More About the Frank Marshall Ventriloquist Figure, "Freckles"

Posted on September 25, 2010 by Webmaster

On Wednesday I showed everyone the latest Frank Marshall figure to join the Ventriloquist Central Collection, “Freckles” who was originally owned by Carole Silvester.

Click here to see Carole Silvester’s Frank Marshall Figure “Freckles”

I received this very nice email from Carole and thought I would share with everyone as well:

 

Thank you Dan for sending me the site to see my friend Freckles.

He looks very happy and much improved and I am sure you are enjoying his company also.

I am Happy he is in the company of so many that appreciate him.

Sincerely
Carole Browne

 

And thank you Carole for everything.

 

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, Frank Marshall Figure (Dummy), Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central, Ventriloquist Figures | Leave a comment

Ventriloquist Figure Maker, Ken Spencer as Told by RJ

Posted on September 24, 2010 by Webmaster

RJ sent me an email and told me that he knew Ken Spencer. Since he was a friend with Mr Spencer I wrote back saying I would love to hear any stories that he may have of him and would certainly share same with everyone here on Ventriloquist Central.

RJ has been gracious enough to send in “installments” of his experiences with Ken Spencer. Today is the first of those installments.

ken spencer

 

Ventriloquist Figure Maker, Ken Spencer as Told by RJ

Yeah, I have a story or two; The reason I got involved with Ken was because, as a young ventriloquist, I was booked fairly frequently, using the standard toy ”Juro” Jerry Mahoney dummies; But people would often mention this other kid ventriloquist in town, who had a ”PROFESSIONAL” figure.

It began to bug me, so I tracked him down. When he took his figure out of the suitcase, I immediately knew that this was a game-changer. My envy was TOTAL! He gave me the maker’s name, Ken Spencer, WAY across town in Minneapolis.

I wrote to Mr. Spencer, and he replied with several photo cards of himself, along with a bio, AND a photographic card featuring a line-up of the figures he carved.

I WAS IN HEAVEN! One problem. The cost of one of his figures BEGAN at almost $400! [approximately 1 million dollars in today’s world] Not really, but it sure felt like it to a naive 12-year-old.

Next installment; RJ visits Ken Spencer’s home and workshop. Stay tuned.

 

 

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 Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central, Ventriloquist Figure (Dummy) Makers, Ventriloquist Figure Building | 1 Comment

Tonight on BlogTalkRadio, Interview with Mr Puppet, Bob Abdou

Posted on September 23, 2010 by Webmaster

bob abdou

Our next BlogTalkRadio show is tonight at 8pm Eastern, 7pm Central and 5pm Pacific, where we will be interviewing Mr. Puppet himself, Bob Abdou.

Bob has averaged 400 shows a year for the past 11 years with no help from agents or ticket sales. He’s been performing a Beatles Puppet show for the Official Beatles Convention since 1995.

Some may remember Bob as the former Editor/Owner of the Barker magazine that promoted the art of Ventriloquism. He’s also a consultant on Ventriloquism for the Puppeteers of America and a Member of the Hospitality Committee for the Ventriloquist Convention.

Topics that we will be discussing are tips and tricks for Birthday party business, Senior Centers, School, Daycare shows among other items.

Be sure to call in and ask your questions. The number to call is (347) 850-8597. If you just want to listen to the show or to get more information, click the link below:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ventriloquistcentral/2010/09/24/ventriloquist-central-with-another-exciting-broadc

You won’t want to miss this interview so be sure to listen tonight!

 

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 Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central | 1 Comment

Carole Silvester's Frank Marshall Figure "Freckles"

Posted on September 22, 2010 by Webmaster

young carole silvester
“Freckles” & Carole Silvester

A rather unique Frank Marshall figure has joined the Ventriloquist Central collection and I wanted to show him to you. The figures name is Freckles and he was purchased from Frank Marshall in the early 1950’s for Carole Silvester.

He is 39″ tall and is 100% original as the way he came from Frank Marshall except for the wig. Somewhere in his lifetime his wig was replaced with a red fur type cloth as you can see in the pictures but I could not leave that so I replaced it with a wig more in keeping of the style which was originally on the figure.

He has side to side self centering eyes, has a single winker and of course slot jaw. He also did have some chips on his nose as well as on his cheek and around the edges of his ears. I touched those up to the original look. His freckles are original done by Frank Marshall.

Carole has included some autobiographical information as well as her young picture and brochure and picture of her today with Freckles just before shipping him off to me for his place with his brothers in the Ventriloquist Central Collection

I hope you like seeing this superb Frank Marshall creation.

 

Click here to see Carole Silvester’s Frank Marshall Figure “Freckles”

 

 

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, Frank Marshall Figure (Dummy), Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central, Ventriloquist Figure (Dummy) Makers, Ventriloquist Figure Building, Ventriloquist Figures | 3 Comments

Ventriloquist Central Video Collecting Series – "Freckles" a Frank Marshall Figure

Posted on September 21, 2010 by Webmaster

Here is a video of a great little Frank Marshall ventriloquist figure that was originally purchased by Carole Silvester.

 

 

If you have trouble viewing this video, click here

 

Be sure to read tomorrow’s blog for more information about this Frank Marshall figure as well as the orginal owner, Carole Silvester.

 

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, Frank Marshall Figure (Dummy), Ventriloquist Central, Ventriloquist Figure (Dummy) Makers, Ventriloquist Figure Building, Ventriloquist Figures, Ventriloquist Videos, Video Collecting Series | 3 Comments