The Genii Forum

Many thanks to all who have left their thoughtful replies. Thank you especially Tarotist for reminding us that a little bit of Davenports Magic continues to thrive in their Scottish branch. I must get there one day! The consensus of opinion here is overwhelming. Namely, that Davenports has ceased to...

Does anyone know the current status of Davenports Magic? Following the sad closure of their historic b&m shop in London UK over two years ago, they had carried on with their website, davenportsmagic.co.uk. A quick visit to it today reveals it has vanished - seemingly forever - and is in the hand...

UNBELIEVABLE! A Magical Experience Running nightly at 7:30 pm in the Pacific Coliseum at the PNE in Vancouver, BC, Canada until September 4th. (Closed Aug. 28th). Free with admission. Murray Hatfield and Teresa have returned to the annual summer PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) with their second i...

Houdini has left Vancouver! Many thanks to all of you who dropped by Canada's Magic during their recent seven days of daily coverage reconstituting Houdini's one and only 1923 visit to Vancouver, British Columbia. Special thanks to John Cox for his help promoting the mini-series and very kind words ...

Houdini will soon be in Vancouver! Well, he was back in 1923 - and he will be again in upcoming posts at Canada's Magic. Check out daily re-constituted coverage on the exact same days of Houdini's one and only appearance in Vancouver, British Columbia. Relive daily updates on his straitjacket escape...

"Unbelievable - A Magical Experience" Check out the review and details about this summer's truly awesome 90 minute illusion-filled magical extravaganza at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) in Vancouver, British Columbia which is playing to capacity crowds nightly in a 10,000 seater col...

I asked Johnny Giordmaine's son Joseph for his thoughts on the Mrs Noseworthy quote noted by Mark in one of his posts (above). He was kind enough to send along these words for use on this thread: -- My father demonstrated and sold close-up magic tricks in Eaton’s toy department for decades, entertai...

Mark, many thanks for your very generous and completely unexpected reference to my tribute site. It is greatly appreciated. I have no doubt you would have enjoyed meeting Johnny. As I have no doubt he would have enjoyed meeting you too. And reading your wonderful memoirs! MagicbyAlfred, thank you fo...

"Lives of a Showman" - a belated review This is actually a very good read. Full disclosure: I paid full retail for my copy (which no doubt will please its author even more so than my words. As he would almost certainly agree, you can't eat praise. ) I also attended its official launch part...

If you live within, say, a thousand miles of Toronto and love magic you deserve to treat yourself to the Browser's Den of Magic second annual "Bash" - a 12 hour extravaganza of magic and fun. You can find the most recently updated details here: http://www.browsersden.com/bash I have no con...

NEW INSIGHT INTO GIORDMAINE-HENNING CONNECTION I am very excited to bring you news about the latest update on the site! Brian Lumley, who used to work for Doug Henning, provides the first ever-in-print anecdotal evidence of Johnny's influential mentorship and friendship with Doug.   Since I reposte...

I always wondered, why a fish? Who came up with that originally and why? (And were they especially hungry at the time?) :) Chaplin indeed would've been a good, recognizable shape in his day; possibly even today. If someone was smart and could get the licensing issues resolved (if any), I think today...

Bibliophage, Thank you very much for your prompt and informative reply. Appreciated. At least some of their history is now a bit less shrouded in mystery! --- Does anyone have any good stories about using them as giveaways or tales of unusual reactions from spectators? So far I get a mix of reaction...

Bibliophage, OK, so now you've really got me curious! If earlier incarnations were not made out of plastic or paper, from what were they made? I must admit I've never tried experimenting with any material. In fact, although I've known about these novelties for decades I've never even given them a si...

I too would love to read more about specific historical examples of earlier incarnations of this amusing novelty. Please share! What online references exist discuss the chemical composition of the fish material - sodium polyacrylate - which reacts to any water molecules it touches and thus changes t...

Can anyone enlighten me as to the origins of the "Fortune Teller Miracle Fish"? This very silly but insanely fun and inexpensive giveaway has been around seemingly forever. Just picked some up for handouts in 2015; the little plastic sleeve they come in is the perfect size to also hold a b...

The Amazing Kreskin is in Toronto, Ontario this month performing twice daily shows at the annual end-of-summer Canadian National Exhibition ("The Ex"). Check out the photos and text review at Canada's Magic blog, here: http://canadasmagic.blogspot.ca/2014/08/guest-post-kreskin-at-cne.html ...

Dallas was extensively quoted in the excellent "Border Radio" by Gene Fowler and Bill Crawford (University of Texas Press, 2002). It's a highly entertaining read about all those "quacks, yodelers, pitchmen, psychics and other amazing broadcasters of the American airwaves" that us...

Very Healthy & Happy Holidays to all! TRIBUTE WEBSITE UPDATE - DECEMBER 2013: LATEST ADDITIONS * A rare 1930s promotional mail-out postcard from Johnny, not seen in public for perhaps 80 years - courtesy Matthew Crabtree (added September 2013); * Vintage archival IBM Ring 17 photos featuring Joh...

Hello again! UPDATE (March 2013) It's now the fifth anniversary of our online tribute to Canada's most beloved children's magician, Johnny Giordmaine (1898-1974). Many thanks to those of you who have have already visited us in the past. Here's news about our latest updates that might bring you back ...

Long time Genii reader and forum lurker here! Some of you might remember John ("Johnny") Giordmaine, Canada's legendary children's magician (1898-1974). Malta-born, Toronto-based Johnny inspired hundreds, maybe thousands of kids to become amateur and/or professional magicians over his life...