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Bob Baker Inner circle 1111 Posts |
Although copyrighted in 2011 by author Kenny Warren, this slim book seems to be a reprint of a [college?] thesis written at least 30 years ago. How do I arrive at this date? Well, John Cooper is referred to as "the world's first Negro ventriloquist." Also, the most recent ventriloquist discussed in the book is Shari Lewis. Clearly, some updating is in order.
That said, the book is basically a short history of Edgar Bergen's career and his role in reviving vent in this country. There is an initial chapter discussing a few vaudeville vents, and then begins the Bergen section. This is a straight-forward narrative of Bergen's career and an enjoyable read. There are some delightful surprises along the way, including an excerpt from a NY Times editorial referring to Charlie as a "fairly objectionable little fellow. He is impudent, lazy, egotistical and artful." The chapter "Ventriloquists Following Edgar Bergen" mentions only four: Dick Bruno [with whom I studied for a short while], Paul Winchell, Señor Wences, and Shari Lewis. This slim volume of 49 pages of text and 5 of bibliography is a quick read and is only $9.95 from Amazon.com. The book would have been a more enjoyable read if Mr. Warren had gotten someone to proofread the text before sending it off to the printer. The typos are numerous and sometimes unintentionally funny, such as Edgar Bergen hitting the "bit time" or later working for "Standard Brane," not Standard Brands. Do I recommend this book? Sure. I recommend almost any book on vent, they're so few and far between. I assure you, you've spent $10 less wisely in your life. Here's the link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1......ca&ajr=0 Bob |
marshalldoll Special user 554 Posts |
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Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
Good timing for your review Bob. I just recently found out about this book myself and just ordered it from Amazon last night.
Naturally, I'm glad to see you thought it was well worth the money spent and I'll be looking forward to reading it myself.
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
Steve at The Dummy Shoppe Elite user 479 Posts |
The few dealings I have had with Kenny, I have found him to be a delightful gentleman absolutely true to his word and each conversation was an encounter that I found to be uplifting. I am going to order the book for myself.
Steve http://www.thedummyshoppe.com |
KeithS Elite user 449 Posts |
Bob,
Having bought and read Kenny's book myself, I think your review is right on. As a language arts teacher, the typos did bother me, but I learned some neat things that I didn't know before. I also agree with Steve. The few correspondences I've had with Kenny (Kenny bought a case from me via eBay; and I inquired about his Brown figure he currently has for sale) have all been positive. Best, Keith |
Chatterbox41 Veteran user Atlanta, Georgia 349 Posts |
I haven't read the book, but I do remember that it was published in "The New Vent-O-Gram" in the early '70's. Seems it was done in 3 segments. Interesting. Was done when so many of the vents were still around.
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Bob Baker Inner circle 1111 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-09-05 17:39, Chatterbox41 wrote: Yes. In fact, there is a nice hand-written note from Bergen and Charlie about the manuscript reproduced in the book. |
Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
I just started reading this book last night. So far only having read the Introduction and the first chapter and I can already see the need for the book to be proofread, but that's a common problem with most self-published books (and it's no worse than many of my typos in my forum posts since I often fail to proofread them before clicking on "Submit Reply").
But there were a couple things that really caught my eye and caused me to hesitate. In the "Introduction", I read this line; "Had it not been for the appearance of Edgar Bergen, and his followers, ventriloquism itself might well have disappeared in this country." And before I started reading, I was flipping through the back pages with the Bibliography, etc., and went a bit too far and was looking at the last couple lines of the final chapter, "Conclusion", and read this in the final sentence; ".....had it not been for Bergen, there would not, in a(ll) probability, be any practicing ventriloquists today." Now I am easily as huge a fan of Bergen as anyone, that's the only reason I bought this book, because I knew ahead of time it was primarily about him, so I would never even remotely begin to underestimate Bergen's importance to the art. Anyone who doesn't realize the important part he played is either a newbie, or not paying attention. But with that said, I think theses statements have accomplished what I never would have thought possible in any reference to Bergen - overestimate. Let me be the first to say, that without Bergen, it's possible, actually probable, that we would not have had many of the "stars" of our art that we all know, and consequently possible, or again probable, that there might not be as many people actively participating in the art. But to say it "might well have disappeared in this country.", or "....there would not, in all probability, be any practicing ventriloquists today.", I think really is reaching a bit. Ventriloquism has been around since long before Bergen, and there's times it's been referred to as a "dying art" and been hanging on by a thread, but do I think it would completely disappear? Personally, I don't believe so, I believe there would still be some out there practicing it, again, maybe painfully few, but I don't think it would ever completely disappear.
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
Steve at The Dummy Shoppe Elite user 479 Posts |
Dave,
I completely agree with your summary. As an old boss of mine used to say, "No one monkey stops the circus". There will always be another clown show up just in time. As good as Jeff and Terry have been for the art, they have only contributed to its revitalization and popularity, but the art would not have become extinct without them. Steve http://www.thedummyshoppe.com |
Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
I finally got to pick up the book again and finish it and I guess I'm going to have to be the dissenting reviewer here.
In addition to what I wrote previously in regards to the "issue" of the extreme assumption that vent would be dead and gone without Bergen, I mentioned, as had others, about the need for proofreading. I said it's no worse than my own typos in a forum post, but I'm not putting my forum posts in a book and selling them, and this really was a bit much for a book that someone is going to sell. In reference to this being the author's "own thesis" - I'm guessing this is something he wrote on his own for his own benefit. I cannot begin to imagine anyone turning something in such dire need of proofreading in for a college course. Was it interesting? If you love Bergen and McCarthy, reading anything about them is interesting I suppose. But was there any earthshaking new info? Not really. It might be good info for someone who just knew the names and knew nothing about Bergen otherwise. Gary mentioned it being published in a Vent-O-Gram, and I can see that, it would be good for a multi-part series in a newsletter, but as something to be sold as a book? Sorry, I can't recommend spending 14. (can't forget the shipping) just because it's a book about vent and they're few and far between. Mostly, what I got out of this book: sometimes it's a good thing that self-publishing has gotten easier and cheaper - sometimes it's not.
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
marshalldoll Special user 554 Posts |
"Had it not been for the appearance of Edgar Bergen, and his followers, ventriloquism itself might well have disappeared in this country."
Hey guys if you think about it Vaudeville was coming to an end. Bergen made his way to the radio and then into the movies. What other vent was there in the public's eye that could have influenced others to be ventriloquists. The late great Paul Winchell credited Bergen for his being a ventriloquist and so does Jimmy Nelson. So that line may not be too far off. Who else was there at that time that could have had so much influence? Dan http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com |
Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
As I wrote in my post, "it's possible, actually probable, that we would not have had many of the "stars" of our art that we all know", but just because we wouldn't have had some of the stars we know, that's still a big leap to say it might have completely disappeared.
So there may not have been anyone else, at that time, that could have had so much influence, maybe someone else might have come along at another time, maybe not. There is no doubt that vent history would be very much different than we now know it to be, but I think it IS far off to assume without Bergen it would have completely "disappeared", or that there would be no practicing ventriloquists.
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
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