clapping their flippers during his performances. For many years his show was a favorite attraction at the now-defunct Baltimore amusement park, Riverview. He retired in 1948 after spending 50 years in show business. Rosella died in May 1950 at the age of 73. Through the years Rosella taught the art of Punch & Judy to other entertainers. Steve Brenner, a Baltimore clown who claimed to be the first Bozo the Clown character, apprenticed to Rosella. Others such as Shorty Weston and Harry Sigmore also copied Rosella's act. Back in the 1950s Brenner claimed that only two local entertainers presented creditable Punch shows: Brenner and veteran Baltimore entertainer George Horn.

Like anything else, Punch & Judy are difficult shows to be presented - well. Although Brenner was only in the business for a few years, and eventually sold his equipment to another circus clown, George Horn persevered with Rosella's Punch & Judy act.

George Horn, the youngest member of the Baltimore Demons' Club, a local magic society, not only became a noted Punch & Judy operator, circa 1932, but an excellent ventriloquist. Sometime in the 1930's he performed his ventriloquial act at the famous Baltimore Hippodrome Theatre for a month-long engagement. He was also the first Maryland entertainer to introduce balloon animals into his show. After World War ll George Horn brought his novelty act to the famous Club Charles. Located at Charles and Preston Streets, the owners of this prestigious nightclub built a special Punch & Judy bar with a two-way mirror. Hiding behind the looking glass was George Horn and seven nights a week his puppets exchanged banter with patrons in addition to providing other clever amusements.

This is certainly not to say that others didn't attempt Punch & Judy shows in Maryland. Back in 1921 Professor Will H. Smith, from England, presented such a show at a Chautauqua event held in Easton. In 1938 an amateur theatrical group presented a Punch show at Fell's Point's Recreation Pier. Even Baltimore's own Johnny Eck, the amazing half-man, also presented a Punch show while touring with carnivals and side shows.

As for the current Professor Horn, during the summer of 1963 George Horn presented his Punch & Judy show at Patterson Park. This was intended as a school treat for students attending St. Elizabeth's School in East Baltimore. One of the students was a novice magician named Mark Walker. Sitting in a meadow near the old music conservatory and watching George Horn's Punch & Judy act made a lifelong impression on the youthful wizard.

Mark called Mr. Horn and promised to visit. He did - some 20 odd years later. What triggered the Horn/Walker reunion was a brief film clip of noted English Punchman John Styles, MBE, (now a great friend of Mark Walker) who appeared in a brief film clip on the NBC Nightly News. At that time George Horn was in his eighties and with talk of retirement on the horizon, Mark asked if he could continue this unbroken Maryland tradition. Mr. Horn gladly consented, taught Mark the act, and the two entertainers remained best friends until George Horn's death in January 2004. At the age of 98, George Horn holds the record of being the oldest Punch & Judy performer in the world.

In honor of his mentor, Mark Walker adopted the stage name Professor Horn and continues with the very same show he saw as a child.