Awhile back I showed you pictures of two unusual figures I named “Fred and Ethel.”
I had quite a few emails wanting to see a video of the pair so here it is.
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Botley Figure In Ventriloquist Central Collection
I showed you all a wonderful picture showcasing the creations from Walt Botley, the other English ventriloquist Figure builder and so now it is my pleasure to show you one of his fabulous creations.
This is a superb example of a Cheeky boy done by Walt Botley. He is a full 40″ tall and just as with Insull figures, his head is made of paper mache. He has side to side moving eyes by way of weights.
Ventriloquist Figure Head Lock
I find it funny that the term head lock is used for ventriloquist figures. When you read this you immediately think the head is locked but how is it locked. What it means is the head is secured to the bottom board of the body in some manner. It really isn’t locked.
Many variations have been used and the most common is that of a rubber band if some sort. On the bottom of the head stick is a hook and on the bottom inside board of the body is another hook. The band is attached to both hooks and holds the head so that it will not fall out of the body.
Ron and Merle Blaskett Ventriloquists From Down Under
Back in the heyday of ventriloquism one of the most famous from Australia was Ron Blaskett.
He became very famous for his use of his Frank Marshall ventriloquist figure named Gerry Gee. Before Gerry Gee came into existence Ron and his wife Merle used Len Insull figures.
Unknown Maker Ventriloquist Frog Figure
I love the unique and unusual and this particular figure fills the bill for sure. It is a soft cloth body with a cast paper mache head covered in the same green fabric as the body with a wooden head stick with lever to control the mouth movement. The eyes are wood spheres which are painted.
The figure is from the 1960’s and I have not been able to find out any information on the maker. I thought it may have been made by Bill Boley but conclusive information is not available.
