Ventriloquist Bill Hume Passes Away

Posted on June 29, 2009 by Webmaster

ventriloquist-bill-hume-and-rosita-06
Ventriloquist Bill Hume & Rosita

 

Back in January I wrote a blog about an article I had seen in the Grapevine News about a talented ventriloquist, Bill Hume (click here to see the blog).

Gene Baumann, a personal friend of Bill Hume, sent in a comment to the January blog telling us that Bill passed away on June 27th at the age of 93. In fact, here are Gene’s comments:

 

“Great item on my dear friend Bill Hume. Sadly, I must report Bill died yesterday, June 27, at The Bluffs care facility here in Columbia, MO. Bill had just come back from lunch and lay down to sleep — forever. He left us peacefully. His life was long (93 years) and he set a standard for creativity that few could match. He has left us with many good memories. Thank you for sharing some of them with your readers.”

Gene, thank you very much for letting us know about your friend, Bill. From what I’ve read about him, he seemed to be a fascinating individual. Our deepest condolences to you, his family and his friends.

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. His collection of ventriloquist figures now numbers over 100 figures of which there are over 50 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 2009 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 | Leave a comment

Ventriloquist Central Now Links With eBay

Posted on June 28, 2009 by Webmaster

As the time has passed by, now almost 3 years, I am repeatedly asked about ventriloquile items listed on eBay and if I personally have seen them or how do I find them Well now we are going to make it easy for everyone who comes to Ventriloquist Central to find all the items listed on eBay.

If you now check out the Ventriloquist Marketplace we have linked all of the eBay ventriloquist items here on our site for you to peruse. This will make your searching a lot easier I hope.

You ask and we comply or at least try to!! LOL

Check out the eBay listings on the Ventriloquist Marketplace

 

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. His collection of ventriloquist figures now numbers over 100 figures of which there are over 50 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 2009 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 Marketplace | Leave a comment

Ventriloquist Johnny Main And Figure Manipulation

Posted on June 27, 2009 by Webmaster

Ventriloquist Johnny Main was one of the best. I’m proud that some of his figures reside in the Ventriloquist Central Collection.

Not only was he a great ventriloquist, but a great teacher as well. Here are his lecture notes on “Figure Manipulation.”

 

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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

Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. His collection of ventriloquist figures now numbers over 100 figures of which there are over 50 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 2009 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 Figures | Leave a comment

A Rather Rare Ventriloquist Toy

Posted on June 26, 2009 by Webmaster

During the 1950’s and 1960’s television made ventriloquism very popular with all the children and so quite a few toy companies jumped on the band wagon to make ventriloquist toys. Of course the earliest was Effanbee which produced the exact likeness of Charlie McCarthy back in 1937. But jumping ahead to the 1950’s the Juro toy co. produced the composition Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smiff. We all went crazy over these characters in the Sears Catalogue and these toys were high on the want list of many children at this time.

The toy company Ideal also made ventriloquist figures of Howdy Doody and Reliable Toy in Canada made a want to be Charlie McCarthy.

The Ventriloquist Central Collection happens to have a very unusual toy vent figure made by The Grand Toy Co. in New York and it is of Davy Crockett. The Davy Crockett show was a very popular show back in the 1950’s as westerns were all the rage through to the late 1960’s.

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This figure is in about as fine a condition as you will ever see and is complete right to his coon skin cap and original hang tag. I don’t think he was ever played with except that this particular model had moving eyes and the string is missing. There are two holes in the back of the neck one for the mouth and the other for the eyes. The outfit is all original and the fringe was made of vinal. He also has his original cardboard moccasins.

I hope you enjoy looking at this very rare ventriloquist novelty.

See Davy Crockett

 

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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

Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. His collection of ventriloquist figures now numbers over 100 figures of which there are over 50 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 2009 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 | Leave a comment

Ventriloquist Peter Rich and Zingo

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Webmaster

It was Peter Rich’s birthday just last week and I just had to share this great picture with all of you. It was sent to us by one of our great friends and regular contributor, George Boosey.

peterrichandzingo

This is Peter’s figure named Zingo and he was built by Frank Marshall. A most unusual figure to be sure with the telephone dial (for those young people reading this, yes telephones had a dial) and a light bulb in the top of his head.

Boy I wish this figure was a part of the Ventriloquist Central Collection but alas he now resides with ventriloquist Jay Johnson.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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

Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. His collection of ventriloquist figures now numbers over 100 figures of which there are over 50 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 2009 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 (Dummy) Makers, Ventriloquist Figure Building, Ventriloquist Figures | 6 Comments