Last week- I came across this cute little letter to Santa from my Dad. The letter was written sometime between 1959- 1961, based on my Father’s age and the handwriting. The letter to Santa reads;
Dear Santa
I would like a red-coulds and blue-coulds set and the Confederates and the Yankees and a Jerry Mahoney dummy. I have ben a good boy all year.
Your Frieend,
Michael Hood
My Dad’s request for red coats and blue coats, also the Confederates and Yankees (which is actually legible)- was pretty self explanatory to me, he obviously wanted toy soldiers. However, I had never heard of a Jerry Mahoney dummy and what I found by digging around on the internet was fascinating.
Jerry Mahoney was the creation of Paul Winchill, a ventriloquist and voice actor that you might recognize as the voice of Tigger in the Disney movies. Paul Winchill had several successful television shows for children that centered around his character- Jerry Mahoney and other dummies such as Knucklehead Smiff.
Paul Winchill is actually quite an interesting and controversial figure outside of show business. Not only was he considered one of the greats in ventriloquism, he holds the first patent for the artificial heart. Passionately, interested in the plight of Africa- he and several other actors, including Ed Asner and Richard Dreyfuss, along with Dr. Henry Heimlich appeared before a Congressional Committee to introduce Tilapia fish into African villages as a source of food, needless to say- their project was not funded.
There are several websites regarding the fascinating life of Paul Winchill, I would rather leave you with this video of Jerry Mahoney and Paul Winchill. The audio and video is not very good- but I thought it the best video representation of Jerry Mahoney out of the sparse handful on Youtube.
I found it to be rather enlightening that my Dad wanted a Jerry Mahoney dummy. As you will see by the video Jerry Mahoney is rather a naughty little imp. In which case it makes it ironic- that boys who claim to be good all year long want Jerry Mahoney.
As an aside note- I wanted to point out the picture of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was taken from the back of the letter to Santa and drawn by my father as well.
I had never seen Jerry Mahoney! What a little freshy! I wonder if your dad every got his wishes on his Christmas list? Well, either way, he was quite an artist. I think that is a very good reindeer for a young boy to draw.
Hi Teeni- you actually read my mind- since I found this letter I have been wondering if my Dad ever did get Jerry Mahoney. I don’t think there is any way for me to find out. Both my grandparents have been dead since the 90′s and my Dad died last May so I can’t ask him. His brother and older sister are deceased. he has one living sister but she is older and would not have lived with him at the time. I might ask my Aunt though- anyway?
Since I’m a ventriloquist, and have been for over 34 years now, this was very interesting to me! Good work scouting out the facts about Paul Winchill and his dummy, or as we in the trade call them, “Friends!”
BTW< sorry to hear your dad passed…
It’s lovely that your dad kept this and that you still have it. Sometimes I wonder what the point in my hoarding is, but this goes to show that someone in the future may appreciate it all one day!
I wonder if your dad got the dummy… and if he did, I wonder where it is now. Also, I like the way Rudolf looks like he’s dancing!
Hi Pamela- thanks for dropping by- I left a comment on your site- I hope you don’t mind all the questions about ventriloquism…. I did not mean to make it 30 questions. LOL
Hi Jenny- I tend to just hoard sentimental things- things I can scrapbook.
I can only ask my aunt if she knows but she did not live with my Dad at the time. His sister is the only living relative of his that would probably know. I saw some on eBay and a lot of the Jerry Mahoney dummies were made from composition and therefore had a lot of cracking and structural issues. Mint ones weref ew and far between… I would assume if my Dad received one it would have been beat up pretty bad by now.
Sadly, I think your father never got the Jerry Mahoney dummy. Sorry.
You see, the mere fact that you have the letter is proof that it was never mailed and Santa never received it. So, since Santa never got the letter, he never knew your father wanted a Jerry Mahoney dummy. As a result, Santa never brought him one.
Dan – everyone knows you don’t have to mail a letter to Santa. Pooh Bear for one just shoved his off a windy cliff. You can leave a letter to Santa with his cookies on Christmas Eve and he will pull whatever you want out of his sack on the spot.
ESHHH you are a GRINCH par Excellence!
Wow! It’s unusual for someone to have a personal drawing, and a note from when their parents were kids. That’s neet!
My memory doesn’t go back to 1960, but I do remember them from a variety show. I saw the YouTube and laughed. The material still stands after all these years. Thanks for the post!
I didn’t realize that he was a humanitarian That’s even more important!
I think it’s neat too! The note and the fact that Paul Winchell was a humanitarian… I like having fun things like this come my way!
Hi,just came across this web surfing and it really brought back great memories.I have 2 Jerry Mahoney dolls from the 50′s and will never part with them.Ive had them since i was 5,im 55 now.tks for the clip
HI Richard- thanks for your comment, my Dad passed away last May. If he was still living he would have be 57 so sounds like you are from the same generation. I was hoping to find out whatever happened and if my Dad received a Jerry Mahoney dummy- but most of his family is deceased.
Take care – happy holidays.