784: Jamy Ian Swiss - The Conjuror's Conjuror

Jamy Ian Swiss is the author of five books and co-author of two other books and consultant or contributor to at least eight other books and magazines, frequent performer at the Magic Castle, co-producer of Monday Night Magic, historian, lecturer, teacher, consultant, Senior Fellow of the James Randi Educational Foundation, skeptic, and an expert on the intersection of science, magic, and skepticism. He has frequently appeared on television talk and news shows including all the networks with occasional appearances in movies and documentaries.

This discussion was recorded in the Magic Castle when we worked together there in March 2023. In our conversation, Jamy covers the gamut of magic from those who have influenced his life to an esoteric discussion of equivoque and the power of magic has on our audience and a deep dive into a theoretical talk about magic. Nearly everyone who is anyone in magic had their name dropped in this week’s chat by someone who intimately knew them all quite well. Jamy truly is the conjuror’s conjuror.

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400: David Berglas - International Man of Mystery, Part One

David Berglas has an affect on me.

Okay, that is corny. But it is true that he has influenced and inspired more magicians and mentalists in the world than can be counted. Not only has he changed how we look at magic, David Berglas has significantly changed magic on television.

The BBC called him the “Godfather of TV Magic”. Born in 1926, Berglas escaped to Britain from Nazi Germany at age 11. He first became interested in Magic in his 20’s and studied psychotherapy at university before becoming a professional magician in 1952. His groundbreaking TV show in 1986, “The Mind of David Berglas” paved the way for all others to follow up to this very day. He is the author of several books including, "The Berglas Effects" and "The Mind & Magic of David Berglas", among others. And he is an multiple award winner of several prestigious organizations and is the Past President of The Magic Circle.

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I was part of a momentous meeting organized by Spyros Melaris in 2002 when he arranged a dinner meeting with David Berglas and his wife, Ruth, with Banachek and his wife, Heidi, and me and my wife, Kathy. It was a wonderful, memorable dinner with Banachek sharing his spoon bending to David and magic talk late into the evening. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, no photos of that evening exist except those in our minds.

It was at that first meeting that we all became good friends and I am glad that we could get together again for this podcast where David talks about his beginnings in magic, work both in front of and behind the cameras on television and film, plus lots of stories about celebrated names of magicians, most of whom are long since passed.

Magicians' Valhalla

Although the list below is not exhaustive nor in any particular order, it does reflect the names of many well-known (and some lesser known) magicians, spouses and assistants who passed on in 2017. Some may not be as well-known to you, but they were my personal friends (hey, it is my blog!). If you are unfamiliar with any of these names, then it would behoove you to do a little online search of what these people have contributed to our craft. If you have someone you think was overlooked, then please post the name in the comments below on this blog.

Those whose names are highlighted were featured or interviewed here on The Magic Word Podcast. You can click on their name to revisit and listen to their voices again. David Oliver put together a video of some names and dates of passing of these (and others) in a YouTube video. Click Here to see that video.

Phil Messina

Daryl Easton (Martinez)

Bob Cassidy

Jim Zachary

Ed Thomas

Jessica “Shedini” Moore

George Kovari, Jr.

"Chuck" Kirchner

John Moehring

Eugene Burger

Tom Jones

Eddie Gibson

"Fast" Eddie Silverman

Kenneth Silverman

Paul Diamond

Peter Diamond

Steve Baker

Kevin King

Celeste Evans

Tim Glancey

Ian Ogilvy

Trevor Dawson

James Hamilton

Mike O’Dowd

Bill McIlhany

Michael Giles

Harold Greenbaum

Philip Morris

Ray Goulet

Lee Delano

Fantasio (Ricardo Roucau).

Deanna Shimada

Heidi Larsen

Johnny Fox

Happy New Year! I've got mine. Have you ordered yours yet? Click on the graphic above to visit Amazon.com and purchase your 2018 calendar while helping supprt The Magic Word Podcast. Or you can Click Here.to visit the Amazon.com site for more inform… — Happy New Year! I've got mine. Have you ordered yours yet? Click on the graphic above to visit Amazon.com and purchase your 2018 calendar while helping supprt The Magic Word Podcast. Or you can Click Here.to visit the Amazon.com site for more information. Thank you and Happy Holidays!

392: Martin Lewis - A Study In Experience

Martin Lewis is an enigma and a most creative genius. His creations are integral parts of many professional magicians including David Copperfield and many others.

Here is a live performance of Martin Lewis' "Cardiographic" effect. The kid he was doing the trick for accidentally flashes her card to me. Martin says, "I wish it were always that easy :)"

Time Stamps for this podcast:

00:01:54 - Martin talks about Earthquake Magoon's in San Francisco, California where a cache of Carter the Great paper was found; his late father, Eric Lewis; Harry Corbett and his puppet, "Sooty"; his inspiration that launched his career; dealing with nerves before a show; the importance of listening to your audience; the development of his "Cardiographic" Rising Card effect; how he envisions creativity; impromptu magic tricks;

00:49:41 - Product Review: "Quantum Angel" by Paul Harris and Bro Gilbert which is an improvement on Paul's "Cardian Angel" where an angel on the Bicycle card animates as you flip through the cards and a miniature envelope is revealed that contains a secret message. Recommended.

00:54:19 - Product Review: "Trojan Horse" by Steven Himmel is a DVD that contains four routines for using the card gimmick plus instructions on how to make additional gimmicks. Basically, this is a "Sandwich Card" effect where the card can disappear or transpose to another colored card or even a coin. Recommended.

00:56:34 - Product Review: "Screen Test - Pocket Edition" by Steve Dimmer is a mentalism effect where you correctly divine the name of a freely selected movie from a random group of movie poster cards. This is the pocket version of the larger, postcard sized effect. I use it and like it. Recommended.

"Proof Positive" is the effect referred to in this podcast as Martin's "go to" impromptu trick. During our discussion, he couldn't remember the name of the creator, but it was David Parr. This effect is available in David's web store: http://www.davidparr.com/store/

Click on the link above to visit the website for Wonder Imagery who sells customized "Bandana Silks" by special order. You will have to send an email or PM to Tim Sonefelt to request pricing and sizes for this special order.