Magicians, Ventriloquists, and Hypnotists

"Chuck and Louise Harrison present magic, hand shadows, comedy, Punch & Judy. WIl liams 1-3629. 189 Orchard Street, Cranston, Rhode Island."

Magician Howard Thurston (1869–1936), who performed with his daughter Jane, used cards like this in his card throwing act. For another example of a magician using "whispering imps" in advertising, see The Great Raymond Is Here (small image below).

"The Great Raymond. ¿No lo ha visto ud? [Have you seen him?]. Ya llegó [He is here]." This circular advertising piece--similar in size and appearance to a luggage label--shows two small imps or devils whispering in the ears of Morris Raymond Saunders (1877-1948), a magician whose stage name was "The Great Raymond." If the translation from Spanish (above) is correct, one imp is asking, "Have you seen him?," and the other is answering, "He is here." According to Rhett Bryson, professor in the Theatre Arts department at Furman University, "The image of the sagacious magician looking knowingly at the viewer with small imps whispering the enduring secrets of magic in his ear has been often used on magician's advertising posters. This image of the magician getting the 'secrets' from these underworld demi-devils apparently started with Harry Kellar (on his 1894 poster)." For further discussion and additional images of imps imparting information to magicians on posters and other advertising materials, see Bryson's A Visual History of Whispering Imps on Magic Posters . For another example of whispering imps, see the Howard and Jane Thurston Good Luck Throw-Out Card (small image below).

Printed on the other side of this promotional postcard, which was also signed: "Bobby Snyder and His Wooden Pal Jimmy: This pair entered show business on radio, road tent, and medicine shows in 1932, also served together in World War II. This team has entertained in night clubs, theaters, and on circuses, making many friends throughout the country. We sincerely thank you. Affectionately yours, Robt. F. Snyder [signature]."

This "Paul Winchell" trading card is no. 18 in a series of 36 "Television & Radio Stars of N.B.C." cards published in 1952 The description on the back of the card identifies ventriloquist Paul Winchell as the star of the Paul Winchell-Jerry Mahoney Show on NBC-TV (the show ran from 1950 to 1954) . Winchell's puppet (also called a ventriloquist's dummy or ventriloquial figure) was named Jerry Mahoney, and the back of the trading card explains, "Jerry, the sassier half of Winchell, is one of the most valuable puppets in the world. He is insured for $10,000. Winchell lives in New York with his wife and small daughter, who accepts Jerry as a living member of the family." Paul Winchell died in 2005, but his puppets--Jerry Mahoney and another one named Knucklehead Smiff--live on in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution.

"Arizona Kid and His Cow Girls, Reading, Pa., 1941. Arizona Kid, Sun Set, Texas Jean, Moon Beam, Utah Ginny, Montana Patsy, Popeye, Chuckles, Winnie, and Sheriff and Cactus Sam. WYZ."

Sometimes it's hard to tell.

The Ventrilo-phone Place the instrument in the roof of the mouth, with the scallop side in back, hold it lightly with tongue, and hiss. Keep at it, and it will soon be easy to operate. Do not get discouraged and you will soon be able to imitate all kinds of birds and animal. This is a great help to the ventriloquist when he wishes to give imitations. Three extra Ventrilo-phones by mail for 10 cts.

"J. H. Kanarr, professional hypnotist, Lancaster, Pa. Hypnotism thoroughly taught. Charges reasonable. Diseases cured without medicine. Public and private exhibitions given." Beverly Wilgus (Photo_History) posted an unused copy of this card on Flickr (see Blank Business Card for Professional Hypnotist - c. 1890 ) and speculated that the cards may have come from a nineteenth-century hypnotism school. In fact, I believe that the professional hypnotist cards originated with Lew Alexander Harraden of Jackson, Michigan, who offered mail-order lessons in hypnotism under the name "Prof. L. A. Harraden" in the 1890s and 1900s. Although J. H. Kanarr probably purchased one of Harraden's mail-order courses, it's doubtful that he ever actually worked as a "professional hypnotist."

Chandu the Magician , "one of the longest running radio adventure serials," first aired in 1931. Beech-Nut Packing Company was a sponsor of the show in the 1930s and advertised Beech-Nut Gum and other food products. This "Season's Greetings" card may have been an insert that came with chewing gum or another product. "Beech-Nut and Chandu extend the Season's Greetings. Dorothy Regent, Princess Nadji, Betty-Lou, and Bobby join Chandu in wishing their many friends of 'Chandu, the Magician' another year of enjoyable entertainment. Presented over thirty radio stations by Beech-Nut Packing Company, makers of Beech-Nut Gum, Confections, and Beech-Nut Coffee, Peanut Butter, and many other foods of finest flavor."

A boy and his toys--a pedal car, tricycle, wheelbarrow, stuffed bunny, and ventriloquist's dummy. Circa 1930s, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, area.

"Heaney the Magician. Good luck to you. Good luck. Heaney, World's Foremost Magician, and Company. Adults. Admit one. Heaney the Magician." This is the top portion of a 10-ticket sheet for stage magician Gerald Heaney (1899-1974), also known as "Heaney the Great." Those devilish creatures crouched on Hearney's shoulders are "whispering imps." Other magicians also used whispering imps in their advertising. See Howard and Jane Thurston Good Luck Throw-Out Card and The Great Raymond Is Here for examples.

"Heaney the Magician. Good luck to you. Good luck. Heaney, World's Foremost Magician, and Company. Adults. Admit one. Heaney the Magician." Gerald Heaney (1899-1974) was a stage magician who performed as "Heaney the Great." See also an enlargement of the top portion of this 10-ticket sheet.

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of amusement parks . Signs: "Kevin the Konjuror, Storyland Magician. World Renowned Kevin the Konjuror Performing Every Hour on the Hour Free." This is an undated photo of "Kevin the Konjuror" taken during a performance at one of the Storyland amusement parks. I'm not sure which Storyland this was, however, since there was a Storyland in Pennsylvania, a Storyland in Ontario, and there's still a Story Land in New Hampshire.