How To Become A Ventriloquist

The legendary Paul Winchell, most often associated with the Jerry Mahoney dummy, is the host and instructor for this excellent introduction to the art of ventriloquism. After a brief intro, in which Winchell shares anecdotes about his career, the tape launches into a six section guided tour of learning lip control, making substitute sounds, manipulation of the puppet, creating a dummy's voice, splitting (synchronizing and alternating movements between the ventriloquist and the dummy), and the myths about voice throwing. Filled with corny jokes, some of them major groaners, How to Become a Ventriloquist is nevertheless a real insider's guide from the premier practitioner of our time. The only drawback is a line from Winchell's black dummy concerning the lack of "colored" dummies, an unfortunate anachronism which is not repeated during the many other characterizations featuring the black dummy. Highly recommended, with the one reservation. (Available from: Jerry Layne Enterprises, 9420 Reseda Blvd., Suite 211, Northridge, CA 91324; (818) 993-8284.)