549: Mercer Helms - Trust Me

Mercer Helms is a retired dove magician, though he shouldn’t be “pigeon-holed” like that (pun intended). He has retired to Houston, Texas after a long and illustrative career in Los Angeles California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Many years ago he continues to work in and around Houston due to his wife’s failing health. We frequently worked together at Houston’s Magic Island where he was the opening dove act and much loved by the audiences.

You can view a video of him performing his dove routine on the Magicana.com website by Clicking Here

In this week’s episode, Mercer talks about his relationship with Phyllis Diller, how they came to know each other, a few “tales from the road”, plus what it was like working in the old circuit that included the Catskills and old Las Vegas. Mercer was also the subject of a 2015 newspaper article which you can read by Clicking Here.

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The Magic Book Shop: This week our sponsor is offering listeners the chance to win a copy of Daryl’s “Ambitious Card Omnibus” on their website. A winner will be drawn on March 15, 2020. Also, you will receive a 15% discount on ALL purchases just for listening to The Magic Word Podcast. Just put in the promo code: magicword

342: Paul Romhany - VANISH-ing Monthly

Paul Romhany is the editor of VANISH Magazine, the largest digital magic magazine in the world with over 100,000 subscribers per month. Perhaps it is not only because of the outstanding content, but also because it is totally FREE! Paul is a transplanted New Zealander who is now a permanent resident of Canada.

A wonderful tribute with original music to Charlie Chaplin. Chaplin meets magic.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:02:33 - Paul talks about working on cruise ships and his book about "cat readings" (based on reading a cat's paw print), working with and being inspired by Chuck Jones and Ricky Dunn, and developing his stage character of "Charlie Chaplin".

00:28:54 - a word from our sponsor, The Great American Magic Company

00:34:23- Paul continues with our chat as he talks about VANISH Magazine

01:04:46 - Part One of a product product review for a 4 DVD set called "Ole!" by Juan Luis Rubiales. This review is for Disc One.

01:11:03 - Product review of Disc Two of "Ole!"

Click on the banner to visit the website and download the latest FREE issue of VANISH Magazine.

Please support our sponsor. Visit their website at http://www.thegreatamericanmagiccompany.com/

It's been nearly a year since I last recorded a "Meals With Magicians" episode. This week we have lunch at Boston Market with Walter "Zaney" Blaney.

279: The Cardini Connection with Randy Pitchford

Randy Pitchford is the nephew of Richard Valentine Pitchford, who was better known as Cardini. More than just a familial connection, Randy is also a performer, entrepreneur and successful businessman. Randy is the CEO and President of Gearbox Software located in Frisco, Texas (a northern suburb of Dallas).

Randy purchased much of the Cardini collection from the 2013 Potter & Potter auction and put the bulk of the exhibit in a museum at the Magic Castle. His most recent purchase may have the furthest reaching impact in our community: he is the new owner of Genii Magazine.

Randy is building a home designed to be like Brookledge, the home of Bill and Irene Larsen in Los Angeles. He even plans to present regular shows for the public in his home not unlike the Bookledge Follies.

Magician Cardini performing in 1957

Cardini (Richard Pitchford) performing coins and cards for some lucky people on a cruise. This rare footage was shot by Dr. Morris Young, and hasn't been seen for 50 years. Edited and restored by Magicbymax Steven Max Droge Productions.

Borderlands 2 creator Randy Pitchford (President and Co-founder, Gearbox Studios) gives his keynote speech at the 2013 D.I.C.E. SUMMIT. Titled "Video Games Are Magic". Brought to you by Variety and Machinima. The D.I.C.E.

Randy Pitchford was born in 1971 and Richard "Cardini" Pitchford died in 1973 so Randy has no recollection of his uncle. In this podcast, Randy talks about the acquisition of his Cardini artifacts plus some stories that were passed down to Randy from the family and friends. He also talks about his experience in his early years of performing at the Magic Castle and his personal relationship with the late Irene Larsen.

Also, he briefly talks about his recent acquisition of Genii magazine from Richard Kaufman; however, since the details have not been fleshed out, there are not many details to share. At this point, I understand that no change of any kind is envisioned for the immediate future of the magazine. Randy just wants to preserve this part of magic history and make sure of the longevity, viability and vitality of Genii far into the future so it can "live on forever."

Here is the photo taken by Michael Wilcoxen, the winner of the contest, with the framed Peau -Doux card he received as he has it displayed in his home.

This is the framed fan of Peau Doux manipulations cards (used by Cardini) that was presented by Randy Pitchford to David Copperfield. This is NOT the number of cards nor type of frame that will be sent to the winner of the contest (which is now ende… — This is the framed fan of Peau Doux manipulations cards (used by Cardini) that was presented by Randy Pitchford to David Copperfield. This is NOT the number of cards nor type of frame that will be sent to the winner of the contest (which is now ended). The contest here was for one framed card (probably without the brass plaque) and I'm uncertain of the type of framing that Randy will prepare.