October
The Canadian Conservatory of Magic is proud to present its special section dedicated to the ephemeris of conjuring. This section explores the fascinating history of magic throughout the year, highlighting significant events, iconic artists, and innovations that have shaped this art. We invite enthusiasts and the curious to dive into the captivating world of illusion and magic and celebrate this extraordinary heritage.
Throughout History
01
October
1849: Robert-Houdin presents for the first time at his theater the number entitled Le Voltigeur au Trapèze with the mechanical puppet Antonio Diavolo
1931: Birth of Michel Cailloux (Michel le Magicien)
1960: The Magic Land of Allakazam debuts on CBS with Mark Wilson
07
October
1903: Buatier de Kolta dies at 55
10
October
1913: Birth of Ed Marlo
18
October
1942: Birth of Juan Tamariz
24
October
1953: Birth of Gaëtan Bloom
1979: The Magic of David Copperfield II airs on CBS
26
October
1981: The Magic of David Copperfield IV: The Vanishing Airplane airs on CBS
28
October
1955: Birth of Carl Cloutier
31
October
1926: Harry Houdini dies at 52
1990: At age 32, amateur magician Joseph Burrus (The Amazing Joe) dies, buried alive, as his plexiglass coffin collapses under approximately 9 tons of dirt and wet concrete during an escape attempt in tribute to Houdini at Blackbeard's Family Fun Center in Fresno, California. The scene is captured live by the local TV station's cameras.
02
October
2000: Masters of Illusion premieres on PAX TV
03
October
1883: Birth of Dante
1942: Max Malini dies at 69
1944: Birth of Roy Horn
2003: 45 minutes into their first show of the evening at the Mirage Casino in Las Vegas, magician Roy Horn (Siegfried & Roy) is attacked by the white tiger Montecore and suffers serious injuries that will end the career of the famous duo.
13
October
1941: David Devant dies at 73
20
October
2020: James Randi dies at 92
25
October
2024: Opening of the Witches: From Shadow to Light exhibition at the Pointe-à-Callière Museum in Montreal. The exhibition will close on April 6, 2025.
27
October
1978: The Magic of David Copperfield airs on CBS
30
October
1981: Birth of Joshua Jay
October 1, 1960
The history-making Magic Land of Allakazam was the first network television magic series. Allakazam debuted October 1,1960 on the CBS Network and aired every Saturday morning on CBS for two years, then switched to the ABC Network. Never missing a Saturday morning, Allakazam aired until December 26, 1964.
Starring Master Magician Mark Wilson, beautiful Nani Darnell and the incomparable Bev Bergeron as Rebo the Clown. The half-hour shows include fast-paced openings, magic with the children in the studio audience, comedy magic and clown gags with Rebo, sleight of hand sequences, audience participation and major illusions.
The shows were shot "live" and recorded on the CBS Television Recording System (35 mm black and white film) for later broadcast. They followed a formula that Wilson devised and which he believed was essential for the success of magic on television—there should be a live audience, there should not be a cut from one view to another during a trick, and viewers should know that they were seeing exactly what the studio audience saw.