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Fred Keating
Fred Keating (March 27, 1897- June 29, 1961), born in New York City, was a successful magician that moved to Hollywood to try his success as an actor.
He saw de Kolta when he was eight and later ran away from school to join the Thurston show as an assistant. Keating was a student of Nate Leipzig and was influenced by the slightly sarcastic style of Frank Ray.
He appeared in such films as 'To Beat the Band', 'Tin Pan Alley' and 'Eternally Yours'. The latter starred David Niven as a magician and featured Paul LePaul as a Butler and Fred as a Master of Ceremonies.
On television, he staged and starred in a one hour magic show with Arthur Godfrey.
He was well known for his version of the De Kolta's Vanishing Birdcage.
Roy Benson was inspired by Keating's persona and started out imitating him.
Keating's essay on "Magic As Theatre" was published in Tarbell's Course In Magic Volume 6.
Moe Howard talks about Fred Keating on the Mike Douglas Show: