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Rhadolph Marcelliee: Difference between revisions
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'''Rhadolph Marcelliee''' was a successful | '''Rhadolph Marcelliee''' (1895-1971), born Marcellus R. Clark, was a successful stage magician, lecturer, and faith healer. As an African American, he was able to succeed during the era of legalized segregation by wearing a turban and passing himself off as an Indian or Hindu magician. | ||
== Biography == | |||
Clark became interested in magic after meeting [[Henry S. Percival]] in 1907 and took up the idea of performing as a career after seeing [[Alonzo Moore]] performing with Harvey's Minstrels in Boston. | |||
It was after catching [[Professor Maharajah]] (Wilmont Barclay) who masqueraded as a Hindu hypnotist and escape artist that Clark | It was after catching a performance by [[Professor Maharajah]] (Wilmont Barclay), who masqueraded as a Hindu hypnotist and escape artist, that Clark decided to pass himself off as an Indian magician. | ||
Billing himself as "The Magician That Is Somewhat Different", he created a fictitious biography for press releases for his performances as a Hindu | Billing himself as "The Magician That Is Somewhat Different", he created a fictitious biography for press releases for his performances as a Hindu mentalist and escape artist. | ||
He married Alma in New York in the 1920s, who assisted him and was billed as Princess Almasjid Marcelliee. | He married Alma in New York in the 1920s, who. She assisted him onstage and was billed as Princess Almasjid Marcelliee. | ||
In the 1930s, he and his wife developed a faith-healing program, as Doctor and Madame Marcelliee, doing mind-reading and Bible lectures. | In the 1930s, he and his wife developed a faith-healing program, as Doctor and Madame Marcelliee, doing mind-reading and Bible lectures. | ||
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At some point, Alma retired from the entertainment business, and Marcellus Clark continued as a solo act. | At some point, Alma retired from the entertainment business, and Marcellus Clark continued as a solo act. | ||
Clark was | Clark was possibly the first black magician to perform at an [[International Brotherhood of Magicians]] convention, when he was invited to demonstrate in Philadelphia in 1952. He later joined the IBM in 1953 as member No. 14190. | ||
Clark was still performing in the late 1960s and promoting himself in brochures which embellished his career.<ref>Conjure Times : Black Magicians in America by Jim Haskins, Kathleen Benson (2001)</ref> | Clark was still performing in the late 1960s and promoting himself in brochures which embellished his career.<ref>Conjure Times: Black Magicians in America by Jim Haskins, Kathleen Benson (2001)</ref> | ||
He married again in 1966 to Forestyne Armstrong.<ref>Broken Wand, Linking Ring, September, 1971</ref> | He married again in 1966 to Forestyne Armstrong.<ref>Broken Wand, Linking Ring, September, 1971</ref> | ||
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Latest revision as of 00:33, 23 April 2023
| Rhadolph Marcelliee | |
| Born | Marcellus R. Clark April 14, 1895 Cambridge, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Died | June 21, 1971 (age 76) Philadelphia, Pennsylviania |
Rhadolph Marcelliee (1895-1971), born Marcellus R. Clark, was a successful stage magician, lecturer, and faith healer. As an African American, he was able to succeed during the era of legalized segregation by wearing a turban and passing himself off as an Indian or Hindu magician.
Biography
Clark became interested in magic after meeting Henry S. Percival in 1907 and took up the idea of performing as a career after seeing Alonzo Moore performing with Harvey's Minstrels in Boston.
It was after catching a performance by Professor Maharajah (Wilmont Barclay), who masqueraded as a Hindu hypnotist and escape artist, that Clark decided to pass himself off as an Indian magician.
Billing himself as "The Magician That Is Somewhat Different", he created a fictitious biography for press releases for his performances as a Hindu mentalist and escape artist.
He married Alma in New York in the 1920s, who. She assisted him onstage and was billed as Princess Almasjid Marcelliee.
In the 1930s, he and his wife developed a faith-healing program, as Doctor and Madame Marcelliee, doing mind-reading and Bible lectures.
At some point, Alma retired from the entertainment business, and Marcellus Clark continued as a solo act.
Clark was possibly the first black magician to perform at an International Brotherhood of Magicians convention, when he was invited to demonstrate in Philadelphia in 1952. He later joined the IBM in 1953 as member No. 14190.
Clark was still performing in the late 1960s and promoting himself in brochures which embellished his career.[1]
He married again in 1966 to Forestyne Armstrong.[2]