The other day I did a blog about a Frank Marshall ventriloquist figure made for Canfield Smith (here’s the blog if you missed it).
I received a couple of emails with some additional information. The first one came from one of our friends “down under”, Colin Williams with this clipping:
Many people have differing views about Edgar Bergen and his ventriloquism techniques. But none can argue with his marketing abilities.
Back in 1949 this picture and article appeared in publication to promote the Edgar Bergen, Charlie McCarthy radio series. I thought you might enjoy seeing it.
UNITED DUMMIES OF AMERICA
I did try to find out some information on the vent from Philadelphia Pa. but had no replies to any of my postings from anyone so this is the information I was able to find out and it comes from Stanley Burns book Other voices.
Canfield Smith was a performer in the late 1940’s and 1950’s and was what Stanley Burns labeled as a “Cod Performer” and that is a performer that was a comedian who discovered that mis copying can be lucrative. Canfield Smith made audiences laugh with his standard figure whose arm would drop off in the middle of a routine, with Smith seemingly indifferent to his companion’s plight.
This is a conversation that I thought was very interesting. I was asked if a duplicarved head was considered hand carved. Well……I guess it all depends on where you end the duplicarved process.
You see with the duplicate carving machine if you change out the blades progressively to the finest detailed blades, it will carve a perfect copy and then you can not call the product hand carved as it was all done with machine.
Now when we talk about ventriloquist figures everyone thinks about the golden age makers. We know that Marshall had 14 duplicarver heads that he used to create his many characters. But Frank was smart. He did not have any of the masters in his shop nor did he have the machine there.
I was sent the following email yesterday:
Hello
I have Frank Marshall ventriloquist figures for sale in a sound condition , please send me an email if you are interested , for pictures and price thanks.
Have a nice day .
Brender Lee Eenigenburg
brenderl_eenigenburg@outlook.com
