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The Magic Word The Magic Word

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912: Diana Zimmerman - The Enchantress

Diana Zimmerman is an enchanting woman in every sense of the word: personality, charm, abilities, looks, intelligence, skill, and so much more. She has led a life of magic like few other women. And she is being recognized for her achievements by being inducted to the Los Angeles Times Global Magicians Hall of Fame on July 9th, 2025. Married at 19 to Dick Zimmerman, magician and creative genius, she performed around the world on television and stage with her one-woman performance. She traveled with a giant gramophone then later switched to a thumb tie and pick pocketing. She developed and still works with the Magic Castle Junior Program (which just celebrated their 50th year) and is the author of several books of fantasy. But she also authored the definitive collector’s edition of the Siegfried and Roy book.

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Diana has so many stories that she shares with us this week including her early days working with her then-husband, Dick Zimmerman, then how Cary Grant encouraged her to form the junior program at the Magic Castle, and many stories about the late Siegfried and Roy. She was a close confidant to the illusionists and shares some “behind the scenes” stories from Little Bavaria to “the Incident” that ended their Las Vegas run.

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 Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Tagged with Diana Zimmerman, Magic Castle, Magic Castle Junior Member, Doug Henning, Dai Vernon, Dick Zimmerman, Channing Pollock, pickpocketing, Matthew O'Neill, Jason Latimer, Michael Rangel, Lisa Menna, Cary Grant, Siegfried and Roy, Johnny Thompson, Gary Darwin, Michael Jackson, Little Bavaria.

July 3, 2025 by Scott Wells.
  • July 3, 2025
  • Scott Wells
  • Diana Zimmerman
  • Magic Castle
  • Magic Castle Junior Member
  • Doug Henning
  • Dai Vernon
  • Dick Zimmerman
  • Channing Pollock
  • pickpocketing
  • Matthew O'Neill
  • Jason Latimer
  • Michael Rangel
  • Lisa Menna
  • Cary Grant
  • Siegfried and Roy
  • Johnny Thompson
  • Gary Darwin
  • Michael Jackson
  • Little Bavaria
  • Post a comment
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613 - Franz Harary - Think BIG!

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This “long overdue” conversation with mega-illusionist, Franz Harary, is a very special edition. Franz is truly an international star of magic and his work has kept him busy for decades. In this episode Franz is finally taking a “breather” and relaxing so we can talk about his passions and career. We cover a lot of territory from creativity to the cosmos. He also shares some “never-before-told” stories and tips for stage performers that he has not discussed before now.

This week’s podcast episode on YouTube.

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Franz Harary begins this episode talking about his passion for all things related to outer space, which might explain why one of his earliest illusions was to vanish the space shuttle. He also talks about international touring, working in outdoor coliseums and his time in Asia performing at his own theatre in Macau. Of course, he also shares some stories about some of the celebrities he has worked with from Janet and Michael Jackson to…well, you can’t get much more “celebrated” than the King of Pop!

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 or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here..If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

Tagged with Franz Harary, illusionist, stage illusions, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, NASA, space shuttle.

May 20, 2021 by Scott Wells.
  • May 20, 2021
  • Scott Wells
  • Franz Harary
  • illusionist
  • stage illusions
  • Michael Jackson
  • Janet Jackson
  • NASA
  • space shuttle
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261: Project Alpha with Mike Edwards

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After viewing the highly acclaimed documentary, "An Honest Liar" about the career of James "The Amazing" Randi, I wanted to talk with Mike Edwards, the "psychic" who was "tested" along with Steve Shaw (Banachek) over a three year period in the late 70;s to the early 80;s. I have discussed Project Alpha with Banachek many times privately, on the podcast and on an L&L Video (Psi Series Volume 4 - Psychokenisis) but I had never met or spoken with, Mike Edwards, his partner on the project.

The stars aligned with my travel plans to Phoenix, Arizona and Mike's availability so we were able to find a relatively quiet corner in an otherwise busy restaurant and record this chat. It is a completely different perspective from the one I have heard from Banachek and the revelation during the last few minutes of our conversation figuratively "bowled me over". I was not expecting that news. You might be surprised and excited once you hear it, too.

Recorded: 5/27/2010 Original Alpha Kid, Michael Edwards pays a visit to the foundation and recalls some of the behind the scenes tricks that he and Steve Shaw (Banachek) did during the MacLab test. From Wikipedia: Project Alpha was an elaborate hoax orchestrated by the stage magician and skeptic James Randi.

Recorded: 5/27/2010 Original Alpha Kid, Michael Edwards pays a visit to the foundation and recalls some of the behind the scenes tricks that he and Steve Shaw (Banachek) did during the MacLab test. From Wikipedia: Project Alpha was an elaborate hoax orchestrated by the stage magician and skeptic James Randi.

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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.

Click on the banner to visit the page where you can buy "all things by Banachek".

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Order the DVD from Amazon and help support The Magic Word.

Rent the movie from Amazon and help support The Magic Word.

Tagged with Mike Edwards, Michael Edwards, Alpha Project, Banachek, Steve Shaw, James Randi, The Amazing Randi, An Honiest Liar.

October 29, 2015 by Scott Wells.
  • October 29, 2015
  • Scott Wells
  • Mike Edwards
  • Michael Edwards
  • Alpha Project
  • Banachek
  • Steve Shaw
  • James Randi
  • The Amazing Randi
  • An Honiest Liar
  • 1 Comment
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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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Thanks to all of you listeners, The Magic Word Podcast and our newsletter (or “podletter” as I call it) has been recognized by FISM and received nominations in two categories. Please click on one of the graphics above and cast your vote to help push us on to victory in Turin, Italy, this summer! Thank you!

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FISM 2025 Daily Reports Begin Soon - We are in Italy and anxiously awaiting commencement of FISM 2025. There will be no podcast released today, but daily reports will begin next Monday. So, come back each day next week for regular updates from Turin,
Day two of our Italian adventure. Tours of Venice, cafes, museums, then to Murano to a glass blowing art gallery, and finishing with a concert with three tenors.
This week's episode is in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Magic Castle Juniors group and her feature article in VANISH Magazine and precedes Diana's induction to the Los Angeles Tribune Global Magicians Hall of Fame.
 #losangelestribune
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.
FISM 2025 Daily Reports Begin Soon - We are in Italy and anxiously awaiting commencement of FISM 2025. There will be no podcast released today, but daily reports will begin next Monday. So, come back each day next week for regular updates from Turin,
Leaving Venice, passing through a winery in the Valpolicella region, ending up in Milan.
Day two of our Italian adventure with visits to museums, cafes, boat rides, shopping, glass blowing art gallery in Murano, and finishing with a concert with three tenors.
Day two of our Italian adventure. Tours of Venice, cafes, museums, then to Murano to a glass blowing art gallery, and finishing with a concert with three tenors. This week's episode is in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Magic Castle Juniors group and her feature article in VANISH Magazine and precedes Diana's induction to the Los Angeles Tribune Global Magicians Hall of Fame.
 #losangelestribune

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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