I’m excited to announce the following tour dates:

BEVERLY HILLS:

The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

9850 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

September 20 and 21, 2019

(4 performances: 7pm and 9:30 pm each night)

Click HERE for tickets

If you have friends or family in southern California who you think would enjoy Chamber Magic^®, please tell them to reserve their tickets now.

I look forward to welcoming them to the show!

The post Chamber Magic^® Tour: Waldorf Astoria BEVERLY HILLS appeared first on Chamber Magic.

“Can you find all the Nina’s?“

I remember my first Al Hirschfeld drawing. It was his illustration of magician Harry Blackstone, Jr.  A budding magician myself, my parents drove us to West Point Military Academy in 1981 to see his full-evening show on the stage of the Eisenhower Hall theater. As memorable as the show was (a lightbulb floated out, illuminated, over the heads of the audience!), equally memorable was the playbill.

There on its cover was Blackstone, captured by Hirschfeld’s pen, five Nina’s hidden away in a pigeon’s tailfeathers. There were just enough pen strokes in the drawing to capture the essence of the subject, no more and no less. As I write this, it reminds me of my high school English teacher who said that the Red Badge of Courage contained precisely the number of words necessary to deem it a great American novel, no more and no less. Hirschfeld’s illustration of Blackstone did the same sort of thing, but with lines.

I became fascinated by Hirschfeld’s work, and over the years have been collecting both originals, lithographs, and gicleé prints by Hirschfeld. The crowning glory was when, in 2000, Hirschfeld did an illustration of me.

Ace of Hearts, signed for me by Al Hirschfeld in his studio, August 27, 2000

What an honor – I’ll explain the whole experience in another blog post, including the unveiling at Margo Feiden’s gallery on Madison Avenue (she’s since moved to a townhouse downtown).

What I’d like to do here is record every magician that Hirschfeld drew, to my knowledge. Some are professional magicians, some are amateurs. Some I have scans of, and others I don’t.

UPDATED ON MAY 29, 2019 WITH AN ADDITIONAL IMAGE I’VE LOCATED,

THANKS TO READERS OF THIS BLOG.

Magicians captured by Al Hirschfeld’s pen:

Houdini

David Copperfield

David didn’t like the original Hirschfeld illustration for his Broadway show “Dreams and Nightmares” (pictured above) so he commissioned Hirschfeld to create another one:

Penn & Teller

Harry Blackstone, Jr.

Doug Henning, in the Broadway musical Merlin

Doug Henning, in The Magic Show

Ricky Jay (w/ David Mamet)

Orson Welles

Danny Kaye (also an amateur magician)

Cary Grant (on board of directors of the Magic Castle, Hollywood, CA)

Johnny Carson (known as the Great Carsoni, early in his career)

Woody Allen

Harry Lorayne

Harry Anderson, with cast of Night Court

Steve Martin

Dick Cavett

Alan “Ace” Greenberg (of Bear Stearns)

Milton Berle

Dom DeLuise

Tony Curtis, with Janet Leigh, Houdini movie

Ray Bolger, as a bumbling magician

Avner the Eccentric

Bob Fitch

Jason Alexander, with cast of Seinfeld

Jackie Gleason, with Art Carney

Dick Van Dyke

If you know of others, please contact me. My goal is to list every known magic-related Hirschfeld illustration.

The post Al Hirschfeld’s magicians – UPDATED appeared first on Chamber Magic.

Here are some quotes from names you’ll be sure to recognize: David Copperfield, Juan Tamariz, Derren Brown, Andy Nyman, Teller, Siegfried, Eugene Burger,  Jeff McBride, John Carney, Jeff Hobson, Richard Kaufman, Roberto Giobbi, Dick Cavett, Patrick Page, Bob Fitch, Derek DelGaudio, Jon Racherbaumer, Simon Aronson, David Ben, Levent, Daryl, David Regal, Milt Larsen, Dani DaOrtiz, Richard Wiseman, Michael Vincent, Ken Weber, Harry Lorayne, Pit Hartling, Lior Manor, and David Berglas.

“A masterful performance. You can’t write a show like this. It can only come from performing night after night, listening to the audience. I loved it.” – DAVID COPPERFIELD

“I loved your act at the Waldorf-Astoria – especially the elegant atmosphere and classical style of the performance, not to mention the very strong magic!” – JUAN TAMARIZ

“Aside from his success, it is Steve’s charm and elegance which separate him from all but a tiny elite of world-class magicians. However, Steve is the only magician from that elite and highly-select group to take his show to an elite and highly-select audience. It is a true one-off: an intimate caprice of parlour diversion by an enthralling and consummate master.” – DERREN BROWN

“Chamber Magic contains some of the most elegant, skillful and truly baffling magic on the planet. Steve Cohen is an absolute master of his craft; he and the show are simply extraordinary.” – ANDY NYMAN

“Steve Cohen presents a handsomely balanced program of intimate magic in a legendary setting. It’s a pleasure to see an audience gasp in amazement over and over again.” – TELLER

“Without the need for large equipment and a whole team of assistants, Steve Cohen enraptures the audience for an hour and a half with nothing but his skill and personality. In the end, they feel like they have experienced a true magician.” – SIEGFRIED (and Roy)

“Steve Cohen’s Chamber Magic is a thoroughly entertaining show of wonders and marvels that really elevates the Art of Magic.” – EUGENE BURGER

“Steve Cohen’s ability to weave a world of wonders from such simple yet elegant properties is a lesson to not only magicians, but all entertainers. I don’t know where he can take the show from here; it’s about as close to heaven as you can possibly get.” – JEFF McBRIDE

“This is the way magic was meant to be presented: for sophisticated adults, in an artistic atmosphere. Cohen presents his amazing and eclectic mysteries with great charm and aplomb. Chamber Magic is engaging, entertaining and great fun.” – JOHN CARNEY

“Steve Cohen gives the most perfect presentation of magic I’ve ever seen in my life. I’m in awe of him, and I’ve seen them all!” – JEFF HOBSON

“A truly tremendous show. Steve Cohen works intimately with the crowd and performs many remarkable things that left us speechless.” – RICHARD KAUFMAN

“Steve Cohen has all it takes to be an outstanding magician: hands, head and a smile, as the Master Ascanio once defined excellence in magic. I have personally witnessed Steve’s unique performance in the equally unique Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and predict that if you have an affinity for magic you will immensely enjoy yourself.” – ROBERTO GIOBBI

“Every art has a lot of crappiness. There are some people who can paint. Most people can’t. Some can sing. Most can’t. Millions want to be actors, and thousands are. A handful of them are great. Some are quite good. And it’s always that way. The cream goes to the top. Here is a man at the top of that pyramid… Steve Cohen.” – DICK CAVETT

“A perfect parlour magic show. I honestly cannot suggest anything that would improve it.” – PATRICK PAGE

“The marvelous success of Chamber Magic is a tribute to your hard work, curiosity, inventiveness and high style.  You’ve created a character, a legend, and are certainly proof that hard work and imagination can pay off.” – BOB FITCH

“A wonderful show. Thank you for keeping magic alive in New York City.” – DEREK DELGAUDIO

“Steve Cohen strategically converts the elemental aspects of mystery and manners in a very modern way. Combining the wonder-and-wizardry of technology with the aboriginal roots of magic, he makes everything happen in the intimate atmospherics of a salon. Be prepared for every kind of astonishment to spontaneously erupt!” – JON RACHERBAUMER

“Steve Cohen’s show combines the charm and elegance of Hofzinser’s exclusive parlor with the mystification and fun of 21st century cutting edge magic–all performed by a master and a gentleman. We enjoyed a thoroughly deceptive and delightful evening.” – SIMON ARONSON

“As a performer, there are many things I admire about Steve Cohen – his technical prowess, his timing and his boundless energy. As a producer, having engaged Steve and his Chamber Magic for Luminato, the international festival of creativity and the arts, there are things that I admire even more – his professionalism in performing and promoting the show, and the response of the public who kept coming back for more.” – DAVID BEN, Artistic Director, Magicana

“A flawless show, 10 out of 10. Steve Cohen is a fabulous entertainer and the modern day Max Malini.” – LEVENT CIMKENTLI

“Chamber Magic is a genuine magical experience. Pure and simple, it’s an entertaining evening of beautifully performed, mind boggling mysteries that I’ll never forget! Bravo.” – DARYL

“Steve Cohen’s Chamber Magic is an elegant delight.” – DAVID REGAL

“A modern day Max Malini.” – MILT LARSEN

“Fantastic work!” – DANI DAORTIZ

“Really really impressive. If you enjoy strong magic in an intimate setting, Steve Cohen’s show is simply a must.” – RICHARD WISEMAN

“Let me begin by saying, I love Steve Cohen, I love him as a person and also as a magical artist of the highest calibre. When these two elements are combined, you have an experience that captures the true essence of magic and a magical performance. I have seen Steve’s show Chamber Magic three times, twice in London and most recently at its home in New York City. This show is an enchanting magical experience. What makes it work is Steve’s grace, charm, humility and technical mastery of his craft. This is a rare commodity in today’s magical climate. I am happy for Steve and the success of his show; he has elevated the class and dignity of magic in the tradition of Hofzinser and Robert-Houdin.” – MICHAEL VINCENT

“One of our stars, raising the level of our art.” – KEN WEBER

“Steve Cohen is one of the best magicians I know. Fooled the h*ll out of me!” – HARRY LORAYNE

“The choice of material, the structure, the performance itself – the whole show carries a great message for magic.” – PIT HARTLING

“For the uninitiated layman everything Steve Cohen presents in Chamber Magic must seem totally impossible and could easily convert anyone to believe in the paranormal. Few other entertainers are able to create the kind of intimate and mysterious atmosphere that this evening offers!” – DAVID BERGLAS

“One of the best mind reading shows you will ever see.” – LIOR MANOR

“Typically you see magic either one-on-one (“close-up” or miniature magic) or far away, on a stage, where the magician works with big gadgets, armies of secret assistants, blinding lights, and smoke generators. Steve Cohen performs at an engaging, human scale, for perhaps seventy-five guests, in the parlor of a suite at the Waldorf. He works in the style of a soiree at the home of some Vanderbilt or Rittenhouse, where you might expect an evening of light opera but have lucked into an expert magician. This is an immensely satisfying way to experience classic conjuring. It’s a group experience, so laughter and applause come naturally, but you’re close enough to reach out and touch it. So you know what you’re seeing is the result not of stage machinery but of art.” – TELLER (in the New York Times)

“One of the best performances on the Letterman show EVER. Steve, you did a fine piece of (difficult!) magic for one of the most challenging people on earth and you came out BLAZING!…BRAVO!” – JEFF McBRIDE

The post Copperfield, Tamariz, Derren Brown, Teller (and more) on Chamber Magic^® appeared first on Chamber Magic.

One of my all-time favorites is Think-a-Drink. The proper title of this routine is Any Drink Called For, and has also been known as The Bar Act. I’ve been performing this routine in my shows for the past fifteen years, but it has existed in various forms for over a century. The trick is so old, it’s new again.
 

The father of modern conjuring, JEAN EUGENE ROBERT-HOUDIN performed its precursor, The Inexhaustible Bottle at his intimate theater shows in 19th century Paris.

In this early version of the trick, the magician poured a large volume of liquors from a single bottle – much greater than the bottle’s capacity.

I found the following historic details regarding The Inexhaustible Bottle on a lovely blog called Victorian Magic:

(quoted from Scribner’s Monthly, December 1880)

The Inexhaustible Bottle, which produces different liquors, and apparently in endless quantity, was first made popular in this country by Professor Anderson (JOHN HENRY ANDERSON, “The Great Wizard of the North”), and since his day has been exhibited by very many magicians. Of late years, it has been sold in the toy shops, and the public have learned that its effect is due in part to a well-known principle in physics, and in part to the wine glasses used, which are made so as to contain, at most, not more than a thimbleful.

The trick having become common and generally understood, conjurers began to look about for a means whereby something similar in effect might be produced, but by altogether dissimilar means. The result is a bottle-trick in which lager-beer is furnished in sufficient quantity to satisfy the thirst of a large audience. It is a very effective trick, and to it one well-known performer almost entirely owes his success.

It is only suitable for public exhibition, however, as the beer is pumped up from beneath the stage, and passes through rubber tubing, concealed in the dress of the performer, to the bottle held in the hand. The connection with the stage is made by means of a hollow boot-heel, and during the progress of the trick, the performer is unable to move.

This methodology is reminiscent of the traditional Japanese performance of mizugei (translated: “water art”), in which streams of water are sprayed into the air from specific parts of the stage, as well as from the tip of a sword, and even from an assistant’s head.

—

The British magician ROBERT HELLER was so enamored by Robert-Houdin that he changed his name from William Henry Palmer to Robert Heller, since they both begin with the initials “R.H.,” and performed many of Robert-Houdin’s routines in his act. In the following poster (circa 1860s), Heller is depicted performing The Inexhaustible Bottle in the upper right corner.

—

Here are some images of famous magicians who performed Any Drink Called For, and I’ll follow these images with more historic stories of the characters involved.

DAVID DEVANT, the great English illusionist and first president of The Magic Circle (in London) performed with a teakettle instead of a bottle. The teakettle was apparently used (in place of a bottle) at the suggestion of Devant’s wife. Here is a publicity poster (circa 1890s) advertising his performances at Maskelyne & Cooke’s Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly.

 

The following studio photograph depicts British magician OWEN CLARK, who performed at St. George’s Hall in London (and later toured America), and is included here with thanks to David Hibberd of the Magic Circle, London. I’m not certain which of these two similar images came first, but I suspect that it was Devant, who had a much higher profile than Clark.

I don’t know much about the following two poster images, which depict the Any Drink Called For act in a similar fashion to each other – with split streams of multi-colored liquids.

I modeled my own promotional photo on the “split stream” concept in these two posters. (Photo by Clay Patrick McBride)

—

CHARLES HOFFMAN (1895-1965), known professionally as “THINK-A-DRINK” HOFFMAN, performed Any Drink Called For in American vaudeville houses and circuit theaters as a popular variety act.

Hoffman was sometimes promoted as “The Highest Paid Bartender in the World.” His main props included a small bar and several cocktail shakers, from which he poured any drink you could imagine – up to 80 in total during a single performance. There is a nice write-up of Hoffman in the highly detailed book Vaudeville, Old & New, An Encyclopedia of Variety Performers in America, Vol. 1.

Since his act was based on the theme of “prohibition,” a law at that time, audiences loved the fact that they were receiving alcoholic beverages, for free no less! He poured straight or mixed drinks, such as high balls, cocktails, liquors, zombies, coffee and ice cream sodas from metal cocktail shakers which were shown to be empty and from beakers filled with water. These were drinks that were merely thought of by his audience members.

Charles “Think-a-Drink” Hoffman

Charles “Think-a-Drink” Hoffman, on You Asked For It television show

In the December 1951 issue of The Sphinx, a trade magazine for magicians, an article by Jay Palmer entitled “From Keg to Kettle” described the progression of Hoffman’s career:

“Hoffmann’s reason for adding the peculiar prefix “Think A Drink” to his name is the following. When he first introduced his bar act, he used to ask the spectators to call for any drinks they wanted. This, as always occurs in performances of similar nature, caused an uproar in the theatre, scores of thirsty individual’s shouting their “orders”. Hoffman did not like the pandemonium created, and Dr. Tarbell (HARLAN TARBELL) suggested that instead of getting drinks called for, he should ask the spectators to think of any cocktail they fancied. As the idea appealed to him, he immediately adopted it, and added the “Think A Drink” to his surname.”

Bill Palmer (no relation to the author of the Sphinx article) claims that it was BURLING HULL, not Harlan Tarbell, who suggested the name “Think-a-Drink” to Hoffman. Hull’s name will resurface later in the story, as you will see below.

According to historian Milbourne Christopher, a rival Swiss magician named DE ROZE poured martinis, manhattans, beer, milk and soda from pitchers of crystal-clear water. And in fact, several other contemporaries of Hoffman (including VAL VOLTAINE, MYSTIC CRAIG, DELL O’DELL, DANNY DEW, and the Australian LES LEVANTE) performed similar acts, some which spurred high-profile legal battles.

—

In the July 3, 1943 issue of Billboard magazine, the following article appeared:

DRINK-ACT PROGRAM GETS 4-WAY HOOK-UP

Hoffman, Volta, Maurice and Joan Brandon

NEW YORK, July 3 – The attempt of “Think-a-Drink” Hoffman to prevent alleged imitators from working has developed into a hour-cornered fight among magicians for the right to do the call-out-a-drink routine.

Latest development is the Great Volta retaining an attorney, David Godwin, to protect him against further onslaughts from Hoffman. Volta claims he lost two weeks’ work in Florida because Hoffman’s attorney had warned employers that only Hoffman had the legal right to do the drink act. (Hoffman won an injunction against Maurice Glazer in the Florida courts recently. Glazer also does a drink turn.)

Volta (BURLING VOLTA HULL) has dug up a June 1921 issue of a magicians’ magazine containing an ad of Boole Bros. Magic Shop, owned 60 percent by Volta, and which listed for sale a magic bar act. The ad describes the drink routine in detail and offers for sale the necessary equipment. Volta also claims that DeRosa revived the act in 1932 in Europe and brought it here after Prohibition.

Meanwhile, Maurice’s attorney, Simon Feinstein, says he is preparing suit against Hoffman, and Joan Brandon has entered the fight by having her attorney warn Hoffman that he will be sued if he causes Miss Brandon to lose work.

If you wish to read the legal case and its ruling, I’ve tracked it down on the web. Click here for the Dade County, Florida circuit court ruling, dated November 26, 1943.

—

Any Drink Called For has been performed more recently on television by British celebrity magician Paul Daniels, and by Las Vegas magician Lance Burton.

The trick has enjoyed a rich history, and I am doing my best to honor the past masters of magic by including it in my Chamber Magic^® shows at the Waldorf-Astoria. To date, I’ve performed this trick over one thousand times. I don’t think that I, or my audiences, will ever tire of participating in this “magical cocktail party.”

David Devant mural painting courtesy The Magic Circle, London

The post Think-a-Drink appeared first on Chamber Magic.

I’m excited to announce the following tour dates:

BEVERLY HILLS:

The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

9850 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

March 2 and 3

(4 performances: 7pm and 9:30 pm each night)

Click HERE for tickets

If you have friends or family in southern California who you think would enjoy Chamber Magic^®, please tell them to reserve their tickets now.

I look forward to welcoming them to the show!

The post Chamber Magic^® Tour: Waldorf Astoria BEVERLY HILLS appeared first on Chamber Magic.

I’m excited to announce the following tour dates:

CHICAGO:

The Waldorf Astoria Chicago

11 E Walton St, Chicago, IL

October 28 and 29

(4 performances: 7pm and 9pm each night)

Click HERE for tickets

If you have friends or family in Chicago who you think would enjoy Chamber Magic^®, please tell them to reserve their tickets now.

I look forward to welcoming them to the show!

The post Chamber Magic^® Tour: Waldorf Astoria CHICAGO appeared first on Chamber Magic.

As you may have read in the media, the hotel will undergo a massive renovation starting in the spring.

As a result, there are only six months remaining to see Chamber Magic at its original venue, the spectacular Waldorf Astoria.

Book your tickets now to see the show at the hotel

where it became famous! 

I will perform the last show at the Waldorf on February 25, 2017.

To accommodate the increase in demand for these final six months, we have added Thursday night shows from October through February. Tickets are available by clicking here.

PS: After February 25, the show will move to another luxury venue in Manhattan so I can keep New Yorkers and out-of-town guests believing in magic for years to come! Stay tuned for an exciting announcement.

The post Six Month Countdown at the Waldorf Astoria NY appeared first on Chamber Magic.

At the party, Michael Vincent turned to Harry and said, “You were my best friend long before you knew I existed.”

This sentiment resonated with many, because we all felt close to Harry long before meeting in person, through reading his books. Harry’s writing style is so conversational it reads as if a friend is chatting with you, offering private lessons.

To my knowledge, Harry currently gives actual private lessons to only one person, his accountant Alan Frankel. Alan and I have struck up a friendship over the past few years, and together we decided to co-sponsor Harry’s ninetieth party as a way of thanking him for his friendship and inspiration.

Too often we wait too long to tell people how much they’ve meant to us.

Not this time. People traveled from England, France, Finland, China, and all over the United States to attend.

The guest list read like a Who’s Who of New York City’s magic scene, and beyond. Many told me that it was the greatest “three-hour magic convention” they’ve ever attended.

Among the notables who attended:

Adam Rubin, Allan Kronzek, Andrew Pinard, Barbara Greenfader, Belinda Sinclair, Ben Nemzer, Bill Kalush, Christian Engblom, David Kaye, David Regal, David Roth, Denny Corby, Doug Edwards, Gabe Fajuri, Gary Weissman, George Schindler, Herb Scher, Jay Sabatino, Jean-Jacques Sanvert, Jed Smith, Jeff Moche, Jeffrey Dobbins, Jerry Deutsch, Joe Monti, John Graham, Jon Racherbaumer, Joseph Gabriel, Joshua Jay, Ken Weber, Mahdi Gilbert, Mark Levy, Mark Mitton, Mark Setteducati, Michael Chaut, Michael Vincent, Nick Conticello, Noah Levine, Paul Gertner, Paul Ginsberg, Paul Gordon, Peter Kougasian, Peter Samelson, Raj Madhok, Regina Reynolds, Rene Clement, Richard Kaufman, Rick Silberman, Ricky Smith, Roger Dryer, Roger Seiler, Rudy Tinoco, Sandy Marshall, Scott Mero, Seth Kramer, Sol Stone, Stanley Hersch, Steve Cuiffo, Steven Conner, Stuart Slotnick, Tang Daly, Ted Greenberg, Thomas Churchwell, Victor Sendax, Vinny DePonto, Wesley James

• • •

When I conceived of the party six months ago, my first instinct was to hold it in my suite at the Waldorf Astoria. But Mark Levy had a better suggestion – find a Jewish deli, reminiscent of Reuben’s, and hold the party there. For twenty years, Harry spent every Saturday in Reuben’s, meeting magicians who were eager to get their ideas published in Apocalypse magazine. His birthday party needed to be held someplace with a similar vibe to Reuben’s, somewhere that Harry would feel “at home.” Mark suggested Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen. They have the same type of food as Reuben’s, a similar color scheme, and identical wise-cracking waiters. Perfect.

Harry now lives in Newburyport, Massachusetts so we drove him and his family down to Manhattan, and put him up in a midtown hotel for the weekend. He got, and deserved, the royal treatment. Ever the showman, Harry decided that he wanted to make “an entrance” so he arrived fashionably late. When he walked through the revolving door into Ben’s, the place erupted.

After cocktails and appetizers, we settled down at tables to eat lunch. Following the meal, we watched a video tribute to Harry Lorayne, projected onto a large screen. He received birthday greetings from some of the greatest magicians and entertainers in the world:

David Williamson, Juan Tamariz, Mel Brooks, David Copperfield, Alan Alda & Arlene Alda, Dick Cavett, Eugene Burger, Mac King, Penn & Teller, Johnny Thompson & Bob Massey, Derren Brown, David Blaine, David Berglas, Dynamo, Max Maven, Dani DaOrtiz, Boris Wild, Eric DeCamps, Meir Yedid, Richard Osterlind, Pop Haydn, Jeff McBride, Bill Malone, Charles Greene, Darwin Ortiz, David Ben, John Carney, Michael Ammar, Rafael Benatar, Simon Aronson, Gaetan Bloom, Sammy Smith, Stephen Minch, Allan Ackerman, Allen Okawa, Andi Gladwin, Martin Lewis, Bernard Bilis, Curtis Kam, Timothy Wenk, Michael Rubinstein, and Steve Valentine

(Click HERE to watch this incredible video)

• • •

Three live performances followed, by Michael Vincent, Jean-Jacques Sanvert, and David Regal. Each of these gentlemen flew in from great distances to attend the party (England, France, and Los Angeles, respectively). Michael Vincent performed his refined handlings of two Harry Lorayne tricks: Controlled Spelling, and Foursome.

Jean-Jacques Sanvert performed a Cannibal Cards routine that brought great laughter.

David Regal claimed that he had hired a team of private investigators to track down the original deck of cards used by Harry Lorayne to create all of his classic card tricks. That deck, he claimed, should be in the Smithsonian. The investigators “found” Harry’s deck, dog-eared and water damaged, stuck in the back pocket of his jeans. David returned the crappy deck to Harry, and presented him with a brand-new deck of Bicycle cards as an upgrade.

Regal then performed a hilarious piece of magic in which a sheet of Karl Fulves postage stamps transformed into a sheet of Harry Lorayne postage stamps.

Karl Fulves postage stamps…

…change to Harry Lorayne postage stamps

President Barack Obama sent a letter of congratulations on official White House stationery, which I read aloud to the group.

Finally we celebrated by singing “Happy Birthday” to Harry. The song was led by Paul Gordon, who aside from being a major fan of Harry’s card magic, is also a professional singer. Paul flew from England to New York City for just one night, to attend this party, before flying home. That’s dedication!

The birthday cake was decorated with Harry’s Al Hirschfeld caricature, and two candles spelling out “90.” With the help of his adorable granddaughter Vivi, Harry blew out the candles to much fanfare. The waiter handed him a knife to make the first cut. One wiseguy in the crowd yelled out, “It’s a HaLo cut!”

“A HaLo Cut”!

At one point during the party I stopped by Harry’s table to check in with him. “Are you enjoying yourself?” I asked. He replied, “With this cast of characters, how could I not enjoy myself?!”

Everyone was given a souvenir deck of Tycoon playing cards, wrapped with an off-white paper sleeve imprinted with the Hirschfeld drawing, and the words “Lorayne 90.”

Many people have told me that this was a perfect party. I’m pleased to hear that so many people had a meaningful time gathering for a common goal and purpose. I could not have possibly run the party alone. Alan Frankel brought in his team: Karen & Robert Martinez, Samuel Mitrani, Jeff Dobbins, and Lynn Frankel. I am grateful to Andrew Pinard for designing the party invitation, and Jonathan Bayme for editing the video greetings. This party was truly a labor of love.

Two days later, the New York Post ran an article about Harry’s party in the gossip column, Page Six, written by Cindy Adams:

“One hundred magicians sandwiched into Ben’s Kosher Deli for card magician Harry Lorayne’s 90th birthday. David Copperfield, Penn & Teller and assorted wizards sent video messages. Obama, who has nothing else to do, wrote a congratulations note. One kazam/shazam trick that didn’t happen was pulling a rabbit out of a hat. The deli’s kosher. They should’ve schlepped out a pastrami.”

Dai Vernon’s 90^th birthday was celebrated with great fanfare at the Magic Castle in Los Angeles. Now we east coast magicians have a similar cherished memory – celebrating the 90^th birthday of another giant in the world of card magic: Harry Lorayne.

Rudy Tinoco, Paul Gordon, Jon Racherbaumer, Michael Vincent

Stan Hersch, Rudy Tinoco, Alan Frankel, Jerry Deutsch, Rene Clement, Paul Gordon, Jon Racherbaumer, Michael Vincent, Andrew Pinard, Ken Weber

Wesley James, Jon Racherbaumer

Robert Lorayne, Elizabeth Lorayne, Vivi Lorayne, Harry Lorayne

Sandy Marshall, Susan Marshall, Jon Racherbaumer

Seth Kramer, Mark Setteducati, Jon Racherbaumer

Alan Frankel, Richard Kaufman, Jean-Jacques Sanvert, Doug Edwards

Michael Vincent, David Regal, Peter Kougasian

David Roth, Harry Lorayne, Steve Cohen, Alan Frankel

Harry Lorayne, David Regal

David Regal, Harry Lorayne

Michael Vincent, Harry Lorayne

Jon Racherbaumer, Paul Gordon, Jean-Jacques Sanvert, Harry Lorayne

Steve Cuiffo, Tony Chang, Paul Gordon, John Graham, Harry Lorayne, Doug Edwards

Harry Lorayne, Ted Greenberg

Bill Kalush, Mark Setteducati

Christian Engblom, Sol Stone, Harry Lorayne, Victor Sendax

Han Feng, Steve Cohen, Harry Lorayne, Rudy Tinoco, Ken Weber, Sandy Marshall, David Kaye

Joseph Gabriel, Harry Lorayne

Sol Stone, Michael Vincent

Michael Vincent, Joshua Jay, Vinny DePonto, Steve Cohen

Stu Slotnick & wife, Harry Lorayne

Roger Seiler, David Kaye, Harry Lorayne

Tang Daly, Mahdi Gilbert, Christian Engblom

Sign-in board

Adam Rubin, Ricky Smith, Steve Cohen, Bill Kalush, Christian Engblom

Harry Lorayne “holding court”

George Schindler, Scott Mero, Mark Setteducati, Gabe Fajuri, Joshua Jay, Doug Edwards, Rene Clement

Bill Kalush, Michael Vincent

Richard Kaufman, Harry Lorayne

Lynn Frankel, Alan Frankel, Robert Martinez, Jeff Dobbins, Karen Martinez

Bill Kalush, Harry Lorayne, Han Feng

Lynn Frankel, Alan Frankel, Sam Mitrani, Karen Martinez, Harry Lorayne

Michael Chaut, Jeff Moche, Harry Lorayne, Rene Clement

Crime scene: Jean-Jacques Sanvert, David Regal, Paul Gordon, Peter Kougasian

Wesley James, Rick Silberman, Stan Hersch, Nick Conticello

Co-hosts: Alan Frankel, Steve Cohen

Adam Rubin, Joshua Jay, Steve Cuiffo, Tony Chang

Mark Mitton, Harry Lorayne

Harry Lorayne, Belinda Sinclair

David Kaye, Andrew Pinard, Richard Kaufman

Christian Engblom fooling the pants off Paul Ginsberg, Jerry Deutsch, Sol Stone, Rudy Tinoco, Echo, David Roth, Mahdi Gilbert

Joe Monti, Steve Cohen, George Schindler

Nina Schindler, Joe Monti, George Schindler

Carrington Greenfader, Barbara Greenfader (daughter of Lenny Greenfader), Harry Lorayne

Harry Lorayne, Vivi, Robert Lorayne

David Regal, Peter Kougasian, Jean-Jacques Sanvert, Richard Kaufman

Steve Cohen, Harry Lorayne, Vivi, Robert Lorayne

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Appearances by: Steve Cohen, David Williamson, Juan Tamariz, Mel Brooks, David Copperfield, Alan Alda & Arlene Alda, Dick Cavett, Eugene Burger, Mac King, Penn & Teller, Johnny Thompson & Fielding West, Derren Brown, David Blaine, David Berglas, Dynamo, Max Maven, Dani DaOrtiz, Boris Wild, Eric DeCamps, Meir Yedid, Richard Osterlind, Pop Haydn, Jeff McBride, Bill Malone, Charles Greene, Darwin Ortiz, David Ben, John Carney, Michael Ammar, Rafael Benatar, Simon Aronson, Sammy Smith, Stephen Minch, Allan Ackerman, Allen Okawa, Andi Gladwin, Martin Lewis, Bernard Bilis, Curtis Kam, Timothy Wenk, Michael Rubinstein, Steve Valentine.

This film was shown to Harry Lorayne at his 90th birthday party on May 1, 2016 in New York City. Nearly 100 guests flew in from around the world to celebrate the life of this legendary man.

Be sure to stick around to the very end – there is a great surprise ending!

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(published in The Magic of Sam Berland, 1986)

TO BE A SUCCESSFUL CLOSE-UP MAGICIAN YOU MUST…

1. Really love magic and not do magic because you love to show off.

2. Love people to the point of sincerely being more interested in their enjoyment of what you are doing than in the effect itself.

3. Have a natural adaptability for doing magic and using your own natural style.

4. Be a salesman to the extent of giving the public what really entertains them and not using the effects that you may think are good or that you like to do.

5. Have a sense of timing which can only be fully developed by experience. This is one of the most important factors in successful presentation of close-up. Learn how to build up suspense, create surprises, and produce laughs.

6. Be a student of psychology for there are many startling and unexplainable effects that can be performed as a result of knowing what people will do under a given set of circumstances.

7. You must routine your presentation, your effects must be psychologically selected, performance-tested, and carefully arranged. The opening is most important and should break down as quickly as possible the normal dislike for magicians on the part of so many people, apparently due to unimpressive performances they have previously witnessed. Every effect must sustain their interest as a close-up magician has distractions which no stage performer encounters — music, dancing, waiters, kibitzers, etc. Like any good performance the climax or concluding effect is exceptionally important and if possible, leave ’em laughing.

8. Be a gentleman. Be careful of your manner of speech, your patter (blue material should be avoided), your dress, and your general conduct. Smile graciously and be friendly.

9. Have a sense of humor and if not naturally a comedian be able to build up situations with your magic that produce laughs.

10. And last but basically the first requirement. Be a technician, as near to a perfectionist as possible in this regard. Learn to do all your moves automatically and effortlessly so that you can project your personality and do a real selling job.

Bert Allerton performing the Vanishing Birdcage, close-up at a dining room table (photo from The Sphinx, June 1945) Patrons invited Allerton to their table and paid $5 for his performance (equivalent of $65 in present-day dollars)

Bert Allerton performing close-up table magic in Chicago. Photo by Irving Desfor (published in The Sphinx, June 1945)

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