Customer comment:

From Donald Woodford:

Here's how I transformed two familiar figures into pirates.

 

 

 

For Sale

VOICE MAGIC - VENTRILOQUIST "SECRETS" and "VOICE CONJURING"
FOR YOUTH Copyright 1992 By Ormand McGILL
7.5: x 9.5", 64 pages, Illustrated, Hardcover, Like new condition.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290705378315

Maher Course Honor Roll

NEW MILLENNIUM BASIC MAHER COURSE:

Michael Dugas (RI)

Bob LaBelle (TX)

Ed Russe (MD)

Eddie Siller (AZ)

　

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NEW MILLENNIUM ADVANCED MAHER COURSE:

Hillary Saffran (AK)

Eddie Siller (AZ)

Bill Warren (VA)

<>

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!

*  *  *  *  *

"Thank you so much for this wonderful Course!  Ventriloquism has opened up a whole new world of performance possibilities and (I've made) many, many new friends in the process of study and application.  It's a wonderful art form for teaching and comedy.  What a wonderful Course Maher is.  Thank you!"  Hillary Saffran (right)

*  *  *  *  *
"This Course was just what I needed to really pursue my dream of doing ventriloquism.  This Course kept me on track and gave me the push I needed."  Eddie Siller

For more information, or to purchase the
Maher 30 Lesson Home Study Course of Ventriloquism:
http://mahercourse.blogspot.com

For Sale

From Dec 9, 1976 to January 26, 1977, a selection of figures and more from the permanent collection at Vent Haven Museum were placed on display at the Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. This high quality 36 page book (only 2,000 were printed) shows photos of the exhibit and provides historical background information on both the museum and the exhibit collection

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290705044413

Pirate?

Question:   I've been looking for a pirate puppet, not the cloth ones, but a real ventriloquist figure.   I am older so I would want a older looking pirate.   Let me know and thank you.  Rick
*  *  *  *  *

From Mr. D: I do make a character from one of Braylu's castings that I believe would make a good pirate. (See photo) 

But most of what makes a figure into a pirate character is the costuming - that I cannot provide.  You could probably find a child's pirate costume online.  Size 3T would work perfectly.

Reader Comment

From Sandi Sylver Well, it's been just shy of 10 years since I discovered my true path in life--having the happy childhood I never had the first time! I love my life as Storyteller-Ventriloquist-Songstress, and still wish it had happened for me when I was younger. Thought I'd share 'the family' with you, although I have a new child, an African-American named Angela, who missed out on the photo shoot. The other attachments are just for bragging rights, so to speak! I hope you are doing well, and I hope our paths cross again one day!  Best--Sandi

Made by ....?

This figure belongs to Jim Haile.  Would anyone like to take a guess as to who built it?  To quote Jim, "he appears to be ready to run for office!"
*  *  *  *  *
Update from Mr. D:  Thank you for your comments.  All correct, in that the head was carved by Foy Brown, repainted and wigged by myself.  I built the body using hands by Braylu.  Jim dressed him.  Very striking character.  We like to think Foy would be pleased.

Updates from Vent Haven

From Annie Roberts

 

It's time for the Airport Marriott Episode 2! Follow the link to see more great features of the new home for the conVENTion. I like to subtitle this segment "Just Off the Lobby."

Also a quick word about Double Talk 2012. It was a GREAT day for our little museum. Both audiences were very responsive and positive, especially the evening group who gave a standing ovation and laughed at everything! Mike Hemmelgarn, Megan Piphus, and Kevin Johnson were outstanding, and it was a privilege to open and close the curtain for them. Tom was the leader throughout the day running the show behind the scenes and stepping out on stage to emcee with style. Jen Dawson worked the PR machine and ordered merchandise (t-shirts, hats, and mugs) which sold in the lobby. Lisa worked tirelessly on the ticket end and dealing with Paypal, and I put together a slideshow which played on a huge screen in the lobby before and after the show. In addition, the performers came out to sign autographs afterwards and people were genuinely excited about ventriloquism and Vent Haven Museum.  

Hope everyone is doing well and getting excited about ConVENTion 2012.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0H7klK4Z4A

Maralee Dawn Video

For sale now:  VHS video WONDER WHEELS with Canadian Ventriloquist MARALEE DAWN and "Friends".  Unfortunately, I do not know the length nor theme of this "family entertainment" video.

 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261011457925

Alert!

This is just a "head's up" notice -

Next week I'll be listing on eBay auction a set of 14 different issues of Distant Voices, published 2003-2006 by Valentine Vox.  40-72 pages each.   In a class by themselves!

Storyteller figure

Question:  I hope you can give me some pictures of what my Lovik figure used to look like.   This figure is 1972-73....it has raising eyebrows, winkers, and moving living mouth.  My dad and I are trying to restore it.  Do you have a colored picture of it from then?  Adam
*  *  *  *  *
From Mr. D: Somewhere I'm pretty sure I have a copy of the one and only ad page showing the half dozen or so Storyletter figures.  But I cannot find it at the moment.  I can tell you the photos were all black and white.  As far as I know, no color photos from that era exist.  And the Storyteller figures were only produced for a period of two years, or so.  They were soon replaced with a line of figures Lovik called "The Talk-alots".

The wigs used on the Storyteller figures were lady's wigs of the day, cut to size and restyled.  No two ever looked the same, so feel free to  be creative when you replace the wig.  I do not remember the name for the character you have - sorry.  I should give you a caution for repainting...be very sparing with the paint used on the leather mouth.  I generally try to get by with one very thin coat, mixing "textile medium" into the latex paint applied to that area to retain flexibility.

I did write more about the Storyteller figures on a post 3/30/09: http://ventdj.blogspot.com/2009/03/storyteller-figures.html

Script writing delemia

Question:  I purchased the Maher Ventriloquuism Course last winter and am working through it (although rather slowly). I have had a monkey puppet for several years and enjoy using him. However, I have a problem coming up with new script. People ask me to share with my monkey, but the other day I had to say no because I had no new script that the children hadn't heard before. Do you have any recommendations for me? Do you have any good resources that you would recommend?

  I've bought some scripts, but I could only use a few because they tend to feel a little cheesy and did not fit Marcus and I real well. I wrote one that works pretty well, but it is difficult to come up with new inspiration.

I am looking for things that teach character qualities, deepen understanding of who God is, or make a Bible story come to life in a way that is not cheesy. Some good clean fun with no particular moral lesson would be great too. So far I've focused mostly on children, but I would like some stuff for adults as well.  Thanks for your help!  Byron Yoder
*  *  *  *  *
From Mr. D:  Your "best" scripts will always be the scripts that you write yourself.  Of course, they are always the most challenging as well.  You can make things easier by taking the best lines from scripts you purchase and add/adapt them for your own use.  When it comes to conversation there's no need for an animal puppet to always retain a purely animal character.  Your chimp could converse and discuss with you subjects that are characteristically "human" and it will still play well.  I would hope that your chimp has little sounds, moves, and/or quips that are uniquely a part of his character.  You can insert such traits throughout every routine and while the conversation may not be "animal talk", he will retain his unique personality while the conversation, whatever the subject, will seem to be very natural between the two of you .  This approach will also greatly broaden the subjects you can discuss, making the writing task easier. 
To all readers: We welcome any comments and suggestions you might have.

Rare Sale!

This week I’m offering you a very rare opportunity to purchase a set of twelve different original mint condition copies of The Ventriloquist’s Guild Journal.

The Ventriloquist’s Guild Journal was published periodically for a period of about five years by ventriloquist and historian, John Arvities. With most featuring the amazing art of Bill Nelson, and their many pages packed with rare photos and detailed current and historical information, this ventriloquist publication definitely stands alone among other works in its field.

This set of twelve different original mint condition copies of The Ventriloquist’s Guild Journal may be the complete set of all that were published (I don't know if any followed the issue with Dick Weston on the cover). The booklets in this set are as follows:

Vol. 1 No. 1 Spring 1986 W.S. Berger cover (Nelson art), 32 pages
Vol. 1 No. 2 1986 Dick Bruno cover (Nelson art) 28 pages
Vol. 1 No. 3-4 1987 Stu Scott cover (Nelson art) 44 pages
Vol. 2 No. 1 Fall 1987 Charlie McCarthy cover (Nelson art) 32 pages
Vol. 2. No. 2 BUYER’S GUIDE Cover: Figures by Arvities, Selberg, Nelson-Jackson, and Axtell  Nelson art) 32 pages
Vol. 2 No. 3 1989 Jimmy Nelson cover (Nelson art) 32 pages
Vol. 2 No. 4 1989 Senor Wences cover (Nelson art) 28 pages
Vol. 3 No. 1 Fall 1989 Jay Johnson cover (photo) 32 pages
Vol. 3 No. 2-3 1990 Jay Marshall cover (Nelson art) 44 pages
Vol. 3 No. 4 1990 Jim Henson cover (photo) 32 pages
Vol. 4 No. 1 1991 Dick Weston cover (Nelson art) 32 Pages
Vol. 4 No. 2 1990 BUYER’S GUIDE 1991 Steve Axtell cover (photo) 32 pages

All for sale as one set on eBay auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290700825560

Lousy Ventriloquist!

He better stick to his day job!  (But that's the point, of course.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yRwz0N6Dmc

For Sale

THE CASE OF THE VANISHING VENTRILOQUIST
(Troll Children's Book) A McGurk Mystery; By E. W. Hildick

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290702031472

Maher Course Comments

Course Comment:  I wanted to give you some feedback about the vent course.  I took the course over 25 years ago.  I had learned from the Jimmy Nelson course growing up where they substituted d for b and so on.  I never really liked the substitutions but that was all I knew.  When I took the Maher study course I loved the substitutions that you had.  However I watched the dvd from the new course that I had bought for my son.   I was very disappointed with the Jimmy Nelson substitutions demonstrated. I have been telling people for the last 25 years about the Maher course and how much better it was than any others out there. Is there a chance you will have the better substitutions in the course again?  Just my opinion.  Hugh

*  *  *  *  *  *

From Mr. D:  Thank you for your comments and insight.  One of the things I've learned in 40+ years of working with ventriloquists is, there is not a consensus on how the labials should be dealt with ventriloquially.    Especially B, P, and M.  Some vents use the tip of the tongue; others the middle back of the tongue.

The Maher Course for years taught the latter.  And still does.  But I've found a large percentage of very successful vents use the tip of the tongue to enunciate the labials.  (I use both methods - it depends upon the word.)

Thus, when I revised the Maher Course in 2002, I included both methods in the text, suggesting the student try both and see which works best for them.  It's not a matter of right or wrong.  It is simply the matter of finding which method provides the clearest diction for that individual.

Mark Wade uses the tip of the tongue for labial speech, thus he emphasized that method on his DVD.  However, the Maher Course still teaches the method you favor as well.

Note:  You'll find more details about the Maher 30 Lesson Course (including complete Lesson One) here:
http://mahercourse.blogspot.com

Hands in question

Question:  I have a figure with hands that are made of a foam filled latex, they are very discolored (see picture) and faded.   Can they be painted ? Or should I just replace them? Any thought or suggestions would be extremely helpful.  Thank you.
*  *  *  *

From Mr. D:  Are the hands flexible?  If so, repainting them may or may not result in a long term durable finish.  I'm not sure, but if it were me, yes, I would try repainting first.  Clean the hands well and make sure they are dry before painting.  I would use latex paint with "textile medium" mixed into the latex paint to let the cured paint flex on the non-rigid surface.

Completed this week...

"A Vent Horror"

By Bob Wayne Ousley

What a horror it 'twould be,

That is, if this happened to you or me;

With dummy in hand, you're on a small stage,

You're getting so couped you feel like you're caged.

The dummy's eyes stick; then the break of a string,

Not only that, but you forget your routine.

The drinking bit fails; the dummy's head falls off,

You start getting sick and begin to cough.

The crowd's in an uproar, throwing many a thing,

... And then you wake up and 'twas just a bad dream!

From The Oracle, No. 6, 1960

Air Travel Question

Question:  "Since this is my very first convention, should I take my gangster figure, Frank, with me? And, if so, can I trust the airline to get him to Cincinnati safely? He's my first hard figure and I wouldn't want anything to happen to him! I've seen some of the seminar DVDs from past conventions and I've noticed some of the vents have their figures with them, during the sessions. One part of me wants to take Frank with me, while another part of me doesn't trust the airline. Maybe that's unjustified; I don't know. I've never had to fly with a figure before, other than my own - body! HA!"   Danny
*  *  *  *  *
Do you have any advice for Danny?

Comment on HOF Coins

"Thanks, Clinton, for creating this project. I love the coins. They are beautifully crafted and detailed. As you know I have carried a 'lucky coin' in my pocket, on stage with me since I was a kid. Now I have to choose which hall of ventriloquist coin it will be. Your dedication to ventriloquism and ventriloquists is a blessing to the entire art. All the best from your friend,"   Jay Johnson
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From Clinton: Thank you, Jay!  You can read more from Jay here: http://hellandhayes.blogspot.com/2012/04/heads-and-tales-i-have-blogged-several.html?spref=fb

Coin comment

http://hofcoins.blogspot.com

From Al Getler

The coins arrived! Wow! I am even more impressed than I thought I would be.The detail is just incredible and I feel like I am holding the crown jewels of ventriloquism in my hand.

I want to tell you how especially gratifying it is to have the Señor Wences coin. As you might remember, Wences and his wonder wife, Tally, became friends after I would frequently visit their apartment around the corner from the Ed Sullivan Theater in Manhattan. It was then that I hatched the idea of having a 90th birthday party for Wences in Rochelle Park, NJ. With the help of Jeff Dunham, Alan Semok, the late Stanley Burns, and the late Jim Henson (along with others), we celebrated and entertained Señor Wences.

What made the day truly special for me was that my then three-year-old daughter, Mary Katherine, sat on Wences' lap for almost the entire celebration. He entertained her making napkin sculptures and drawing pictures. Mary Katherine is now 27. While she has no memory of that day I know she will enjoy the coin when she returns from Spain where Wences spent half of each year for many years. Perhaps he did make an impression on little girl.

Thanks for the flood of memories. I am so lucky that I can call two of these coin subjects friends (the other being Jimmy Nelson.)

Vent act in your choice of languages?

Swiss ventriloquist Daniel Remy was the cover feature of the March-April 1969 issue of Vent-O-Gram.  His act was unique in several ways including the fact that he used bird puppets exclusively and could present the act in any one of eight languages, four of which he spoke fluently!

This vintage 16 page newsletter is for sale on eBay now: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261006379391

Ventriloquist "How-To"

From Bill Matthews: I just finished the book by Taylor Mason ("Complete Idiot's Guide to Ventriloquism") that you sent me. It is REALLY  good. Thank you so much. Even though I took the Maher Course and review it periodically, I still gleaned a lot from Mason's book. It could easily be the modern equivalent of Paul Winchell's book. It's a great  supplement to the Maher Course: http://mahercourse.blogspot.com .
*  *  *  *  *
From Mr. D:  I agree with you 100%.  And there is another major learning program you need to be aware of - it is the new 36 lesson on-line program offered by Tom Crowl.  Excellent!  The first five lessons are free, so I would suggest all ventriloquists check it out.   This may well be the major vent instruction program of the future: 

http://www.learn-ventriloquism.com/about-the-learn-ventriloquism-course/

Vent-O-Gram Jul/Aug 1969

The 1968 issue of Vent-O-Gram (lower right) contains a report of the IVA's convention which includs names and photos of contest winners. 

The IVA trophy was awarded to Steve Williams for excellent presentation.  Col. Bill Boley's Talking Cane went to Dennis Love.  The big prize, a Jack Coat's figure, went to a very stunned 15 year old, Jerry Goodspeed.

The 16 page newsletter is for sale on eBay now:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261006063178

Vent trivia from Mr. D: This issue of Vent-O-Gram was published the same month and year Adelia and I purchased Maher School of Ventriloquism: August, 1969

Radio/TV Ventriloquism

Performing ventriloquism on radio and/or television is a complex effort. Steve Thomas worked in these fields for more than ten years, and from his experience he prepared this booklet to share his experience with you, hoping you can learn from his success (and mistakes). Use this book as a guidline as you create your own unique methods:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261006508779

1970 IBV Directory

The 1970 IVA Members Directory was dedicated to  William Shakespeare Berger for "Preserving and Advancing the Art of Ventriloquism", very appropriate and well deserved.  The Directory was published by Gregory Berlin.  Fun to look through today because many of the names and addresses were accompanied by photos (see samples of two pages below).

I have one copy only.  For sale now on eBay:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261006430851

Mark Wade Writes

THE RIGHT PUPPET CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Ever wonder why some vents are successful and others just "get by"?  They seem to have all the right ingredients..good stage presence..good material..but somehow things just don't click for the performer.  Maybe it is time to look at the puppet the vent is using.

Often I see would-be kidshow vents using scary puppets or figures and the audience is just unsettled by the appearance of the character.  No matter what the vent says through the puppet, how the puppet looks undoes everything.  My suggestion is to match up the type of puppet to the audience for which it was intended.  Although it may be a antique figure built decades ago in the thirties, it may just not be appropriate for today's young audiences.

That's not saying all vent figures are scary.  Many have pleasant faces that are inviting to kids.  To the younger members of the audience the pleasant vent figure is just another kid like them, and they relax and accept the puppet as one of their own.  I think the modern figure makers get this as I have seen many hard figures that I would be proud to use in my own shows.

Soft puppets play well with the younger set but sometimes the adult audiences want the traditional vent figure.  With the onset of the Muppets and "Sesame Street", adults sometimes associate the soft puppets with children.  I and other pros have been able to breach this gap by using human soft puppets and not so many animals, thus giving the adult audience the feel of the show being aimed at them.  I COULD have used animal puppets, but I didn't.  It was the wrong choice for that type of audience.

A lot goes into a vent act.  Analyze every aspect to make each show right for you and the audience!

markwade@kidshowvent.com

Fond memories...

Newsy Vents, published by Madeleine Maher was the first ventriloquist newsletter I was introduced to as a vent, and Vent-O-Gram published by the Berlin Brothers was the second.  And it was through an ad insert that accompanied the first issue of Vent-O-Gram I received, that I learned the Maher School was for sale. So as I peruse the pages of any Vent-O-Gram issue, I do so with a variety of fond memories!  I'll have four individual issues for sale (eBay) over the next four days beginning with this one, Nov/Dec 196,8 with England's Len Belmont featured on the cover with his pal "Charlie Cherrywood".
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290699705220

Last one...

This is the last Oracle newsletter I have for sale from the Boosey collection.  I see from reading through it, this was the issue in which W. S. Berger announced his retirement from the I.B.V. due to illness.  I've listed the articles and contributors in the eBay listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261003903986  Among the interesting photos was this one of figuremaker, John Carroll at work in his workshop:

Shop Talk

 

When I brought this red head in from the shop (photo right) and showed him to Adelia, she soon advised, "brush up his hair a little".  So, back to the shop's beauty salon we went (comb and hair spray), and I did "brush up his hair a little" (photo right).  Adelia's right - he's more handsome with a little hair accent on top.  (I'm envious.) 

A real wooden heart?

From Kirk Rabe:  "I was cutting a branch and this was inside. It reminded me that 'Creation declares His glory' (Psalm 19:1). I guess you could say God has a heart for wood! :)"

*  *  *  *  *

From Mr. D:  If one would carefully carve a dummy from that log, then I guess you might actually have a wooden dummy with a real heart from the Creator!

Blog Comments

From Mr. D:  Google now provides a new page for moderation of blog comments.  Through it I discovered a good number of past comments to this blog were slipping through unpublished.  I have now searched the past two years,  and published some of those that had been missed.  Hopefully the current system will improve this situation.  Your comments are welcome.  Please include your name with your comment.

Raising/Lowering Eyebrows

Simple method on raising/lowering eyebrows.  A single inner arm.
Pull toward outside and eyebrows raise.  Pull inward and
eyebrows lower.  Single control on headpost with
"teeter-totter" movement.

Hall of Fame comment from Hall of Fame Vent

"Thanks so much for the Hall of Fame coins. They look terrific and I am putting them on display here at home along with the Jimmy Nelson Celebration coins that you had struck for last July.

"The new coins are a great idea and I hope they fulfill your " labor of love" that you have begun.

"You two are greatly appreciated for all you have done for ventriloquism over the years, and Betty and I send our best wishes for your continued success.

"May God bless",

Jimmy Nelson

This is a photo spread from the pages of The Oracle, (1960).  Photos (clockwise from the upper left): Les Lester Sr., Billy Davis, Walter P Anderson, Bob McAllister, James Wallis, Johnny Spampinato, and Monieur Brunard.

The issue has more details on these and additional photos, many from the 1960 Boston IBV convention.  The Oracle  No. 5 1960, for sale now:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261003173453

Customer comment

Hello, and THANK YOU so much for your restoration of Andy (my Danny doll). He has new life and will “serve” for many years. We are already having such for with him and I can tell I am rusty, ha.  He looks better than EVER and completely exceeded my expectation.  Thank you for the extra paint work you did to make him look more real life and, while I wasn’t sure, I LOVE the raising eyebrows.  Oh boy, I’m like a kid in a candy store. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for doing what you do and loving these little guys (you obviously do).  Cindy
*  *  *  *  *
From Mr. D:  Yes, I do...and you're welcome!

Achmed...

Question:  Just wondering if you are still making the Achmed Puppet. If so, how much do you charge.  Thanks.  Mary
 *  *  *  *  *
From Mr. D:  While I have built several skeleton vent figures (usually around Halloween when stores carry seasonal items I can convert to puppets), I have never built the Achmed character.

Actually it has been a couple years since I have built a novelty puppet character of any type.  I have none in mind at the moment, so I don't know if I'll build skeleton figure(s) this Fall or not - it depends on my shop schedule. I prefer to build more traditional figures.

Shop Talk

"Chester" came to me for touch up of minor chips to be followed by a complete repaint.  He is a very  nice Lovik woodcarved figure.  However, as with many of the Lovik woodcarved figures, the  cut under the mouth was made much too low and gaps very noticeably when the mouth is opened.  So - as long as the head is going to be repainted, and with his owner's permission, I decided to remove the mouth and do some corrective surgery.

This is the completed head, repainted, and with the underside of the mouth/neck rebuilt to eliminate the unsightly gap.

"Chester," ready to rejoin his owner, Jan Goodwin.  No longer will he need to wear turtle-neck shirts to every occasion!

Silent session?

"The Brotherhood of Ventriloquist Dummies held it's second silent session concurrently with the IBV Convention in the Crystal; Room, Hotel Sherman, Chicago, July 1, 1959."  (From The Oracle newsletter Vol. 18, Issue No. 5, now for sale via eBay auction:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290696820911

The names of the figures and their owners are listed in the newsletter.  Figures pictured were made by Frank Marshall, Foy Brown, Finis & Co., C. R. Gough, Ken Spencer, Yost & Co., J. T. Upchurch, and Cleo Cooley, although not identified more specifically than that.

Script Prompter

By Jeff Brown

I wanted to pass something on that I am using to help me to memorize and practice my scripts/routines. It is called PromptDog, a teleprompter software, that can be used on any computer (PC or MAC OS X) or tablet. There are actually two programs.  PromptDog, which is $59.95, and PromptPuppy which is $19.95.

 The big difference that I find for myself is that PromptDog has a timer which enables me to actually time my routines so I have an idea how long they are and if I need to shorten or lengthen them in any way. It also allows direct editing of the script/routine while it is on the screen and also allows me to colorize my lines and the figures lines, making them easy to differentiate. PromptPuppy does not have this feature. I find the program invaluable in helping me to learn the scripts/routines since I don't have to constantly keep looking down at a paper all of the time.

They are both available on the website to be downloaded for a free 10 day trial.
http://www.promptdog.com/ 

A wonderful candid photo of W. S. Berger (right) conversing with figure-maker, Frank Marshall, in Frank's Chicago shop.  1959.  (This photo from page 11 of The Oracle, No. 2, 1959.  The 12 page issue is now for sale on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/290696459572 )

ORACLE For Sale

I read through this May/June 1955 Oracle with a mix of significant thoughts.  As always, these wonderful newsletters are packed with fascinating vent history, trivia - even gossip.  But this particular issue was published just the month before Adelia and I were married, so while ventriloquism had not yet even entered my mind as a hobby to try personally, and the biggest event on my mind was a trip down the aisle, it's fun to now read and see there were many other things going on in the world that year!
For eBay auction now:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290694439258

A "ressurrection" of sorts...

You may remember some months ago when I brought you the account of ventriloquist Brent Vernon's van being broken into while on tour and all his performance equipment being stolen, including his vent figure, "Sam".  Sam was a "Comical Clyde" Knee Pal for which the mold no longer exists, so I asked on this blog if any reader might possibly have that character they would be willing to sell to Brent as a replacement for his stolen figure.  That's when Canon John Jordan stepped up and offered his beloved "Sweeny" as "Sam's" replacement.  (Not an easy decision for any ventriloquist!) 

 

But before Sweeny could enter the concert world as Sam, several changes had to be made in his appearance, including a change of eye color, hair color, and style.  So Sweeny was sent to me for his "make-over" before travelling to join Bent Vernon's music ministry.  Upon Sweeny's arrival, I took a picture:

"Welcome to Colorado, Sweeny!"

While making the necessary cosmetic changes so "Sweeny 1.0" could enter the world as "Sam 2.0" (as the three of us began referring to the figures), I thought how great it would be if I could take a little extra time to create a clone of Sweeny 1.0 to serve as a replacement for the figure Canon John Jordan had given up.  All parties agreed - thus, "Sweeny 2.0" was born!   Just a few weeks ago, "Sweeny 2.0" was completed and shipped to Canon Jordan for a most joyous reunion!

 



"Welcome home to Thunder Bay little Chum. I've missed you!"

Ready to roll !

(Above) From THE ORACLE, March/April 1955

From THE ORACLE May/June 1955

HOF Coin comments

"I received my collector set of coins today and WOW!! is all I can say. This is truly a collector's item.  The richness of the coins, the detail in drawings, well, to say I am delighted with them is an understatement. Every serious vent should have a set of these coins!!"   Mark Wade
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"The beautiful coins arrived this morning.  My first reaction was, 'Just like everything Clinton does, magnificent!'  My nostalgia for the NAAV days kicked in, and I'm so pleased that the reverse of the coins holds fast to tradition, And the NewsyVents logo has been retained.  I would guess that I'm not the first to register the sincere hope that you will respond to the many wishes, cast personal embarrassment, aside, and be sure that the collection has a 'Clinton Detweiler' coin included.  Without that, the collection would be incomplete."  Canon John Jordan
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http://hofcoins.blogspot.com

Sneak Peek!

This email from Annie at Vent Haven:

"We're very excited about the new venue for the 2012 ConVENTion and figured conventioneers would enjoy getting a sneak peak ahead of time. Tom Ladshaw and I put together a few short videos highlighting some of the amenities at the Airport Marriott. Below is the link for Episode 1. I hope you enjoy our light-hearted take. :-)   Let's hope the 2012 attendance reaches 500 again!   Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFa_GZl8_XQ

Shop Talk

Before

After

Job finished!  It is certainly not to be equated with the Easter resurrection, but having this job come to completion this week does seem appropriate.