Ventriloquist Central – A Tribute To Ventriloquism

Another regular contributor to our blog, ventriloquist Val Hilliker sent us this article to share with everyone.

You can check out Val’s website at: www.valhilliker.com

Thanks, Val.

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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I am not sure if you have read about this elsewhere or seen this article yet but if not I wanted to share this with all of you.

Jeff Dunham has made Time magazine and the article is a great treatise on Mr. Dunham. Talks about his early start as a ventriloquist through to his wildly popular characters of today.

It really is a must read.

Jeff Dunham Makes Time Magazine

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!

It really was fun to watch the video where Frank Marshall was the mystery guest and Winchell did not know him (click here if you missed it). I myself find that very strange indeed but it was television and it had to look real.

Paul Winchell never really liked to give Frank Marshall credit for making Jerry Mahoney and in fact the version of Jerry that we all know is a rework done by Winchell. The original Jerry had regular thin eyebrows and the eyeliner around the eyes was not heavy as we see in most of the pictures of Jerry Mahoney.

Our good friend George Boosey has supplied us with a great photograph for us all to see where Jerry is in his original form from Frank Marshall and he even gives the master builder Frank Marshall credit with his inscription on same.

I hope you enjoy this photo and thanks George for sharing it with us all.

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

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

Once again, another video was sent in to us and this time it’s with ventriloquist Edgar Bergen.

I’m sure you’ll enjoy this video.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

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

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

At one time almost all the makers of ventriloquist figures also made Punch and Judy puppets or at least advertised that they were for sale. Finis Robinson sold them and so did Frank Marshall.

Frank had a complete page in his 1931 catalogue just for Punch & Judy. I have been told that he imported the puppets and then did his own paint job on them. I have seen some of Marshall’s Punch and Judy puppets and the paint was his unmistakable Marshall Orange.

Here is a picture of Frank’s Punch & Judy puppets.

Frank Marshall Punch & Judy Puppets

Today there are very few remaining makers of this venue in puppetry. I am not privy to any American maker but I do know that in England Geoff Felix still makes Punch & Judy puppets but he will not sell to us here in the US.

I did find this great site belonging to Bryan Clark who produces hand carved wooden Punch & Judy puppets in the old tradition. These are fine puppets and I think are terrific and for the work involved are not a bad price. Take a look at this man’s web site and be sure to watch his video.

Bryan Clarke professional puppet maker

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!