Happy Birthday!

You've seen her name on the dialogue and gag file books she has authored, and watched her perform on the Detweiler's Live DVDs. Today is her birthday so I'll take this public opportunity to wish our Daughter-in-law, Sonja, a special Happy Birthday!

You can find further information on Sonja's books and DVDs here: http://sonjasbooknook.blogspot.com/

Steve Meltzer - Final Curtain

Some of you are aware of ventriloquist/puppeteer Steve Meltzer's recent months' battle with cancer. Yesterday the following was forwarded to me:

11-30-09
Dear Members of the LAGOP:
It is with a heavy heart that I send you this email. Steve Meltzer, our dear President and friend, passed away last night. His last day was peaceful and without pain. The last few months have proven that Steve was a valiant optimist, a man of great compassion, integrity and strength. We are planning on having a Celebration of Life service on December 12th. We will send details as soon as they are confirmed. We hope to see you there.
- Christine Papalexis, LAGOP Communications Coordinator
- Ric Wilson, LAGOP Vice President
Cards may be sent to Steve's 92-year-old mother: Sylvia Falk, 401 Montana Avenue, Apt. 2, Santa Monica, CA 90403-1303.

Yet Steve leaves us with a smile. Check out this happy song video with Steve in action. Amazing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdxy6hdK6vc&feature=related

Head start

I promised a customer I would try to take a couple pictures of her "Eli" in progress. As I glanced at my band saw today and saw Eli and his "twin" (building two at a time is more time efficient) awaiting installation of their headposts, I thought, "photo op", and grabbed my camera for this quick shot. My goal is to have them complete within a week...no time to waste.

We have a winner!

It was either 1979 or 1980 when we introduced a variety of advertising products for use by members of the North American Association of Ventriloquists (NAAV; 1944-2004). This collector's spoon was one of the favorite NAAV themed pieces. They sold for $1.50 each at that time. Today they have truly achieved collector's status. This one, still in its original gift box, is from my collection, and was won by Neale Bacon, who was the required 6th person responding to this post.
(Thank you, Ron Scherer, for reminding me of this item.)

-Next Mr. D's Give-Away will be Thursday (12/3).

Comment from Grandma Muffin: "Congrats to Neale Bacon. I've seen his name on WorldVent. What a fun thing you are doing. I treasure my spoon and my necklace. I just found your blog and I love it."

Professional Kid Show Mentoring

Mark Wade tells me he is now offering professional mentoring for kidshow ventriloquists. What an amazing opportunity. Learn from the pro! The program is for three days and is a special one-on-one program where Mark teaches the specifics of what the individual being mentored wants to know. After an interview with them on the phone, in person, or by email, they jointly decide on the program course. Marks then set up the program so they can go to Grove City, Ohio and go out on several shows with Mark. This allows one-on-one talk about what they have seen and why Mark does it the way he does.

After the shows they have intense learning sessions and the "student" has Mark's undivided attention for three days. How fantastic such a training opportunity! The price is discussed when the interested parties contact Mark. It's a fun three days of learning and on the job training, something never offered to the vent community before in quite this manner. Now is the time to capitalize on Mark's years of knowledge and experience. If you want to make yourself a better kidshow vent, contact Mark now while he's willing to spill his success secrets!
kidshowvent@roadrunner.com

Little Jet-Setter

From Billy James
(Australia)

I completed the Maher Course many years ago and got some great products from you back then. All those years ago I had an old Maher catalog and I REALLY loved Comical Clyde. However, when I went to the Maher website he didn't look the same. After I emailed you about it, you explained about the change in the mold over the years. In the end I had Mike Brose make me up one of his 'cheeky boy' figures (which was fantastic!) but I did really love the look of the old Comical Clyde.

Anyway, just recently I came across one of the 'older' style Comical Clydes for sale in Germany! So, I pounced! He arrived here in Australia yesterday and I have to say that he is absolutely BRILLIANT! The face has SO much character. I am just so thrilled and I guess all good things come to those who wait! So there it is, he started in your workshop, flew to Germany and now resides in Australia. The little jet-setter is shown with me in this picture. I'm looking forward to putting him to work in my Christmas shows this year. All the best, Billy.

Tip of the Issue

Our friends at The Dummy Shop just sent us a picture of their newest character, Samuel Henry Issac Davis. I have a feeling he's a man who will not hesitate to speak his mind!

Included with the email release was this tip (which we pass along with their permission) for those of you working with soft puppets:

Tip of the Issue: A new friend of ours received a puppet this week and made the comment that the mouth was a little bit loose on his hand. There is an easy fix for this. We told him to go to his local fabric store and buy a small piece of 1/2" foam. Cut the foam a little smaller than the approximate size and shape of the puppets mouth and insert it in the mouth between your fingers and the mouth. For those who have puppets that have finger and thumb straps, this will take up all the slack and give you a snug fit if that is your preference.

We have a winner!

ADVANCED VENTRILOQUISM - DVD

By Gary Owen

Taped live at the 2006 International Ventriloquist Convention, Gary Owen in this workshop setting, shares ideas on how to make your show look like a pro. Staging, music, and choreography. Plus an interactive segment where you will learn proper techniques for good voice and lip control. And Gary demonstrates how easily you can develop the baby cry, distant voice, plus a variety of dialects, accents, voice characterizations and polyphony. Learn from the master!!

The person responding with the required 5th post was Canon John Jordan (Ontario). Congratulations! Next Give-away will be Monday (11/30/09)

* * * * *

From Ron Havens: I believe I was at that workshop and could possibly even be in the DVD.

From Clinton: Gary still has copies of this DVD for sale. They are $25.00 each which includes shipping. Email Gary to purchase: garyowenprod@sbcglobal.net

From Canon John Jordan: Thank you Clinton. Imagine winning a prize and being rewarded for indulging in one of my daily morning pleasures ~ checking in with the Daily Journal. You are certainly spreading joy in the world by sharing your hints, tips, and above all, your years of experience. Blessings, John.

Holiday DVD Sale!

SUCCESSFUL VENTRILOQUISM - #1 DVD for teaching kids and adults how to be a successful ventriloquist. 50 minutes of easy-to-follow instruction and demonstration by Mark Wade, master performer and teacher. Taped live. Learn how to speak without lip movement with voice characterization for the puppet/dummy. Learn to manipulate the figure in an amazing, entertaining and lifelike manner! Regular Price: $19.95 SALE: $9.95 Free shipping!
ADVANCED VENTRILOQUISM DVD - Mark Wade demonstrates and explains advanced professional ventriloquist techniques and secrets: distant voice (voice "throwing"), baby cry, comedy tips, advanced manipulation and more! Laugh as you learn! 50 minutes. Reg. $19.95. SALE: $9.95 Free shipping!

THE ART OF THE KID SHOW - Outstanding 50 minute DVD on which Mark Wade tells you the various secrets of successful kid show performing. As one of America's foremost professional kid show performers, Mark then shows you with live performance (taken from one of his shows) how it is done. This is a valuable money-making resource for any kid show entertainer! Regular Price $19.95. SALE: $9.95 Free shipping!

LIMITED TIME HOLIDAY OFFER:

(Special offer for Blog visitors only)
SET OF ALL THREE DVD's - $25.00 Free Shipping!

mahertalk@aol.com

Happy Thanksgiving from the Detweilers!

"Dinner With Friends"

I wish it were possible for Adelia and I to post a picture of all the friends we have made as a result of our involvement with ventriloquism. Obviously, that's impossible as that would take thousands of images - most of which we have never seen. But we count YOU as one of our friends. So today, as we reflect in special Thanksgiving for multiple blessings in our lives, you - where ever you live in the world, are on our list of blessings!

("Dinner With Friends" illustration by Dave Miller, copyright 1977)

Pull ring controls (fumble, fumble)

Question: I recently bought a small vent dummy, it has a pull ring to control the moving mouth and 2 pull rings to control moving eyes left to right and right to left.
However, I have difficulty controlling pull ring mouth with pull ring eye movement. Do you have any reference where I can read about controlling such pull ring figures ?

* * * * *
Answer: I've never seen a reference as to how a person should use the multiple pull rings. It's whatever works, I suppose. Rings are difficult to slip fingertips into, and difficult (if not impossible), to keep in place through an entire performance. They're really not a practical control for the serious performer, which is why I've replaced many of those pull rings with levers.

We have a winner!

It was 1995 when I got the crazy idea to create the official "Ventrilo-Buck" from the "United Studios of Maher". One dollar legal tender ("For all debts payable to Maher Studios") was sent with each order for a couple months. Now they're collector's items. This one is autographed by myself and Adelia.

The 10th (tenth) person who responded after reading this post and the winner of the "Ventrilo-Buck" is FRANK WARD (WA).
* * * * *
Note from Ron Scherer: "Hi Clinton. I remember those dollars well. It was about that time I got serious about collecting vent items. I believe those and the NAAV spoons were among my favorites."
From Clinton: Thanks for the suggestion. I do have one of those NAAV spoons in my prize stash. I'll schedule it soon.

Wisdom For Dummies

By Sandi Stricker

I'm still new at this ventriloquism - a little over a year into it. I am writing my own scripts, and must say memorizing them certainly is good for exercising the brain at my age. To help me get through a script, sometimes Woody (Mr. Woodrow) has to refer to his reference book, "WISDOM FOR DUMMIES".

I used one of those paperback books with the yellow and black cover called "Internet (or whatever) for Dummies". I took black paint and painted over the "INTERNET" word, and then in yellow paint, painted in the word "WISDOM", so now it read "WISDOM for DUMMIES".

I only use the front cover, and then folded it in half, so when open, the audience sees the cover and the words "WISDOM FOR DUMMIES". I made a couple pages in it, and occasionally he needs to look something up and therefore we have a paragraph of script in front of us.

I stapled the corner of the book to his shirt cuff so it looks like he is holding it in his other hand. Then when he refers to it, I hold the other side in my hand. The audience seems to get a kick out of his Wisdom for Dummies book, even though I never refer to him as a "dummy" (ventriloquisimy incorrect as I learned from your course).

An example of what I put in it for reference and patter assistance include: What the Economic Stimulus Payment is and where the money goes; For bosses day I had patter in it on Woody's quick reference to appropriate (but funny) ways to write lines in letters of recommendation; and, A reference he has to look up regarding a scientific fact about why drinking wine is better than drinking water.

Whatever I use the book for is always something that is appropriate to "look up" in a reference book. It seems to work great.

Edgar/Slappy

When Bruce Weaver sent "Edgar" to me for some minor crack repair, repainting and a hair cut, I sent Bruce an email to let him know his buddy had arrived here safely. Having a "senior moment", I inadvertently called the figure by his original catalog name, informing Bruce that "Slappy has arrived." A slip in time to which Bruce replied:

"I had forgotten his original name. I've been wondering what it was. Thanks for the "senior" moment. And thanks for all you have done over the years for vent!" Bruce "Happy to know Edgar's original name again" Weaver



(left) Before

(right) after

99 Cent Book Auctions

Just a reminder - every week I select a group of ventriloquist subject books from my remaining Maher Studios inventory to be offered on eBay with 5 day auctions starting at just 99 cents (free shipping). You'll find a quick link to all auctions below. Auctions begin on Wednesdays and end on Mondays.

To see details and photos of all my current auctions, Click Here.


The following is from Steve Engle's Mother Goose SAFETY Nursery Rhymes (copyright 1998 bt Steve Engle) and for sale now in the above mentioned auction.

THE WONDER OF FLEECE!

F: (Recites) Mary had a little lamb, it followed her to school; The little lamb's a hero now, 'cause Mary broke a rule.


V: Mary broke a rule? What rule?


F: (To vent) SSHHH! (Continues reciting:) At the corner of the street she looked not left or right; As Mary stepped off the curb, A car come into sight.


V: Uh-oh! Look out, little Mary!


F: (Ignores vent and continues:) That little lamb grabbed Mary's coat and wouldn't let her go - (pause) or Mary'd be an ANGEL now ... with WINGS as white as snow!


V: So the little lamb kept Mary from being hit by the car!


F: (Recites:) Remember Mary and her lamb each time you cross the street; Be sure to STOP (Hold hand up, palm out) and LOOK (Hand over eyes) and LISTEN (Hand behind ear) before you move your
feet!

V: Very good lessons, (puppet's name).

We have a winner!

READ THESE LIPS! was the title of a feature article in the June 2004 issue of American Profile. It's a fascinating account of the previous year's Vent Haven Convention, with focus on several of the attendees, including: Meghan Casey, Mark Wade, Mary Ann Taylor (and her puppets), and Zach Babbe. Other people quoted are: Jeff Dunham, Dave Dixon, Patricia Bell, and Kelly Asbury. The article was written by Marta Aldrich.

This copy of American Profile comes from my personal collection and I promised to send it FREE to the eleventh person who emails me after reading this post. And we now have a winner - the winner is: Donald Bice! Congratulations.

(Additional giveaways forthcoming)

"Willie Winkle"

Question: Is the figure in this photo an old Lovik figure? If not, can you tell me who made it?

* * * * * *

Answer: Yes, the figure is a Lovik figure, sold by Maher Studios as Willie Winkle late 1980's- early 1990's. This was probably the most popular character from the Knee Pal line of figures. Several hundred were sold with all their many variations of eye and skin colors; hair styles and colors; combinations of mechanics, with or without freckles of varying arrangements, left or right hand controls, clothing dressed with,etc. With the exception of the fifty or so made for and sold exclusively by Hamacher Schleimer of Chicago for one year, no two were exactly alike. This does appear likely to have been sold by Hamacher Schleimer since all the figures they sold had red hair, green eyes, freckles, and were dressed in a black tux with red bow tie. Production of Willie Winkle was discontinued only because the molds reached the end of their usability.

CHRISTMAS GAG FILE

It's that time of the year again, so before it gets too late I'm offering this book for sale, "Buy It Now" on eBay: Christmas Gag File. 100+ COMEDY JOKES by one of America's favorite writers, Col. Bill Boley! These holiday gags and jokes are all written in dialogue format. Add several to your favorite seasonal script. Combine more and you'll have a complete new show! After the holidays, adapt the jokes slightly and you can use them for any occasion where gifts are given (birthday anniversary, etc.)!! This is a favorite book with all entertainers - not just ventriloquists. You can buy now and I will ship (free shipping) by First Class mail: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290372139690

"Little Joe"

Dear Mr. D:

I ordered little Joe from you several year ago. I thought you had retired, but I saw some ventriloquist friends and they said you were still working on figures. Little Joe's mouth gets stuck open sometimes and his eyebrow falls over his left eye (which also has a problem). He needs a little help.

* * * * * *

From Clinton (Mr. D): I have retired - but retired people need to do something...so I fix and build ventriloquist dummies. Ha. Send me Little Joe's head and I'll see what I can do to help him (and you).

Note: Photos above show Little Joe as he arrived (right) and when he left my shop (left).

Bad News; Good News

The bad news: On June 6, 2009 I completed and shipped this little lady to a ventriloquist in England. Much to everyone's dismay, she never arrived at her destination. Eventually, I built a second replacement figure which was shipped and delivered.\

The Good news: On November 6, 2009, five months to the day, the wayward parcel was returned to me, unopened! The note on the box which had all original labels and correct address, read "unclaimed". Now I know the purchaser was desperately trying to locate and claim the parcel, so it wasn't for lack of trying.

Bad news: We'll never know the full story of her adventures.

Good news: The lost has been found!