Number 22 -
25th November 2000
On Sunday 19th November 2000, following the special presentation of the Magic Circle's David Devant International Award to Channing Pollock at the Magic Circle Awards Banquet, The Magic Circle hosted "Channing Pollock in Conversation with John Fisher - Your chance to meet a true living legend of magic". This was a wonderful afternoon, that offered a vivid insight into the life of a man who changed the course of magic, and became the quintessential magician.
John Fisher and Channing Pollock
Born in 1926, it was on seeing a demonstration of a Svengali deck 21 years later that Channing thought to himself "there was something here" and decided to delve deeper into the world of magic. An advertisement in Genii advertised a "College of Manual Dexterity" (The Chavez School of Magic) and Channing applied. Neil Foster, famed for his presentation of the zombie ball, was his instructor and we were shown a rare clip of Channing performing the zombie ball. Noticing an advertisement in a local paper for "rabbits and pigeons" Channing decided to take a look and returned home that night with a pigeon "about four times the size of a dove and totally unsuitable." The pigeon had to go and in its place he acquired two doves. And so the act that was to take him to the top of his field started to take shape.
An early TV appearance
Nightclub engagements started to happen and when asked how he developed his stage image said "fear made me look sophisticated!" (Take note those who over-theorize!) "I like what I saw kid - you got the Sullivan Show" agent Mark Leddy told Channing after making a long journey to see him. In those days an appearance on the Ed Sullivan show served in two ways. It said that you’d "arrived," but also that you were going somewhere. In 1955 he performed at the London Palladium, and during that period played London on many occasions.
The Channing Pollock "Twin-Sawing" 1965
In 1961 Channing was playing at the Latin Quarter in New York when in walked a pair of young magicians who were performing on a cruise ship, their names... Siegfried and Roy. They were very excited about their magic and invited him on board for a meal. "They told me 'we have a cheetah' and I thought 'good luck!'" We saw a video clip of Channing presenting the first twin-sawing illusion on television in 1965. He had started to develop an illusion act but at that time the Vegas Casinos weren't ready for a full-blown illusion show. The whole talk was interlaced with rare video clips selected by John Fisher, of both Channing's movie and television appearances.
Channing Pollock with Liberace
Channing's act was filmed in London for the movie European Nights which was shown all over the world. Enjoying film work, he went on to Rome and starred in Les 3 Flibustiers (below), which in turn lead to more movie appearances. But then in 1969 Channing Pollock, at the peak of his career, decided to retire from magic. He had fallen in love and together with his wife had decided to set about creating an "ideal" organic farm. For the next year he did everything from sowing seed to ploughing the land before deciding that "a farmer has a hard life!" and employing others to help.
Channing Pollock in Les 3 Flibustiers
What does the future hold for magic? Channing has a very positive outlook and stressed that it all comes down to the character and personality of the magician. He cited Tommy Cooper as an example and commented what a great comedy magician Basil Fawlty would have made! Asked what were the true secrets of magic he replied that they lay in the Heart, Mind, Body and Soul, and then elaborated. John Fisher's unobtrusive interviewing technique throughout was just perfect, offering everyone present a real insight into Channing Pollock's fascinating life.
Channing Pollock and Guy Hollingworth
After the talk Channing chatted informally with magicians in the Devant room. Photos were taken and autographs signed. People had travelled from all over the country, and indeed, all over the world, to be there. On a personal note I'd never met him before and knowing that he had retired from magic at the end of the sixties, thought I never would. I'm sure that I wasn't alone. I think that made the occasion all the more special. A magical afternoon - Channing Pollock was a true delight and inspiration.
Duncan Trillo. 25.11.00
Videos: John Fisher
Photos: Duncan Trillo
Poster: nnmagic.com
Mr Magic - Dirty
Tricks starring Spyros Melaris is scheduled to air on Granada BSB Men &
Motors at 11pm on the 8th of December, 2000. The show features Spyros, out and about in clubs, pubs,
and restaurants trying to "win the hearts" of women with
magic. The format is "light, fun, and crammed with pretty girls." The magical advisor is John
Gordon. Twenty five shows in total are being recorded, with plans for them to be screened on LWT after the Granada run.
25.11.00
MagicTricks.co.uk have notified us that
they have the newly released David Blaine - Mystifier in stock, visit Cool
Magic for more information and to order. David Blaine's new TV special
will be shown in the UK sometime in the future, but in the States it goes
out on the 29th. This time he will attempt to freeze himself in a block of ice for 72 hours in the middle of New York
City. The plan is to then be freed from his huge ice cube, live, on his new one hour
special, (November 29th 10.00pm EST) on the ABC Television Network. Blaine's daring "Frozen Alive" stunt - the first of its kind to be done on live television - will take place in full public view at a heavily trafficked location at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.
Blaine, who has been preparing by immersing himself in tubs of ice and attempting to acclimate himself to the cold temperatures, will be wearing only a pair of shorts and boots to protect himself.
He will go without food for the duration of the stunt. The block of ice will be molded to fit around Blaine's body, holding him completely immobile. The two halves of the 8'x5'x5' ice block will be joined together, making it appear that Blaine is suspended like a fly in the middle of one of the world's biggest ice cubes.
With promised live coverage on his website from the 27th Click
Here to
see why David Blaine is so cool. (Oops!)
25.11.00
The
current issue of The Big Issue (number 413) has a piece on Street
Magic to coincide with the release of David Blaine's video in the UK this
week. "The curtain's fallen on top-hatted TV conjurors. Meet David
Blaine and the new-wave of modern magicians who've taken magic off the
stage and onto the street." Interviewed for the article: Primarily
David Blaine, with Paul Zenon, Duncan Trillo, and Jack Delvin.
25.11.00
Jerry
Sadowitz divided magicians (as ever), with the first of his new TV
series on Sunday night. Seen here doing a David Blaine parody that was
excellent. Sunday nights, Channel 5.
25.11.00
Don't forget to book your tickets for the 29th International Magic Convention next week (1st - 3rd December) Telephone: 020 7405 7324 or visit the International website linked under Conventions. Next week: Christmas presents for magicians, a review of The Turk, Chess Automaton, more award winners from The Magic Circle Banquet and more. See you then, Duncan Trillo. 25.11.00