J. C. Cannell

J. C. Cannell
Born	John Clucas Cannell 25 October 1899 Douglas, Isle of Man
Died	1953 Port Talbot, Wales
Nationality	British Manx
Flourished	1930s
Categories	Books by J. C. Cannell

J. C. "Jack" Cannell (1899-1953) was a journalist, author, amateur magician, and Vice-President of The Magician's Club in London.

Biography

A friend of fellow Magician's Club member Will Goldston, Cannell authored a popular book on Houdini.

Cannell also authored an article in the weekly paper, Answers, on December 23, 1933 purporting to explain the code used by The Zomahs in their Second Sight act. He also claimed the inventor had disclosed it to him. Zomah brought court action against Cannell (and the Amalgamated Press) and the jury found in Zomah's favor awarding him £900 in damages.

In 1935, The Quaker Oats Company distributed to the public (free with so many packets of Quaker Oats) a book on magic by Cannell which was disapproved of by the Magic Circle as being exposure.

In the last issue of Edward Bagshawe's Magical Journal Cannell wrote an editorial on the subject of exposure of magical secrets over the radio.

Books

• New Light on the Rouse Case (1927)
• The Hundred Best Tricks (1930)
• The Secrets of Houdini (1931)
• 100 Mysteries for Arm-Chair Detectives (1932)
• In Town Tonight (1935)
• The Master Book of Magic (1935)
• Modern Conjuring for Amateurs (1938)

Plays / Radio Features

• Houdini, Modern Magician (1932)
• Christmas Magic (1932)
• The Mystery at the Blue Dragon (by J C Cannell & Martyn Webster) (1933)
• Death at the Opera (1933)
• The Mystery of the Christmas Bells (1933)
• Manx Memories, a musical tour of the Isle of Man in pre-War days; written and arranged by J. C. Cannell (1934)
• Ghosts at the Laurels (1934)
• At the Sign of the Rainbow (1934)
• The Lighthouse (1934)