by Arline Chandler

Looking for a unique romantic dinner and show? How about a ventriloquist act in Branson, Missouri?

Todd Oliver is one all-American guy with a head set straight on his square shoulders. So why does he hang out with a ditsy widow, a couple of wooden heads, and a Boston terrier that talks? Simple. Making people laugh is Todd Oliver's business.

This savvy entertainer, his smart-aleck sidekicks, and a dog with an attitude add up to a sidesplitting act. Their humor is fresh, "hep," and funny. Starting his fourth season on Showboat Branson Belle's mid-day Lunch Cruises, and Early Escape and Sunset Dinner Cruises, Todd consistently observes children, grandparents, and parents all laughing at the same joke. He notices country folks, pastors, church groups, and business executives dressed in suits and ties enjoying the same comedy. And this master ventriloquist laughs right along with the dog, the dummies, and his audience.

Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Todd grew up watching variety and daytime talk television shows with hosts such as Mike Douglas, Johnny Carson, and Merv Griffin. "Professional entertainers from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, and London came right into my living room," he says. "The ventriloquist's little wooden-headed partners hooked me! In my opinion, the secret of a great comedian is charm, as well as comedy. The dwarfish dummies could say all kinds of things that would hurt someone's feelings if we came out with it. But they said it with charm."

Todd headed for the library to bone up on ventriloquism. "There must have been nine or ten books and I read them over and over again," he says, recalling that Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy were a huge influence him. "Then I took lessons from a vaudeville ventriloquist. Personal instruction made a world of difference."

However, Todd credits his career choice to his mother. "She bought my first dummy and encouraged me even when my jokes weren't very funny," he says. "Without being a 'stage mother,' she was always there. She would say things like, 'Hang in there. You're going to be all right.'"

In high school, Todd joined the Work Opportunity Program as an entertainer and received credit for honing his skills. "Ventriloquism is a craft and I got a great deal of experience by presenting free shows," he says. "An audience is the best teacher."

Following graduation, his opportunities in show business progressed and took Todd to new levels and heights. His big break came twice: first at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, where he gained exposure to show business executives and agents. Second, Irvin Arthur, a respected agent signed Todd. Right away, he garnered more television appearances, which brought his talent to the attention of entertainment buyers worldwide.

"Ventriloquism is a natural blessing to me," he says, explaining that he creates his characters through imagination and a little extra time. "I get an idea, then find a puppet that fits the personality in my mind. The voice I choose contrasts greatly to mine. But the personality, the face, and the voice all have to fit together naturally.

"My success as a ventriloquist depends on my little pals," the winner of Branson's Best Comedy Novelty Award continues. "Everyone has a neighbor, co-worker, or family member who's a natural goof. I try to imagine characters who remind people of someone they know."

First, there's Joey Clark, the bad little boy who comes across with enough charm to endear himself to all ages. Some people say Todd puts words in Joey's mouth. But Joey retorts, "I'll admit he talks for me, if he admits I think for him!"

Next comes Pops, the crotchety old man who trades on his age to make outrageous comments. In between clearing his throat and blowing a fist-sized nose into his handkerchief, the once dapper gentleman pokes thinly veiled insults at Miss Lilly's culinary skills.

Ah, Lilly. Miss Rummage Sale 1932. Todd's newest character displays a definite zest for life. In response to a question about her well-being, she says, "Well, thanks to my late husband, I'm wealthy. When we dug his grave, we struck oil!"

In a career that spanned 35 weeks of entertaining at sea in one year, dates on dozens of cruise ships sailing from Australia through Southeast Asia, in the Caribbean, and to Alaska, hundreds of "one-nighters" at private corporation banquets, and numerous appearances on television, Todd shared the stage with his puppets. In 1990, following a run in a Las Vegas production show at the Princess Casino in Freeport, Bahamas, he accepted an offer from the General Jackson Showboat in Nashville, Tennessee. The idea of adding a live talking dog to his act had been percolating in his imagination.

"Most people have friendly, wonderful memories of at least one dog in their lives," he says. "Dogs do funny things and act certain ways. If a pet could talk, think of how many times he would look at a human and say: 'What in the world are you doing and why?'"

While in Nashville, Todd looked at different dogs to match the voice he had in his head for the character. "When I looked at the face of Irving, bingo, the two came together," he says. "The bold and brash attitude followed automatically."

Todd worked with a veterinarian in Minneapolis and one in Branson on the appearance of Irving talking. "I didn't want my dog to do anything he wouldn't want to do," he says. "The veterinarians gave my idea for the little trick instant approval."

Todd set about to train his Boston terrier, primarily by spending time with him. "Humans can get a dog to do just about anything with consistent repetition," he continues, noting that canines want to please their masters. "We had about three 15-minute sessions daily. Then as I watched television, during the commercials, I went over something again. Through encouragement, repetition, and of course, a big box of Milk Bones, Irving talks on cue."

He goes on to say that Irving revolutionized ventriloquism. "I don't think audiences had ever seen a real live talking dog," Todd adds. "Irving speaks for all the dogs and cats of America."

The dog goes beyond a professional partnership, Todd says. "He and his little brother, Sam, are my personal pets. They sleep with me and go everywhere that I go. Except to places where they have to wait in the car. I don't believe dogs should be left in automobiles."

Todd takes his responsibility as a pet owner seriously. So seriously that he donates half his merchandising profits to the Tri-Lakes Animal Shelter in Branson. He also makes regular stops at area schools to inform children about pet responsibility.

This competitive, but conscientious, comic believes he would not be a ventriloquist if not for his mom, the library, and good daily habits. He gives back to his community by presenting kids' programs with titles such as: Turning Talent Into a Skill That Will Serve You Through Life; and Using One's Time Wisely.

"I'm very proud to live in Branson and to claim that I'm from Branson," he says. "Branson is real.

"Some people get into show business for fame and fortune," he sums up. I've always been very competitive, aggressive, and hard working, but I got into show business to travel the world and have a solid, consistent act by constantly improving and altering. I'm always polishing the gem!

"I have a wonderful career: a real career in a genuine and caring town."

Copyright Arline Chandler

Arline Chandler left a teaching career to launch full-time into writing, discovering people and places for articles in Workamper News, Vocational Biographies, Highways to Adventure, and other entertainment, travel, and senior adult publications. In addition to numerous awards, the Ozarks Writers League presented Chandler with the 1995 Dan Saults Award.