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Steve Brooks Founder / Manager Northern California - United States 3780 Posts |
A question for Sue-Anne,
How did you doing the Jeannie bit come about? I was just curious, as I watched the show for years and in fact have one of the bottles.
"Always be you because nobody else can" - Steve Brooks
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Sue-Anne Webster V.I.P. Melbourne, Australia 97 Posts |
I got started as Jeannie because I was SOOO scared of approaching people in a close-up magic situation as myself. I trained for stage - no problem there, but to show them a trick close up scared the beejeebers outa me.
People saw me dress as my "favourite TV character" at a dress up party one night and suggested if I had so much trouble approaching people as myself, I should try doing it in character - and, since I (apparantly) look like Jeannie, there started my close up career. At last, I can manage to entertain as myself now, too |
Steve Brooks Founder / Manager Northern California - United States 3780 Posts |
Thanks Sue-Anne!
"Always be you because nobody else can" - Steve Brooks
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Tim Ellis V.I.P. Melbourne, Australia 1234 Posts |
She didn't tell you about her special Christmas present... *g*
She already had a Jeannie Bottle herself that she uses in the shows, but by a special network of contacts I was able to get her a Bottle for display purposes only - signed by Barbara Eden, Larry Hagman and Bill Daily! Another thing you might not know about Sue-Anne and Jeannie is that we've been in contact with the producers of the 'I Dream of Jeannie' movie for some time now. They even came to The Magic Castle last year to see her perform in The Palace and they were amazed at her resemblance to Barbara Eden's Jeannie. Unfortunately, they are aiming for a "new look" Jeannie and, most likely, a famous actress to play her. For anyone who doesn't know what we're talking about, take a look at Sue-Anne as Jeannie here: http://www.magicunlimited.com/new_page_2.htm She's also the official Jeannie lookalike for http://www.idreamofjeannie.com/
www.MagicUnlimited.com
www.timellismagic.com Visit our online shop for instant downloads and ebooks https://shop.timellismagic.com/ Blog - www.magicunlimited.typepad.com |
Sue-Anne Webster V.I.P. Melbourne, Australia 97 Posts |
Ok... well, I can't take ALL the credit for the look.
I really like the Jeannie character, but when I first started dressing like her I couldn't bring myself to wear the bright pink outfit. I chose a pale pink for the costume because I hated pink and I had my hair dyed to match her colouring. A promo shot of me as Jeannie found it's way on to someone's website and the owner of http://www.IDreamofJeannie.com was doing a web search for Barbara Eden and came across a thumbnail of my early promo shot. He was shocked that he hadn't seen that particular photo of Barbara Eden as Jeannie before so, curious, he enlarged it. He realised it wasn't her and went searching for who it was. When he tracked me down, he asked if I'd be the "official" IDreamofJeannie.com look-a-like. He gave me a few tips and I edged my way into that proper pink costume, the precise make-up and had to work on a northern American accent (it was nerve wracking speaking like that in the United States with Americans listening - especially when I had to ad lib. Out flew the Aussie slang. Embarrassing. The IDreamofJeannie website is being re-vamped. Soon, it'll show footage of me as Jeannie doing stage magic in the early days and a few re-enactments of TV segments. I've got to say, though - it's such an easy gig doing Jeannie. People get excited and REQUEST to see the magic. No matter what I do - it's Jeannie - and, she's doing the magic, for real!!! |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Sue-Ann,
That is a great story and, I'm sure, a great relief to many others I have known in the entertainment industry. So many of us get identified by the public and actually question if the smart thing to do isn't just to keep it. As a youngster on the rodeo circuit people would call me Audy Murphy and I didn't even know who he was. Consequently, they also expected a military hero. (Boy! was that a misfit!) I was just a kid riding against eight seconds and proud as punch for being able to associate with real cowboys. However, I never got to meet him or see any of his work. Barbara Eden was someone special in my book too. I think you were both lucky on that one. Larry Hagman, I did get to meet and worked with him on a fundraiser or two. But then he was working with Manard G. Crebs from the 1960's T.V. sitcom, The Many Loves of Doby Gillis. (What guy wouldn't have rather worked with Barbara Eden?) My wife Lucy modeled in her younger days and was identified with a very popular perfume. She still lights up when she gets recognized for it. But the funny one is that out of makeup and at the farm she could also very easily pass for Sissy Spacek. (She's a cowgirl too!) In my other life I am a registered lobbyist. We were at a political meeting about a month ago and a judge asked me how I got Sissy Spacek there. I'm not sure he ever believed me! And he and I have campaigned together for decades. He had just never met my wife. First impressions are... Thank you for activity here on The Café and your very interesting story. Keep it magic! Bob and Lucy Sanders Magic By Sander |
Sue-Anne Webster V.I.P. Melbourne, Australia 97 Posts |
Interesting stories, Bob. I don't look much like Barbara Eden without my makeup...
And I've never been able to understand how anyone could survive those rodeos! It reminds me of a Jeannie episode when Jeannie MADE Anthony Nelson stay on one of those bucking bulls - OUCH! |
Steve Brooks Founder / Manager Northern California - United States 3780 Posts |
A signed bottle? Now I am jealous!
"Always be you because nobody else can" - Steve Brooks
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Sue-Anne Webster V.I.P. Melbourne, Australia 97 Posts |
I've got photos of the stars signing my bottle, too.
I won't dare take that one out with me. My two bottles are brass, but even so, a child picked my "work" bottle up and promptly let it slip out of his hand to a thundering crash on a shopping centre floor. He let out an almighty wail. So, here's Jeannie with a wailing child. I could see the handpainted bottle chipped around the bulging area near the bottom, but dear Jeannie had to say honestly that it was so very OK, to placate the child quickly. Ugh - it's held together well. At least now when I say to my audience it's been at the bottom of the sea for 2000 years, they believe it! |
Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Hi Again,
I remember the first time I saw photos of you in the Linking Rings if I remember correctly? They featured you performing your Jeannie routine and I thought not only did you resemble her but how perfect it was to have chosen that character. What a fun role to play! |
alekei Loyal user Dubai/Lisboa 245 Posts |
Sue-Ann:
Did you need any special permission to perform as "jeannie"? |
Sue-Anne Webster V.I.P. Melbourne, Australia 97 Posts |
I didn't know photos of me as Jeaaniie were in Linking Rings - I'm curious, now
Alekei - I never had special permission to do Jeannie as it was a tribute - like Elvis impersonators. However - Sony (who own Jeannie) knows I'm doing Jeannie and eventually their legal department phoned us from the States (because we asked them if we could perform a made-up TV show on stage) to say that as long as we don't bring in any astronaughts, they'll turn a blind eye. I'm allowed to perform Jeannie close-up and on stage doing magic - just no astronaughts - (no astronaughts until further notice, because they're changing managers, soon). BTW - we learned that even the thousands of Elvis impersonators actually need permission, but estates just turn "blind eyes". They don't earn enough money to make it a problem for these multi-million dollar estates. |
Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Hi Sue-Anne,
Perhaps I'm mistaken then as to where I viewed photos of you as Jeannie. When you lectured for my ring aprox 2- 3 years ago there are photos of you and Tim on our ring website. That's not it however, as you're both wearing black leather jackets. Now it's going to drive me a bit batty as to where I did see them. I have a recollection of Tim being on the cover of a Linking Rings..am I wrong about that too? I also remember reading that you were asked to perform the Jeannie routine at the Magic Castle some time back. Cheers! Chrystal |
Tim Ellis V.I.P. Melbourne, Australia 1234 Posts |
No, I've never been on the cover of Linking Ring, but it's a very good idea!
I think the only Magic Mag cover I've been on was ALADIN & INOVATOR in Germany. We spoke to Richard about putting Jeannie on the cover of Genii... but he got very worried about the possibility of being sued.
www.MagicUnlimited.com
www.timellismagic.com Visit our online shop for instant downloads and ebooks https://shop.timellismagic.com/ Blog - www.magicunlimited.typepad.com |
Sue-Anne Webster V.I.P. Melbourne, Australia 97 Posts |
Yes, I did do a version of the Jeannie routine at the Magic Castle. It was changed from the version shown in our "IT Dept." I had to speak, as well. Eeek.
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Michael Sullivan New user Australia 86 Posts |
I have seen Jeannie many times in a close-up situation but after seeing the Jeanie in an on stage performance I must say this is where I like to see Jeanie do her stuff.
I love the intro where Jeannie appears from here bottle very nice. I realy love the effort Sue-Anne has but into not only trying to look Like Jeannie but Sue-Anne for any real I Dream of Jeannie fans has mastered all the mannerisms. Jeannie ROCKS!!!!!!! Michael |
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