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I checked through the search before posting, and I'm pretty sure nobody has mentioned The Great Cardini yet. Sounds unusual as he was one of our greatest practitioners of the 20th century. So before jumping into discussion here are a few things to consider about him.

He was born as Richard Pitchford back in 1895 in Mumbles, Wales. During the first World War he found himself playing with cards constantly while waiting in the trenches. As time passed he grew very skilled in card manipultation and sleight of hand. He was later injured in battle and sent to rehab in a local hospitol on leave. Here he continued to hone his skills.

Eventually he married and moved to New York where he performed in small shows as a career. His very unique act consisted purly of sleight of hand demonstrations. He would perform as a noble, rich, gentleman roaming his house while supernatural forces would "play jokes" on him. Cards and Cigarettes would randomly appear in his hands and disappear just as quickly. He didn't talk - classic music would create the atmoshpere as it was timed to his motions. His act became so visually stunning that he moved on to perform at The Palace, Radio City Music Hall, London Palladium, Copa Cabana, and also gave a command performance for the King of England in 1938.

One of his last shows was performed on television during the Festival of Magic special. This is the only known video footage of him before his death in 1973. He is still the romodel for top famous magicians today, such a Jeff McBraide.

Here is the link to his only known video. Although it is not the full 8 minute act.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38nbBGKbyeI

Absolutely stunning. I've seen this routine many times (I have it bookmarked and watch it for fun from time to time), and it never ceases to amaze me. Every movement so perfect, every production and vanish more impossible than the next. The finale is breathtaking.

Thanks for putting this up, Barnabas.

Thank you for the video link! Cardini was such a great performer. His showmanship and stage pressence were top notch! He fully deserves to be one of the most respected names in card magic.

Thank you very much for putting this up! I have seen the Cardini performance, and it its very entertaining. He had a style of magic that almost made it look like he wasnt manipulating the cards at all, it just seemed like it was happening TO him. Absolutely great stage presence and presentation, not to mention funny.

I'm glad you have all 'discovered' Cardini. You'll notice there's nothing new there. no 'latest effect' Just PURE STYLE.
One of the 'problems' I have with our modern manipulators is the lack of humour underneath their skill.Cardini achieves his through characterisation and REACTION.
It is said that he put gloves on in the hospital to protect his hands and so gloved manips. were born.
Allen Tipton

Cardini fans will be pleased to knwo that John Fisher is cutrrently writing a book on Cardini. I think it may be published by Mike Caveney's Magic Words, I could be wrong.

Dave Jones

Allen Tipton wrote:One of the 'problems' I have with our modern manipulators is the lack of humour underneath their skill.

Mr. Tipton, if you don't mind my asking (and please do not take this question the wrong way); why do manipulators need humour? I am not a manipulator (though I certainly enjoy flourishes), so please excuse my ignorance.

Well, I cant speek for the above mentioned member, however I believe that card manipulators do need humor. In fact, all magicians need humor. I believe that humor is one of the fundamental basics of patter, and can really make an audience more receptive, and help to break down a hostile spectator.

Human nature/jungle instinct tends to make us view strangers and new situations with caution and we are instinctively conscious that there may be a threat in a new encounter. In basic terms, humour as expressed in a smile makes the performer more acceptable, less threatening and therefore more appealing to the specs. Performers with stony faces and similar subtly confrontational attitudes will probably find the specs take to them less quickly or easily which just makes their job that much harder.

So smile because it costs nothing and the rewards are well worth it! Just my thoughts (said Mandrake as he broadcasts beaming smiles in all directions )

johntheblob wrote: I believe that humor is one of the fundamental basics of patter, and can really make an audience more receptive, and help to break down a hostile spectator.

Not that I disagree with you, but Occult magic doesn't use humor in its patter, and in a lot of cases pure manipulation does not require patter. I was asking particularly about manupilation, but the question does apply to all branches of magic.

Well, to talk for myself. If I was travelling abroad and where I was, there were two magic shows the same night. I only had one night free, so I would have to pick one or the other, I would take a good look at the advertisements for both shows and then I would pick the one I would imagine I would have more fun at. In other words, the funnier show. I think that humour plays a big roll in magic performance and stale serious performers won't get as many points in my book as funny magicians, even though they show equally good magic.

But back to the topic, I read that Cardini was originaly from Wales and the reason why he always performed magic with gloves on, even delicate card magic, is that when he was in World War I, he practiced magic in the trenches and it was cold there. So he had to use gloves. That is why he got used to perform with gloves, so he did what he had practiced
You can read more about him here. In there you can find a movie clip of him playing with a billiard ball, a home movie and a few sec clip of him on stage.

gunnarkr wrote:and stale serious performers

I agree with what you are saying, but I don't think that all serious performers are "stale" (not that you are saying that they are). I was asking as, in the US at least, "funny" performers are usually anything but. There is a tendency for magicians to rely on bad humor that tends to annoy more than amuse.

Amazing and Welsh! Beautiful, it's a relief to find that not ALL the best British magicians are/were Scottish....Walton, Sadowitz, Ramsay, Campbell, Galloway, Bruce etc. etc.

Kolisar. I do not mean ALL manipulators but is would be better for Magic if there was a little more variety , particularly in manipulative work. So many magicians will copy others and the sameness can bring boredom and disinterest, to the General Public if this keeps occuring. I always admire a skilful and well routined manipulation act but at times I think, 'Couldn't I see something different; a little more originality, and variety?' This used to happen with Dove Acts. One of my worst fears, and I have been in Magic now for 65 years & still crazy about it, one of my biggest fears is for our younger magicians who will buy dvds and simply copy what they see. That's why I always say, use the dvd to view the handling/performance but stick to books which MAKE you use your brain and creative thought to FIT the effect to yourself.
Years ago all jugglers worked the same way. Then came Rob Murray who brought tremendous humour to the juggler's art and wowed the world. He did appear, as an older man, on Paul Daniel's TV show. Although the years had rolled by the skill and the HUMOUR were still there. Others followed his lead in different ways. Notably in recent years is the great Michael Pearce, well in his 70's
[u]Magic should be Mystery with Entertainment and Entertainment with Mystery.
For CARDINI FANS Did you know there is a video( possibly dvd now) A Tribute To Cardini?
Allen Tipton