I saw some really cool movies on youtube with marionettes that can open their mouths / eyes and do very funny stuff. Like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPBm8I7ho......embedded

Does anyone know where to buy such puppets?

This puppet was built and performed by Scot Land (you can google or imdb him).
To obtain a puppet like this; you would need to get it custom built (or if you have the know how; one could built it oneself)
Even though it looks like it has ALL the bells and whistles, I am guessing that this puppet was designed very specifically to only do what it actually does..
So when getting a puppet built - decide on exactly the movements you want.. Otherwise it can get too cluttered with too many extraneous animations/strings.
Building a puppet like this would not be that expensive in actual materials; but it would cost an arm and a leg in time.. There are some good books on subject; but it is a difficult art. To get it built by a puppet builder - it would cost quite a bit. Like a several thousand dollar illusion - when in the right hands; it can very much be worth the cost.. Having a custom piece that nobody else does, doing something original, etc.
Damien

Great advice! And then, of course, there are the thousands of hours of practice and honing to make the routine seem effortless.

Bob

My friend Frankie, (ID: maps), is an expert in building marionettes.

He can build really good marionettes for you, if you are interested. PM him in this forum.

Or, I guess, he will reply to this thread very soon.

I agree that Scott Land makes fantastic marionettes

I also agree that Frankie (maps) from
Singapore also makes fantastic marionettes, in fact I have 6 of his creations.  :)

I also have one Fred Cowan marionettte and it's also very nice.

Thanks for all advice!

I also agree about Frankie. I have three of his marionettes and they are fantastic!

Puppet Hub has some great creators on their site. They recently went to a paid membership. I got my double airplane control,roller skating clown from Joey Emory, who is on puppet hub. I love the maribou he used for the hair.

Harris
laughologist and nearly normal puppeteer

Thanks Guys.I am glad that they are working for you. I am currently in Istanbul with Scott Land performing in Istanbul.
There's limited internet access here but will write more when I get home on the 16th May.