Len Insull Tribute

16/01/2024

Fantastic shots of our two friends, David and Archie!

12/01/2024

A great Insull 3-movement head brought back to life!

30/08/2023

Incredible Insull Jr figures in the shop of Phillips Puppets!

02/08/2023

Lovey Insull Jr Laughing Sailors restored by Austin Phillips at Phillips puppets!

15/05/2023

Seeing some old friends from the collection of David Wilde

18/03/2023

Fantastic video of New England Ventriloquist, Ray Pelletier performing on the Ed Sullivan show with some rare Insull figures.

Featuring a rare special “Skinny Dugan” style figure purchased through Maher, and an Insull Jr. pocket figure (presumably also purchased through Maher or W.S. Berger).

Pelletier’s figures now proudly reside in Vent Haven Museum.

https://youtu.be/em5jHWKC3P8

Dad performed in the All Navy Show in 1957

03/07/2021

26/06/2021

Lovey new video featuring two rare Insull Jr. figures!

Full restoration of antique coin-op arcade automata figures by Len Insull Jr.

24/12/2020

Happy Christmas from us at the Len Insull tribute official page! Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year.

23/08/2020

Well you can't see my lips move!

06/07/2020

Great clip of an original Len Insull Jr. “Cry Baby” arcade game.

Made in the 1950’s, Insull jr. would supply the working figures to various game manufacturers (this specific game being produced by Ruffler and Walker) who would then install the figures in a cabinet, add the cams and coin mechanisms, and supply the machines to amusement halls and arcades alike.

These games proved to be very popular over the years, and earned their keep with many vendors. With the repeated, daily plays and added heat from the hot, illuminating lamps in the game, the leather-moving parts would deteriorate much quicker than those on standard ventriloquist figures.

Because of this these figures were often given ‘quick fixes’ by their operators including jamming or gluing mouth movements in an open position, or covering the old leather with tape and painting it over. This clip is a great opportunity to see one of these games with the figures intact and working in their original condition.

https://youtu.be/2JlCTKjLkDc

Creepy coin operated Baby Crying Machine @ Musee De Arcade in San Francisco, CA well worth 25 cents

16/01/2020

Great little Insull Jr. Clown!

08/01/2020

For sale!

Exceptionally rare Insull Sr. miniature figure copy. He has weighted side to side moving eyes, and moving mouth. The head was molded and cast directly from an original Insull figure that I have seen fewer than 3 in person.

If you’re a fan Insull’s work or just rare vent items in general, now is your chance! No more of these are being made, and I’m offering him up for sale today for $1,199 plus shipping.

Thanks! 

25/08/2019

Have you ever wanted your very own Insull figure? Well here's your chance!

This Len Insull Sr. 3 movement figure is for sale!

The head was recently restored to the condition of see him in now, and he is packed full of charm.
Features side Turing eyes, mouth and upper lip sneer.
These heads are getting harder to find in good condition, so be sure to jump on this if you’re a performer looking for a vintage figure to use, or just a collector.

Message this page if you're interested!

05/08/2019

Born on this Day

John Leonard Insull

Born 5th August 1883

Britain's leading and most prolific ventriloquially figure maker of the twentieth century and between 1952 and 1974 he produced no less than 2017 pieces. He spent his early days in Wolverhampton and began his career as an apprentice to a joiner, however he soon developed a taste for magic and decided to go on stage under the name of Hinsle, the Comedy Illusionist. He was often assisted by his wife Gertie Rees, who did a clog dance; and eventually they toured the world together. Leonard Insull worked with his son (also named Leonard Insull) who specialized more in animated slot machines. The collaboration ended with the death of his son in 1957 aged 43.He created many hundreds of items for Davenports magic shop. Noted figures include Lord Charles for Ray Allen and Archie Andrews for Peter Brough which sold for £34,000 in 1999. Leonard Insull died in 1974.

19/02/2019

You never know what’s going to pop up in the dead of night...

01/12/2018

From our friends over at the Punch and Judy page.

The Punch and Judy page are as proud as Punch to present Slapstick, a new journal celebrating Old Red Nose.

Slapstick offers its writers and readers a chance to explore the world of Punch and Judy in greater detail than Facebook allows, and as editors we aim to include a wide range of articles and images from Punch past and present.

It is free to read online at this link bit.ly/slapstickissue1

We hope you enjoy the first issue and look forward to hearing from you.

26/09/2018

It is with deep sadness to announce the loss of one of the UK's finest ventriloquist's Len Belmont who died on Sunday aged 88. We were so lucky to have him join us at the Insull Tribute Day last year. He had the audience in stitches and his skill and timing was second to none. Thanks Len for the laughs.

02/09/2018

Saturday night v.s. Sunday morning! Have a great weekend!

31/08/2018

Another legend gone, rest easy, Ward Hall.

26/08/2018

Hugo trying to look his Sunday best!

22/07/2018

A new master in the making. Austin Phillips pictured with one of the world's most famous ventriloquist's Jeff Dunham.

Great to see Punch and Judy Club member Austin Phillips on his stand with one of the world's most famous ventriloquists Jeff Dunham.

27/03/2018

Here's a wonderful original Archie Andrews head wonderfully restored by Austin Phillips. He now looks better than ever. From the David Wilde Collection.

26/03/2018

Fandabidozi! The wonderful Krankies, John Bouchier and friend.

11/03/2018

Is this the ultimate Insull figure?

A group of guests assembled at a country house swap uncanny and supernatural stories in this classic Ealing chiller from 1945.

26/02/2018

Happy Monday!

03/02/2018

Anyone recognise the figure?

Great shot of one of my ventriloquist dolls out on location recently for and his new album.

13/01/2018

The great Sid James was a regular guest on Educating Archie.

29/11/2017