Hiding the Elephant How Magicians Invented the Impossible and Learned to Disappear

by Steinmeyer, Jim; Teller

• ISBN13: 9780786714018
• ISBN10: 0786714018
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-09-15
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Summary

Now in paperback comes Jim Steinmeyer's astonishing chronicle of half a century of illusionary innovation, backstage chicanery, and keen competition within the world of magicians. Lauded by today's finest magicians and critics, Hiding the Elephant is a cultural history of the efforts among legendary conjurers to make things materialize, levitate, and disappear. Steinmeyer unveils the secrets and life stories of the fascinating personalities behind optical marvels such as floating ghosts interacting with live actors, disembodied heads, and vanishing ladies. He demystifies Pepper's Ghost, Harry Kellar's Levitation of Princess Karnak, Charles Morritt's Disappearing Donkey, and Houdini's landmark vanishing of Jennie the elephant in 1918. The dramatic mix of science and history, with revealing diagrams, photographs and magicians' portraits by William Stout, provides a glimpse behind the curtain at the backstage story of magic.

Author Biography

Jim Steinmeyer has designed illusions for today's leading magicians and theatrical productions, from Ricky Jay to Siegfried & Roy and "Mary Poppins," set for the London stage in 2004

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	vii
Cast of Characters	x
Foreword	xiv
Teller
Introduction	xvii
Overture	1	(18)
The Ghost	19	(26)
A New Type of Magic	45	(26)
The Formula for Invisibility	71	(20)
The Chief	91	(24)
Two Wizards	115	(22)
Father and Son	137	(22)
Stealing Secrets	159	(18)
Special Effects	177	(20)
Magic Words	197	(22)
Solomon	219	(20)
Houdini	239	(18)
Jennie	257	(18)
Sensations	275	(22)
Keeping Secrets	297	(20)
Encore	317	(16)
Acknowledgments and Notes	333	(20)
Index	353