Anybody know where I can find videos with Carl Ballantine doing his act?
I remember seeing a few minutes of him in a performance a long time ago, but I have never seen much more than a few minutes.
I have done a few light searches on the net and have found squat.
He was hilarious and I'd love to have some of his work to watch whenever I want.
Thank God for VCR's and DVD's

I am also looking for Steve Martin's comedy magic act(s).
I saw a piece of his work where the audience asked him to do some magic or ballooning.
He said he had nothing with him, but he'd try to blow up invisible balloons and put words in them. That way when they popped the words would come out. He then demonstrated.
I almost hurt myself laughing.

I know that there must be others like them out there too, so if anyone knows where I can find these or other comedy magicians on video, please let me know.
Thanks
Steve
zzz

I beleve Carl Ballantines act is on one of the Mark Willsons Magic Circus tapes.

Yeah, I'd love to see Steve Martin's magic routine also. I heard it was on Johnny Carson. He was called, "Flydini." Anyone know if it's available? Thanks.

Jim

Flydini is on the Carson tapes sold through the infommercials. I know this from watching them at 4:00 in the morning.

I only remember seeing him do a guest spot on Night Court in the 80's.

Ellen

Steve Martin also wrote and produced a great little cartoon called "Morto the Magician" you can find it at:

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/morto.html

-DD

Hi Donovan,

That is truly a funny clip, I had seen it some time ago and wished I had remembered the url. Thanks!!

Ha! That is funny.

Brian

Is Mr. Ballentine still with us?

The Great Ballantine is still alive and still performing! That in itself is an amazing trick given that he was born September 27, 1922.

Like you, I'd love to see video's of his act. I remember him from the Ed Sullivan and the Steve Allen shows (that dates me!).

I've said it before, but it's worth repeating: Carl Ballantine is a god!

I seem to remember seeing a description in a catalog of a comedy tape called something like "The Young At Heart Comedians." It included Ballantine, along with Henny Youngman and other old pros. It's probably out of print by now. *Sigh*

See ya!
Joe L.

Hey guys, sorry about the time lapse, I seem to lately be swamped and haven't had a lot of time to come to TMC, and guess I forgot this post. Thanks for the responses, It's good to see that people still remember Mr Ballantine.
Harry, Where is he Performing? I probably won't get to see him, but if by chance, I get anywhere near there, I'm sure going to try.
Joe, I'll be looking for that tape also. If I find it, maybe we could pass it around. It sounds good.

Maybe if we can find him we could send Mr Ballantine
some type of birthday greeting since his B'day is only about a month away. It would be nice for him to know that people from all over still appreciate his work.
Steve

Wouldn't that be a nice idea? Does anyone know if there's a way to contact Mr. Ballantine by email? I think it'd be great if everyone here at the Magic Café could sign a birthday email to him.

Whadaya think? Anyone got any thoughts about this?

See ya!
Joe L.

I remember Ballantine because he was on Macale's Navy. Anyone else remember him on that show?
Jim

Joe
That sounds like a great idea to me, but I have no idea of how to get it started.
Help!!!
Steve
zzz

James
I first saw Mr. Ballantine on Mc Hales Navy, Loved that show. He was my favorite, with Tim Conway coming in second.
We really ought to work on finding an address for him, and get him a card.
Maybe Harry knows more.
I'll Pm him and ask.
Steve
zzz

Well, so far no email address. However, I did find a site on google with famous peoples addresses, and this is what they had for him;

Carl Ballantine
6767 Forest Lawn Dr #115
LA CA 90068

http://www.kiva.net/~rcombs/G.htm

I am hoping that this is not the famous "Forest Lawn" cemetery. I'll send out a letter tomorrow and see if anything comes back. In any case keep looking, and I'll keep you updated.
Steve
zzz

[Ps It is 19 Sep 2003, and I am editing this post, so as not to cause confusion. The ADDRESS I gave above is wrong. go down to Pete Biros' post (3rd one below this) for the correct address for Mr Ballantine. Sorry for the mix up, and thanks again Pete]

Steve,
Let us know if he responds. He's actually not too far from me. His picture is on the wall of the Magic Castle. I wonder if he ever performs there, if he is still performing, as Harry said.
Jim

Jim
As soon as I hear anything, I'll post it.
Hopefully, he's got i-net access, then we could do something from the Café.
Steve
zzz

I usually see Carl ever week or so... Took him to see his Dr. a while back, the Doc said, "Keep doing what you are doing and you'll live to be 80." Carl answered, "I'm past 80 already."

I do not believe the Forest Lawn address is his. I think that was a gag.

2575 Beachwood Dr., Hollywood, CA 90068 is what I have.

He really isn't performing the Amazing Mr. Ballantine act anymore... he did a couple of one-off spots at a convention last year... he's working on a pilot as a magician's dad, on a possible series.

Pete,
That sounds like it could be a fun show. Hope it gets made. If they shoot a pilot, let us know. Maybe we could get a peek at the pilot, even if it doesn't make it to the little screens. (Most pilots never get picked up as a show.)
Jim

The only complete video I have seen of Ballantine's act was in a TV special called "Magic At The Roxy" and this was back in the early eighties. Other magicians on this show included a young David Copperfield.
Also, check for the episode of Car 54 where Carl does some magic at a party. He had a continuing role playing the husband to Tuddy's wife's sister. Ballantine would always shut up his wife's rambling character by saying, "That's all Rose".