Episodes

Saturday Mar 22, 2025
ep108 Paul Valadon The Greatest Sleight of Hand Expert
Saturday Mar 22, 2025
Saturday Mar 22, 2025
This episode we explore the life of magician Paul Valadon, his connections to Egyptian Hall, and Harry Kellar and more.
GoFundMe page for John Pyka https://www.gofundme.com/f/stand-by-john-a-magicians-fight

Saturday Jul 22, 2023
Ep 92 The Other Houdini - Tony Curtis
Saturday Jul 22, 2023
Saturday Jul 22, 2023
Did you know Tony Curtis had another life as a magician? I didn't either, but if you judge him by his talk show appearances, it sure looks that way! See what playing HOUDINI in a movie can do to a person!

Tuesday Dec 03, 2019
Ep 38 Theodore Annemann-Pioneer Mindreader
Tuesday Dec 03, 2019
Tuesday Dec 03, 2019
This podcast deals with the life and tragic death of Theodore TED Annemann. He was a prolific writer on mentalism and a charismatic performer in his own right. He wrote and published The Jinx from 1934-1941. His story is unique and I know you'll enjoy this episode.
The music for this episode provided by https://www.purple-planet.com
To see actual footage of Ted's Bullet Catch, click this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvBCkVOAF4I

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

Monday Oct 28, 2019
Ep 32 The Man Who Made HOUDINI
Monday Oct 28, 2019
Monday Oct 28, 2019
This is the first episode of Season 2 OR Episode 32 overall. I'm beginning with a series of episodes on Houdini. This one deals with his big break and how it played out. There has been some controversy about this event recently, so I wanted to address that as well. I give my opinion, backed up by some information I found online. I do think the 'new theory' has merit, so I discuss both.
Music provided by http://purple-planet.com

Friday May 17, 2019
Ep 22 Houdini & Anna Eva Fay
Friday May 17, 2019
Friday May 17, 2019
Ep 22 is another 'short' episode. This time I talk about the strange relationship between Houdini and Stage Medium Anna Eva Fay. There will be a full Anna Eva Fay Podcast coming in the future. But for now, you can enjoy this piece on Houdini & Anna Eva Fay.
This podcast runs approx 15 minutes.
The music for this podcast comes from http://www.purple-planet.com

Thursday May 02, 2019
Ep 20 Doug Henning Tribute Part 2
Thursday May 02, 2019
Thursday May 02, 2019
This full episode is tied to Ep 13, where I first began to discuss the World of Magic TV Specials by Doug Henning. In this episode I cover Specials 5-8. I also mention some of Doug Henning's final TV appearances and how he was the first to use so many revolutionary illusions like Origami, The Pole Levitation, The Magical Toy Shoppe, Walking Thru A Mirror and more. Today, May 3rd, is Doug Henning's birthday too btw!
Music for this episode was provided by http://www.purple-planet.com
Please visit https://www.themagicdetective.com/2019/05/happy-birthday-doug-henning.html to see the video I mentioned of a LIVE theatre performance by Doug Henning.

Thursday Apr 18, 2019
Ep 18s Frederick Bancroft
Thursday Apr 18, 2019
Thursday Apr 18, 2019
This is a SHORT episode, running approx 14 minutes. The topic is Frederick Bancroft an unusual magician from the late 19th Century. He had amazing posters that were breathtaking, but was his show up to the image he was projecting? Listen to the podcast to find out more! The Magic Det. Contest from last week has been extended. The Question is:
Name an illusionist, a contemporary of Houdini, who left a successful stage career to become a gold miner. And though that sounds like a typical magician’s tall tale, he wound up testifying before Congress about the gold mining industry. Who Was This Illusionist? Send your answers to [email protected] and put Contest3 in the subject heading.
Music for this episode by https://purple-planet.com Please check out my blog, TheMagicDetective.com for more info on this episode.

Monday Apr 15, 2019
Ep 17 The Magical Life of Brush The Great
Monday Apr 15, 2019
Monday Apr 15, 2019
This time I cover a forgotten 20th Century magician as opposed to a forgotten 19th Century magician, lol. His name is Edwin Brush and he lived a rather long life and performed right up until the time he died. I didn't know much about the man prior to researching him, but I think you'll enjoy hearing a bit about him. After the episode I give the answers to the two previous Podcast Contests and reveal the winners. Also, I give the Question for Magic Detective Podcast Contest #3. Be sure to send in your answers to [email protected] and put Contest3 in the subject heading. Music for this episode was provided by http://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.

Tuesday Feb 05, 2019
Ep 13 Tribute and Recollections of Doug Henning
Tuesday Feb 05, 2019
Tuesday Feb 05, 2019
Feb 7th, 2019 is the 19th Anniversary of the passing of magic icon Doug Henning. In this episode, I share some of my own recollections of Doug's specials and memories of having seen him perform live. I only get as far as Special #4, as the podcast would have been 5 hours long had I covered everything. At some later date I will do a biographical profile of Henning for the podcast. I hope you enjoy this episode and remember fondly on the days when Doug Henning's magic was popular! The podcast music is used with permission by http://purple-planet.com

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

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

Monday Nov 19, 2018
Episode 8 The Amazing Harry Kellar
Monday Nov 19, 2018
Monday Nov 19, 2018
Episode 8 features stories from the life of Harry Kellar. This is a two part episode (possibly even three parter), so I get as far as his split up with William Fay. You'll hear about his shipwreck, and how he introduced the Vanishing Birdcage to America. There are a few details on here about upcoming podcasts as well. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
The old-style radio drama I spoke about was finally done. Fast forward to Ep 72 to listen to that unique show.

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

Wednesday Oct 10, 2018
Magic Detective Podcast Episode 2
Wednesday Oct 10, 2018
Wednesday Oct 10, 2018
On Episode 2, (which I'm uploading a few days early), you'll hear a new segment called HOUDINI RADIO, I'll talk about 6 Degrees of Separation-Magic Style, and I'll even share the story of how Uri Geller fixed my doorbell. Music provided by purple-planet.com

Thursday Oct 04, 2018
Magic Detective Podcast Episode 1
Thursday Oct 04, 2018
Thursday Oct 04, 2018
This is an introductory podcast. I share some things you can expect to hear in the regular episodes. The feature is a short story about Houdini's October 1900 trip to Germany. I present The Magic History Minute and much more. Music provided by Purple-Planet.com