Ventriloquist Central Blog

I had a very nice conversation yesterday with Jerry Layne as we discussed some business after the ConVENTion last week. I was exceedingly happy with a statement that he said to me and that was that I was this century’s W.S. Berger. Jerry had gone to the Ventriloquist Central web site and had finally spent some time browsing all that the site has to offer.

He was very impressed with the Ventriloquist Central Collection and was amazed to know that I had put this collection together in a short 12 years.

W.S Berger was like me a non ventriloquist but he loved the art and the figures (and anything else that in the slightest way encompassed ventriloquism) and over a period of collecting which spanned 4 decades he amassed approximately 550 figures.

I have approximately 160 figures at present and if I can keep up pace I am actually doing better than W.S. in the quest. Also during Mr Berger’s time all of the great makers like Marshall, Pinxy, Spencer, Carol, McElroys were all alive and therefore the figures were readily available. They in fact were not collectible except to him. For me it is an active search because non are available any longer and they must be sought out from private hands that have had them hidden away for decades.

I only wish I was able to just make a telephone call and order a great figure from Frank Marshall or from the McElroy brothers. That would be so great!!

Mr Berger also sold figures for Frank Marshall and for Len Insull. As matter of fact most of the Insull pocket figures were sold by Mr Berger. He was a business man for sure and utilized all avenues to add to his collection.

I had a great conversation with Lisa Sweasy at the museum and she told me there are over 500,000 pieces of correspondence from Mr Berger. He networked back then as if he had a computer. No wonder he was able to have so many figures end up in the museum.

Well Jerry just made me feel great because Mr Berger is MY idol and I am just so pleased to be thought of in his shadow.

Thanks Jerry for the compliment!!

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

Vlad, Renfeld & Capt Joe

Steve Swenson of the DummyShoppe.com, sent in this poem along with an email that was sent to him by Joe Radle. Here’s Joe’s email:

Just a note to let my many friends know that I am back home now from a fantastic adventure, “Attendance at my first Ventriloquist Convention” In Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. There is so much to tell about it, but I will inform you with more over time.

Right now I will share this poem with y-all. I dashed it off at pool-side at the Drawbridge Inn where the convention was held. Anne and I stayed an extra day to unwind and bathe in the afterglow of the e-Vent. I hope you enjoy. I will annoy you all with some photos soon, of the Count and his side kick, Renfeld, so keep an eye out for those.

Regards to all, Joe Radle aka Capt. Joe

So here is Joe’s poem:

I done writ a poem ’bout the convention
By Joe Radle
© 2010 J.B. Radle

My wife and I, we took a ride to ole Kentuck
Were lots of folks with puppets, just ran amuck
I think it’s only right I mention
We were headed to a ventriloquist convention

We got some rain and then it got sunny
Me and my lady, I call her, Honey Bunny
We made the trek in just one day
Thanks to the maps from the folks at the triple A

I had packed my puppets and you might ask-it
What the heck I’ve got in the casket
Count Vladimir Dracula is his name
In Transylvania he’s got some fame

My Good Friend, Jet, from down Alabama ways
Made him for me, in what seemed like only days
He’s really not one of those horror type blokes
But made for fun and telling jokes

Little kids he will not frighten
I hope his skits will only brighten
And, while he is a somewhat scary guy
He won’t say things to make them cry

I brought some money, some call it “Geld”
Because Dracula needed a side kick named, Renfeld
You won’t believe the luck I had
I found the perfect guy for Vlad

Once again, my friend, Jet came through
I saw him, liked him, and bought him, too
The Count and Renfeld hit it off
Just like fire, draws a moth

I’ve got a team to now delight
And, I’ll tell everyone, he doesn’t bite
I’ll write some bits to work these two
To make folks laugh, I hope, don’t you

Thanks, Steve for sending this in and thanks to Capt Joe for letting us share this with everyone.

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