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Great LaFollette

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Revision as of 16:53, 4 September 2009 by Philippe billot (Talk | contribs) (References)

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The Great LaFollette also known as Rush Ling Toy (December 8, 1886 - November 8, 1960), born George F. Reuschling in Baltimore, Maryland performed both a successful Chinese and traditional magic act (frequently with both acts on the same bill letting audiences believe they were different people). Another of his specialities was a Quick-Change act.

At one time was partnered with Jean Hugard in a Luna Park theatre of magic.

In the early 1900s, he was performing as The Mysterious Reuschling in the D.C./Baltimore area. By 1912, he was performing his Chinese act as Rush Link Toy in Vaudeville. Later he developed The Great LaFollette, "International Transformist", in which he would change and perform as Herrmann the Great, Harry Kellar, Buatier de Kolta, Servais Le Roy and his Chinese alter ego Rush Ling Toy.

LaFallette toured Cuba with Carl Rosini, South America with Carl Herrmann, played in The Main Street Follies in New York.

After Vaudeville, he settled in the Boston area, where he performed until retiring and moving to Florida. There, he opened and ran a magic shop in St. Petersburg. Among his inventions were The La Follette Rice Combination, Wooden Soldier Illusion, Flight of the Mandarin, The Russian Anarchist, The Spinning Girl, The Phantom Studio and The Spirit Bungalow.

References