Episodes
Saturday Oct 28, 2023
Ep 96 The First Houdini Seance -Did Houdini Return?
Saturday Oct 28, 2023
Saturday Oct 28, 2023
This is about the very first Houdini Seance that took place at Bess Houdini's home. Arthur Ford was the medium. Did Bess received the real message? Did Arthur Ford cheat or was it legit? Welcome to Season 6 of The Magic Detective Podcast! Remember to visit MagicHistorian.com to get your official Magic Detective T-shirt!
Sunday Sep 10, 2023
Ep 93 William Marion Fay - The Other Davenport Brother
Sunday Sep 10, 2023
Sunday Sep 10, 2023
William Marion Fay was a partner in the famous Davenport Brothers act. He traveled with them overseas, performed in their show, and had many adventures along the way. Some even say he is up to his old tricks today, listen to find out.
Sunday Dec 11, 2022
Ep 85 Milbourne Christopher Master Magician& Master Historian
Sunday Dec 11, 2022
Sunday Dec 11, 2022
The world of magic owes a lot to this man. He created the first TV specials devoted to magic. His efforts preserved on video some amazing acts. He was the first author to try and give an accurate accounting of Houdini's life. He...well, Milbourne Christopher was many things: magician, author, performer, producer, historian, investigator and much more. I think you're really going to enjoy learning about this remarkable man.
Tuesday Jul 13, 2021
Ep 67 The Amazing Amedeo Vacca
Tuesday Jul 13, 2021
Tuesday Jul 13, 2021
Here is a man who had a hugely successful career, but is often singled out today as someone who worked with Houdini. He had an amazing career without Houdini! And he had a very interesting career with Houdini. Some of what I discuss during his Houdini years is going to sound controversial, but keep in my it's mostly my opinion, based on some research. Amedeo was very close-lipped when it came to Houdini because he was sworn to secrecy. He likely had a hand in far more things than we realize. But at least we were left with a few bread crumbs.
Enjoy!
BTW: please visit www.Ronjo.com Listen to the podcast and then run on over there.
Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
Ep 63 Alois Kassner Zaubermeister
Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
This episode is about the German magician KASSNER who was extremely popular prior to WW2. He had a show that rivaled Thurston's. But then after the war, what happened to him??? Now you can find out.
Thursday Feb 18, 2021
Ep 61 The Life of Signor Antonio Blitz
Thursday Feb 18, 2021
Thursday Feb 18, 2021
The first new episode for 2021. This time we cover the life of Signor Blitz one of the most famous 19th Century magicians in America, also one of the most copied. He was an amazing performer and this podcast shares a few of his many exploits!
Music provided by https://purple-planet.com
Denny Haney Book review at https://www.themagicdetective.com/2021/01/denny-haney-collected-wisdom-book-review.html
Monday Dec 14, 2020
Ep 59 - A Special Episode About Special Things and Special People
Monday Dec 14, 2020
Monday Dec 14, 2020
I've got a bit of catching up to do, once again. I'm behind in the podcast episodes and this one was to feature a segment called Living and Legend. And I had to pull what I had originally planned and insert the passing of a dear friend. So in all truth, I still got in the segment on the Living and the segment on the Legend, as Al Cohen was most certainly a legend in the magic world.
Please check out my blog to see another feature on Magic Genii, what you'll SEE over there confirms all that you hear over here. https://www.themagicdetective.com/2020/12/magic-genii-celebrates-20-years.html
Music provided by http://purple-planet.com
Tuesday Dec 17, 2019
Ep 39 Charles Morritt The Mystery Man
Tuesday Dec 17, 2019
Tuesday Dec 17, 2019
Charles Morritt was a very prolific inventor of magic illusions. He created some very stunning effects in the late 1800s right into the early 20th Century. He is also credited as the man who helped Houdini make an elephant vanish!
The music for today's podcast was provided by http://purple-planet.com
I mention several other people in this podcast, so if you'd like to check out more information on them here is a list:
Buatier DeKolta Ep31
Harry Kellar Ep 8,9,10
Robert Heller Ep 14
And I mention Jim Steinmeyer many times during the podcast as I credit him with keeping the Morritt name alive. You can find more about Jim and his books at www.JimSteinmeyer.com
To see Paul Daniel's recreation of the OH! Illusion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr2zKCsbkdA
Thursday Nov 21, 2019
Ep 37 A Great Escape Rivalry
Thursday Nov 21, 2019
Thursday Nov 21, 2019
Episode 37 has to do with two men who I knew personally, Steve Baker and Norman Bigelow. Both men were escape artists. I give a brief bio of their lives, some highlights of their signature escapes and then I share with you a practically unknown story about a Challenge between the two men.
Music was provided by https://www.purple-planet.com
Tuesday Feb 26, 2019
Three Pioneers of Mind Reading Ep 15
Tuesday Feb 26, 2019
Tuesday Feb 26, 2019
This episode deals with the three pioneers of Mind Reading from the 19th Century, John Randall Brown, Stuart Cumberland, and Washington Irving Bishop. Stay tuned till the end of the podcast because I have included the FIRST Magic Detective Podcast CONTEST! It's pretty easy. If you don't know the answer, it is contained on one of the podcasts or you can find it in my blog fairly easily as well. http://www.themagicdetective.com Send your answers to [email protected] and remember the 5th person with the right answer wins. If no one wins by the time the NEXT podcast comes out, I'll stop the contest and start a brand new one next week. And if someone wins, I'll still have a new one next week!
Music for the podcast provided by http://purple-planet.com
Wednesday Feb 13, 2019
Magic Detective Podcast Ep 14 - Robert Heller
Wednesday Feb 13, 2019
Wednesday Feb 13, 2019
UPDATE: There were a couple editing glitches I had to go back and fix. I think it all is working smoothly now. My apologies...(first time for everything)
Houdini thought he was great, and he never met the man. Houdini was 4 when Heller died. Robert Heller could have been one of the great piano virtuosos but he chose magic instead. In fact, he sorta chose both. And this is his story. I think Heller is more popular among music historians than magic historians, but I am hoping to change that. This episode is dedicated to my magic pal Joe Pecore who recently passed away. Music is used with permission of http://purple-planet.com And don't forget to check my blog, TheMagicDetective.com for any additional notes which I may add to this podcast.
Thursday Jan 31, 2019
The Magic Detective Podcast Ep 12 Wyman The Wizard
Thursday Jan 31, 2019
Thursday Jan 31, 2019
On this episode I explore the life of another forgotten magician from the 19th Century. His name is John Wyman Jr. and James Madison was president of the US when Wyman was born! His life is fascinating and I know you'll enjoy it. OH, and then at the end of the podcast a special 'audio feature' from the life of Wyman. Podcast Music provided by http://purple-planet.com Special thanks to Richard Wiseman and Cameron Watt for the special feature in today's podcast!
Tuesday Jan 01, 2019
The Magic Detective Podcast Ep 11 The Great Maro
Tuesday Jan 01, 2019
Tuesday Jan 01, 2019
Happy New Year! It's 2019 and I've got the first podcast of the year ready on the first day of the year. But don't get used to it, lol. The feature of this episode is a lesser known magician who should have been one of the greats along with Kellar, Thurston, Dante and others. But he died at only 38 years old. This is direct from my lecture on Maro that I presented in his home town of LeLand Michigan, and at the Yankee Gathering in 2016. Music provided by http://purple-planet.com Look for notes on the episode at https://themagicdetective.com
Thursday Dec 27, 2018
Magic Detective Podcast Episode 10 - Harry Kellar Part 3
Thursday Dec 27, 2018
Thursday Dec 27, 2018
Harry Kellar comes back for the final Episode in this three part series. This time we explore his days in retirement. Many people fade away from public life when they retire. Kellar, though he was not appearing on stages, was still quite busy and quite social. You'll hear more about this so-called Mantle of Magic and what Thurston did with it. And you'll learn about Kellar's friendship with Harry Houdini. This is the last episode for 2018, but we'll be back in 2019 with MORE great stories from the world of magic. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Please remember to LIKE-SHARE & Subscribe to the Podcast!!! Thanks!!!!!!! You'll find notes on this episode on my blog, TheMagicDetective.com
Monday Dec 24, 2018
Magic Detective Podcast Ep 9, Harry Kellar Part 2
Monday Dec 24, 2018
Monday Dec 24, 2018
This is part 2 of the Amazing Life of Harry Kellar. We left off with the tragic shipwreck that should have ended Harry's career. But miraculously he was able to rebuild and eventually become the top illusionist in America. On this episode I share how Harry 'obtained' much of his magic. I also describe some of the effects he used to make himself popular. The episode ends with him handing over the Mantle of Magic to Howard Thurston. So on the next Episode I'll discuss Kellar in Retirement. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sunday Nov 04, 2018
Ep 7 Houdini & Congress 1926
Sunday Nov 04, 2018
Sunday Nov 04, 2018
Houdini in Washington D.C. This episode is all about Houdini's time testifying before Congress. Much of this information comes from The Congressional Record. Houdini was testifying on behalf of an Anti-Fortune Telling Bill, but was using it as a guise to go after Spirit Mediums. Was he successful? Listen and find out. By the way, though this deals with Congress, this is NOT a political podcast.
Music provided by http://purple-planet.com
#HoudiniInDC
Monday Oct 29, 2018
Magic Detective Podcast Ep 6- The Last Days of Houdini & Beyond
Monday Oct 29, 2018
Monday Oct 29, 2018
Episode 6 The Last Days of Houdini & Beyond. This is NOT a continuation of Episode 5. I will cover the bulk of Houdini's life on other podcasts in the future. This particular podcast covers his last month and then some of the Seances following his death. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Please check out my blog at TheMagicDetective.com And please LIKE-SHARE and SUBSCRIBE to my Podcast!
Friday Oct 26, 2018
Magic Detective Podcast Ep 5 -Starter Guide To Houdini
Friday Oct 26, 2018
Friday Oct 26, 2018
Episode 5 is all about Houdini.....well Houdini from birth until he marries Bess. I tried to put some tidbits of info in there that might not be common knowledge. For example, do you know where Houdini got his Subtrunk from? Did you know there was a claim that Ehrich was the second Ehrich? I finish up with a strange bit of history concerning Houdini's birth. Music provided by purple-planet.com
Monday Oct 15, 2018
Magic Detective Podcast Ep 4 - Servais LeRoy
Monday Oct 15, 2018
Monday Oct 15, 2018
This podcast is basically about the famed Belgian Illusionist, Servais LeRoy. I began examining one of the famous posters belonging to LeRoy Talma and Bosco. Then I move onto a very heart breaking story in his life. And still, there is more. Music provided my purple-planet.com Please check the companion story at my blog, TheMagicDetective.com
Friday Oct 12, 2018
Magic Detective Podcast Episode 3
Friday Oct 12, 2018
Friday Oct 12, 2018
On this Episode, I'll talk about escape artist Steve Baker, I'll share some insights into the failed M-D Youtube Show ad whether I plan to bring it back. During the Houdini Radio Segment, I discuss Houdini and Queen Victoria's Dress, and finally, I share a few of my escapades in trying to search for the graves of dead magicians. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com