Earlier this week we reported on the passing of magician, showman and costumer Philip Morris. We have one more clip of Philip that fits right in on Video Friday… according to the Morris Costumes YouTube Page this interview is from 2006.
Earlier this week we reported on the passing of magician, showman and costumer Philip Morris. We have one more clip of Philip that fits right in on Video Friday… according to the Morris Costumes YouTube Page this interview is from 2006.
We end the day with yet another tribute to Philip Morris, again from the Morris Costume YouTube page. This clip is a local news interview with Philip concentrating on his Dr. Evil days.
The magic world (and the world in general) is a little poorer for the loss of Philip Morris… early in his career he was a successful “spookshow” magician known as Dr. Evil (way, way before Austin Powers, whose producers reportedly settled a legal dispute over the name with Morris). From the Morris Costumes YouTube page comes one of his spookshow promos, which we think is a great way to remember Morris.
Not exactly a magician, but film writer/director Tobe Hooper passed away over the weekend at the age of 74. Hooper directed the original (and best) Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Salem’s Lot, Poltergeist, and Lifeforce among other films. You can read more about his life and career in this New York Times article.
We pay tribute to Hooper with the trailer from his best known film, the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Jerry Lewis passed away today at the age of 91. You can read more about the incredible career of one of the world’s most recognizable funny men in this New York Times article.
As tribute we give you the trailer for The Geisha Boy, the one film that we can think of off the top of our heads that saw Jerry lewis playing a magician.
Sad news for the magic world; Eugene Burger has passed away at the age of 78 from cancer. Simone Marron posted on Facebook:
It is with heavy hearts that we, friends of Eugene Burger, inform you that Eugene has passed away in Chicago at the age of 78.
Eugene enjoyed a long, healthy life, but was very recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. Even so, his death today came more quickly than expected, and we are deeply shocked and saddened by his loss.
We know that in the days, weeks, and months ahead, countless things will be written and said about Eugene, and we will share more information, too. But for now we want to tell you that Eugene embraced his situation with great clarity, humor, and peace of mind. As he said one day, “Now I am on the way to the ultimate capital M Mystery of life.”
Please join us in remembering and celebrating Eugene, a rare and wonderful person who has meant so much to us and to magicians all over the world.
Please share.
Abigail Spinner McBride posted:
Tears of grief will turn to sweet memory. These feelings will not last forever, and it will not always be as painful as it is right now. This, I know.
Mostly, I am profoundly grateful to have shared 28 years with The Master. My guru, teacher, guide and friend will never pad down the stairs in his bathrobe again to hug me good morning. I will never hear his resonant voice reciting poetry or giving “words from the dean” to the classes here. I will never be making him breakfast again, or going out to dinner, or sitting with him by the fire….
It’s the little things that break your heart open.At the corner of my eye
From the edges of a dream
In the center of the space inside my heart
I remember…
We remember.
And all that we have loved is always here, now.
All that we have loved is always here.“It is with heavy hearts that we, friends of Eugene Burger, inform you that Eugene has passed away in Chicago at the age of 78.
Eugene enjoyed a long, healthy life, but was very recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. Even so, his death today came more quickly than expected, and we are deeply shocked and saddened by his loss.
We know that in the days, weeks, and months ahead, countless things will be written and said about Eugene, and we will share more information, too. But for now we want to tell you that Eugene embraced his situation with great clarity, humor, and peace of mind. As he said one day, “Now I am on the way to the ultimate capital M Mystery of life.”
Please join us in remembering and celebrating Eugene, a rare and wonderful person who has meant so much to us and to magicians all over the world.”
What can we say about Eugene Burger? He was an incredibly influential magic creator and teacher. We offer a clip from Jeff McBride: A Magickal Life featuring Eugene (from Reel Time Images). We will post more videos tomorrow.
It has been announced that last week trailblazing female magician Celeste Evans passed away at the age of 85. Ms. Evans began performing professionally in the early 1950s and toured the world with her famous dove act. You can read more about the statement made by her daughter Evanna Brenning to the Canadian Press through the 570 News website.
I was fortunate enough to conduct a phone interview with Celeste Evans in 2013 and posted two articles on iTricks which you can read here and here.