Frank Marshall, Bob King and The Great Lester

ventriloquists-at-magicians-convention

 

It is always fun to see and read about our great mentors of the past. This particular article and picture was from the Davenport Democrat & Leader back in the 1940’s.

(Click on the picture for a larger view) The caption may be hard to read, so here’s what is written:

Ventriloquists were among those attending the 15th annual convention of the International Brotherhood of Magicians which opened Wednesday at Hotel Blackhawk. At the left is Bobby King who talks for “Tiny” the smallest working professional dummy in the world. At right is the Great Lester, veteran ventriloquist who taugh Edgar Bergen, and at the rear is Frank Marshall, Chicago, who made the Charlie McCarthy model the Great Lester is holding. Marshall is credited with making the original Charlie McCarthy.

We all know that Frank Marshall promoted himself as the creator of Charlie McCarthy even though Mr Bergen said differently but this picture is great because it shows Frank with a Charlie McCarthy figure he made and the Great Lester is holding same. It is a great Marshall figure and I would love to have it for my collection. Shows that Frank certainly made Charlie McCarthy copies even while Mr Bergen was at the top of his game.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. His collection of ventriloquist figures now numbers over 100 figures of which there are over 50 Frank Marshall figures. Because of his love for the art of ventriloquism, Mr. Willinger created the website Ventriloquist Central. For more information about the website, go to: http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com

Copyright 2009 by Dan Willinger

NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to: webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com

This entry was posted in Edgar Bergen, Frank Marshall Figure (Dummy), Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Figure (Dummy) Makers, Ventriloquist Figures. Bookmark the permalink.

2 Responses to Frank Marshall, Bob King and The Great Lester

  1. LeeDean says:

    Marshall sure made a beautiful figure, with lines so crisp and defined.

  2. LeeDean says:

    And it looks like this Charlie has the extra-large hands, or it may be the first finger pointing ones.

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