![DSCN1911[1]](http://ventriloquistcentralblog.com/wordpress_vcblog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/dscn19111.jpg)
I have a new in the plastic wrap Bill Baird book for sale and using my copy which is already opened I took a few pictures so you could get an idea as to what is in the book.
Like this blog post? Buy me a coffee or send me a tip!
Here’s a video showing a Frank Marshall 1937 Nosey Ventriloquist Figure. One of Frank Marshall’s most popular face was called Nosey in his 1931 Catalogue.
This was the face that Paul Winchell used to create his famous character Jerry Mahoney. This one is a bit smaller standing only 36″ tall. He only has mouth movement and it is done with the ring pull.
Like this blog post? Buy me a coffee or send me a tip!
Wood Dough or Plastic Wood has been around for years. The type that was sold long ago did have some contents that in today’s heath standards can no longer be used such as lead. That being said you can still make a wood dough on your own and it does work really well. I have tried this myself. Once hardened it is able to be carved and sanded smooth. I have given you the formula below.
What you will need to make wood dough:
1 cup of clean sawdust (you can get it at the craft store)
1/2 cup flour
1 tablespoon liquid starch (it’s in the laundry section)
1 cup of water
Here’s a video showing an Al Semok Little Girl Ventriloquist Figure. Al Semok, the Dummy Doctor, has made some great ventriloquist figures over the years and today I would like to share a rather fine example of his work.
This figure is quite possibly the smallest rather loaded figure he has produced. It is a girl figure and is so sweet and proportioned just right for walk around ventriloquism. This figure is all original and stands a whopping 23″ tall, She has slot jaw, side to side self centering eyes, winkers, and blinkers.
Like this blog post? Buy me a coffee or send me a tip!
Up until the 1980′s most all ventriloquists used hard figures in their performance. Also most figures were carved from wood and the wood of choice was and still is basswood. The reason for this is that basswood has a very tight grain but is rather soft and there for lends itself to the carving knife.
There have been figures made from other woods. John Turner made his figures from pine. Turner precut most of his parts and then layered them for completion. You look at a Turner figure and they are almost all identical in looks.
Like this blog post? Buy me a coffee or send me a tip!
Here is lesson number eight from our good friend and regular contributor ventriloquist/puppeteer, Bob Abdou aka Mr. Puppet with his video he calls “Tidbit in a Minute.”
Today’s video is “Thespian.”
Like this blog post? Buy me a coffee or send me a tip!
Here’s a video showing a Bill Nelson Ventriloquist Figure, possibly number one. Bill sculpted in clay and then the heads were cast in fiberglass.
No molds of these figures were made so they are one of a kind. Bill had someone in Richmond do the jaw mechanics and that was the only function in the very first figures.
Like this blog post? Buy me a coffee or send me a tip!
Dan Christopher of Florida Magic and Sound, sent in this little story and photo of Walter Walters Jr:
Like this blog post? Buy me a coffee or send me a tip!
Here’s a video showing Jay Marshall’s Ken Spencer ventriloquist figure and the rolling eyes mechanism.
Like this blog post? Buy me a coffee or send me a tip!
I was surprised but I received a few questions from different folks wanting to see and know how Walter Walters Jr. kept his figures hanging on the underside of the performance stand so rather than write to each person I decided to photograph and show how he accomplished this set up.
Attached to the back side of the shoulder board he attached what to me look like ordinary kitchen cabinet handles. The on the performance stand center post he attached U shaped brackets on to which those handles would sit.
Like this blog post? Buy me a coffee or send me a tip!
I was asked about a picture of Frowning Charlie McCarthy by one of our followers here on Ventriloquist Central and I told him I knew that the frowning Charlie was done for a movie but I could not recall which movie it was.
The next day I had an email from him with all the information so I thought I would share it!!
Like this blog post? Buy me a coffee or send me a tip!
Ventriloquist Chuck Fields sent us this quick note:
Hi Guys,
I was on WGN Chicago’s Morning News this week promoting my appearance at this weekend’s National Day of Puppetry.
All the best,
Chuck Field
Thanks Chuck for sharing this video.
Like this blog post? Buy me a coffee or send me a tip!
