Dear Sun Spots: I hope you and your readers can help me. I recently purchased a Charlie McCarthy ventriloquist puppet for my son Mason. You see, he has always had a great interest in stand-up comedy and performing. However, he lacks the enthusiasm to practice as necessary. Some time ago on a morning news show, they featured a male actor who portrayed a struggling ventriloquist in a big screen film. This is what gave me the gift idea. Would you know the actor and the movie? I feel this is a lost art, and my son could have a future in ventriloquism. If he were to see the movie he might have a great understanding and appreciation. – Robin Mills, Bethel.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, you might want to check out the Official International Ventriloquists’ Association Web Site at www.inquista.com where you will find CDs on training, books, appearances and more. You can also contact them via International Ventriloquists’ Association, P.O. Box 17153, Las Vegas, NV 89114-17153, (702) 434-8963 or via e-mail at [email protected]. You may also be interested in subscribing to Distant Voices magazine which reports and photographs on all ventriloquism events happening throughout the world keeping you informed about the art. Membership is $20 per year, Canada and Mexico $25, and overseas $30. Check out the Web site above for signing up.

In the meantime Sun Spots corresponded with Valentine Vox, president of the association, who says the movie that you are probably referring to was Dummy with Andrien Brody who played the ventriloquist.

Vox says Hollywood has made several movies that featured ventriloquists – usually portraying them as losers, deranged or schizophrenic. It began with The Great Gabbo in 1929 starring Eric Von Strohiem who becomes jealous of his dummy and destroys him. Dead of Night, in 1945, starred Sir Michael Redgrave as the deranged ventriloquist who attempts to murder another ventriloquist believing that he has kidnapped his dummy. In 1965, Devil Doll starred Bryant Haliday as a ventriloquist who creates Hugo a monster dummy he keeps in a cage. In 1978 Magic starred Sir Anthony Hopkins as the ventriloquist whose dummy Fats manipulates his master into committing a series of murders.

So are ventriloquists deranged or schizophrenic or losers? This is a purely Hollywood invention, he says. Vox says many of his members are earning a good living by talking to themselves. “Some are making 200k to 500k per year, which hardly puts them in the loser category.”

Dear Sun Spots: I have lost my recipe for cranberry cheesecake. This was in your column or in calling all cooks contest book about eight years ago. It’s made in an 8-by-8 pan with a can of jellied cranberry sauce. – C. Park, South Paris.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots located the following recipe from 2004 which appeared in a special section of the Sun Journal. Hopefully this is the one you are seeking:

Cranberry walnut cheesecake ingredients: 1¼ cups cold milk, 2 packages (4-serving size) cheesecake flavor instant pudding and pie filling, ½ teaspoon grated lemon peel, 1 container (8oz.) frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed and divided, 1 (6 oz.) Keebler Ready Crust Graham Cracker Pie Crust, 1 can (16 oz.) whole berry cranberry sauce, divided, ½ cup chopped walnuts, toasted, divided. Method: Pour milk into large bowl. Add pudding mixes and lemon peel. Beat with wire whisk for 1 minute. Gently stir in ½ of the whipped topping. Spread ½ of the pudding mixture on bottom of crust. Spread ½ of the cranberry sauce over pudding mixture. Sprinkle with half of the walnuts. Top with remaining cranberry sauce, whipped topping and walnuts. *To toast walnuts: Spread out walnuts evenly on a baking sheet. Place in a 375 degrees oven for 3-5 minutes or until walnuts are well toasted. Prep Time: 15 minutes. Chilling Time: 4 hours. Serves: 8.

Dear Sun Spots: I have a new Alabama quarter for P.L.B., if she will write her address in the paper. I do not have any extra New Jersey or Oregon ones. Also, they usually come out about every two months. The last week of that month most banks have the quarters, but they run out very quickly. I hope this helps. – No Name, No Town.



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