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The Magic Word The Magic Word

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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.

View fullsize Cardini Classic Promo Photo
View fullsize Randy Pitchford
View fullsize Randy Pitchford
View fullsize Carnini Deck of Peau-Doux Manipulation Cards
View fullsize Randy Pitchford

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."

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

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.

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.

Tagged with Randy Pitchford, Cardini, Irene Larsen, Erika Larsen, Swan Pitchford, Potter & Potter, Dai Vernon, Genii, Richard Kaufman, Brookledge, The Magic Castle, Gearbox Software, Wizards Universal Studios City Walk, Fred Wood, Scott Hollingsworth, Magic Island, Billy McComb, Paul David, Tony Clark.

March 3, 2016 by Scott Wells.
  • March 3, 2016
  • Scott Wells
  • Randy Pitchford
  • Cardini
  • Irene Larsen
  • Erika Larsen
  • Swan Pitchford
  • Potter & Potter
  • Dai Vernon
  • Genii
  • Richard Kaufman
  • Brookledge
  • The Magic Castle
  • Gearbox Software
  • Wizards Universal Studios City Walk
  • Fred Wood
  • Scott Hollingsworth
  • Magic Island
  • Billy McComb
  • Paul David
  • Tony Clark
  • Post a comment
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235: FISM Italy - Day Four

It may have been a little overcast outside, but the weather and the magic was perfect in the convention center. After viewing the stage competition from 8:30 to 12:30, I got to walk around the dealers a bit more, chat with friends, and attend a couple lectures. And of course, it was Thursday which meant magic and Martinis in the evening with friends at the bar.

After watching Luke Jermay's one man show, was the evening gala featuring:  Cyril Takayama and Eun Gyeol Lee as co-MC's with Mike Chao, Topas, David Kaplan, Tony Frebourg, Alberto Giorgi, Rob Zabrecky, Sos & Victoria and Samuel.

View fullsize Reuben Moreland
View fullsize Michael Perovich
View fullsize IMG_5086.JPG
View fullsize Rainer Pfeiffer and Martin Eisele
View fullsize IMG_5088.JPG
View fullsize Will Houstoun
View fullsize IMG_5090.JPG
View fullsize David Kaplan
View fullsize Phil Cass & Philippa
View fullsize Bill Herz
View fullsize Waiting for the doors to open for the evennig show that will start in ten minutes.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:01:10 - Reuben Moreland

00:06:39 - Michael Perovich

00:11:23 - Rainer Pfeiffer and Martin Eisele

00:18:18 - David Kaplan

00:34:34 - Will Houstoun

00:42:43 - Bill Herz

00:57:14 - Phil Cass and Philippa

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.

Posted in Convention Report and tagged with Michael Perovich, David Kaplan, FISM Italy, Phil Cass, Reuben Moreland, Martin Eisele, FISM, Bill Herz, Rainer Pfeiffer, Philippa.

July 9, 2015 by Scott Wells.
  • July 9, 2015
  • Scott Wells
  • Michael Perovich
  • David Kaplan
  • FISM Italy
  • Phil Cass
  • Reuben Moreland
  • Martin Eisele
  • FISM
  • Bill Herz
  • Rainer Pfeiffer
  • Philippa
  • Convention Report
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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

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FISM 2025 Daily Reports from Turin, Italy We are in the middle of the World Championship of Magic in Turin, Italy. Join us and/or catch up on the daily podcast updates on FISM 2025.
#fism2025
#fismturin
#turinitaly
#italy
#magic
#worldchampionshipofm
FISM 2025 Daily Reports from Turin, Italy We are in the middle of the World Championship of Magic in Turin, Italy. Join us and/or catch up on the daily podcast updates on FISM 2025.
#fism2025
#fismturin
#turinitaly
#italy
#magic
#worldchampionshipofm
We departed for Turin and arrived in time for FISM registration, street magic, and dinner. #turino #FISM2025
Our most amazing day yet! So full of surprises, good food, great wine, and amazing magic artifacts. #cherascoitaly #museodellamagia #cherasco
A most delightful tour of the most amazing magic museum in the world. #MagicMuseum #DonSilvio #cherasco
From Milan to a hazelnut farm then to the Piedmont region for drinks and BBQ as the sun set. Beautiful! #hazelnut #italy
So much history, so much beauty, so much good food, so much fashion, and so little time. #milanitaly #milano
So much history, so much beauty, so much fashion, and too little time to take it all in.

The Magic Word Has been recognized by FeedSpot as the # 1 magician podcast in the world. Thank you all for your support and for listening throughout the years.

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