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Joe Mauro Inner circle 1133 Posts |
Meir Yedid reports:
Jay Marshall (August 29, 1919 - May 10, 2005) died on Tuesday at the age of 85. Marshall was one of the most loved magicians, ventriloquists, collectors, historians and characters in our field. He is best remembered for the act with his gloved hand puppet Lefty that often received standing ovations. It is impossible to list all or even most of his accomplishments as he lived a very rich and fulfilling life. He has won just about every honor and lifetime achievement award given in our profession. He was a regular on the Ed Sullivan show and was instrumental in supplying the show the many magicians it featured. On Marshall's 80th birthday "Jay Marshall Day" was proclaimed in the City of Chicago. At his passing he held the lifetime position of Dean of the Society of American Magicians and was the owner of the once premier magic company, Magic Inc. He will surely leave a void in our profession.
~Joe
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Marshall Thornside Inner circle chicago 2016 Posts |
You forgot to mention Righty.
you will remember my name
World's Youngest Illusionista 7th greatest pianist in the world Go Red For Women and Stroke Ambassador www.mai-ling.net |
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scottasf Regular user san leandro, ca 157 Posts |
Joe, I only got to see Jay perform once at the SAM convention in Oakland some years back. I had shivers going down my back seeing the most awe inspiring performance of my life. Incidentially, my magic library started with Frances' Kid Stuff Series. Now who will be the next Dean of American Magicians? I heard John Booth is not in the greatest of health either. And it cant be Uncle Billy (mcComb) as he is not American.
Jay, you will be missed.
2008/2009 President Oakland Magic Circle
"Life would be so wonderful if we only knew what to do with it." - Greta Garbo |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
I treasured Jay Marshall's friendship. He was one of the funniest, nicest guys in the business. I am very sorry to learn of his passing.
Everyone who ever knew Jay had at least one story about his generosity, his sense of humor and his off-stage antics. He had a deep knowledge of magic. One of the biggest favors he ever did for me was to allow me to make the Laurie Ireland Commemorative Copper Cups and Balls set. I'm going to miss him. Heck, I miss him already.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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BarryFernelius Inner circle Still learning, even though I've made 2537 Posts |
I had the chance to meet Jay at Magic, Inc. in Chicago on several of my visits to that area. His knowledge of magic and its history was always delightful. He had an incredible sense of humor, and a willingness to share.
He will be deeply missed.
"To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time."
-Leonard Bernstein |
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Todd Robbins V.I.P. New York 2922 Posts |
We have lost, not only a great man, but also one of the better cheaper acts in show business.
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Tom James Regular user Cincinnati, Ohio 139 Posts |
I will miss Jay greatly. As a young kid going to Chicago I spent many a days at Jay's shop. He taught me a lot and I thanked him for it. I remember showing him a color change that I was working on, and he looked at it and said it was good next time make sure you change the color from one card to a different color. I never forgot that, and when I saw Jay at the IBM in Cleveland last year I said hi and showed him the color change one more time, and he said at least you got the colors right this time kid. I will miss him greatly and I will carry his genrosity with me for the rest of my life.
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Richard Evans Inner circle 1379 Posts |
A sad loss, but a man who will leave many happy memories amongst thousands. I recently showed my kids Jay's Leftie act on the Greater Magic DVD. I have never seen them laugh so hard! Quite a testament in this day & age with 24-hour Nickelodeon. I'm going to watch that again this evening.
I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I only lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three. Elayne Boosler
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Marshall Thornside Inner circle chicago 2016 Posts |
Why wait when I should start now.
A memior of Jay and Frances. and Lefty and Righty. and Jay's parents. and so on and on. http://www.livejournal.com/users/mai_ling/186877.html
you will remember my name
World's Youngest Illusionista 7th greatest pianist in the world Go Red For Women and Stroke Ambassador www.mai-ling.net |
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Don Loyal user 215 Posts |
I meet Jay marshall one time and he was very pleasant and honest.
I also have a 1960's mutilated parasol. It is in very good shape. I thought it was abbotts but it turn's out to be magic inc's. So they really did make some nice stuff!! Don |
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magicuncle Regular user Elgin, IL 126 Posts |
I will miss Jay's wonderful jokes at the introductions to lectures at the shop. I feel very honored to have met the man, even though only a few times and even though he was no longer in his prime, he still had the special thing that all the great ones have.
About a year ago I asked to have my picture taken with Jay and told him I had just purchased his Table Crap video...he scolded me for wasting my money. That picture and video are both treasures in my collection of memories of Jay. RIP Jay you will be missed greatly. |
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Stanyon Inner circle Landrum, S.C. by way of Chicago 3433 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-05-13 13:58, Marshall Thornside wrote: What a great entry! I was a regular back in the days when Bruce Bernstein, Jim Krenz and Fred Zimmerman were the regular demonstrators at Magic Inc. Occasionally Jay would be strolling around the first floor and be out at the counter. Once in a while the guys would be showing me the latest "have to have" and a snort would emanate from Jay, followed by the comment, "Whadda' ya want that for? Look in ______'s book, much better effect! That's the one you should be doing!" Jay gave so much to the magic community and we should follow in his example. Miss ya' already Jasper!
Stanyon
aka Steve Taylor "Every move a move!" "If you've enjoyed my performance half as much as I've enjoyed performing for you, then you've enjoyed it twice as much as me!" |
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Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
..and then there were the EARLY days with Margurite(sp?) Francis' sister, Walter Gydeson, Vic Torsberg, John Shirley et al.
Oh for a time machine! Those were Happy Days... |
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bishthemagish Inner circle 6013 Posts |
We Will Remember Jay Marshall
Because he is the kind of an entertainer that was so great, and has done so much for magic and show business - and fellow magicians - he would be very hard to forget. I am told that I have known Jay Marshall all my life. Because he was a close friend of Billy And Ann Bishop long before I was born. My father and Jay were close friends when they were both living in New York city working for the same agents. One of the agents was the guy that booked the Ed Sullivan Show and his name was Mark Leddy. And he booked the top acts in the country to work all over the world and including the top show business place in the world - New York. Jay Marshall was Mark Leddy’s “A” magic comedy act and my Dad was his “B” comedy magic act. In fact besides magic comedy and performing in night clubs Jay Marshall had the habit of quitting night clubs to act in plays on Broadway. This would open the door for the “B” act Billy Bishop to go in as a replacement. In fact that is how my Dad got his booking at Billy Roses Diamond Horseshoe in the show called Violins over Broadway. Jay went off to perform in a play. The play was about a murder mystery in a haunted prostitute house. The ghosts saw the bad guy killing and want to tell the investigating officer who did it. But the ghosts can only be seen by virgins when the officer of the law arrives he can see the ghosts and they try to help him. He goes upstairs to collect clues and when he comes back down he can’t see the ghosts anymore. How is that for a story? The play continues as the ghosts try to tell him who did it and keep saving his life because the bad guy keeps trying to kill the cop. The play folded in less than an month and my Father was at the Diamond horseshoe for about three months. In fact Jay was a big help in getting my dad booked there to replace him. I remember the story of my Dads opening night and he could see three people way in the back watching his first show. The three people were Jay Marshall, Billy Rose and Carl Balentine. And Jay complemented my Dads act all through the show. The first time I met Jay Marshall was when he bounced me on his knee and I said my first words without him moving his lips. I do not think I sang “If I had My Way”… I met him later in the back of magic inc. With my Dad and we went upstairs to his living quarters. Then came stories about how they met in New York. Jay had an apartment and it had white dress shirts all over the place. Each new shirt was used once. Every time Jay would get a booking Jay would go out and buy a new dress shirt for the booking. Dad used to joke that Jay needed a wife to do the laundry and Jay said, just buying a new shirt was cheaper than getting married. I do know that Jay was married to Al Baker’s daughter before he met Fran. I don’t know much about that side of his life so I move onto a few things I learned about him. Jay was a gag writer for Jackie Gleason for a while when he was doing shows on the Dumont television network. In fact in those days a lot of people were doing shows on the Dumont network to get a show on the air. In fact Jay Marshall worked with every big name in show business in his day. Jay Marshall also wrote a book about how to do magic on television called ‘Magic Television and you” and he dedicated to Mark Leddy the agent of the Ed Sullivan Show. One of my most memorable meetings with Jay was when he was teaching me Punch and Judy. He helped me get the puppets and build the puppet stage that would fold up and be easy to transport. In fact thanks to Jay Marshall my first show business success was doing Punch and Judy at festivals all over Illinois. He also told me a very important thing about show business. He said that the only way to make money in show business is to work steady. Find places that will book you to do steady work and then if you can put your other work on top of this then you may be able to build a business from it. But if your business has to much lay off time between gigs you will always be going broke. Because the off times are expensive and cut into your savings. Go for steady work - it may not make you rich but it can keep you from going hungry. Part of this thing about Punch and Judy with Jay was to give him more steady work besides magic. As he used to do it as a show to entertain people in line waiting to see Santa at the large shopping stores during the Christmas season when he lived in New York. Frank Ducro and Al Flosso were both people that also did Punch and Judy as a sideline. Jay was a great comedy act and I have seen him do his show many times in different locations. Outside at fairs and festivals to a swank night club. And many times on the WGN Bozo TV show in Chicago. Now that Jay Marshall has passed on to perform in the show business venues in the sky I remember the last time I saw Jay Marshall do his act live on the stage. It was at the convention here in St. Louis last year. He got a standing ovation… The audience of magicians kept on cheering! And we will miss you Jay…
Glenn Bishop Cardician
Producer of the DVD Punch Deal Pro Publisher of Glenn Bishop's Ace Cutting And Block Transfer Triumphs |
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Kjellstrom Inner circle Sweden, Scandinavia, Europe 5203 Posts |
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bishthemagish Inner circle 6013 Posts |
One of the things I loved about Jay Marshall is that he loved life and loved magic. He also took life on his own terms. And when life would hit him as life hits all of us - I would see him talk about the humor in things.
One of the funny stories I remember was about my older sister and a gag Jay pulled on my Dad. My older sister who also did magic wanted to go to a magic convention two states away at the last minute. My father was concerned about her getting a hotel room because the hotels were sold out. She took off to the convention and she called home the next day. When my Dad asked her about the hotel and if she got a room she said that it was sold out. But it was OK she was staying in Jay Marshall’s hotel room for the length of the convention. My Dad could hear Jay in the background asking for the phone. My sister gave Jay the phone and he took the phone and said “Hello DAD!” My dad fell on the floor with laughter and we laughed about that for weeks…
Glenn Bishop Cardician
Producer of the DVD Punch Deal Pro Publisher of Glenn Bishop's Ace Cutting And Block Transfer Triumphs |
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Marshall Thornside Inner circle chicago 2016 Posts |
I posted a really long journal entry about
the weekend but if you scroll to the bottom I wrote about the service. With a few photos: http://www.livejournal.com/users/mai_ling/187363.html
you will remember my name
World's Youngest Illusionista 7th greatest pianist in the world Go Red For Women and Stroke Ambassador www.mai-ling.net |
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Freak Prodigy Inner circle NYC & LA 1805 Posts |
You know, life is sad when you are a young performer...you hear all about these wonderful people like Johnny Eck, and Jay Marshall,and Melvin Burkhart (among many others) and then they are just gone one day, all of their knowledge and talent just vanishes like a silk in a thumb tip.
Vaudeville has been dying for a long time and with the passing of Jay it may have died completely. It is up to performers like me to bring it back to life and bring vaudeville back to the public, I may only be 16 but I've got my whole life ahead of me. bye bye Jay Brett Loudermilk
Blog:
http://www.bloudermilk.blogspot.com _________________________________________ E-mail: BrettELoudermilk@gmail.com |
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bishthemagish Inner circle 6013 Posts |
I went to say goodbye to my old friend Jay Marshall on Sunday night the first night of the awake. Who was there was a who’s who of magic from around the country.
Way to many to list. In fact because Jay Marshall’s life in magic touched so many people in and out of show business they anticipated the amount of people that would want to say goodbye - we knew he would pack the room for two nights, Jay Marshall was great! Here are a few Jay Marshall moments....................... Good afternoon, I am Jay Marshall as you have just been told. I am one of the better cheaper acts. I’ll tell the jokes I like and you laugh at what you like and well spend a quiet few moments together. (As Jay vanished the cane in the newspaper) I will now roll up the cane into this newspaper. I used to ask what is black and white and read all over. The answer used to be a newspaper. Now you get creative answers. A sun burned zebra, A nun with a rash, I don’t even as the question anymore. If you place the black cane into the newspaper - if the newspaper was read then the cane should turn to red. One, two, three - gone… (The cane vanished). Besides being a magician I am also an actor in plays on Broadway. I will do this next scene from one of the plays I have been in - playing both actors parts - at the same time. The scene takes place in the parlor. There are two gentlemen there and one of them speaks… Gentleman one, “Here comes the parade Where is Mary?” Gentleman two, “She’s upstairs waving here hair”. Gentleman one, “Good Heavens cant we afford a flag?” (Laugh). Now for the encore of my act. It’s not the encore of this act it is the encore of an act I am not doing anymore. When I did the other act they never called me back for the encore so this is practically new! Jay Marshall - Standing Ovation.
Glenn Bishop Cardician
Producer of the DVD Punch Deal Pro Publisher of Glenn Bishop's Ace Cutting And Block Transfer Triumphs |
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marc pearl New user Sarasota Florida 17 Posts |
I never knew how old Jay was. As a young teenager in the 60's, I thought he was an old timer then. Now I know he was only in his 40's when I knew him. That blows my mind! I guess people aged more then.
I used to go to the Jr Magicians Circle meetings in the back of the store. I loved to hang out back there. Jay would show us a Don Alan Magic Ranch episode each meeting, on his movie projector. A well known magician would give a lecture. We would practice our routines for each other. I would get a ride to Magic Inc and Jay would drive me in his station wagon to IBM and other Magic club meetings. He encouraged me in so many ways. I remember his comments when I demonstrated my budding coin sleight of hand work, he was really helpful. 'Make it look realistic, don't do a lot of hand motions, stay smooth and simple' he said to me.... One time I bought an old Dorny book from him. It was the start of my collection of older magic books. Every once in awhile he would have some duplicate rare books for sale... It is amazing to read this forum and remember so much from the formative years of my life. Jay, Frances, De Yip Louie, George Johnson, everyone at the Round Table at Mayors Row (I would take the subway downtown for a movie back when new films only showed in the movie palaces in the Loop), then have lunch with everyone there. Mai-Ling,That Salas poster you mention was done in the era that I would hang out at the Round Table....and now as you say, most of the greats of the past that I was so fortunate to listen to and laugh with are now in that magic place in the sky. The Broken Wand Ceremony. Something very deep inside me aches hearing that. You'll keep those angels laughing through eternity, Jay! |
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