Recently, an original long lost manuscript resurfaced having been discovered in an ancient bookshop in the back waters of the southern states.
Archive for December, 2009
Ventriloquism Used To Create the Voice of Memnon Greeting His Mother Eos
Although the particular cause and char¬acter of the sounds have never been satisfactorily explained, the state of expectancy with which the silent and probably awe-struck worshipers awaited the sunrise, and their sublime faith in the reality of the phenomenon, were distinctly favor¬able to the production of a ventriloquial illusion by an attendant priest.
Mention is made in the Acts of the Apostles (16 : 16), of a young1 woman with a familiar spirit meeting the Apostles in the city of Philippi in Macedonia. Such divination is also referred to by St. Chrysostom and other early Christian fathers; and in the East, where it has been practiced for upward of three thousand years, it is still not uncommon.
If there is any doubt as to the part ventrilo¬quism played in this divination by a familiar spirit, there can be none in the method employed by the Greeks, which was termed gastromancy. In this the voice of the “spirit ” made its oracular replies apparently from the priest’s belly, the diviner himself standing in the meanwhile with impassive countenance and immovable lips.
Coming down to modern times, we find that Louis Brabant, valet de chambre of Francis I, won for himself a rich and beautiful heiress by aid of his wonderful talent as a ventriloquist; and the works of M. L’Abbe La Chappelle, published in 1772, contain references to the astonishing ventriloquist achievements of Baron Menge at Vienna, and those of M. St. Gille, a grocer living near Paris.
Another famous ventriloquist performer, M. Alexandre, was also so great an adept at changing his coun¬tenance, that at one time he completely deceived a sculptor, before whom he sat five times in the borrowed character of a famous clergyman of Abbotsford, with whom the sculptor war well acquainted.
Ventriloquism Used In Ancient Eqypt
By the Mosaic Law, which was given about fifteen hundred years before Christ, the Jews were forbidden from consulting those having familiar spirits. So accustomed, however, were the Hebrews, who had evidently become acquainted with the voice during their captivity in Egypt, with this mode of divination that one of their prophets compares it to the power of sanctified utterance where he says (Isaiah 29: 4): ” And thy voice shall be as one that hath a familiar spirit out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.”
Just where the Egyptians obtained their knowledge of the art is uncertain, but in the performance of the ” mysteries ” which accompanied their worship of Osiris, the judge of the dead in the lower world, a seemingly unearthly voice, proceeding either from the earth or from overhead, played no unimportant part. Inasmuch as the voices described were such as have always been peculiarly identified with ventriloquism, the practice of this art by unscrupulous priests would seem to afford a natural solution of the mystery. This explanation might also be applied to the phenomenon attending the dawning of a new day upon the colossal statue of Memnon, which stood near Thebes in Egypt on the bank of the Nile, and became renowned as the ” Vocal Memnon.” According to ancient tradition, this statue when first touched by the rays of the rising sun emitted a musical tone, like the snapping of a harp string, which the imaginative Greeks conceived to be the voice of Memnon greeting his mother Eos (the dawn).
Ventriloquism Is A Very Ancient Art
Ventriloquism is almost as old as the world, or at least as old as intelligible spoken language, but just when and where in the dim and misty ages of the past it had its origin will forever remain unknown. Unlike other arts it was not brought to perfection through the slow development and accretion of years. From its very nature it must have sprung into existence full grown, like Venus from the sea. Under various guises its practice may be traced by the student in those venerable chronicles which faintly echo the long-vanished life of antiquity.
Although proof positive is wanting of the fact, it is fair to assume that many of the occurrences involving the assistance of an apparently supernatural voice, by which many of the old superstitions were fostered among the early races, were feats of ventriloquism. Such marvels are inexplicable, if they are not pure fiction, except as the work of deception through the aid of ventriloquism.
So common indeed at one time was this belief in a ” second voice,” or ” familiar spirit,” as it was often called, that it took the form of divination by which the supposed spirit was evoked and consulted as to the right course of conduct on important occasions; and this divination, which was practiced in a variety of ways among the different semi-barbaric races of the ancient world, can be traced through a long period of time.
From the book Ventriloquist Secrets Revealed – a book that experienced ventriloquists have kept to themselves – until now.
Paul Zerdin – Ventriloquist on Royal Variety Show 2009 Enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFRM_Nkhhig
Jeff Dunham latest news and highlight from his latest show
Find latest show highlights and other videos at the link below:
http://comedians.jokes.com/jeff-dunham
See a genius at work.
“They’re not coming out to see a ventriloquist,” Dunham says of the audiences at his consistently …. Peanut: I think it’d be cool to be a ventriloquist. …
Paul Zerdin Ventriloquist
This is a quick introduction to the wonderful skills of Paul Zerdin. He performed at The Royal Variety Perfomance Show in 2009. He has also performed for Her Majesty in 1997 and 2002.
The Royal Variety Performance is currently available above
Its not that long but heck! Thanks Guys, Over 500,000 Views!
Duration : 0:2:27
Edgar Bergen – On The Radio
Ventriloquist makes it big on the most unlikely medium – old time radio by Ned Norris
Bergen was born in 1903 and learned the art of ventriloquism at a young age. Edgar commissioned the creation of a dummy from a craftsman who lived locally, called him Charlie McCarthy, and gave him the cheeky personality of a boy and womanizer who was able to get away with double entendre.
Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy became a duo that played at talent shows in the Midwest while Bergen was in college at Northwestern. Eventually Bergen finished his schooling and started to perform his act full-time.
In the 1930s he performed in New York and even toured Europe and South America with his show, but slowly vaudeville lost popularity due to new forms of media such as film and radio.
It is safe to say that radio wouldn’t normally be the first choice medium for a ventriloquist, but that didn’t seem to put Bergen off. In the mid 1930s Bergen and his dummy made an appearance on the Royal Gelatin Hour on NBC. As odd as it seemed to have a ventriloquist on the radio, his humor and wit made him a fan favorite instantly.
In 1937 he was rewarded with his own spot, The Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy Show, on NBC, which became an overnight success. The show was so popular that it ran on various networks until 1956.
In the first year of the show, Bergen was involved in a controversy while performing the Mae West ‘Adam and Eve’ skit. He made remarks that were considered inappropriate, which brought unwanted attention from the Federal Communications Commission in 1938. However, the controversy passed and the show gained even more popularity.
Over the years, Edgar added more characters to his act. The most famous of these were the slow-witted but loveable Mortimer Snerd and the man-eating Effie Klinker. Under normal circumstances one would be right to assume that a ventriloquist act was dependent on visualization, but the show proved to be huge success on radio, and although it would seem a natural progression he did very few television performances.
In the late 1970s, Bergen decided to retire and he donated Charlie to the Smithsonian Institute. A week later he passed away after performing in a show with Andy Williams.
Today, Charlie and two other puppets, Mortimer Snerd and Effie Klinker, are on display at the Radio Hall of Fame and Museum in Chicago and in 1990 The Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy Show was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.
About the Author
Ned Norris is webmaster of http://www.rusc.com , one of the longest established and most highly regarded old time radio web sites on the Internet. RUSC is a place where you can relive the golden days of radio, download or listen online to 1000s of classic shows, and read regularly updated editorial and reviews on old time radio and related topics.
What Ventriloquism Can Do For You
Here is a great article I have just found on
Teaching and Ventriloquism Educate – Interview With Nancey Ambrose, a MA Ventriloquist and Teacher
1. What is one thing every Ventriloquist must do?
The most important thing a ventriloquist must do is PRACTICE every day! The best way for me to practice is in front of a mirror. Work on manipulation, lip control, memorizing your script, and especially just get comfortable with your puppet! Practice while sitting in front of the TV, a great way to learn how to ad lib. For lip control, I practice in the car without moving my lips! I sometimes sing along with the songs without moving my lips.
2. What is one thing every Ventriloquist must avoid?
Each ventriloquist is different. Individuals who want to become ventriloquists must avoid copying the ones they see.
I recommend: (1) Find out what is right for you. Search for information and talk to people asking specific questions. What are YOU comfortable with? What type of figure do you want to use – a hard figure or a soft puppet? There are advantages to both!
(2) Once you decide, get going! Never let anyone discourage you! Start practicing. You can even practice with your hand! Think about your character. It’s a big decision! Write a bio for your puppet. Ask it questions and get to know it!
3. Is this Ventriloquist stuff something that is here to stay?
Absolutely! Ventriloquism has been around for a long time and will be here for a long time. I go to the ConVENTion in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, and there are over 400 people attending every year, an amazing number of people interested in ventriloquism to attend a convention in the middle of summer! Many young people attend these conventions as well.
Sales of Jeff Dunham’s video last year exceeded expectations. More people watched a ventriloquist in their home than possibly ever before. Dunham appeared on Comedy Central in his own special. No TV station is going to give a ventriloquist a special show unless they believe it will be watched repeatedly.
Dunham’s second DVD will be released soon and Comedy Central will be airing his second special in September 2007. Terry Fator, the winner of the television show, “America’s Got Talent,” is a ventriloquist which is quite impressive because there were thousands of different types of acts. Many families enjoyed great ventriloquism in their homes!
4. Can someone work successfully as a Ventriloquist if they are in a crowded niche?
YES! You need to find what’s right for you. Remember not to copy anyone else. Practice consistently and master your craft.
Have your own characters and your show ready to go! It is easier said than done but it can be done. Many professional ventriloquists work full time in their craft. They worked long hours to achieve success.
5. What has Ventriloquism done for you?
Ventriloquism has allowed me to take what I do professionally and combine ventriloquism with it. I work with children with cancer. I am able to take my puppets into hospitals and outpatient clinics to work directly with these children. Some of the children do not want to talk but many times they will talk to a puppet I bring in. The parents love it as well since they know how much the children love the puppet play.
Certain puppets and I have been able to stay with the children during painful treatments which comforts them. I also carry other puppets the kids get to use. Oftentimes the siblings join the fun as they also have many fears. The puppets occasionally have spent the night in the hospital. For example, I remember a 13-year old girl who had endured an extremely difficult surgery. She was angry and would not talk with anyone. I brought in a six foot dodo bird. She talked to the bird and asked if it could stay with her over night. I happily granted her request. Her mom said her daughter talked through the bird puppet and her talk was happy. In the morning the girl was ready to be herself again.
I also have bald ventriloquist figures and wigs to cover their bald heads if needed. Many of the kids love seeing puppets can be just like them!
6. What trends to you currently see in Ventriloquism?
I see ventriloquism being used in many different areas! I see it in comedy as well as in churches, birthday shows, magic shows, singing, and hospitals.
7. When did you first become interested in Ventriloquism?
I loved puppets when I was a child! When I was earning my Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education and Child Life (working with hospitalized children), I performed a complete program for a nursery school, teaching them about doctors and hospitals. This is when I used my first plastic ventriloquist figure who had a broken arm and a cast I put on the figure. We talked about what it was like going to the hospital. The kids loved it as did the other teachers and parents. It was great.
My first real job was putting together a program for school because it was the time of year for kids to return to school; that concept needed to be explained to the class. I developed a program with a couple of puppets and performed with a buddy which the class, teachers, and parents loved. I now perform an abbreviated program for smaller groups with one girl figure talking about cancer and how it affects life.
It’s great being able to do what I do!
Angela Scott
© September 4, 2007
Visit my website to read about more ways you can encourage, inspire and motivate those you live and work with to discover hope. http://www.thatstorylady.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A._H._Scott
Hi There
More to come soon.
This video will show you Terry fator n letterman!