Magic New Zealand® E-zine

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Magic New Zealand®
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment Ltd (New Zealand)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #1604
Date: Sunday 31st January 2021
Editor: Alan Watson QSM
www.watson.co.nz
E-mail: editor@magicnewzealand.com
================================
Hi here is the latest news
================================

1. Editor's Message
2. Vanish Magazine Celebrates Ten Years
3. Broken Wand - Mark Wilson
4. February Magic Auction
5. Broken Wand - Jeff Marcus
6. Stop Right There! - John Carey #108
7. Potter & Potter Auctions Catalog Now Online
8. Dimmare's Martinis And Magic
9. The Inside Story - Mark Wilson
10. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
11. E-zine Archives
12. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice

--------------------------------------------
1. Editor's Message
--------------------------------------------

If you would like to read the Magic New Zealand e-zine in HTML format
go to: https://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2021-Jan-to-Dec-2021/1604-Jan31-2021.html

Editor's Note:

Broken Wand - Mark Wilson
Some of you may not be aware that the late Mark Wilson was one of our dearly loved Magic New Zealand ezine regular columnists back in 2002 and so we have decided to republish his interesting contributions.

See item 9 - Inside Story - Mark Wilson.

If you would like to write a regular column for Magic New Zealand or have some magic news drop me a line:
Editor@MagicNewZealand.com

--------------------------------------------
2. Vanish Magazine Celebrates Ten Years
--------------------------------------------
Message by Paul Romhany - Editor Vanish Magazine
www.vanishmagazine.com

Where have the last 10 years gone?

Vanish Magic Magazine the largest read magic magazine in the world celebrates 10 years. What a whirlwind trip it's been and there is so much more to come. I would like to thank everybody who helped get this magazine to where it is and as I started to write down every contributor I realised the list would include several hundred people!

The February edition is a very special one with two cover stories. Boris Wild who recently Fooled Penn & Teller and a wonderful tribute in story and photographs to Siegried.

Another double cover edition.

The Adventures Of Pokkus - a brand new comic strip series
Boris Wild - cover story by Paul Gertner
Product Highlight - Prementalicition
Tribute To Siegfried - by Diana Zimmerman
Against The Odds - Peter Paxx. Harry Monk shares the story of a Magic Festival taking place this month in Australia run by Peter Paxx and Mark Parker.
Tribute To David Roth - Paul Gertner pays tribute to master magician David Roth.
Magical Women - Connie Boyd features LeRoya Sanford, a young comic who is making her name amongst the giants of comedy.
Taco Time - Christopher T Magician shares more pointers for working kids shows PLUS another favorite magic trick from his own repertoire.
Magic Is Education - Jeff Christensen interviews Master Payne and what he is doing during lockdown.
Discombobulating Disabilities - Felicity Fields starts a new series on Disabilities and magic and starts with her own story.
Setting The Stage - Product Highlight
Lost Art - Ben Robinson gets an exclusive interview with Dan Kaman.
In The Nick Of Time - guest contributor Dana Douglas is a lawyer, magician and Magic Castle member. She responds to Nicks recent article on political correctness, magic, and sexism as it relates to the Magic Castle.
The Cup & Fork - a great routine by Louie Foxx
Leaf - Dibya Guha shares an unusual routine using nothing more than a leaf.
Misers Dream Finale - A great finale to the classic Misers Dream by Colin Underwood.
Poke Burrito - another card marvel by Kelvin Ng
Backstage With Katherine Rettke - the McBride Mystery School continues their series.
Magic Reviews - the very latest magic tricks, books and downloads.

-------------------------------------------
3. Broken Wand - Mark Wilson
-------------------------------------------
Message by Greg Wilson (US)

The saddest news I've ever had to share, "To Our Magical Friends"

Dad always said, "The best kind of legend to be is a Living Legend". But sadly, as of Tuesday, January 19th at 4:40pm, Husband of Nani, Father of Mike & Greg, Legendary Magician, Author, Producer, and so much more… James Mark Wilson transitioned from our earthly existence to the ethereal.

Wishing to be with his family, he shared his love, bright outlook, and ambitions for the future, then he passed quietly, without pain, or a single complaint, comfortably at his home with Nani and his boys by his side.

Mark Wilson, the name by which he is best known, was born in Manhattan, New York on April 11th, 1929, in the loving arms of his mother Francis (Teta) Wilson and father James (Jimmy) Wilson. His parents raised him during the Great Depression and through WWII. By example, they taught him to preserver through difficult times and overcome obstacles with determination. His mother, Teta, often said, "Don't worry honey, it will be alright." Mark developed a "never give up" attitude, and learned that kindness, compassion, and love were the most important things in life.

He spent his over 91 years on Earth, sharing his passion for making people happy through the art of magic by blazing new paths to reach audiences around the world.

Mark's trademark phrase, "Happy Magic" was his and Nani's sign-off words for countless live and television performances… "Happy Magic" is how he signed autographs… and "Happy Magic" was his own unique friendly and approachable style of performing.

Mark's creativity, originality, and leadership were based on respect and honor for others. Mark finished on "the right side of magic history" morally and ethically. With his loving wife Nani Darnell at his side, he achieved a longer list of "Historic Firsts" than many dream of in multiple lifetimes.

MAGIC Magazine named Mark Wilson, "One of the Ten Most Influential American Magicians of the 20th Century."

Mark's influence is still evident today, as he was so thankful to hear "Mark Wilson" and the Magic Land of Allakazam referenced in the newly released feature film, One Night in Miami.

Whether you know him from his TV appearances, his Live productions, the Mark Wilson Complete Course in Magic book, or one of his many in-person Magic University classes at the Magic Castle, or through one of his many other achievements… Mom and Mike and I are so proud that he brought "Happy Magic" into not only your life, but the lives of more people around the world than he could possibly meet.

"A lifetime of magic has taken Nani and me around the world and helped us make friends everywhere." - Mark Wilson

He is already dearly missed,

Greg Wilson, on behalf of the Wilson Family

Wilson@AllakazamArchives.com

--------------------------------------------
4. February Magic Auction
--------------------------------------------

Haversat & Ewing Galleries, LLC
Purveyors of Conjuring Collectibles

Haversat & Ewing Galleries Auction

Auction #31

February 12 & 13, 2021

Preview - First Week of February:

An epic array of classical conjuring apparatus, books, posters, paper - Houdini, Thurston, Blackstone, Raymond and much more.

Accepting consignments.

We Purchase Collections.

David Haversat <haversat@gmail.com>

--------------------------------------------
5. Broken Wand - Jeff Marcus
--------------------------------------------
Message by Gary D. Salisbury (US)

The Magic World lost a great friend on January 18, 2021, with the passing of Jeff Marcus from Covid complications.

Based in San Diego County, Jeff was a Territorial Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians for many years. He was an accomplished Magician, Hypnotist, and a Professional Pickpocket who once lifted (and returned) the watch of a Secret Service Agent during a private performance. Yelp! reviews describe him as "fantastic" and "awesome".

He served as President of I.B.M. Ring 76 in San Diego from 1992-1993. He was recognized as their Member of the Year twice, in 1994 and 2013. He was Performer of the year in 2012, Stage Contest Winner in 2003, and Close-up Contest Winner in 1999. Jeff was a kind person, full of wit and mischief, brash in his opinions, scholarly in his knowledge of magic history, beloved for his performances, generous to his peers, and devoted to the love of his life, his wife Peg.

He mentored so many Magicians that his legacy will always live on.

-------------------------------------------
6. Stop Right There! - John Carey #108
-------------------------------------------
Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/

The stop trick is a classic card plot that can be very strong.

There are myriad versions in the magical literature. Stop Right There is my humble offering which I believe ups the ante as three cards and three spectators are actively involved. Did I tell you there's no moves? The spectators can shuffle the deck totally freely and yet a successful outcome is guaranteed.

The price to pay is that you will need to gaff a few cards. Take out the Ace of Clubs, Four of Hearts and Seven of Spades from both a red deck and a blue deck. Apply some roughing fluid or a roughing stick to the centre of the faces of the three blue backed cards. Then place each blue card on top of its matching red card. Stack the roughed pairs of cards together and place them back outwards in your pocket.

Bring out your red deck and use it with your favorite routines. To close the set we will use this effect. Hand out the deck for shuffling then ask the person helping you to start dealing cards face down into a tabled packet. Ask them to imagine walking down a street, seeing cars, shops and people and then ask them to imagine somebody in that street shouting out stop. When they reach this moment have them stop dealing. "Let's mark off that moment in your imaginary walk with one of these." As you say this, bring out the upper roughed pair of cards, blue side outwards and drop it on top of the last card dealt.

Have your helper pass the balance of the deck to another person to mix, deal and stop. Once more mark off the point stopped at by bringing out another roughed pair and dropping it on top of the dealt pile. The remaining cards are passed to a third person for mixing and dealing
and the last roughed pair is brought out from your packet and dropped on top. The cards left over are dropped on top and the deck is squared. Just think how clean everything has been? All hands off and under their control. Now I don't use gaffs hardly ever but this is, I believe a good example of their sensible use.

All that is left to do is to remind your audience how fair everything has been. The multiple shuffles, the dealing and the complete freedom in where your spectators freely decided to stop. Pick up the deck and start spreading it methodically in the hands. When you reach the first blue
backed card simply split and spread this card away from the card beneath it and table this pair face down.

Continue spreading and repeat this with the other two blue/red roughed pairs, tabling each pair next to one another. Then slowly and dramatically turn over a pair to reveal a perfect match. Pause a beat and repeat. Then pick up the final pair of cards and take one in each hand and slowly turn them over to conclude with one final match, thus concluding a miraculous
triple coincidence!

-------------------------------------------
7. Potter & Potter Auctions Catalog Now Online
-------------------------------------------
Our first magic auction of 2021 is a first for Potter & Potter: a closely-curated selection of rare and important Magicana. While only 122 lots will go on the block, each one is rare, important, or tells a story. Unique Houdini memorabilia, exceptional stone lithographs, unusual apparatus and historically significant association items are all part of the sale.

Place your bids now at potterauctions.com

Please note: Live floor bidding has been suspended, but in-person previews are available by appointment.

Additionally: We have moved! Our new address is 5001 West Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL 60641.

-------------------------------------------
8. Dimmare's Martinis And Magic
-------------------------------------------
Message by James Dimmare (Las Vegas, US)

Dimmare's Martinis and Magic has been back performing since October 10th 2020.

We follow every mandated Covid 19 protocol. We also were awarded by "The Best of Las Vegas", an award for "Best Magic Show" we are one of the only shows open in Vegas!

Information and Tickets here:

Martinis & Magic info Tickets
https://martinisandmagic.eventbrite.com/

-------------------------------------
9. The Inside Story - Mark Wilson
-------------------------------------
Written by the late Mark Wilson (US)

Chapter 1

The Magic Land of Allakazam was the first and, as of this writing is still the only network television series devoted entirely to magic ever to air in the United States. The show debuted on October 1, 1960 and was seen every Saturday morning, first on the CBS network and then the ABC network for a total run of over four years. Nani Darnell, (Mrs. Mark Wilson), was the beautiful co-star who was made to float in the air, appear, vanish, and do other wondrous
things on each show. Rebo the Clown (Bev Bergeron) supplied the comedy and fun. I was the Master Magician of the Magic Land.

I was a high school senior when I discovered my goal. I wanted to be the first magician to have his own network television magic series. My love of magic had begun several years before, when I was eight years old. I had seen magician Tommy Martin perform his sensational act. He produced a wine glass from a handkerchief... then silver dollars came from nowhere, which he dropped, tinkling, into the glistening goblet. A piece of paper bounced on a fan grew into a real egg. Playing cards appeared, and appeared, and appeared. And finally a giant bird cage with real birds. From that moment on I was hooked. But it was in the late nineteen forties, when television was first broadcast in my hometown, Dallas, that my great dream was born.

I knew in my heart, magic would work beautifully on television. Many years later the Magic Land of Allakazam would be the realization of that dream and the proof of my convictions. But I knew achieving that goal would not be as easy as waving a magic wand. So, I devised a plan.

First, I would sell a local television series to prove that magic worked on TV. Then, I would sell other television markets... building to a network series. Maybe it wasn't much of a plan, but if
you want to fulfill your dreams, you have to start somewhere. After graduating from high school, I began to set the plan into action. To achieve success, I would have to sell my ideas to
advertisers and the television media. I enrolled in Southern Methodist University, majoring in advertising and marketing. By the time I graduated, I was fairly well known in the Dallas area, having just concluded the year as head cheerleader and president of my college fraternity, Delta Sigma Phi. I was paying my way by performing forty to sixty magic shows per month for civic
organizations, church socials and birthdays parties, sponsored by a local potato chip company. In addition, I was carrying a full class schedule at SMU. I was a very busy guy.

It was at this time that I met beautiful Nani Darnell Arends, then a stewardess for American Airlines, who soon became my wife. (Many people consider marrying Nani my greatest feat of magic, and they're right.)

Having completed my education, it was time to sell that local series. I called on all of the television stations in the area. Fortunately, most of the program directors knew who I was because of my many shows and through my activities as head cheerleader at SMU, a prominent position in football-oriented Dallas.

Each program director patiently explained they really didn't need a new children's show. They already had Captain Bob and Alvarado and Romper-Room and whatever was on their station. In any event, if a company wanted to advertise to children, they would just buy a "spot package" on the station, which would give their product more exposure for less money.

And, oh yes, there was one other thing... "Magic won't work on TV anyway... because everyone who sees your show will think the magic is done the same way they do it on Bewitched"...(or I Dream of Jeannie, or My Favorite Martian, or whatever television show was using a lot of trick photography at the time).

I had reached a dead end. Where do I go from here? No station would touch my show.

Actually, I really wasn't discouraged, just angry. Damn it, my magic show would be great on their station, much better than Captain Bob or Alvarado... and Romper-Room was just for little kids. I'll sell the show directly to a sponsor and have them put it on the air. And that's what I did.

I had never made a presentation to a major corporation to sell a television series... or anything else for that matter. I would be walking in cold with a proposition requiring a sizable expenditure. I wanted to be sure I did it right.

During my tenure as head cheerleader, I had come in contact with a local advertising agency. I called the president of the agency and asked for his help. He was kind enough to ask me to lunch. This would be my first real business luncheon.

I'll never forget that lunch at the Dallas Athletic Club. I ordered Chicken Creole, a dish I had never had before. When it arrived, I was surprised to see it was a complete half chicken in one piece, covered with a maroon Creole sauce. Trying to look as if I had consumed a hundred Chickens Creole at business lunches, I attacked with knife and fork. The entire chicken squirted out as if I were squeezing a watermelon seed. It flew through the air and landed on
the lap of the gentleman I was trying to impress. He was not a happy advertising agency president.

In spite of my social blunder, (or perhaps because of it) he turned me over to a young lady on his staff who showed me the basics of making a presentation... interestingly, something that had not been covered in my college education.

Armed with this new knowledge, Nani and I put together the first of what was to be hundreds of presentations over the years. My initial sales call was on the Dr. Pepper Company at their national headquarters, which were located in Dallas. They referred me to their advertising agency, an international organization with a branch office in a downtown high-rise.

The show concept was well received by the Dr. Pepper account executive and my written presentation was a success as well. I had sweetened the deal by including one personal appearance at a supermarket each week. The agency liked this because that gave Dr.
Pepper an opportunity to build a product display in a prominent location at the end of an aisle every week... a sure way to increase sales. We supplied photographs of our show, which were incorporated into the display. This not only sold more product for Dr. Pepper, but also promoted our television show in the local area. It was also a hell of a lot of work for us, but that was not the important part. The plan was beginning to work!

Dr. Pepper agreed to sponsor the show for a thirteen week test. I returned to the television stations, and now it was an entirely different story. "Oh, you have a sponsor, well let me see what time we have available. Ah yes, here's a nice spot on Saturday mornings, and we have another on Tuesday afternoon..." Everything had changed because I walked in the door with a sponsor... and that meant dollars for the station. I had learned an important lesson.

More to come in the next newsletter.

Happy Magic!

Mark
www.markwilsonmagic.com

Continues -

-------------------------------------
10. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
-------------------------------------
Written by the late Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)

Trevor King QSM - 'The Game's On, Master'! - the 'legend' continues

The Game's on Master' was the famous saying that originated from the colourful entrepreneur from Invercargill, the late Frank Stapp, who was a close friend of Trevor King's. Those legendary words have been stolen and used by countless entertainers, for years! The one person
who really does have the 'unofficial' right to use them today is, Trevor King -'The Master'!

I have an excellent newspaper article (one of several) about Trevor, which was written up by a Brian Cowley, a news reporter from Christchurch. It is so good in fact - I'm going to repeat some of it here. Unfortunately, I have no idea which paper it came from, or the date it appeared.

Now that he is retired, Trevor King thinks he might take it easy - go to the movies, that sort of thing. Well, it's hard to break the habits of a lifetime! Trevor has been going to the movies for 45
years, matinee performances, afternoon showings, evening screenings. Trevor has seen them all and his work has never suffered as a result. Somehow, he has always managed because, 'Managing', has always been his business - well nearly always.

There was a time, back in 1938, when he hawked his ice-cream tray up and down the isles of the old 'Metro' Theatre in Colombo Street, Sydenham Christchurch, for 10 bob a week (a bob is a shilling in the old money). Then there were the days when he distributed promotional leaflets, advertising the vaudeville shows at the 'St James's' in Tuam Street.

There was also a period when he pedalled his bike around 14 suburbs, slapping up posters advertising coming attractions. Paste To Advertise', didn't they say? He's been a doorman too but nearly always Trevor King has been a theatre manager. He has done it well too. They would not have trusted him with so many theatres if he hadn't! Rather proudly, Trevor says he has managed every theatre in Christchurch - a total of 12, by his reckoning.

His first manager's job was at the 'Liberty' Theatre (now the 'Savoy') when he was only 18 - that made him - 'The Youngest Theatre Manager In Christchurch'! They were the days when people looked up and watched the 'Movie Stars' in wonderment. The 'Stars' at which Trevor gazed most intently were: Humphrey Bogart, Claude Raines, Larry Parks, Bette Davis, and Ingrid Bergman. To Trevor, their lustre will never diminish. If you were to ask him today which are his favourite screen personalities, you would get a repeat of the names listed above. If he had a cent in his pocket for every film he has viewed, his pants would fall down - and the 'Mammy' of them all is 'The Jolson Story'! He saw it nine times. Some movies are like that. They improve with every viewing.

Not all dramas witnessed in Movie Theatres are enacted on the screen. Trevor recalls with amusement - although he did not smile at the time - an occasion when his telephone rang at 2 o'clock in the morning! 'Was that the manager of the Tivoli theatre', the caller inquired. Indeed he was quoth Trevor, but before the voice at the other end could continue, he offered him some cautionary advice.

I'm not coming down at this time the morning to open the theatre just because you lost something, come and see me at the Theatre later in the day and we'll look for it. However, lost property was not the man's problem, there was a greater urgency for Trevor's presence. I need you come down now", the voice said, plaintively. I fell asleep in the back circle and they've locked me in! Wearily, Trevor obliged the anxious Patron. It was all in a day's - and a night's work.

A few years ago, his managerial talents were employed in a different capacity. He was charged with organising the New Zealand tour of a visiting troupe of Danish gymnasts, and escorting them around the country. They were travelling by bus when a tyre on one of vehicles' dual wheels punctured. Such was the heat generated by the deflated tyre, as it seared and scorched itself against the road - it caught fire!

A rear window had to be smashed to extract the troupes luggage but before all of it could be removed, the fire spread and the bus' fuel tank exploded! The Danes' Wellington performance had to be postponed but worse Trevor tore a gaping hole in his trousers as he clambered over a farm fence in search of assistance. Fortunately, they were no casualties. The gymnasts escaped, by the seat of Trevor's pants! It was awfully bad luck, Trevor said - then with a mischievous grin he added: But it was the best publicity we could have hoped for - right across the front page!

Trousers featured prominently in another episode involving a visiting artist and Trevor recalls it with amusement. Acker Bilk and his band we're staying at the Embassy Hotel during a visit to
Christchurch. After a long and enjoyable farewell function, Acker and his band were obliged to rise early the next morning to board the bus, which was to take them to the airport.

The bandsmen were aboard by the appointed hour but of Acker, there was no sign. When Trevor knocked at his bedroom door, there was no reply. When he opened it, the room was in darkness - the 'Esteemed Band Leader', was still warming the sheets! With only half an hour in which to catch the flight, Trevor hastily packed Bilk's clothes in his suitcases and placed them on the bus, which then set forth for the airport.

Finally, the 'Jazz King' arose - much the worse for wear, as Trevor, with growing impatience, awaited. However, the 'dressing routine' concluded - prematurely. To his consternation, Bilk found that Trevor had packed his trousers in the suitcase (This so funny, I can hardly see, tears of laughter are rolling down my face!). Trevor, after a desperate dash to a city menswear store, produced an alternative pair. The fact that they did not fit may have disturbed the man who wore them but, as Trevor raced against time to deliver his passenger to the aeroplane, he was sparing no thoughts for the famed musician's discomfort! (Ye God's, My 'Funny Bone' Has Been Fractured!!!)

As tour manager for the Kerridge - Odeon concert Division, Trevor has toured and criss-crossed New Zealand many, many times, with visiting performers. He has also been associated with numerous New Zealand entertainers, and has been instrumental in the development of their careers. Among them have been: Max Merritt, Ray Columbus, Howard Morrison (Sir), Toni Williams, John Rowles, Dinah Lee, Orchanté, Shane, Johnny Devlin, Charles Hikana Barratt and Danny McGirr.

With the help of the majority of them, he has raised more than $300,000 for charitable and sporting bodies in the Canterbury area. Several entertainers still write to him from overseas. John Rowles drops him a line quite regularly, Rolf Harris has written from Perth, Max Merritt keeps in touch from Los Angeles, and the 'Amazing Orchanté' telephones regularly from the UK; There have been numerous postcards from various international entertainers, the Vienna Boys Choir, for instance.

Trevor misses his 'days on the road' (me too), but he has moved comfortably into retirement. He will still been seen in city movie theatres but it will be in a different capacity. One thing is
certain, should the 'Jolson Story' return, Trevor will be the first in the queue - to enjoy it for a 10th time!

- Continues -

--------------------------------------------
11. E-zine Archives
---------------------------------------------
Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e- zine go to:
www.magicnewzealand.com

Click on the red button centre right "Archives"

When you enter the archive the e- zines are in issue order in folders for each year and are Coded, e.g. 001 Nov06 1999.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999)

--------------------------------------------
12. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
--------------------------------------------
Our subscriber list is NOT made available to any other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy.

You can subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand® E- zine at: www.magicnewzealand.com

Magic New Zealand® E-zine is published each Sunday.

The opinions and statements expressed therein are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Magic New Zealand®. Neither Magic New Zealand® nor Alan Watson QSM vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via Magic New Zealand® E-zine.

Subscribers to this publication and authors who contribute to it by doing so agree they will not hold Magic New Zealand® or Alan Watson QSM, jointly or individually liable or responsible in any way for the opinions or statements contained therein.

Magic New Zealand® reserves the right to alter, correct or disregard any articles submitted.

Readers are encouraged to submit timely articles or news items which may be of interest to subscribers. By submitting articles to this e- zine, the authors grant Magic New Zealand® the right to publish such articles and such authors confirm their copyright of the material submitted.

All works published by Magic New Zealand® are protected by international copyright legislation and articles must not be published for profit by anyone other than the individual authors without the written permission of Magic New Zealand®.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this publication may be freely redistributed, but not sold, to other magicians if copied in its entirety, including the copyright notice below and the above disclaimer.