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619: Eric Colleary PhD - In Front of the Bookcase

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This week we travel to Austin, Texas where one of the world’s largest collection of Houdini ephemera resides. Dr. Eric Colleary is our guest who is the Cline Curator of Theatre & Performing Arts at the Harry Ransom Center, an international humanities research library, archive, and museum. He holds a Ph.D. in Theatre Historiography from the University of Minnesota and an all-around great guy. The title “In Front of the Bookcase” for this week’s episode comes from the massive bookcase (and its contents) once owned by Houdini that now is owned by the University.

This week’s podcast episode on YouTube.

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In this conversation, Dr. Colleary tells us about how this Houdini collection came to Austin, Texas and what is in the massive collection. There are some interesting stories in this week’s episode told about Houdini and Eric also debunked a few myths around parts of this collection.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here..If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

Tagged with Eric Colleary PhD, Houdini, Harry Houdini, magic collection, University of Texas, Ransom Center, Austin Texas, John Cox.

July 1, 2021 by Scott Wells.
  • July 1, 2021
  • Scott Wells
  • Eric Colleary PhD
  • Houdini
  • Harry Houdini
  • magic collection
  • University of Texas
  • Ransom Center
  • Austin Texas
  • John Cox
  • Post a comment
Comment
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595: George Schindler - What Da Dean Does

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The Dean of the Society of American Magicians, George Schindler, has lived through many generations of magicians both celebrated and relatively unknown and he remembers them all. This week George shares many of his stories. George will be celebrating his 92nd birthday on March 31st this year and his memory of events is as clear as if they happened yesterday. He is an author, actor, performer, creator, lecturer, magic dealer, ventriloquist, comedy writer, and so much more. He regularly contributes to the M.U.M. magazine (the journal for the S.A.M.) with a monthly column and he maintains his relevancy by keeping current with the times and technology. He is a true treasure in our magic community and we owe him so much for what he has given us.

http://www.magicsam.com George Schindler is the Lifetime Dean of the Society of American Magicians, Past National President and Honorary Lifetime Member.

George Schindler is a magician, ventriloquist, author and the Dean of the Society of American Magicians.
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George has known and worked with many top celebrity actors, directors and magicians. In this week’s episode, George shares stories about Woody Allen, Dai Vernon, Slydini, Ed Mishell, David Copperfield, Frank Garcia, Abe Hurowitz, Shari Lewis and many, many more. This is a delightful trip down memory lane from one of our community’s true treasures.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here..If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

Order your 2021 Magic Calendar from Amazon and help The Magic Word with your purchase through their affiliate program. Thank you.

Tagged with George Schindler, Dean of S.A.M., Society of American Magicians, Steve Cohen, Jay Marshall, Abe Hurowitz, Shari Lewis, ventriloquism, Woody Allen, Frank Garcia, Max Holden's Magic Shop, Houdini, David Copperfield, Ed Mishell, Dai Vernon, Slydini, Terry Seabrooke.

January 21, 2021 by Scott Wells.
  • January 21, 2021
  • Scott Wells
  • George Schindler
  • Dean of S.A.M.
  • Society of American Magicians
  • Steve Cohen
  • Jay Marshall
  • Abe Hurowitz
  • Shari Lewis
  • ventriloquism
  • Woody Allen
  • Frank Garcia
  • Max Holden's Magic Shop
  • Houdini
  • David Copperfield
  • Ed Mishell
  • Dai Vernon
  • Slydini
  • Terry Seabrooke
  • Post a comment
Comment
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528: Roger Dreyer - Room For Houdini

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On our recent trip to New York City to see the Derren Brown show, one of the “must see” stops is the Fantasma Magic shop and to hopefully get some time with the owner and proprietor, Roger Dreyer. In this week’s episode, Roger gives us a personal guided tour of his collection. The photos in this blog accompany the audio podcast so you can see some of the items he talks about in this week’s episode.

This was the video discussed by Roger Dreyer where Kamarr the Magician was on David Letterman in 1988.

The Houdini Museum of New York is a museum exhibiting memorabilia related to the escape artist, Harry Houdini. It is located at Fantasma Magic, a retail magic manufacturer and seller located at 213 West 35th Street, Rm 401, New York, NY.
DATELINE NEW YORK CITY OCTOBER 2019: Roger Dreyer gives a short tour of the Fantasma Headquarters on local television news segment.
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This week we travel from Houston Texas to New York City to the world headquarters of Fantasma Magic. There we are given a personalized, guided tour of the magic store and the extensive Houdini collection.

During this episode, it is mentioned that the 2019 Official Houdini Seance will take place in Niagara Falls. But if you would like to see excerpts from the 2012 Official Houdini Seance, then you can contact Arthur Moses to purchase a DVD of the event for $17.00 U.S. You can contact Arthur at aem1957@sbcglobal.net or you can buy the online video by Clicking Here.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here..If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

Tagged with New York City, Roger Dreyer, Fantasma Magic, Houdini, Houdini Museum, Simon Lovell, Jen Kramer.

October 31, 2019 by Scott Wells.
  • October 31, 2019
  • Scott Wells
  • New York City
  • Roger Dreyer
  • Fantasma Magic
  • Houdini
  • Houdini Museum
  • Simon Lovell
  • Jen Kramer
  • Post a comment
Comment
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The Magic Word The Magic Word

A Podcast for Magicians, About Magicians, Hosted by a Full Time Professional Magician, Scott Wells

This podcast is totally free for everyone to enjoy. This is provided to you out of love and respect for our art of magic. If you enjoy the podcasts and other material on The Magic Word, then your financial support will be greatly appreciated and help offset the monthly hosting service fee as well as the hardware and software to produce this podcast. Just click on the "Donate " button at the top of this page to make a one time donation through PayPal.

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In May 2024, Scott Wells had the distinguished honor of receiving a “Special Fellowship” from the Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle) for the Magic Word Podcast which promotes “not only personal stories of fascinating individuals, but also fellowship amongst our extended family of artists and entertainers everywhere.”

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Susan Gerbic - Busting Grief Vampires - Susan Gerbic is a skeptic who debunks those who are self-proclaimed psychics and "feed" on the grief of others like vampires feed on blood. She is a scientific skepticism activist, a columnist for Ske
Enjoy an audible tour through the newest venue for magicians to perform. Also, Marc’s incredible magic props, ephemera costumes, and more from a lifetime of collecting are on display here. This “walk through” is a feast for the ears
Jim Cunningham - The Spirit of Eugene - Jim Cunningham is the voice on the Audible books reading the Eli Marks Mystery series. But is also interested in things that go bump in the night. So naturally, his mentor for producing scary seances was the la
Tony Hassini - Merlin Maker - Creator of the Marvelous Magical Burger King, Tony Hassini is better known as the creator of the International Magicians Society (IMS) and the Merlin Award. #tonyhassini #merlinaward #ims #magicawards #merlin #burgerking
Wayne Alan - The Most Famous Magician You've Never Heard Of: Spanning a career as a FISM winner to a successful trade show magician and now in his 70's owning his own theatre, Wayne Alan has led an interesting life and is someone you should know. #hi
Magistrorum 2025 - Convention Report - The Magistrorum Magic & Mentalism Convention is a gathering of world-class performers, including the legendary Jeff McBride. Attendees will experience bizarre magick, and mind-blowing mentalism from internat
Magic At The Beach 2025 - Convention Report - Daily reports from the Magic At The Beach convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, featuring chats with registrants, talent, organizers, dealers, and more. #myrtlebeach #magicatthebeach2025 #matb2025 #
Fielding West - Every Breath He Takes - Over the past few years, magic comedian, Fielding West, has been finding it harder to breathe. After a diagnosis of Emphysema, his life and his act changed. #copd #emphysema #magiccomedy #fieldingwest #lasvegas
Susan Gerbic - Busting Grief Vampires - Susan Gerbic is a skeptic who debunks those who are self-proclaimed psychics and "feed" on the grief of others like vampires feed on blood. She is a scientific skepticism activist, a columnist for Ske Enjoy an audible tour through the newest venue for magicians to perform. Also, Marc’s incredible magic props, ephemera costumes, and more from a lifetime of collecting are on display here. This “walk through” is a feast for the ears Jim Cunningham - The Spirit of Eugene - Jim Cunningham is the voice on the Audible books reading the Eli Marks Mystery series. But is also interested in things that go bump in the night. So naturally, his mentor for producing scary seances was the la Tony Hassini - Merlin Maker - Creator of the Marvelous Magical Burger King, Tony Hassini is better known as the creator of the International Magicians Society (IMS) and the Merlin Award. #tonyhassini #merlinaward #ims #magicawards #merlin #burgerking Wayne Alan - The Most Famous Magician You've Never Heard Of: Spanning a career as a FISM winner to a successful trade show magician and now in his 70's owning his own theatre, Wayne Alan has led an interesting life and is someone you should know. #hi Magistrorum 2025 - Convention Report - The Magistrorum Magic & Mentalism Convention is a gathering of world-class performers, including the legendary Jeff McBride. Attendees will experience bizarre magick, and mind-blowing mentalism from internat Magic At The Beach 2025 - Convention Report - Daily reports from the Magic At The Beach convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, featuring chats with registrants, talent, organizers, dealers, and more. #myrtlebeach #magicatthebeach2025 #matb2025 # Fielding West - Every Breath He Takes - Over the past few years, magic comedian, Fielding West, has been finding it harder to breathe. After a diagnosis of Emphysema, his life and his act changed. #copd #emphysema #magiccomedy #fieldingwest #lasvegas

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