#david berglas

[yonderghostshistories]

Graham & Peter Rabbit <33 (a fanart by me)

(or, Graham holding a Peter Rabbit Plushie 🐇🐰🧥🥕🧸<33)

for @thegirlborninthelate90s :))❤️❤️

fanart inspired by Graham in the 1985 Christmas Special of “The Mind of David Berglas”, in which Graham was given this :

(for context, Graham chose the Peter Rabbit book to give to a sick child in a hospital whilst everyone else in the Christmas Special had chosen a toy. Idk I thought that was quite cute and wholesome of him to do frfr <33 🥰🥰💕💕)

[thegirlborninthelate90s]

(insert photo compilation of Graham Chapman being ✨💕real cute and handsome💕✨ in the David Burglass/“The Mind of David Burglass” 1985 Christmas Day Special)

What we’ve got here is a whole journey of Graham entering the show with one injured hand and leaving with two injured hands, in addition to one blown mind…yet somehow the injuries he suffered here are more than the injuries he suffered while performing as Arthur “Bomber” Harris in his 40s 👁️👄👁️ /sarc

[scottwellsmagic]

817: Blackpool Magic Convention 2024 - Day One Report

Friday 16th February 2024

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Dealers’ Hall Open

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Paul Romhany Lecture (Spanish Hall) and Richard Griffin Lecture (Arena)

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. International Close-up Show (Foyer Hall)

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. John “Chunkie” Russell Lecture (Derham Lounge)

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Ann DeGuzman Lecture (Arena) and Ben Hart Lecture (Spanish Hall)

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Cameron Francis Lecture (Foyer Hall)

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Mat O’Neill Parlour Show (Derham Lounge)

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Christian Grace Lecture (Arena) and Tom Wright Lecture (Spanish Hall)

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Marvin Berglas Lecture (Foyer Hall) and Dave Allen Lecture (Derham Lounge)

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Adrian Quillien Lecture (Spanish Hall)

6:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Gala Show (Opera House)

6:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. Mike Caveney and Friends Show (Circle Hall)

6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Shoot Ogawa Show (Arena)

8:45 p.m. - 10:15 p.m. Gala Show (Opera House)

8:45 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. Mike Caveney and Friends Show (Circle Hall)

9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Shoot Ogawa Show (Arena)

11:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Harrison Greenbaum Show (Arena and limited to audiences of 18+)

11:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Whose Lie Is It Anyway? (Old Victoria Bar)

Time stamps for this episode: (to be filled in after I’ve had some sleep)

00:00:18 -

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here..If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

[mentalism101]

Top 10 Mentalists of All Time and Their Legendary Acts

Mentalism, an enigmatic and often misunderstood art, has been graced by some of the most extraordinary talents over the years. These mentalists have not only amazed audiences with their acts but have also contributed significantly to the evolution of this fascinating field. Let’s dive into the world of the top 10 mentalists of all time and their legendary acts.

1. Harry Houdini

Though primarily known as an escapologist, Harry Houdini also dabbled in mentalism. His most notable contribution was debunking fraudulent spiritualists, thereby bringing a more scientific approach to mentalism.

2. The Amazing Kreskin

George Joseph Kreskin, better known as The Amazing Kreskin, is a mentalist renowned for his 'predictions'. His most famous act involves finding his paycheck, hidden by the audience, using his mentalist techniques. If he fails, he forfeits his fee.

3. Derren Brown

A modern master of mentalism, Derren Brown revitalized the art with his psychological illusions. His acts like "Russian Roulette Live" and "The Heist" blend mentalism, suggestion, and psychology, leaving audiences both bewildered and intrigued.

4. Max Maven

Max Maven is known for his unique, philosophical approach to mentalism. His act “Theatre of the Mind” is a classic, showcasing his skill in influencing and predicting audience choices.

5. Uri Geller

Famous for his spoon-bending abilities, Uri Geller is one of the most controversial figures in mentalism. Despite skepticism from critics, his psychic feats have made him a household name.

6. Richard Osterlind

A living legend in mentalism, Richard Osterlind is admired for his deep understanding of mentalism principles. His “Mind Mysteries” series showcases his proficiency in mind reading and mental influence.

7. Banachek

Steven Shaw, aka Banachek, is renowned for his role in the famous 'Project Alpha' hoax. His performances, which include mind-bending feats of telepathy and telekinesis, have been influential in shaping modern mentalism.

8. Marc Salem

Marc Salem has made a name for himself with his show "Mind Games," which demonstrates his prowess in non-verbal communication and psychological techniques.

9. David Berglas

David Berglas, known as the ‘International Man of Mystery,’ is famous for his "Berglas Effect," where he seemingly manipulates impossible conditions to reveal a chosen playing card.

10. Joseph Dunninger

A pioneer in radio and television mentalism, Dunninger captivated audiences with his mind-reading and psychic illusions. His blend of charisma and skill brought mentalism into the mainstream.

Conclusion

These mentalists, with their unique styles and groundbreaking acts, have not only entertained but also pushed the boundaries of what we believe is possible. They've shown us that mentalism is more than just tricks; it's an art form that continuously challenges our understanding of the human mind. Each of these legends has contributed to the rich tapestry of mentalism, leaving a legacy that inspires both audiences and aspiring mentalists around the world.

[ewanspence]

The Berglas Effect: Magic's Best Card Trick - The New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/23/style/berglas-effect-card-trick.html

The world of magic lost a great those week. We might have lost the greatest magical effect as well. David Berglass, the magician's magician, and one of the first to reach the public through television .

[magiaacascoporro]

David Berglas 1926-2023

[qudachuk]

Berglas revitalised The Magic Circle society during his tenure as president from 1989-1998.

[mrdirtybear]

English Television Magician David Berglas (b 1926) who in addition to portraying optical illusions (as if most television broadcasting itself was not an optical illusion...  ) popularised the find-the-card-in-the-pack-that-the-member-of-the-public-chose trick which might seem old hat compared with the hi-tech magic of today but it held the attention of the public very well way back when.

[monicadeola]

[porterdavis]

This guy opened for the Rolling Stones. Incredible.

[kwebtv]

A Woman Called Golda  -  Syndicated -  April 26, 1982

Biography

Running Time:  240 minutes

Stars:

Ingrid Bergman as Golda Meir

Ned Beatty as Senator Durward

Franklin Cover as Hubert Humphrey

Judy Davis as Young Golda

Anne Jackson as Lou Kaddar

Robert Loggia as Anwar Sadat

Leonard Nimoy as- Morris Meyerson

Jack Thompson as Ariel

Anthony Bate as Sir Stuart Ross

Ron Berglas as Stampler

Bruce Boa as Mr. Macy

David de Keyser as David Ben-Gurion

Barry Foster as Major Orde Wingate

Nigel Hawthorne as King Abdullah

Yossi Graber as Moshe Dayan

David Joseph Vincent as Choir Boy

[thegirlborninthelate90s]

Give me Top 10 interesting facts about Graham Arthur Chapman.

Aaaaaaannnnndddddd GO!

Oh god…this feels a bit open-ended and I don’t know what is expected that hasn’t been mentioned before, so I’ll writing what *I* think are fun facts about him, I guess, with the good and the sad 🤷🏻‍♀️ This means the information I put here aren’t going to necessarily be about commonly known facts about him, but rather information that requires a bit of further digging.

(This isn’t ranked most to least interesting btw. This is just how I’m organizing everything. I am, after all, a Virgo moon and rising.)

1) Around the time Graham’s cancer had spread to his spine, he first found out something was wrong when he had gone out to pickup Chinese takeaway and he noticed that his legs were wobbly as he walked, because he couldn’t tell where his legs were, even though he could feel with them. Later, he had his son do an experiment on the sole of his foot: John had to scratch the bottom of Graham’s foot and Graham’s toe would’ve had to have gone down (somewhat like how, when the doctor bangs your knee, your lower legs kicks by itself). However, Graham’s toe went up instead of down, and this was when Graham found out something was wrong with his spine. (This is really sad, I admit that, but I always found it cool how he self-diagnosed himself, in a way, and I appreciate how he shared this prior to his death for us to recognize simple signs of something being wrong with our spine too which we never would’ve thought of otherwise…a true doctor through and through 🥺)

2) There is a Christmas TV special with David Berglas, who invited four celebrities, one of them being Graham, and in the end, they all had to choose something to give a sick child in a children’s hospital as a Christmas present. The thing that struck me was how, while everyone else chose a toy of some sort, Graham was the only one who chose a book (and it was Peter Rabbit), which I felt was quite revealing about his character.

3) When Graham bought his home in Kent, he had taken up the habit of painting. Apparently, after he passed away, David Sherlock showed Michael Palin an oil painting Graham had done of a gate in his garden.

4) Speaking of Graham’s home in Kent, he had arctic roses there, and David said that those were his favorite in the garden.

5) Graham mentioned that, amongst Python, he felt he was the most similar to Eric (in his own words, he said Eric was likely his “parallel” in the group), except that he acknowledged they were polar opposites when it came to trusting others. These were his words on the matter:

“I think Eric expects people to be devious, where I expect them to be straightforward. I’m stupidly trusting, and Eric’s unduly suspicious.” (from the book, “Graham Crackers”)

6) In 1986, Graham was actually in the process of writing a musical about the Jeremy Thorpe trial, with the goal of making everything camp. Unfortunately nothing came of it, but just the fact that he came up with such an idea…😚🤌🏻✨

7) Someone once asked Graham how he felt about Benny Hill, and Graham allegedly threatened to defenestrate them, which…honestly, considering Hill’s sense of humor, is such a mood.

8) Graham was very into cooking elaborate meals, which would take him a few days to complete. The meals themselves were usually simple, but Graham just took a lot of time in making them. According to Michael Palin, his meals were usually a lot more delicious than the style in which they were served.

9) Graham’s favorite Beatles album was “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” but his favorite album overall was John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Truly a man of taste (particularly regarding Sgt Pepper).

10) This isn’t so much about Graham as it is about his dad. His father was born on November 11, 1911…so basically, 11/11/11. Impossible to forget 😅 I just always thought that was pretty neat. Graham’s parents were somewhat akin to helicopter parents, but Graham was rather close to his father, particularly since he was the first out of the parents to be accepting of Graham’s sexuality.

11) [you can’t expect a Graham Chapman fan to follow rules] It often bothers me how other Pythons and people Graham worked with or knew complain about how Graham was a ‘freeloader’ when, after becoming sober, he proved just how much of a hard-worker he was during “Life of Brian.” The dude was out in the sun all day in the titular role, then served as the set doctor. In fact, even David mentioned that Graham could be quite disciplined, perhaps even more so than other Pythons in that he was really good at multitasking. He truly became much more hardworking after becoming sober, but no one really talks about that, because they didn’t trust that he had changed and they rarely gave him the opportunity to prove himself.

12) As I’m now full-blown cheating in this challenge, here’s a bingo card I made awhile back which is a rudimentary summary of Graham’s personality:

[Sorry this took so long; Graham has a lot of interesting tidbits to limit down to 10]

[scottwellsmagic]

808: Daniel Garcia - Ideas Unlimited

Daniel Garcia is a highly respected magic creator and consultant. But he is an awesome performer in his own right, too! Daniel helps create magic for David Blaine, Dynamo, Cyril Takayama, and Dynamo, (just to name a few) for their performances on stage and screen and online, too.

Daniel talks this week about some of the celebrated magicians with whom he has worked, as well as how he comes up with his creative ideas. He has a system for developing these ideas that he shares in this episode. He also surrounds himself with other creative types like Blake Vogt, Alex Rangel, Brent Braun, and others who are titans of trickery in their own right.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

In 2023 we suffered the loss of many friends who have passed away, but whom are not forgotten. Perhaps as we grow older, we are more aware of those who pass. But this last year saw the passing of almost twice as many as were listed in the magic obituaries of 2022.

Although the list below is not exhaustive, it does reflect the names of many well-known (and some lesser known) magicians, spouses, assistants and magic aficionados who passed on in 2023. Some may not be as well-known to you, but they were my personal friends (hey, it is my blog!). If you are unfamiliar with any of these names, then it would behoove you to do a little online search of what these people have contributed to our craft. If you have someone you think was overlooked, then please post the name in the comments below on this blog.

Those whose names are highlighted with a “hot link” were featured or interviewed here on The Magic Word Podcast. It was not my original intent when I began this journey to chronicle the voices before they left us, but I am so thankful that I did sit down with many of these friends for lively, and sometimes intimate, conversations. You can click on their name to revisit and listen to their voices again.

Joe Stevens

Scott Alexander

Bob King

George Kimery

Karl Fulves

Véronique Ross

Greg Koren

Maria Ibanez

Thom Peterson

Gloria Metzner aka Gloria Dea

Harry Lorayne

Dr. Edwin “Eddie” Dawes

George Silverman

Dan Witkowski

Milton “Milt” Page Larsen

Ricky D. Boone

Dan Garrett

Larry Becker

Darwin Ortiz

Dirk Arthur

Dick Gustafson

Leo Behnke

Graham Putnam

Jeff Lanes

David Berglas

Jack Delvin

Tom Craven

Micky Hades

Bill Goldman

Tommy Smothers

[valdean]

David Berglas – Mystery of the Vanishing Piano

[jdpink]

The trick is a version of a classic plot of magic, called Any Card at Any Number. These tricks are called ACAAN in the business.

ACAAN has been around since the 1700s, and every iteration unfolds in roughly the same way: A spectator is asked to name any card in a deck — let’s say the nine of clubs. Another is asked to name any number between one and 52 — let’s say 31.

The cards are dealt face up, one by one. The 31st card revealed is, of course, the nine of clubs. Cue the gasps.

There are hundreds of ACAAN variations, and you’d be hard pressed to find a professional card magician without at least one in his or her repertoire. (A Buddha-like maestro in Spain, Dani DaOrtiz, knows about 60.)

For all their differences, every ACAAN has one feature in common: At some point, the magician touches the cards. The touch might be imperceptible, it might appear entirely innocent. But the cards are always touched.

With one exception: David Berglas’s ACAAN. He would place the cards on a table and he didn’t handle them again until after the revelation and during the applause. There was no sleight of hand, no hint of shenanigans. It was both effortless and boggling.

Among magicians around the world, his touchless ACAAN is one of the most talked-about and puzzled-over tricks in history.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/23/style/berglas-effect-card-trick.html?utm_source=pocket&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pockethits

[webionaire]

Magicians lie to spectators constantly. Lying to each other is a no-no, so these testimonials are potent. Mr. Berglas points to them whenever the stooge question is raised.

“If people can’t find an explanation for something, they always say it must be a stooge,” Mr. Berglas said, sitting at his dining room table. “It used to annoy me, but it’s been seen and written up by too many well-known magicians, respected magicians. Now I laugh it off.”