From Mark Wade



http://www.hofcoins.blogspot.com

Clinton, I was completely overjoyed at the coins you sent!!  WOW!!!!!  You outdid yourself with them and I am proud and honored to be on this set. They are beautiful, Clinton, and I am delighted.
I have them in a place of honor in my office.  I put the one in the round coin box in my curio cabinet in the office and have the album in a secure place in there as well.

I am also honored to be among such distinguished vents like Terry, Jay, and Jim.  Pleae keep up the wonderful work you do at Maher!

If only it were this easy....

#1 Longer Black hair

 ....for humans! 

Emmitt:  Here are four "looks" for you to check out.  Bear in mind that these are not finished wigs.  The hair is only temporary, unsecured to the head, and all need some final styling.

With whichever color and style you choose, the eyebrows will be made to match the hair. 

And any can be made up with or without a mustache.

(P.S. Donna, I'll have pics for you to choose from tomorrow.)

#2 Longer white hair

#3 short white hair

#4 Medium gray hair

A friend in need...

I rarely ask for donations, but from time to time a situation arises when I feel it is appropriate to consider a person or project worthy of such.  With that in mind, meet young Stephen Matthews, son of Bill Matthews.   You may recognize Bill's name since has contributed to this blog on several past occasians.

When I suggested to Bill that he consider a purchase of a set of the Hall of Fame coins, I received this reply:

Stephen Matthews with "Buddy"

"Thank you so much, Clinton! I really appreciate it. I do plan on purchasing all the coins eventually. However, being a missionary on deputation (the web site for our ministry is www.roapm.com.), funds are quite tight. I'm hoping/praying to get caught up soon so we have some "spare" cash. One of the things I really want to get is a better figure for Stephen (my 10-yr-old). He's practicing with his modified Willie Talk, but I'd like to be able to get a nicer, more professional figure and surprise him with it when he graduates from the Maher Course."

I love it when young people take up the art of ventriloquism, especially when their interest continues to the point where it becomes obvious it is more than a passing fad.  And when both Father and son are vents, that's even better!  As I read Bill's note, I thought, "I wonder if there is someone who follows my blog who might have a vent figure (hard puppet) no longer being used, and would consider donating it to Stephen so he can 'graduate' to a more professional figure?"  I know it's a 'long shot', but it never hurts to ask!
*  *  *  *
Update for Mr. D: I'm very moved by the number of readers who responded to this post!  You are the best!  A figure has been chosen for Stephen - full story to follow.

From Broadway Stage to your living room!



"Bob" with  Jay Johnson
photo by Carol Rosegg

I did not know about the planned filming of Jay Johnson's Tony award winning "Two and Only" Show when I was planning the production of set #2 (2012-B) of the Hall of Fame coins.  But the timing was perfect.

 The Two and Only! will play two performances (2 PM and 8 PM) on Sept. 15 at Thalian Hall in Wilmington, North Carolina. The performances at Thalian Hall are being staged for filming by director Bryan W. Simon and producer Marjorie A. Engesser for Montivagus Productions.  Home video distribution and/or future broadcast information will be announced at a later date.   Read the full details: Playbill.com - http://ow.ly/bVimh

Surely this event will make the set of 2012-B even more desirable as collector's and investment items.  Only 200 sets were produced.  Order yours now: http://www.hofcoins.blogspot.com

Surprise roots!

When Emmitt Grant contacted me about the possibility of making over his Knee Pal, he included a picture.  I immediately recognized the Knee Pal character known as Lum Barr Jack.  The charcter was created by Lovik, and I would have surmised was built by either Craig or Keith.  But upon opening the head I discovered it was signed by Barry VanWert.  (9/95)  Barry, an excellent young craftsman, built figures for Lovik World for only a short period of a couple years, so this particular character is even more of a rarity than I realized.  You see him here as he arrived at my shop.  I'm going to try a couple different looks so Emmitt can decide which he prefers.  I'll share the final result with you in just a few days.

Hall of Fame Coin comment

"The coins are amazing and I think these will be fantastic, especially for collectors. Thank you so much for including me."   Jim Barber
*  *  *  *  *
From Mr. D:  It is our pleasure, Jim.  We have long admired your professional skills and cherish your friendship! 

Note to blog readers: Please go to the Hamner/Barber web site via the lick below to read and enjoy the amazing article Jim wrote about the Hall of Fame coins, including a short bio on each of the eight honorees thus far.  Thank you, Jim!

http://www.hamnerbarber.com/2012/06/25/jim-barber-honored-on-ventriloquist-hall-of-fame-coin/

Recipient Reaction

Order your coins now:
http://www.hofcoins.blogspot.com

"I received the coins and I am just so honored to be a part of your series. It was just amazing to be included with these legendary vents.  I will speak to my team and see if we can purchase some of them to resell on my web site. I think my fans would really like to have them!"
 Terry Fator

Vote for Pete on AGT!

America's Got Talent has selected the video of Pete Michaels and The Little Tenor as one of the TOP 20 VIDEOS! If they get enough votes, they will get to appear on the show in Vegas!

Please VOTE FOR PETE who thanks you for the votes! “The Little Tenor” video is gaining momentum!

Remember, you can vote once a day until July 7th! www.youtube.com/agt

Vent Haven Commercial

From Jennifer Dawson

Vent Haven Curator

At last year’s ConVENTion I mentioned to you all that we had the opportunity to shoot a television commercial for a wireless telephone company that is located on the West coast. Well, it’s taken about a year to be completed, but it just aired this past week. I thought you might enjoy seeing the finished product!

A special thanks goes out to Tom Ladshaw for participating in the shoot and to local vent Dylan Burdette. They were so helpful during the 4- 5 hours of shooting. It’s a shame that we only get to see 30 seconds!

Here it is…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMA9hV_L2tg

Jen

They're here!

The new 2012-B set of Hall of Fame Coins arrived yesterday. 
I will be spending this weekend preparing all prepaid orders
to ship Monday.  And, I welcome additional orders always!
Your support is needed and greatly appreciated!

For Sale

IT WAS ONLY PUPPET LOVE; VENTRILOQUIST RICHARD THORPE reveals for readers all the secrets of ventriloquism! Voice Contrast, Lip Control, The Ventriloquial Character, Actions and reactions, cue Tips, Routines and How to Write Them, Distant Ventriloquism, Your Early Performances, Going Professional. 57 pages. 8.5" x 11" 1979 Very good condition. Rare!  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290732395671

For Sale (rare!)

VENTRILO-WISDOM by VENTRILOQUIST DANNY TOWNSEND. This hard-to-find limited edition book was Published in 1974. 93 pages 8.5x11". Like new condition.

Section One includes: Correct breathing, Voice resonance, Ventriloquist Voice, Labial Sound substitutions, Choosing and manipulating the Ventriloquist Figure, How to Tell Jokes/Timing, Practice Routine, Distant Voice Illusion, Sample contract (and more).

Section Two includes: Opening Routine, Getting Started, General Gags, Writing Your Own Material, Magic with Vent, Tricks of the Trade, Talking Ping-pong Paddle, TV Commercial Ideas, Publicity and Advertising, W.S.Berger and Vent Haven, Complete idea for Children’s TV Show, Christmas Routine, Audience Participation (and more).
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261051032377

Peter's Birthday dinner party

From Charles Prouty:

I just wanted to share with you and your readers about the fantastic day we had with Peter Rich. As you know Peter turned 91 this past Sunday, and to celebrate a few of us vents gathered in San Antonio for a small but festive celebration. Bob and I picked up Peter at his apartment and took him to Jim's for dinner. We were joined by David Pitts and Ron Arnold. We enjoyed a good dinner and even better conversation. Peter again held us captive with stories about his career and his experiences in show business. Peter's humor and quick whit never stops! He was flirting with our waitress and when she told him she was married, he replied "some people have two cars". Even the waitress could not stop laughing.

After dinner we pulled out the puppets (what else are a bunch of vents going to do) and had a nice little "Puppet Jam" there in the restaurant. All the customers gathered and took pictures with us. We managed to bring smiles to everyone's face.

I have only known Peter for about 6 years, but I am honored to call him a good friend.

Front row: David Pitts (left) and Peter Rich (center)
Back row L-R: Bob Abdou, Charles Prouty, Ron Arnold

For Sale

TIPS FROM A PRO by VENTRILOQUIST JOE GANDELMAN; blunt answers to frequently asked questions about ventriloquists, ventriloquism, and "going full-time". For ventriloquists and ventriloquists-to-be. No question is dodged. Designed and written to save you headaches and increase your income! 41 pages. 1994. 8.5" x 11". Very good condition.  One copy only.  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261051025184

Classroom report

From Rodney McVey:

Bufford & I are going to my grand daughters Kindergarten class Tuesday and you can rest assured that his case, will be adorned with several of your novel sticker labels! Just like the looks I see, when I go around with my classic '67 Pontiac Tempest, I appreciate the looks I get not only from the children, but the adults as well when they see Buford. Ventriloquist "dummies" were something you'd occasionally see on TV or special events, (not to be confused with Newsy-Vents), many decades ago. Now, they are mostly cast as containing long, dead, evil spirits so, some of the kids are pretty reluctant to get to close right away...but the adults are on the edge of their seats, with anticipation, waiting for me to open my case.   Thanks for being a part of these memorable moments, from your contributions both past & present, in the field of ventriloquism!
*  *  *  *  *  *
From Mr. D:  The fact that some kids are reluctant to see a vent figure closeup is not necessarily a bad thing from the perspective of a performer. It makes performing easier...but once they see the figure in action and have time to connect with him and his personality you may still have to ask them to "back away". :-) When all is said and done, I suspect the classmates of your granddaughter are going to be envious, wishing their grandpa was a ventriloquist!

 *  *  *  *  *  *I

Follow-up from Rodney:   One Kindergarten student had seen "someone like Buford" before, on the Internet and none of the pre-K students said they had ever seen "someone like Buford," but a few were very cautious.  Plus, a couple of the teachers said they had never seen a ventriloquist figure in person before. They all commented on his face & how realistic it was...   Over all, they all had a great experience that hopefully will stay with them for a long time!

 The school we visited was Elmwood Elementary in Syracuse, NY. Because of budget cut backs, this is the last year that Elmwood will be operating. That's why "we" decided to do a walk through together and visit as many students and teachers as was allowed.  My Granddaughter, Jada, attended Kindergarten there and that was the initial reason for getting Buford "Out Of The House", for some fresh air!

Update: Second Set Hall of Fame Coins 2012-B

Flash:  This weekend I will be shipping all prepaid orders for the second set of Hall Of Fame Coins

(2012-B, featuring T. Fator, J. Johnson, J. Barber, and M. Wade).  Exciting! 

 If you have prepaid for your set(s), you can look for them to arrive next week.  If you have reserved sets or have put off ordering, NOW is the time to do so to get in on this first wave of orders.   

Bigfoot!

Grandson Jordan, just dropped me a note to tell me he listed one of his Dad's (Kevin Detweiler, seen in picture) new novelty puppets on eBay.  Looks to be a fun one for kid shows.  People have been searching for Bigfoot for years - you can be the person who found him!

You might have seen one of these in your local stores over the past year or so. They are normally a remote controlled creature that tumbles, talks, blinks, and makes noises.  But Kevin emptied this of all mechanics and then rebuilt his inside so you can operate him just like a true ventriloquist figure.

He has a big moving mouth, side to side self-centering eyes and lowering eye brows. All are controlled on a headstick. He stands 16" tall. He can also sit and wave. What a great way to have Big fun..Big surprise..with Big foot!  http://www.ebay.com/itm/BIGFOOT-Ventriloquist-Doll-Figure-NEW-/130716310207

Still delighting audiences after decades!

From Michael  Weisberg

Randy

I recently saw your post from 12/5/11 about the Knee pal figure that you refurbished. I think you called her "Frankie". I am sure this is the same figure that I purchased on ebay in February and which was called Trixie. She is a great figure with a lot of charm. I also thought that you might like to see some images of my Randy storyteller figure and Guando, my Crazy Bird.
 I purchased the Crazy Bird directly from Maher Studios when they were first released. He is black and with crossing eyes, flapping wings and squirter.  I dressed him in the checkered jacket and pants from a Juro Mortimer Snerd figure and he has been entertaining at birthdays for my kids, friends and family throughout the past 20 years. He is still one of my favorite figures.  He is starting to show his age but the mechanics still work as good as when I first received him, I think over 30 years ago. I bought Randy more recently online.

Guando

I still have squarehead (ventriloett figure) too, but some of his features (such as his ears, eyebrows) need to be replaced.  My older daughter (now 20 years old) still talks about her childhood memories of talking to "Squarehead".

By the way, I grew up in the 70's and 80's reading Newsy Vents.

Best Wishes,

Michael  Weisberg

*  *  *  *

From Mr. D:  The design, materials, and mechanics of the "Crazy Birds" were all original with me, so you know I'm pleased to hear yours is still working well and entertaining your friends and family!  You have the version we called "Penguin".  I like the distinctive character you gave him by adding the Mortimer Snerd outfit.  Very creative!  And the face on Randy looks like brand new.  He has obviously been well cared for!

One set of Five!

I have one lot of five different 1st edition copies of Dale Brown's most popular books for sale on eBay.  Win the one auction and receive the complete set of five.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261047846717

Happy Father's Day (and Birthday)

While today is "Father's Day" here in the U.S. (have a great day, guys!), Peter Rich has a double reason to celebrate as it is his 91st birthday!  Congratulations and Happy Birthday, Peter!