This is apparently the only known footage of "The Great Cardini" aka Richard Valentine Pitchford. There is no dialog, just magisterial sleight-of-hand.

What I like best is the nonchalance with which he does the tricks. Most magicians want to give the impression that they have control of powers beyond that of ordinary folks. For Cardini, the magic is something that happens against his will. He came home from a party, and is tired and a little drunk. He doesn't want all those damned cards that keep appearing in his hands, and is vaguely irritated as he is forced to hand deck after deck to the footman (played by his wife). He is trying to get rid of a billiard ball, and gets annoyed that it keeps reappearing in his other hand. He wants to have a relaxing smoke, but more and more lit cigarettes appear, no matter how many he tosses into the spittoon. That's what makes the jump from skilled technician to performer: Pitchford creates a persona, he assumes a role, in which magic simply happens.

Posted by: Boviate at 07:47 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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