Help us get to over 8,755 articles in 2024.

If you know of a magician not listed in MagicPedia, start a New Biography for them. Contact us at magicpediahelp@gmail.com

Clarke Crandall: Difference between revisions

From Magicpedia, the free online encyclopedia for magicians by magicians.
Jump to navigation Jump to search
mNo edit summary
 
(119 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 4: Line 4:
| alt                      =  
| alt                      =  
| caption                  = Cover [[Genii 1969 March]]
| caption                  = Cover [[Genii 1969 March]]
| birth_name                = Clarke Caryl Randal
| birth_name                = Clarke Caryl Crandal
| birth_day                = April 23,   
| birth_day                = April 23,   
| birth_year                = 1907   
| birth_year                = 1907   
| birth_place              = on a farm in Iowa
| birth_place              = Iowa
| death_day                = June 01,   
| death_day                = June 19,   
| death_year                = 1975
| death_year                = 1975
| death_place              = Veteran's Hospital in Los Angeles
| death_place              = Veteran's Hospital in Los Angeles
Line 21: Line 21:
| misc                      =
| misc                      =
}}
}}
'''"Senator" Clarke Crandall''' (1907-1975) was an American comedy magician and magic dealer.  He developed funny routines for such effects as the [[Card Duck]] and the [[Cups and Balls]].  
'''Clarke "The Senator" Crandall''' (b.1907-d.1975) was an American comedy magician and magic dealer.  He developed funny routines for such effects as the [[Card Duck]] and the [[Cups and Balls]].  


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
In 1957, [[Al Sharpe]] sold his "Studio of Magic" shop to Crandall, who ran it for two years before closing it.
Born on a farm in Iowa. Around 1954, Crandall was doing magic at George Banning's Magic Lounge in Cicero, one of the many bars featuring magic around Chicago. Then, he bought the "Studio of Magic" shop from [[Al Sharpe]] in 1957, and ran it for two years before closing.<ref>''[[MAGIC Magazine]]'', January 2005</ref>


He was a host at the [[Magic Castle]], introducing the acts and fending off people who were improperly attired (there is a strict dress code). He was the original grumpy old man and his wit and sarcasm were accepted and expected by all. He would do a weekly X-rated show on Saturday nights at midnight.<ref>Cover [[Genii 1969 March]]</ref>
He became a host at the [[Magic Castle]], introducing the acts and fending off people who were improperly attired (there is a strict dress code). He was the original grumpy old man and his wit and sarcasm were accepted and expected by all. He would do a weekly X-rated show on Saturday nights at midnight.<ref>Cover [[Genii 1969 March]]</ref>


He wrote a column for The [[New Tops]] called  "It's A Mystery To Me."
The [[Abbott's Get-Together]] presents the "Senator Crandall Award" for comedy excellence each year.
 
== Columns & Newsletters ==
=== ''Senator's Pink Sheet'' ===
''[[Senator's Pink Sheet]]'' ran from April 1957 to June 1959.
 
=== "It's a Mystery to Me" ===
"It's a Mystery to Me" was the name of a long-running column The Senator wrote for ''[[The New Tops]]'', from 1963 to March 1974.
A compilation of some of the columns, selected by Neil Foster, was published as '''''Now You Can Get the Best of "Senator" Crandall''''' in 1969, by [[Abbott's]]. Crandall also self-published his ''Little Pink Booklet'' in 1972, which was a reprint of more columns from "It's a Mystery to Me."
 
=== ''Little Pink Booklet'' ===
''[[Senator Crandall's Little Pink Booklet]]''  was published "irregularly" for a brief period in 1972.


The [[Abbott's Get-Together]] presents the "Senator Crandall Award" for comedy excellence each year.
=== "It's Only My Opinion But..." ===
[[File:Crandall-Opinion.jpg|300px]]


== Columns ==
"It's Only My Opinion But..." was Crandall's column in ''[[Genii]]'', from November 1972 to May 1975.
=== It's a Mystery to Me ===
"It's a Mystery to Me" was the name of a column Crandall did in ''[[The New Tops]]'' from 1963 to March 1974.
A compilation of some of the columns, selected by Neil Foster, was published as '''''Now You Can Get the Best of "Senator" Crandall''''' in XXXX, by [[Abbott's]].
=== It's Only My Opinion But... ===
"It's Only My Opinion But..." was Crandall's column in ''[[Genii]]'' from  
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 170: Line 177:
| align="right"|226
| align="right"|226
|}
|}
=== ''Crandall Comments'' ===
''[[Crandall Comments|Clarke The Senator Crandall Comments]]'' was published in Hollywood "at 50¢ a copy once a month sometimes" in 1974 and 75.


== Bibliography ==
== Bibliography ==
=== ''Crandall Comments'' ===
See ''[[Crandall Comments]]''.


=== ''Meet the Senator'' ===
=== ''Meet the Senator'' ===
'''''Meet the Senator''''' came out circa 1959. '''Contents:'''
'''''Meet the Senator''''' came out circa 1950.
 
Contents:
* Page 2 Meet the Senator
* Page 2 Meet the Senator
* Page 3 Dear Friends
* Page 3 Dear Friends
Line 183: Line 194:
* Page 12 "Palm Reading Routine"
* Page 12 "Palm Reading Routine"


=== ''The Senator Returns'' ===
=== ''Entertaining With Magic'' (1952) ===
'''''The Senator Returns''''' was published in 1959. '''Contents:'''
See ''[[Entertaining with Magic]]''.
 
=== ''The Senator Returns'' (1959) ===
'''''The Senator Returns''''' was published in 1959.
 
Contents:
* "Twenty One Card Trick"
* "Twenty One Card Trick"
* "Too Many Sevens"
* "Too Many Sevens"
Line 191: Line 207:
* Optical Illusions
* Optical Illusions


=== ''How to Stack Dice for Fun and No $!'' ===
=== Gwendolyn and the Duck Deck Routine ===
This was published in 1975. '''Contents:'''
See [[Card Duck#Senator Crandall and "Gwendolyn"|Senator Crandall and "Gwendolyn"]].
* INDEX or where to find it
 
* CASTLE washroom PASS
=== ''How to Stack Dice for Fun and No $!'' (1974) ===
* APPRECIATIONS or credits
See ''[[How to Stack Dice for Fun and No $!]]''.
* INDEX that's this page
 
* Page 1 history of the dice stack and other stuff
=== ''How to Add More Magic to Your Comedy'' ===
* Page 2 more of the same and
This was the working title of a book of Crandall's magic that [[Bruce Cervon]] and [[Ron Bauer]] had planned to write. After Cervon died in 2007, Bauer stated:
* Page 3 continues upward to
<blockquote>Unfortunately, several years of procrastination followed by Bruce’s illness delayed our progress on the book. Now that Bruce has passed
* Page 4 which has still more
on, I doubt that I'll ever write and publish it, mostly because he was the connection to Clarke's family who should be part of the project.<ref>Ron Bauer, [http://thinklikeaconjurer.com/insideinfo/freebies/honestcheat/EverythingFairpokerDealEdited.pdf "Honest, Now You Can Cheat For Free!"], ''Think Like a Conjurer'', 2007</ref></blockquote>
* Page 5 if you're in a hurry pass up these first 5 pages
 
* Page 6 this is it! the basic moves, cup and dice dimensions
=== Other Works ===
* Page 7 the pick up and stack illustrations
*'''''Politicking Magic''''' was published circa 1955, and was written by [[Jay Marshall]] and Crandall.
* Page 8 the master move LEARN IT
**Page 1 How I Came to Do Politicking Magic by Jay Marshall
* Page 9 THE SWEEP you can't do it
**Page 2 The Political Speech
* Page 10 pick off-left to right
**Page 4 Clarke "The Senator" Crandall's Political Thoughts
* Page 11 special effects... how to load the cup for a finale
**Page 5 The Clarke Crandall Style
* Page 12 more of the above stuff
* Page 13 other loads & suggestions
* Page 14 routine with small die
* Page 15 patter suggestions
* Page 16 my patter you won't use it
* Page 17 APOLOGIA
=== Other Books ===
'''''Politicking Magic''''' was published circa 1955, and was written by [[Jay Marshall]] and Crandall. '''Contents:'''
*Page 1 How I Came to Do Politicking Magic by Jay Marshall
*Page 2 The Political Speech
*Page 4 Clarke "The Senator" Crandall's Political Thoughts
*Page 5 The Clarke Crandall Style
'''''Senator Crandall's Duck Deck Routine''''' was released circa 1970. '''Contents:'''
*Page 1 Introduction
*Page 3 The Routine
*Page 5 Patter and Presentation
*Page 8 The Deck
*Page 9 The Mini-Duck
*Page 10 "Anatomy of a Trick" by Frances E. Marshall
The trick was also published as "Crandall's Routine for the Card Duck" in the [[Ireland's]] instruction for "Herbie, the Mod Duck."


'''''Senator Crandall's Cut-Up Card Trick''''' was released in 2003 as No. 13 in the ''[[Ron Bauer#Private Studies Series|Ron Bauer Private Studies Series]]''.
*'''''[[Senator Crandall's Cut-Up Card Trick]]''''' was released by [[Ron Bauer]] in 2003 as No. 13 in the ''[[Ron Bauer Private Studies Series]]''.
*''Senator Crandall's Everything Fair Poker Deal'' was released in 2007 as a free ebook. [http://www.thinklikeaconjurer.com ThinkLikeaConjurer.com]


== Contributions to Books ==
== Contributions to Books ==
Line 238: Line 235:
! Author
! Author
! Date
! Date
! Page(s)
! Pages
|-
| "Triple Divincation"
| ''[[50 Tricks You Can Do, You Will Do, Easy to Do]]''
| [[Rufus Steele|W. F. Rufus Steele]]
| 1946
| align="right"|22
|-
| Some gags (as given to [[Don Alan]])
| ''[[Ireland's Yearbook|Ireland Yearbook 1950]]''
| [[L. L. Ireland]]
| 1950
| align="right"|31-32
|-
|-
| "An Impossible Transposition"
| "An Impossible Transposition"
| ''[[The Last Word on Cards]]''
| ''[[The Last Word on Cards]]''
| [[Rufus Steele|W. F. Rufus Steele]]
| W. F. Rufus Steele
| 1952
| align="right"|26-27
|-
| Cards in pocket anecdote
| ''[[With Frances In Magicland]]''
| [[Frances Ireland]]
| 1952
| 1952
| 26-27
| align="right"|117
|-
|-
| "The Sands of Time"
| "The Sands of Time"
| ''[[Ireland's Yearbook|Ireland Yearbook for 1953]]''
| ''[[Ireland's Yearbook|Ireland Yearbook for 1953]]''
| [[L. L. Ireland]]
| L. L. Ireland
| 1953
| 1953
| 32-33
| align="right"|32-33
|-
|-
| "On the [[Linking Ropes]]"
| "On the [[Linking Ropes]]"
Line 256: Line 271:
| L. L. Ireland
| L. L. Ireland
| 1953
| 1953
| 33
| align="right"|33
|-
|-
| "[[Cups and Balls|Cup and Balls]]"
| "[[Cups and Balls|Cup and Balls]]"
Line 262: Line 277:
| [[Harlan Tarbell]]
| [[Harlan Tarbell]]
| 1954
| 1954
| 39-48
| align="right"|39-48
|-
|-
| "One Hand [[Six Card Repeat]]"
| "One Hand [[Six Card Repeat]]"
Line 268: Line 283:
| Harlan Tarbell
| Harlan Tarbell
| 1954
| 1954
| 78-83
| align="right"|78-83
|-
| "Crandall on Kids"
| ''[[Kid Stuff, Vol. 2]]''
| [[Frances Ireland Marshall]]
| 1959
| align="right"|72
|-
|-
| "Crandall's Original Routine" ([[Sponge balls]])
| "Crandall's Original Routine" ([[Sponge balls]])
| ''[[The Sponge Book|The Sponge Book: How to Do Sponge Ball Tricks]]''
| ''[[The Sponge Book|The Sponge Book: How to Do Sponge Ball Tricks]]''
| [[Frances Marshall]]
| Frances Ireland Marshall
| 1960
| 1960
| 35-41
| align="right"|35-41
|-
|-
| "Around the Block"
| "Around the Block"
| ''The Sponge Book: How to Do Sponge Ball Tricks''
| ''The Sponge Book: How to Do Sponge Ball Tricks''
| Frances Marshall
| Frances Ireland Marshall
| 1960
| align="right"|42-43
|-
| Multiple table shift (with [[Ed Marlo]])
| ''[[The Multiple Shift|Revolutionary Card Technique, Chapter 11: The Multiple Shift]]''
| [[Ed Marlo]]
| 1960
| 1960
| 42-43
| align="right"|21-23
|-
|-
| "The Senator Explains ESP"
| "The Senator Explains ESP"
Line 286: Line 313:
| [[Robert Nelson]]
| [[Robert Nelson]]
| 1963
| 1963
| 13
| align="right"|13
|-
|-
| "Some Thoughts on Mentalism"
| "Some Thoughts on Mentalism"
Line 292: Line 319:
| Robert Nelson
| Robert Nelson
| 1963
| 1963
| 26-27
| align="right"|26-27
|-
|-
| "More Than Coincidence"
| "More Than Coincidence"
Line 298: Line 325:
| Robert Nelson
| Robert Nelson
| 1963
| 1963
| 55-57
| align="right"|55-57
|-
|-
| "A Short Anatomy of Humor" (article)
| "A Short Anatomy of Humor"
| ''Comedy Mentalism, Vol. 3''
| ''Comedy Mentalism, Vol. 3''
| Robert Nelson
| Robert Nelson
| 1964
| 1964
| 13-16
| align="right"|13-16
|-
| Comedy card in the egg
| ''Ireland Yearbook 1967-8''
| Frances Marshall
| 1968
| align="right"|17
|-
|-
| "Magic Isn’t Funny" (article)
| "Magic Isn’t Funny"
| ''[[Ireland's Yearbook|Ireland Yearbook 1967-8]]''
| ''[[Ireland's Yearbook|Ireland Yearbook 1967-8]]''
| Frances Marshall
| Frances Marshall
| 1968
| 1968
| 20-24
| align="right"|20-24
|-
|-
| "Triad-a-Maze"
| "Triad-a-Maze"
Line 316: Line 349:
| Frances Marshall
| Frances Marshall
| 1968
| 1968
| 99-101
| align="right"|99-101
|-
|-
| "Open Force"
| "Open Force"
Line 322: Line 355:
| [[Alton Sharpe]]
| [[Alton Sharpe]]
| 1968
| 1968
| 77
| align="right"|77
|-
| "30th Century Clip Board"
| ''[[The New Encyclopedic Dictionary of Mentalism]]''
| [[Burling Hull|Burling "Volta" Hull]]
| 1972
| align="right"|119-122
|-
|-
| "Crandall's Rainbow"
| "Crandall's [[Rainbow Deck|Rainbow]]"
| ''[[Super Subtle Card Miracles]]''
| ''[[Super Subtle Card Miracles]]''
| [[Frank Garcia]]
| [[Frank Garcia]]
| 1972
| 1972
| 139-142
| align="right"|139-142
|-
| "The Joker Finds It"
| ''[[Miniature Mysteries With Cards]]''
| [[Barbara Walker]]
| 1980
| align="right"|55-6
|-
| "Gamblers' Nightmare"
| ''[[The Bobo Magic Show]]''
| [[J. B. Bobo]]
| 1984
| align="right"|48
|-
| Remarks (from lecture in New York, March 1952)
| ''Magic For Bartenders - Encore!''
| [[Leo Behnke]]
| 1992
| align="right"|9-13
|-
| Beer bottle gag
| ''Magic For Bartenders - Encore!''
| Leo Behnke
| 1992
| align="right"|38
|-
| "My Business Cards"
| ''Magic For Bartenders - Encore!''
| Leo Behnke
| 1992
| align="right"|65-67
|-
| "Crandall's [[Mexican Turnover]]"
| ''Find The Ace: A Book About Three Card Monte''
| [[Leo Behnke]]
| 1993
| align="right"|30-31
|-
|-
| "A Backward Effect"
| "[[Rainbow Deck|A Backward Effect]]"
| ''[[The Rainbow Deck]]''
| ''[[The Rainbow Deck]]''
| [[Randy Wakeman]]
| [[Randy Wakeman]]
| 1995
| 1995
| 1-3
| align="right"|1-3
|-
| "Crandall-[[Marlo]] Strip-Out Multiple Shift"
| ''[[Ron Bauer Private Studies Series]], No. 17: Second Finger Top Deal''
| [[Ron Bauer]]
| 2004
| align="right"|26-30
|}
|}


Line 345: Line 426:
! No.
! No.
! Date
! Date
! Page(s)
! Pages
|-
|-
| "The Joker Finds It"
| "The Joker Finds It"
| ''[[Tops]]''
| ''[[TOPS Magazine|The Tops]]''
| align="right"|20
| align="right"|20
| align="right"|9  
| align="right"|9  
| align="right"|September 1955
| align="right"|Sept. 1955
| 7-8?
| align="right"|7-8
|-
|-
| "Jumbo Snake in Basket Routine"
| "Jumbo [[Snake Basket|Snake in Basket]] Routine"
| ''Tops''
| ''The Tops''
| align="right"|13
| align="right"|13
| align="right"|8
| align="right"|8
| align="right"|August 1948
| align="right"|Aug. 1948
| 8-9
| align="right"|8-9
|-
| "[[Rainbow Deck|A Backward Effect]]"
| ''[[Abracadabra]]''
| align="right"|6
| align="right"|140
| align="right"|Oct. 2, 1948
| align="right"|156-157
|-
| "Nothing At All"
| ''[[The Phoenix]]''
| align="right"|
| align="right"|163
| align="right"|Nov. 6, 1948
| align="right"|657
|-
| "Four Pips"
| ''[[The Phoenix]]''
| align="right"|
| align="right"|166
| align="right"|Dec. 17, 1948
| align="right"|667
|-
|-
| "Senator Crandall's Card" ("Notes on the I.B.M. Convention" by [[Martin Gardner]])
| "Senator Crandall's Card" ("Notes on the I.B.M. Convention" by [[Martin Gardner]])
Line 366: Line 468:
| align="right"|1
| align="right"|1
| align="right"|June 1949
| align="right"|June 1949
| 555
| align="right"|555
|-
|-
| "Yakity-Yak Gag" ("Comedy Stunts" by Martin Gardner)
| "Yakity-Yak Gag" ("Comedy Stunts" by Martin Gardner)
Line 372: Line 474:
| align="right"|7
| align="right"|7
| align="right"|6
| align="right"|6
| align="right"|November 1949
| align="right"|Nov. 1949
| 605
| align="right"|605
|-
|-
| "Tear It Up"
| "[[Torn and Restored Card|Tear]] It Up"
| ''[[M-U-M]]''
| ''[[M-U-M]]''
| align="right"|43
| align="right"|43
| align="right"|11
| align="right"|11
| align="right"|April 1954
| align="right"|April 1954
| 470
| align="right"|470
|-
|-
| "Rip 'Em Up"
| "Rip 'Em Up"
Line 386: Line 488:
| align="right"|44
| align="right"|44
| align="right"|5
| align="right"|5
| align="right"|October 1954
| align="right"|Oct. 1954
| 202
| align="right"|202
|-
|-
| "A Backward Effect"
| "[[Rainbow Deck|A Backward Effect]]"
| ''[[The New Phoenix]]''
| ''[[The New Phoenix]]''
|  
|  
| align="right"|328
| align="right"|328
| align="right"|Aug. 8, 1955
| align="right"|Aug. 8, 1955
| 120-121
| align="right"|120-121
|-
|-
| "The First Magic Convention"
| "The First Magic Convention" (article)
| ''[[Genii]]''
| ''[[Genii]]''
| align="right"|23
| align="right"|23
| align="right"|10
| align="right"|10
| align="right"|[[Genii 1959 June|June 1959]]
| align="right"|[[Genii 1959 June|June 1959]]
| 358-360
| align="right"|358-360
|-
|-
| "A Letter to the Editor" (article)
| "A Letter to the Editor" (article)
Line 408: Line 510:
| align="right"|4
| align="right"|4
| align="right"|April 1961
| align="right"|April 1961
| 38-39
| align="right"|38-39
|-
|-
| "Jay Marshall" (article)
| "[[Jay Marshall]]" (article)
| ''The New Tops''
| ''The New Tops''
| align="right"|1
| align="right"|1
| align="right"|6
| align="right"|6
| align="right"|June 1961
| align="right"|June 1961
| 2
| align="right"|2
|-
| "[[Ricki Dunn]]: America's No. 1 Pickpocket" (article)
| ''The New Tops''
| align="right"|3
| align="right"|12
| align="right"|Dec. 1963
| align="right"|4-5
|-
| "[[Russell Walsh|William Russell Walsh]]" (article)
| ''The New Tops''
| align="right"|11
| align="right"|7
| align="right"|July 1971
| align="right"|27-28
|-
| "[[George McAthy]]: An Appreciation" (article)
| ''The New Tops''
| align="right"|11
| align="right"|10
| align="right"|Oct. 1971
| align="right"|22-23
|-
|-
| "Abbott's 35th Annual Get-Together" (article)
| "Abbott's 35th Annual [[Abbott's Get-Together|Get-Together]]" (article)
| ''Genii''
| ''Genii''
| align="right"|36
| align="right"|36
| align="right"|9
| align="right"|9
| align="right"|[[Genii 1972 September|September 1972]]
| align="right"|[[Genii 1972 September|Sept. 1972]]
| 412-416
| align="right"|412-416
|-
|-
| "P.C.A.M. Convention Report" (article)
| "[[Pacific Coast Association of Magicians|P.C.A.M.]] Convention Report" (article)
| ''Genii''
| ''Genii''
| align="right"|37
| align="right"|37
| align="right"|6
| align="right"|6
| align="right"|[[Genii 1973 June|June 1973]]
| align="right"|[[Genii 1973 June|June 1973]]
| 252-256
| align="right"|252-256
|-
|-
| "Clarke The Senator Crandall A Sketchy Autobiography" (article)
| "Clarke The Senator Crandall A Sketchy Autobiography" (article)
Line 435: Line 558:
| align="right"|37
| align="right"|37
| align="right"|9
| align="right"|9
| align="right"|[[Genii 1973 September|September 1973]]
| align="right"|[[Genii 1973 September|Sept. 1973]]
| 383-386
| align="right"|383-386
|-
|-
| "On the Reputed Demise of Duke Stern" (article)
| "On the Reputed Demise of [[Duke Stern]]" (article)
| ''The New Tops''
| ''The New Tops''
| align="right"|13
| align="right"|13
| align="right"|10
| align="right"|10
| align="right"|October 1973
| align="right"|Oct. 1973
| 45-46
| align="right"|45-46
|}
|}


{{References}}
{{References}}
* The New Tops, Vol. 1, No. 6, June 1961, Cover Portrait, page 22
* The New Tops, Vol. 1, No. 6, June 1961, Cover Portrait, page 22
* [[Genii 1973 September]], Vol. 37, No. 9, CLARKE “The Senator” Crandall, A Sketchy Autobiography, page 383  
* Cover, [[Genii 1973 September|Genii Magazine, Vol. 37, No. 9, September 1973]], CLARKE “The Senator” Crandall, A Sketchy Autobiography, page 383  
* The New Tops, Vol. 15, No. 4, April 1975, page 43
* The New Tops, Vol. 15, No. 4, April 1975, page 43
* Goodlife's Abracadabra, Vol. 60 No. 1536, Saturday, 5th JULY, 1975, obituary, page 23  
* Goodlife's Abracadabra, Vol. 60 No. 1536, Saturday, 5th JULY, 1975, obituary, page 23  
* The Linking Ring, Vol. 55, No. 8, August 1975, Clarke, The Senator, Crandall Dies, page 92  
* Cover, The Linking Ring, Vol. 55, No. 8, August 1975, Clarke, The Senator, Crandall Dies, page 92  
* http://www.death-record.com/l/134553307/Clarke-Crandall  
* http://www.death-record.com/l/134553307/Clarke-Crandall  
* "Senator" Crandall Front Page Personality/cover Goodliffe Gen Vol 10 No 6 October 1954 p. 173
* "Senator" Crandall Front Page Personality/cover Goodliffe Gen Vol 10 No 6 October 1954 p. 173
* Genii Vol. 33, No. 7 by William W. Larsen, Jr.  (March 1969) cover p. 273 WWL Jr.
* Genii Vol. 33, No. 7 by William W. Larsen, Jr.  (March 1969) cover p. 273 WWL Jr.


[[Category:Biographies]]
[[Category:Biographies]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Crandall,Clarke}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Crandall,Clarke}}
[[de:Clarke Crandall]]

Latest revision as of 22:55, 22 April 2024

Clarke Crandall

Cover Genii 1969 March
BornClarke Caryl Crandal
April 23, 1907
Iowa
DiedJune 19, 1975 (age 68)
Veteran's Hospital in Los Angeles

Clarke "The Senator" Crandall (b.1907-d.1975) was an American comedy magician and magic dealer. He developed funny routines for such effects as the Card Duck and the Cups and Balls.

Biography

Born on a farm in Iowa. Around 1954, Crandall was doing magic at George Banning's Magic Lounge in Cicero, one of the many bars featuring magic around Chicago. Then, he bought the "Studio of Magic" shop from Al Sharpe in 1957, and ran it for two years before closing.[1]

He became a host at the Magic Castle, introducing the acts and fending off people who were improperly attired (there is a strict dress code). He was the original grumpy old man and his wit and sarcasm were accepted and expected by all. He would do a weekly X-rated show on Saturday nights at midnight.[2]

The Abbott's Get-Together presents the "Senator Crandall Award" for comedy excellence each year.

Columns & Newsletters

Senator's Pink Sheet

Senator's Pink Sheet ran from April 1957 to June 1959.

"It's a Mystery to Me"

"It's a Mystery to Me" was the name of a long-running column The Senator wrote for The New Tops, from 1963 to March 1974. A compilation of some of the columns, selected by Neil Foster, was published as Now You Can Get the Best of "Senator" Crandall in 1969, by Abbott's. Crandall also self-published his Little Pink Booklet in 1972, which was a reprint of more columns from "It's a Mystery to Me."

Little Pink Booklet

Senator Crandall's Little Pink Booklet was published "irregularly" for a brief period in 1972.

"It's Only My Opinion But..."

Crandall-Opinion.jpg

"It's Only My Opinion But..." was Crandall's column in Genii, from November 1972 to May 1975.

Vol. No. Date Page
36 11 November 1972 498
36 12 December 1972 546
37 1 January 1973 22
37 2 February 1973 68
37 3 March 1973 112
37 4 April 1973 154
37 5 May 1973 200
37 7 July 1973 288
37 8 August 1973 332
37 10 October 1973 422
37 11 November 1973 464
37 12 December 1973 512
38 1 January 1974 20
38 2 February 1974 64
38 3 March 1974 106
38 4 April 1974 148
38 5 May 1974 207
38 6 June 1974 247
38 7 July 1974 294
38 9 September 1974 380
38 10 October 1974 426
38 11 November 1974 474
39 3 March 1975 120
39 4 April 1975 189
39 5 May 1975 226

Crandall Comments

Clarke The Senator Crandall Comments was published in Hollywood "at 50¢ a copy once a month sometimes" in 1974 and 75.

Bibliography

Meet the Senator

Meet the Senator came out circa 1950.

Contents:

  • Page 2 Meet the Senator
  • Page 3 Dear Friends
  • Page 4 "Double Confusion"
  • Page 7 "Everything Fair Poker Deal"
  • Page 12 "Palm Reading Routine"

Entertaining With Magic (1952)

See Entertaining with Magic.

The Senator Returns (1959)

The Senator Returns was published in 1959.

Contents:

  • "Twenty One Card Trick"
  • "Too Many Sevens"
  • "Lecture on Perseverance"
  • Newspaper Clippings
  • Optical Illusions

Gwendolyn and the Duck Deck Routine

See Senator Crandall and "Gwendolyn".

How to Stack Dice for Fun and No $! (1974)

See How to Stack Dice for Fun and No $!.

How to Add More Magic to Your Comedy

This was the working title of a book of Crandall's magic that Bruce Cervon and Ron Bauer had planned to write. After Cervon died in 2007, Bauer stated:

Unfortunately, several years of procrastination followed by Bruce’s illness delayed our progress on the book. Now that Bruce has passed on, I doubt that I'll ever write and publish it, mostly because he was the connection to Clarke's family who should be part of the project.[3]

Other Works

  • Politicking Magic was published circa 1955, and was written by Jay Marshall and Crandall.
    • Page 1 How I Came to Do Politicking Magic by Jay Marshall
    • Page 2 The Political Speech
    • Page 4 Clarke "The Senator" Crandall's Political Thoughts
    • Page 5 The Clarke Crandall Style

Contributions to Books

Title Book Title Author Date Pages
"Triple Divincation" 50 Tricks You Can Do, You Will Do, Easy to Do W. F. Rufus Steele 1946 22
Some gags (as given to Don Alan) Ireland Yearbook 1950 L. L. Ireland 1950 31-32
"An Impossible Transposition" The Last Word on Cards W. F. Rufus Steele 1952 26-27
Cards in pocket anecdote With Frances In Magicland Frances Ireland 1952 117
"The Sands of Time" Ireland Yearbook for 1953 L. L. Ireland 1953 32-33
"On the Linking Ropes" Ireland Yearbook for 1953 L. L. Ireland 1953 33
"Cup and Balls" The Tarbell Course in Magic, Vol. 6 Harlan Tarbell 1954 39-48
"One Hand Six Card Repeat" The Tarbell Course in Magic, Vol. 6 Harlan Tarbell 1954 78-83
"Crandall on Kids" Kid Stuff, Vol. 2 Frances Ireland Marshall 1959 72
"Crandall's Original Routine" (Sponge balls) The Sponge Book: How to Do Sponge Ball Tricks Frances Ireland Marshall 1960 35-41
"Around the Block" The Sponge Book: How to Do Sponge Ball Tricks Frances Ireland Marshall 1960 42-43
Multiple table shift (with Ed Marlo) Revolutionary Card Technique, Chapter 11: The Multiple Shift Ed Marlo 1960 21-23
"The Senator Explains ESP" Comedy Mentalism, Vol. 2 Robert Nelson 1963 13
"Some Thoughts on Mentalism" Comedy Mentalism, Vol. 2 Robert Nelson 1963 26-27
"More Than Coincidence" Comedy Mentalism, Vol. 2 Robert Nelson 1963 55-57
"A Short Anatomy of Humor" Comedy Mentalism, Vol. 3 Robert Nelson 1964 13-16
Comedy card in the egg Ireland Yearbook 1967-8 Frances Marshall 1968 17
"Magic Isn’t Funny" Ireland Yearbook 1967-8 Frances Marshall 1968 20-24
"Triad-a-Maze" Ireland Yearbook 1967-8 Frances Marshall 1968 99-101
"Open Force" Expert Card Conjuring Alton Sharpe 1968 77
"30th Century Clip Board" The New Encyclopedic Dictionary of Mentalism Burling "Volta" Hull 1972 119-122
"Crandall's Rainbow" Super Subtle Card Miracles Frank Garcia 1972 139-142
"The Joker Finds It" Miniature Mysteries With Cards Barbara Walker 1980 55-6
"Gamblers' Nightmare" The Bobo Magic Show J. B. Bobo 1984 48
Remarks (from lecture in New York, March 1952) Magic For Bartenders - Encore! Leo Behnke 1992 9-13
Beer bottle gag Magic For Bartenders - Encore! Leo Behnke 1992 38
"My Business Cards" Magic For Bartenders - Encore! Leo Behnke 1992 65-67
"Crandall's Mexican Turnover" Find The Ace: A Book About Three Card Monte Leo Behnke 1993 30-31
"A Backward Effect" The Rainbow Deck Randy Wakeman 1995 1-3
"Crandall-Marlo Strip-Out Multiple Shift" Ron Bauer Private Studies Series, No. 17: Second Finger Top Deal Ron Bauer 2004 26-30

Contributions to Magazines

Title Magazine Title Vol. No. Date Pages
"The Joker Finds It" The Tops 20 9 Sept. 1955 7-8
"Jumbo Snake in Basket Routine" The Tops 13 8 Aug. 1948 8-9
"A Backward Effect" Abracadabra 6 140 Oct. 2, 1948 156-157
"Nothing At All" The Phoenix 163 Nov. 6, 1948 657
"Four Pips" The Phoenix 166 Dec. 17, 1948 667
"Senator Crandall's Card" ("Notes on the I.B.M. Convention" by Martin Gardner) Hugard's Magic Monthly 7 1 June 1949 555
"Yakity-Yak Gag" ("Comedy Stunts" by Martin Gardner) Hugard's Magic Monthly 7 6 Nov. 1949 605
"Tear It Up" M-U-M 43 11 April 1954 470
"Rip 'Em Up" M-U-M 44 5 Oct. 1954 202
"A Backward Effect" The New Phoenix 328 Aug. 8, 1955 120-121
"The First Magic Convention" (article) Genii 23 10 June 1959 358-360
"A Letter to the Editor" (article) The New Tops 1 4 April 1961 38-39
"Jay Marshall" (article) The New Tops 1 6 June 1961 2
"Ricki Dunn: America's No. 1 Pickpocket" (article) The New Tops 3 12 Dec. 1963 4-5
"William Russell Walsh" (article) The New Tops 11 7 July 1971 27-28
"George McAthy: An Appreciation" (article) The New Tops 11 10 Oct. 1971 22-23
"Abbott's 35th Annual Get-Together" (article) Genii 36 9 Sept. 1972 412-416
"P.C.A.M. Convention Report" (article) Genii 37 6 June 1973 252-256
"Clarke The Senator Crandall A Sketchy Autobiography" (article) Genii 37 9 Sept. 1973 383-386
"On the Reputed Demise of Duke Stern" (article) The New Tops 13 10 Oct. 1973 45-46

References

  1. ↑ MAGIC Magazine, January 2005
  2. ↑ Cover Genii 1969 March
  3. ↑ Ron Bauer, "Honest, Now You Can Cheat For Free!", Think Like a Conjurer, 2007
  • The New Tops, Vol. 1, No. 6, June 1961, Cover Portrait, page 22
  • Cover, Genii Magazine, Vol. 37, No. 9, September 1973, CLARKE “The Senator” Crandall, A Sketchy Autobiography, page 383
  • The New Tops, Vol. 15, No. 4, April 1975, page 43
  • Goodlife's Abracadabra, Vol. 60 No. 1536, Saturday, 5th JULY, 1975, obituary, page 23
  • Cover, The Linking Ring, Vol. 55, No. 8, August 1975, Clarke, The Senator, Crandall Dies, page 92
  • http://www.death-record.com/l/134553307/Clarke-Crandall
  • "Senator" Crandall Front Page Personality/cover Goodliffe Gen Vol 10 No 6 October 1954 p. 173
  • Genii Vol. 33, No. 7 by William W. Larsen, Jr. (March 1969) cover p. 273 WWL Jr.
Retrieved from "https://geniimagazine.com/wiki/index.php?title=Clarke_Crandall&oldid=91102"