Costume Characters
John Cawley's Cataroo.com

Costume Characters

Bernard



The above shot was taken at Disneyland in the 1970s. It was during the Mickey Mouse's 50th Birthday Parade. That is the birthday cake in the background.

Bernard was one of THE RESCUERS in Disney's animated film. As originally created, Bernard (and his girl friend, Miss Bianca) had "moveable" eyes. The performer kept their left arm in the head and manipulated a pole that would cause the black pupils to roam around the whites of the eye. This gave the appearance of the character being able to follow guests, look at specific things and such. The left "arm" on the suit was merely stuffed and sewn to the sweater. After several months, it was deemed too unwieldly for some. The left arm was returned to a true arm and the pupils were glued in place.