Dorothy Dietrich here.

I can find little about Dell O'Dell and her performances until the late 1930's after she reaches the age of 40.

She came from a circus family and would have traveled with her father "Lucky Bill" Newton's, and half brother "Honest Bill" Newton's circuses. She would have used many names through the early years including Odella Newton, Dell Newton, Della Newton, Nell Newton, Della O'Dell, Dottie O'Dell. etc. May have been a dancer of sorts. Possibly Pryde Shannon & O'Dell as a juggling act.

Also looking for information and dates of courtship(s) and marriage(s) including to juggler Charles Carrer

She reportedly bought all or part of Frank Van Houton's act, one of the top earners in vaudeville, about three times as much as Houdini, after Van Houton died in the late 1920's. Anything else as well, later dates, photos, her magic shop, etc.

If you wish you can reply here, PM me or write to dorothydietrichmagic@gmail.com. (570) 342-5555

Thank you
Dorothy Dietrich

I do know that she bought the Abbott's magic shop in California after the "Flash paper incident". She also had a television show out there as Sr. Rai was on it when he was very young. Chuck Jones was a protege of hers and had a lot of her stuff at one time. I believe there may be film of her working in the SAM library. Charles was a big time amateur photographer. He took movies and a lot of still photos. They had a little darkroom set up in their trailer that they towed and lived in when working dates.

Hope that helps some. Best to Dorothy and you.

Richard