Thoughts On Ventriloquist Figures

When I decided to collect ventriloquist figures I made it a point to purchase figures that were carved from wood. This was the medium that for me represented the “Ventriloquist Figure” . Of course that is not the case because other materials were used to make figures as we all know.

Paper mache was used, plastic wood , liquid rubber (Latex) etc,etc. Now the figures which were produced from other materials are good but I wanted wood. I kind of limited myself with this and had to bend because some of the best collector figures were not done in wood.

The McElroy brother used plastic wood to create their fabulous creations, Len Insull and other English makers used Paper Mache to do their figures. So in my quest for acquiring collectable figures I had to also accept that some were going to not be made in wood. (Did you catch that ” accept” LOL)

I love watching ventriloquists that make reference to their wooden friend when in reality the figure is a cast head and not carved wood. Why use the wood reference when it is not made of wood. The answer is because when you think of a ventriloquist figure you think of wood.

Just some rambling thought of a ventriloquist figure collector.

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 Figures | 3 Comments

Safety for Ventriloquist Figures

One thing that I seem to be asked quite often is how I protect the figures from falling over if they are accidentally bumped into. This is a great question because when the seating gets crowded the figures do tend to fall over as you move them to rearrange or fit another into the group.

I found that the use of bungy cords does the trick. I will secure the figure to the chair under the jacket and over the lap of the figure then tuck the shirt in over the cord so that it can’t be seen. The result is the figure is not going anywhere if it is bumped into.

I just think about Happy Hazzard sitting back stage and that stage hand knocking him over and the resulting mess that occurred for Cy Leonard. It is safe to say that is not going to happen again here in the Ventriloquist Central Collection.

Also those cords are very inexpensive. You can find them at the flea markets and it is a great way to hold your figure if you keep him out of his suitcase!!

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 Figures | 1 Comment

Ventriloquist Central Celebrates

To all you fathers out there is it with great pleasure that I, along with Steve and Ventriloquist Central wish you a most Happy Father’s day.

I hope all your families treat you today like the king you really are in your own realm.

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 Personal, Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist | Leave a comment

Ventriloquist Peter Rich Celebtrates

peterrichphoto

I am sorry but as the saying goes better late than….

I want to take this opportunity to say a belated very Happy Birthday to Peter Rich from myself, Steve Hurst my webmaster and Ventriloquist Central.

Peter became 89 years young on Thursday and he deserves to be recognized as one of the great ventriloquists of the golden era that is still with us today!!

Hope you had a very Happy Birthday, Peter.

 

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 | 3 Comments

Ventriloquist Figures and Baseball

I just can’t get enough is the thought that keeps creeping into my conscious and sub conscious mind. I pose it this way when I am awake and not working my thoughts are about ventriloquist figures, which one will I find today, how shall I arrange the newest addition into the fold or how will I dress him? If my mind isn’t thinking these things I find I am thinking about baseball.

You see I live in Boston and for us Bostonians there is a thing called Red Sox Nation and for me from the month of April until October I can think of nothing better than watching the Sox play. Luckily I love the sport which offers the most in games. Hey these guys play 160 plus games per year. I really love it when they win but I love the game even more and so even if the boys lose I really don’t care. Baseball it is just the best game. The national pastime. That which keeps us young.

Oh yes I was talking about ventriloquist figures I wonder if I will get a call today from someone who has a figure for sale or for donation.

Boy it would be great if it was a Marshall. I wonder if the paint will be all original and if it will have multy functions. Will it come with great provenance from the original owner? Oh my ventriloquist figures…….baseball…….oh……

 

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, Personal, Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central, Ventriloquist Figures | 2 Comments