Turns out Kev, that that's why Archie failed. When he went on TV, in 1957, he was OK, but by 1960, the better, bigger TVs showed the ventriloquist's mouth moving when Archie 'spoke', so he was retired in 1961.
The Archie comic is all American in content from 1941.
Archie Andrews the puppet started in 1950 and was a revised character from a previous puppet Brough had used. They had was a very successful radio show, Educating Archie, mostly due to the great guest artists. As a ventriloquist Peter Brough may have been at his peak in the 40's, by the time the show switched to TV he was past it.
Looking at the printed label it's hard to tell which one is the wooden head!
I just found this; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQAMy536P9E Brough may have looked good as a ventriloquist as a stage act but not with a camera in his face.
Before our time Woodsy.
ReplyDeleteMore of a 40s and 50s thing.
What about Ray Allen and Titch and Quackers and Lord Charles?
ReplyDeleteThe thing that I struggle to understand is that many of these ventriloquist acts were a success on the radio!
ReplyDeleteTurns out Kev, that that's why Archie failed.
DeleteWhen he went on TV, in 1957, he was OK, but by 1960, the better, bigger TVs showed the ventriloquist's mouth moving when Archie 'spoke', so he was retired in 1961.
Interesting. Well there you go!
DeleteRay Allen was, simply a better ventriloquist, and survived on TV through the '60s and '70s
ReplyDeleteAny relation to the long running "Archie" comic strip?
ReplyDeleteThe Archie comic is all American in content from 1941.
DeleteArchie Andrews the puppet started in 1950 and was a revised character from a previous puppet Brough had used. They had was a very successful radio show, Educating Archie, mostly due to the great guest artists. As a ventriloquist Peter Brough may have been at his peak in the 40's, by the time the show switched to TV he was past it.
Looking at the printed label it's hard to tell which one is the wooden head!
I just found this; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQAMy536P9E
DeleteBrough may have looked good as a ventriloquist as a stage act but not with a camera in his face.
These days, he either hangs out with Anthony Hopkins or is a mob boss in Gotham—I forget which.
ReplyDelete