This a milestone, Episode 50 of the podcast. On this episode the feature starts with the story of Dr. Samuel Cox Hooker and his infamous Impossibilities Show. Then it morphs into a story of all the men who fooled Harry Houdini. I think one of these stories may have been featured in season 1, but overall it makes for an interesting topic. Please enjoy. PLEASE share with as many people you know. Please LIKE the podcast as well! Music provided by http://www.Purple-planet.com
Apr 26, 2020•33 min•Season 2Ep. 50
Harlan Tarbell is most famous for his Tarbell Course in Magic. He was also an illustrator , magician, doctor and much more. On this podcast, I share the very interesting life of ole Doc Tarbell. Music provided by http://www.purple-planet . com To SEE some of the ART of Harlan Tarbell, click the link below https://www.themagicdetective.com/2020/04/the-art-of-harlan-tarbell .html...
Apr 10, 2020•33 min•Season 2Ep. 49
Max Malini, the magician who fooled Royalty, the wealthy and even fooled other magicians is featured on today's podcast. For more information on Malini please look for the book Malini & His Magic by Dai Vernon. Music for this podcast provided by https://www.Purple-planet.com
Mar 29, 2020•32 min•Season 2Ep. 48
Paul Rosini only had a short few years of fame, but he was one remarkable magician. His sleight of hand skills were beyond compare. But it was his showmanship and comedy that kept audiences coming back again and again. Here is the story of this amazing showman, Paul Rosini. Music provided by http://www.Purple-planet.com
Mar 19, 2020•29 min•Season 2Ep. 47
This time I look into Houdini's RADIO Illusion. A very topical effect for the time. The episode was inspired by a dream I had of seeing the Radio illusion in person. You'll hear about the first presentation of the illusion and also about a competitors version. Music for the podcast is provided by http://www.Purple-planet.com Please visit my blog to see a photo of both Houdini's Radio and then the 'competitors' Radio illusion which came out around the same time as Houdini's!...
Mar 14, 2020•24 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Tony Slydini, the master of misdirection, the master of close-up magic, one of the most revolutionary performers of magic EVER! I give you a bit of biographical info, some of my own memories of Slydini and more. Music provided by http://www.purple-planet.com Dick Cavett Show Featuring Slydini #1 https://www.nytimes.com/video/multimedia/1194747029051/the-dick-cavett-show-march-8-1978.html Dick Cavett Show Featuring Slydini #2 https://www.nytimes.com/video/multimedia/1194838971986/the-dick-cavett-...
Mar 10, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Le Grand David & his Own Spectacular Magic Company was the longest running resident magic show in the United States. This podcast is my personal recollection of the first and second times that I met the members of the show. Today, Feb 20th, is the 43rd Anniversary of their first performance in 1977. Music provided by http://www.purple-planet.com
Feb 20, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Imro Fox was known as The Comedy Conjurer and may have been the first comedy magician who did good strong magic and not just lampooned magicians. I tell of his life and his magic. I also talk a bit more about Dr. Walford Bodie & I talk about Doug Henning because we just had his 20th Anniversary of his passing on Feb 7th, 2020. As always, music provided by http://www.purple-planet.com CORRECTION: FOX is NOT buried in Evergreen Cemetery as I stated on my podcast. He is in Oheb Shalom Cemetery ...
Feb 09, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Dr. Walford Bodie and his SHOCKING Career is the subject of this episode. He was an eccentric hypnotist, showman, healer?, and more. His act centered around 'electricity' and it was shocking in more ways than one. He was without a doubt one of the greatest showman who ever lived. And even a pioneer in many ways. Music provided by http://www.purple-planet.com Link To News Site on Potential NEWLY Discovered Houdini Water Torture Cell https://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2020/01/a-water-torture-cell-ha...
Feb 04, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Chevalier Ernest Thorn was one of the greatest Illusionists in all of Europe. He traveled the world with his wonders and delighted everyone who saw his show. He was also a very prolific inventor of illusions. No doubt he invented some that you were not aware of. Sadly, a lot of his illusions are lost, we have the names but no descriptions. But I do uncover some that you may have never heard of. Music was provided by http://purple-planet.com Please check out the companion article on Thorn's Illus...
Jan 18, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 41
The final podcast for 2019 and this time I get to share the life of Eugene Laurant. He was friends with Germain, Brush, Maro and others who all performed in the Chautauqua and Lyceum circuits. His magic was INCREDIBLE and I believe modern audiences would agree if Laurant were still alive. The music for the podcast provided by http://purple-planet.com Also, to see where we rate among other magic podcasts, check out this site... https://blog.feedspot.com/magician_podcasts/...
Dec 25, 2019•24 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Charles Morritt was a very prolific inventor of magic illusions. He created some very stunning effects in the late 1800s right into the early 20th Century. He is also credited as the man who helped Houdini make an elephant vanish! The music for today's podcast was provided by http://purple-planet.com I mention several other people in this podcast, so if you'd like to check out more information on them here is a list: Buatier DeKolta Ep31 Harry Kellar Ep 8,9,10 Robert Heller Ep 14 And I mention J...
Dec 17, 2019•35 min•Season 1Ep. 39
This podcast deals with the life and tragic death of Theodore TED Annemann. He was a prolific writer on mentalism and a charismatic performer in his own right. He wrote and published The Jinx from 1934-1941. His story is unique and I know you'll enjoy this episode. The music for this episode provided by https://www.purple-planet.com To see actual footage of Ted's Bullet Catch, click this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvBCkVOAF4I...
Dec 04, 2019•24 min•Season 2Ep. 38
Episode 37 has to do with two men who I knew personally, Steve Baker and Norman Bigelow. Both men were escape artists. I give a brief bio of their lives, some highlights of their signature escapes and then I share with you a practically unknown story about a Challenge between the two men. Music was provided by https://www.purple-planet.com
Nov 22, 2019•18 min•Season 2Ep. 37
The final episode of Houdini Week 2019 features some talks and articles that Houdini gave during his life. The first was an address to the Club of Odd Volumes in Boston in 1922. The second is an article that Houdini wrote on Success but didnt make it to print until after he passed away. In some ways, these could be his final words. Then there is one addition story, the last one comes from Theo Hardeen. The music on this podcast is provided by https://www.purple-planet.com This is Day 5 of Houdin...
Nov 01, 2019•20 min•Season 2Ep. 36
The Death Defying Mystery, Failure Means a Drowning Death! Houdini's escape that was a game changer in his career. You'll learn all about the can(s) the presentation for the routine, mishaps, and where the cans are today. The music played during the discussion of the presentation is 'Asleep In the Deep', the same music Houdini used. other music provided by https://www.purple-planet.com Day 4 of Houdini Week 2019
Oct 31, 2019•31 min•Season 2Ep. 35
Day 3 of Houdini Week features an episode about Houdini's Forgotten Protege. His name rarely shows up in the Houdini biographies, so this may be new news to many folks. Music provided by http://www.purple-planet.com I will be back tomorrow for ANOTHER Episode of the podcast!
Oct 30, 2019•17 min•Season 2Ep. 34
The second episode during Houdini Week 2019 centers on Henry Evans-Evanion, a Victorian era magician and avid collector. You'll learn how he becomes associated with Houdini and more. A shorter podcast but I know you'll enjoy it. The music for the podcast is provided by http://www.purple-planet.com Expect another episode tomorrow!!!
Oct 29, 2019•17 min•Season 2Ep. 33
This is the first episode of Season 2 OR Episode 32 overall. I'm beginning with a series of episodes on Houdini. This one deals with his big break and how it played out. There has been some controversy about this event recently, so I wanted to address that as well. I give my opinion, backed up by some information I found online. I do think the 'new theory' has merit, so I discuss both. Music provided by http://purple-planet.com
Oct 28, 2019•21 min•Season 2Ep. 32
DeKolta is likely the most prolific inventor of magic of his era. Many of his mysteries are still presented today, that speaks volumes for the power of his magic. I discuss his life and a number of his popular illusions. Also, the contest from August is still going on. A technological glitch prevented me from receiving emails, so I didn't get anyone's entries. So please try again, as the problem has been fixed. The Contest question is: Who Was The Great Raymond's Second Wife, give her REAL NAME....
Sep 06, 2019•35 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Samuel Baldwin may look like Mark Twain, but he was one of the pioneers of Mentalism and Mind Reading. He created an act that was stolen, copied, borrowed by near every performer who ever attempted to read minds. He had a very long career having traveled the globe numerous times. His story has plenty of unexpected twists and turns. As always the music is provided by http://purple-planet.com And at the end of the episode I give the question for the next Magic Detective History Contest, so take a ...
Aug 19, 2019•28 min•Season 1Ep. 30
The Great Raymond was a globe trotting magician from the Golden Age of Magic. He was an excellent performer, but probably less than stellar business man. He had a few run ins with Houdini in his career. Listen to this podcast to learn more about this amazing character. The music provided by www.purple-planet.com This episode features a new Magic History contest. What is the 'real name' of Maurice Raymond's second wife? Send your answers to info@carnegiemagic.com, please include your name in the ...
Aug 11, 2019•40 min•Season 1Ep. 29
This week I discuss Talma The Queen of Coins. She was part of the famous show, LeRoy, Talma, & Bosco-The Monarchs of Magic, but she also had her own solo career for a time. This is another show episode running 14 minutes. You can see some rare images of Talma over at my blog, TheMagicDetective.com Also, the music for this episode was provided by http://www.purple-planet.com
Aug 01, 2019•14 min•Season 1Ep. 28
This short episode features the life of Herbert Albini as well as a discussion of Professor Mingus the inventor of the Catching a Goldfish trick. The music is provided by http://www.purple-planet.com .
Jul 14, 2019•18 min•Season 1Ep. 27
This short episode comes directly from my blog, TheMagicDetective.com. However, it contains information that I didn't have when I originally published the blog article. You'll discover what happened to Minerva after she married Guy Jarrett, and when she died and where she is buried. Music for this podcast is provided by http://purple-planet.com
Jun 21, 2019•20 min•Season 1Ep. 26
This is the life story of Karl Germain, Germain the Wizard, a truly incredible performer, who, if he had his way, we would know nothing about today. He was friends with Kellar, Thurston, Houdini, Downs, Powell and many others. His story is thrilling and tragic. Listen and learn. Music provided by http://www.purple-planet.com There is a companion article on Germain's Water Jars over at my blog, themagicdetective.com...
Jun 17, 2019•38 min•Season 1Ep. 25
This episode deals with the life of Daisy White and her controversial relationship with Houdini. Daisy was a well known figure in the NY Magic Scene in the 1920s and 30s. She has connections to Houdini, Frank Ducrot, Servais LeRoy and more. Please visit my blog at themagicdetective.com to see more pics of Daisy White. Music for this podcast provided by http://www.purple-planet.com
Jun 06, 2019•30 min•Season 1Ep. 24
T. Nelson Downs was heralded as the greatest manipulator of his day. He was the first of the speciality acts. He retired rather early in life, but continued to stay in touch with magic and magicians. Here is his story, much of which is in his own words. The music for the podcast was provided by http://www.purple-planet.com There is an additional story about Downs & Houdini over at my blog. https://www.themagicdetective.com . To see a video of an older T.Nelson Downs in action, https://www.yo...
May 27, 2019•41 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Ep 22 is another 'short' episode. This time I talk about the strange relationship between Houdini and Stage Medium Anna Eva Fay. There will be a full Anna Eva Fay Podcast coming in the future. But for now, you can enjoy this piece on Houdini & Anna Eva Fay. This podcast runs approx 15 minutes. The music for this podcast comes from http://www.purple-planet.com
May 17, 2019•16 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Episode 21 deals with the lives of Julius and Agnes Zancig, and later Ada Zancig. They were mind readers at the turn of the 20th Century who obtained world wide fame. Along the way a couple well known magic performers also joined the show, before they became well known. Contest #4 is also on this podcast. The question: Name the Celebrity That Worked for Kuda Bux. This is someone who was employed by Kuda Bux and later went on to fame of their own. Send your answers to: info@carnegiemagic.com and ...
May 09, 2019•27 min•Season 1Ep. 21
