Ventriloquist Figure Maker, Ken Spencer as Told by RJ, Part 2

Posted on October 4, 2010 by Webmaster

A little over a week ago we had the first installment of ventriloquist figure maker, Ken Spencer, as told by RJ (if you missed it, click here).

Today we have part two:

 

Ventriloquist Figure Maker, Ken Spencer as Told by RJ, Part 2

So, after finding out about Ken Spencer, I wrote to him in Minneapolis, and he answered, sending along a fair amount of literature about his act, his history, his scripts, and his figure carving business. Obviously, I was entranced, having been bitten by the ventriloquism bug early. With this new series of events, it was if I had stumbled on a GURU, for want of a better description. At least, he became so for me.

And, after seeing his glossy postcard showing all the different figures he carved, my growing dissatisfaction with my Jerry Mahoney knock-off dummy from Sears became TOTAL; I now had a case of the ”wants” so bad, that could taste it. (I’ve never actually known what that expression meant) I just knew that SOMEHOW, SOME WAY, I had to come up with the almost-500 dollars necessary to purchase a REAL Ken Spencer FIGURE, and leave the toy world of DUMMIES behind. I began by studying everything I could about the man, and it was kind-of like getting in to a great movie when it was 3/4s over; I discovered that this man was no lightweight, having been a fixture onstage during the real ”GOLDEN AGE” of Ventriloquism, as well as having authored some of the best sight gags ever done, and his scripts for the Professional Ventriloquist were classics. What’s MORE, he learned the ”carving game”, as he called it, from none other than the Great Man himself, Theodore Mack, at the Mack Bros. shop in Chicago. (Theodore Mack carved the Original ”Charlie McCarthy”

—– to be continued—- RJL

 

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. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are 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 2010 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

Posted in Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist | Leave a comment

Fooled by Frank Marshall Ventriloquist Figure

Posted on October 4, 2010 by Webmaster

marshallfiguresmall

In my quest to add Frank Marshall figures to the Ventriloquist Central collection I have not been fooled many times. But on this particular occasion I was knocked off my chair with surprise.

I was contacted by a fellow who had purchased some ventriloquist figures and he in turn contacted me to sell. When I opened the pictures I got very excited because the figures were all by Frank Marshall. The seller decided to part with them after some very serious negotiation. He kind of held me hostage because the figure that he pictured here he decided he wanted to keep for a while because it was in such great original condition.

He did tell me that after a month or so he would allow me to purchase him as well. As you can see from the pictures it is a wonderful figure with side to side eyes, one eye has a leather winker and slot jaw. He also has a hand shaker. The clothing too is the original cloths that Marshall used. I told the seller that when ever he is ready I would take him.

It was about a month and as promised I was offered the last Marshall in the group and I said give me the price and he is mine. There was no negotiating this time. He said the price and told me if I didn’t want to pay him he would be just as happy to keep him. I said uncle and paid.

Now for the surprise. Always remember you have to ask all the questions such as is he all original? Is there any damage? Etc Etc Etc.

I had the tracking number when he shipped and I waited for this prize to arrive. Finally Fedex arrived and the box was way small. I thought it must be something else I purchased.

Not so!!! This figure stands 27″ tall and his head is only 5 1/2″ tall. This is a most unusual Frank Marshall figure and it is not a Ricki Tik and it is a lot bigger than a Tommy Knots. In the picture I assumed it was a full size figure.

At first I said to myself oh no I made a mistake because I didn’t ask ” how big is this figure” but in reality this is a for real prize. This is a multi function figure by Marshall and he is really in pristine original condition and is of a very rare size. I am now a happy camper as this is truly a great figure and a wonderful addition to the collection.

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. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are 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 2010 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

Posted in Dummy Collecting, Frank Marshall Figure (Dummy), Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central, Ventriloquist Figure (Dummy) Makers, Ventriloquist Figure Building, Ventriloquist Figures | 2 Comments

Jay Marshall's Ken Spencer Ventriloquist Figure

Posted on October 3, 2010 by Webmaster

09-spencer-002S

I am happy to show to you today one of the prizes of my assortment of Ken Spencer figures. The reason why I call it a prize is because this figure was owned and used by the late great Jay Marshall. This figure is in the exact condition as it was for the better part of 60 years having been repainted by Jay to look as he wanted him. He has no wig and was painted to look like he has hair and very pale face although the paint could have faded out over the years. Other than the repaint he is an all original figure. He stands 40″ tall, has side to side moving eyes, rolling winker blinker eyes one at a time or both together and of course slot jaw. He is still dressed in his formal tuxedo as Jay had dressed him.

This figure was sold at public auction back in 2007 at the Leslie Hindham galleries, they sold Jay’s collection, and it was purchased by a world renown magic dealer and I was lucky to purchase the figure from him..

The face on this figure is not your typical Ken Spencer face but the dish ears and large cup hands are a dead give away as the maker. His body is wood too and also very typically Ken Spencer.

A wonderful addition to the Ventriloquist Central Collection.

Click here to see Jay Marshall’s Ken Spencer Ventriloquist Figure

 

Click here: Jay Marshall (magician) – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

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. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are 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 2010 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

Posted in Dummy Collecting, Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central, Ventriloquist Figure (Dummy) Makers, Ventriloquist Figure Building, Ventriloquist Figures | 5 Comments

Frank Marshall Ventriloquist Figure Body

Posted on October 2, 2010 by Webmaster

I have been asked quite a few times how I make the body for a Frank Marshall figure so I guess I will spill the beans.

The most distinctive thing about a Frank Marshall figure is his shaped shoulder board. This is the most tedious and time consuming part of making a Marshall body. The thickness of the shoulder board starts life as three one inch think boards that are then glued together to form a three inch thick board. The next step is to use your band saw and carefully cut the shaped shoulder board out of the three inch thickness. This will leave you with a shaped board that is only one inch thick. The edges are then planed smooth to remove the sharp edges. Then a 2 1/2″ hole saw is used to open the neck hole and then I use carving chisels to shape the socket for the ball on the neck.

A bottom and side boards are then cut and attached with carpet nails.

Next you will have to go to a chair canning place and purchase some number 7 spline. The spline is then soaked in water to make it soft so it can be shaped. It is then attached horizontally in two positions across the body and then four pieces are applied vertically over the horizontal ones. They are attached with either carpet tacks or staples. Sometimes frank would then tie the crossed members with twine.

I then have purchased old moving quilts which are used and discolored and cut them out to fit over the body and then attach them with carpet tacks or staples. When completed you will have a Frank Marshall body. There are many ways to build a ventriloquist figure body but if you want a Marshall style this is how Frank did them. It is more work and I don’t think most will go to the length to do it this way but for me it is the only way.

marshall body

 

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. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are 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 2010 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

Posted in Frank Marshall Figure (Dummy), Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central, Ventriloquist Figure Building | 3 Comments

Keeping Track of the Ventriloquist Central Collection

Posted on October 1, 2010 by Webmaster

“How do you keep track of the Ventriloquist Central Collection?”

This great question was sent in to me and so I thought I would answer it as best I can.

With the purchase and acquisition of each new ventriloquist figure to the Ventriloquist Central Collection I have a day book into which I make documentation of the figure.

I give all the information I get with same such as age condition size and previous ownership. I also of course give the information to Steve, my webmaster, when another figure is added to the web site.

This is the easiest way for me to find and give information on the figures although if you visit with me and I show you the figures I can give you all the information on each one verbatim.

It seems that they really become a part of me and I know all the information.

I have not made cards that sit on each figures lap with information, as the Vent Haven Museum , but I am leaning towards doing something of that nature.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

***************************************************

Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are 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 2010 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

Posted in Dummy Collecting, Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central, Ventriloquist Figures | 2 Comments