A funny (to me, at least) Johhny Thompson Story...

Johnny and I were booked to work the Houdini Club Convention over Labor Day Weekend 2011 here in Green Bay....it was a FABULOUS CONVENTION held at the BIG Oneida Casino here in Green Bay.

Johnny and Pam did their Tomsoni & Co. Act and Johnny also did his GREAT Close-Up segment, and, I think a lecture.....

My job was to open the "Magic of Schulien's All-Star Close-Up Show" by doing a few close-up bits.....I had planned for my close-up act to do 3 tricks, ending with the Nemo 1500 Wallet Trick, and then introducing Al James and The Schulien's Crew...

Anyway, naturally, of course, (slapping my head like a dummy) Johnny does the Nemo 1500 Wallet in his close-up Show......

So now I'm in trouble......So I tell Johnny...."Johnny.... I had planned to finish my close-up segment with the Nemo 1500 Wallet Trick......but now I'll need to make a substitution since you performed it in your Show...."

....Johnny says...."Show me how you do the Nemo 1500 Wallet trick."...I said, Johnny...you're kidding....He says..No, really...show me.." So I did....and when I did it(as I do it)...I put $5,000 on the card in the Wallet and then, the Keys to a Brand New Cadillac.

For those who know Johnny well...the man is capable of making the most amazing, elastic, dramatic, FUNNY, facial expressions (Mullica's another one!) and right at the point where the big bucks came out along with the keys to the new Cadillac....This HUGE, BIG, ELASTIC, JOHNNY THOMPSON GRIN SHOWS UP ON HIS FACE>>>and he says..."You do it better than me...keep it in"...and he gives me a big Johnny Thompson hug and kisses me on the cheek and says..."That was beautiful"...

THAT MOMENT WAS SPECIAL! Johnny is a SWEETHEART of a guy!

One of my long-standing,annual UNPAID shows every year is to FOOL MARSHALL BRODIEN BADLY at Abbott's Get-Togethers.....

It's something I look forward to all year long.......

Hi Richard! I wasn't going to mention how bad it was, but since you've opened the door.....

I'm sure that you, like me, have seen a few "less than great" acts at various conventions! But, M & AnnDot remain one of the "nadirs" of the acts I've seen.

Yr's, 'til the flowers wilt...

O

I was working a trade show, as was Thompson... time for lunch break and Johnny and I headed to the coffee shop. When we came back, John had forgotten and had left several $100 bills on his work space, right out in the open. They were all still there when we got back.

Saw Johnny at Abracorndabra last year at his lecture in the theme park. He opened with a bit where he hand rolled an invisable ciggarete at the end he puts a lighter to his mouth and smoke began to roll out as the lit ciggarete was revealed between his lips. Tried doing this at home in front of a mirror but don't think I will ever get it to look that funny, but who could.

Speaking of the great masters of Magic...

I'm heading up now to Escanaba, Michigan to see Dick Oslund and have lunch with him. Dick and I always enjoy talking Magic, and I have a few little "gems" I'm going to show him.

It's crazy this thread exists, as they passed away within hours of each other.

I attended Marshall's funeral today. It was a beautiful service with wonderful memories that were shared both during the service and at the luncheon.

There were MANY magicians there... Marshall was a friend to all.

I was just talking about this to several magicians, none of which remembered this. So glad you mentioned it.

The place was called Old Chicago indoor amusement park. Your memories are spot on Dick.

He was also the "outside talker" wasn't he? Not to mention the hypnotist.

After Marshall’s funeral, I posted my thoughts and a few photos from throughout the years here:

https://www.facebook.com/575289911/posts......?sfns=mo