Ventriloquists, or 'Vents' in the vernacular, work with dummies; vaguely unnerving puppets probably more popularly known as objects of terror from movies like Dead Silence. Vents animate their familiars with simple puppetry, while making them talk. Vents hold often-riotous conversations with themselves, essentially, making sure their lips don't move while their dummies are speaking. It's an old, now-obscure practice making manifest the idea that 'without the artist, art wouldn't exist, and without art, the artist wouldn't exist'.

Simply constructed with talking-head(s) interviews and archival performance clips, I'm No Dummy methodically examines all aspects of ventriloquism, from its origins, historical practitioners, and through to the mysterious skills involved. It's as thorough a look as one could hope for from a feature-length doc. Add another entire disc of extras, and I'm No Dummy reaches essential status.

My instinct is to avoid revealing the many pleasures found in this release, and there are many. One outrageous moment, however, demonstrates with eerie power the skills involved in ventriloquism. Obviously, vents strive to avoid making sounds that call for lips to meet, as with the word 'basketball'. Vent historian and practitioner Tom Ladshaw notes that a vent will then have to say 'dasketdall', which sounds like 'dasketdall' until the vent thinks 'B' while saying 'D'. His demonstration of this technique is nothing short of astounding.

In addition to Jay Johnson, who is very positive about the future of ventriloquism, and Dunham, who seems mostly bemused and happy to be along for the ride, and Lynn Trefzger with her own cracked perspective, you get a host of others. The amazing Willy Tyler is here, (who was lost in my memory banks until now) as is Jimmy Nelson, (Nestle fans take note) plus of course surrealist vent Senor Wences, and the jaw-droppingly talented Paul Winchell.

Is ventriloquism a dying art, or on the rise? Regardless of its status, the subject is fantastic, funny, and fascinating. Bryan W. Simon's excellent documentary shines a light on ventriloquism like nobody's business. Smart and hilarious, I'm No Dummy should create a new generation of fans for this venerable art. Highly Recommended.

The DVD

Video:
Presented in 1.85:1 widescreen, this documentary from MVD Visual is just what the seasoned DVD documentary fan would expect: high quality contemporary footage with good colors, nice detail levels, and nothing serious in the way of compression artifacts. There is plenty of archival footage, which is cleaned up as best as can be, but of course varies in quality depending on age.

Sound:
Dolby Digital Stereo and 5.1 surround sound are available. Both are up to the task, and everything is clear as a bell. The notion of using 5.1 sound for ventriloquism is a theoretically tricky one, but hey, the vents are 'throwing their voices', so that added dimensionality is put to the test, right? My only complaint about this documentary, other than the use of a corny font, is the synth-based carnival music used throughout, which, while appropriate to the subject, just strikes this reviewer as corny, and off-putting. Nonetheless, it sounds good, too.

Extras:
A Director's Commentary Track by Bryan W. Simon is as measured and inclusive a commentary track as you're likely to hear. It's funny and informative and even includes bits of illuminating commentary from vents featured in the movie. Jeff & Skinny features Dunham demonstrating a highly articulated dummy for three minutes. Seattle World Premiere Q&A #1 and #2 (both about 9 minutes) showcase audience members' questions to vents including Johnson, Trefzger and others from the premier of the documentary at the Seattle International Film Festival. It's pretty hard to get a straight answer from these comedians, and the benefit is yours!

What the heck, why not throw in another entire disc of extras? Director Singer was kind enough to include Terry Fator on this disc, a vent that wasn't 'discovered' at the time of the movie's original release, and thus was cut from the documentary. Well, now he's better known, so his interview segments are now included here, as well as is some performance footage (20 min). You also get a deeper look into the Vent Haven Museum, dedicated to all things ventriloquial (15 min). The amazing Jay Johnson gets another 35 minutes of interview outtakes and performance footage. Jimmy Nelson gets similar treatment, (30 min) as does German vent Stevo Schuling and his dummy Theo, who looks like a maniacal Rob Lowe (10 min). Willie Tyler also gets more time, (just 4 minutes) as does Israeli vent Allan Blumenstyk, for the final ten minutes of this 2-hour bonus disc.

Final Thoughts:
Is ventriloquism a dying art, or on the rise? Regardless of its status, the subject is fantastic, funny, and fascinating. Bryan W. Simon's excellent documentary shines a light on ventriloquism like nobody's business. Smart and hilarious, I'm No Dummy should create a new generation of fans for this venerable art. Highly Recommended.

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