Liz sent us this pic. Thanks, Liz!
Let’s go back to Chicago, Illinois, around the 1910’s or early 20’s and see what teenager, Eddie Berggren did in order to upgrade his act at the woodworking shop of Theo Mack and Sons.
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“How much?”
Woodcarver Theodore Mack thought a second. “About $35.”
Eddie frowned. He only had $17. His movies and daily after school soda would have to be sacrificed. “Would you take a dollar and a-half a week?” Mack nodded.
Eddie painfully turned over the $17 allowance he had saved for the last six months. “Go ahead.”
Later, Eddie’s new, professionally made ventriloquist dummy was completed. “I’m naming him Charlie, after the little, scrappy newspaper boy I knew in town.”
“Charlie, huh? Eddie, I thought you named him after my son.”
“Yes. I did that, too, Mr. Mack … sort of.”
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Whether or not Edgar Bergen (who shortened his last name) actually named Charlie after one of the sons of Theo Mack is anyone’s guess. But, in the end, however, it’s still a good story!
Here is a rare 5-minute color short from 1938 called “Unusual Occupations” where you’ll see Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy in action, the drawings made by Bergen of Charlie (@1:40) and Charlie’s displeasure at Mortimer Snerd’s creation. Narrated by future radio announcer for the Charlie McCarthy radio show, Ken Carpenter. Enjoy!
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IMPORTANT: For those of you on “Blogspot” I have stopped commenting because my stuff doesn’t get published when I read your entries (probably because I don’t have a “Blogspot” account). This isn’t your fault (or maybe it is — switch to wordpress.com!) but comments are important and I want you to know I really like your stuff. Also, if I comment on your story, please come and comment on mine. I want to be your friend. 😉
wmqcolby 
Nice historical references, bringing the past to life.
Thanks, James. I have known a LOT about the subject of Edgar Bergen for years. I was a big fan of his.
A nice tribute
Thanks, Neil. He was the greatest.
Dear Cuzzin Notnek,
Only one problem with the video. I could see Charlie’s mouth moving. Good story and interesting video. Five out of Five Riggy Diggies.
Shalom,
Cuzzin Shelley
PS Ditto on reciprocation. I tire of commenting on those who don’t return the favor. Can’t we all just get along?
I hear ya.
Hey, folks, the Queen and I would like to say please comment on our stories if we commented on yours!
“Jiggers, jiggers …!” (hooooock-TOOY!)
You could see Charlie’s mouth moving …. hilarious! 😀 Best comment yet.
Yeah…and Edgar’s, too. 😉 Mortimer Snerd might have been the smartest of the three.
“Mortimer, how CAN you be so stupid?”
“Well, I just let nature take its course.”
Interesting story. Friday Fictioneers is turning into a mine of information for the uninitiated. And I endorse your remarks about those websites that make it onerous to comment. Particularly those that ask for your name, your website, your email etc etc. Life’s too short.
Once you’ve entered your info once, it remains in memory… just so you know… 😉 Although after a couple of comments and no reciprocation, I will disappear…
Actually, today I’ve had to re-register for a lot of my regular reads, Dale. Don’t know why that should be.
Oh bummer… maybe they are ones that never comment on mine so I don’t realise…as I’ve flushed them!
There are some people at work I’d like to flush out of my life. 😀
Oh I hear you…
Five out of five Tidy-Bowl men in nuclear subs — the Power Behind the Throne!
LOL!
As i say to Rochelle, “sux.”
Same here.
Thanks for your wonderful (as usual) comments, Sandra. The real challenge is in trying to see if I can let people know without the use of links or introductions, although sometimes they are necessary. I have known about Bergen and McCarthy since I was a teenager, so I had my own sources — newspaper clippings, TV shows, interviews, etc. No wikipedia then. 😉
You’re right, life’s too short for filling out forms.
Knowing how famous they became makes your story of their beginning even more interesting. (And I agree about blogger. I barely have time to read all the stories. I certainly don’t have time to fill out forms. Thanks for mentioning that!)
I like success stories. Always a winner in my book. Thanks, Kecia.
Good take on my photo. I’m on Blogspot.com – and I manage to comment on WordPress.
This was great, Kent! We are constantly learning in this family!
Indeed, thank-you, Dale. I love those guys.
Fun stuff and we learn something new every day (or we should try to)
I want FF to be fun, not dark.
Ah! There I go ranting again… 😦
Ah well… there will always be some dark…so we can appreciate the fun!
Good perspective. 😉
Thanks, Liz. If anything, I like reading your stories. But blogspot gives me the runaround every time. I can’t comment, it never lets me. Sorry. Not your fault. 😦
I remember watching these guys – and we seldom watched TV in our little home (it truly was little, a bit like a dwarf house). Plus, when the TV broke, my father didn’t replace it! Too bad, so sad. Anyway, your story and video brought back fond memories.
Didn’t replace it??? That IS frustrating.
Brought to you by Youtube, for people who need to catch up.
Sometimes, I feel I was born 20 years too early.
Dear Sir,
I liked your story.
But I liked your begging letter better.
Or legging better letter.
5 out of 5 Blogspots!
Sounds like a pre-frontal lobotomy
Or a free bottle in front of me.
Thanks for the blogspots, my friend. 🙂
I remember them. Guess that dates me. Thanks for the background info.
And I agree with you as far as Blogspot comments are concerned. I do have an account, but it messes up my word press settings to comment on Blogspot from WP — and otherwise I don’t get return comments.
I want to read your stories, Christine! Hopefully I can. 🙂
Most of them are posted here on christinecomposes.com. I’m thinking of deleting all non-fiction posts here, or setting up something new, that’s strictly fiction.
Very cool. Actually, I was able to comment on your story after all. Yea me! 😀
What a great yarn! I ‘ve learned something too – I was totally unaware of them. By the way, I’m a Blogspoter. I hope we manage to communicate with each other!
Click to read my story!
Thanks, Keith. Glad to be of service.
I also read your story and I laughed pretty much. I know the “secrets” of vent and this was hilarious! Sorry to comment here, but blogspot wouldn’t let me on. 😦
Five out of five “he had a hand in it”. 😉
Loved this little story. I’ve been toying lately with making some puppets for the kiddos to play with when they come over. Your story just added to that inspiration. BTW, I agree with blogspot blogs, it’s difficult to comment, nowhere to like, so I just skip over them most of the time.
Yes, definitely do the puppets. There are plenty of fun things you can do and resources to make them.
Never heard of this chap, but nice little “origin” story!
See the video. It’s only five minutes and it’s not boring. You might become a fan yourself! 🙂
Great tale Kent with a lovely chunk of history thrown in for good measure – what a sacrifice for that young man but it looked like it paid off. You really know your vent stuff, don’t you? 🙂
Oh yes. In fact, the dummy my mom and dad bought for me paid for itself after a few performances. You know, I might start a Youtube channel with his adventures. What do you think?
He paid for himself that quickly? That’s pretty impressive. Why not start a Youtube channel? Great idea, your bound to get a ton of followers 🙂
I just need an idea that will be constant. As of now, I haven’t got any.
And, yes, he paid for himself that fast.
You must be good … 🙂
I WAS good back then, but not successful. I could be now that I know the ropes to show biz better. But, it’s not that big a priority these days. But, never say never. 😉
🙂
I love stories based on fact. thanks!
You are welcome, Louise. 🙂
I enjoyed seeing the other side, the humble beginning and struggle that we know lead to great success.
Oh, yes. I love a good success story. We can all learn from them and apply their methods of success in whatever we do.
Thank you for the video link – it was a great memory jog. I recalled watching this duo, and laughing, just great as was the flash fiction. I know what you mean about the blog spot sites, when I am tired I just can’t cope with the extra hassle of filling in all my contact details.
YEA!!! Someone KNOWS! Outside of me and Cousin Shelley, The FF Queen. 😉
I think it was because Charlie was like a living cartoon character with a personality rather than a novelty illusion.
Thanks, Mike!
i find this story very interesting the way it was written and considering that i don’t know these folks. 🙂
See the video. You might enjoy it. There are other videos I recommend like the one from the Dean Martin Show. Hilarious!
Thanks for your nice comments, Plaridel.
ok, i’ll take your word for it. 🙂
Oh I do love this.. I have to say I have always find a ventriloquists a bit creepy… 🙂
Ditto, I love this…and ditto, I find ventriloquists creepy. .
Well, Bjorn, did you know that America’s great ventriloquist in the video, Edgar Bergen, was the son of Swedish immigrants? He was born in Chicago and lived in Decatur, Michigan and was four when his parents moved back to Sweden for awhile. They later returned to Chicago and by then, Edgar even knew how to speak the language. I think his daughter, Candice Bergen, studied there briefly.
And, Sarah don’t think creepy next time … think talented and funny! 😉
Thanks for the great story and the clip. I’ve had such an entertaining and informative journey reading through all the stories lately. I totally agree with you about Blogspot. I put a lot of thought and a lot of myself into my comments and it can feel like a slap in the face when you can’t get your comment up. Also, it doesn’t let writers know you’ve appreciated your work.
I also hate have to jump through hoops to leave a comment, especially those spot the difference photos or pick out all the photos with a car in them. Life’s too short to be scrutizing stuff like that.
Can’t understand why Blogspot doesn’t improve this. Or, why people still blog there.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Thanks, Rowena. Yes, the stories have been not exactly what I would have expected them to be and that’s great. Yours, everyone’s, have not disappointed. Occasionally a prompt comes along that does that kind of job of inspiring different and unique ideas and that was a good pic. Thanks for stopping by.
You’re welcome. It’s been bucketing down here and reading through the responses was a real treat this afternoon. Hope you have a great weekend.
xx Rowena
Thanks I enjoyed this and also your comment about Blogspot entries which I’m afraid I can’t comment on either although I’d like to. I tend to comment on everyone’s where I can, which amounts to about 60 a week, usual response 20 -30. Every week I try to remember who doesn’t return the favour but am never quite sure, so end up covering most anyway.
That’s fine. It;s just that Blogspot doesn’t allow for me to answer for some reason. Filling out the forms, that’s not the problem. It’s having to do all of that AND have Blogspot not publish it! Frustrating.
Am a big fan of historical fiction. This one scores big. Good job/
Thanks, Neel. I dipped into Rochelle’s territory this week, it seems.
I don’t have a monopoly. In fact, I like to READ historical fiction just as much as I like to WRITE it. 😀
Yup! 😉
That is probably how it happened. Follow your dream!
It was how it happened, it just needed a dramatization. Yes, follow your dream! 🙂
I do so love these snippets based on reality. I’m also with you on the commenting thing. I may not always be able to comment in the first day or two, but try to get to everyone who comments on mine and more if time allows!
You’re pretty consistent and the comments, Clare, as I try to be. People need to switch to wordpress. 😀 And thanks for reading. I have been kind of getting the historical bug myself.
Another walk down memory lane … love it and the video. Thanks for adding it.
I can see Bergen’s mouth moving too. It’s funny the way we didn’t think too much about that years ago when we’d been watching. Was it harmless times of acceptance or people just thought it was funnier to see his mouth moving? Jeff Dunham does a superb job with that. Also, his characters are so current and different. I love the old guy with the angry wrinkled face. Gosh … I didn’t realize I liked puppetry so much. BTW … I think that was a great deal of money way back. Anyway …
Un cuento muy bueno …. y tambien quiero visitas como usted y Rochelle. Gracias por decirlo.
Isadora 😎
He actually was a very good ventriloquist and skillful puppeteer. He said that he got sloppy with his lip control because he was on radio. He even made Charlie call him out on it many times. People who knew him, though, said he was flawless when he knew other vents were in the audience. I think Jeff Dunham is brilliant, like The Great Lester was (the father of modern ventriloquism — Bergen learned stuff from him) because he revolutionized the act. Bergen was more of a character builder and Charlie was his best creation.
Muchisimas gracias for tu comentario. 🙂
A little late to reply … I am amazed at how much you know about ventriloquists. I read on a comment you left somewhere that you had enjoyed it for awhile. I guess you did a lot of watching while you were enjoying it. I’m thinking it’s like playing an instrument. If you love it you’ll play even when you don’t have to. I enjoyed learning all of these things about ventriloquists. I hope someone brings it up at a party … LOL … maybe, I will. Thank again 😎
Excellent take on the prompt, five out of five wooden puppets. Hmm can’t comment on blogspot? All this time I thought it was just my stories.
Hahaha! Thanks, Sub. Yes, I can’t make comments on Blogspot … unfortunately. 😦
Well, how timely and clever. We were on a similar wave length. Sort of.
Yes, I saw that. You know, success is taking creative action. Usually in ventriloquism the dummy was a novelty telling jokes, etc. and not very engaging except that it talked and said funny things only. Bergen created a real-life type dummy from a newspaper boy. BINGO! He did something that got him noticed and he knew a lot of people so he was able to “network” his way to success.
Clearly the history bug runs in the family! What a fun piece, Kent. While I saw something so dark, you saw something so fun; love that bit the most about FF! And what a fun old video!! I remember the duo later in life, but so fun to see how it came about. Bravo!
Well, I’m glad you liked it, Dawn. Thank-you. Though The Queen and I are not “blood” we DO have that mutual thing going on. Edgar and Charlie are hilarious.
As for perspective on the prompt, though, I’m going to be honest. I think our FF Bunch likes to take the easy way out by writing dark stuff. It’s easy to write about the baser instincts of humanity. It’s hard to write about the positive things and it’s more of a challenge. This doesn’t mean there’s a lack of cleverness or creativeness on their part, we have some wonderful folks here. I’m just saying that, thematically, it can be so unedifying. I avoid the dark if at all possible because everybody’s doing that. I can write some REALLY dark stuff or I can write some real good positive stuff. Plus, I hate being pigeonholed. 😀
What a fun story and I absolutely adore that video. I had never heard of the three of them.
Hey, Gabriele! I’m glad you did get to learn about them. His daughter, Candice Bergen is a very popular American actress.
Her name does ring a bell. 🙂
I love this!
Thanks, Dawn! Glad you liked it. 😉
Best kind of a story is when you learn something new! FIve stars! 😀
Thanks, Loré. Glad you got to learn something new. 🙂 There are other Youtubes of them, check them out. They are really funny.