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From Mr. D: Thank you, Kirk, for the picture! Excellent costuming. I'll bet the kids (and adults) loved your presentations! And will not soon forget them.
6/17/12
Ancient Eddie
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From Mr. D: Thank you, Kirk, for the picture! Excellent costuming. I'll bet the kids (and adults) loved your presentations! And will not soon forget them.
6/16/12
Final Performance of Mickey Baltz tonight!
One year ago, the cute, wooden-headed character underwent a major transformation when Jim Barber was asked to perform a restoration of this 78 year old ventriloquist figure on behalf of the puppets real-life family.
This Saturday night (June 16, 2012), 20 members of the Baltz family including Mickey’s “Momma,” 94 year-old Clora Baltz, will be attending the Hamner Barber Variety Show to experience this final performance of their little, wooden “son” Mickey. It promises to be a special moment for all in attendance!
Read the full story: here
A friend in need is a friend indeed
I have a new ventriloquist figure, Arnie, made by Dan Payes. I would like to give a REALLY BIG THANKS for the generosity of Eden Hutchinson and to Bob Abdou for his friendship.
I have found that vents are some of the most welcoming of all performers, especially newcomers. Eden Evan Hutchinson was the previous owner and contacted Bob Abdou to share how he wanted to help out someone that would use this figure. Bob thought of me, since we met and became friends at the Texas Vent and Puppet Gathering in Austin last year and we've stayed in contact since then. He knew I didn't have a professional hard figure yet. I would like to give both of them BIG THANKS for Arnie - Bob for getting us together and Eden for helping out someone in need.
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From Mr. D: Thanks for sharing! Your story again proves what a great ventriloquist community we are all a part of - like, yourself, I am very grateful and blessed!
6/15/12
Mark Wade Writes
I like to go and see other vents work. I try to take in all the details of their act, stage presence, puppet manipulation, voices, and other things. But one area I think we overlook sometimes is the maintenance of our show equipment...how it looks to the general public.
I've seen sound systems so beat up and dirty that I am embarrassed for the vent. Suitcases nicked, scratched and microphones caps who need a thorough cleaning. Also case covers (if they have them..) need to also be taken care of.
I suggest when you have some down time to lay out all your equipment, even down to the puppet's clothes themselves, and evaluate the entire show. You'd be surprised how much some Armor All can bring back the shine to cases, and a little touch up paint can make a huge difference in overall appearance. Don't forget cleaning the puppet's clothes or changing outfits. This is important too. I also highly recommend getting case covers made for almost all of you equipment. It keeps everything a lot cleaner if you have to cart things in and out from you car during bad weather.
Remember...people judge your act from the time you walk in the door to the time you leave. Give yourself an advantage with clean and properly maintained equipment. You'll feel good..and you act will shine in more ways than one!
markwade@kidshowvent.com
6/13/12
Ventriloquist Stickers - Free!
Charlie at the museum
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From Mr. D: Thank you for the photo of Charlie at the Smithsonian! I'd love to visit that Museum but I doubt I'll ever have the opportunity, so you sharing your photo is much appreciated!
6/12/12
Movie Trivia
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From Mr. D: Truthfully, I had no idea. But thanks to several readers more knowlegable than me, I can tell you the movie is "The Miracle Woman". See all comments below for details, movie trailer links, etc. THANK YOU, folks! You're the best!
6/11/12
Vent Videos For Sale
VHS VIDEO HAVE I GOT A STORY FOR YOU starring SHARI LEWIS, Lamb Chop and other puppets. (One of Shari’s best, in my opinion.). http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290725551500
VHS VIDEO LAUGHS FOR SALE includes VENTRILOQUIST PAUL WINCHELL with JERRY MAHONEY. 1963 ABC TV. With Hall March (host). Amateur and professional gag writers try out the wares on old-time jokesters. 29 minutes. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261041519300
VHS VIDEO MAGIC STAR TRAVELER Vol. 1 With VENTRILOQUIST JERRY LAYNE and PUPPETS. 1986 Meet Solar the space captain and his friends Luster, Moonshine and Imagination as they explore that funny bird, the Stork, and that delightful bird, the Puffin. For ages 7-11. Jerry tells me he made 86 shows for TV but he has only found Vols. 1, 2, and 3. I have two of those volumes here. Approx. 60 minutes: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261041521326
VHS VIDEO MAGIC STAR TRAVELER Vol. 3 with VENTRILOQUIST JERRY LAYNE and PUPPETS. 1986. Solar space captain and his friends Luster, Moonshine and Imagination go back in time. Explore with them the lands, seas, and skies of the earth. Learn the balance of nature and man’s responsibility to preserve the wondrous variety found on earth. For ages 7-11. Approx. 60 minutes. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290725560611
VHS VIDEO LAUGHS FOR SALE includes VENTRILOQUIST PAUL WINCHELL with JERRY MAHONEY. 1963 ABC TV. With Hall March (host). Amateur and professional gag writers try out the wares on old-time jokesters. 29 minutes. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261041519300
VHS VIDEO MAGIC STAR TRAVELER Vol. 3 with VENTRILOQUIST JERRY LAYNE and PUPPETS. 1986. Solar space captain and his friends Luster, Moonshine and Imagination go back in time. Explore with them the lands, seas, and skies of the earth. Learn the balance of nature and man’s responsibility to preserve the wondrous variety found on earth. For ages 7-11. Approx. 60 minutes. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290725560611
6/10/12
Books For Sale
mahertalk@apol.com
SCHOOL JOKE GAG FILE by Paul Everett, 100 Gags in Dialogue Style, ready to cut and file. 1985. New and unread copy (1 only) SOLD.
First come, first serve on all the above.
6/9/12
For Sale (eBay):
1) Packet of Convention Lecture Notes and bonus items: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261040164953
2) Misc. 1990s LOT OF CATALOGS, BROCHURES, FLYERS, ETC., FROM VENTRILOQUIST FIGURE MAKERS http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290724426848
3) MISC. LOT OF VENTRILOQUIST NEWSPAPER, MAGAZINE CLIPPINGS/ARTICLES. Partial List of Vents featured in this collection of material: Frank Marshall, Phil DeRey, Jay Johnson, Paul Winchell, Jay Marshall, Senor Wences, Peter Rolston, Peter Rich, Arty Freda, Jim Barber, Bob Abdou, Judy Buch, Clinton Detweiler, Tim Selberg. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261040359563
3) MISC. LOT OF VENTRILOQUIST NEWSPAPER, MAGAZINE CLIPPINGS/ARTICLES. Partial List of Vents featured in this collection of material: Frank Marshall, Phil DeRey, Jay Johnson, Paul Winchell, Jay Marshall, Senor Wences, Peter Rolston, Peter Rich, Arty Freda, Jim Barber, Bob Abdou, Judy Buch, Clinton Detweiler, Tim Selberg. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261040359563
6/8/12
Coin comment and question
Question: Hi Clinton, I just received my vent coins series 2012-A. They are awesome. I can't
wait until the next series. I was wondering if you had any 2 cent coins around?
I seem to have lost mine. I have the 5 dollar one. Thank You. Lou T
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From Mr. D: I agree, series 2012-A is awesome and the second series 2012-B will be equally so. I hope to have them in hand in approximately two weeks. You can see the artist proofs here: http://www.hofcoins.blogspot.com (I am accepting advance and prepaid orders now.)
I do have a handful of the 2 cent coins. They are: Three for $5.00
I also have the 2011 Jimmy Nelson $5 coins: $7.50 each or two for $10.00,
and, I have the 2011 $7 ("7/11") coin: $10 each or two for $15.
The 2010 $5 coin which you have is out of supply - don't lose the one you have!
wait until the next series. I was wondering if you had any 2 cent coins around?
I seem to have lost mine. I have the 5 dollar one. Thank You. Lou T
* * * * *
From Mr. D: I agree, series 2012-A is awesome and the second series 2012-B will be equally so. I hope to have them in hand in approximately two weeks. You can see the artist proofs here: http://www.hofcoins.blogspot.com (I am accepting advance and prepaid orders now.)
I do have a handful of the 2 cent coins. They are: Three for $5.00
I also have the 2011 Jimmy Nelson $5 coins: $7.50 each or two for $10.00,
and, I have the 2011 $7 ("7/11") coin: $10 each or two for $15.
The 2010 $5 coin which you have is out of supply - don't lose the one you have!
6/7/12
Looking for a Ventrilo-ett
From Mariann. Martin
June 21, an ISHS member and I will be traveling to Poland for our conference. I will be doing a workshop June 28 relating to the July 8-20 summer session I am enrolled in at Haifa University. Thanks to extensive networking within both universities, I will be visiting 4 hospitals and perhaps other educational facilities and/or a senior facility. I will be taking a vast array of props/balloons to 'play with' while traveling and to use at both universities with participants from dozens of countries.
My goal: introduce, ‘pump’, encourage USA vents, puppet makers, ‘clowning’ ‘stuff’, web sites, related conventions and so forth. But my main goal here is to acquire a (preferred, non-seasonal) ventrilo-ett. (‘perfect’ for carry-on bag). Thus, I am seeking the ‘vent’ community’s support to help me with this endeavor. THANKS for your interest and support.
* * * * *
From Mr. D: If you can help Mariann with her Ventrilo-ett search, drop me an email and I will forward it to Mariann.
June 21, an ISHS member and I will be traveling to Poland for our conference. I will be doing a workshop June 28 relating to the July 8-20 summer session I am enrolled in at Haifa University. Thanks to extensive networking within both universities, I will be visiting 4 hospitals and perhaps other educational facilities and/or a senior facility. I will be taking a vast array of props/balloons to 'play with' while traveling and to use at both universities with participants from dozens of countries.
My goal: introduce, ‘pump’, encourage USA vents, puppet makers, ‘clowning’ ‘stuff’, web sites, related conventions and so forth. But my main goal here is to acquire a (preferred, non-seasonal) ventrilo-ett. (‘perfect’ for carry-on bag). Thus, I am seeking the ‘vent’ community’s support to help me with this endeavor. THANKS for your interest and support.
* * * * *
From Mr. D: If you can help Mariann with her Ventrilo-ett search, drop me an email and I will forward it to Mariann.
6/6/12
6/5/12
Charlie Spoon Ad
Attached is a photo of an ad for the Charlie McCarthy spoon. Sorry for the angle and glare, but it's mounted and framed and I had to photograph it at an angle so there was as little glare from overhead lighting as possible.
This particular ad is tabloid size. It's from The New York Times Magazine of April 3, 1938. I also have the same ad in full broadsheet size.... somewhere. Also somewhere I have a full page ad for the entire Charlie flatware set.
* * * * *
Note: The photo below was sent by Dave Miller who framed his copy of the ad with two of the actual spoons.
Reviving the past
6/4/12
CD spoon question
Question: "Clinton, I was wondering if in your travels you have ever seen a print ad for the Charlie McCarthy spoon or utensil set? I know they were a premium for Chase and Sanborn but the must of advertised it somehow or was it just a radio offer? I have the complete set and wanted to put the add behind them as a display. Thank you for all you do for our art, but most of all thank you for your friendship over these many years." Chuck
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From Mr. D: I do not remember a print ad for the spoons, but maybe some reader does? (The best thing about all the years we've been in this business is the friends we have made!)
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From Mr. D: I do not remember a print ad for the spoons, but maybe some reader does? (The best thing about all the years we've been in this business is the friends we have made!)
6/3/12
Reader Comment
From Rev Russell Baker
A few weeks ago, our church had a prayer rally for America. We had a luncheon before doing the prayer rally. During the luncheon, my wife, oldest son, and I performed some Gospel music and then I did a ventriloquist dialogue with Festus. We had a great time.
This summer we will be taking some Gospel music and a ventriloquist skit to one of the low-income complexes in town. Ventriloquism certainly gives a great opportunity in spreading the Gospel!
A few weeks ago, our church had a prayer rally for America. We had a luncheon before doing the prayer rally. During the luncheon, my wife, oldest son, and I performed some Gospel music and then I did a ventriloquist dialogue with Festus. We had a great time.
This summer we will be taking some Gospel music and a ventriloquist skit to one of the low-income complexes in town. Ventriloquism certainly gives a great opportunity in spreading the Gospel!
Thank you for all the help and encouragement that you give to everyone.
6/2/12
6/1/12
HOF Coin Comment
"Hi, Clinton. I was out of the country and just returned home. I found a package from you that I forgot all about. I opened it up and there was a set of vent coins framed - all I can say is, wow, what a nice welcome home surprise! I forgot that I had ordered a set and I am glad I did. They are top notch with great detail. To others: Don’'t let this pass you by or you will be sorry that you did not order. Clinton, you can put me down for the next set when they come in. Once again, great job. Thanks so much." Bob Steininger
Maher Graduate
Tyne is pictured here with "Cheeky", his "sometimes naughty, but always playful" Axtell puppet, According to Tyne, "Everyone loves him and I get a lot of enjoyment from him." Isn't that the way it should be?
Congratulations, Tyne!
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