Here is another highlight from one of the blogs about last years Vent Haven ConVENTion 2009. In this video you’ll see ventriloquist Mark James, Ed Thomas, David Turner, plus Dianne Dunbar and many others.
Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are Frank Marshall figures. Because of his love for the art of ventriloquism, Mr. Willinger created the website Ventriloquist Central. For more information about the website, go to:http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com
Copyright 2010 by Dan Willinger
NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to:webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com
We certainly get the comments every time we post a mystery ventriloquist and this past time was no exception.
Bob Isaacson , Les Lamborn and Joe Lopez all were correct with their guesses on this one. Mr Rizek was the performer and he renamed himself Lester Marshall taking both names from two of the greats of the time. The Great Lester and Frank Marshall.
Mr Rizek also had quite a collection of figures and even purchased figures from Frank Marshall and would resell them. He was also taught ventriloquism by Ray Conlin.
Previously I posted pictures of Ray Conlin and his Figure which was made by Marshall and now resides in the Ventriloquist Central Collection.
Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are Frank Marshall figures. Because of his love for the art of ventriloquism, Mr. Willinger created the website Ventriloquist Central. For more information about the website, go to:http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com
Copyright 2010 by Dan Willinger
NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to:webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com
George Pinxy Larsen was a contemporary of Frank Marshall, Ken Spencer and the other ventriloquist figure builders of the golden era. All of the makers were influenced by the popularity of Edgar Bergen’s Charlie and Mortimer figures.
Today I am happy to show you Pinxy’s rendition of Charlie.
This full size figure is a wonderful creation in the likeness of Charlie McCarthy and he has moving mouth and side to side glass eyes. I have this Charlie dressed in a sporting outfit instead of the usual tuxedo as we have all seen Charlie dressed in a multitude of outfits throughout his career.
I have him sitting with the Pinxy Mortimer and they certainly enjoy each others company.
I hope you like seeing this very rare Pinxy ventriloquist figure.
Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are Frank Marshall figures. Because of his love for the art of ventriloquism, Mr. Willinger created the website Ventriloquist Central. For more information about the website, go to:http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com
Copyright 2010 by Dan Willinger
NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to:webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com
At Ventriloquist Central, we get lots of emails (and please, keep them coming), a few of the emails asked if I could do a video about the inside of a Len Insull Pocket Figure.
So, today, I’m doing a video so you can see the inner workings of one the pocket figures that is a part of the Ventriloquist Central Collection.
I hope you enjoyed seeing this video. Let me know what other videos you’d like to see.
Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are Frank Marshall figures. Because of his love for the art of ventriloquism, Mr. Willinger created the website Ventriloquist Central. For more information about the website, go to:http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com
Copyright 2010 by Dan Willinger
NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to:webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com
Dan,
I have never seen or heard of an Insull pocket figure. Way cool! The inside workings are simple but effective. Thanks for the look inside. I bet it is alot of fun to use.
It has been a while since the last time I posted a can you guess so thought I would get you all to again put on your thinking caps and see if you can identify this particular ventriloquist.
I will tell you he started ventriloquism in 1915 and was a student of the Great Lester.
Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are Frank Marshall figures. Because of his love for the art of ventriloquism, Mr. Willinger created the website Ventriloquist Central. For more information about the website, go to: http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com
Copyright 2010 by Dan Willinger
NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to: webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com
That’s Les Lester Sr., father of les Lester Jr. (real name lester Rizek) senior Rizek met Frank Marshall while both were young men; remained friends for the rest of their lives
I believe that is Lester Marshall Sr. I’m not sure that was his real name but that it the one he was known as when I met him in the late 60’s or early 70’s in Chicago.
Les
I concur with Bob and Les, This is Lester Marshall Sr. He’s real last name was
Rizek. For his stage name or Vent name He took Lester from ” The Great Lester ”
and Marshall from Frank Marshall.
Dan I have to ask how did you ever become interested in being a ventriloquist? it is such an unusual profession. Don’t get me wrong I think it’s amazing I find it highly entertaining. Just not your average job/hobby
Jack I am sorry but I am NOT a ventriloquist. I am a collector of ventriloquist figures and love the art. I present information both old and new concerning this field here on Ventriloquist Central with the help of my partner Steve Hurst. My profession is I am a Constable and work for the court system here in Massachusetts.
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March 10th, 2010 at 11:52 am
Wow! Nice figure. Really good. I enjoyed seeing the Mortimer too.