Hey guys I am doing some research for some articles on old time hypnotists and it is very hard for me to find information. With the passing of some of the legends in recent years(Reveen, Mcgill, Collins) I feel it is time a history of stage hypnosis is put together.

I was wondering if you could direct me to some of the legends in the hypno biz.

Here are the basics of what I have so far:

Ormund Mcgill
Reveen
Pat Collins
Sylvain A. Lee
Charles Lafontaine
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert L. Flint
Professor Xenophon LaMotte Sage
Mesmer.
Kreskin

The list is not extensive I know that is why I am here for help.

Do you guys have any other legends that would fit the list.

Thanks in advancce
Jesse

Absolutely. Paul Goldin. He operated in Ireland for thirty years, and regularly attracted 3,000 people a night. He got great publicity for promising to jump from a plane without a parachute, using hypnosis to control the pain of the landing! Larger than life character, borderline crook, great entertainer.

Barry Sinclair, the greatest I have ever seen. Check out his website for some of his stories: http://www.barrysinclair.com

Any book of legends without Paul would be incomplete. Personally I think Barry belongs in that class.

From the UK, you need to include Paul McKenna. What other hypnotist has played to 6,000 people in a single gig? He had his own TV show, and drew huge crowds. But he wasn't in Barry or Paul's league as a showman.

Two performers who had a big impact on the way UK hypnotists work (whether they realise it or not) are Scotland's Robert Halpern and Australia's Martin St.James.

I was personal friends with two from the UK a few years back, Edwin Heath and Lord Payne, both old styyle performers but true pros, they could and would often be asked to do something on the spot, they did and always went over well. Lord Payne was once asked to fill in for an evening at the Horseshoe show bar in Blackpool, he was still there 17 years later.

Thanksguys that is a good start it looks like I have a lot of research to do I may ask some more to get better details as well. Keep them coming

Jesse

McGill has some great tips and ideas...

Guess You Guys have Never seen The Man they call Reveen - Billy McComb Called the Reveen Show "the Greatest Hyp Production
Ever seen on the Stage in the last 50 yrs !

This show was seen by Over 10.000,000 people. in 35 yrs .

The Reveen Show SHATTERED Box offie recorde in Europe ,Canada for over 30 yrs , He Sold out the Vancover Opera house 4000 seats 14 nights in a Row !

Reveen had one of the Largest magic & Illusions ever In the History of the Theatre,.. Sold it to illusionist Johnny Hart for over a Million dollars !

Seigfried & Roy have said "The Reveen show will Never he equalied " - He Ever wrote a Best Seller on the Powere of the human mind.

There was Only One Reveen.


Magic 123

If it is legend you speak of then Jimmy Grippo should be on the list.

Belante

Hi Jesse,

I am supprised that no one has mentioned Peter Casson. Perhaps Peter is only a legend this side of the pond. His American contemporary Ralph Slater may be better known in America.

Regards.
Hypno

Sam Vine, Jerry Valley, Reveen, Martin St. James.

Regards,

Tommy Vee

Jeesus but you guys are so off the main names I don't think you can be helped. But.... enjoy your party.

Enlighten us then Bobser.

Regards.
Hypno.

This is a great topic. There are names like Belante that I never new about. Thanks

Ted Belante, who was well known as "Mr. Hypnosis" throughout the Pacific Northwest and who I toured with for many years, video taped all of his shows. Many have recently found their way to YouTube.

Another great hypnotist I worked with on the cruise ships back in the 1970's was Don Garnett. I consider him one of the best as well.

There probably would be no point to me naming names Hypno, since by definition nobody else has thus probably wouldn't know them. Yet they are all over the place. And of course it's interesting that we British/Americans mainly look to our own.
Some of the very best I've ever seen I have met just within the last year in my travels, and they have been Swedish, Danish, French, Latvian, Finnish, Japanese etc.
For example probably no one in here would have heard of Denis Hovarth of Slovenia. Yet he would easily sit with any of the hypnotists named in the above list.

I find this interesting too given how often everyone from that part of the world are constantly complaining there are no stage hypnotists, no stage hypnosis shows and no stage hypnosis training. It's given some of us the impression that stage hypnosis has dried up over there.

Legendary is a significant status so I would think they should be more commonly known at least within the industry.

Unlike magicians, the stage hypnotists I have known and worked with throughout the years were showmen who focused exclusively on performing for the public. Very few associated with magicians, mentalists, or other hypnotists for that matter.

Bob yea. Once you develop a sort of territory you tend to travel pretty well within it. The phenomenon of hypnosis as a hobby is fairly recent also. You learned and you did.

Bobser I believe Jesse was looking for names from the past.
I would also have to question whether someone could be classed as a legend if they are not reasonably widely known.
Mindpro I don't think I have heard any pro stage hypnotists here in the UK complaining that there are not enough stage hypnotists or enough stage hypnosis training.

Regards.
Hypno.