Don’t forget, tonight we interview Gary Koepke on BlogTalkRadio. We will start at 8pm (Eastern), 7pm (Central) and 5pm (Pacific).
Click here for more information
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Be sure to listen in tonight.
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
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Hi Dan,
It was brought up on Gary’s call about plastic wood dough, John Osborne and an “Old Coot” type character of John’s! I own that one you speak of! I purchased from Mr. Bob Issacson in 2007 I believe. He now go’s by the name of “Uncle Pops”! You see… the very first pro dummy I ever purchased came from a little magic shop in Detroit back in the 80’s…it too was made by John Osborne. I paid around $350 for him. Sold all my stuff just to get him! Thats my “Alex” figure. When I found “Uncle Pops” he was a must have since it was an Osborne. John Osborne is a great guy….I never met him, but we corresponded for many years after my purchase of “Alex”. I hope to meet him one day. Thanks for your service here on Ventriloquist Central. I enjoy it very much!
Thanks for the kind words.
John Osborne
I was 11 or 12 years old visiting from Guam (I’m now 63). My Father is from Kansas City and he arranged to meet a ventriloquist by the name of Grover Ruwe. Mr Ruwe was kind enough to to take the time and invited us over. He showed me his figures Louie and Sunshine and demonstrated how they worked. At the time, I only had a JC Penny store bought Danny O’day dummy. Mr Ruwe truly inspired me. He gave us your address and number and you agreed to make my first dummy. We sent you a cassette tape of my dummy’s voice (named Peewee Garfinkle). This was in 1968/69 and paid $150.00. I’ve been performing on Guam on and off for 30+ years up to about 10 yrs ago (only local ventriloquist on Guam). I say on and off because I also loved playing music as a bassist. I just want to thank you for taking your time as well. I still have Peewee with your autograph and date inside the wall of his head. I had great pleasure using him and the pleasure we gave the audience throughout the years. I never became known abroad, but was fulfilled with the joy and laughter I could bring to many on Guam. By the way, I installed swervo’s in Peewee’s head to remotely control his head, mouth, eyes and eye brows. The audience really got a kick out of it when I walked off stage after pretending to get into an argument with Peewee. Thank you again!