400 to a room

Do you realize that if you Google the term "ventriloquist comedian", it returns 163,000 listings? What would happen if they all came to the VentHaven convention at the same time?

The host with the most

Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy are featured in this 1950 ad promoting their hugely successful CBS radio show. (Notice the prominent product placement). I received this framed magazine ad as a bonus when I purchased a Juro Charlie McCarthy on Ebay a few years back.

I wonder if Mr. Bergen could drink a Coke while making Charlie talk.

Forehead

I covered up the front part of the brain pan on this guy. (Unfortunately, he'll be similar to The Scarecrow in that he won't get a brain). I was going to put a few wrinkles in his brow but finally decided against it. I think simple is better on my first full-size fellow. After I do a little more cover work on the sides of his head, I'll begin working out the challenges of the jaw.

Better order some more Magic-Sculpt.

Crash course

I really admire Terry Peterson's crash course in ventriloquism. In just a few minutes, he covers the basics of ventriloquism technique, puppetry and even distance ventriloquism. He's an engaging personaltiy and a very good ventriloquist. Terry has several other videos on YouTube that are fun to watch.

The eyes have it

I surrounded the eyes with Magic-Sculpt today. The fellow is beginning to take on some personality. I plan to let the Magic-Sculpt harden and then do some touch-up.

Next comes the forehead.

Half a head isn't better than one

But it's a start.

I've discovered one thing about using a styrofoam mannequin head as an armature. I won't do it again. It's really messy. When you cut into it, it disintegrates into little round granules that stick to everything because of static electricity. I'm always sucking the stuff up with my Shopvac. Nevertheless I'm pressing onward.

I split the head into two pieces; front and back. I dug out the backside of the front half to mount an eye tray. Next step is to sculpt around the eyes.

This is gonna take awhile folks.

He's a mean old man

It doesn't matter how nice you are to him. He doesn't change even if you give him gifts. You can tickle him under his chin and he'll still frown at you. That's the way it is with Mr. Winkle. Believe it or not someone has already volunteered to take him in.

All I can do is shake my head.

Dummy Store on Facebook

In my continuing efforts to find homes for my little friends, I've added a Facebook page for my Kenny Croes Dummy Store. If you've become mildly obsessed with Facebook like me, then please become a Fan. It's easy, fun and free.

Maybe he's on to something...

I doubt it.

What the hell is he up to?

I wish I knew.

Cruisin'

Ventriloquist Kevin Barnett and his pal Kyle are seen here on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. Kevin performed on the cruise ship's main stage and repeated his performance in the ship's youth talent show.

I made his little friend Kyle last year to Kevin's specifications right down to his closely shaved head and Mohawk haircut. I'd really enjoy receiving photos from other owners of Kenny Croes vent figures. I'll post them with your permission.

Now... back to work.

Yikes!

I dug out cavities in the styrofoam head for the wood knob eyeballs. I also woeked on the nose and upper lip area.

Kinda scary lookin', huh?

Winkle is back

The first "Mr. Winkle" made from a urethane casting is almost completed. He looks like the grumpy, constipated pessimist I was going for. I still have some mechanics work to do, but he'll be making somebody's life more miserable in a week or two.
(By the way, I shot the photo with my iphone and emailed it to myself. What a cool new toy!)

I picked the nose

Yeah, I know... yuck.

But I'm referring to my first attempt at sculpting a full-size figure. Buzz James of Braylu Creations has been encouraging me to do so, so I finally got started this week. One big hold up has been the armature issue. I've purchased skulls for that, but still hadn't made the move forward. Buzz sent me a Styrofoam mannequin head sitting in a piece of PVC pipe for the neck.

So the first move I've made is to sculpt part of a nose. Next, I'm going to cut away a section of Styrofoam for the jaw, which I plan to make separately. I'll also make holes for the eyes and mount some 1.5" wood knobs on an eye tray inside the head, then sculpt around them. Buzz cut the mannequin head in half for me and re-glued it back together. I'll peel it apart again for the eye tray.

That's my plan. If it's not too embarrassing, I'll post photos of my progress. (By the way, I'm "speed-sculpting" with Magic-Sculpt).

Elliot

Since I'm showing videos, here's a short clip of my completed Cheeky Boy figure "Elliot". He'll be looking for a permanent home on Ebay.

Russ Lewis

I thought you might enjoy this video from 1967's "Hollywood Palace" featuring ventriloquist Russ Lewis (L.A. Russo) and his sidekick Brooklyn. Made me laugh out loud!