The famed ventriloquist Edgar Bergen was once invited to the White House for dinner. Having arrived with no identification, he was stopped at the gate by the Secret Service.

After searching through his pockets for suitable documents, Bergen finally opened his case and removed his dummy, Charlie McCarthy, who took a good look at Bergen before turning to the Secret Service men: "Yeah, fellows," the dummy declared, "he's Edgar Bergen."

Bergen and McCarthy were ushered in without further ado.

[Despite his "wooden personality" Charlie McCarthy was once awarded an honorary degree by Northwestern University.]

[Secret Serviceman Vincent Charles was once asked why security was so tight at the executive mansion. "The White House," he explained, "has always attracted the mentally ill."]