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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Dr. Paul Winchell has passed. Most remember him as a ventriloquist, but he was also a practicing magician. In fact, his character, Jerry Mahoney, had a wiseguy habit of interrupting his magic acts. I remember the day many years ago that I heard that Paul Winchell was retiring from show business. I was devastated and surprised. Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smith were as important to me as were Charlie McCarthy, Mortimer Snerd, Farfel and Lambchops. In fact, my first and most favored puppet was a Jerry Mahoney vent doll.
How many knew that he was the voice of "Winnie the Pooh's" Tigger, Boomer in "The Fox & The Hound", the Siamese Cat in "Aristocats", thingy Dastardly in "The Wacky Races", Fleagle of "The Banana Splits" (La la la, La la la la, La la la, La la la la...One Banana, two bananas...), Zummi of "The Gimmi Bears" and Gargamel of "The Smurfs." Against Disney wishes, he inserted "TTFN...Ta Ta for now!" into one of his Winnie the Pooh scripts and it became a Tigger standard. In fact, if you ask children who their favorite Disney character is, Tigger's name will crop up more often than any other...including the grand master, Mickey Mouse. Paul and Jerry even raced another popular television star from Death Valley Days in an early Soap Box Derby promotion in Akron, Ohio. The winners...Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney. The loser, for the first time in a long career...Ronald Reagan. Mr. Reagan claimed that Jerry had a heart-to-heart with his close relatives...the wooden racers...urging Mr. Reagan's racer to hold back and coaxing a little extra speed out of the Winchell racer. Following his retirement from show business, Dr. Winchell (He had a Doctorate in Acupuncture and held an honorary Doctorate in Science from the National Christian University.) invented the artificial heart, the disposable razor, the flameless cigarette lighter used in automobiles, the illuminated ball-point pen, and countless other interesting bits. I will cherish the videos I have of his performances. He will be missed...but the mark made upon our lives by this man will remain forever. It's time for Jerry Mahoney to take their place of honor next to Charlie and Lambchop in the Smithsonian Americana exhibit. If anyone remembers who his various sponsors were, I'd appreciate hearing from you so that I can update my notes. Thanks. Well done, Dr. Winchell. Thank you. Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Dr_Stephen_Midnight Inner circle SW Ohio, USA 1555 Posts |
I believe that Jerry and Knucklehead had already been donated to the Smithsonian while Winch was still alive.
Steve
Dr. Lao: "Do you know what wisdom is?"
Mike: "No." Dr. Lao: "Wise answer." |
Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Steve, you're right...They were donated years ago...but, as of my last visit in May of this year, they have not been added to the Americana displays. Shari Lewis' Lamb Chops is there, as is Howdy Doody, Mr. Roger's sweater, Archie Bunker's chair and Charlie McCarthy. I'm not 100% sure about this, but is it possible that they wait until the donor has passed to display the item? I'll have to research this. Thanks!
Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Dr_Stephen_Midnight Inner circle SW Ohio, USA 1555 Posts |
You're probably right on that. I'm sure they'll be added now.
Steve
Dr. Lao: "Do you know what wisdom is?"
Mike: "No." Dr. Lao: "Wise answer." |
irossall Special user Snohomish, Washington 529 Posts |
The only Sponsor that I can remember from the early shows was Tootsie Roll candies.
I too was a huge fan of Paul Winchell and he along with Shari Lewis were my favorite Ventriloquists. I had no idea that Paul Winchell did Magic but it really doesn't surprise me at all. I wish I could have watched him perform Magic. As many shows as I have watched I don't remember him doing any Magic at all or ever having a Magician guest on his show. Shari Lewis was a fine Magician but the only time I ever got to watch her perform was at a Magic Convention, I don't remember her ever doing any Magic on her show. The World was a little happier with Mr. Winchell in it but is now a little sadder with his passing. Iven
Give the gift of Life, Be an Organ Donor.
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cardone Special user 860 Posts |
Have you ever listen to the record he made "Chips of Wisdom"?
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Iven...I may have been mistaken about Dr. WInchell being a magician. I've checked several sources and found no serious mention of it. I do remember seeing him perform as a magician and Jerry kept interrupting him. The only reference I can find to that was a cast listing for an appearance on an early "I Love Lucy"...and this was the role he played. So...I have to assume that my memory is off and notes need to be amended. If anyone else has info on this, I'd appreciate your input. Thanks!
:o) Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
irossall Special user Snohomish, Washington 529 Posts |
Skip... you are probably correct about Paul Winchell being a Magician. So often when the media recalls a celebrity's career only the most recent or most obvious achievments are mentioned.
Magic was probably more of a hobby with Mr. Winchell so the general public may not be aware of his talent for Magic. It seems to me that most of the Ventriloquists that I have heard of have at least dabbled in Magic, just as many Magician's have dabbled in Ventriloquism, Juggling, Hypnotism and various other art forms. I'd bet that if a poll was taken here at the Magic Café' we would find that the majority of Café' members have dabbled in all of the above mentioned arts. Iven
Give the gift of Life, Be an Organ Donor.
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