Ventriloquist Central – A Tribute To Ventriloquism

This is great!!!

Enjoy.

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 2009 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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It is always fun to see and read about our great mentors of the past. This particular article and picture was from the Davenport Democrat & Leader back in the 1940’s.

(Click on the picture for a larger view) The caption may be hard to read, so here’s what is written:

Ventriloquists were among those attending the 15th annual convention of the International Brotherhood of Magicians which opened Wednesday at Hotel Blackhawk. At the left is Bobby King who talks for “Tiny” the smallest working professional dummy in the world. At right is the Great Lester, veteran ventriloquist who taugh Edgar Bergen, and at the rear is Frank Marshall, Chicago, who made the Charlie McCarthy model the Great Lester is holding. Marshall is credited with making the original Charlie McCarthy.

We all know that Frank Marshall promoted himself as the creator of Charlie McCarthy even though Mr Bergen said differently but this picture is great because it shows Frank with a Charlie McCarthy figure he made and the Great Lester is holding same. It is a great Marshall figure and I would love to have it for my collection. Shows that Frank certainly made Charlie McCarthy copies even while Mr Bergen was at the top of his game.

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 2009 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!

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Click here for more information about this 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 2009 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!

As we all know, at this point in time, when Edgar Bergen decided to purchase his figure from the Mack’s studio he had to choose from an array of heads. From what I have learned he chose a stock head and then had the Mack’s do some customizing to make it the Irish Newsboy he wanted to use.

I have had this particular figure in my collection for almost as long as I have been collecting. After I first purchased him I was in touch with Joe Lopez, a Charlie McCarthy fanatic, and he informed me that this is the head that Mr Bergen chose. Hence my name Pre Charlie Charlie.

When I purchased this figure the head had been painted maybe ten times over and the wig had been replaced with what had become a ratty excuse for hair. I decided it had to be redone and the end result I have liked for ever. It is Charlie McCarthy from another dimension. LOL All kidding aside if you look at him you can see that with his nose and cheeks thinned a bit Charlie McCarthy is there.

This is a full size Mack figure standing 40″ tall the head stick goes to the bottom board and attached with the original threaded screw into the bottom of the head stick. This gives him a sweet 360 degree rotation which is flawless. He also has one eye which is a rolling winker and of course slot jaw. He dates back to approximately 1920.

I have kept him out of view from the public for quite some time but decided to show him off. I hope you enjoy seeing him.

Click here to see the Pre Charlie Charlie

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 2009 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!

Of the early English figure makers and one of the rarer ones to find are those made by Arthur Quisto. I am excited to be able to show everyone this great example of his work that is absolutely 100% original condition. This fellow was used and then sort of abused but has survived until I was able to acquire him for my collection.

His head is made of paper mache and he has leather moving mouth and side moving glass eyes. He did have crepe hair and some still remains. All of his paint is original too having never been touched up in any way. His hands are original carved wood with the original paint, his body is made of paper mache with a wooden bottom board. The head stick fits perfectly into a small hole made to hold it in place. The levers are metal wire. The lower legs on him are also done in paper mache. His clothing is also totally original and does have some damage but I would never change it.

The head stick is signed but you must hold it in a mirror to be able to read the name. I find this to be very interesting. I have not seen this done on any other figures and would love to know if anyone else has seen this done. He is a great example.

Click here to see the Arthur Quisto 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 2009 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!