Film Lens
I'm No Dummy is a 2009 documentary directed by Bryan W. Simon that examines the art of ventriloquism through interviews, performance clips, and archival footage. The film features prominent ventriloquists such as Jeff Dunham, Jay Johnson, and Lynn Trefzger, along with historical figures like Edgar Bergen and Paul Winchell. The documentary is structured like a book, with chapters that define ventriloquism and discuss its relevance in contemporary culture.
The film poses two main questions: whether ventriloquism is an art form or merely a variety act, and if it is a dying art. It includes approximately 45 minutes of performance footage and nearly 100 photos, presenting a comprehensive view of ventriloquism's evolution. The documentary premiered at the 2009 Seattle International Film Festival and was released in the U.S. in 2010, later becoming available in several European countries in 2016.
Why Watch
- •Meet Jeff Dunham and other top ventriloquists.
- •See rare archival footage of ventriloquism's history.
- •Find out if ventriloquism is a dying art form.
Did You Know
•The film features interviews with over 10 ventriloquists.
•A Two-Disc Limited Edition was released on September 18, 2015.
•It includes archival footage of ventriloquists from different eras.
•The film has a runtime of 85 minutes.
Perfect For
Ventriloquism fansComedy enthusiastsPerforming arts students