Wenceslao Moreno

Better known as "Senor Wences", the ventriloquist was a well-known fixture on the popular Ed Sullivan Show, speaking with a Spanish accent to his hand puppet, Johnny, and the popular "puppet-in-a-box", Pedro, created when one of his puppets was damaged in transit and only the head survived. Their banter -- with Wences asking "S'OK?" and Pedro answering "S'awright!" -- was a catchphrase with Sullivan audiences during the 1950s and '60s. Johnny really was a hand puppet: he consisted only of Wences' hand with a drawn-on mouth and a tiny wig over the top of his fist. But what a talented hand: Wences would give Johnny a puff from a cigarette and Johnny would blow smoke rings. In addition to his many appearances with Sullivan, Wences toured with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, and often played in Las Vegas. Wences, who was born in Penarada, Spain, died April 20 at his home in New York City. He was 103. From This is True for 18 April 1999 Suggestions for further reading: Sundays with Sullivan: How the Ed Sullivan Show Brought Elvis, the Beatles, a... by Bernie Ilson Amazon Price: $6.20 Customer Review: While I had high hopes for this book, it failed to measure up with better histories of the Ed Sullivan Show. The author admits that the book grew out of his Ph.D thesis, which is one of its shortcomings--the book is shallow, choppy, and clinical, as...   Right Here on Our Stage Tonight!: Ed Sullivan's America (Ahmanson Foundation ... by Gerald Nachman Amazon Price: $23.96 Customer Review: Other than reading far enough to learn Ed put a rubber hose down his throat daily to do something to help with his ulcer, this book was a major snooze. Didn't read 1/4 of it before I deleted it from my Kindle as it was disjointed and just plain borin...   Elvis Presley: The once and future 'King' by Daniel Alef Amazon Price:   A Really Big Show: A Visual History of The Ed Sullivan Show by John Leonard Amazon Price: Customer Review: I had seen this book in a doctor's office and really enjoyed it. I ordered my copy from Amazon and I have been thoroughly satisfied with my purchase. The book was in excellent shape and came in a very timely manner.   Impresario: The Life and Times of Ed Sullivan by James Maguire Amazon Price: Customer Review: I enjoyed every detail of "Impresario: The Live and Times of Ed Sullivan". It brought back such great memories and provided great background on Mr. Sullivan and the show. As a 63 year old, my family and I lived to watch The Show. For me when I was...   Newsfeed display by CaRP

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