Dan Willinger's Blog

 


February Archives
Back to Blog Main Page

 



More thoughts to follow and as always your comments are welcome...

~Dan

Comments

3 Comments > > >

  1. There is another factor in buying the insurance for your figures as part of your homeowner's plan. Some plans will only add the insurance riders for your figures if you are keeping the figures in your home -- not using them in your entertainment business. In some cases, you also may need to have an independent and professional third party write a letter to your insurance carrier stipulating the value of your figures.

    Comments by George Boosey - February 28, 2007 @ 5:43pm

     

  2. While it's nice to have so many dolls cared for and protected, it's sad they are not in the hands of working vents. Perhaps you could arrange long term leases so these artists and the public can again enjoy the beauty Frank Marshall created.

    Comments by Bob, Steinposte@aol.com - March 1, 2007 @ 11:46am


    Dan's Comments....

    Bob, Thanks so much for you comment to the blog. As a collector I decided to approach this in a completely different way than the Vent Haven Museum. They have their collection scattered between 3 small houses and there are tiny cards which say very little about each figure. So you don't get much satisfaction unless you make many many trips to Kentucky to see them.
    I decided that by way of my web site I would offer everyone a wonderful view of these works of art. This is why I have posted so many different up close shots for everyone to ponder and wish and also the best and most complete background information that I can give for every dummy. I would love to be able to allow vents to use them but you know all too well that that would be an impossibility. No matter how caring one can be accidents will happen. It is just unavoidable. Cy Leonard had his Happy Hazard McElroy figure sitting back stage and a stage hand knocked him over and he was broken into twenty pieces. Just go look at him on this site and you will see what a major undertaking it was to bring him back to perfection. So though it is a nice thought, and I do mean that, it is an impossibility to ever really take place.
    Museums will loan items for display and I too would do that but, put these wonderful works of art back out to work??? I don't think so!!! Dan


     

  3. Hello to ALL, I guess that I'm a budding collector, as finding vents on the Internet has brought my desire to vent again, my first was a Danny O'Day (Sears) than my second was the bigger version with head post, and one with the works I believe it is a Mike Brose But I want to say thank you for keeping interest in this art alive. Happy Venting. JC

    Comment by John Conte - March 1, 2007 @ 10:23pm

 



Just some more of my thoughts and I do hope you have some comments.....

~Dan

Comments

2 Comments > > >

  1. Dan, This is just a note to the luckiest guy in the world (you) to say how much I enjoy and appreciate your web site and your email updates. The site is a gold mine for me because I love to study vent figures made by the very best builders, and you have more in one place than anybody else! Your blog comments are especially thought provoking. Not to disagree, I would note that the practical aspects of an artifact often do weigh heavily in its value. Antique woodworking tools, for example, lose much of their market value if they are no longer useable. Stringed instruments (mandolins and fiddles, for example) get much of their value from their sounds. So, I suspect that the user friendly aspects of a figure may some day weigh in its value, and they may mean more to you than you suggest in a recent blog. I must say that on things like spitters, handshakers, cross-eyes, and some others, I place no value. So I am certainly not disagreeing with you if you mean those. Please keep collecting, sharing, and blogging, and know that I admire your work and appreciate what you are doing. Gerry

    Comments by Gerry Snelson - February 26, 2007 @ 11:30am
     

  2. I would first like to compliment both Dan and his webmaster for the incredible job they both have done on this website. It is amazing how much information one can get from the articles, pictures down to the marketplace. As a wife of a collector I know that time spent by Dan and his webmaster is time well spent and that they are both home and we will not see them on Jerry Springer.

    Comments by Helen - February 26, 2007 @ 1:07pm

 

 

February 25, 2007

Comic Figures That You Will Hear About In The Future
By Lawrence Harris

http://comicvent.blogspot.com/

I wanted to send you a picture of myself with one of my favorite figures, "Iggy." "Iggy" is a guy with a lot of personality who really entertained the kids at the local high school "After Prom Party."

"Iggy" is an example of the work of renowned figure maker, Dan Payes. Dan thinks outside the box with every creation he comes up with. Dan's figures are not the " Classic Cheeky Boy" look most common these days, although if asked he can come up one for you that has that vintage look.

Years down the line Dan's figures will be collector's items for the simple reason that no single figure is alike and the "out of box" thinking puts into his work is quite evident in the end result.

I have also attached a picture of my latest figure from Dan, "SquirelyD." This guy can do so much and he will be part of my upcoming one man show that I am planning to showcase my large array of characters. The show will be called, "Something to Skvell About."

Cheers,

Larry Harris - ComicVent
Germantown, MD

Comments

0 Comments > > >
 

 

February 23, 2007

Vent Haven ConVENTion
Dan @ 5:56am

Hi All !! Well it is almost time for the Vent Haven ConVENTion and if you are into ventriloquism in any shape or manner it is a must for you to attend. This has got to be one of the best times you will ever have if you like ventriloquism. The shows are always a treat, the workshops are very informative, the dealer's rooms have a treasure trove of ventriloquial items and the comradery in unparalled. I myself have only been to the convention the past two years and I really would hate to ever miss one again.

As you all know I am a collector and do not perform but I partake in all the events and have set up, in the dealer's room, both years with old dummies. I will have some again for sale at the convention. There is always a great selection of ventriloquist figures both hard and soft to choose from and if you can't find a partner at this convention I don't think you will find one anywhere. I must admit that the older figures are becoming much hard to find and that is true even at the convention but there are still some great figures to choose from.

Don't hesitate to make your reservations and here is the link for you to get the registration form: www.venthaven.com .

I hope to see you and meet you there.

~Dan

Comments

0 Comments > > >

 

 


February 15, 2007

News From Bob Abdou
Dan @ 11:32am

I received an email this morning from Bob Abdou ( www.mrpuppet.com ) stating he’s the "Consultant on Ventriloquism" for the Puppeteers of America. Check it out here:

http://www.puppeteers.org/puppcons.html


Great news, Bob, congratulations.

~Dan Willinger

Comments

0 Comments >>>

 

 


Comments

4 Comments >>>

  1. Hi Dan: Thank you for the complimentary words re: "Joey O'Leary" and me in your latest blog which was recently forwarded to me by my good friend and expert figure maker Greg Claassen. Actually, my "Joey" (the last vent figure Frank Marshall made prior to his death) has the distinction of having appeared in more TV commercials (along with yours truly) than most other vent figures excluding Jimmy Nelson's "Danny O'Day" who gained considerable prominence thanks to those wonderful Nestle's Chocolate TV commercials. And of course the late Paul Winchell appeared in several TV commercial spots, etc. with his "Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead", all of "whom" were wonderful Frank Marshall creations. Kindest regards, Kenny Warren

    Comment by Kenny Warren - February 12, 2007 @ 8:00pm
     

  2. Here's an idea if someone would like to use an antique dummy, and retain value with literally no wear - n - tear. If a vent has the finances, there are those who will cast the original dummy to where the vent can use the cast dummy and not have to use his original antique. This way, he can have pleasure of using his favorite partner without using and wearing down the antique original. It will cost some money to do this, but one must as their self, "What's it worth to me to not wear out the older figure?" Just a thought - Just an idea. G.L.FREEMAN - Cheyenne, WY.

    Comment by G.L. Freeman - February 10, 2007 @ 5:51pm
     

  3. Dan, A very good piece on collecting. I only see a few people like Bill DeMar using his Marshall, but you can see the magnificent way his act comes across. Bill has remarked that "Chuck Norwood" has had some work done over the years to look as pristine as ever. Cheers, ComicVent

    Comment by ComicVent - February 10, 2007 @ 4:32pm
     

  4. You missed a very important point for the performer. Paul Winchell encountered a problem with it as well. A DUPLICATE! What happens when the first one is lost, stolen, or broken and you have to go on NOW!?!? Always bring the back up. I have had several Pro performers buy a back up right when they order the first. Why? The figure maker can make them look identical when building two at one time. The cost is usually better on two...(well when ordered from me anyway). And an old figure can only wear and tear so far. Most old figures still existing have been repainted, or reworked. The "oldies" got more use than new figures today. MUCH more use! So they've been around the block and in the shop more than once in their life. So the plus side on new figures is the figure maker is alive and well. The plus side for old figures is it's worth more out the gate. The down side on old figures is you had better hope nothing happens to it. And the down side on new figures?...Well, on mine there are no down sides. Others?...Hmmmm, that's a whole other topic on "new" figure makers.

    Comment by Dan Payes - February 10, 2007 @ 10:31pm

 

 

February 7, 2007

Welcome to My Blog....
Dan @ 5:25pm

Oh how wonderful this is. As I lay in bed last night David Letterman and his pal Paul Shaffer bantered back and forth about the upcoming vent week 2. This is so exciting because with this push it keeps our love of ventriloquism in the minds of everyone. A better boost for this superb art could not be had in my estimation. I am also excited to see the line up he has this time too. Some great personalities to give us some laughs. February 12th-16th

Monday - Kevin Johnson
Tuesday - Dan Horn
Wednesday - Otto and George
Thursday - Jim Barber
Friday - Brad Cummings

~Dan Willinger

Comments

2 Comments >>>

  1. Dan, I look forward to seeing Dan Horn on Letterman next week. Just my opinion, he is the best at manipulation out there today. Congrats on the site and the new blog. Cheers, ComicVent

    Comment by ComicVent - February 7, 2007 @ 8:09PM
     

  2. My dream list for letterman would be.
    (1) Jimmy nelson & Danny O'Day
    (2) Willy Tyler & Lester
    (3) Jeff Dunham & Walter
    (4) Jay Johnson
    (5) Russ Luis
    Just my thoughts. Best wishes with the new site. JC

    Comment by JC - February 8, 2007 @ 10:47AM

 

Back to Blog Main Page