The Magic Detective Podcast

This episode is on the life of Henry 'Hen' Fetsch, author of The Milk Pitcher Book, creator of Mental Epic and many other mysteries. Listen to his fascinating story and if your new to Hen, you'll discover a resource for some incredible magic!

The Magic Detective is back...well, sorta. Coming back shortly. This is just a quick heads up to let you know what's been going on and to announce a new contest with new prize! 

In addition, check out my magic history items for sale on ebay 

https://www.ebay.com/usr/carnegiemagic

Send contest entry to :  mailto:[email protected]  

This one features Ralph Emerson Powell, an unusual character from the 1930s. Popular in the Cleveland area but with a questionable background....and he was tied to a frightening event in history.

Magic History Items on Ebay https://www.ebay.com/usr/carnegiemagic

It's the final show of 2022. This time I did a quick review of the previous Season, and then I share with you a NEW Radio interview I did a short time ago. I will be doing a lot more radio and tv in the coming year 2023, and I will do my best to share that content with YOU! Also, don't forget the CONTEST from Ep 86. Go back and listen to the question if you need to. I'll be picking a winner sometime before the next podcast mid January. So you have time!!!!

Did you know Charles Dickens of The Christmas Carol fame, of Nickolas Nickelby, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, and many more stories, was also an amateur magician? Indeed he was. Now hear all about it!

OH, and when you finish hearing about his exploits, stay around for a Christmas story written by HOUDINI, and narrated by Dean Carnegie.

UPDATE: After the episode went up, I was contacted by Ian Keeble, who I refer to as an authority on Dickens. He mentioned some errors I made in the podcast, some of which have been made by others historians in the past. He showed me the corrections, and I have put them up on my blog for historical accuracy. https://www.themagicdetective.com/2022/12/charles-dickens-amateur-conjurer.html

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.

Well my Houdini week episodes took longer than expected, lol. This is the last of that bunch. On this episode I discuss a myth surrounding Houdini and also the medium Eva C., and more! Check it out!

Here are details on the friendship of Ira Davenport, half of the act who invented the Spirit Cabinet, and Harry Houdini the great escape artist. 

This is the transcript for this episode https://www.themagicdetective.com/2022/11/the-unusual-friendship-between-houdini.html

A look at one of the 'secrets' to Houdini's escapes and then one of his most famous challenges where he uses this device. 

Here is the life story of Ching Ling Foo, the original Chinese magician who created a sensation at the turn of the century! It's an amazing story, filled with occasional tragedy.

This is the last episode for Season 4. Season 5 will begin shortly. I mistakenly said it was the end of season 3 on the episode, lol. 

This time, the Magic Detective gets interviewed! This appeared a couple years ago on WSMI-FM Radio in Mid Illinois. It was a fun interview that I had forgotten about. I just found the recording and thought you'd like to hear some stuff about Houdini, myself, and other historical figures. enjoy.

This episode deals with the life of Charlie Miller. Charlie was a close friend to Dai Vernon and Faucett Ross, and one of the few magicians of his time who could present all of the material from the book, Expert AT the Card Table by S.W. Erdnase. He had a very interesting life. Even though he was known for his fantastic sleight of hand, he was equally adept with apparatus magic. 

UPDATE: Seems I made an error during the podcast. Numerous times I mentioned the name 'Jim Riser' when it should have been 'Harry Riser'. Totally my mistake. I didn't catch it, and thankfully a listener pointed it out to me.

Enjoy!

Charlie on The Magic Palace https://youtu.be/WLElkBMl4To

Charlie, very old footage   https://youtu.be/vkeJggTnN1Y

Here are several stories with the theme, Magic Saves the Day. The first is the famous Fire in Decatur Ill, where Blackstone Sr. was performing. I've tried to give the most accurate information available, along with a brief bio of Ted Banks...a member of the Blackstone show.

The next stories involved Cruise Ships, and you'll have to hear them to believe them.

Today, I explore the lives of 4 different Jewish magicians who were sent to Concentration Camps during WW2. There are some amazing stories here and also some tragedy. 

Werner Reich's TED Talk can be found herehttps://www.ted.com/talks/werner_reich_how_the_magic_of_kindness_helped_me_survive_the_holocaust

Fred Culpitt, Magical Comedian, magic inventor, variety performer. Inventor of the Doll's House Illusion and more. 

Link for 2 Culpitt Tricks: https://youtu.be/fLe0dW0c0nM

On this episode we take a deep dive into Houdini's famous East Indian Needle Trick, where it came from, where he first saw it, and more. 

The Magic Detective is BACK, this time with an audio biography of Anna Eva Fay, medium and vaudeville clairvoyant. There are many references to other podcasts episodes and I'll list those here for anyone interested.

The Fox Sisters Ep 57
Washington Irving Bishop Ep 15
Samri Baldwin Ep 30
Houdini and Anna Eva Fay Ep 22

For additional information on Anna Eva Fay visit https://www.themagicdetective.com/search/label/Anna%20Eva%20Fay

This is a story from the life of Houdini and Hardeen. I give you a bit of backstory to start with and the actual Thanksgiving part is near the end. A funny story and a short one. Hey, who wants to listen to podcasts on Thanksgiving. This one is short enough to listen to and then get back with the family for dinner! Enjoy.

Well, it's finally here, the Halloween Edition of my podcast and it's one week late, LOL. This is a fictional story turned into an old style radio drama. Most of the story is actually true....with the exception of one thing (the devil). Anyway, it's a very cool story and I know you will enjoy it!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/litsmovie/lost-in-the-shuffle-a-feature-documentary

This week I cover The Houdini Wonder Show, a special show he did in 1922. It involved a cast of characters and I give you a brief bio of each of the various performers.

I also mention my review of David Copperfield's History of Magic Book which is over on my blog at: https://www.themagicdetective.com/2021/10/book-david-copperfields-history-of-magic.html

We begin Season 4 with an exploration into the life and magic of
David Devant. You'll hear about his early days, his various creations,
his time with Egyptian Hall and St. Georges Hall and beyond. And,
you'll find out what he really died from.

This one is a short podcast. Rather than leave you with nothing, I decided to share a few quick stories. They're related to two individuals who both had birthdays this week. I think you'll enjoy the stories. And please go to my blog www.TheMagicDetective.com to read some additional thoughts on 'Books'. 

On this episode you'll learn about a wonderful Chinese Magician and Vaudevillian, Long Tack Sam. This podcast is slightly shorter than most because as it turns out there is a documentary on Sam done by a relative of his. And rather than give you ALL the details of his life, I gave you a quick overview and am going to provide a link to the documentary so you can see that as well.

Click here to see The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam Documentary

https://www.nfb.ca/film/the_magical_life_of_long_tack_sam/

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.

On this episode you'll hear a review of the book Lincoln's Scout by author Mark Cannon. This is the story of Civil War Soldier and future magician Harry (Horatio) Cooke. Also, I share my recollection of visiting the American Museum of Magic for the first time, many years ago.

For more on Cooke, listen to podcast Ep 16.