Coin Winners today!

Today I've drawn the names of ten lucky people who, if they Contact Mr. D to confirm their address, will each receive one "Mr. D's Dummy Dollar" collectible coin! The winners are (in random order as the names were drawn): Jack Austin, David Carruth, Lawrence Harris, Cleve Odom, Doug Morrison, Phil Anderson, Sheree Brown-Rosner, Kelly Houser, Erwin Moody, and Joyce Bowen.

It pays to visit "Mr. D's Daily Blog"! If you're reading this and are not signed up for my prize drawings, all I needs i your name and your okay. It's all free!

Funny (and perhaps sad), but true

From David Nickell

When I embarked on this journey, I went to a couple of local bookstores in search of books on ventriloquism. At two of them -- Barnes & Noble and Borders -- the clerks didn't even know what "ventriloquism" was. I had the same experience yesterday when I went to the local Guitar Center. A young clerk, whose arms were covered with intricate Japanese tattoos and who said he played drums in a local band, had no clue what a ventriloquist was. I asked him if he'd ever heard of Jeff Dunham and he said, "no". Then I said that Dunham was a comedian who used a dummy -- one of 'em an old, cranky guy named Walter -- to tell jokes, and I struck the pose as if I were holding a figure in my arms. The kid then acknowledged that he not only knew who Jeff Dunham was but that Dunham is, in fact, coming to town and that he had asked his girlfriend to go see him. So sometimes you just have to be a little patient and try to guide people to what they know but didn't know they knew.

Little help needed

Question: I am a novice and very afraid of performing. Not because I am afraid to stand up in front of people, but rather because I cannot remember my lines. I tried all kinds of things to remember my lines; Index cards with word cues, tele-prompter, and a story book with all my lines typed on a sheet and glued to the inside pages of the storybook. This is why I do not perform. I don't know how to write funny dialogue and remember it. Anyway, I enjoy reading your blog which often has stories of many different situations new vents experience and share. I will continue to read your blog, maybe one day I will read about someone who shares the same problem I do and come up with a surprisingly easy solution.
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From Mr. D: Thanks for sharing your problem with remembering lines. Normally I recommend cue cards. With a good amount of practice I found I could remember an individual joke. Once a individual joke is committed to memory, all I need is a key word for each joke to keep me on schedule. 10-12 jokes makes a nice routine.

Another type of program is storytelling. That's where the conversation is much freer. No rigid word for word memorizing is necessary because either you (or the puppet) is telling a story. And the other person in the dialogue makes comments or asks questions. Have you tried that approach?

Now let's ask blog readers for their suggestions. Contact Mr. D

Bubba J Prize

Thanks to Jeff Dunham we are awarding a "talking" Bubba J bottle opener to three persons today: Janet Dearstone, Dan Lee, and Clinton Goodridge. Congratulations and handle with care!

Remember our one prize rule - winners must contact Mr. D within 14 days to confirm your address and claim your prize.

Turnkey puppet business for sale

It is not my policy to promote eBay items that are not family connected, but this eBay offering is too unusual for me to let slide by unmentioned. And the three ventriloquist figures included in the auction were originally purchased from Maher Studios, so maybe that qualifies as the necessary "family" connection.

Jim Burns is offering for sale on eBay an entire puppet entertainment business. It's totally unique. Even if you're not on the market for a business, you'll enjoy seeing and reading about this one!

Jim says he is ideally "looking for a young man in his 20's who loves puppetry, and is a bit lost to where his career will be, has ruled out a college education for whatever reason, has a big heart, enjoys working with the public and would enjoy a year's salary in only 5 months of work." I'm no longer young, and not looking for a second career, but that last phrase still sounds pretty good to me!

Check out the Hillbilly Truck.

Alumni news . . .

"Dear Clinton, This is just a note to tell you that at 84 years old, I have resumed my study of Ventriloquism. It has been 9 1/2 years since I first received the (Traditional) Maher Course. I'm currently on Lesson 19 and memorizing the skit, 'Your Gal & Mine.'"


"As you can see from the picture*, 'Louie' and I are at it again. We were performing for the residents and friends of the Dundee Township Park District Senior Center (IL)."

Marilyn Oates

(*Picture from Couriernewsonline.com )

Nutshell book

"Clinton, I just finished all of Ventriloquism in a Nutshell and I must say I reccommend it to anyone wanting to learn vent. It is precise and to the point. It has great practicing tips, good advice for puppet/figure manipulation, and joke telling. In my opinion a must- read for all. For the money it is extremely affordable and allows people of all ages young and old to learn. Regards, James Tucker"
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At $5.00 postpaid, Ventriloquism In A Nutshell is still a best seller. Contact Mr. D

Freddy Paper Puppet with Book

Today I'm awarding three more of Dave Miller's original Friendly Freddy movable paper puppets. Here's what one previous winner, Susan Mitchell, had to say about his item: "Friendly Freddie arrived safely to his new home and is loved by all. Why, he even folds his arms! What a reverent visual aid."

Since Freddy is the mascot host seen in the illustrations (by Miller) in my book, Ventriloquism In A Nutshell, I'll send a signed copy of the book along with the paper puppet to each of the following winners today: Ronn Bohn, Fred Anderson, and Andreas Ecnomopoulos.

As usual, winners must contact Mr. D to confirm their addresses and claim their prizes.

Note: You can purchase Ventriloquism In A Nutshell for $5 each (free shipping), and I'll sign each copy. Here.

Question: How does one pronounce "Maher"?
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Answer: It depends on what part of the country you are in, I've discovered. We've always said "May-hair". Others say "Ma-hur" or "May-her".
Either is correct, I suppose...


Years ago, someone mailed a letter intended for us that was simply addressed "Mayor's Office, Littleton Colorado." And it was delivered to the office of the Mayor or Littleton! It was then forwarded to us only because we were friends of one of the ladies who worked in that office. When she heard her co-workers laughing at the letter received asking for information on "dummies" and how one could be purchased, she spoke up saying, "Oh, I know where that letter should go!" And the letter was then forwarded to us. At the time, I thought that was a good thing...rereading the account I just wrote, I'm not so sure!

Horror stories

From Bob Abdou:

I never leave my dummies in the car, even when eating in a restaurant. I would rather have them in a suitcase under the table than worry about my car being broken into.

Lou Zucci once told me that someone stole his dummy from his car, and days later it was found floating in a creek off a bridge. Now that's a sad sight!

I know puppeteers that have had their whole show stolen from their van in the parking lot at a hotel. Ugh, that must be a horrible feeling.
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From Mr. D: About vent horror stories, I've heard dozens. Fires, Floods, Accidents, stolen figures, gnawing pets, angry ex's. What about those of you reading this? Have you had a "horror" experience with your puppet/dummy that you would be willing to share? Contact Mr. D.

On the flip side are the stories I've heard from vents whose puppets have foiled vehicle thefts. For instance, Louie Palermo (of the singing Palermo Brothers) said thieves were preparing to steal their parked van loaded with sound equipment, props,, etc., but turned and ran when they opened one of the cases and saw "Luigi"!

I've always felt my shop's best security system are the dummies hanging around! Now, that's a reassuring feeling!

Kelly Houser is the winner of today's drawing for this current signed 8x10 photo of Brad Cummings. That's the hilarious Baby Dinosaur, Rex, you see peeking from the egg!

Skinny Dugan #2

Questions: When I first studied ventriloquism with Maher Studios in 1963, I remember how Fred Maher's Skinny Dugan #2 by McElroy became so iconic. Was this figure one-of-a-kind? Did it ever become a figure produced by Maher Studios? Are there more Skinny figures around? I've never seen one for sale. With whom does Maher's Skinny reside? Thanks, Rick.

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From Mr. D: Although Mrs. Maher tried to duplicate and sell the Skinney you refer to, she was never truly successful. How can anyone expect to duplicate the McElroy's masterpieces? (Greg Claassen is the only person I know of who has come close.)

Skinny #2 was the featured figure on much of the Maher advertising through the '40s, '50s and '60s. It is seen on the cover photo of this vintage Maher Catalog (right) which is awarded today to David Wagner. ( Contact Mr. D to claim this prize.)

Oh yes, Fred Maher's Skinny Dugan is now owned by Jeff Dunham. Jeff can be seen demonstrating it in one of the bonus features found on the "I'm No Dummy" DVD available at your retailers. Fascinating!

Will this work?

Question: If you have time, convince me that I can do a conversion on a Lovik's Living Mouth and make it into a standard slot jaw. I THINK I'm inclined to build up the jaw and chin a bit with Magic Sculpt (I may not even have to remove the leather...just build over it...then saw down the slots with extra at the bottom. The Living Mouth mechanism is, as you know, a simple but clever cabinet hinge between two pieces of wood, so it SEEMS to me that it would do the same thing for a solid slot jaw as it does for the Living Mouth without having to engineer anything. Am I missing something here?
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Answer: What you describe should work tp a degree. I've never done it, but I can imagine it. However, (and if you're missing anything, I suspect this is it) - the slotted jaw unit will have action that is more "drop down" than the traditional "rolling"action on a mouth and face designed for slotted jaw.

To say it another way, the jaw unit on a slot jaw figure is normally designed so the underside of the chin turns into the head as the mouth is opened.

I don't believe that is what will happen on the converted living mouth done in the simple manner you describe. Rather, using the current cabinet hinge as the mouth axle will result in a mouth unit which places lips and chin on a greater radius from the axis than a face designed for slotted jaw. I can imagine that something will have to be done under the chin to allow the jaw to move downward. Just what, I don't know - those are the challenges to be worked out as you go...maybe a folding leather piece?

Before & After

Repainted, wig replaced, and eyelashes added.

(Figure made from a Bill Andersen kit, I believe.)

Favorite ventriloquist?

I received an email the other day with a request that I name my favorite ventriloquist. I can't. I've been asked that question dozens of times, and I've found it impossible to answer. I have too many favorites to try to narrow the choice to just one. In fact, I'd be hard pressed to narrow the list to 25! But whatever the number, I do know the very talented and creative Jim Barber would be on my list of favorites. And today's gifts came from Jim, himself.

The signed Show Brochure (left) has been awarded to Carl Richards. And the Hamner Barber Variety Show DVD (right) recorded live at the Hamner Barber Theater in Branson, Mo has been awarded to Richard Glantz.

Contact Mr. D to confirm your address and claim your prize. For more information on the award winning Hamner Barber Show, go to http://www.hamnerbarber.com/

Fake Arm Illusion

Question: I read in some old literature about your, “Complete Lucky Ducky plans and Novel Fake Arm Illusion for the Operator, see Plans # 449 from the Maher catalogue". Are these still available for the novel fake arm. This is the thing I need to make - a fake arm. Doug
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From Mr. D: The fake arm as I built it for my Lucky Duck was the one weak area of its design. I do not recommend it. My fake arm was attached permanently to the puppet. Which meant my suit jacket was attached permanently to the puppet. Not a good setup. The arm was nothing more than a tube stuffed with batting with a stuffed glove on the end. The hand and lower portion of the arm was wired to the Duck's body; upper end of the arm sewn to the inside of the suit coat at the shoulder. As I recall, I used a short strip of plywood to support the arm (bridge) from the shoulder to the duck's body. (My wife always had to adjust it back stage for most natural appearance).

I cut a slit in the side of the jacket just below the arm pit where my arm reached through into the puppet.

It was an awkward arrangement. If I built another, I'd for certain make the arm and jacket removable in some manner. I had a friend who built one, and he used velcro to detach the jacket sleeve at the shoulder. I don't know the details.

I knew another who made a casting of his right hand and attached it permanently to the duck's side, but somehow he had the arm itself detachable. Velcro???

Hopefully, you can overcome all the obstacles this setup presents. You might try an Internet search for "Third Arm" costumes. Clowns use many variations - there may be some plans available.

An experiment

The mouth string, when fastened to the lower portion of the jaw piece, needs to pull in a backward (and even upward) direction, before redirecting downward through the neck to the control lever.

Thus, there needs to be a pivot point for the string somewhere behind the mouth, near the back inside of the neck. I've used more than one method. This was an experiment, using a rigid plastic tube as a horizontal bar over which the string passed. I mounted the plastic tube in a small wooden bracket, then used super glue to secure the unit to the inside of the neck. All work was done through the mouth...

The Neller Course on Ventriloquism

I've always thought Bob Neller's instruction on Distant Ventriloquism (found on his CD) is one of the best instructional tools on this skill. Of his method, Bob had this to say:

"My approach to the difficult field of distant ventriloquism is going to be quite different. If you fully understand the qualities of sound necessary for certain situations and hear the quality demonstrated, I believe you will find a means of duplicating the sounds by trial and error much easier than trying to interpret the complex description necessary to fully explain them. You will know what I mean if you have ever tried to read a description of a complicated magician's sleight of hand trick and from this description do the trick as the writer does it."

In other words, it's much easier to learn the technique of distant ventriloquism by hearing it demonstrated rather than reading about it. And that's exactly what Bob so skillfully does on this instructional CD. Of course, he also teaches Close Ventriloquism with his own unique method. The price of both the one hour CD and the supplemental booklet is just $9.95 (free shipping)! You can purchase now using Paypal HERE!

Price lowered as promised...

Here's Howie! I am offering him for sale in a "reverse auction" on eBay. Every week I will lower his "buy it now" price until sold, and I've just lowered his price again ... which even has him raising his eyebrows! Check it out HERE

Nancee Meyers says this little fellow looks a lot like her husband, Howie, in his younger years and suggested I name him, "Howie." I like it, and I'm going to do just that. (I hope the real Howie takes this as a compliment!) Thank you, Nancee, for the suggestion. I'll be sending you one of my "Dummy Dollar" coins as a thank you!

Inside peek

If you're a figure maker, or have tinkered with such, then I know you like to get a peek into as many vent figures as possible. There's always something to learn by looking at another craftsman's work.

This photo was in my file and I thought I would post it here before retiring it. I believe the head is made of plastic wood and appears to be the work of William Andersen although it may have been a kit, because not all the mechanics appear to be Bill's work. Side to side moving eyes (manual), shell winkers, and open & close mouth - about as simple mechanics as you'll ever see.