Television and its use of computers can make everything talk, so there's no need for the art of ventriloquism anymore. I don't think young kids today would even understand it.
Ventriloquism is closely related to magic. It's all about misdirection. You practice speaking from your diaphragm and low in your throat. You substitute letters for 'B' and 'P' that allow you to speak without moving your lips.
I first met Walt Disney 25 or 30 years ago.
Children are so used to seeing puppets that when they see a real ventriloquist they don't understand it.
on Walt Disney: Walt gave me a VIP tour of the studio. I remember people doing voices.
On television, everyone talks and they don't care about the mechanics.