June 2013 Newsletter

Which Ventriloquist Central Collection Figure Do You Want?

Yes you read that right. I am in a strange place right now because I have added quite a few Ventriloquist Figures to the Ventriloquist Central Collection and it has eaten up much of the working capitol I had available and I still have a few more that I have committed to so I have decided to let you choose a figure from the Ventriloquist Central Collection to purchase.

After you choose a figure you like, you can go here and post it to the bottom of the page and I will contact you to work out a deal for said figure.

There are exceptions to this and those exceptions are the McElroy figures, Brian Hamilton figures, Frank Marshall figures, Charlie McCarthy & Mortimer Snerd by Bob Isaacson or any of the figures that have been donated to the Ventriloquist Central Collection are not in included in this offering. They are not for sale so please do not ask about them. But any other figures in the collection you can contact me about and we will see.

WS Berger who put the Vent Haven Museum together also did this to help fund purchases for the museum. He is my idol in figure collecting so I emulate him.

Click here to check out the Ventriloquist Central Collection

 

Enjoy the rest of the newsletter.

Ventriloquist Central Presents...

A Frank Marshall Tribute DVD

Dan Christopher of Florida Magic and Sound, sent in this little story and photo of Walter Walters Jr....

Up until the 1980′s most all ventriloquists used hard figures in their performance. Also most figures were carved from wood and the wood of choice was and still is basswood. The reason for this is that basswood has a very tight grain but is rather soft and there for lends itself to the carving knife.

Wood Dough or Plastic Wood has been around for years. The type that was sold long ago did have some contents that in today’s heath standards can no longer be used such as lead. That being said you can still make a wood dough on your own and it does work really well. I have tried this myself. Once hardened it is able to be carved and sanded smooth.
 

We have 10 qualified, professional experts in ventriloquism: 8 men and 2 women with years of experience who are knowledgeable in different genres of ventriloquism. They will be helping three specially selected students to improve their ventriloquism and performance skills. The most improved student will be featured as “The Ventriloquist of the Week” on Ventriloquist Central blog!

May Archives

Missed one of the monthly Ventriloquist Central Newsletters? 

Here are the Archives!

“The ULTIMATE Guide To Building Your Own
Ventriloquist Figure, Volume 1”

 “The ULTIMATE Guide To Building Your Own Ventriloquist Figure, Volume 1” is a step-by-step system from start to finish, so you can create your very own ventriloquist figure.  Now you can become a ventriloquist figure builder. This guide will answers all your questions, show you all the short-cuts, and give you a quick and easy paint-by-the-numbers way to making your own ventriloquist figure-- even if you don’t think you can do it.

“The ULTIMATE Guide To Building Your Own Ventriloquist Figure, Volume 1”

Frowning Charlie in Fun and Fancy Free
 

Click here to see

The Ventriloquist Marketplace

"Our Ventriloquist Marketplace works and works consistently when items are priced right."

Ventriloquist Marketplace

John Carroll was a figure maker out of New York and he created some nice wood carved figures one of which was used by Vicki Taylor and the figures name was Ronnie. You can see that figure in the Ventriloquist Central Collection. John also made the Tommy Knots style figure which was made popular by Frank Marshall. I am pleased to show you that figure now. The face is just a bit different with a bit wider nose and placement of the eyes.

This Sailor boy came to reside at the Ventriloquist Central Collection many years ago. It is 40″ tall and has mouth movement only. It has that fabulous Frank Marshall look but was in fact reworked and sculpted by Bob Isaacson.

Chico Chico is part of the Ventriloquist Central Collection and I thought I would show him to you. He is 42″ tall and is all original just as Mr. Garson used him. I was told by Bob Isaacson that in fact Chico had the wavy hair with the part but it was quickly replaced with the wig you see on him now. He has side to side moving eyes and slot jaw only. His paint is 100% original and still in spectacular condition. He has the standard wooden Marshall hands and the wooden lower legs.

Ventriloquist Central Videos

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Here’s a video showing a Bill Nelson Ventriloquist Figure, possibly number one. Bill sculpted in clay and then the heads were cast in fiberglass. No molds of these figures were made so they are one of a kind. Bill had someone in Richmond do the jaw mechanics and that was the only function in the very first figures.

Here’s a video showing an Al Semok Little Girl Ventriloquist Figure. Al Semok, the Dummy Doctor, has made some great ventriloquist figures over the years and today I would like to share a rather fine example of his work.

Here’s a video showing a Frank Marshall 1937 Nosey Ventriloquist Figure. One of Frank Marshall’s most popular face was called Nosey in his 1931 Catalogue. This was the face that Paul Winchell used to create his famous character Jerry Mahoney. This one is a bit smaller standing only 36″ tall. He only has mouth movement and it is done with the ring pull.

Here’s a video showing “Fakini’s” Jack Coats Ventriloquist Figure. Fakini was a regular attendee at the Abbott’s magic gathering and it was there back in 1970 or so that he purchased this fellow. I do believe that he was actually the second owner of the figure and the original owner’s name was Ray Savidge. I come to this conclusion because inside the case that housed the figure, according to Tiffany, there were letters from Abbott’s to Ray Savidge giving him Jack Coats contact information.

Here’s a video showing Junior Junior a Frank Marshall Ventriloquist Figure. This Marshall head is one of very few that was done with buck style teeth and he has mouth movement only. He has semi ball and socket neck and leather under the chin. I date him from the late 1930′s and absolutely love his look. The paint is in wonderful condition and appears to be original.

Here’s a video showing a Rene Old Man Ventriloquist Figure. Rene’s figures today are made of neoprene with a molded head stick but back in the late 1960′s and early 1970′s he used wood for the head stick and also used plastic wood. This figure is one of those early styles. This figure stands 40″ tall has slot jaw and side to side self centering eyes. and is still dressed in the original clothing. I really like him because he has that marionette look even though he is a ventriloquist figure. Simply a great character.

Here’s a video showing John Carroll’s Tommy Knots Ventriloquist Figure. John Carroll was a figure maker out of New York and he created some nice wood carved figures one of which was used by Vicki Taylor and the figures name was Ronnie. You can see that figure in the Ventriloquist Central Collection. John also made the Tommy Knots style figure which was made popular by Frank Marshall. I am pleased to show you that figure now. The face is just a bit different with a bit wider nose and placement of the eyes.

Here’s a video showing the headstick of this wonderful Jack Coats ventriloquist figure.

Here’s a video showing Pinxy’s Charlie McCarthy Ventriloquist Figure. 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.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.

Here’s a video showing the headstick of a nice old man ventriloquist figure built by Rene Zendejas.

"What Would You Do If Your
Ventriloquist Figure Were
Stolen Or Destroyed?"

Here's The Best Way To Protect Your Investment

For Those Interested In The Art Of Ventriloquism

“The Ventriloquism Historical Information Collection, Volume 1.”

Did you know that almost anything you could possibly think of concerning the art and history of ventriloquism can probably be found on Ventriloquist Central?

It make no difference if you are looking for information on a performer that is current or from the past, figure makers current and from the past, television shows, movies and videos are all on Ventriloquist Central.

I see posts on many of the social media, and questions will be asked pertaining to the art of ventriloquism. I always will give a link to the information that has been posted on Ventriloquist Central. Steve (my partner/webmaster) and I, try to always add any information that comes along to the web site so that YOU can find what you need.

We do have a search bar and if you type into the search bar what you are looking for which in most cases the information will be found.

We do get asked many times for contact information of people in our field and it’s our policy NOT give out any personal contact information (unless given permission by that person). We will pass the request on and if the person wants to make the contact they can do so on their own. We respect their privacy.

On the Tribute to Ventriloquism pages there is contact info for those listed performers and builders so please check out those pages (and we are constantly trying to keep these pages updated).

Always remember too that if you have any kind of information that is important to the art of ventriloquism, send it to Steve or me so we can add it to the site.
 

Till next time,
Dan

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