Jimmy was born December 15th, 1928, in Chicago. He became the spokesman for television's Texaco Star Theater starring Milton Berle. He and his puppet, Danny O'Day wore twin Texaco gas attendant uniforms during the commercial sponsored breaks. You can trust your car to the men who ware the star, the big bright texico star.
"Farfel"his dog puppet (got his name from a product 'matzoh crumbs', which is a crumb base for meat coating or to make matzoh balls, similar to bread crumbs.) Long-running spokesman for Nestle's in TV commercials with his puppets. Danny O'Day would sing: "N-E-S-T-L-E-S, Nestles makes the very best..." and Farfel would finish the song singing "Chaw-klit!" His association with the sponsor makes Nelson one of the longest running television commericals ad men in history. Jimmy Also had a cat dummy, Fatatateeta.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
OPEN MIC AT VENT HAVEN
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
THIS IS THE SONG THAT DOESN'T END...
Shari Lewis (born Sonia Phyllis Hurwitz; Jan 17, 1933-Aug 2, 1998. She is best known as the original puppeteer of Lamb Chop, first appearing on Hi Mom, a local morning show that aired in NYC on WNBC. In 1952, Lewis and her puppetry won first prize on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. March 1956 she and Lamb Chop were on Bob Keeshan's Captain Kangaroo show, by 1960 she had her own television show, as host of the Shari Lewis Show with her crew Lamb Chop a lamb, Charlie Horse a horse, Hush Puppy dog and Wing Ding a black crow. Almost 30 years later she won an emmy for her new PBS show 'Lamb Chop play A Long' She was the recipient of many awards numbering 12 Emmys, a Peabody, The 1983 J F Kennedy award, among countless others. She has written over 60 books for children.
Shari's other talents included acrobatics, juggling, piano, violin as well as a dancer and an actress, where she appeared on other variety shows and programs. Shari was loved all over the world.
...YES IT GOES ON AND ON MY FRIENDS, SOME PEOPLE STARTED SINGING IT NOT KNOWING WHAT IT WAS AND THEY'LL CONTINUE SINGING IT FOREVER JUST BECAUSE....REPEAT
GOT SOME HAPPY MEMORIES PLEASE LIST THEM. njay254@aol.com
WRITE A POEM ABOUT YOUR FIGURE
I AM THE VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS
AND ART I SURELY WOULDN'T MISS
A LIFE LONG DREAM TO BE A VENT
A GIFT FROM G-D TO ME WAS SENT
TO CHANGE A FROWN ON A VOICE SO DEAR
MAKE THEM FEEL THEIR GLAD WE HEAR
WE SIT AND WAIT SO WE CAN PRETEND
SHARING SOME JOKES WITH MY LITTLE FRIEND
A JOKE A DAY KEEPS THE MEANIES AWAY
BUT A JOKE LIKE YOU LEAVES SOMETHING TO SAY
BEHAVE YOURSELF OR BACK IN THE TRUNK
I'LL BEHAVE MYSELF SO I CAN THINK THUNK
MY LITTLE FRIEND IS A DUMMY YOU SEE
A DUMMY I'M NOT ITS YOU NOT ME
A BOY NAMED JOEY IS WHO HE IS
BUT YOUR STILL THE DUMMY TIS TIS TIS
AND ART I SURELY WOULDN'T MISS
A LIFE LONG DREAM TO BE A VENT
A GIFT FROM G-D TO ME WAS SENT
TO CHANGE A FROWN ON A VOICE SO DEAR
MAKE THEM FEEL THEIR GLAD WE HEAR
WE SIT AND WAIT SO WE CAN PRETEND
SHARING SOME JOKES WITH MY LITTLE FRIEND
A JOKE A DAY KEEPS THE MEANIES AWAY
BUT A JOKE LIKE YOU LEAVES SOMETHING TO SAY
BEHAVE YOURSELF OR BACK IN THE TRUNK
I'LL BEHAVE MYSELF SO I CAN THINK THUNK
MY LITTLE FRIEND IS A DUMMY YOU SEE
A DUMMY I'M NOT ITS YOU NOT ME
A BOY NAMED JOEY IS WHO HE IS
BUT YOUR STILL THE DUMMY TIS TIS TIS
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
PROPER BREATHING FOR THE NEW VENTRILOQUIST
First let me define the word ventriloquism; Ventriloquism are two latin words venter meaning belly and loqui meaning I speak. This is what you must do, learn to speak as though it's coming from the belly. In reality, you are breathing from your diaphragm which gives the impression that the sound is coming from your belly.
When you wake up tomorrow morning, go to your window, open it and breathe in some good fresh air. As you are breathing in through your nose, you are filling your diaphragm. Do not breathe shallow. Most of us do exactly that. You must learn to breathe deep so when you are breathing through your nose, do not raise your shoulders. Place your hand upon your diaphragm which is just below your rib cage, as you breathe in you will feel your diaphragm expand. As you breathe out through your mouth your diaphragm will deflate of the air you took in. Practice this in the morning and in the evening before going to bed, and anytime in between during private times.
Do these exercises a few minutes at a time so you do not exert yourself. Five minutes at the beginning should be sufficient.
Here are a few exercises you can do while doing this type of breathing:
Start with "ah" as you fill your diaphragm with air. Next, try "ee". When you have mastered that, try "ah-ee-ah-ee" until your diaphragm is deflated. Most important, do not rush...take your time with all exercises when you first start. Breathing properly is very essential to good ventriloquism, so practice, PRactice, PRACTICE, but be careful of over-strain. Again, no more than 5 minutes at the beginning. After a few days, this true natural breathing will become second nature, but continue your exercises daily.
The next exercise I will be giving you will be lip control...Please watch for it.
If you have any comments regarding this topic, please feel free to e-mail me at njay254@aol.com and I will be glad to post it.
When you wake up tomorrow morning, go to your window, open it and breathe in some good fresh air. As you are breathing in through your nose, you are filling your diaphragm. Do not breathe shallow. Most of us do exactly that. You must learn to breathe deep so when you are breathing through your nose, do not raise your shoulders. Place your hand upon your diaphragm which is just below your rib cage, as you breathe in you will feel your diaphragm expand. As you breathe out through your mouth your diaphragm will deflate of the air you took in. Practice this in the morning and in the evening before going to bed, and anytime in between during private times.
Do these exercises a few minutes at a time so you do not exert yourself. Five minutes at the beginning should be sufficient.
Here are a few exercises you can do while doing this type of breathing:
Start with "ah" as you fill your diaphragm with air. Next, try "ee". When you have mastered that, try "ah-ee-ah-ee" until your diaphragm is deflated. Most important, do not rush...take your time with all exercises when you first start. Breathing properly is very essential to good ventriloquism, so practice, PRactice, PRACTICE, but be careful of over-strain. Again, no more than 5 minutes at the beginning. After a few days, this true natural breathing will become second nature, but continue your exercises daily.
The next exercise I will be giving you will be lip control...Please watch for it.
If you have any comments regarding this topic, please feel free to e-mail me at njay254@aol.com and I will be glad to post it.
PAUL WINCHELL AND JERRY MAHONEY
Born on December 21, 1922, Paul Winchell, born Paul Wilchin. In the 1950's and 60's Paul Winchell was an icon on American Television. The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show, the ventriloquist figures for which he was best known are Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smiff. Inspired by Edgar Bergan and Charlie McCarthy. He got his first big break on major Bowes Amateur Hour, then CBS gave him a 15 minute spot called the Bigelow show. Back to Bowes for a moment he did a take off on Edgar and Charlie. Winchell's most successful TV show was Winchell-Mahoney Time (1965–1968), a highly-imaginative kids' show. Paul Hosted his own shows as well as appeared on various other variety shows of the era. He also created "Oswald, by painting eyes and a nose on his chin, covering his face with a small costume, then having the camera inverted. The resulting pinheaded character. I just want to add an aside, I happen to be very lucky to be part of the Winchell/Mahoney club, but never made it to the forefront, more about that another time.
If you have any comments or things you might want to add or remember about this Icon of the still lips, please send them to me and I will be glad to add them. njay254@aol.com
Grandma and Grandpa From Nina
They are such a happy looking couple how dare you go and break up a wonderful relationship like theirs, that's like breaking up Ozzie and Harriet, Ward and June Cleaver, Fibber McGee and Molly.. I am looking for a country Bumpkin type and an old man type soft vinyl body can you lead me in the right direction, and it should be better then a toy but not too expensive Seems like the professional are way over priced...HELP!!! If you like this couple and don't want to break up a happy home write to nina and request her price and info. She will give you a skit that goes with it as well. cc-nina@triad.rr.com I know you wouldn't regret keeping them together. njay254@aol.com Love to all N Jay
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Edgar Bergan and Charlie MacCarthy
The photo below is of the wonderful style charging Edgar and Charlie...he has won an honorary wooden academy award for his movie work and creation of Charlie.
They both appeared regularly on various TV shows throughout the 60s and 70s
a typical verse between Charlie and any female he carried on with.
Charlie: "May I have a kiss good-bye?"
Mae West: "Well, I can't see any harm in that!"
Charlie: "Oh. I wish you could. A harmless kiss doesn't sound very thrilling."
W.C. Fields: "Well, Charlie McCarthy, the woodpecker's pinup boy!"
Charlie: "Well, if it isn't W.C. Fields, the man who keeps Seagram's in business!"
I also remember Edgar and Charlie hosting DO YOU TRUST YOUR WIFE...FUNNY
They both appeared regularly on various TV shows throughout the 60s and 70s
a typical verse between Charlie and any female he carried on with.
Charlie: "May I have a kiss good-bye?"
Mae West: "Well, I can't see any harm in that!"
Charlie: "Oh. I wish you could. A harmless kiss doesn't sound very thrilling."
W.C. Fields: "Well, Charlie McCarthy, the woodpecker's pinup boy!"
Charlie: "Well, if it isn't W.C. Fields, the man who keeps Seagram's in business!"
I also remember Edgar and Charlie hosting DO YOU TRUST YOUR WIFE...FUNNY
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
responding to NINA
Aw.....you're so sweet! Thanks! luv, sis xoN J Holtzman wrote:> Hi Sis Can't say enough of how great a job your doing with this > homevention thingie as one of my characters would say its like, real > large!!> > --- On Sat, 7/19/08, cc-nina@triad.rr.com <cc-nina@triad.rr.com> wrote:> > From: cc-nina@triad.rr.com <cc-nina@triad.rr.com>> Subject: [WORLDVENTS] Re: HomeVENTion> To: "STEVE AXTELL" <steve@axtell.com>> Cc: WORLDVENTS@yahoogroups.com, ChristianVENTS@yahoogroups.com> Date: Saturday, July 19, 2008, 3:58 PM> > > Hey Y'all!> > Wow! What an exciting week! All this news about the other> conventions. ...so fun to be sharing them!> > I've had to be unexpectedly away from home, but will be back> tonight. I will, then, announce the winner of the Oddity> Ventriloquists/ figures.> > Thanks, guys, for all the interaction with the VENTioin!!!!> > More fun tonight!> > luv you!> > nina xo
reply to Wanlu
Hi Wanlu
I am studying the Maher course, and what it said , more for illusion than confort is that the character depending on what you want to emphasize should be at eye level with the vent or just a little lower, if you want to give the impression that the character is bigger or flying then it could be higher remember it depends on what you want to express. But if you are confortable with the character figure higher make it higher but remember the audience is who your trying to impress.
N Jay
WANLU said...
Thanks for the info N. JayAs much as the idea of comfortability is also true, I was pretty sure that somewhere, there is a reason why Pros like Jeff Dunham, John Pizzi and even the Great Edgard Bergen place their figures at lower level.Thanks :)Wanlu http://www.wanlu.net
I am studying the Maher course, and what it said , more for illusion than confort is that the character depending on what you want to emphasize should be at eye level with the vent or just a little lower, if you want to give the impression that the character is bigger or flying then it could be higher remember it depends on what you want to express. But if you are confortable with the character figure higher make it higher but remember the audience is who your trying to impress.
N Jay
WANLU said...
Thanks for the info N. JayAs much as the idea of comfortability is also true, I was pretty sure that somewhere, there is a reason why Pros like Jeff Dunham, John Pizzi and even the Great Edgard Bergen place their figures at lower level.Thanks :)Wanlu http://www.wanlu.net
LET THE CHARACTER GENERATE THE VOICE
Let the character generate voice...
From N Jay: "I believe the character should generate the voice. You have to visually see what the Figure looks like to imagine the voice you will want to generate. The facial characteristics play a large factor in your decision for choice of voice. As well as, is it a person or an animal? Is it large or small? Is it male or female? Is the figure of a young or older character? All of these things factor into your voice choice. Even the advanced Vent who has the character made for him/her has a visual idea of what the figure is to look like and sound like before the final outcome. So again, my answer is, the character comes before the voice. At least, that is my opinion...you know what they say about opinions....." I originally entered this on Newsy Vents BLOG. If you wish to add to or amend anything I've entered here please attach to e-mail and I'll be glad to enter it. Happy Venting!
NJay254@aol.com
From N Jay: "I believe the character should generate the voice. You have to visually see what the Figure looks like to imagine the voice you will want to generate. The facial characteristics play a large factor in your decision for choice of voice. As well as, is it a person or an animal? Is it large or small? Is it male or female? Is the figure of a young or older character? All of these things factor into your voice choice. Even the advanced Vent who has the character made for him/her has a visual idea of what the figure is to look like and sound like before the final outcome. So again, my answer is, the character comes before the voice. At least, that is my opinion...you know what they say about opinions....." I originally entered this on Newsy Vents BLOG. If you wish to add to or amend anything I've entered here please attach to e-mail and I'll be glad to enter it. Happy Venting!
NJay254@aol.com
Monday, July 21, 2008
2008 VENT HAVEN conVENTion NEWS
The ConVENTion last week was a huge success! I think one of the largest ever ConVENTion with somewhere around 440 in attendance. Considering the price of gas, food, lodging, tolls, etc. that was extraodinary. 81 people who had never been there before, were there to enjoy the festivities at this ConVENTion. When new people come to a convention as I have experienced in the hundreds I have worked as a dealer or participated in as an attendee, it brings new life, it shows that the show is still in full bloom, with energy to spare. This International gathering brought Vents from all over the world, but brought two, that are at the top of their profession: Jeff Dunham and Terry Fator, and as a result of this wonderful attendance and great raffle revenue (tongue twister), the monies rec'd for the auction, along with the generosity of Terry Fator and Jeff Dunham, the convention garnered over $31,000 this year! Congrats to all who made this con a stimulating success. Mark Wade , I do not know thee, (But I have your dvd and studying real hard), but I know, with all that you have been through to put this stravaganza together, much kudos. Those who have attended please let us know and we will post your story here.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Vent Haven Posts
Please tell me what you did while at the conVENTion. If you have pictures to post please share them.
njay254@aol.com
njay254@aol.com
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
I (Joey) have been sitting with N. Jay for a long time, trying to put this blog together for you, hope you like what we have done. If you have pictures of any event of your meeting or groups you want to add e mail them to me and i will be glad to add them... He could be a very funny vent, but he is dishwater without me, I haven't met any vents yet,to compare him to, so I don't know. . I look forward to our first gig, when ever they are. Joey and Ms. Barkley have become permanent members of our family and look forward to showing them off to all of you in the future. There will be other members to be members added to the family. If you know of anyone with a goofy country bumpkin, cousin for me(Joey) and a grandpa/ma 108 please leave a message by e mailing me. We are also adding a Vent short bio and photo to accompany it, so if you would like to be added please send that along as well be sure to include your birthday. If you have any comment or critique you would love to add , be glad to hear from you. This Blog is meant for beginners and pro's alike so if you have a words of advise please leave them so I can make a list of things to do or not to do. Remember we are still our infancy and we are only crawling, teach us to walk, and then run...Leave no stone unturned. Thank you for comming in for a visit. contact- njay254@aol.com
David Robison said...
Welcome to ventriloquism and to the blogosphere!Good luck to you.Dave
David Robison said...
Welcome to ventriloquism and to the blogosphere!Good luck to you.Dave
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