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veegates Loyal user 208 Posts |
I remember reading somewhere that at one time a ventriloquist performed with a figure that actually walked. Sounds too good to be true. Anyone else heard of him? I would love to get a name and do some research on him.
Thanks to all! veegates |
tacrowl Inner circle Maryland 1633 Posts |
You can find walking figures in the VentHaven collection and the Ventriloquist Central collection. I'd recommend you contact Dan over at Ventriloquist Central. I'm sure he can help!
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veegates Loyal user 208 Posts |
Hi Tom,
Thank you for your help. After checking the links, I realized there wasn't just one, but many. I found a couple on Youtube also. Thanks again! |
Carl Mustaine New user 51 Posts |
Clinton detweiler had one on his blog a while back. I think it was from about 1900! There was a picture of an X-ray that had been taken of the arm and hand. You could clearly see all the metal joints on the fingers! I thought it was incredibly detailed given the period it was from.
Clinton might be able to dig it out for you. Regards Carl |
Bob Baker Inner circle 1111 Posts |
If memory serves, Bergen's had a female full sized figure that he danced and conversed with. She preceded Effie Klinker.
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veegates Loyal user 208 Posts |
Thanks Carl,
I went to Clintons' Blog. I found the figure in his archives. Amazing detail in his hand as shown in the x-ray. On Youtube there is a video of a guy in his kitchen dancing with a walking figure. Very interesting! |
Lou Hilario Inner circle 2235 Posts |
Is this what you were looking for: http://www.52magic.com/product_865.html
Magic, Illusions, Juggling, Puppet & Parrot Show ^0^
http://www.louhilario.net |
maps Inner circle 1124 Posts |
Hi Lou,did you managed to get one? Any reviews?
the heart is where the magic begins
Visit my website [www.mascotsandpuppets.com] |
Carl Mustaine New user 51 Posts |
Veegates,
Can you post the youtube link? I would be interested to see it, Thanks Carl |
veegates Loyal user 208 Posts |
Hi Carl,
Here it is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx0GY08m6HU Lou, Thanks for the link. That is actually kind of creepy (but....I like it!) |
Carl Mustaine New user 51 Posts |
Lou,
How on earth did you find that puppet? I have just watched the YouTube video and was amazed to see the army of puppets at the beginning! However, they look like some creepy substitute children dressed up in modern clothes peg-legging down the street. I think they would scare the heck out of most children. Cheers Carl |
Carl Mustaine New user 51 Posts |
Check the link below
http://ventriloquistcentral.com/ventrilo......ndex.htm Scroll down to Harry Burton, a US ventriloquist circa 1911, used a walking figure named Silas Green. Regards Carl |
veegates Loyal user 208 Posts |
I would love to have that photo in an 8x10. Did you see Louise Hudson's figure?
Somewhere on Youtube there is a video of a walking figures mechanism. Basically two strings in his back to operate his legs with a sort of pulling linkage in the figures' wrist so the performer can operate the figures mouth and head while walking and holding his hand. I would enjoy seeing that performed live. |
marshalldoll Special user 554 Posts |
Here is a link to see the Walking Ken Spencer figure in the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It has a very complex mechanical setup but in reality it still works by sdwinging the legs.
http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com/spen......r_02.htm Dan http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com |
Carl Mustaine New user 51 Posts |
Dan,
That figure looks great! Do you have any footage of him walking? I would love to see it! I bet it was a real trial and error process to get this one working! Best wishes Carl |
veegates Loyal user 208 Posts |
I was wondering.... do you think anyone would perform with a walking figure today?
Or are there performers out there using them? I wonder how the figure would be viewed by the audience. I myself, would love to see a performer using one in a show! |
Carl Mustaine New user 51 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-11-06 10:47, veegates wrote: I would think that anyone in the vent biz would be enthralled! I doubt the regular paying public would be that entertained. In the age of animatronics and the like, I think that the figure/vent interaction and dialogue is still the main thing. I just don't think that people would appreciate the overall effort. Regards Carl |
veegates Loyal user 208 Posts |
Sadly, I nust agree with you on that. I build props and a while back I built a mechanical acrobat. He is on Youtube. The video is rough where I tried to edit it because the length of the routine was about 4 minutes long. I felt it was boring at that length. One part I cut out that I wish I would have left in is the part where the figure jumps off the trapeze and into my arms. I am not a good enough performer to present him properly so he got thrown into a crate which is where he has been for a couple of years now. If you get a chance, please have a peek at his video. I guess his is very close to a walking vent figure. Here is his site.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44UBXBlGmik If you do take a peek, I hope you enjoy. Maybe, if I gave him a movable mouth, he would make a great vent figure. |
Carl Mustaine New user 51 Posts |
Veegates,
He is indeed a mechanical marvel! He may just make a great figure with moving mouth. I think most of us here would also be VERY interested to see his mechanics. Perhaps you could add a further video, showng how he works (unless its a secret!). On a different note, is this something you could patent? has there ever been a childs toy like this? I would certainly buy one! Regards |
aaronharp88 New user 59 Posts |
You can always buy the masks and have your audience become the vent. dummy
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