477: Richard Hatch - Part Two: Following Plains Magicians

Richard Hatch is not only known as a scholar and bibliophile, but also as a researcher into esoteric tomes, most notably "The Expert At The Card Table" which we discussed in last week’s podcast where he talked about his search to uncover who is the mysterious author behind the pages. He concludes our two part podcast this week with a fascinating look into the life of Washington Simmons, one of the more notable Plains Magicians who traveled through Utah in the late 1800’s and brushed shoulders with Brigham Young and others in the Mormon faith. He also talks about Artemus Ward who was a humorist and inspired a young Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain).

If you would like to read Richard’s article on his research into the Plains Magicians, then the article he talks about in this podcast will appear in the Summer 2019 issue of Gibeciere. Here is a link to their site: http://conjuringarts.org/category/gibeciere/

Richard Hatch concludes his remarks on his search for Erdnase then he talks about his studies on magicians and entertainers who passed through the Great Plains in the late 1800’s and appeared in the local Mormon theater and attracted the attention and friendship of Brigham Young. Artemus Ward was heralded as one of the earliest humorist and welcomed by Abraham Lincoln and a friend of Mark Twain. He and Washington Simmons exchanged “jabs” at each other when they traversed through Mormon territory appearing in the local theater in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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387: Orson Bean - It Began With A Fir Tree

The cover of a 1960 comedy album showed Orson Bean holding a "Fir Tree" (made from rolled-up newspaper) which started the search. While in the Los Angeles, California area, I learned that Orson Bean had an interest in magic and even belonged to the Academy of Magical Arts.

In a fortunate turn of events, The Magic Word Podcast was able to visit the home of legendary actor and comedian, Orson Bean, and his lovely wife (and talented actor in her own right), Alley Mills. What started out as a search into Orson's background and interest in magic led to a fascinating discussion through time and television history.

Orson and Alley were also putting the final touches on their new one act play, "Alright Then" that is "a true story of two people who fell in love and overcame insurmountable odds to forge a successful marriage." Their intent was to take it to the Mark Twain Library in Redding, CT (which they did this past July) then return to Los Angeles and present it there. During this podcast, Orson and Alley present a snippet from the play.

Watch SAFE AT HOME: An Evening with Orson Bean for FREE. Orson had offers to take his LADCC Award winning show to New York and elsewhere, but he feels strongly that this is a show he wants everyone to see and to enjoy, just as our audiences did here at Pacific Resident Theater. He decided to “give it away to the world” and posted it on YouTube. Now YOU and EVERYONE you know can enjoy this hilarious,

During our conversation, we start with magic but the real magic unfolds as we hear remarkable stories about Hollywood legends such as Johnny Carson, Ernie Kovacs, Bob Hope and so many, many more. Alley Mills also chats about her work on "The Wonder Years" TV show and the friendships that bonded the cast for life. Towards the end of this recording, Orson and Alley presented (and rehearsed) a bit of their new play "Alright Then"

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

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