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rmoraleta Special user Philippines 767 Posts |
Just to set the record straight.
I would like to know which magicians did not perform professionaly but somehow contributed to the art of Magic. I would say Alex Elmsley is one. Stewart James (postman) and Ed Marlo? And what are their real profession? |
bishthemagish Inner circle 6013 Posts |
Ed Marlo did perform professionaly and at one time was part owner in a bar that he and a small group of magicians turned into a magic bar.
His wife did not like the late nights and Ed Getting back when the sun was coming up. Ed DID have a successful performing life as a professional magician. And his books show that because they have effects in them that he performed.
Glenn Bishop Cardician
Producer of the DVD Punch Deal Pro Publisher of Glenn Bishop's Ace Cutting And Block Transfer Triumphs |
sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
J.G. Thompson, Jr. was a bank president who loved magic and was a very talented amateur. He invented a number of effects, mostly mental effects. The "J.G. Thompson Coin" is available from Johnson Products for its Okito coin boxes. Although he may have performed professionally, I'm not aware of it.
He wrote numerous books, including MY BEST, which I believe you can still obtain from Hank Lee and other dealers. The book is a compilation of effects from other amateur magicians. I think he was good friends with Bill Severn, who authored CLASSIC SECRETS OF MAGIC and a number of other excellent magic books. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
I Cast No Shadow New user 71 Posts |
Was Gen. U.F. Grant a performer? I know he invented a TON of stuff, but did he actually have a stage show or anything?
"It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious" - Murphy's Corollary
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sanju Regular user 135 Posts |
I know Ed Marlo was a die cutter by profession.
Joe Porper makes pool cues. Vernon cut sillhoutettes. Curtis Kam's a lawyer. |
daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
Let's not forget David Regal in this list. To my knowledge he is mainly a TV writer.
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
There are also several fellows who gave up promising careers to go into magic full time. For example, Terry Seabrooke gave up a promising career as an insurance salesman.
Anyone know what Joe Stevens did before he became a magic dealer?
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
He played semi pro basketball and sold Fuller Brush. He would have played professional but when he worked for Fuller Brush over the summer he made so much he could not afford to quit to play basketball.
Caryle Fleming was a Bank President. W. W. Durbin was a politician, lawyer and businessman who almost single handly got the IBM off the ground. He also had the first magic convention. Billy Russel was the Mayor of Batavia. Harold Rice was an art professor. Russ Walsh was an executive in a Steel company. The guys that made their fortunes 100% in magic are few and and far between. Either they made their money elsewhere or their is old family money. But this is no way to say they were not great contributors or performers to our art.
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
Glenn Watson Special user 781 Posts |
I believe, Milt Kort, was an amature. He was a pharmacist.
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Lloyd E. Jones: Pharmacist
Dr. Albo: Disney Animator Albert Goshman: Bagel Baker and children's portrait photographer Billy McComb: Doctor but never went into practice Dariel Fitzkee: Audio Engineer Milt Larsen: Comedy Writer Bill Larsen Jr.: TV Producer Bill Larsen Sr.: Laywer Irene Larsen: Figure Skater Carol Roy: Figure Skater Dean Dill: Barber
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
I found the same was true of many of the very successful recording artists. That is that they had other businesses, trades or methods of generating income. They simply enjoyed performing professionally.
While by others' standards they made top dollar as stage entertainers and recording artists, it was only one of their interests. I remember generating some good bookings for Roy Orbison in the 60s, just to be turned down because he needed to look at some oil fields. One advantage of talented people, is that they tend to have no problem walking and chewing gum at the same time. Some are very good managers of their own time and resources and live very balanced lives. Bob Magic By Sander |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Pete Biro wrote:
Quote: Was this before he was a neurosurgeon?Dr. Albo: Disney Animator
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Clay Shevlin Elite user 497 Posts |
You beat me to that one, Bill. Yes, he worked for Disney before becoming a surgeon. I think he's an orthopedic surgeon.
For those of youwho are curious about exploring this topic further, check out J.G. Thompson's My Best. It has 20 pp. and probably over 120 short biographical sketches of magicians, pros and non-pros alike. Also check out Goldston's Who's Who in Magic, which has about 113 pages of biographical sketches conveniently broken down into pro, semi-pro and non-pro categories. The same book was also issued as part of Tricks that Mystify (a 4 in 1 book). Also try Dorny's Trix & Chatter, which also provides biographical details on several non-pros. Happy reading! |
Marshall Thornside Inner circle chicago 2016 Posts |
Dr. Albo is the physician for the SF Raiders
or which ever football team in the bay area currently. As far the full-time magicians who actually made a career out of it back in the day when you could did not rely on any other source or family money. They strictly either built magic and/or did shows...like my parent's, Jim Sommers, Jay Marshall (almost), George Johnstone, etc etc.
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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