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John Benzais
John Benzais (ca. 1942 - 1968) was a close-up magician and one time clerk/demonstrator for Tannen's Magic. During his brief career John established a reputation as a magical innovator. and a past president of F.A.M.E. in New York City. He published only a small body of work, the bulk of which are contained in his book, The Best of Benzais (1967), which he wrote and illustrated himself.
| John Benzais | |
| Born | circa 1942 |
|---|---|
| Died | March of 1968 (age 25) |
| Categories | Books by John Benzais |
Benzais married the daughter of Joe Fenichel, Diana (also a magician), on April 4, 1963.[1]
Benzais left Tannen's employ no more than a year before he died of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Pennsylvania, he was at age 26. [2] [3] [4]
Highlights
The Secret of Gorius, a rope routine in which a knot repeatedly appears and vanishes, that Richard Kaufman once referred to as "one of the best kept secrets in magic".
Innovations
- Han Ping Benzais
- Benzais Cop
- Benzais Spinout Subtlety
- Benzais Cut
- Benzais Deal Steal
- Benzais Spin
- Benzais Friction Retention Pass[5]
Books
- The Best of Benzais (1967)
References
- ↑ MUM June, 1963
- ↑ Linking Ring, April 1968, Vol 48, No 4, page 51
- ↑ Genii 1968 March, Vol. 32, No.7, “Bagdad”, p.339
- ↑ Genii 2001 January,Vol. 64, “A Millennium of Magic Literature”, p.54
- ↑ Ed Marlo, page 7 in Bullseye Coin Tricks in 1942