936: Tony Hassini - Merlin Maker

Tony Hassini is well into his 80’s and has earned a time to look back at his illustrious career and all that he has done for entertainment. In the 1970’s he developed “The Magic of Burger King” which was a nationwide campaign coupling their advertising with real life characters. But before that, in 1968, Tony formed the International Magicians Society (IMS) which developed into the world’s largest magic organization that today presents the Merlin Award to deserving magicians around the world at special, high class award ceremonies.

This conversation was recorded using Zoom prior to the annual Merlin Awards banquet that typically takes place in Las Vegas on the night following MAGIC Live! We first talk about Tony’s involvement with creating and developing the Marvelous Magical Burger King ad campaign in the 1970’s. During that time, he met Ray Croc, founder of McDonald’s, who gave him some good advice. But before the campaign was adopted, Tony created the IMS which, according to the Guinness World Book of Records, is the largest magic organization in the world.

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The winner for Week #1 was Nicolas Nardi. Congratulations, Nicolas. A Houdini Legacy Deck of cards will be awarded to a different winner each week in October. These beautiful cards were designed by the Past National President and artist, John Midgley. If you are interested in learning more about these cards and the cause, then please visit their website at https://houdinicards.com

Join us in New York this Halloween for this seminal event. I plan to be in attendance and will host one of the panel discussions. For more information, please https://newyorkmagicconference.com/

811: Magifest 2024 - Day One Report

Thursday 25th January 2024

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Dealer’s Room Open

5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Peter Samelson Lecture.

Peter Samelson will offer a new lecture on both stage and close-up magic. An expert in both arenas, this lecture will span the course of his career, along with new material.

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Youth Program Welcome Event

All young magicians are welcome, and so are parents! Meet and make new friends for your exciting weekend ahead!

7:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

NEW: Basecamp Welcome Meet and Greet

7:30pm - 8:30pm

Michael Feldman Lecture

To celebrate the release of his new book, "The Pages are Blank," Michael Feldman will perform and talk about his avant-garde card material. Watch out for his deck switch: it might just be the best one you've ever (not) seen.

8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

David Kaplan Show

Columbus's own David Kaplan returns to the Magifest stage, this time with his own show. A combination of magic, mime, and physical comedy, don't miss this.

10:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Dan Harlan Show and Lecture

Time stamps for this episode: (to be uploaded after I’ve had some sleep)

00:00:18 -

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401: David Berglas - International Man of Mystery, Part Two

This week we present the second installment of our two-part podcast with David Berglas. Last week we talked about his work on British television and this week we talk about his career in the film industry and people he worked with and knew. Also, David has a profound sense of "giving back" to our community. He is a supporter of the Capetown (South Africa) College of Magic. He is the founder of the "David Berglas International Award of Magic" which has been presented to Uri Geller, David Copperfield, Juan Tamariz, Lu Chen, Derren Brown, Jeff McBride, Dynamo and Penn & Teller.

David Berglas comes out of retirement for a special occasion August 2001

David Berglas talking with Andrew Eborn about The Magic Circle in Pinoli's at the unveiling of the British Plaque Trust plaque on 13th April 2016. Film by Gordon Drayson, Drayson Design.

In this podcast, David talks about working with Orson Welles and Peter Sellers on the set of Casino Royale; his work with his marketing company, E.S.P.; the Piddington's mind reading act on the radio (which is featured on "Radio Lab" podcast HERE); how David acquired his moniker, "International Man of Mystery"; his philosophy on disclaimers; performing for British royalty; meeting Picasso; his philanthropic work with the Capetown College of Magic; magic conventions like the IMX, EMC, McMillan Weekend, etc.; his International Award of Magic, and more.