Does anyone remember Marshall Brodien's magic set commercials in the 70's, or is it just me?

It's just you , Mike. Marshall Brodien really doesn't exist.


I'm kidding. Of course we remember them.

Remember "Most magic is easy, if you know the secret."

I was wondering his secrets from his commercials. That is why I bought my first msgic set.

You mean we have Marshal Brodien to blame??!!

Yes, he is the one I learned from dealing with how to take most of your jobs away because I have a skillful talent in magic.

Darn, Mark Wilson has to take blame for me, Marshal Brodien has to take blame for you. Two great careers shot down in flames!

Marshall told me he got the idea to do TV when he was pitching decks on the street. He said if he could attract 20 people and sell half of them on the street he wondered how many he could sell if he could get on TV.... he was right.

"Hi, I'm Jethro Bodein, professional marketer.
"Magic is easy, once you send the money.
"Take magic cards...take ALL the magic cards...take all the magic cards and don't bring 'em back again...see if I care!"

:bikes:

What IS Marshall doing this year? In 2007, he planned to have a new line in 2008. Cadaco doesn't carry anything with his name on it any more, though the sets look the same. Just a different magician's name on 'em.

*jeep!
--Grandpa Chet

Marshall designs most of the magic sets Cadaco puts out. He designed the Lance Burton set, The Alladin set, the Lion King set, and many others. He has also just published his autobiography.

I guess you don't know how much trade show work, night club work and television work Marshall actually did. Pity. Marshall knows a lot more magic than you apparently think he does.

I ran across Marshall twice in my travels. Once at a trade show where he was in a small room with someone else's products and whoa-fully unappreciated. We had an hour-long conversation and I was amazed at how approach-able he was.
The first time I spoke to him, I had just put out a zombie-like ball made of vaccuum plated plastic. I was selling it thru Robbins and decided to see if Brodien would consider pitching it.
I called a number from information, and got Brodien on the first ring. I was surprised to get him directly.
After introductions, he told me he would try the ball, but I was completely floored when he said he needed 10,000 pieces just to test market the item.
I just couldn't deliver, as the ball was an intermittent source from Japan.

Marshall is a really interesting fellow. I met him at an MCA weekend in Las Vegas several years ago. I found him very approachable. I gave him one of the cards for the Cups and Balls Museum. I also asked him if he had a set of cups that he had used in performance that he would consider selling me for the museum.

After he went on line and saw what I was doing, he sent me a huge package of cups. He sent me a set of P&L cups that he had used to entertain some of the "people with black shirts and white ties" in Chicago. He also sent about a dozen different sets of cups from the different magic sets he had designed, along with several photos of him in various costumes, etc.

He wouldn't take a cent for any of it, either.

I have seen him at each of the MCA weekends since then, as well.

He has stories about people he has entertained that border on the unbelievable. But, knowing his history, I know they are true.

And he is one of the nicest guys in the business.

The only memory I have in dealing with Marshall was at Tannen's Jubilee some 25 years ago. I had a double booth next to his, that he was sharing with Norm Nielsen. I had 3, 40 by 80" posters MINT hanging on the back of the booth for sale at $5,000 for all 3. Marshall made me an offer of $2,000 for all three, he wanted them to decorate his office. Norm kept staring at the posters but had no interest whatsoever in them (ironic isn't it?) , However at the end of the Jubilee handed he me one of HIS posters (Floating Violin) and inscribed it: "To Mario the Poster King, Norm Nielsen". Ironic, isn't it!

Incidentally, in case you are curious the 3 posters were by the Strobridge Litho Co, 1898, 1915 and 1910, portraits of Houdini, Kellar and Thurston. I did not sell them obviously, but a few years later I sold the Houdini portrait (the one on the US postage stamp) for$10,000, when I acquired 2 at more at auction.

His book was a fun read, not being from Chicago I only knew him from the TV cards and didn't know he was also an accomplished performer featured on the local Bozo show.

He looked positively FRIGHTENING in the Wizzo makeup!

Did he do The Magic Hands segments that were televised on WGN? If I remember right they aired on the Family Classics show hosted by Fraiser Thomas.

I think what made TV Magic Cards a success was his simple handling and ordinary delivery that made kids think if that guy coiuld do it I could do it.

First magic set I ever owned was one of Brodien's, I guess I have him to thank. And I will never forget, "Most magic is easy, once you know the secret."

That is the secret to all successful Svengali pitches. It's also the secret to being a good counterman at a magic shop.

Man o man,ya'll rang a bell with this one. I still have pieces in my trunk from the magic kit not to mention tv magic cards in perfect form. Talk about memory.I was 10 yrs old when I bought my kit.
Thanks guys.