Benson Bowl

Benson Bowl Routine is a variation of the Cups and Balls using a single brass bowl, a wooden wand, and three sponge balls developed by Roy Benson. It was probably inspired by Persian (Iranian) magician Rezvani's "The Cushions of the Princess," which became known as The Tomato Trick. Whereas Rezvani used small pincushions that looked like tomatoes, Benson adapted the trick using sponge balls. The Benson Bowl also included a sponge ball vanish technique that is still commonly used.

Don Alan is often connected to the trick; he became well known for his Don Alan Bowl Routine.

Also, Frank Garcia used Benson's routine in his close-up act for years.

Benson Bowl Resources

• The Benson Bowl ("It's Magic") (Roy Benson): The Phoenix, No. 156 (July 30, 1948, pp. 627-629).
  • Bruce Elliott, Classic Secrets of Magic (1953, pp. 189-198).
  • Roy Benson, Benson on Magic (1972).
  • Levent and Todd Karr, Roy Benson by Starlight (2006, pp. 375-400).
  • Pete Biro, BOWLing With the Stars, Pete Biro's Magic, No. 3 (2009, pp. 14-19).

Don Alan's Bowl Routine

• Don Alan Bowl Routine (Don Alan): Marketed item, 1953. Martin's Magic Shop.
  • Benson Bowl (Over) (Don Alan): Jon Racherbaumer, In a Class by Himself (1999, pp. 43-50).
  • Don Alan: How to Earn a Living, The Greater Magic Video Library, Vol. 28 (1988, VHS, Stevens Magic Emporium).
    • Don Alan, The Greater Magic Video Library, Vol. 28 (2004, DVD, Twin Cities Magic).

• Bowl or Cup Load: Don Alan, Pretty Sneaky (1956, pp. 42-43).
  • Pete Biro, BOWLing With the Stars, Pete Biro's Magic, No. 3 (2009, p. 19).

• Idea for Don Alan Bowl Routine (Harold Martin): The Linking Ring, Vol. 44 No. 11 (November 1964, p. 80).

Other Resources

• Chinese Chow (Fred Kaps): Lewis Ganson, The Art of Close Up Magic, Vol. 1 (1967, pp. 354-359).
  • Cameron Francis, Chinese Chow, The Aldo Colombini Tribute Series (2014, DVD, Colombini Magic).

• Sometimes: Frank Garcia, The Encyclopedia of Sponge Ball Magic (1976, pp. 151-154).
  • The Secrets of Sponge Balls, The World's Greatest Magic by the World's Greatest Magicians (2006, DVD, L&L Publishing).

• A.G. Bowl Routine (Albert Goshman): Patrick Page and Albert Goshman, Magic by Gosh (1985, pp. 123-128).
  • Albert Goshman, The Albert Goshman Lecture (2005, DVD, International Magic).

• Benson's Bowl Routine: Johnny Thompson, Commercial Classics of Magic, Vol. 1 (1999, VHS, L&L Publishing).
  • The Secrets of Sponge Balls, The World's Greatest Magic by the World's Greatest Magicians (2006, DVD, L&L Publishing).
  • Pete Biro, BOWLing With the Stars, Pete Biro's Magic, No. 3 (2009, pp. 20-23).

• The Benson Bowl Revisited (Ross Bertram): Genii, Vol. 66 No. 3 (March 2003, pp. 56-57).

• The World-Famous Bowl Routine: Lance Pierce, 2006. Lance Pierce Magic, 86 pages.

• Bowl Routine: Steve Dacri, The Magic of Steve Dacri: No Filler, Vol. 3 (2006, DVD, L&L Publishing).
  • Steve Dacri, Spongeball Toolbox (2008, DVD, Magic by Gosh).

• Bowl Routine: John Mendoza, My Best, Vol. 2 (2007, DVD, [&L Publishing).
  • The Secrets of Close-up Magic, Vol. 3, The World's Greatest Magic by the World's Greatest Magicians (2008, DVD, L&L Publishing).

• Benson Burner: Tom Stone, Vortex (2010, pp. 195-199).

• BRAVO! A Squeaky Clean Ball and Bowl Routine: Jeff McBride, Squeak Technique (2012, DVD, McBride Magic).