Price$35.00
Media TypeDVD
CategoryHistory
Date AddedOct 09, 2009
Festival of Magic
Various
Miracle Factory
(Based on 1 review)
- The complete 1957 T.V. special
- The only complete footage of Cardini's act
- Previously unseen Cardini intro clip
- Appearances by Robert Harbin and six other acts
- Emceed by legendary surrealistic comic Ernie Kovacs
- Over an hour of great magic
- Complete with all vintage commercials
- Digitally remastered on DVD
First broadcast in 1957, Festival of Magic features the only complete footage of Cardini's act, filled with immaculate sleight-of-hand and brilliant magical moments. The show is considered a landmark, a must-see film every magician should watch and study.
The show also includes six other great acts: Robert Harbin with original illusions and a straitjacket escape, Sorcar with a Buzz Saw and other effects, June Merlin and her fairylike routines, Milbourne Christopher catching a bullet, Li King Si's Asian-style magic, and René Septembre's fast-paced bird routines.
The unique comedy of emcee Ernie Kovacs is also included, with several segments featuring elaborate magical sight gags.
All footage has been remastered for DVD and all chapters are accessible through menus.
This DVD was created in collaboration with Maurine Christopher and William H. McIlhany.
Running Time Approximately: 2hr 32mins
Reviews
(Top ▲)
There's a part of me that thinks I shouldn't even have to review a product like this. It's rare footage of some of the greatest magicians of the 20th century. What more do I need to say, really? How can we progress in our art if we don't know our history.
Sadly, this idea seems lost on so many people these days, at least if the magic product market is any indication of where the art is going (which it may not be). What happened to magicians having a show? How about performance talent? Charisma? Character? I just don't see it in these one-trick "street magic" DVDs.
I'm getting off my soapbox now…
The footage on this DVD made me remember why I got interested in magic. There's a real sense of magic in these performances. Just start with Cardini. He was a master of his craft. And unlike the YouTube version, I can pump the DVD feed through my projector and watch him almost life-sized.
Do you think bird acts began with Jason Byrne? Think again. Rene Septembre's work is a joy to watch… and will probably fool you.
Get it. Watch it. Cherish it.
Sadly, this idea seems lost on so many people these days, at least if the magic product market is any indication of where the art is going (which it may not be). What happened to magicians having a show? How about performance talent? Charisma? Character? I just don't see it in these one-trick "street magic" DVDs.
I'm getting off my soapbox now…
The footage on this DVD made me remember why I got interested in magic. There's a real sense of magic in these performances. Just start with Cardini. He was a master of his craft. And unlike the YouTube version, I can pump the DVD feed through my projector and watch him almost life-sized.
Do you think bird acts began with Jason Byrne? Think again. Rene Septembre's work is a joy to watch… and will probably fool you.
Get it. Watch it. Cherish it.