Chung Ling Soo

Here is another of my profile pieces. This time it's Chung Ling Soo, the fake Chinese Conjuror. I say fake because his real name was William Ellsworth Robinson and he was an American. He worked as assistant and stage manager for Alexander Herrmann and Harry Kellar. He was probably one of the most knowledgeable people on magic during his time but he had trouble connecting with an audience as himself. Upon seeing the real Chinese magician Ching Ling Foo, Robinson decided he too could do an act that way. True to his word he created Chung Ling Soo, and even gave interviews through an interpreter. At one point there was a very big public challenge going on between Soo and Foo which was going to lead to a showdown. But Foo, the real Chinese magician failed to show and Soo became winner by default.

One of his signature tricks was the Bullet Catch. It was this trick that did him in as he was shot on stage during a performance and died a short time later. If you'd like to learn more about Robinson/Soo, I'd suggest the wonderful book by Jim Steinmeyer called 'Glorious Deception'. It is available through Amazon and is a fascinating read.

Houdini @ The Jewish Museum

There is currently an exhibit on Houdini at The Jewish Museum in NYC. I've not been, but I did download the very cool APP to my iPhone. So I guess in a way I've attended. For the most part I really liked what I saw. I couldn't help but think that something was missing. A couple things actually. For one, there are many audio recordings by magic celebrities who talk about various facets of Houdini's life. The one who is always missing, actually two who are missing are both friends of mine. Steve Baker, known during his performing career as Mr. Escape should have been asked to record SOMETHING! I know for a fact he's got some hidden knowledge about Houdini, though he won't share it. But when he began his career he duplicated many of Houdini's greatest feats. He's earned the consulting honor.

The other person is Norman Bigelow. I mean come on, Norm broke so much new ground on the 'Houdini Punch Theory', but I'm not sure he gets any credit or not as much as he deserves. Both of these guys know escapes and they both know a TON about Houdini!

The other person missing is, well, umm, errrr, well, ME! This exhibit is called 'Houdini Art and Magic' and they feature a number of artists who have done works 'related' to Houdini. I use that word related loosely, as one in particular is kind of out there. Don't get me wrong, I still like it and think its cool, but if that one got in, maybe one of my MANY paintings of Houdini could have at least been considered. There are some that have never been seen publicly. You have to admit, some of mine are kind of out there too, lol. Like I said, it would have been nice to be considered.

Still, I love the fact that there is a public exhibit to Houdini. It's very exciting and very good for Houdini, historians and magic in general.

Do Escapes Make Sense?

If a magician can walk through a wall, saw a person in half, make people vanish into thin air, then how come they are so stumped by a straight jacket escape? Or actually, why do they expect an audience to think that a straight jacket or handcuffs are any match? I mean, they just read someone's mind! They destroyed a borrowed ring and had it reappear good as new in an impossible location. So a straight jacket is going to be able to hold them???