A great documentary! Kellar finally received the documentary he deserves. Big guys like Steinmeyer and Caveney round out with discussions of magic history.
Of all of the books I read about Kellar, it got me thinking. What was Kellar's strong suit as a performer? What made him special? He didn't have a big personality like Herrmann, Houdini, and Thurston. He wasn't flashy or showy. He definitely didn't do sleight of hand. And he didn't invent the tricks he performed.
But, there are those who say that he was the best. Compared to even the great showman Thurston, many magicians preferred Kellar. Dai Vernon was one of them; even though the Professor was a skilled sleight-of-hand man, he preferred Kellar to others.
Kellar was a perfectionist. Everything had to be perfect. Thurston on the other hand was a dreamer and didn't take care of little details which angered Kellar. Herrmann was both a skilled sleight-of-hand artist and showman. His humor was the selling point of his act. And he was known for his quick wit.
When Herrmann made a mistake, he never missed a beat. He would continue as if it was part of the show and the audience never noticed. Kellar on the other hand got mad at any sort of mistake. He would be so angry that he was known to destroy a prop that failed during a performance.
Kellar was the presenter of marvels, kind of like a P.T. Barnum. Plus, he was a great storyteller. I think is was just his presence that commanded a full evening show.
A great documentary! Kellar finally received the documentary he deserves. Big guys like Steinmeyer and Caveney round out with discussions of magic history.
ReplyDeletePretty noticeable (and revealing) that the name HOUDINI had to be part of the title.
ReplyDeleteGood catch Lisa! I'm so used to seeing the Houdini name I didn't even notice it! He's the gift that keeps on giving...
DeleteIt always makes me smile. :)
Delete😆
DeleteI just watched it and I thought it was great.
ReplyDeleteOf all of the books I read about Kellar, it got me thinking. What was Kellar's strong suit as a performer? What made him special? He didn't have a big personality like Herrmann, Houdini, and Thurston. He wasn't flashy or showy. He definitely didn't do sleight of hand. And he didn't invent the tricks he performed.
But, there are those who say that he was the best. Compared to even the great showman Thurston, many magicians preferred Kellar. Dai Vernon was one of them; even though the Professor was a skilled sleight-of-hand man, he preferred Kellar to others.
Kellar was a perfectionist. Everything had to be perfect. Thurston on the other hand was a dreamer and didn't take care of little details which angered Kellar. Herrmann was both a skilled sleight-of-hand artist and showman. His humor was the selling point of his act. And he was known for his quick wit.
When Herrmann made a mistake, he never missed a beat. He would continue as if it was part of the show and the audience never noticed. Kellar on the other hand got mad at any sort of mistake. He would be so angry that he was known to destroy a prop that failed during a performance.
Kellar was the presenter of marvels, kind of like a P.T. Barnum. Plus, he was a great storyteller. I think is was just his presence that commanded a full evening show.
That was a great summary of Kellar, Michael!
DeleteGreat stuff, Michael. You answered your own question very well!
DeleteI’m taking some serious notes right now about all these magicians with this thread and the documentary! 🥺💗 - Abby Martin
ReplyDeleteMan! That was an epic documentary! I actually teared up 🥺💗 - Abby Martin
ReplyDelete