Featured Figure:
Cleo

Created by: Regehel of New York

Used By: Phil Burton

Unique Features: Moving Breasts

Trivia: 
1. This papier-mâché standing figure was custom built by Regehel Studios for "quick change comedian" Phil Burton.
2. Cleo joined the Vent Haven collection in 1956 when Burton sold the figure to Vent Haven founder W.S. Berger.
3. At the time of sale, the figure was nearly new. Burton claimed that the figure was only used twice in a performance. In correspondence between Burton and Berger, Burton wrote, "[I] thought it would be a novelty, to have a vent dummy in my act, but it did not work out...It was just an experiment in my act, but I found out I did not need it, as it slowed me up in my comedy act."
4. The figure was custom built from photos of Marilyn Monroe that Burton sent to Regehel.
5. Cleo has one unique movement: Her breasts move up and down. The movement is controlled by a piece of slide wood in the back of the figure.
6. It is unclear how the figure received the current name of Cleo. Burton claimed the figure was named "Marilyn Monroe."
7. This figure is on display in Building Two of the museum, but it cannot be seen from either of the Quicktime Virtual Pans of the building.

Do you have additional information about this figure? Do you have a suggestion for a future Figure of the Month? Is there a figure maker whose work you would like to see featured? Let us know by emailing the Vent Haven staff.