About Mr. Magic
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(published works & trick development)
© Dick Williams and MagiclandTV.com.
Hosted by family of Mr Magic. All Rights Reserved.
Hosted by family of Mr Magic. All Rights Reserved.
Books/videos:
Booking Magic (1959, 15pp booklet)
Lights! Cameras! Magic!: A Guide to Performing Magic on Television (1994, 202pp)
***referred to as LCM!
Magic in Focus (1995 companion VHS tape, to LCM!)
Take Two (1997 follow-up to Magic in Focus VHS tape)
***all but Booking Magic were published/released by SPS Publications
Trick development:
Dick spent many hours over his life re-working and improving tricks. His goal was to learn
one new trick a week and make it TV-ready. Dick read hundreds of books in his lifetime, some
multiple times, and kept a large collection of props to keep his Magicland show going
(see photos below).
Presenting the Haunted Key (Fun, Inc. in Chicago, 1997, 12pp)
-patter developed after booklet was published: The Latch Key Kid (free PDF download)
Dick Williams' Cups & Balls for the New Millennium (1999, 12pp)
-Updated from LCM! coverage, pgs. 113-115
-Dick also updated booklet to 2003 and beyond, as Dick Williams' Millennium Cups & Balls
-Concept: An audience member becomes the Sorcerer's Apprentice. A radical new presentation of a classic.
-Note: approximately six months after Michael Ammar released his book, The Complete Cups and Balls, Dick sent a
manuscript to him that he had been working on for a few years (he did not know that Ammar was working on the book).
Here are Mr. Ammar's comments: “After reading his manuscript, I found myself wishing I had not added the word ‘complete’
to the title of my project, because contained in Dick’s manuscript wasn’t just another routine, but an entirely new approach
to Cups and Balls. In essence, Dick's routine sprouts a brand new branch to the Cups and Balls family tree. Obviously I was
impressed. Perhaps all the more so since I had spent years reading everything I could on the Cups and Balls, and in all the
time I don’t recall seeing any other approach that was as refreshing or as commercial as the concept conceived by Dick
Williams. Upon reading Dick’s routine, I was immediately struck by the potent concept, and I called him up to tell him so.
The nicest, most charming man you can imagine answered the phone, and by the end of the conversation he was quite
clear about one thing – nothing would make him happier than to see other people performing and getting pleasure out
of his concept, and he would be delighted if I could help spread the word about it."
4/23/02 from Ammar (after Dick continued to make improvements to the routine): "As for your new concept with the Cups &
Balls, I only wish it could have been part of my book and videos. It really is brilliant, and I think it is the most refreshing
approach to this classic in recent history. About 25 years ago Tommy Wonder broke new ground when he used the bag that
carried his cups as one of the final loads, while using the pom pom from the pull string as the other final load. Other than
these two new ideas, I can’t think of anything else that does as much to expand the possibilities with what many consider to
be the greatest effect in magic. In fact, a recent survey among 500 or so magicians did rank the Cups and Balls as the single
best effect in magic, so it is an amazing accomplishment to make a genuine advancement in such a classic."
Michael Ammar performing the Cups & Balls (he credits Dick Williams at beginning of routine)...video here.
Booking Magic (1959, 15pp booklet)
Lights! Cameras! Magic!: A Guide to Performing Magic on Television (1994, 202pp)
***referred to as LCM!
Magic in Focus (1995 companion VHS tape, to LCM!)
Take Two (1997 follow-up to Magic in Focus VHS tape)
***all but Booking Magic were published/released by SPS Publications
Trick development:
Dick spent many hours over his life re-working and improving tricks. His goal was to learn
one new trick a week and make it TV-ready. Dick read hundreds of books in his lifetime, some
multiple times, and kept a large collection of props to keep his Magicland show going
(see photos below).
Presenting the Haunted Key (Fun, Inc. in Chicago, 1997, 12pp)
-patter developed after booklet was published: The Latch Key Kid (free PDF download)
Dick Williams' Cups & Balls for the New Millennium (1999, 12pp)
-Updated from LCM! coverage, pgs. 113-115
-Dick also updated booklet to 2003 and beyond, as Dick Williams' Millennium Cups & Balls
-Concept: An audience member becomes the Sorcerer's Apprentice. A radical new presentation of a classic.
-Note: approximately six months after Michael Ammar released his book, The Complete Cups and Balls, Dick sent a
manuscript to him that he had been working on for a few years (he did not know that Ammar was working on the book).
Here are Mr. Ammar's comments: “After reading his manuscript, I found myself wishing I had not added the word ‘complete’
to the title of my project, because contained in Dick’s manuscript wasn’t just another routine, but an entirely new approach
to Cups and Balls. In essence, Dick's routine sprouts a brand new branch to the Cups and Balls family tree. Obviously I was
impressed. Perhaps all the more so since I had spent years reading everything I could on the Cups and Balls, and in all the
time I don’t recall seeing any other approach that was as refreshing or as commercial as the concept conceived by Dick
Williams. Upon reading Dick’s routine, I was immediately struck by the potent concept, and I called him up to tell him so.
The nicest, most charming man you can imagine answered the phone, and by the end of the conversation he was quite
clear about one thing – nothing would make him happier than to see other people performing and getting pleasure out
of his concept, and he would be delighted if I could help spread the word about it."
4/23/02 from Ammar (after Dick continued to make improvements to the routine): "As for your new concept with the Cups &
Balls, I only wish it could have been part of my book and videos. It really is brilliant, and I think it is the most refreshing
approach to this classic in recent history. About 25 years ago Tommy Wonder broke new ground when he used the bag that
carried his cups as one of the final loads, while using the pom pom from the pull string as the other final load. Other than
these two new ideas, I can’t think of anything else that does as much to expand the possibilities with what many consider to
be the greatest effect in magic. In fact, a recent survey among 500 or so magicians did rank the Cups and Balls as the single
best effect in magic, so it is an amazing accomplishment to make a genuine advancement in such a classic."
Michael Ammar performing the Cups & Balls (he credits Dick Williams at beginning of routine)...video here.
About the Zig-Zag illusion:
Dick Williams was the first to perform the authorized version of Harbin's Zig-Zag illusion on American TV (4/4/71). Dick's
secrets and answers to questions such as: The middle section seemed to go out further than most....was this Zig-Zag built
according to standard plans? (Answer: yes, but this is why it appeared that way...) refer to "Zig Zag Girl" (LCM!, pgs. 148-149)
Articles:
Tops, Linking Ring, Dragon, & Magigram
Coverage in these and other publications:
Creative World of Conjuring, by John Booth (1990): Chapter IV covers Dick William's Magicland show
Paul Osborne's Illusion Systems - Book 3 (several pages covering Dick Williams' experience and thoughts on the
presentation of the 'Lightbulb Through Girl Illusion.' Dick was enamored by Harry Blackstone's presentation of the lightbulb
cabinet and it became one of Dick's favorite illusions, next to the Zig-Zag. The man who built the lightbulb cabinet for Harry
Blackstone, De Yip Loo, also built one for Dick.) Photo here.
Comedy Pro-File, by David Hemingway. 2011 book that included Dick Williams’ The Great Guest Speaker Spoof: a Parody of
Bad Speeches. pgs 86-91. Also published by SPS Publication in 1995. Dick wrote this in the 1970s.
...what David Hemingway said in his Comedy Pro-File book: "Dick generously and kindly allowed me to use several of his
superb routines both on my 'Gingerbread' lecture tour, and also in my book Working with Genius where you will find his
terrific audience participation piece, The Popularity Contest, for children or adults."
We Remember Dante, by Joel Ray, pp. 131-138. (Dick Williams met Dante, backstage, in Wichita, KS).
2005 Guinness Book Of Records, pg. 182
2006 Guinness Book Of Records, pg. 154
Hi There, Boys and Girls!: America's Local Children's TV, by Tim Hollis, pg. 269.
Favorite card trick: Make the Cards Match
Favorite close-up trick (besides the Cups & Balls):
Haunted Key (Dick carried that on him as people would often ask "Can you show me a trick?")
Influenced by:
Blackstone, Dante, Dai Vernon, and others, especially after meeting and interacting with them. A 1944 autographed photo of
Blackstone appears in LCM!. One way Dick was able to see some fine magic acts was that he worked as a popcorn boy at
the Orpheum Theater in Wichita (age 13?). It was in Dick's genuine personality to care about involving his audience; but, he
did learn from Dante, early on, that it was important to make the spectator feel that he was the most important part of the
show...because he is! ...and what magician hasn't been influenced by Houdini: the Williams' performing the Metamorphosis
illusion (or sub trunk) here.
NOTE: This page was constructed by his family after Mr. Magic's head injury in 2007; so, he isn't able to proof for accuracy but
we do believe the information herein is accurate (i.e. his favorite card trick in the last ten years was "Make the Cards Match").
Dick Williams was the first to perform the authorized version of Harbin's Zig-Zag illusion on American TV (4/4/71). Dick's
secrets and answers to questions such as: The middle section seemed to go out further than most....was this Zig-Zag built
according to standard plans? (Answer: yes, but this is why it appeared that way...) refer to "Zig Zag Girl" (LCM!, pgs. 148-149)
Articles:
Tops, Linking Ring, Dragon, & Magigram
Coverage in these and other publications:
Creative World of Conjuring, by John Booth (1990): Chapter IV covers Dick William's Magicland show
Paul Osborne's Illusion Systems - Book 3 (several pages covering Dick Williams' experience and thoughts on the
presentation of the 'Lightbulb Through Girl Illusion.' Dick was enamored by Harry Blackstone's presentation of the lightbulb
cabinet and it became one of Dick's favorite illusions, next to the Zig-Zag. The man who built the lightbulb cabinet for Harry
Blackstone, De Yip Loo, also built one for Dick.) Photo here.
Comedy Pro-File, by David Hemingway. 2011 book that included Dick Williams’ The Great Guest Speaker Spoof: a Parody of
Bad Speeches. pgs 86-91. Also published by SPS Publication in 1995. Dick wrote this in the 1970s.
...what David Hemingway said in his Comedy Pro-File book: "Dick generously and kindly allowed me to use several of his
superb routines both on my 'Gingerbread' lecture tour, and also in my book Working with Genius where you will find his
terrific audience participation piece, The Popularity Contest, for children or adults."
We Remember Dante, by Joel Ray, pp. 131-138. (Dick Williams met Dante, backstage, in Wichita, KS).
2005 Guinness Book Of Records, pg. 182
2006 Guinness Book Of Records, pg. 154
Hi There, Boys and Girls!: America's Local Children's TV, by Tim Hollis, pg. 269.
Favorite card trick: Make the Cards Match
Favorite close-up trick (besides the Cups & Balls):
Haunted Key (Dick carried that on him as people would often ask "Can you show me a trick?")
Influenced by:
Blackstone, Dante, Dai Vernon, and others, especially after meeting and interacting with them. A 1944 autographed photo of
Blackstone appears in LCM!. One way Dick was able to see some fine magic acts was that he worked as a popcorn boy at
the Orpheum Theater in Wichita (age 13?). It was in Dick's genuine personality to care about involving his audience; but, he
did learn from Dante, early on, that it was important to make the spectator feel that he was the most important part of the
show...because he is! ...and what magician hasn't been influenced by Houdini: the Williams' performing the Metamorphosis
illusion (or sub trunk) here.
NOTE: This page was constructed by his family after Mr. Magic's head injury in 2007; so, he isn't able to proof for accuracy but
we do believe the information herein is accurate (i.e. his favorite card trick in the last ten years was "Make the Cards Match").
Professor Muskogee Nightmare (LCM!, pgs. 120-125)
-Dick came up with a new method to this classic, all from a dream he had in Muskogee, OK
one night, on a trip.
Genii Vase (features a vastly improved gimmick and routine). Updated from Hindu Vase
coverage in LCM!, pgs. 107-111. Originally distributed by US Toy in Leawood, KS. No more are
being made. Dick's wife Virginia, now deceased, hand-crocheted the cover to the gimmick to
make it silent and work more effectively (how to make a Genii vase is covered in a 2003 DVD
Dick did called his Farewell Lecture, which covered all his favorite tricks). Dick and Virginia
were partners (she helped to write LCM!, give Dick feedback on trick methods, etc). Coverage
in June 1996 Genii magazine (p. 646): "Mr. Williams has not only brought some dignity back to
the apparatus, but has improved the method, handling and routining of the effect...It will throw
those 'in the know' for a loop, and more importantly, it puts a theatrical finish on a trick that
really had no ending."
A New Presentation of (Robert) Houdin's Aerial Suspension
Ungimmicked Linking Ropes (Dick came up with an original method, handling, and routining).
This uses the same knot used in ring to rope circle, which was performed many times on
Dick's Magicland show. The knot is covered in Lights! Cameras! Magic! Dick sometimes
added stretching a rope to the routine (Ali Bongo's method, covered in LCM! (pgs 72-74).
-Dick came up with a new method to this classic, all from a dream he had in Muskogee, OK
one night, on a trip.
Genii Vase (features a vastly improved gimmick and routine). Updated from Hindu Vase
coverage in LCM!, pgs. 107-111. Originally distributed by US Toy in Leawood, KS. No more are
being made. Dick's wife Virginia, now deceased, hand-crocheted the cover to the gimmick to
make it silent and work more effectively (how to make a Genii vase is covered in a 2003 DVD
Dick did called his Farewell Lecture, which covered all his favorite tricks). Dick and Virginia
were partners (she helped to write LCM!, give Dick feedback on trick methods, etc). Coverage
in June 1996 Genii magazine (p. 646): "Mr. Williams has not only brought some dignity back to
the apparatus, but has improved the method, handling and routining of the effect...It will throw
those 'in the know' for a loop, and more importantly, it puts a theatrical finish on a trick that
really had no ending."
A New Presentation of (Robert) Houdin's Aerial Suspension
Ungimmicked Linking Ropes (Dick came up with an original method, handling, and routining).
This uses the same knot used in ring to rope circle, which was performed many times on
Dick's Magicland show. The knot is covered in Lights! Cameras! Magic! Dick sometimes
added stretching a rope to the routine (Ali Bongo's method, covered in LCM! (pgs 72-74).
Left: magic props (circa 80s)
Right: magic library (circa 90s)
Dick has always had a true love for the art
of magic. He loved to read and learn new
concepts as well as evolve classic tricks.
After retiring from TV, he primarily enjoyed
reading magician biographies.
Dick loved reading and/or practicing magic
every day of his life (curtailed after his 2007
head injury). He made copious notes that
he would keep in the front of his magic
books. Dick has always been very detail-
oriented and magic was a creative outlet
for him. It was a wonderful lifetime hobby
and experience for him...and many people
enjoyed seeing him perform over the years.
Right: magic library (circa 90s)
Dick has always had a true love for the art
of magic. He loved to read and learn new
concepts as well as evolve classic tricks.
After retiring from TV, he primarily enjoyed
reading magician biographies.
Dick loved reading and/or practicing magic
every day of his life (curtailed after his 2007
head injury). He made copious notes that
he would keep in the front of his magic
books. Dick has always been very detail-
oriented and magic was a creative outlet
for him. It was a wonderful lifetime hobby
and experience for him...and many people
enjoyed seeing him perform over the years.