Senor Mardo

Senor (Charles) Mardo (June 8, 1895 - 1976) was the stage name of Medardo Lonzano, born in Havana Cuba. He performed as a full-time professional, close-up, club, and stage magician from the 1940s through the 1960s.

He moved to the United States around 1912 and became a citizen around 1921. By 1954 he had won 22 magic trophies.

Mardo’s Egg Bags were made by his wife, Lynne Castel, who also performed the trick, which was described in Mardo’s first book, Routined Magic.

Mardo spent his later years in New York City and was often found at Lou Tannen's Magic shop helping young magicians. His final book, a sequel to Routined Magic was lost in the fire that gutted the offices of Tannen's.

It has also been reported that he was a spy who worked for the U.S. Government on missions in Cuba.

His wife, Lynne Castel (born in Little Rock, Arkansas on January 31, 1917), was a master puppeteer and made her own marionettes. She would perform her puppet show and Mardo would perform his Magic Show as a complete evening package, since 1941.

It was reported in the April 1976 Genii that he passed away that year.

Books

• Routined Magic (1945)
• Magic for Bartenders (1950)
• White Sorcery (1951)
• The Cups & Balls (1955)
• The Act (1967)

References

• Linking Ring March 1954, page 64.
• Obit Genii 1976 April, Vol 40, No.4, page 241
• http://www.geniimagazine.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=195495#Post195495