|
Las
Vegas Sun
Joe Delaney
"Ventro-comic
and maker of strange sounds Jimmy Wallis scored nicely in the
comedy guest star spot. [Las Vegas Hilton] Wallis
was hot in the Riviera's "Solid Gold" and he should be just
as warm here."
Las Vegas Review Journal
Bill Willard
"As for comedy-ventriloquist-singer Jimmy
Wallis, I have one hefty complaint. His act is all
too short in Moulin Rouge. He is an excellent
ventriloquist, revealing his ability with bald-headed dummy, Wally,
to reel off the alphabet without moving his mouth. Other
cuties with his Wally, impressions of Elvis Presley and quickies
are just that-quickies."
Las Vegas Mirror
Jim Parker
"Versatility, the ability
to adjust to varying situations, has proven to be a strong asset
for those in the entertainment profession.
One such pliable entertainer is comedian ventriloquist
Jimmy Wallis. He can do exactly what the producer
demands, and do it to perfection. This chrome domed demon is terrifically
funny for whatever amount of time he is given.
The only complaints I've heard about Jimmy,
and I hope the Hilton producers are reading this, is that he is
not on long enough. Those complaints are not only coming
from the general public, this is also the opinion of VARIETY'S
Bill Willard, and NBC's Anne Fitchett. I must say
that I echo those sentiments."
More from Parker
"When you've been actively reviewing shows
for as long as I have, it takes a little something extra to hit
your "I'm impressed" button. I was really pleased
by just such an occurrence Friday night..."
"Being a lover of good comedy, I went crazy
over the antics of the Riv's comedy star, Jimmy Wallis...
This man Wallis is a wealth of entertainment
rolled into one individual. He is exactly the type of act that
I have been urging Las Vegas entertainment directors to secure
for our customers. My congratulations to the Riv."
Phoenix Evening Star
Rick Lanning
"If you'd care to commit
suicide, try to heckle comedian Jimmy Wallis...Go Ahead, I dare
you." "Heads have
rolled when customers decide they're funnier than Wallis,
...who is one of the funniest guys to hit the valley...Many comics
use "pat" statements to shut up a heckler. Not Jimmy.
He is original with his shots."
"Wallis is a top ventriloquist, but he is equally
good with his stand up routines."
Fort Worth Star Telegram
"Jimmy
Wallis has a better-than-average singing voice which his audiences
seldom get to hear. Wallis leans heavily
on comedy, the zanier the better.
An unreconstructed Okie, Wallis rips through
a mixture of barbed asides, pale blue one liners and inspired
vocal impersonations.
He does an Elvis Presley takeoff that
was convincing enough to elicit screams from one lady at a front
table.
His switch on the hackneyed jet plane impersonation
is truly a hilarious bit.
Wallis has a sizable repertoire
of funnies, but his best asset is a subtle sense of the ludicrous
which serves him well in moments of impromptu clowning."
|
|
Resorts International, A.C.
"Jimmy Wallis is an outstanding stand up
comic who had the capacity crowd with him all the way. He
is a fine ventriloquist an proves it with his small and fresh
dummy."
Gino's Detroit
Mt.Clemens, Mich Nov 5
Jimmy Wallis, Geo Hello Trio
no cover no minimum Jimmy
Wallis is a ventriloquist who is brash enough in his approach
to make the audience believe that he'll do whatever he says
he will.
Wallis ends his short act by putting the dummy
in the chair facing the band instead of stuffing the little
guy into a box as so many do. This also gives him a chance for
some reprises as the dummy interrupts from his chair.
Wallis, after a proper disclaimer, sings a
bit, then turns to impressions. Most impreaches are of sirens
and other high decibel civilization irritations. There is an
imitation of Elvis Presley and a much funnier bit on Ricky Nelson.
The act is fresh and funny with a personality
approach and sure footed delivery backed by 20 years in small
clubs and lounges. -Thur
Nights of the Buccaneers
BRITANNIA NASSAU Tibor
Rudas Production Jimmy Wallis...
...The glitter of the
ensemble work alternates with effective acts. The most visible
is Jimmy Wallis, with a clean-shaven pate and beard. He works
in several spots with different kinds of comedy.He starts
with standup, works with a dummy, and later does impressions.
His humor is basic, and he alternates between charm and lusty
language, particularly from his dummy, to get some huge laughs.
He does a lot of work with a minimum of three spots per show,
and he makes them all work...
Variety
reviewed me 7 times. All good. jw
Atlantic City
Weekend Magazine
Herb Steiner
"Comedian Jimmy Wallis
was at his best with an ad-lib discourse that had the packed
matinee house in an uproar with his gags about leaving to
catch the bus; seeing an audience segment drift away, and
making hay of it.
With his verbal attacks from the dummy,
his excellent voice and exaggerated Elvis Presley singing
and doublelee quick movements, Jimmy Wallis has turned into
one of the finest drawing cards..."
"Jimmy Wallis gives a "can't miss"
performance with the help of his very funny, look-alike bald
dummy. His impressions and sound effects with some argumentative
humor from his dummy are a true delight."
|
|
Atlantic
City Star Ledger
Kathleen Woodruff
"...Rawls was preceded
on stage by comedian Jimmy Wallis, whose "G" rated jokes about
movies, impressions of singers from Tom Jones to Elvis Presley
and puns were a welcome change from comedians who rely on
insults and innuendo to get their laughs."
. The
Press Atlantic City
Shooting
Stars
By David J. Spatz
Press Entertainment Writer
ATLANTIC
CITY- From the May Your House Be Safe From Tigers Department:
Here's one Marlon Perkins can appreciate.
A ventriloquist's dummy became the first
causalty Tuesday in Resorts International's "Boardwalk
Magic" revue when portions of its wooden body were mangled
by a well intentioned, 600 pound Bengal tiger that was simply
trying to make friends.
Wally, the back talking dummy of "Boardwalk
Magic" star Jimmy Wallis, is reportedly resting comfortably
following emergency surgeryto repair a broken arm and fractured
skull, according to cast members who were willing to talk
about the incident provided we withhel their name. The entire
incident was verified by Wallis, who was on stage when the
tiger decided to introduce himself to the dummy.
Eyewitnesses said a stagehand was carrying
the dummy behind the curtain to center stage, where it's passed
out to Wallis during apotion of his 15 minute routine. Witnesses
said the stage hand strayed too close to animal tamer David
McMillan who had the cat on a leash and was waiting to put
the cat through its paces later in the production.
"Apparently, the tiger saw the dummy's
arms dangling all around and it excited him," one witness
said. The beautiful cat simply reached out with its paw as
if to play with the dummay and virtually shredded the dummy's
right arm. A second swipe landed on the back of the dummy's
head.
The stage had became rather un- nerved following
the lightening-quick attack, but, in the best traditions of
the theatre, the show went on - and Wallis was handling his
mangled dummy right on cue.
AND
NOW: THE REST OF THE STORY!
Left out of the account above is that the
stage hand was STONED out of his mind, and was lucky that
he didn't get swiped.
Handed the visibly damaged dummy through
the curtain, I was very angry for the first time that I can
remember while on stage. I wanted to get off and find out
who had smashed my bread and butter.
I came off stage with fire in my eyes and
was met by a very timid stage manager who started repeating,
"The tiger got him, the tiger got him."
The same stoned stage hand who'd gotten
too close to the tiger was an artist, and was able to repair
"Wally" perfectly, soothing my anger, and restoring
calm.
Night
after night, I continued to walk within one step of the two
untethered tigers onstage, knowing that I could be shredded
just like the other dummy was!
jw
|
