Knucklehead Smiff

 

Knucklehead Smiff

 

Knucklehead lost his voice twenty years ago.

Paul Winchell, the famous ventriloquist and voice actor, died in 2005. Paul and his puppet Jerry Mahoney and second banana Knucklehead Smiff had a career that spanned a half-century.

Ventriloquism as a stagecraft reached its peak in the 40s and 50s. It’s popularity declined in the late 1960s as entertainment tastes evolved. Ventriloquism, which was often seen by newer generations as a simple or novelty act, struggled to compete with  emerging genres and trends.  The humor in the ventriloquist performances typically  relied on puns and simple jokes, which many from newer  generations starting with ”X” believed were outdated.

 

1950’s stagecraft and entertainment humor mirrored a more conservative and stable post-war society. For fourteen years viewers followed the “Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.” The show exemplified the classic, family-oriented humor of the 1950s, focusing on warmth and simplicity rather than todays’ satire and boldness. The show reached 10-15 million viewers per episode reflecting its widespread popularity during the golden age of television. Shows beginning in the late 60’s, however, began to tackle social issues, politics, and counterculture movements. By the early 1970s, television audiences were shifting towards more contemporary and youth-oriented programming. Variety shows, like Toast of the Town, which had been immensely popular in earlier decades, were starting to decline in viewership.

The  "Ed Sullivan Show," originally titled "Toast of the Town," ended its run on June 6, 1971. It was one of the most popular and influential variety shows in television history, known for showcasing a wide range of acts, including ventriloquists like Paul Winchell’s “dual dummies”, Shari Lewis’ Lambchop, and the unforgettable  Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy

 

Sadly, ventriloquists generally became as dated as a TV Test Patten but to “keep in tune with the times" means to stay updated and aligned with current trends, developments, and changes in society, technology, culture, and other relevant areas. It involves being aware of and adapting to contemporary practices, styles, and innovations to remain relevant and effective in a modern context. This can apply to various aspects, such as business practices, fashion, technology, and certainly entertainment.

 

Few remember Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy and only octogenarians and those nearing that status may recall the voice actors of the 50’s, but others can drop in and see Knucklehead and other wooden characters – characters because they each had a personality and their own individuality  - as part of the collection at the Smithsonian Institution. The exhibit ensures that this iconic figure of mid-20th century entertainment is preserved, and that   Paul Winchell's  and other creations  remain appreciated  as significant parts of entertainment history.

If you go there, say hello to Howdy Doody for me.

 

And what time is it?

 

Meme:

 

One of the most fascinating stories about ventriloquists involves the legendary Edgar Bergen and his famous dummy, Charlie McCarthy.

Bergen, an American actor and radio performer achieved remarkable fame with his ventriloquist act. What made Bergen's story unique was his ability to captivate audiences, not just in live performances but over the radio. He was able to create the illusion of a living, breathing character through his ventriloquism, even though Charlie could not be seen. Audiences became so engaged in his performance that they often forgot  Charlie  was made of wood. Bergen's inspired future generations of ventriloquists, including his daughter Candice Bergen, who became a successful actress. His legacy lives on as a testament to his creativity and ventriloquism’s magic – a magic that dates back centuries.

Paul was the voice of Tigger in Disney's Winnie the Pooh series.

The Greeks, had a word for ventriloquists, "engastrimythoi," (got that?) which  means "belly speakers." These individuals were believed to be able to communicate with the dead or gods. Similar practices have been noted in other ancient cultures, including Egypt and Israel.