We went out to dinner after the movie last week and ran into our good friend Corrie at Peking Wok. I have always been fascinated with magic and sleight of hand and Corrie's grandfather Clarke "The Senator" Crandall, was one of the legendary magicians at the Magic Castle. He was a comedian, authored a couple books and magazines and made a tremendous contribution to the craft.
A link:
“Senator” Clarke Crandall (1906-1975) was an American comedy magician and magic dealer. He developed funny routines for such effects as the Card Duck and the Cups and Balls. He wrote a column for The New Tops called “It’s A Mystery To Me.” Abbott’s Get-Together presents the “Senator Crandall Award” for Comedy excellence each year. He appeared in Abbott’s Get-Together in 1955, 1956, 1957, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1972.And a good story here.
3 comments:
Well,it deeply moved me to find this article about my grandfather. He was the light in my life and quite the ex centric to grow up with.
Thanks Rob. Corrie
Hello, I am the producer of a new Magic Lounge in Chicago, and we are looking for memorabilia, and ephemera from some of the past magicians who created the original magic bar scene. Mr. Crandall was well known for his work in the magic bars, specifically down in Cicero at George Banning's Magic Lounge, and the New York Lounge on Lincoln. If you could put me in touch with Corri Crandall, I'd love to talk about her grandfathers contributions to Chicago-style magic, and see if there is anything she would be willing to donate to our cause to keep his legacy alive in the public eye. Please email me at joseph@chicagomagiclounge.com. Thank you. Great pictures of The Senator!
Very few videos of the Senator exist but he odes a great 6 card repeat on Don Allan's Magic Ranch TV series from the 1960's. Crandall was the epitome of a curmudgeon doing magic funny and very witty magician.
Bob Durante
Zap Entertainment
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