Ventriloquist Figure Maker, Frank Marshall's Residence

Dennis-Alwood-Frank-Marshall-House Dennis-Alwood-Frank-Marshall-House02

I was quite pleased when these pictures arrived from Dennis Alwood showing him in front of, 5518 S. Loomis, Chicago… the residence of the famous ventriloquist figure maker, Frank Marshall.

Dennis visited his residence on his last trip to Chicago and thought it would be fun to show everyone where the master lived. I envy Dennis because he spent many days at the master’s shop when he was a kid and of course owned a number of Frank’s figures over the years. I know Dennis is still searching for his original Marshall figure which Madeline Maher sold on him before he could get it back.

I too marvel at the fact that all the Marshall figures in my collection came from this masters hands and many of them from this particular address.

Hey Dennis thanks for sharing this with all of us here on Ventriloquist Central.

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 2008 by Dan Willinger

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4 Responses to Ventriloquist Figure Maker, Frank Marshall's Residence

  1. Lee Dean says:

    5518 S. Loomis Blvd, Chicago, IL, a beautiful place. Dennis Alwood may remember me. I visited his apartment studio in Hollywood, believe it was or at least that was my location block or so down from Hollywood & Vine staying at an old hotel where lived a lot of old bit part actors, working as usher at Pantages, back around 1965 until my money ran out, but may have taken cab to some other part of LA to see Dennis, this at a time when he was trying to get a TV series starring Dudley figure. W.S. Berger asked me to go see Dennis, and he had the star of proposed new show out, a very fine figure, the last McElroy according to Berger as they had quit making figures but returned to the art to make this one for Dennis, a very cordial person, and Dudley the only one done in fibre glass, I believe.

  2. Duane Echols says:

    Dan,
    The content here just keeps getting better, and better! Keep up the great work!!

  3. Steve Hart says:

    GREAT BLOG. Many years before Paul Winchell’s death Paul and me had many conversations about FRANK MARSHALL. If you want to see vintage Winchell and other famous dummies visit my Website. Several pictures of Jerry Mahoney, the original made by Frank are pictured.

    Thanks for a wonderful article. Steve Hart. http://www.popeyewithstevehart.com

  4. James Garcia says:

    I happen to notice the house last sold in 2010 and has been abandoned since at least 2014 when I first see all the windows were all boarded up. Sad.

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