John Calvert at the Magic Castle

[Guest]

I did not get the chance to see Mr. Calvert at the Magic Castle last week. Did anybody get over there to catch his show?

I know that when I last saw him a few years back, he was waaaaay up there in age but still had the charisma of a young celebrity in their prime. It was a joy to watch a true showman from the golden age.

[Pete Biro]

He's 96 and going strong. I saw him but not perform.

[Guest]

John Calvert is one of my heroes. I had this photo taken with him when he was 90 years old. That was 6 years ago, and he is still more amazing than ever. An example to us all, and a true legend! JR

http://www.comicmagician.com/Large%20Ro ... alvert.jpg

[Guest]

I saw him last week. Calvert exudes charisma, and his "Casper" dancing hank was a lovely thing.

[Pete Biro]

Maybe 30 years ago I spent a looooooong evening with him and Tammy, on their yacht when it was in London. His full show was on board. He looks the same today.

[Guest]

I saw his lecture/show in San Francisco tonight. It was very good! When you factor in his age, it was amazing!

[Guest]

Pete,

See the man perform! Outstanding!

The magic is incidental. The act, the show is class!

(Lucy and I know when we are out classed. I hope we catch up in the next thirty-four years. I'm only 62!)

John Calvert is a presentation that a stage act must see while defining its goals. A lot of theater has been lost to TV. Calverts act makes it obvious that TV is a huge step down from real stage magic.

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

[Pete Biro]

I've not only seen him, I've hired him. Just like I once hired Harbin just so I could see a master at work.

[jerry lazar]

Inspiring Castle show!... Usually the Palace features 3 magicians, 15 min. each, but Calvert filled the entire 45 minute set, 3 per night (back to back), 7 nights... Energetic, dapper, charming, funny, entertaining, and magical!... Opened with multiplying cigarette production sequence that would cripple magicians a quarter of his age... Closed with fabled dancing hank, best I've ever seen... In between , he orchestrated big and small effects that dazzled and delighted, from comedy buzz saw decapitation to full-body rope tie... Only reference to age was after standing ovation... Paraphrasing: "I heard a woman turn to her husband and ask, 'How old is he anyway?' ... Well, it's no secret... In 3 years I'll be celebrating my 100th birthday"... (NOTE phrasing of that!)...He proceeded to tell tale of another performer pal (unnamed, but I presume George Burns) who had booked the Palladium years in advance for his 100th birthday, but alas had slipped in the bathtub at 99, hit his head, and ultimately never made the performance... Calvert's moral to the story? ... "I'm going to start bathing in rivers"... Beautiful, just beautiful...

[Guest]

Saw the amazing John Calvert last night in SF. His lecture was great, stories better, and dancing hank best of any I have seen... ever.

John mentioned that he, also, has been booked for the Palladium for his 100th birthday. I'd highly recommend everybody who can thinks about getting seats soon.

Truly amazing and I have to add that Joe Pon from Misdirections Magic Shop really provides a great service with his lecture series.

CtG

[Guest]

John Calvert is a very special person. At the NEMCA event last year, he caught his toe on something that was protruding from the stage and fell forward, landing on his hands and knees. The crowd gasped. He got up, smiled, and continued. But not before he turned in the general direction of the stage manager and said, "You'd better get that fixed. Some OLD guy might trip and hurt himself."

The audience laughed, and John finished the show.

[Guest]

One of the great honors of my life was to have John & Tammy Calvert spend the night at my home after a lecture in Atlanta. The next morning, Tammy went out to the camper and made breakfast for Mr. Calvert and me. I'll never forget it!

JMT

[Guest]

I agree with everything that has been said about John and Tammy on this thread.

Seven years ago I was asked help out with John's lecture in Vegas by running his music for him. Since the guy that was supposed to work the tape player wasn't going to show up. I agreed to do it but then wondered what I had gotten Myself into. I was sure I would be more then bored out of My mind. Boy was I wrong! It was an evening I will never forget.

Randy