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Leon
| Leon | |
 Cover of Sphinx (June 1917) | |
| Born | Leon Harry Levy 1876 New York |
|---|---|
| Died | 1951 |
| Nationality | American |
The Great Leon (1876-1951) became a leading performer in Vaudeville.[1]
Biography
Leon married Edythe Packard (of the Packard car company family) who became an integral part of his show. Early in his career he performed an Oriental act as Chunda Hula and later as Kadan Sami.[2]
Leon went to great lengths and was quite careful to register and patent his original illusions. In correspondence sent to Variety and the National Vaudeville Artists, Inc., Leon asks for and receives protective registration for all of the items he listed: Shrink and Shrunken, Fire and Water, The Miniature Haunted House, Ribbon Shot Through a Woman, Duck Tray, and The Doll House.
The Great Leon's shows were known for their fast pace. His signature illusion was "Fire and Water", in which an assistant was wrapped in paper and set on fire then reappeared in a water-filled tank on the opposite side of the stage.
By 1932, The Great Leon had given his last performance as a vaudeville headline and retired to California. Les Levante purchased Leon’s entire show.
His son Leon Leon, grandson Les Arnold and great grandson David Leon carried on the magic tradition.
Books
References
- ↑ "The Lost Papers of The Great Leon" Magus Mirabilis, Vol. 1, Issue 2,
- ↑ http://www.ibmring21.org/famous.html