I recently bought a relatively inexpensive DVD ($10) of Casino Royale. Truly a strange movie (Wells plays the heavy, Le Chiffre) that totally trashed the James Bond mythos and was the direct inspiration for all the Austin Powers flicks. Anyway, my childhood recollection was correct - Wells was absolutely phenomenal in his presentation of a levitating woman. I don't see how it can possibly be done any better.
So, I would love to know if there are any other videos/DVDs around with Orson Wells performing magic. Does anyone know?
kerpa
a/k/a Mike Miller
Chicago area

Mike,

Somewhere I have a tape I recorded off of the TV of a brief appearance by Orson Wells doing a "mentalist-type card effect on, I think, the Mike Douglas show.

This performance was done when Orson was definitely NOT on top of his game and it was excrutiating to watch. Orson's performance was muddled and, quite frankly, I had thought that he had forgotten what he was doing halfway through the performance. It was plodding and ponderous--and forgettable. I'm not even certain where my copy of the performance is, but I'm not losing any sleep over misplacing it.

IMHO, the tape is good only for preserving a historical record. However, if you are really keen on seeing this performance, I'll try to find the tape and send it to you to make a copy and return. But frankly, I think you will be disappointed in the performance.

Mike

Thanks for the reply and your kind offer - based on your description, I will pass. I think Orson did a fine job with the levitation, as I said. I recall reading either in Genii or Magic magazine that Welles once said stage magic is drama and close up is story telling. I certainly have the impression that he had a firm grasp on what magic is all about. And I still hope that somewhere out there is some footage of OW a the top of his came.
kerpa
a/k/a Mike Miller
Chicago area

Copperfield did a trick in which he was talking to orson wells projected from a big screen

Orson does some magic during his documentary F for Fake (http://imdb.com/title/tt0072962/). It's quite hard to find in itself, but well worth watching for the general genius of it, outside of the magic.

According to John Calvert, Orson Welles' performance of the lightbulb through body was the best he's ever seen. Even better than Blackstone.

Which I read was originally created by Richard Himber. Wouldn't it be cool if that film were generally available? Then we could all have Orson Welles as a special guest in our magic act!

Orson does part of his magic act on an episode of "I Love Lucy." Lucy acts as his assistant for the Broom Suspension Illusion. As you might imagine, mayhem ensues! This is probably available on DVD, or keep watching TV Land.

See ya!
Joe L.

Thanks to everyone for their replies! Thanks Dr Gonzo! I am going to try to get hold of F is for Fake - it may not be that difficult, as I did a quick search and came up with a few hits, including new and used DVDs at Amazon.com.
Somehow, the patter Paul Wilson devised for Gypsy Monte reminds me of Orson Welle's persona (even though Paul Wilson obviously has a totally different persona!), and I am looking forward to seeing more of OW on DVD/video.
kerpa
a/k/a Mike Miller
Chicago area

Orson performed either magic or illusions in "Follow The Boys," "The Lady From Shanghai," "Black Magic," "Around the World in 80 Days," "A Safe Place," and "Get to Know Your Rabbit."

Somewhere, I have the first Copperfield special from 1978 where Orson appeared and did a mentalism routine. It sounds similar to the bit he did on the Mike Douglas show. It was a cool idea but seem to drag on forever. It involved getting 2 spectators out of the audience, having one of them pick from a book on a table full of books, and the other chose a random word. He then had a prediction sealed inside a block of ice that they chipped away and read the prediction.