|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 | ||||||||||
ringmaster Inner circle Memphis, Down in Dixie 1974 Posts |
On john Bradshaw's show we usually worked the blade box the conventional way with a quarter ding to help the young lady (Lady Diana) with her tuition. The best presentation was when we had Albert Short the real India Rubber man. We could direct the marks down to the ding stage where Rubber would do his contortion and rubber skin act the get into the box to show how he could twist and turn lodge and dodge the solid metal blade as they were randomly slammed into the casket. Of course we gave them a chance to come up and see for them selves. When we played my beloved home town of Memphis the fair director ( NOT Wilson Sparks ) didn't allow dings so we worked it as a straight illusion act.
In Milwaukee we got a couple of dozen bikers and their ol' ladies in. I talked to a couple of the gals and divulged the secret Colman method of doing topless fire eating with out killing your self. When it got to be blade box time they held back, then the biggest ugliest biker turned for a quarter, I held my breath, when he got behind the box he let out the loudest laugh I've ever heard then he ordered his entire club to come up. The rest of the sheep followed. I remember Someone on a RAS illusion show that used the girl's head on a sword illusion on the bally, and turned the tip by telling them they could all see how it was done, which they all could as they walked past the bally platform.
One of the last living 10-in-one performers. I wanted to be in show business the worst way, and that was it.
|
|||||||||
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Hi Ringmaster! I haven't seen (or heard anything of)John Bradshaw in years! Is he still around?
The Jon Friday blade box that I bought when Jon died suddenly was used that same summer by Jerry Conklin and I that same summer. We framed a "free act" that we worked around Colon,Michigan that summer. We played punkin festivals, ETC. and did OK. I did some small magic, and then we put Jerry's grand daughter in the box and dinged 'em. That fall, I sold the box to Zakari Asiago. He used it in the Florida area, and later when he worked for Ward Hall, He sold the box to Ward.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
|||||||||
Jim Sparx Inner circle Far Out, Texas 1144 Posts |
Hey Oslund, when you were winter quartering in New Orleans, was Chet Lowe still alive? Chet got me a job at the Sho-Bar in the 60s when Little Joe Little, the house emcee, took vacation time. Chet, who worked at Florsheim shoes, and I would worked alternative dates when Little was off and this was my introduction to strip joints and working with Blaze Starr, Lily St. Cyr and Candy Barr. This is where I learned about no water on the stage, not only for the slip and fall, but because the ladies did not like getting their costumes dirty or wet when they dropped them on the floor.
*I heard that my friend, Ralph Fountain, brother of the clarinet player,Pete Fountain, lost everything in the Katrina flood (as did a few others) and moved to Florida and died there.
Et tu, Spartacus?
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/chispadeelpaso.html |
|||||||||
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Hi Jim! I was "surfing the web" this AM, and just saw your post about Ralph Fountain.
I remember spending the Christmas Holidays at Ralph Fountain's, in the early '90s. he had a "shed" in his backyard that was FULL of props. The windows were broken, and birds had used various props for nesting places! I expressed interest, and Ralph said, "The door is not locked. Go ahead, and check out what's there." I did. I put on an old pair of jeans and a sweat shirt! I think I spent most of one afternoon, "digging" in this archaeological "site". I found a few items that had potential, and Ralph and I haggled over prices. It was fun! I have no doubt that Katrina took out the shed and its contents. Yes, Ralph moved to Florida,and passed away, there.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Everything old is new again » » Sideshow Blade Box (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.01 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |