“Dumbstruck” is a rare breed of documentary. It's funny, hopeful and at times sad. Yet it's always inspiring. Diving into the world of ventriloquism, "Dumbstruck" traces five professional ventriloquists, or “vents” as they call themselves from the annual Vent Haven Convention in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky through each of their journeys to a hopefully successful personal and professional life.
TV writer Mark Goffman (“West Wing,” “White Collar”) and his development executive wife Lindsay Goffman were searching for a project during the 2007 writers’ strike. Little did they know that they would find their passion project at their own wedding when Lindsay’s mother, Marlene Cohen, gave her toast as a ventriloquist, with her white-gloved hand delivering her wedding message. Mark and Lindsay then followed Marlene to the annual ventriloquists’ convention in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky where 500 vents and their dummies come to meet and share their stories and performances.
“Dumbstruck” opens at the Vent Convention, and it’s here we meet the unique and fascinating vents. There’s Dan Horn, a successful vent who has performed for nearly 30 years on television and the club circuit. Currently he’s a headliner on cruise ships (which is where most aspiring vents long to be). He's also having marriage problems.
Then there’s Kim Yeager, a former Ohio Beauty Queen who won the talent portion of the pageant with her ventriloquist dummies. She performs for schools and parties, but dreams of getting a gig on a cruise line like Dan. Although Kim is passionate about her work, her mother wishes she would stop and have real children instead of these puppet children.
13-year old Dylan from Kentucky and his pimp puppet, Reggie, is the youngest vent profiled. Dylan is starting out in the vent business and is determined to make a go of it, even if his Dad, Barry, can’t relate and wishes he’d do more sporting activities, like motocross (which Dylan finally does and performs as well if not better than his dad). One show a year at the convention isn’t enough for Dylan, so he takes it upon himself to try and find a talent agent and even auditions for a local circus.
Wilma Swartz is a 6 foot 5 inch former security guard who took up ventriloquism when she was beaten and her jaw was wired shut. She learned to talk without moving her lips and is passionate about ventriloquism and the puppets that make up her family. Most of her blood relatives have disowned Wilma. Her only contact is her nephew who sticks up for his aunt because Wilma stuck up for him when he went through a bad patch. Wilma performs for the elderly, kids and at Wal-Mart, where she takes her puppets clothes shopping.
And then there’s the superstar, Terry Fator. For 22 years, Terry Fator worked arduously at his craft, trying to land the elusive cruise line gig or TV appearance. But nothing really hit until he appeared on “America’s Got Talent” and won. Terry’s whole life then changed, and he’s now a Vegas headliner with a $100 million contract.
“Dumbstruck” captures the ups and downs of these ventriloquists as they work to attain fame, while trying to keep or build relationships with loved ones. It’s not an easy road for any of them, but we cheer for their passion of their dreams. We leave the theater with the hope that our “Dumbstruck” vents will each find their own measure of success.
“Dumbstruck” is 84 minutes and Rated PG. It plays exclusively at the Landmark Regent Theatre.
Filmmakers Lindsay and Mark Goffman and ventriloquist Dan Horn will appear in person Friday and Saturday night at the 7:15 p.m. shows. Horn also appears at Saturday at the 5:15 p.m. show; the filmmakers on Sunday at the 5:15 p.m. show.
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