The Magic Detective Podcast

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.htm...

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...

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-y...

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://purpl...

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. musi...

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 T...

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.bl...

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. Pl...

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  

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  

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  

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...

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 Cav...

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

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: F...

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 D...

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.  M...