Ventriloquist Central - A Tribute To Ventriloquism

Everyone knows that Frank Marshall was the Gepetto for ventriloquist figures but he also produced a full line of marionettes. His 1931 catalogue has pages showing his marionette selections.

It is known that he did in fact purchase heads from Germany but he made the bodies and controllers. I was very happy to have come across Frank’s blue prints for his 18″ marionette and when I first got them I ran down to the frame shop and had them framed, mounted on archival paper, and covered with low e glass to protect them forever.

These blue prints are full size for the 18″ figure. I hope you enjoy looking at these terrific blue prints from the master.

Click here to see Frank Marshall blue prints

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. His collection of ventriloquist figures now numbers over 100 figures of which there are over 50 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 2008 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

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Steve Meltzer sent me an update about the Santa Monica Puppetry Festival.

Click here to see the latest update.

Thanks, Steve for keeping us updating about your festival.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. His collection of ventriloquist figures now numbers over 100 figures of which there are over 50 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 2008 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

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

I did try to find out some information on the vent from Philadelphia Pa. but had no replies to any of my postings from anyone so this is the information I was able to find out and it comes from Stanley Burns book Other voices.

Canfield Smith was a performer in the late 1940’s and 1950’s and was what Stanley Burns labeled as a “Cod Performer” and that is a performer that was a comedian who discovered that mis copy-ing can be lucrative. Canfield Smith made audiences laugh with his standard figure whose arm would drop off in the middle of a routine, with Smith seemingly indifferent to his companion’s plight. The dummy finally complained, “Hey! Canfield….There’s a draft in here. Is there a carpenter in the house?” Canfield played the Palace as well as club dates after vaudeville.

This figure you are looking at was signed inside on the back of the mouth palate made by Frank Marshall for Canfield Smith Phila. Frank also signed it in 3 other places and it also has his card pasted inside too. When I aquired this figure is was in dire need of restoration and it had been severely abused but after a superb job he now is a wonderful example of Franks early 1950’s work.

This figure has side to side self centering eyes, his right eye winks and of course slot jaw. A very fine figure that once belonged to a Pennsylvania performer.

Click Here to see Frank Marshall Ventriloquist Figure

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

***************************************************

Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. His collection of ventriloquist figures now numbers over 100 figures of which there are over 50 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 2008 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

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

I would like to take this moment to wish all my Jewish friends out there a wonderful and happy Rosh Hashanah.

In the Jewish calendar it is the year 5769 making it one of the longest running calendars in modern man’s time. Again from Steve and me…Happy Holidays.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

***************************************************

Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. His collection of ventriloquist figures now numbers over 100 figures of which there are over 50 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 2008 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

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

There are some figure makers today that are throw backs to a time gone by and Conrad Hartz is one of those few. He still makes his figures using basswood and hand carves them just like the old makers.

I am happy to present to you all this fine little fellow which was crafted by Conrad earlier in his career. This creation was done in the early manner of Frank Marshall’s earliest style figures. The head was made in two halves, front and rear, they separate on the sides of the head with the carved ears being part of the back half. Conrad supplied side to side non self centering eyes with the teeter totter cross bar and slot jaw. His controls back at this time were made of brass. He now uses plastic. He cut out on the head stick for the mouth controller.

I find that this cheeky style boy is very much in the style of Frank Marshall. I also feel it is one of Conrad’s better renditions. I was not able to see a date inside the head but I am assuming it is from the late 70’s or early 80’s. His wig and paint are all original as well as the very cartoony style hands. A very fine figure indeed!!

Click here to see the Conrad Hartz Ventriloquist Figure

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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All writings here are copyrighted by Dan Willinger and Ventriloquist Central. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.

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