Pip talks!

It may not be as ear-shaking as “Garbo talks!,” MGM’s promotion for its first talking picture, “Anna Christie,” starring Greta Garbo in 1930.

In the annals of Lehigh Valley holiday entertainment, though, and especially for puppet star, Pip the Mouse, it’s something to talk about.

“Pip: The Mouse Before Christmas” returns to the stage at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, Allentown, Nov. 29 for five days of performances through Dec. 30.

The popular holiday rodent, along with his vintage stage and props, comfortably nestled in last year at Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, to celebrate the Yuletide season.

“It was fantastic,” says Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum Assistant Director Jill Youngken, regarding the show’s 2023 debut at Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum.

“It was the first year as well that Pip actually talked and engaged the public,” said Youngken.

Youngken said children delighted in asking Pip questions during the performance: “It was the first time that Pip was revealing himself to the public, telling his own story.”

The Pip show has been expanded to include questions and answers and a sing-along.

“We made several changes in the show itself,” says Youngken.

“It used to be eight-minutes long. The program is now around 40 to 45 minutes long.

“It includes singing. Pip leads three songs and the kids just absolutely love that, as well as the adults,” Youngken says.

This is the second year that Pip The Mouse performs in his new home as he continues making history at the place that celebrates local history.

Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum Executive Director Joseph Garrera estimates 3,600 people viewed the holiday show last season at its new location.

In addition to Pip’s Christmas show at the museum, there’s a Thomas the Tank Engine train room featuring activities for children and adults.

Pip, now a history buff, used to be a church mouse.

Lehigh Valley’s favorite holiday mouse had resided for 60 years in the Liberty Bell Museum at the former Zion UCC Church, 620 W. Hamilton St., Allentown.

The Liberty Bell Museum closed in April 2023 after the nonprofit and the building’s new owners, Resurrected Life Community Church United Church of Christ, 144 N. Ninth St., Allentown were unable to reach an agreement.

Pip and his holiday show, created by Dr. George Creegan, debuted in 1962 at Hess’s department store, Ninth and Hamilton streets, Allentown.

For the first several years, holiday shoppers and their children would stand outside to see the local spectacle in a window display at Hess’s.

Later, performances were moved inside the store where the audience could stay warm while being entertained.

After the iconic Allentown department store closed, puppets, props and stage found sanctuary at the Liberty Bell Museum where the holiday show was revived in 2003.

Of the 15 department stores in the United States and Canada that had Pip’s holiday puppet show, Allentown has the only surviving plywood and pressboard stage, and possibly the largest collection of puppets and store-window display items associated with the show.

Many of Hess’s 1962 displays and animatronics created by Dr. George Creegan, including a cat at her ironing, are integral parts of the Christmas display now at Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum.

Other animatronics, including Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, as well as George and Martha Washington, were purchased in 2010 by former Liberty Bell Museum curator Josh Fink when Creegan’s factory closed.

“Pip: The Mouse Before Christmas,” 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. Nov. 29 - 30, Dec. 26 - 28, Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, 432 W. Walnut St., Allentown. 610-435-1074; www.lehighcountyhistoricalsociety.org