Magic Circus Volume 5 and Volume 6
Mark Wilson
(Based on 1 review)
The hilarious AMAZING CARL BALLANTINE, "every move a picture."
Comedy magician ART METRANO.
The fifth MAGIC CIRCUS special is titled "MAGIC WITH A PAST" and features magic history though the ages. In the first dazzling mystery, Master Magician Mark Wilson performs his legendary transposition, WHERE IS MARK?, in which he instantly vanishes from the stage and reappears watching the show from the audience!
Following some excellent sleight-of-hand, the Wilsons then present their most famous illusion, the ALLAKAZAM TRAIN. Here we see the impossible, as engineer Nani is divided into two parts in a miniature steam engine, and then happily restored.
Equally amazing is "SUSPENSION DIMENSION," an exquisite version of the Harbin Levitation, as Mark floats the mesmerized Nani high in the air in full view of the audience. Based on Dante's original mystery, apparently explaining an illusion, young Greg Wilson and Mark take the viewers BACKSTAGE WITH A MAGICIAN, with a surprising climax.
For the grand finale, Mark and Nani present their famed CANVAS COVERED PACKING CASE ESCAPE,in which, whiled surrounded by the audience, a wooden box is built on stage by two union carpenters and enclosed in a tight canvas cover. Then comes an amazing "TRANSFIGURATION," which you must see to believe.
The final MAGIC CIRCUS special opens with the television debut of the puzzling GROWING ILLUSION, in which son Greg Wilson opens the show and then magically "grows up" and becomes Mark.
Now comes Mark's famous BILL IN LEMON routine, as he has performed it throughout the world. This precedes the charming Nani being mysteriously "misfiled," which is the first US performance of Robert Harbin's LITTLE BY LITTLE illusion, which has evolved into Mark's baffling MAGICIAN'S FILE CABINET.
Rapid-fire DOVE and SWORD PRODUCTIONS follow, and then Mark's son Greg returns to the center ring to perform his first solo illusion on television, a miniature version of the DOLL HOUSE with a surprising finish.
Now comes magical guest RICO performing elegant magic with silks and candles. Then Mark and Nani present the miraculous COSTUME TRUNK, featuring one of the most beautiful magic props ever made, designed by Alan Wakeling and built by John Gaughan.
Mark's sleight of hand highlights his COLOR-CHANGING KNIFE routine, which Mark has carried in his pocket since he was 13 years old, shot from many impossible angles.
And now we are treated to a powerful mystery designed by Alan Wakeling, the sensational "COSMIC RAY ILLUSION" in which Nani Darnell vanishes instantly from between two sets of sharp spikes. After showing the device completely empty, just as amazingly Nani reappears for her final bow.
As are all Magic Circus shows, these are first-generation transfers from master broadcast tapes, which feature Mark, Nani and all their magical guest stars performing their timeless bits of wonder in sparkling color and scored by equally legendary Hollywood musicians with a full orchestra in the studio.
Running Time Approximately 1Hr 18min
Reviews
(Top ▲)
The Magic Circus volumes 5 & 6 are going to get the same recommendation as the previous volumes. As I have said again and again, there is nowhere else you can get an encyclopedia of major stage illusions. The added value is that Mark Wilson does them well.
Once again, I will remind you that this is from the 1970’s. The jokes, costumes, and music are dated. If you can look past that you will see some spectacular magic. These are illusions designed by some of the greatest illusion builders of our time.
Get them and enjoy some spectacular magic!
Once again, I will remind you that this is from the 1970’s. The jokes, costumes, and music are dated. If you can look past that you will see some spectacular magic. These are illusions designed by some of the greatest illusion builders of our time.
Get them and enjoy some spectacular magic!