384: Two Fer - Neal 'n Bull

While at the IBM/SAM Combined Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, I recorded some extended chats with a couple friends that were too long to be part of the daily convention updates but too short to complete a full hour for the podcast. So, this episode for the first time brings you not one, but two excellent chats with world class magicians: Jonathan Neal and David Bull.

Vintage clip of Jonathan’s second appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

A rare inside glimpse of a magical world- Marco the Magi's Production of Le Grand David and his Own Spectacular Magic Company in Beverly, Massachusetts, USA. Footage is from the Larcom theater and their second historic magic auction from this amazing ensemble.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:05:58 - Jonathan Neal (Brown) talks about establishing a relationship with an audience, blocking and choreography on stage, plus how he developed his successful act and how he works towards excellence in every performance.

00:31:35 - David Bull a.k.a. "Le Grand David" tells us how he became known on the bill as "Le Grand David" plus some of the history of the theater troupe and how it began and ended and what David Bull is doing today.

00:57:52 - "The Ocbender" by Menny Lindenfeld available from your favorite magic dealer through Murphy's Magic Supplies. This is an unseen tool used by the mentalist/magician to make coins, spoons and keys seemingly bend "in the hands of your volunteer". Very well made gimmick and highly recommended.

00:57:52 - Product (Book) Review of "New Angle" by Ryan Plunkett and Michael Feldman published by and available from Magic, Inc. This book is a new look at a classic tool in the magician's toolbox: the Tapered (or "Stripper") Deck. New ideas, tips and routines that take this tool to the next level. Recommended for intermediate to advanced card workers.

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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.

225: My Week at the Magic Castle 2015 - Part Six

As we conclude this six past series in Hollywood, California, we visit with some more of the "Knights of the Castle". This was a great week for me that could not be contained in one podcast. I hope that you enjoyed the multiple part series and the magicians who shared their time with me behind the microphone. I would love to receive your comments on whether this series was too long or too short, who and what you liked best in this series, and perhaps who you might like to hear on an extended podcast in the future.

Here are the timestamps for this podcast:

00:03:56 - Entertainment Director, Jack Goldfinger, gives us some pearls of wisdom and the "perils" of his job which preclude vacations.

00:12:15 - Tony Clark talks about producing magic shows around the country plus some new venues he is working on.

00:31:40 - J. Neal, of Jonathan Neal or Jonathan Neal Brown (take your pick) talks about his long career, what he's doing now (mostly cruise ships) and how he has kept on top of his game as the economy and the market changes.

00:45:02 - 35 year member of the AMA, Lee Delano, talks about his long career as an actor and how he kept busy for 40 years in the business. He worked with Sid Caesar for over 25 years. He worked with Lucille Ball and many other great comedians, plus he worked in the "Planet of the Apes" movie plus Star Trek and other TV shows and movies.

00:53:51 - Ray Pie.rce and Christopher Hart both worked at the old Hollywood Magic shop. They both tell some great stories from their experience in those old days

384: Two Fer - Neal 'n Bull

279: The Cardini Connection with Randy Pitchford

225: My Week at the Magic Castle 2015 - Part Six

The Magic Word