A Belated Happy Father's Day

Posted on June 16, 2008 by Webmaster

I am so sorry that I missed everyone with a Father’s day wish but I was away yesterday and just not able to get to a computer to send out my wishes to all the Dads that read my blog. So HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!!

Ventriloquist Central has a few big surprises that are coming very, very soon so be sure to check back often. If you are signed up to get our emails you will know sooner than later the news items, so make a point of signing up right now.

The convention is quickly approaching and we have been running our poll and even though it is not scientific I think it does show that people will not be doing a lot of driving this summer. Costs have skyrocketed and has made summer travel very expensive. I am sure the convention will still be a blast though even with the possibility of a smaller crowd in attendance.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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All writings here are copyrighted by Dan Willinger and Ventriloquist Central. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.

Posted in Ventriloquist Central | Leave a comment

Mysterious Female Brian Hamilton Ventriloquist Figure

Posted on June 12, 2008 by Webmaster

When I first received the picture of Brian Hamilton holding the female figures head (click here) I wondered where this particular figure had gone. I made some inquiries and found out that this figure was originally made for ventriloquist Ken Karter to use as a floozy type character. When it was completed Ken passed on it for what ever the reason may have been.

Brian was a fellow who lived day to day and was always in need of money so when this figure did not sell he called his friend Bob Isaacson who came to his rescue and purchased the figure. Bob in turn sold her to another performer/collector who would like to remain anonymous. The figures rested with him for the better part of 20 years. I of course contacted this person and was told it was not for sale but maybe some time down the road it would be and I told him to just let me know.

Over a year passed and suddenly I was doing a deal for something else with this collector and he decided he would let the Hamilton go and she passed to my collection. I have had her for a while and had to have her all around eye movement repaired as they did not work when I received her. I completed this task myself and they now work perfectly in all directions. I first wigged her in a blond wig but the original idea of a floozy character didn’t seem to work with blond hair so then a red wig came into play. I think you will agree it works much better.

She is dressed in her slinky red dress with red feather boa fishnet stockings and black patent leather shoes to complete the look. Oh yes red fingernails were a must.

She has the McElroy body, hands, harness and her functions are all around weighted eye movement, winkers/blinkers and of course slot jaw. The paint on her is all original from Brian Hamilton and she is cast in fiberglass. She is just a wonderful creation and I am happy she is here in my collection.

female-hamilton022

Click here to see more pictures of her

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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All writings here are copyrighted by Dan Willinger and Ventriloquist Central. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.

Posted in Ventriloquist Figure (Dummy) Makers | Leave a comment

Guest Blog – Steve Axtell of Axtell Expressions

Posted on June 10, 2008 by Webmaster

This was just sent to us by Steve Axtell of Axtell Expressions:

We are happy to announce the Axtell Expressions new and improved free media rights policy. http://www.axtell.com/rights.html

 

mediarights

 

Thank you to all those who offered feedback, suggestions and encouragement. We appreciate our customers!

Happy venting!

Ax
Steve Axtell
www.axtell.com

Posted in Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist | 2 Comments

Guest Blog – Puppet Rights Issue

Posted on June 8, 2008 by Webmaster

Ventriloquist Tom Crowl wrote to me asking if I could help him out by letting the audience of Ventriloquist Central know of a performance concern he is encountering. So instead of answering him directly I decided to post his question to me here on my blog as a guest.

Dan,

I’m hoping you will find this an interesting topic to post on Ventriloquist Central.

I’ve decided to create a souvenir video DVD to sell following shows. Because I knew Jeff Dunham had rebuilt characters to avoid issues, I thought I should probably obtain permission from the puppet makers before doing anything. I figured at my level – I’d get a – “You bought it, you can use it, give us a credit and good luck!” answer.

I contacted the puppet makers of the characters I wanted to use and they all came back with a go-ahead, except for one. That one replied with a media rights usage fee. I was surprised to say the least. While it wasn’t that much, I still decided I would pass and drop the puppet out of my show, advertising and web site. Before I made a hasty decision, I wanted to see how others felt.

I started a discussion at the Magic cafe:
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewforum.php?forum=182&2561

I’ve been surprised by the response. Performers all naturally felt we should have unlimited performance rights. I contacted the maker of every figure I own to get their opinion – everyone else said go ahead. I’ve heard from makers I’ve never purchased from and they gave me their opinion on performance rights. Clinton even posted a fairly strong argument at his blog in favor of performer rights. So now this one company stands alone.

I’m not sure that most people even consider rights when purchasing a puppet or figure. I feel this is an important and interesting topic to discuss. I’d appreciate your help calling attention to the matter.

Thanks,

Tom Crowl
www.ComedyVentriloquist.com
Comedy Ventriloquist Show – “We” Make people laugh!
(410)876-6771

 

Lets give Tom some good feedback on this very important subject!!!

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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All writings here are copyrighted by Dan Willinger and Ventriloquist Central. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.

Posted in Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist | 13 Comments

A Visit From Ventriloquist Mike Robinson

Posted on June 7, 2008 by Webmaster

Mike-Robinson-Lee-Dunn-figure Mike-Dan-Happy Mike-Robinson-Happy

 

MikeandHappy MikeRobinson-DansCollection01 MikeRobinson-DansCollection02

 

MikeRobinsonandDanWillinger

Today was a real treat for me because professional ventriloquist Mike Robinson, who is currently performing on Holland America Cruise lines, had his ship the Maarsdam dock in Boston. Mike told me he had a window of about 5 hours and wanted to know if he could come to my house to see the ventriloquist figure collection. I was happy to accommodate so I drove into the seaport section of Boston and picked up Mike from his ship and then drove back to my house.

Mike told me that as a child he watched the Uncle Bobby show all the time so he was thrilled to be able to actually hold Happy Hazard and work his controls. He also was amazed at the great Johnny figure which was made by Lee Dunn. We spent a couple hours looking over the many figures, then we went to lunch and after lunch I drove him back to catch his ship which departs this afternoon. We had a wonderful visit.

Mike thanks for contacting me and coming to see the collection.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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All writings here are copyrighted by Dan Willinger and Ventriloquist Central. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.

Posted in Ventriloquist Central | 2 Comments