971: Judge Gary Brown - Wand in a Million

Gary Brown is a U.S. District Judge from New York, but he knows a con man when he discovers one. His recent revelations about Claude Alexander Conlin who had several aliases, but is most well know among magicians as “Alexander, the Man Who Knows.” Judge Brown has written several scholarly books about the history of magic including an innovative book, “Wandcraft” as well as “The Inventive Magicians Handbook.” His monograph on Alexander was published in Bill Kalush’s “Gibecière".

This week, Gary tells us why wands are important to magicians and why we should use them. He also tells us some delightful stories about Al Flosso, the Coney Island Fakir. He then tells us a bit about what he uncovered about Alexander’s very shady and polygamy ridden career as he narrowly escaped the law by traveling from one State to another. He also talks about the non-existent silver mines that he sold over and over again.

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970: Doug Gorman - Let Me Tell You A Story

Doug Gorman specializes in story telling. And he has lived a full life with stories to tell. He weaves storytelling into his magic that makes it relevant and interesting to his audience. He is an award winning magician and also a creator of some unique, rather bizarre “artifacts” that he sells at conventions and online. But one thing that makes him stand out, is his relationship with Richard Turner. For many years, Doug has been the “driver” for Richard taking him not only around town, but also across the country to lectures and corporate gigs.

This week, Doug tells us stories from his experience working as a restaurant magician and lots of great, behind the scenes stories while traveling with Richard Turner, including the genesis of the Gold Seal card deck.

Learn a little more about some of the original products that Doug Gorman makes and sells in this video.

969: Bob Bengel - The Dream Job

Bob Bengal worked for Hitachi for many years as their “in house” magician. That meant that he had all the benefits like insurance, vacation, 401-K, etc. He was responsible not only for performing at their trade show booths around the world, but also for playing golf with their premiere customers and keeping them happy.

In this week’s chat with Bob, he talks about how he got the job with Hitachi and why he left it. He also talks about and shares performing tips for “behind the trade show booth” to help attract crowds at the booth. You can find the trick we talked about in this week’s episode, “Fusillade” (multiple card location) on Doc Eason’s website as a DVD at: https://doceason.com/product/fusillade-the-dvd/ The original book is out of print but available for about a hundred bucks on Amazon or eBay.

971: Judge Gary Brown - Wand in a Million

970: Doug Gorman - Let Me Tell You A Story

969: Bob Bengel - The Dream Job

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