Ray Alan with "Lord Charles" - World's Greatest Ventriloquist - 1986

[@MatSymmonds]

Extraordinary. I'm skeechless.

[@presto709]

Gravo! Gravo! Yell done.

[@highbrow2373]

Underrated comment

[@kenbroadbent7288]

Narvelous comment

[@davidwhyberd7612]

Ray was my uncle. He was also a member of The Magic Circle; an impressionist; could sing and play the ukulele and was also a comedy scriptwriter. He started his career as a magician/impressionist. He was on the bill during Laurel and Hardy's last tour of Britain. The original ventriloquist was Harry Worth. Stan saw his potential as a comedian and advised him to switch to comedy instead. Ray was his replacement. Harry went on to become a very successful and funny comedian. Stan gave Ray a lot of advice on his act. Lord Charles face is modelled on Stans face. To get to the top in the fifties, you had to be really talented. He met Eric and Ernie during a Summer Season in the early fifties. They remained good friends. It took them all many years of hard work before they reached the top.

[@davidluck4608]

Real Talent🧐

[@paulhenshall2221]

He is still the greatest ventriloquist this country has ever produced IMHO.

[@Hotshotter3000]

Small world. BTW, I studied ventriloquism for a bit and I studied Ray's mannerisms and style a lot. He is, from my observation, one of the best ventriloquists every around. He not only mastered most tropes associated with the profession, but also built upon them in many ways that I cannot get around. Like here, when he makes Lord Charles do the ventriloquist dummy being a ventriloquist bit (which is a very old cliche) he does it with an intense mastery that I cannot fathom. He usually places his fist near his ear when he does most of the voices. I wonder if he did that to control the muscle movement on his face when he was doing some of the more difficult words. I know I did that after seeing his performances, as it did help suppress lip movements in some parts. But then again, he clearly did much more practice than me. I never did a show, but he did hundreds. He is a real inspiration for all people who want to go through with being professional ventriloquests.

[@peterward2275]

Your Uncle Ray was the World's Best technical ventriloquist EVER, hands down. 👏💯

[@bloodisfrightening1203]

This looks and sounds like you just read his Wikipedia.

[@deankeith920]

I remember when it was announced on Radio 4s Today programme that Ray Allan had passed away . A statement from his family said -"Lord Charles was unavailable for comment" . . . . . . . . English wit at it's best !

[@canids]

Classic

[@morpheusatloppers]

I love that! I'm sure Ray would have too.

[@fatyowls]

That's an awesome statement!

[@PawanBhakuni]

How old r u dude

[@-NoneOfYourBusiness]

One of the best video and best comment on the whole KZbin platform. Thank you for that.

[@randybyrne4865]

I think putting a mic on Lord Charles is priceless.

[@design7054]

Didn't even notice that, what a brilliant detail!

[@aliced7505]

@@design7054 I didn't notice, either, and I've watched this many times. Yes, he was a genius.

[@stewartnicol3028]

I was a sound and lighting engineer at Butlins, Bognor Regis when Ray Allan was one of the visiting artists during the summer season. Whenever we did a sound check Ray would move the dummy closer to the mic....

[@postscript67]

It's a nice touch that Lord Charles is wearing a mic in this clip.

[@hardtrailrider3374]

Weird that I'm watching this. And I live around 5 miles out of bognor Regis. Tis a small world

[@cogidubnus1953]

@@hardtrailrider3374 Better out than in...I live about five miles from you...

[@horacehunter8627]

@@hardtrailrider3374 ok

[@df3yt]

This was almost funnier than the act I just watched

[@yaddamop]

As an American kid in the 70's doing ventriloquism, I knew little of the world of the British vents. I knew the puppets were far more sophisticated (no gaps around the mouths) and could do many things. Here, I see this guy, Ray Alan, and I'm absolutely laughing so hard! He took the format of the act to the next level. The way he did the "inside joke" about the labial sounds was a crack-up! More importantly, he was creative and, I can see it clearly, an excellent ventriloquist! Glad he had a marvelous career. Thanks for posting this!

[@olliefoxx7165]

I just noticed the difference in the puppets when I read your comment. They really are better made. Never seen this ventriloquist before bit he is fantastic!

[@BodywiseMustard]

'70s

[@oscarwatcher99]

I have watched this hundreds of times and it still brings tears to my eyes.

[@arthursteven5601]

Total agree its so so funny

[@geigertec5921]

Oh come on, it wasn't that bad!

[@jamespasifull]

The agsolute gest on the clanet!

[@TonyMarinou82]

😬

[@MOGGS1942]

@Hoaxcrit And his lips didn't move. 😁

[@staffordbryer8208]

Gread and gutter and a gottle of gear

[@willdunlop4929]

To anyone growing up in Britain in the 60s and 70s, Ray Alan and Lord Charles were the ONLY vent act worth watching! Superb technique, gentle satire, quick-fire wit. This video is a great example of Ray's skill. Brought back many memories.

[@briane5706]

Will Dunlop Dont forget Tich and Quackers, a more family oriented act. Wonderfully self-deprecating Ray Allen was unsurpassed both technically and comedic quality. R.I.P.

[@keithnaylor1981]

Will Dunlop - he was brilliant but I also remember Arthur (look at me when I'm talking to you) Worsley).

[@nigelfinch3481]

Will Dunlop no no no Arthur Worsley was the greatest vent

[@keithnaylor1981]

Nigel Finch - Arthur very good, had a brilliant routine and a tough time of trying not to laugh. There's some clips of him on KZbin, but this one of Lord Charles with his own dummy is the most inventive sketch ever of 'ventricalism'!

[@Trev359]

@@nigelfinch3481 No way was Arthur Worsley in the same class a Ray Alan.

[@thejgzone9]

A ventriloquist dummy with his own ventriloquist dummy. Just brilliant.

[@sha11235]

Right, like Jeff Dunham didn't do this?

[@tomkent4656]

@@sha11235 Long afterwards!

[@peterward2275]

@@sha11235 Jeff Dunham was probably a child when this was recorded. Get your fact right about who is doing the plagiarising.

[@JJONNYREPP]

Ray Alan with "Lord Charles" - World's Greatest Ventriloquist - 1986 0437am 1.9.22 probably one of the last vents to appear on the radio....

[@robertbrighton9797]

@@sha11235 maybe he did but Jeff was probably in high school when this was recorded

[@dingopisscreek]

Ray was the best vent this country ever produced. not a tremor or twitch from his mouth. To voice one dummy is hard enough but to voice two, and having to change between them so quickly, is a mark of genius. Lord Charles telling Ray he wished he would keep quiet when Ray gives him his voice is hilarious. R.I.P. Ray, you are sorely missed in these days of talentless overnight wannabes.

[@joeblogs-vx4ep]

Very well said 👏👍

[@bryandale2318]

Ray Alan was so good that you tend to forget that Lord Charles was a dummy. The best ever Ventriloquist

[@JackRascal]

While he was undoubtedly great, I think what helps as well is that Lord Charles is such a strong, believable character.

[@franl155]

I love that Lord Charles has his own mike, which reinforces the illusion.

[@jamespasifull3424]

Have you seen how the Americans revere Jeff Dunham? FFS! The guy moves his lips less, when HE'S the one who's talking !!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@jpbackhouse]

He's real, he sits in the House of Lords with a load of dummies.

[@arthursteven5601]

I total agree he was the best

[@jeffreybickerton4422]

Lord Charles was an absolute star! Loved it when he called him a "silly arse"

[@davidluck4608]

Ray Alan wasn’t just the finest ventriloquist, but the very way he animated Lord Charles is incredible, so realistic 🧐

[@antfbi]

Also a hell of a basketball player too

[@Ampex196]

I'd almost forgotten how good a ventriloquist Ray was. Thank you for sharing.

[@colinwilkes8957]

Certainly brings back great memories ,and the script is spot on.

[@janetwestwood9194]

🤔😅👍🇬🇧

[@markrussen5616]

This is the world's best ventriloquists ever and a lot of people look to ray for inspiration he is sadly missed

[@victorroque5667]

OK we know that, but who's the guy in the very right??

[@ianmedium]

victor roque Brilliant! :)

[@georgebuller1914]

@@victorroque5667 LOL!...

[@stevenesq]

."You silly arse!" why does that still make me laugh and as so many have mentioned no bad language , Thank you Ray.

[@keithclark6299]

Not a F word ever, not even at private functions, ventriquilism (I know) at it's best. Jimmy Carr and his disgusting humour doesn't even come close

[@stevenesq]

@@keithclark6299 so true this is true professionalism without even the need to use obscenities.

[@JackRascal]

@@stevenesq While I agree, some would say "arse" was bad language too.

[@MrBazH]

He isn't saying 'arse'. He's saying 'ass' with an English upper class accent. With apologies for the pedantry.

[@daviddavies2650]

There has never been anyone in rays class.This is absolutely one of the funniest things ever.

[@johno4521]

5.52 - Ray speaks for "Johnny", Lord Charles and himself all in the space of two seconds! Amazing talent.

[@artistjoh]

The one thing I cannot understand is how Ray Alan could so consistently make Lord Charles drink enough Bolly before each show to get him just the right amount of drunk for the act. Dummy's don't usually drink and eat, after all, but his Lordship must have drunk at least a full bottle for every performance. Good thing he is a Lord. No one else could afford that.

[@Crall-xb8he]

I bet he’d be a pretty good ventriloquist if he wasn’t half cut all the time

[@andyhaslam9231]

Absolutely wonderful. Ray was one of the best.Trying to run 2 dummies and still be very funny. It may be nearly 30 years old but still a magic piece of TV. Simple but well crafted and impeccable timing.

[@madeinuk68]

Andy Haslam great acts like this are timeless.

[@colinwilkes8957]

Agree Andy but I doubt it was simple.

[@davidluck4608]

I’ve been trying to work out how Ray worked Lord Charles and the little fellow also...... did he have an extra finger?

[@netram28]

@@davidluck4608 "Johnny's" movement was probably operated by Ray's right foot.

[@pfield39]

The master surely. A few years after this performance Ray Allan was sitting in front of me on a flight out of Gibralter. I swear I heard his hand baggage saying "Let me out!"

[@michaelhawthorne8696]

LMAO....Nice comment

[@janetwestwood9194]

🤔😅👍🇬🇧

[@paulwoolley4957]

Commented on this seven months ago and here I am watching the best ventriloquist ever, over again,, there are some excellent ventriloquist around today, but none as good as Ray Allen 🙏👏👏👏❤️

[@ildertonmann4086]

He was the very best. When I was a kid, I remember he started out with Mikki the Martian (a terrific looking dummy) on children's TV. Then Titch and Quackers, then broke into mainstream TV with Lord Charles. Apparently he also wrote gags for some of Britain's top comedians. Sadly gone, like so many great entertainers and like so much of Britain itself.

[@antmania34]

The construct of this act is mind blowing. The most difficult script made to appear very easy. Genius!

[@zaftra]

That's an absolute master at his craft.

[@keithnaylor1981]

Amazing! What a priceless piece of classic ventrikalism! Ray Alan was the best, and this is the most novel idea ever conceived.

[@peterwhitaker4038]

i never get tired of watching this. so clever. i swear after a few minutes you watch the guy in the middle forgetting Ray is doing it all, it is genious, funny and unique.

[@ianharrison6597]

Ray Alan WAS the greatest vent bar none. I watched him from the Tich & Quackers days through to the many appearances on variety shows in the 70's and 80's. Genius.

[@dangermouse9348]

I had completely forgotten about Ray and Lord Charles. Sat here with tears streaming down my face "I knew I should have got a green duck". Priceless! Thanks for posting this.

[@paultaylor4647]

He was absolutely the greatest ventriloquist ever.Its unbelievable,there’s not even the faintest quiver around his mouth!

[@darrylashton8428]

Dennis Spicer was the (in my opinion) the best. Ray was good. But Dennis was the one who stood out.

[@hakarlsen]

Great Ventriloquist. Both of them..

[@klackon1]

Ray Alan was the greatest ventriloquist when I was growing up, appearing on a great many variety shows. He was a true master of his art.

[@paulwoolley4957]

This guy was the best ventriloquist ever. God bless Ray,rest in peace, remembered always❤️

[@NegotiableHemingway]

This is the best act I’ve ever seen! Blows all the rest out of the water

[@fatyowls]

I think nuclear physics's would be easier to learn than this kind of ventriloquism....

[@johnwarner6345]

No matter how many times I watch this ...and its many..the tears of laughter flow, there will never be anyone else like dear Ray...Thank you

[@shirleypena4133]

For all those who are raving about Nina Conti, THIS is what a GENUINE master at the craft looks and sounds like!👏👍

[@OkkyHan]

LMAO when Lord Charles was happily amused at his own joke 😂😂😂😂 his slurry speech and wobbling is so captivating 😍😍😍

[@MOGGS1942]

The slurry speech and wobbling probably as a result of one too many glasses of cooking sherry. 😁

[@notanumber1311]

@@MOGGS1942 Finest Brandy for a Lord. Silly arse.

[@morpheusatloppers]

I like the bit where Lord Charles says, "I didn't say 'guggner' - I said 'governor'" - with a perfect "V". That's Ray showing off, that is! I also like your "handle". The AEC Routemaster was designed to last fifteen years, but like Rolls Royces, about half the examples ever made are still going, somewhere - FIFTY years later. As a kid I loved them - and I love them still!

[@guatagel2454]

And Hospital with a perfect p. Amazing

[@MelodicTurtleMetal]

​@@guatagel2454can't for the life of figure out the p

[@mrmethane10]

The best ventriloquist of all. I remember another couple of 'dummies' he had when I was a boy, called "Tich & Quackers" who were a boy and a duck respectively- not many people remember them. I remember an old boy at a place I worked at in the 1980s and he used to talk like Lord Charles. I always hoped he would say, "You silly arse".

[@PlanetoftheDeaf]

Lovely to see a master at the top of his game. You get so absorbed in the Lord Charles/Johnny act that you almost forget it's Ray Alan doing it all.

[@iandodd14]

Genius! Perfect technique, gentle wit, and no smut or swearing. He was the best, and Lord Charles was an inspired creation!

[@briane5706]

Ian Dodd Maybe “Silly Arse” may be considered swearing?

[@Gambit771]

@@briane5706 If you consider 'silly-arse' to be swearing then I recommend you never leave your house or watch youtube. The shock might kill you.

[@briane5706]

Gambit771 I said maybe and that doesn’t affect my opinion that Ray Alan was one of the greatest ventriloquists ever. Lord Charles is a wonderful parody of the English Aristocracy. Silly arse is very mild. I’ve heard (and said) a lot worse.

[@hihu7200]

@@briane5706 Silly Arse is like here in Utah where we say gosh, darn, fetch or frick. Is it cursing? It is along the lines of the French saying sacre bleu instead of sacre Deau. The point is that talent precludes the need to curse.

[@boofuls]

Brian Edward I gonna say that doesnt count coz it Lord Charles saying it not Ray 🤔😏

[@geoff37s38]

I remember as a kid my parents taking me to Jackson Earl’s Melody Inn at New Brighton. Ray was often the highlight of the bill.

[@PaulMcGarvey-vk5hg]

I remember watching him as a kid in the sixties, watching these clips over and over again. Absolutely brilliant, the timing and dialogue between Ray and Lord Charles is superb, you can almost believe Lord Charles is real. Ray is a class act, my favourite vent.

[@davidsewellclarke4997]

I loved watching Ray Allen and Lord Charles when I was younger you can't beat the classic Ventriloquist especially Shari Lewis.

[@morpheusatloppers]

To Clare Edgar (YT won't allow a reply to it) - Lord Charles was SUPPOSED to sound drunk! The classic belted earl. In his early days, it also gave Ray the opportunity to slide past difficult consonents (although his skill by the time this performance was recorded is clear to see - he even makes a POINT of criticising Lord Charles' vent skills and - as Lord Charles - HITS a difficult consonent [at 3:02]).

[@davidluck4608]

It wasn’t just the perfect Ventriloquism, but the animation of Lord Charles, especially the “bouncing” of the head as he turns to confront Ray, absolutely PRICELESS😂 and in my opinion what modern performers lack is the lack of use of the wooden doll, rather than the soft “muppet” characters of today🧐(has anyone noticed this emoji which clearly relates to Lord Charles🧐)

[@DondarfSnowbonk]

I noticed this! Brilliant trick to glide past the trickier words.

[@DondarfSnowbonk]

And the way he does "gigty gence geese" as Lord Charles as the double-dummy and then as Lord Charles *perfectly* says "fifty pence piece"

[@TheArchitectOfDreams]

Amazing! Especially when they are all talking after one another. I usually catch the ventriloquist talking during the transition but, it seems they all were different people, WELL DONE!

[@canids]

I grew up watching this guy. Liked him all my life. Sunday night at the palladium and many other shows

[@plainjayne1981]

Me too

[@gunnaryoung]

The way he laughs at the jokes as though it wasn't him that said it gets me!

[@champ10ns08]

Absolute master of his craft.

[@Newworldman66]

Fantastic routine from the greatest of all ventriloquists.

[@Mario_1611]

I wish that big guy would shut up and let charles do his act. 😂😂

[@andyprangnell6792]

I am 66 and can remember watching them when I was a kid , and it still makes me laugh

[@georgebuller1914]

Hi fellow "old-fart" (I'm 64) the kids of today eh! mutter, mumble, gabble gibber, gibber!... ;-)

[@47Suggs]

Great to see so many people appreciating this clip. I keep searching for more of Ray but there's just nothing out there

[@Smasheditin66]

Ray Allan was a genius. It’s not just that you didn’t see his lips move, he was effortless. No sign at all of any vocal movements or facial strain.

[@JLange642]

This is the first I have ever seen of Ray- what a delightful talent!

[@Eppu63]

This is how it's done! A masterclass of this stuff!

[@Caelum_NLD]

Lovely how the Lord tells Ray how hard it is to say hospital while not moving your mouth xD Ventrill-inception, if you ask me.

[@ricklangley3438]

Just brilliant. Ray Alan was the greatest. Even though he did steal the "I'm nearer to him than you are" gag from Sandy Powell!

[@bingo99aa]

Ray Alan... the man who got away with saying "ARSE!" on childrens tv for 20 years! RIP Legend

[@gorlestondoug]

We shall never see his like again, sadly.

[@johno4521]

Alan did a kids' version of his act in a show with characters called Tich and Quackers...

[@shine01120]

3:34 Love it when Lord Charles takes 3 tries to say hospital, and also love the fact he has a mic on his jacket.

[@NALAMOO]

A great ventriloquist and a wonderful man. Ray you were the best.

[@flemwad]

classic I was cracking up laughing..how he can keep track of it all...soooo funny

[@cbak12sg]

I love the fact that Lord Charles has a microphone strapped on. This really is a masterclass in how to do ventriloquism properly. Ray Alan's reactions and timing are magnificent. Also a gentle dig at Keith Harris!

[@mikesarno7973]

That is the most meta ventriloquist act I've ever seen. Perfection!

[@PaulCW-vy6ju]

"You silly arse!" Marvellous!

[@andrewdrabble8939]

Brilliant. Brought back so many memories of watching them on tv

[@tommyrockon]

Just heard that Ray has died today. This was Ray's greatest routine in my opinion, he was second to none and Lord Charles was second to anyone.... R.I.P. Ray 'cos you really were the best

[@richardphillips9982]

Can't imagine just how difficult this sketch must have been. Absolutely flawless, an amazing professional at work

[@therestorationofdrwho1865]

This is just great to watch!

[@plainjayne1981]

Ray Alan and Lord Charles. Classic

[@CL4549]

Oh what lovely memories flood back having watched a true genius at work. I can only say well done Lord Allen, even though you seemed to be under the influence of alcohol.

[@georgebuller1914]

Illcohol - surely not! ;-)

[@MrID36]

Loved the Orville, green duck reference near the end!

[@aneeshooooo]

The entire skit I was looking at his mouth. 0 lip movement

[@michaelhawthorne8696]

I know what you mean, I'm not sure if the movement I saw was due to him or the poor quality of video.....You don't get better than this, do you....?

[@jamespasifull3424]

Now compare him to the 'genius' Jeff Dunham, or Paul Zerdin! They only succeed because Ray Alan's not around to show people how it SHOULD be done!

[@starbug66]

Amazingly funny !!! I had a relative that was just like him when he had a drink and as a result it has always been my favourite ventriloquist act. He was sooo talented. Shame we don't see the likes of him anymore. Thanks a lot for the upload !!

[@Bowdon]

I remember this guy used to be all over the tv in the 1980s. But these days we don't hear much of him. Glad I stumbled across this video. Thank you for the laughs.

[@philsinatra]

This is from the Monkey Bobhouse show! What a genius Ray was. Fantastic talent.

[@AMPATL]

Note that Ray never shied away from saying things like 'boys in the band' as if it was nothing. Nobody I've ever seen before or since was that good.

[@jasongamer8649]

Wow, that was next level stuff, and even more amazing if you have ever tried ventriloquism and understand how not so easy it can be!

[@georgebuller1914]

Me, I never really got past "A , GEE, See!" LOL

[@stuffandnonsense8528]

For those of you wondering what the 'green duck' comment was about, that is a reference to 'Orivlle' a very famous puppet act by Keith Harris.

[@MarkSmith-ey2pg]

Back in the day this guy was THE best!

[@Beckett4631-s4c]

Still is to this day

[@simonprice1938]

STILL IS IN 19.

[@colinwilkes8957]

Or even 2020.

[@doodeen]

Greatest of them all!.Incredible talent.Wonderful memories.Thanks for posting.Cheers Jim

[@chrisedwards8306]

Alas. One of the all time greats.

[@michaelrobshaw4345]

You must be so proud to have such a talented uncle.

[@satguru]

Wow, such a long time since I saw that, that was part of my earliest years!

[@daviddavies2072]

Great video thank you for showing this , brought back many happy memories , of watching this great performer , thank you 👍❤️🇬🇧

[@rabatat]

Jacob Rees-Mogg working David Cameron from the back

[@Kimpotter-yt4ly]

I had forgotten seeing this sketch first time round, but watching it again have to say it was a wonderful piece of ventriloquism, and very amusing to boot.😊.

[@hoodagooboy5981]

I'm guessing that 'Lord Charles' is suppose to be drunk, because I'm having a harder time then usual making out what a Brit is saying. (wink)

[@OtterSC2]

Yeah the character is drunk and slurring words, the first quarter or so its particularly hard to understand what he's saying.

[@JUST-UK-JAY]

then go have a cheeseburger instead you fat dumb fuck

[@MOGGS1942]

@@JUST-UK-JAY You " silly arse ".

[@blackpoolbarmpot]

"I'm forever glowing guggles"🤣 Lord Charles trying to be a ventriloquist, brilliantly funny.... Ray Alan was a such a superb Ventriloquist.

[@kristopherw2190]

That was amazing, I'm glad I came across this.

[@lockejawe4050]

Brain: It's one am, you should be sleeping right now. Me: But greatest ventrilonquist though...

[@JoeRivermanSongwriter]

The best in the business. Sadly missed.

[@lesleywilbourne7823]

Aw I so enjoyed that. It took me back to my childhood, watching him on tv with my family. I was always enthralled and found Lord Charles very funny. I could never get my head around how Ray did it without moving my mouth. I remember trying out words in front of a mirror but I realised very quickly that I would never be a ventriloquist. RIP Ray Alan….and Lord Charles xx

[@staticcentrehalf7166]

I'd be fascinated to know what was going through the minds of those (91 at the time of writing) who "Disliked" this!

[@kendalljazz9082]

i come back to watch this once a month. still the best I've ever seen!

[@einarvindenes3987]

He is really a brilliant ventriloquist. Most likely the best one

[@paulgoddard8133]

Nobody will ever be as good as Ray Alan he was just a master at his profession and i also loved sheri lewis both outstanding ventriloquists.. absolutely loved them both..they were the most talented professionals of there kind..loved them as a kid god bless them both👌

[@blueluny]

This is so well written if you listen closely to the dialogue. Very witty

[@andymassingham]

First time seeing this genius. A masterclass in focus and (mis)direction. Ray cracking himself up and never overselling the exasperation is pure gold. I was happily fooled the entire time. Extra points for the mic clip🤣