Does anyone remember the name of the magician on the old Bozo show?

That would probably be Whizzo the Wacky Magician played by Marshall Brodien. Marshall became a regular on the WGN show.

Skip

MUM Magazine recently featured him on their cover. It was a great article. He has had a remarkable career in magic.

Regan

Thanks. I never saw the show myself, but my wife swears the guys name was Houdini. I figured someone here would know.

I remember a top-hatted magician in purple with a long handbar moustache other than Marshall Brodien with a name familiar to "Houdini"...a comedic take-off of the name. Something like Howdidhe or Zucchini or something like that. It seems to me that I saw him on the WGN Bozo Show, but I could find no reference to this character in any of my reference materials. Perhaps he was a character from another Kid's Show...or a local version of the show. The Bozo Show was originally franchised through local television stations. The WGN Bozo Show went national after WGN became a regular cable channel. Now my curiosity is spiked!

Skip

I seem to recall that one of the earlier Bozos had the first name was "Larry" (circa 1965). Can't seem to recall his last name, but also seem to recall that a few years back this particular Bozo was trying to sue a burger chain for using "his" name and image.

Of course there were many Bozos over the years. I believe that another early Bozo may have been Bob Keeshan (Robert James Keeshan), who was first seen as Clarabell the Clown on the Hoddy Doody Show, then (possibly as Bozo, then in his most widely known role as "the" Captain Kangaroo.

Was Bev Burgeron, from The Land of Alkazam fame, an early Bozo... not sure, but someone on the Café will know.

Hope some of this helps and is accurate.

If any members can verify any of the above, it would be most appreciated.

Best.

Jonathan

For years, Larry Harmon claimed to be the original Bozo, with several successful lawsuits over the years. However, recently Buck Wolf of ABC investigated, and determined that Bozo was first played by Pinto Colvig, and the International Clown Hall of Fame in Milwaukee has taken down Harmon's plaque and honored Pinto in his place.

Bob Bell was the original Chicago Bozo. They had lots of magicians on that show over the years, but as far as I remember, Marshall's Wizzo the Wizard was the only "regular" magician. Marshall is of course best known for TV Magic Cards (Svengali decks) that he sold through TV commercials in his pre-Wizzo days -- "Tap the deck, and they ALL change to their card!"

Sorry -- meant to give a link to the Harmon/Pinto story:

http://www.dailyvanguard.com/vnews/displ......a2b3f655

Thanks for the interesting details and link Honus.

Jonathan

Bozo was a franchised thing, as already mentioned. There was a magician on the Detroit Bozo show for awhile, he wore a turban and his name was "Mr. Houdini." He even had his own show for a season.

If you want to know more about the beginnings of the
character of BOZO, I suggest coming out to my
Notes & Poets next month for the 60th celebration.

My friend Tom Holbrook is finishing his huge book
project and will talk about it and will also show
two very rare never ever seen before films.

check my site. . .

will also post a thread about the even coming up.

BTW yeah, marshall play wizzo. will see him Wednesday
night for Celebrate Watermelon Day...Bob was the first
Chicaoland BOZO...what else you wanna know? See Ned
introduce my dad on the video on my site...go here:
LINK: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......4&12