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Delorys

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Revision as of 17:42, 28 January 2011 by Jpecore (Talk | contribs) (Awards)

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Delorys
BornOctober 27 1909
Nebraska
DiedNovember 17, 1978 (age 69)
Panorama City, California

Delorys was the stage name of Marian Chavez, wife of Ben Chavez, who specialized in manipulation. [1]

When Marian joined the act of her husband, Benny Chavez, in Chicago, the name "Delorys" was suggested by Dorny. The act "Benny Chavez and Delorys" played leading circuits throughout the United States and Australia.

In the 1940s, she was doing a solo act as a Magicienne at several night clubs in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

She served as president of the Magigals, Los Angeles Assembly No. 8 and She was a charter member of International Guild of Prestidigitators, a sleight-of-hand club founded by her husband.

During the war, she was an engineer at Lockheed Aircraft Corp. Her experience as an engineer enabled her to incorporate some innovations in magic illusion, such as the vanishing radio.[2]

Delorys would volunteer to entertain at the various hospitals and USO shows.

In 1938 their five year old daughter Ruth, died as a result of burns suffered in a burning house-trailer. The grieving couple ceased to travel and three years later decided to open a school for magicians called the Chavez Studio of Magic.

Marian succumbed to cancer, which she had fought for over three years without telling her friends, working up to the very to be sure the Chavez School would continue.[3]

Awards

  • P.C.A.M. convention Caryl S. Fleming Trophy, an award for the best Magic act in District 3.
  • Special Fellowship Award from Academy of Magical Arts (1973)

Books

  • Home Study Course in Prestidigitation and Showmanship (1960s)

Chavez College of Manual Dexterity and Prestidigitation

References

  1. Cover, New Tops, January 1979
  2. Magigal of the month, Genii 1946 November
  3. Obit, Genii 1978 December