February 2013 Newsletter

Greetings and salutations, it’s been awhile since we put out a newsletter and for that we’re sorry.

We received quite a few emails and phone calls asking if we discontinued it and the answer is “No”. As most of you know, my partner Steve and I are self-employed and the past few months have been busy for both of us. Keeping the website going along with our other responsibilities was taking most of our time, so the newsletter was the one thing that suffered. Once again, we’re sorry for that.

But we’re back on track. In fact as I am writing this I’m digging out of the “Blizzard of 2013”. Have to say it was a whopper. But we were fortunate as far as no damage and never lost power.

One more item that has kept Steve and me busy is the getting things ready for the Ventriloquist Central Birthday Bash 2013 in October. Even though that may seem like a long time from now, believe me it will be here before you know it so make your plans now.

The “Special Early Bird Pre-Registration” is this Friday, February 15th, so don’t miss out on this great discount. With our performers Al Getler, Dave Daneen (aka Mr. Dead Guy) and Ray Guyll, for our Saturday night show along with great presentations by Bob Abdou, Mike Robertson, Ray and my partner Steve, it’s going to be a wonderful time for all. PLUS, we have a few surprises planned so you really want to be there.

We’ve added more information about the Birthday Bash so be sure to check out it: Click here for more about the Ventriloquist Central Birthday Bash 2103.

Since it’s been a few months since our last newsletter, this will be an “extended” version.


 

Enjoy the rest of the newsletter.

Ventriloquist Central Presents...

A Frank Marshall Tribute DVD

I find this to be an interesting question when it comes to ventriloquist figures. How heavy is too heavy? I guess I never really gave it much thought because I am not a performer but having many figures in the Ventriloquist Central Collection to pick up and play with I have come to the decision that there is no figure in the Ventriloquist Central Collection that I would consider too heavy.

We received a nice email from Pastor Scott Bryte showing us this figure he built....

If you remember the Jerry Mahoney shows on TV back in the 50′s and 60′s you could join the Jerry Mahoney club. Check out what you received in the mail when you did join the club. A big 8 1/2 x 11 heavy card stock Membership Certificate which also has the club songs printed on the back and you also received a membership card onto which you would place your own picture between the pictures of Jerry and Knucklehead.

Our good friend from the Philippines, Ony Carcamo, sent in this nice story about his Frank Marshall Figure...

Once again our good friend and regular contributor Bob Abdou has sent in some helpful information to share with you...

Our good friend John Pizzi sent the following statement: “I would recommend having us (ventriloquists) learn more about what the market wants and expects from us.” I think this is a great idea for all ventriloquist to expound upon....

A lot of questions come to me about the fact that builders of ventriloquist figures take inordinate amounts of time to build figures for customers and I am not going to disagree with them. I myself having been in the antique business, most notably antique clocks, have always used repairmen to fix and or restore old clocks. That includes both the mechanics and wood workings.

Here is lesson number four from our good friend and regular contributor ventriloquist/puppeteer, Bob Abdou aka Mr. Puppet with his video he calls “Tidbit in a Minute.”

November, December, January 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”

Tribute act of Bill Dana/Jose Jimenez by Bob Abdou/Mr.Puppet

Click here to see this clip

The Ventriloquist Marketplace

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

Ventriloquist Marketplace

I am very pleased to show you an extremely rare ventriloquist figure. He is called Lolly Frog and is the creation of Cecil Parkee. I know you are saying who is Cecil Parkee. Well he was a Chinese immigrant to Australia in the 1940′s and performed ventriloquism in Australia in the 1950′s and 1960′s.

This figure has a very nice history. It was made in the 1970′s and was used by a performer at the time named E. Earl Statler, and he used this figure which he named Phillip Buster the Senator in a political routine in which this dummy was running for president. See the enclosed poster showing this.

I This happens to be Terri’s back up head of Shorty Harris and he’s now in the Ventriloquist Central Collection. Terri used his mouth and raising eyebrows and did not use much else as movements although the figure had more functions. In fact except for not having the wiggling ears Shorty is a loaded figure with lower lip, upper lip, side moving self centering eyes, winkers, blinkers and raising eyebrows.

This is a full size Marshall standing 40″ tall and everything on him is 100% the way he came from Mr Marshall’s workshop. His paint , wig, body, muslin fabric arms and legs and shoes are all original. I did have to dress him but that was no problem as you can see from the last few pictures.

After talking with Bill Nelson and showing him the pictures of this figure Bill was able to confirm to me that this particular figure is quite possibly his number one figure....

Ventriloquist Central Videos

VentriloquistCentralVideos.com

Here’s a video of a nice Jack Coats ventriloquist figure (dummy). Jack Coats was a great ventriloquist figure (dummy) maker in the sixties and early seventies. He had a style all his own and he carved them all by hand.

Last month I did a blog about headlocks, I thought I would do a video to help explain more about them...

Here’s a video of a nice Ken Spencer ventriloquist figure I call “Scooter”. He has slot jaw, side to side moving eyes, his left eye winks and his eyebrows raise. All his paint is original too. He is full size standing 40″ tall and I think he has a great face.

Here’s a video of a very rare Frank Marshall ventriloquist figure built for Stanley Burns. Stanley Burns was a customer of Frank Marshall and this figure may be one of the first Dr Lichi figures he carved for Stanley.

Here’s a video of an unusual small unknown ventriloquist figure....

Here’s a video showing a very nice Mack figure. This cute fellow is a prime example of the style that Frank Marshall would follow when creating his figures. This one was restored by Ray Guyll and has slot jaw and rolling eye winker. He still retains his original crepe hair.

Here’s a video of Jeff Dunham’s “Little Jeff”....

Here’s a video of a rare ventriloquist figure. The early Maher figures are rare to find today and “Tiny” is possibly the rarest of all of the original catalogued Maher figures. Madeleine Maher was the builder of the figures early on and like some of the builders of today the were conversion figures. She used the Dummy Dan figures as a base and did some re sculpting and added movements.

I get asked all the time how I clean the vent figures in the Ventriloquist Central Collection. So, I thought I would do a quick video explanation....

After posting this ventriloquist puppet/figure in the Ventriloquist Central Collection, I’ve had emails for a video of this unique and rare item, so here it is:

Here’s a video of a cute miniature sailor ventriloquist figure. Unfortunately I can not give information as to his maker because there is nothing marked anywhere on him but I can tell you this he is not a toy and who ever created this fellow did some fine work.

Here’s a video of a bird figure built by Brain Hamilton. The body is made of wood and cloth and has flapping wings which work independently of each other with levers. The head is also wood and paper mache and the eyes are wood balls. It has 360 degree moving head and mouth movement. The beak is wood. The colors are still very vibrant and all the fur is original.

Here’s a video of an elf made by Albert Alfaro of Imaginarium Galleries.

Here’s Here’s a video of Bob McElroy’s Frank Marshall ventriloquist figure. Frank Marshall carved this figure for a ventriloquist named Bob McElroy. Bob used quite a few Marshall’s in his act. This Marshall has side to side self centering eyes, double winkers, raising eyebrows, upper lip smile and slot jaw. He was repainted by Johnny Main.

"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.”

As I'm sure most of you know by now, last month one of the greats in the ventriloquial community, Clinton Detweiler passed away.  There isn't much more that I can say that everyone else hasn't said or felt since we all heard the news.  I'll just add, he will be greatly missed.

RIP Clinton.

Till next time,
Dan

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