While I was performing at the Magic Castle in 2017, I had the opportunity to sit down for a visit with Saratoga "Sara" Ballantine, the daughter of one of our "magical legends", Carl Ballantine. Carl was a treasure who was known not only throughout the magic community but also to the general populace in many television roles. His most notable role was as "Lester Gruber" on the popular TV show, "McHale's Navy". He appeared in many television shows and movies in the 1960's and 1970's. Billed as "Ballantine - The World's Greatest Magician", Carl had a comedy magic act that landed him in MAGIC Magazine's Top 10 Funniest Acts in Magic.

Carl Ballantine in his prime and at his best. "Come out flying."

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:04:12 - Great stories about Carl Ballantine whose three top loves were horse racing, cigars, and magic (but he also loved his family, of course). Sara was named after the horse track, Saratoga, and his other daughter was named after another racetrack, Molly Caliente (who was born on a hot day) Sara also talks about many of her father's friends who used to come by the house like Ernest Borgnine and Estelle Getty., This conversation was recorded in the offices of The Magic Castle in Hollywood. In the background and you can hear the occasional laughter and contributions by Trish Alaskey, who was present during our conversation.

Sara also talks about documentary she was involved with and is available to view online for free. It is called "Troupers" and can be viewed on SnagFilms.com by following this link: http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/troupers

01:00:45 - Product Review: The Full Monty by Liam Montier from Big Blind Media is a DVD with the "necessary cards" to perform this effect. Recommended.

01:05:55 - Product Review: Tac-Tic-Al by WorldMagic.co.uk is a gimmick that allows you to change a "Tic Tac box" or a "deck of miniature Bicycle cards" into a full size deck of cards. Very visual but I reserve a hearty recommendation.

Click the graphic above to view the film "Troupers" for free.

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222: My Week at the Magic Castle 2015 - Part Three

Join Scott and Lisa Land for a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard as we return to the Nirvana Apartment from breakfast at Mel's Diner. Scott Land is a puppeteer who was performing in the Palace theater at the Magic Castle during the same week I was in the Close-Up Gallery. We talk about many things and people including Scott's friend, Carl Ballentine. We stop along the way for Scott to point out some of the tourist landmarks on Hollywood Boulevard such as the El Capitan theater, "Walk of Stars" like Robin Williams, Julie Andrews, John Travolta, Milt and Bill Larsen, and Mann's Chinese Theatre.

After we return to the Nirvana Apartments (which is where many of the Castle performers are lodged during their/our week), I took a walk across the street and up the hill to the Academy of Magical Arts where I spoke with its General Manager, Joe Furlow. I happened to have been in the epicenter of the timeline when an agreement had just been reached between the Milt Larsen, the Magic Castle and the Academy of Magical Arts. Many of the agreed terms were discussed during our conversation.

00:02:52 - Join Lisa and Scott Land as we depart from Mel's Diner and walk along Hollywood Boulevard back to our apartment near the Magic Castle. Enjoy the sights and sounds and stories along the way. As we get back in front of the Nirvana Apartments, Scott talked extensively about Carl Ballentine, the development of his act, an entertaining story about Carl's' belief of Steve Martin "lifting" his act, and the puppet of Carl that Scott created.

00:20:18 - Joe Furlow, General Manager of the Academy of Magical Arts, talks about the resurrection of the Magic Castle and how they are now thriving as a financially successful enterprise.

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. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

The Magic Word

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

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385: Saratoga Ballantine - My Father

222: My Week at the Magic Castle 2015 - Part Three

The Magic Word