The Secret World of Magic: A Zany Magical Mystery Tour

[Dustin Stinett]

The Secret World of Magic: A Zany Magical Mystery Tour
Pete Firman and Alistair Cook $29.95 (2-disc set)

Reviewed by Dustin Stinett

The Secret World of Magic is an Anthony Own produced six-episode television series that aired around 2005 in the UK. It follows the adventures of two young magicians, Pete Firman and Alistair (Ali) Cook as they jet-set their way around the globe.

Each installment has them a different city in search of a magic hero there. On the way, they perform some magic of their own and find other equally heroic magicians who we get to watch perform and see interviewed.

They start in Las Vegas where they are on the prowl for Jeff McBride. On the way they also chat with Mac King, pickpocket Apollo, and Pete gets a gig in a Vegas lounge (just one of the dreams one or the other of our hosts realize throughout the series).

The boys next go to Spain in search of Juan Tamariz. While there (primarily in Madrid), they visit with Mago Migue, illusionist Yunke, Mago Anton, and Anna Tamariz, the daughter of the Spanish master. They finally meet Tamariz who performs a stunning card effect.

In Los Angeles, the pair is in search of John Gaughan. While looking for him, they find Dean Dill, Dale Salwak, Max Maven, and Ed Alonzo (during a visit to the Magic Castle). Of course they finally find their way to the inner sanctum of John Gaughan.

In New York City they run into Canadian David Acerwho I thought was lost except that he seems right at home in the bowling alley where we see him doing card tricks. After a visit with escapologist Thomas Soloman and a side-trip to Coney Island, they meet up with Rocco. Finally, they catch up with the hero of this episode, Harry Lorayne.

In Paris, they are guided through the city by Seb Clegue. There they see street magician Bebel, illusionist Dani Lary, and Dominique and Alexandra Duvivier. After a performance by Tout Est Ecrit, Pete and Ali find Gaetan Bloom, the man for whom they are searching, at the Crazy Horse.

The last episode is in Buenos Aires. They first meet Mago Alan, Mirko, Henry Evans, visit Bazar de Magia (and the Fu Manchu School of Magic) and then locate magic hero (and living legend) Rene Lavand.

While created for the public, and zany is certainly subjective in the case of the antics of our two hosts, there is a lot of entertainment value for the money in this double-disc set.

The Secret World of Magic; Firman and Cook -- Approx. 260 mins. -- Available from you favorite dealer -- Dealers should contact Murphys Magic Supplies, Inc. on the web at www.murphysmagicsupplies.com or by phone at (800) 853-7403 -- $29.95 2-disc set

[mrgoat]

I enjoyed this series when it was on.