Terence "Terry" Hall (20th November 1926 – 3rd April 2007) was an English ventriloquist. He appeared regularly on television with his puppet, Lenny the Lion, whose catchphrase was "Aw, don't embawass me!" Hall is credited with having been one of the first ventriloquists to use a non-human puppet. Hall was born in Chadderton, Lancashire, where his parents ran a working men's club. He was educated at St Patrick's School in Oldham and at De La Salle College in Pendleton, Salford. Hall initially worked as a ventriloquist with a boy dummy, named Mickey Finn, and won a talent show aged 15.
Hall created Lenny the Lion in 1954 after he visited the zoo while working at the summer season in Blackpool. Lenny was made from an old fox fur and papier--mâché with a golf ball for the nose. He originally had a mouthful of fearsome teeth, but they were removed at the suggestion of singer Anne Shelton to avoid scaring children in the audience.
Hall and Lenny first appeared on BBC Television in 1956, in a variety show entitled Dress Rehearsal that also signalled Eric Sykes's television debut. The Lenny the Lion Show ran on from 1957 to 1960, followed by Lenny's Den in 1959 to 1961, and the pop music show Pops and Lenny in 1962 to 1963. In 1958 Bill Mevin created a comic strip based on Lenny the Lion. Hall visited the United States in 1958, making his debut on
The Ed Sullivan Show with Lenny that year. Throughout the 1960s, Hall and Lenny appeared on stage in Blackpool and on television. The Beatles made one of their early TV appearances in a 1963 episode of Pops and Lenny, singing "From Me to You" and "Please Please Me." David Bowie's father, Hayward Jones, worked on the show, and launched the Lenny the Lion Fan Club. Lenny advertised Trebor mints for three years. Hall released a single, "Lenny's Bath Time", in 1963.
Terry Hall with Lennie the Lion. 1954 A401-011
Rainbow - New Friends
Rainbow - New Friends
Rainbow was a British children's television series, created by Pamela Lonsdale, which ran from 12 November 1972 until July 1992, only finishing when Thames Television lost its ITV franchise to Carlton Television. The series was revived by HTV in 1994 until 24 March 1997, in two different formats and voice actors compared to the original Thames series. The series was originally conceived as a British equivalent of long-running American educational puppet series Sesame Street. The British series was developed in house by Thames Television, and had no input from the Children's Television Workshop. It was intended to develop language and social skills for pre-school children, and went on to win the Society of Film and Television Arts Award for Best Children's Programme in 1975. It aired five times weekly, twice weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays then Tuesdays and Fridays, and finally once weekly at 12:10 on Fridays on the ITV network. The show had three producers over its lifetime – Pamela Lonsdale, Charles Warren and Joe Boyer. The original Thames series has gained cult status and continues to get frequent mentions on radio and television. A few DVDs have been produced, including one celebrating 30 Years of Rainbow.
![Craig Douglas - Oh, Lonesome Me [Pops and Lenny 9/11/62]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BG7Og6u9V7k/sddefault.jpg)
Craig Douglas - Oh, Lonesome Me [Pops and Lenny 9/11/62]
Craig Douglas - Oh, Lonesome Me [Pops and Lenny 9/11/62]
Everybody's going out and having fun
I'm just a fool for staying home and having none
I can't get over how she set me free oh lonesome me
A bad mistake I'm making just by hanging round
I know that I should have some fun and paint the town
A lovesick fool is blind and just can't see oh lonesome me
I'll bet she's not like me she's out and fancy free
Flirtin' with the boys with all her charms
But I still love her so and brother don't you know
I'd welcome her right back here in my arms
Well there must be some way I can lose these lonesome blues
Forget about the past and find somebody new
I've thought of everything from A to Z oh lonesome me
I'll bet she's not like me she's out and fancy free
Flirtin' with the boys with all her charms
But I still love her so and brother don't you know
I'd welcome her right back here in my arms
Well there must be some way I can lose these lonesome blues
Forget about the past and find somebody new
I've thought of everything from A to Z oh lonesome me
Oh lonesome me oh lonesome me
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Don Gibson
In spite of the fact that Hall was a staunch Oldham Athletic fan, during the 1957–58 English football season, Hall took Lenny to the Den )old) which was then the home of Millwall F.C. and allowed Lenny to pose with his "fellow Lions" for publicity shots, much to the delight of all present in the ground. Hall and Lenny continued to work in variety through the 1970s, appearing on television in programmes such as Crackerjack and 3-2-1. From 1977 to 1980, Hall regularly appeared in the educational television programme Reading With Lenny. He wrote the Kevin the Kitten series of children's reading books which accompanied the series.
The club was created in 1899 after Pine Villa Football Club folded earlier the same year. Oldham Athletic squad in 1905
Hall married twice. He had two daughters from his first marriage. He married a second time in 1980, to dance teacher Denise Francis. He suffered from Alzheimer's disease in later life, and died in 2007 in Coventry aged 80. Dr. Henry (Harry) Otto Brünjes, a long-standing family friend, gave the eulogy at the service.
Jim Barber and one of his friends, the loveable and funny "Pecos Pete."
Jim Barber is an American ventriloquist, comedian and singer who performs Internationally. Barber is best known for his unusual performance in which "Seville," his dummy, actually appears to be holding Barber, contrary to the more orthodox way used by his peers. One of Barber's more popular routines involves "Diva," a female dummy which appears to be operated by Seville (with Barber on the other side), with all three engaged in an operatic song from The Barber of Seville - part of the pun from which the name of Barber's act, "Jim Barber and Seville," is taken.
The Comedy of Jim Barber
The Comedy of Jim Barber
Barber has been named "Ventriloquist of the Year" in 2006 by the International Magicians Society, "Ventriloquist of the Year" in 1984 by the Vent Haven International Ventriloquist ConVENTion, "Comedy Entertainer of the Year" by the National Association of Campus Activities, and one of the "Funniest People in America" by Showtime/The Movie Channel for his technical vocal skills and creative approach. He was featured in a performance during "Ventriloquist Week" on February 15, 2007 on the Late Show with David Letterman which aired again that April. He has also appeared on many other television shows on NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, A&E, and TNN.
Ozarks FOX AM-Jim Barber & Chico Perform-01/09/19
Ozarks FOX AM-Jim Barber & Chico Perform-01/09/19
Barber co-starred in the Hamner Barber Variety Show in Branson, Missouri from 2004-2013. His first work in the resort city was as a featured comedian in the Glen Campbell Goodtime Show. He also worked in Branson with The Osmonds, Tony Orlando, Bobby Vinton and Eddie Rabbitt. Elsewhere Barber has appeared on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, The Nashville Network, A&E, Fox, ABC, and NBC. Barber has also been featured in Las Vegas, Reno, Atlantic City, New Jersey, and on USO shows visiting American troops abroad.
Junk Food Baby Song - Ventriloquist Jim Barber
Junk Food Baby Song - Ventriloquist Jim Barber - Here's a silly novelty song for kids performed live by ventriloquist Jim Barber with his character Baby. It was recorded at the Glen Campbell Goodtime Show in Branson, Missouri in 1994. Music composed and performed by T.J. Kuenster. Lyrics by Jim Barber and T.J. Kuenster. Vocals by Jim Barber
The Track Family Fun ParksBranson Ferris Wheel
Branson is a city in Taney and Stone counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. Most of the city is in Taney County, with a small portion in the west extending into Stone County. Branson is in the Ozark Mountains. The community was named after Reuben Branson, postmaster and operator of a general store in the area in the 1880s. The population was 10,520 at the 2010 census. Branson has long been a popular destination for vacationers from Missouri and around the country. The collection of entertainment theaters along 76 Country Boulevard (and to a lesser extent along Shepherd of the Hills Expressway), including Dolly Parton's Stampede, has increased Branson's popularity as a tourist destination.
WonderWorks, Branson's Upside-Down Adventure!
Prepare for a full day of imagination and adrenaline at WonderWorks Branson that is located in Branson's Entertainment District.
Wonderworks' opened on Friday, June 5, 2020! It is the newest indoor attraction in Branson's Entertainment District. You won’t be able to miss the iconic exterior—a huge upside-down house—of WonderWorks in the heart of Branson’s Entertainment District. According to legend, the building was once a top-secret laboratory that was lifted off its foundations onto its roof by an experiment gone awry!
Branson WonderWorks Walk Thru
Branson WonderWorks Walk Thru
Branson Missouri
Dolly Parton's Stampede Branson Missouri Review! Dinner Attraction! Worth The Money??
Dolly Parton's Stampede Branson Missouri Review! Dinner Attraction! Worth The Money??
Besides the numerous entertainment theaters for which Branson is known, other local attractions include Hollywood Wax Museum Branson, Silver Dollar City, White Water, Branson Top Ops, Mount Pleasant Winery, ziplines, cave tours, go-karts, mini golf, and more. Ripley's Odditorium is housed in a building that has been made to look as if it is cracked wide open by an earthquake or other disaster, while the Titanic Museum is a half-scale replica of the famous ship and iceberg. The convention center, situated between Branson Landing and Historic Downtown Branson, opened September 7th, 2007. The Branson Scenic Railway is located in the old depot, across from Branson Landing.
The Hollywood Wax Museum! Branson, Missouri
The Hollywood Wax Museum! Branson, Missouri
Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Branson, MO
Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Branson, MO
Promised Land Zoo and Titanic Museum in Branson MO
Promised Land Zoo and Titanic Museum in Branson MO
Silver Dollar City Rides | Every Ride at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri
Silver Dollar City Rides | Every Ride at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri
National Tiger Sanctuary, Table Rock Lake, Branson Missouri
National Tiger Sanctuary, Table Rock Lake, Branson Missouri
The National Tiger Sanctuary is also another popular attraction located in Branson, Meet their animal residents up close and personal with guided tours Wednesday–Sunday from 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. They house more than tigers—see lions, wolves, leopards, Artic foxes, mountain lions, lemurs and more! Visiting the National Tiger Sanctuary is more than a thrill… your visit helps to support their mission! They are a non-profit rescue organization that is dedicated to education, environmental preservation and exemplary animal care, providing a permanent home for exotic and domestic animals. Both riding and walking tours are available.
Feeling tired and needing to rest, why not try the Chateau on the Lake resort spa and convention center. Branson’s only AAA Four Diamond Resort. At Chateau on the Lake, upscale resort amenities, elegant lake views and friendly Midwestern hospitality converge in an idyllic Ozark Mountain oasis for your getaway. Just minutes from Branson’s entertainment district on 76 Country Boulevard, Chateau on the Lake is the perfect fall retreat to experience Table Rock Lake and Silver Dollar City along with Branson shows and attractions. Resort amenities include a full-service marina, spa, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, nature trails and more than 50,000 square feet of event space. And the resort’s award-winning local favorite Chateau Grille—is truly a destination of its own. At Chateau on the Lake, you will discover everything you need to create a spectacular family vacation this fall, a romantic getaway, wedding or other special event.
Jim Barber has a background in entertainment marketing and for ten years promoted and performed at the Hamner Barber Theater, a 640 seat venue in Branson, Missouri. In 2014 Jim was hired as Campaign Chairman to renew Branson's Tourism Community Enhancement District sales tax which successfully passed with a 76.7% approval by the resident voters. Barber is also co-owner of a video production, graphic design and publishing company, having personally developed projects for Silver Dollar City, Big Cedar Lodge, Glen Campbell, Jimmy Osmond, Yakov Smirnoff, Pierce Arrow, Clay Cooper, Paul Harris and Tony Orlando among others.
Carla Rhodes is an American ventriloquist, comedian and musician who was mentored by Shari Lewis as a teenager. She lives in New York City. She adds a new twist to the old art of ventriloquism. Rhodes' main squeeze is a cantankerous 1920s gentleman named Cecil Sinclaire.
Rhodes taught herself ventriloquism at the age of 9 after seeing Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop on television. She began performing professionally at the age of 13 in a local (Louisville, Kentucky) magic shop. By the age of 15, she was performing regularly at the local comedy club. In 2009, New York Magazine named Rhodes as one of the "Ten New Comedians That Funny People Find Funny." While attending college in Tennessee, Rhodes recorded a full-length comedy music album in Nashville. "I Love Animals," a track from Carla's Golden Hits, vol 6, was played on the Dr. Demento's "Top Funny Five," eventually placing at number two.[
The Plight Of Cecil Starring Cecil Sinclaire and ventriloquist Carla Rhodes
The Plight Of Cecil Starring Cecil Sinclaire and ventriloquist Carla Rhodes
David Strassman (born September 6th, 1957) is an American ventriloquist, stand-up comedian, actor, voice artist, and comedian. He is best known for his ventriloquism act with Chuck Wood and Ted E. Bare. Strassman, the second of four children, was born and raised in Los Angeles County, California. His father, Harvey D. Strassman (September 19th, 1922 – January 30th, 2011), was a psychiatrist and medical academic.
Kevin the Alien Analyzes Humanity | Ted's Farewell | David Strassman Vol. 4
Kevin the Alien Analyzes Humanity | Ted's Farewell | David Strassman Vol. 4
A visit to Disneyland with his family prompted a young Strassman to ask his father to purchase some professional magic tricks that he performed for local neighborhood children. Strassman took a ventriloquism class in junior high school as an elective, taught by local Chicago children's television host Steve Hart. Strassman discovered he was good at it and could make money from his performances. Strassman studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York but returned to ventriloquism, busking in Central Park in New York, Leicester Square and the Marble Arch in London, and a brief stint in Paris. Strassman performed in New York's comedy clubs, including the Improv. In 1980, Strassman (along with his main ventriloquist character Chuck Wood) appeared in Roger Corman's horror movie Humanoids from the Deep.
Grandpa Fred Is Going Senile | Ted's Farewell | David Strassman Vol. 4
Grandpa Fred Is Going Senile | Ted's Farewell | David Strassman Vol. 4
In 1986, Strassman added remote control to his puppet, Chuck Wood, using transmitters, motors, and servos, from his hobby flying remote control model airplanes. He discovered a remote clutch system in a NASA facility that could be integrated into his own dummies. At the end of Strassman's act, he gets into an argument with his dummy, Chuck Wood, and leaves the stage. Chuck then appears to come to life with Strassman speaking into an off-stage microphone. He debuted this routine on The Late Show with Arsenio Hall in 1989. New York ventriloquist Stanley Burns, used remote-controlled dummies in the 1950s. In 1995, he performed on The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.
A.N.G.E.L.The Robot Wants A Vagina | Strassman Live Vol. 3 | David Strassman
A.N.G.E.L.The Robot Wants A Vagina | Strassman Live Vol. 3 | David Strassman
In 1996, he performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. He received the “Critics Award for Comedy” and the Glasgow “Herald Angel award.” Strassman continues to perform frequently throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Britain. Strassman had a television talk show called "Strassman" on Nine Australia, where his puppet character, Chuck Wood, interviewed celebrities. Subsequent series were produced in England on ITV, and in New Zealand on TV2.
Ted E. Bare Just Doesn't Get It... Again | Ted's Farewell | David Strassman Vol. 4
Ted E. Bare Just Doesn't Get It... Again | Ted's Farewell | David Strassman Vol. 4
Strassman has 6 DVD titles. Strassman Live (1999) – Volume 1, The Chuck You Tour (2003) - Volume 2, Get Chuck'd Tour (2007) – Volume 3, Ted E's Farewell (2010) – Volume 4, Careful What You Wish For (2014) – Volume 5,[26] and iTedE (2018) – Volume 6. In 2010, he performed the play, "Duality," written and directed by Steve Altman, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and in Los Angeles, CA. Duality is a two-character play about a mentally-ill ventriloquist, Jack, who talks to himself through a puppet named Zack. Throughout Duality, Strassman's character "talks" to his ventriloquist puppet as it sits lifeless in a chair, he operates it manually with his hand in the back, and controls the puppet through wireless robotics.
Sidney Beaverman Turns The Tables On Dave | Strassman Live Vol. 3 | David Strassman
Sidney Beaverman Turns The Tables On Dave | Strassman Live Vol. 3 | David Strassman
Strassman regularly visits children's hospitals with his characters while on tour, including hospitals in Wellington and Melbourne. Strassman's show, Careful What you Wish For ran in Australia through April 2014.
Puppet characters voiced and operated by Strassman include:
Chuck Wood - A 1950s era-looking wooden ventriloquist puppet whose character makes rude and crude jokes, fun of other characters, spits and vomits. Can also be remotely controlled. For the latter half of Careful What You Wish For, an alternate universe version of the character is presented as Charlie and sports a shaved, tattooed head and goatee, a look which carried over to Chuck in the sixth special, iTedE.
Ted E. Bare - A soft Teddy Bear hand puppet whose character is naïve, inquisitive, slow, innocent and is often the butt of Chuck's jokes and pranks. For the latter half of Careful What You Wish For, an alternate universe version of the character is presented as Theodore Bare, who smokes cigars and headbutts Strassman several times.
Sid Beaverman - is a North American beaver whose character is an aspiring stand-up hack comic. For the latter half of Careful What You Wish For, an alternate universe version of the character is presented as Sidney Australia Wellington, a koala bear.
Kevin - An Alien puppet made of foam latex and controlled manually by Strassman. Similar in appearance to Crazy Frog.
Grandpa Fred - Ted E. Bare's grandfather who has dementia. During the latter half of Careful What You Wish For, an alternate universe version of the character is presented as Grandpa Frieda, a transgender old bear.
A.N.G.E.L - Strassman's first female puppet, A.N.G.E.L is a robot android. A special mechanism is required to make Strassman's voice sound female.
Buttons the Clown - A manually operated clown ventriloquist puppet who appears drunk.
Little Ricky - A baby puppet that acts extremely nice to David. In earlier performances, Little Ricky was portrayed as David's nephew.
The Dinosaurs - Strassman's robotic dinosaur puppets who sing pre-recorded songs.
Vinny - A dolphin who is also a private investigator who has a bad relationship with his family.
Lifestyles with Regis Philbin
Evening at the Improv
Strassman (England ITV
BBC Royal Variety Show
The Late Late Show (Ireland)
Strassman (Australia)
Good Morning Australia (Australia Ch. 10)
Hey Hey It's Saturday (Australia Ch. 9)
Today Tonight (Australia Ch. 7)
Strassman (New Zealand TV2)
Vinny the Clueless Dolphin Detective | Strassman Live Vol. 2 | David Strassman
Vinny the Clueless Dolphin Detective | Strassman Live Vol. 2 | David Strassman
Swearing Chuck Slams Ventriloquism & 5-Way Phone Call | Ted's Farewell | David Strassman
Swearing Chuck Slams Ventriloquism & 5-Way Phone Call | Ted's Farewell | David Strassman