This time, the Magic Detective gets interviewed! This appeared a couple years ago on WSMI-FM Radio in Mid Illinois. It was a fun interview that I had forgotten about. I just found the recording and thought you'd like to hear some stuff about Houdini, myself, and other historical figures. enjoy.
This episode deals with the life of Charlie Miller. Charlie was a close friend to Dai Vernon and Faucett Ross, and one of the few magicians of his time who could present all of the material from the book, Expert AT the Card Table by S.W. Erdnase. He had a very interesting life. Even though he was known for his fantastic sleight of hand, he was equally adept with apparatus magic. UPDATE: Seems I made an error during the podcast. Numerous times I mentioned the name 'Jim Riser' when it should have ...
Here are several stories with the theme, Magic Saves the Day. The first is the famous Fire in Decatur Ill, where Blackstone Sr. was performing. I've tried to give the most accurate information available, along with a brief bio of Ted Banks...a member of the Blackstone show. The next stories involved Cruise Ships, and you'll have to hear them to believe them.
Today, I explore the lives of 4 different Jewish magicians who were sent to Concentration Camps during WW2. There are some amazing stories here and also some tragedy. Werner Reich's TED Talk can be found here https://www.ted.com/talks/werner_reich_how_the_magic_of_kindness_helped_me_survive_the_holocaust
Fred Culpitt, Magical Comedian, magic inventor, variety performer. Inventor of the Doll's House Illusion and more. Link for 2 Culpitt Tricks: https://youtu.be/fLe0dW0c0nM
On this episode we take a deep dive into Houdini's famous East Indian Needle Trick, where it came from, where he first saw it, and more.
The Magic Detective is BACK, this time with an audio biography of Anna Eva Fay, medium and vaudeville clairvoyant. There are many references to other podcasts episodes and I'll list those here for anyone interested. The Fox Sisters Ep 57 Washington Irving Bishop Ep 15 Samri Baldwin Ep 30 Houdini and Anna Eva Fay Ep 22 For additional information on Anna Eva Fay visit https://www.themagicdetective.com/search/label/Anna%20Eva%20Fay...
This is a story from the life of Houdini and Hardeen. I give you a bit of backstory to start with and the actual Thanksgiving part is near the end. A funny story and a short one. Hey, who wants to listen to podcasts on Thanksgiving. This one is short enough to listen to and then get back with the family for dinner! Enjoy.
Well, it's finally here, the Halloween Edition of my podcast and it's one week late, LOL. This is a fictional story turned into an old style radio drama. Most of the story is actually true....with the exception of one thing (the devil). Anyway, it's a very cool story and I know you will enjoy it! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/litsmovie/lost-in-the-shuffle-a-feature-documentary...
This week I cover The Houdini Wonder Show, a special show he did in 1922. It involved a cast of characters and I give you a brief bio of each of the various performers. I also mention my review of David Copperfield's History of Magic Book which is over on my blog at: https://www.themagicdetective.com/2021/10/book-david-copperfields-history-of-magic.html
We begin Season 4 with an exploration into the life and magic of David Devant. You'll hear about his early days, his various creations, his time with Egyptian Hall and St. Georges Hall and beyond. And, you'll find out what he really died from.
This one is a short podcast. Rather than leave you with nothing, I decided to share a few quick stories. They're related to two individuals who both had birthdays this week. I think you'll enjoy the stories. And please go to my blog www.TheMagicDetective.com to read some additional thoughts on 'Books'.
On this episode you'll learn about a wonderful Chinese Magician and Vaudevillian, Long Tack Sam. This podcast is slightly shorter than most because as it turns out there is a documentary on Sam done by a relative of his. And rather than give you ALL the details of his life, I gave you a quick overview and am going to provide a link to the documentary so you can see that as well. Click here to see The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam Documentary https://www.nfb.ca/film/the_magical_life_of_long_tack_...
Here is a man who had a hugely successful career, but is often singled out today as someone who worked with Houdini. He had an amazing career without Houdini! And he had a very interesting career with Houdini. Some of what I discuss during his Houdini years is going to sound controversial, but keep in my it's mostly my opinion, based on some research. Amedeo was very close-lipped when it came to Houdini because he was sworn to secrecy. He likely had a hand in far more things than we realize. But...
On this episode you'll hear a review of the book Lincoln's Scout by author Mark Cannon. This is the story of Civil War Soldier and future magician Harry (Horatio) Cooke. Also, I share my recollection of visiting the American Museum of Magic for the first time, many years ago. For more on Cooke, listen to podcast Ep 16.
Here is a guy we should all know about but few do. He lived during the Golden Age of magic. He performed during that time. He knew all the greats, he wrote books for many of them. His life story is incredible. Listen and discover the world of William J. Hilliar.
Here is the wrap-up of the Kassner story. I was able to get some of my questions answered after I had published the previous podcast. Also, I tell the story about discovering my Great Great Grandfather may have helped a very famous magician, back in the day. That and more, check it out!
This episode is about the German magician KASSNER who was extremely popular prior to WW2. He had a show that rivaled Thurston's. But then after the war, what happened to him??? Now you can find out.
Here is a shorter episode, on the life of Henry Ridgely Evans. This is basically the introduction of Evans to my audience. In the future I'll be pulling from his books and periodicals to share magic history of the last 19th century. I also share my own personal story of creating a Tedx Talk.
The first new episode for 2021. This time we cover the life of Signor Blitz one of the most famous 19th Century magicians in America, also one of the most copied. He was an amazing performer and this podcast shares a few of his many exploits! Music provided by https://purple-planet.com Denny Haney Book review at https://www.themagicdetective.com/2021/01/denny-haney-collected-wisdom-book-review.html...
This is a slightly shorter (thus the blue image) than normal podcast. I talk about Houdini and his fascination towards Christmas. Plus I include a couple more Al Cohen stories and catch up on some recent magic history news I missed. Music provided by http://www.purple-planet.com
I've got a bit of catching up to do, once again. I'm behind in the podcast episodes and this one was to feature a segment called Living and Legend. And I had to pull what I had originally planned and insert the passing of a dear friend. So in all truth, I still got in the segment on the Living and the segment on the Legend, as Al Cohen was most certainly a legend in the magic world. Please check out my blog to see another feature on Magic Genii, what you'll SEE over there confirms all that you h...
So excited to be exploring the life of Horace Goldin. He had a very rich life, was the creator of many incredible mysteries, and was a world traveling illusionist. This likely won't be the last time you hear the name Goldin on my podcast! Music provided by http://www.purple-planet.com
Season 3 starts off with an unusual podcast, The Fox Sisters. Though not technically magicians, they sorta were in a way. And their style of performing would branch out and influence the world of magic and magicians. They are certainly fascinating characters. music provided by http://purple-planet.com To hear the other podcast I'm featured on... https://brandingentertainers.com/bfe-ep10-crafting-your-style-with-dean-carnegie/ https://brandingentertainers.com/bfe-ep11-pandemic-history-now-w-dean-...
This episode is an interview with the author of the book, The Coney Island Fakir: The Magical Life of Al Flosso, Judge Gary Brown. He shares the life story of Flosso, as well as many anecdotes from his career. You'll hear stories that involve, Jackie Gleason, Danny Kaye, Houdini, and Milton Berle. And there is an easter egg in this episode if you know what that is. Music provided by https://purple-planet.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcAdOV1eDDI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fSgMpDRNqc&...
Hercat the Eminent American Illusionist, or was he? You'll have to listen to the podcast to find out. The Magic Detective is back from several weeks off. Two broken toes, a trip to the ER and several other nightmares, and he's back, good as new. The music for this episode proved by https://purple-planet.com
This week I talk about the life of Fetaque Sanders, a true showman and artist from Nashville TN, who worked with Pearl Bailey, Cab Calloway and other prominent entertainers. He was and is an icon in the world of magic and one you need to know about! I also briefly talk about my friend, the late great Magical Genie, Eugene Johnson...that and more on this episode of the Magic Detective Podcast. music provided by http://www.purple-planet.com...
KIO the great family of Russian Illusionists is the topic of this podcast. Their dynasty spans almost the entire 20th Century into the 21st Century. You'll hear about Emil Sr. and his two sons that would eventually take up the mantle. Music provided by http://www.purple-planet.com
The great manipulator Nate Leipzig is the feature of episode 52. The more I learn about Leipzig, the more I love his magic. He was noted for being very kind and first and foremost a gentleman. He never had a bad word to say about another magician. This podcast started as an article on TheMagicDetective Blog, however this episode is greatly expanded. Music provided by http://www.purple-planet.com The new facebook GROUP page can be accessed via https://www.facebook.com/groups/MagicDetectiveGroup/...
Today I discuss a one time associate turned adversary of Houdini's, Psychic Investigator Hereward Carrington. I try to stick mostly to his magic career though I do veer slightly into psychic phenomenon. He is someone I didn't really know anything about. He's quite fascinated and highly respected in the world of physical researchers. There is a blog devoted to him at http://herewardcarrington.blogspot.com Music for this episode provided by http://purple-planet.com The new facebook GROUP page can ...
