Pennies for your thoughts

Here's a opportunity for your creative minds. My next coin will be a TWO CENT piece. I'm looking for a short phrase or slogan to go around the face of the coin. Something with ventriloquist theme, of course. If I select your phrase/slogan (8 word max), your initials will be engraved on the coin following your slogan and you will receive a dozen supply of coins for your collection and distribution.

Submit as many entries and as often as you wish. In case of a duplicate winning entry, the earliest submission will be the winner. Email me, Mr. D, here: mahertalk@aol.com Below is one of my ideas. Let's see what you've got.

Ventriloquism: It just makes good "cents"

Today's Prize

Signed and framed photo of four of the original early 1970's Ventrilo-etts.

Winner: Joe Zdeb

Maher Alumni news

From Amy Crome
(Australia)

My mum bought my "Fred" (Willie Winkle) when I was about 13. I did the Maher Course, then went on to win at Ace Christian Conventions and even went to the USA and won 1st place.

Over the years I have performed at weddings, parties, and church where we still give programs from time to time.

I'm now a Pastor's wife with two kids. Recently I taught classes of ventriloquism at my son's Christian School and have inspired some to take up vent. Ventriloquism is rather rare in Australia - but I hope to change that a bit.

God bless.

Okay ...Check out Willie's hair in this shot

and then compare it with his hair in the second photo...

Could Lester have STOLEN his partner's hair?!

My thanks to D. Pries for today's post.

Your Lucky Day!

It's the eleventh day of the month. Time to draw the names of seven more winners of my $7 Dummy Dollar Coins. This month's winners:

Russell Baker, Hunter Phelan,

Rex Duff, Michelle Hammock,

Nick Schols, Jerry Bell, and Ed Cima.

For Sale

There's still time to receive this colorful Leprechaun Ventrilo-ett in time for your St. Patrick's events. There's no way to measure how much Irish luck this puppet might bring, but I can promise the wee one will make a huge hit! (See following post.) $49.95 plus $5 S/H (Priority mail).

Sean the Leprechaun: "a rare thing"

From Canon John Jordan

Sean the Leprechaun arrived safe and sound this morning. As with his predecessor, he was chattering before I could get him out of his shipping box at the receptionist's desk. To say that I am pleased and delighted would be a vast understatement. Again, I had an "instant hit" in my hand.

You will be pleased, I am sure as I was, when I tell you of a short inter-change that took place shortly after the small crowd gathered in the foyer. One of the lady residents came close and said, "Hello little fellow, you're cute." Sean replied. "Hello, Martha, you're kinda cute yourself." She looked at her friend beside her and asked, "How come he knows my name?"

I guess that's the kind of response we all work hard to evoke, but with Sean's help, less than two or three minutes after his arrival, he was hard at work entertaining. I found that in the short time I had him in the dining room, the table audiences provided the other side of the conversation, and I didn't have to worry about "going cold" without a script.

Anything I could say would fall short of the success he has brought already. Every ventriloquist should have a "Sean" in their kit this time of the year. He's one of those rare things that repay us far beyond anything involved in bringing him here. I can't thank you enough!

JeffDunham.com

If you have not read Jeff's book, All By My Selves, I highly recommend that you do so. Not only enlightening and entertaining, but Jeff's personal stories (and pictures) are reminders once again of the importance of focus and goal setting play in building a successful career. Well written, I found the book hard to put down, and when I turned the final page next day after first opening the book, I'll admit I felt inspired to kick things up a notch myself! Thank you, Jeff!

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And now, also thanks to Jeff, I have a few prizes to award via today's drawings.

Talking Walter Backpack Clip goes to: Kenneth Fulk

Talking Walter Pens: Geoffrey Moran, Mark Edson, Larry Columbo

Abe Buzzard: Fowl play

Nearly a century ago, Abe Buzzard, and his brother Ike, were notorious Pennsylvania chicken thieves for more than 50 years. Periodic prison terms forced them to take breaks from their unusual chosen career, and Abe, while serving one sentence in 1913, claimed to have "seen the light" and was paroled. He stated his desire was to spend the rest of his life "converting other sinners". So weekdays he went from church to church throughout southeastern Pennsylvania giving inspiring talks. Each weekend, however, he returned home to the Welsh mountains where he was subsequently caught robbing a hen coop. In 1929 he drew 9-18 years for chicken theft. Death, however, released him from serving out that sentence.

Although Abe Buzzard is no longer among the living, inspiring talks from a puppet namesake will soon resume. Del Burkholder asked me to create a likeness of Abe Buzzard which he will use in seminars and lectures. Using the life examples of this loveable outlaw from the 19th and early 20th century, wrapped in humor, they will discuss obstacles that create falling away from the faith. The saga of Abe Buzzard takes yet another turn... (And the life of a maker of puppets is never dull. :-)

From Wilma Swartz:

Yesterday, Bishop Kirk Smith, The Bishop of the State of Arizona, was participating in the 50th anniversary of St. Christoper's Church in Peoria AZ. After doing confirmations, he brought out Shorty and VENTertained the children as well as adults. He knew I was a vent immediately because I had made the coin (Mr. D's Collector Coin) into a necklace and I was wearing it over my vestment. (That's me beside the Bishop in the photo.)

Later, Bishop Kirk told me he had bought Shorty from you a ways back and had you repair Shorty recently. He asked me what I do for sticking mouths. I replied by first asking him where Shorty is kept? In his car and garage, was his reply*. I told him Shorty can't be in constantly changing temperatures because it can cause damage. Shorty told Bishop Kirk to take better care of him or he was going to take him out behind the chuck wagon and have a long talk with him!

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*Note from Mr. D: I cringe to think of a vent figure being kept in any car or garage anywhere. But in Arizona? Human or dummy, that could be deadly!

Restoration questions

Question: A friend gave me a very old figure, small and in rough shape. I want to restore him. The face is cracking and peeling, but underneath is a very strong shell of something like wood dough. I'm trying to decide how to redo the face. A thin layer of Magic sculpt? Or perhaps spackling?

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From Mr. D: The composition material these older dolls were made from can be repaired quite successfully. Just don't let water soak into the cracks as the material swells and breaks down. Spackling works well to fill the smaller cracks. I use plastic wood dough to fill larger cracks, replace missing larger chips, and even close the wide gaps alongside the mouth. (Magic Sculpt would work also, I believe.) Fill, sand, and repeat as often as necessary to get a smooth finish. I then spray the head with clear shellac (at least two coats) before painting with acrylic paints. Take your time - patience is rewarded on jobs such as this.

Today's winner

Today's my youngest brother's birthday, and he's the corporate type in our family, so in his honor (and since I did not get him a gift), I'm awarding this gift today with him in mind!

One framed "Dummy Corporation" postcard goes to: Bryce Gardner

P.S. Happy Birthday, Bro!

Native American Ventrilo-ett

You haven't seen a lot recently about my Ventrilo-ett puppets. It's not because I've not been building them; I do build to order, and enjoy doing so, knowing they are wonderfully easy and effective to use.

However, I try not to let myself get too far distracted from what I consider my true calling - that of figure maker. So when figure orders are "on the board" I don't go too far out of my way to seek other types work.

But, last week when asked by a blog reader if I could build a Native American Ventrilo-ett for use in ministry to US Native Americans, that was a cause I wanted to be a part of in my small way, and here you see the result.

* * * * *

This just in from the owner:

"Thank you for the excellent job you did in creating the Native American Ventrilo-ett. I have used it less than 48 hours after receiving it for a program for over 100 individuals. The placement of the mouth lever is perfect to be used with either hand. I used it with my left hand as I used the ventriloquist figure with my right hand. The ventrilo-etts are perfect to complement an existing routine with one's favorite figure. I'm confident it will be used wonderfully on our mission trip to the Native Americans this next week."

"Hinged Hips"

I built the base of this figure's body with a hinged portion onto which the legs were attached. When placed in the sitting position, the legs extend from the very front of the torso in a natural sitting position. But when held upright, the legs automatically swing straight down in a very natural standing position. It's all about appearance.

Retro-Figures

During the 1940s and into the 1950s, Fred and Madeleine Maher sold ventriloquist figures converted from the commercial ventriloquist dolls of that time period. Such as the very cute dolls by Regal Doll Company. Some of you will remember the names of Russell and Dale, for example.

When I purchased Maher Studios in 1969 I began, with limited success, to recreate some of those same characters. But I had to give up their construction (or chose to do so) when my backlog of orders had extended delivery times to 12 months or more.

Today, after 40 years figure making experience and with modern material to work with, I know I can do better. So maybe to satisfy my own urges as much as the desire to produce a more accurate likeness of those early figures to market, I've set about to produce a limited series of 36" "Retro-figures". You see one such head here with final imperfections being dealt with.

My goal is to have a finished product ready to introduce by the end of the month. It will be introduced first right here on this blog.

Kid Show Ventriloquism

132 pages of proven advice and tips for Kidshow success! By the Kidshow expert, Mark Wade, who performs more than 400 Kidshows per year! Check out the chapter titles:
1) Why Kidshow Ventriloquism
2) Vent Mechanics for Kidshows
3) Bringing the Act Together
4) Kidshow Comedy Technique
5) Mark Wade's Kidshow Stuff
6) Kidshow Potourii
7) Comedy Props and Visual Humor
8) Kidshow Troubleshooting
9) Showmanship Tips For the Working Vent
10) Marketing Your Show
11) Ask-a-Vent
12) Parting Thoughts

KidShow Ventriloquism: $9.95 each postpaid. Contact Mr. D to order your copy.

And via today's drawing I am giving one signed copy of Kidshow ventriloquism to Joyce Bowen.

Bonus: Chapter Seven contains nearly a dozen suggested ways to incorporate comedy props and visual humor into the act. The following post is just one of them for your enjoyment and use.

Eye See You

By Mark Wade

(KidShow Ventriloquism)

This funny bit involves using the Peachey Keene Giant Binoculars. I bring my puppet friend out and say "Well, Tommy, we certainly have a great audience today! Boys and girls as far as the eye can see!" The puppet says, "I can't see everybody - especially the kids in the back!"

I take out of my suitcase a pair of giant binoculars and put them up to the puppet's face. On the lens end of the binoculars are two giant eyeballs - supposedly the puppet's eyes magnified by the binoculars. This gets a huge laugh and I let the puppet scan the room so everybody can see the puppet's big eyes in the binoculars.

I then have him pan around to me. I'm so close to him that the puppet screams, which gets another laugh. I say, "What's wrong?" The puppet answers, "I thought I saw the Grand Canyon - but it had teeth! Wait a minute - I was looking at your mouth!"

The power of association

From Bob Abdou:

I've always had the belief that one wanting to learn ventriloquism you can read all the books, watch all the videos, listen to all the audio tapes - but nothing beats association, one on one with your peers. I am proof that association can make one a better entertainer.

Having 22 folks, from Texas and the surrounding area, make the effort to associate at our gathering made me feel proud. My wife June and I wanted to make sure all our guests were treated like royalty. Some have asked me about repeating the event next year? My only answer is, "How could I not?"

Everybody left happy, everybody felt good about their craft, and most of all, everybody left with new friends for life.

Guest of Honor

Peter Rich, a resident of San Antonio, is "mostly retired" from his lifetime career as a professional ventriloquist. Health matters do limit his travel, but thanks to Bob Abdou, Peter, accompanied by his well-known sidekick, "Rawhide", was able to enjoy the recent Texas ventriloquist gathering.

Peter still performs when he has opportunity and Tom Rogers told me Peter and "Rawhide" were the hit of the open mic session and continued to entertain during informal chat sessions. Although Peter will turn 90 this June, Lori Bruner said, "he is so quick-witted and has quite the sense of humor!" (I've always found Peter's humor refreshingly unique as you will see in the post that follows.)

During dinner Peter shared stories of Frank Marshall and Paul Winchell. "Rawhide" was carved by Marshall over 50 years ago at a cost of $350. Peter has been invited to return for next year's gathering, of course, as will all vents and puppeteers in the area of Austin (or willing to make the trek).

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Contributing to this post: Thomas Rogers, Charles Prouty, and Lori Bruner

Peter Rich 'Rites

During the 1970s and into the '80s, Peter Rich was a columnist contributor to the Newsy Vents newsletter of which I was editor. Peter was an interesting writer. I never knew what to expect when I opened his envelopes (no email in those days!), although I could be certain his piece would be original and creative. Here's one of Peter's columns from 1980 written while he was working aboard a cruise ship:


Ventriloquism With Porpoise

by Peter Rich

This extended engagement on a Caribbean cruise ship has been fun, but the tropical sun overworks the imagination. Suppose the ship sinks and the only survivor is the ventriloquist figure. It floats ashore on a lonely island where it is found by a talking porpoise.


The sea creature quickly learns ventriloquism. During his practice sessions he attracts whales and porpoises for an audience.


Marlin Perkins finds this duo and puts them on his TV show, Wild Kingdom. Disney Studios signs them for a feature film in living water color, The Prince and the Porpoise.


The ventriloquist porpoise finds himself on talk shows, usually doing his act in a water tank. With so much exposure underwater, the dummy starts warping. The egotistical porpoise doesn't notice his act falling apart. He's too busy blowing bubbles without moving his lips.


Booking agents refuse to book the act because the dummy resembles withered driftwood. To keep the porpoise from visiting the office and dripping on their rugs, the agent books him on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. During the night the cruise director throws him overboard in the Bermuda Triangle.


Ah, but wait - Jacques Cousteau happens to be filming another underwater saga and ... of no, not again!


Now, if all you readers will send a dollar, we'll hire a hit man. Perhaps Charlie the Tuna.