Magic Castle
| The Magic Castle | |
|---|---|
 The Magic Castle | |
| Location | 7001 Franklin Avenue, Hollywood |
| Built | 1908 |
| Architectural style(s) | Chateauesque |
| Designated | 1989[1] |
| Reference no. | 406[1] |
  Location of The Magic Castle in the Los Angeles metropolitan area | |
The Magic Castle, located at 7001 Franklin Avenue in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California, is a nightclub for magicians and magic enthusiasts, as well as the clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts. It bills itself as "the most unusual private club in the world."
Country Club of Magic
The Magic Castle is a performance venue, restaurant and private club. A typical evening features several magic and sometimes variety arts performances, as well as a full service dining room and several bars in a country club atmosphere. A dress code of formal party attire is strictly enforced.[2] Entry is only allowed to members and their guests.
The lobby of the Castle has no visible doors to the interior, and visitors must say a secret phrase to a sculpture of an owl to gain access, exposing the entrance to the club. Magicians perform in several different theaters, including the intimate Close-up Gallery, a larger Parlour of Prestidigitation, and the large stage in the Palace of Mystery. Nightly, five different magic performances are showcased in these three different theaters, and on weekends additional performances are added in the Peller theatre as well as Hat and Hare Pub and W.C. Fields Bar. Informal performance areas near the five bars give magician members the space for impromptu magic for guests and other patrons. In the music room, a piano is played by invisible "Irma," the Castle's "resident ghost," who takes musical requests.
In addition, there are regular Houdini Séances at the castle in the Houdini Seance room, conducted by Leo Kostka, Rob Zabrecky, or Misty Lee.
Those under 21 years of age are not permitted during evening performances. However, on Saturdays and Sundays, the Castle hosts an "all-ages" brunch and performances which are open to members and their guests, including those under the age of 21. During brunch, the Castle's "Junior Members" (ranging in age from 13 to 20 years old) perform in the Close-up Gallery.
Magic Castle Junior Group
The Magic Castle is also known for its Junior Program (the Magic Castle Junior Group). The Junior Group comprises highly skilled young magicians, many of whom have gone on to professional careers in magic. One week a year, billed as "Future Stars Week," performers from the Junior Group are showcased in evening performances in the Castle's showrooms.
History
The principal building of the Magic Castle is a Chateau-style or Chateauesque residence built in 1909 by banker, real estate developer and philanthropist, Rollin B. Lane. The house was designed by architects Lyman Farwell and Oliver Dennis[3] and constructed as a near duplicate of the 1897 Kimberly Crest House and Gardens in Redlands, California that the architects had designed over a decade earlier. Ownership of the building remained in the Lane family until 1955 when it was sold to Thomas O. Glover, whose family still owns the property. In September 1961, the building was leased to Milt Larsen and Bill Larsen, Jr., who began converting it to its present state. The Magic Castle opened for business on January 2, 1963.[4] Over the years several additions have been made to the original structure, allowing for the inclusion of several theaters, bars, a library and other meeting spaces. The Magic Castle was declared a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1989.[1]
One of the Castle's most famous performers was the late Dai Vernon, an expert in sleight of hand, who often sat in the bar area entertaining and teaching. Vernon was the Magician-in-Residence at the Castle for many years, up until his death in 1992.[5]
Other famous magicians who have been regular performers at the Magic Castle include Mark Wilson, Jay Ose, Senator Crandall, Johnny Platt, Kuda Bux, and Billy McComb. Many "celebrity magic hobbyists" have also performed at the Magic Castle, including Cary Grant, Steve Martin, Johnny Carson, Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Alexander of Seinfeld.
On October 31, 2011, the Magic Castle suffered damage from a fire[6] that broke out in the attic. Significant interior refurbishing was necessary as a result of extensive water damage caused by fighting the fire. The Magic Castle was reopened in its entirety in February 2012.
Academy of Magical Arts
| Formation | 1962 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit |
| Headquarters | The Magic Castle in Hollywood, California |
President | Erika Larsen |
| Website | magiccastle |
The Academy of Magical Arts is a nonprofit mutual benefit corporation organized and devoted to the promotion and development of the art of magic.
Although begun in 1952 as a loose association of magicians by William Larsen, Sr., the Academy was incorporated and its organization formalized in 1962 by his son, William Larsen, Jr., who together with Milt Larsen, another son of William Larsen, Sr., built the Academy into an international organization whose headquarters has been the Magic Castle since 1963.[7]
History
The Academy of Magical Arts was created by William Larsen and announced in the April 1952 issue of his independent magazine of magic, Genii; of which all the subscribers were automatically accorded membership. "Academy Awards" were presented by Larsen over the next several months for outstanding contributions in various areas of the magic arts. William Larsen, Sr. died at the age of 48 in July 1953. His wife and his eldest son, Bill Jr. continued the publication of the magazine but the "Academy" lacked any formal structure and the organization became dormant. In 1962, William Larsen's younger son, Milt, undertook the job of leasing and restoring an ornately styled, 1909 mansion in Hollywood, California and turning it into a meeting place for magicians which he called the "Magic Castle." As part of their plan to revive the Academy and locate it in the "Magic Castle," William Larsen, Jr. filed articles of incorporation and created a nonprofit corporation, in 1962. The Magic Castle opened its doors on January 2, 1963 as the home of the Academy of Magical Arts, Inc. From an initial membership of 50, the Academy has grown to a worldwide membership of over 5,000 today.
Membership
There are nearly 2,500 magician members in the Academy today. To become a regular member, one must first be actively practicing or involved with magic as a career or hobby and audition before the Academy's membership reviewing committee. Associate members are people who love magic and the academy. Most of the members are in the entertainment business, law, finance, and medical fields. Some of these associate members are friends of magician members who enjoy the atmosphere of the Academy. Associate Member applications must be approved by the Board of Directors. Honorary members and VIP members are presented by the Board of Directors to magicians, celebrities and individual members of the Academy who have contributed to the advancement of the art of magic. It is also possible to become a junior magician if you are between the age of 13 and 20. Membership in the Junior Group is open to anyone seriously interested in magic who is from 13 to 19 years of age. One may apply if 20 years old, but must be able to be a member in the Group for one full year. These junior magicians are only allowed limited use of the facilities. You must be a talented magician to get accepted through audition.
Education
The Academy of Magic offers classes that are available to the public. The Basic Magic class is designed to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to perform basic magic.[8] The class combines instructor presentation, step-by-step explanation, hands-on instruction, group practice sessions and individual performance. Classes are held one night per week for six weeks, from 7:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. During the six weeks, the students receive a temporary six week pass that grants the privileges of a regular member, excluding magician member's lectures. They are allowed to bring four friends to stay at the castle, but not to the classes. Men must wear a coat and tie and women must wear a dress or skirt; no casual wear is permitted.
Awards
Performing awards are given in different categories at the annual "Academy of the Magical Arts Awards" event. Nominees for the performing awards are chosen from among that year's performers at The Magic Castle.
Other awards include Literary and Life Fellowships awards which go to individuals who, in the view of the Academy, have made significant contributions to the field of magic.
These are the awards given by the Academy of Magical Arts:
- Magician of the Year (1968; 1970–present)
- Stage Magician of the Year (1968–present)
- Close-Up Magician of the Year (1968–present)
- Lecturer of the Year (1968–present)
- Award of Merit (1968; 1970-1990; 1992-2004; 2006-2007; 2009-2011; 2013)
- Creative Fellowship (1968–present)
- Literary Fellowship (1968-2012)
- Masters Fellowship (1968–present)
- Performing Fellowship (1968–present)
- Special Fellowship (1968; 1970-1984; 1986-2010; 2012-2013)
- Junior Achievement Award (1976-1982; 1984-1986; 1989-1990; 1992; 1995-2011; 2013)
- Parlour Magician of the Year (1983–present)
- Lifetime Achievement Fellowship (1985-2009)
- Comedy Magician of the Year (2003-2006)
- Bar Magician of the Year (2004-2005)
- Special Award for Technical Achievement (2006)
One of the five winners of the 1974 Award of Merit is The Magic Castle itself.
List of award winners
Magician of the Year
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1968 | Dai Vernon |
| 1970 | Albert Goshman |
| 1971 | Ron Wilson |
| 1972 | Mark Wilson |
| 1973 | Shimada |
| 1974 | Mark Wilson |
| 1975 | Siegfried & Roy |
| 1976 | Doug Henning |
| 1977 | Norm Nielsen |
| 1978 | Harry Blackstone, Jr. |
| 1979 | David Copperfield |
| 1980 | Marco the Magi |
| 1981 | Richiardi Jr |
| 1982 | Paul Daniels |
| 1983 | Siegfried & Roy |
| 1984 | Harry Blackstone, Jr. |
| 1985 | Lance Burton |
| 1986 | David Copperfield |
| 1987 | The Pendragons |
| 1988 | Harry Anderson |
| 1989 | Princess Tenko |
| 1990 | Silvan |
| 1991 | Lance Burton |
| 1992 | Juan Tamariz |
| 1993 | Jeff McBride |
| 1994 | The Pendragons |
| 1995 | Penn & Teller |
| 1996 | Ricky Jay |
| 1997 | Mark Kalin & Jinger |
| 1998 | Luis de Matos |
| 1999 | Silvan |
| 2000 | Ayala |
| 2001 | Rick Thomas |
| 2002 | David Blaine |
| 2003 | Mac King |
| 2004 | Darren Romeo |
| 2005 | Criss Angel |
| 2006 | Cyril Takayama |
| 2007 | Derren Brown |
| 2008 | Guy Hollingworth |
| 2009 | Ed Alonzo |
| 2010 | Topas |
| 2011 | Lu Chen |
| 2012 | Penn & Teller |
| 2013 | Yu Ho-Jin |
| 2014 | Michael Carbonaro |
| 2015 | Dynamo |
Stage Magician of the Year
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1968 | John A. Daniel |
| 1969 | Eric Lewis |
| Norm Nielsen | |
| Carazini | |
| 1970 | Don Lawton |
| 1971 | Glenn Falkenstein |
| 1972 | Shimada |
| 1973 | Shimada |
| 1974 | Eric Lewis |
| 1975 | Shimada |
| 1976 | Johnny Thompson |
| 1977 | Peter Pit |
| 1978 | Goldfinger & Dove |
| 1979 | Whit Haydn |
| 1980 | Harry & Leslie Anderson |
| 1981 | Tomsoni & Company |
| 1982 | Goldfinger & Dove |
| 1983 | Lance Burton |
| 1984 | Jonathan Neal Brown |
| 1985 | The Pendragons |
| 1986 | The Pendragons |
| 1987 | Jonathan Neal Brown & Liane |
| 1988 | James Dimmare & Lisa |
| 1989 | Amos Levkovitch |
| 1990 | Amos Levkovitch |
| 1991 | Christopher Hart |
| 1992 | Glenn Falkenstein & Frances Willard |
| 1993 | Christopher Hart |
| 1994 | Tina Lenert |
| 1995 | Glenn Falkenstein & Frances Willard |
| 1996 | Jason Byrne |
| 1997 | Jason Byrne |
| 1998 | John Carney |
| 1999 | Ed Alonzo |
| 2000 | Ed Alonzo |
| 2001 | John Carney |
| 2002 | James Dimmare |
| 2003 | Kevin James |
| 2004 | Danny Cole |
| 2005 | Danny Cole |
| 2006 | Mike Caveney |
| 2007 | Dana Daniels |
| 2008 | Kevin James |
| 2009 | Jeff Hobson |
| 2010 | Dana Daniels |
| 2011 | Rob Zabrecky |
| 2012 | Rob Zabrecky |
| 2013 | Mike Caveney |
| 2014 | Whit Haydn |
| 2015 | Shoot Ogawa |
Close-Up Magician of the Year
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1968 | Albert Goshman |
| 1969 | Johnny Platt |
| 1970 | Michael Skinner |
| 1971 | Ron Wilson |
| 1972 | Bruce Cervon |
| 1973 | Michael Skinner |
| 1974 | Albert Goshman |
| 1975 | Bruce Cervon |
| 1976 | Jules Lenier |
| 1977 | David Roth |
| 1978 | Earl Nelson |
| 1979 | Daryl |
| 1980 | Daryl |
| 1981 | Michael Ammar |
| 1982 | Bob Jardine |
| 1983 | Michael Ammar |
| 1984 | John Carney |
| 1985 | Earl Nelson |
| 1986 | Johnny Ace Palmer |
| 1987 | Johnny Ace Palmer |
| 1988 | John Carney |
| 1989 | Dave Williamson |
| 1990 | Dave Williamson |
| 1991 | Martin Nash |
| 1992 | Tony Giorgio |
| 1993 | Rene Lavand |
| 1994 | Paul Gertner |
| 1995 | Paul Gertner |
| 1996 | Martin Nash |
| 1997 | Eugene Burger |
| 1998 | Eugene Burger |
| 1999 | Steve Valentine |
| 2000 | Lennart Green |
| 2001 | Steve Valentine |
| 2002 | Shoot Ogawa |
| 2003 | Whit Haydn |
| 2004 | Whit Haydn |
| 2005 | Shoot Ogawa |
| 2006 | Jon Armstrong |
| 2007 | Paul Green |
| 2008 | Doc Eason |
| 2009 | Doc Eason |
| 2010 | Suzanne |
| 2011 | Derek DelGuadio |
| 2012 | Derek DelGuadio |
| 2013 | Tim Shoesmith |
| 2014 | Richard Turner |
Lecturer of the Year
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1968 | Dick Zimmerman |
| 1969 | "Senator" Clarke Crandall |
| 1970 | Bruce Cervon |
| 1971 | Bob Eads |
| 1972 | Lou Derman |
| 1973 | "Senator" Clarke Crandall |
| 1974 | Ali Bongo |
| 1975 | Milbourne Christopher |
| 1976 | Sid Lorraine |
| 1977 | Pat Culliton |
| 1978 | Jerry Andrus |
| 1979 | Max Maven |
| 1980 | Karrell Fox |
| 1981 | Albert Goshman |
| 1982 | Michael Ammar |
| 1983 | Michael Ammar |
| 1984 | Eugene Burger |
| 1985 | Eugene Burger |
| 1986 | Gaetan Bloom |
| 1987 | Chuck Fayne |
| 1988 | Daryl |
| 1989 | Dale Salwak |
| 1990 | Dave Williamson |
| 1991 | John Carney |
| 1992 | Daryl |
| 1993 | Dave Williamson |
| 1994 | Paul Gertner |
| 1995 | Johnny Ace Palmer |
| 1996 | David Roth |
| 1997 | Tom Mullica |
| 1998 | Peter Pit |
| 1999 | Johnny Ace Palmer |
| 2000 | Aldo Colombini |
| 2001 | David Regal |
| 2002 | Paul Green |
| 2003 | Aldo Colombini |
| 2004 | Bob Sheets |
| 2005 | Martin Lewis |
| 2006 | Flicking Fingers |
| 2007 | Martin Lewis |
| 2008 | Jeff McBride |
| 2009 | Doc Eason |
| 2010 | David Regal |
| 2011 | Howard Hamburg |
| 2012 | Harry Anderson |
| 2013 | Steve Valentine |
| 2014 | Steve Valentine |
Award of Merit
Creative Fellowship
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1968 | Ed Marlo |
| 1969 | U. F. Grant |
| 1970 | Robert Harbin |
| 1971 | Alex Elmsley |
| 1972 | Joe Berg |
| 1973 | Paul Fox |
| 1974 | U. F. Grant |
| Anverdi | |
| 1975 | Alan Wakeling |
| 1976 | Paul Curry |
| 1977 | Charles Reynolds |
| 1978 | Edmund Spreer |
| Robert Stull | |
| 1979 | Ali Bongo |
| 1980 | Ken Brooke |
| Brother John Hamman | |
| 1981 | Stewart James |
| 1982 | Ross Bertram |
| Jack Chanin | |
| 1983 | John Gaughan |
| 1984 | Karrell Fox |
| 1985 | Sam Berland |
| 1986 | Gil Leaney |
| 1987 | Jerry Andrus |
| 1988 | Tenyo Company |
| 1989 | Dick Zimmerman |
| 1990 | Jim Steinmeyer |
| 1991 | Don Wayne |
| 1992 | Dick Zimmerman |
| 1993 | Patrick Page |
| 1994 | Larry Jennings |
| 1995 | Finn Jon |
| 1996 | John Kennedy |
| 1997 | Max Maven |
| 1998 | David Roth |
| 1999 | Gaetan Bloom |
| 2000 | Ted Lesley |
| 2001 | Pavel |
| 2002 | Nick Trost |
| 2003 | George Proust |
| 2004 | Kevin James |
| 2005 | Eberhard Reise |
| 2006 | Paul Harris |
| 2007 | Steve Dusheck |
| 2008 | Pierre Mayer |
| 2009 | Michael Weber |
| 2010 | Dean Dill |
| 2011 | Lubor Fiedler |
| 2012 | Paul Kieve |
| 2013 | David Regal |
| 2014 | Mark Setteducati |
| 2015 | Tom Stone |
Literary Fellowship
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1968 | Lewis Ganson |
| Jack Potter | |
| 1969 | Peter Warlock |
| 1970 | Walter B. Gibson |
| 1971 | Milbourne Christopher |
| 1972 | Frances Ireland Marshall |
| 1973 | Eric Lewis |
| 1974 | Martin Gardner |
| 1975 | Ed Marlo |
| 1976 | John Booth |
| 1977 | J.B. Bobo |
| 1978 | John Braun |
| 1979 | Glenn Gravatt |
| 1980 | Harry Lorayne |
| 1981 | Gerald Kosky |
| 1982 | Sam H. Sharpe |
| 1983 | Sid Lorraine |
| 1984 | Edwin Dawes |
| 1985 | Karl Fulves |
| 1986 | Bill Larsen & Irene Larsen |
| 1987 | Robert Lund |
| 1988 | Robert Albo |
| Ken De Courcy | |
| 1989 | David Pierce |
| 1990 | Micky Hades |
| 1991 | Bascom Jones Jr. |
| 1992 | Karrell Fox |
| 1993 | Jon Racherbaumer |
| 1994 | Donald Beven |
| 1995 | Robert Orbin |
| 1996 | Stephen Minch |
| 1997 | Richard Kaufman |
| 1998 | Mike Caveney |
| 1999 | Val Andrews |
| 2000 | Richard Buffum |
| 2001 | Jim Steinmeyer |
| 2002 | Sid Fleischman |
| 2003 | Jimmy Reilly |
| 2004 | Bart Whaley |
| 2005 | David Britland |
| 2006 | David Goodsell |
| Phil Willmarth | |
| 2007 | Bill Kalush |
| 2008 | Louis Falanga |
| 2009 | Todd Karr |
| 2010 | Stan Allen |
| 2011 | Roberto Giobbi |
| 2012 | David Charvet |
| 2014 | Dan and Dave Buck |
| 2015 | Will Houstoun |
Masters Fellowship
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1968 | Dai Vernon |
| 1969 | Cardini |
| 1970 | Virgil & Julie |
| 1971 | Jose Frakson |
| 1972 | Charlie Miller |
| 1973 | Slydini |
| 1974 | Dunninger |
| 1975 | Robert Harbin |
| 1976 | Les Levante |
| 1977 | Werner "Dorny" Dornfield |
| 1978 | Walter B. Gibson |
| 1979 | MacDonald & Mabel |
| Fred Kaps | |
| 1980 | Gene Gordon |
| 1981 | Jay Marshall |
| 1982 | Joe Berg |
| 1983 | Maurice Rooklyn |
| 1984 | Eric Lewis |
| 1985 | Murray |
| 1986 | Tihany |
| 1987 | Mark Wilson |
| 1988 | John Calvert |
| 1989 | Peter Warlock |
| 1990 | Channing Pollock |
| 1991 | Siegfried & Roy |
| 1992 | Ali Bongo |
| 1993 | Harry Blackstone Jr. |
| 1994 | Albert Goshman |
| 1995 | Borra |
| 1996 | Karrell Fox |
| 1997 | The Morettis |
| 1998 | Marvyn Roy |
| 1999 | Johnny Thompson |
| 2000 | John Booth |
| 2001 | Billy McComb |
| 2002 | Cesario Perez |
| 2003 | Terry Seabrooke |
| 2004 | David Berglas |
| 2005 | Paul Daniels |
| 2006 | Paul Potassy |
| 2007 | Patrick Page |
| 2008 | Dominique |
| 2009 | Norm Nielsen |
| 2010 | Lance Burton |
| 2011 | René Lavand |
| 2012 | Juan Tamariz |
| 2013 | Fantasio (Ricardo Roucau) |
Performing Fellowship
Special Fellowship
Junior Achievement Award
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1976 | Dirk Arthur |
| 1977 | Robbie Millman |
| 1978 | Geoffery Williams |
| 1979 | Mark Kalin |
| 1980 | Jim Pickens |
| The Magic Company | |
| Rita Nessett | |
| Yvonne Pickens | |
| Bob Piskins | |
| Mark van Buren | |
| 1981 | Scott Cervine |
| Michael Weber | |
| 1982 | Ed Alonzo |
| Larry Clark | |
| Bill Goodwin | |
| 1984 | Ray Kosby |
| Danny Scott | |
| 1985 | Scott Tokar |
| 1986 | David Doyle |
| 1989 | Jason Alexander |
| Mark Matsumoto | |
| 1990 | Steve Barnes |
| 1992 | Michael Battistoni |
| 1995 | Chris Gongora |
| 1996 | Mindy Edberg |
| Matt Marcy | |
| Jason Neistat | |
| 1997 | Wesley Edberg |
| 1998 | Danny Cole |
| Thomas Meier | |
| Bryan Stoops | |
| 1999 | James Holguin |
| 2000 | Scott Berry |
| Joseph Tran | |
| 2001 | Jason Latimer |
| 2002 | David Stryker |
| 2003 | Jonathon Dabach |
| Matthew Grunwald | |
| Joel Ward | |
| 2004 | Tony Elias |
| 2005 | Jessica Phillips |
| 2006 | Nathan Gibson |
| 2007 | Edsel Chiu |
| Michael Jacobson | |
| 2008 | Farrah Siegel |
| 2009 | Rmax Goodwin |
| Aaron Rabkin | |
| 2010 | Jeffery Black |
| 2011 | Sean Trinh |
| Tricky Devil | |
| Krystyn Lambert | |
| 2013 | John Accardo |
| Kyle Eschen | |
| Akinoba Mitsui | |
| Hyuma Miyahara |
Parlour Magician of the Year
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1983 | Tom Ogden |
| 1984 | Tom Ogden |
| 1985 | Michael Ammar |
| 1986 | Daryl |
| 1987 | Daryl |
| 1988 | Kevin James |
| 1989 | John Carney |
| 1990 | Michael Ammar |
| 1991 | John Carney |
| 1992 | Chuck Fayne |
| 1993 | Chuck Fayne |
| 1994 | David Williamson |
| 1995 | Whit Haydn |
| 1996 | T.C. Tahoe |
| 1997 | T.C. Tahoe |
| 1998 | Aldo Colombini |
| 1999 | Aldo Colombini |
| 2000 | Martin Lewis |
| 2001 | Martin Lewis |
| 2002 | Whit Haydn |
| 2003 | Dana Daniels |
| 2004 | Dana Daniels |
| 2005 | Michael Finney |
| 2006 | Jason Alexander |
| 2007 | Shoot Ogawa |
| 2008 | Shoot Ogawa |
| 2009 | Andrew Goldenhersh |
| 2010 | Andrew Goldenhersh |
| 2011 | Helder Guimaraes |
| 2012 | Helder Guimaraes |
| 2013 | Johnny Ace Palmer |
| 2014 | Rob Zabrecky |
| 2015 |
Lifetime Achievement Fellowship
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1985 | William W. Larsen Jr. |
| 1986 | Don Lawton |
| 1987 | Milt Larsen |
| 1988 | Frances Marshall |
| 1989 | John Booth |
| 1990 | Jack McMillen |
| 1991 | Edwin Hooper |
| 1992 | Ron Wilson |
| 1993 | Charles Reynolds |
| 1994 | John Fisher |
| 1995 | Alan Wakeling |
| 1996 | Billy McComb |
| 1997 | Alex Elmsley |
| 1998 | Bev Bergeron |
| 1999 | John Gaughan |
| 2000 | Stan Kramien |
| 2001 | Tihany |
| 2002 | Les Smith |
| 2003 | Al Cohen |
| Christian Fechner | |
| 2004 | Irene Larsen |
| 2005 | Martin Gardner |
| 2006 | Carl Ballantine |
| 2007 | Al Cohen |
| 2008 | Bob Fitch |
| 2009 | Chuck Jones |
| 2011 | John A. Daniel |
Comedy Magician of the Year
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Dana Daniels |
| 2004 | Michael Finney |
| 2005 | Ed Alonzo |
| 2006 | Ed Alonzo |
Bar Magician of the Year
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Doc Eason |
| 2005 | Whit Haydn |
Special Award for Technical Achievement
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Bryan Lee |
Events, television and movies
- The annual Soapy Smith night, in honor of the famed confidence man, takes place July 8. Proceeds go to the Dai Vernon Fund.
- Nickelodeon's Halloween special, Mystery Magical Special was filmed here in 1986.
- The Fox Broadcasting Company's Halloween television special, Count DeClues' Mystery Castle, starring Max Maven was shot here in 1992.
- Portions of the 1995 horror film Lord of Illusions were set in the Magic Castle.
- TV promos were hosted at the Magic Castle on the Disney Channel for the premiere of the 2005 Disney Channel Original Movie, Now You See It....
- Duran Duran held their famous 1984 press conference here for their American Sing Blue Silver Tour.
- The Monk episode, "Mr. Monk and the Magician" was shot on location in the Magic Castle. Actor and magician Steve Valentine was filmed in the theater's auditorium with Jarrad Paul and Tony Shaloub, using his talents in the role of the evil magician Karl Torini, who murdered a friend of Monk's and became a formidable adversary.
- Neil Patrick Harris commissioned a Harry Houdini aquarium for installation at the Magic Castle in 2012. The aquarium was built by the team from the TV show Tanked. Clips from the show Tanked featuring the Magic Castle's aquarium.
- NBC's 1973/74 drama The Magician featured Bill Bixby as a crime-solving stage illusionist Anthony "Tony" Blake who lived in a posh apartment at the Magic Castle.
- Scenes from the Netflix series "Love" episode, "Magic" were filmed at the Magic Castle.
See also
References
- ^ a b c Department of City Planning. "Designated Historic-Cultural Monuments". City of Los Angeles. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
- ^ "Magic Castle After Dark," December 16, 2006 documentary on A&E Network
- ^ McGrew and Julian, Landmarks of Los Angeles, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., NY, 1994 pp. 144–145
- ^ "About". The Magic Castle.
- ^ Johnson, Karl (2005). The Magician and the Cardsharp. p. 282.
He was cremated, and after the box with his ashes was brought to the Magic Castle, it was placed for display on a ledge at the top of a wall filled with photos and other memorabilia from his long life in magic. The ledge was so high that the box was almost out of sight.
- ^ Blankstein, Andrew (November 1, 2011). "After fire, Magic Castle hopes to reopen Friday". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "Castle casts spell on Larsen clan; Founder tells his and club's history". Daily Variety. September 14, 2006. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
- ^ "Magic at the Castle this weekend". Redlands Daily Facts. July 1, 2004. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
External links
- Official website
- The Magic Castle on Facebook
- The Magic Castle on Twitter
- The Academy of Magical Arts
- See more about Magic Castle at MagicPedia, the free online Magic encyclopedia.
