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kittynh
28th February 2006, 06:21 PM
So I'm reading a book about the history of magic, and it has this great description of Cardini. I often wish I could go back in history to see some of these acts!

I wonder if there is any film of Cardini, because it sounds like the best mix of humor and magic.
T'ai Chi
28th February 2006, 07:27 PM
oh yes, there definitely is. He'd typically produce cards after cards after cards after cards aft...
kittynh
28th February 2006, 07:37 PM
in the description the book had, Cardini acted rather shocked, like "what in the world is happening?" Sometimes he played it like he was a little tipsy.
Garrette
1st March 2006, 06:45 AM
The "what is happening here" bit was his gimmick.

Rather than a magician being omnipotent, he portrayed himself as the affable victim of minor annoyances. Typically, he was dressed in top hat and tails, and acted as if he were returning from a night on the town after one-too-many. He would place his cigarette down only to find it was still in his hand. Then again. And again. And other stuff.

As I recall, he was a wounded WWI Vet he taught himself card tricks to pass the time as he was recuperating in hospital.
Krash
2nd March 2006, 12:10 PM
So I'm reading a book about the history of magic...

What book??
kittynh
2nd March 2006, 02:02 PM
"The Illustrated HIstory of Magic" by Milbourne Christopher.

Randi only gets a short mention.

It's also dated as they refer to "negroes", and not in a flattering manner!
Dr Adequate
4th March 2006, 06:28 AM
There is film of him (I've seen it) but I don't know how you'd get to see it. His unique gimmick of being annoyed by the things he produces is very funny.

Good article here (http://www.magicwebchannel.com/hall_cardini.htm)
Dinsdale Piranha
6th March 2006, 07:12 AM
There is footage of Cardini on the PBS "Art of Magic" video. PBS, unfortunately, appears to be temporarily out of stock. Maybe you could check Amazon. You'll also get to see Randi, Jamy Ian Swiss, Penn and Teller, etc.
ranson
7th March 2006, 04:56 AM
The History channel had another good magic program a few years ago that featured film of Cardini and several other sleight-of-hand masters. It even had Teller talking! I'll try to find the actual title at some point. I think it was hosted by Harry Anderson.

Edit: It was TLC's "Mysteries of Magic". I was wrong on the Harry Anderson bit.