product description:
In thisMagic Circusare some of the world’s greatest magicians as guest stars:
“THE PROFESSOR” DAI VERNON presenting his legendary.
Cups and Balls and his rarely seen Symphony of the Rings.
The mysteriousSHIMADAperforming his exquisite parasol act.
The opener on this firstMAGIC CIRCUSshow isTHE GILDED CAGE, in which three beautiful girls magically appear in a golden cage high above the studio audience.
Then we see Mark performs his renownedSUCKER EGG TRICK, and Rebo rides in on a liveELEPHANT, which Mark impossibly causes to VANISH in full view of the cameras and the audience.
The lovelyNani Darnelljoins Mark for their rendition of Mark’s version of the impossibleNANI DIVIDED IN HALF.
This is preceded by the first and only television presentation of Alan Wakeling’s incredibleGORILLA CRUSHING, featuring Nani on the flying trapeze, who inexplicably vanishes as she is being crushed by a 400 pound gorilla!
Mark follows with several sleight of hand effects performed with the audience all around, followed by a beautifulASRAH LEVITATIONwith Nani vanishing in mid-air and then magically reappearing in theSTACK OF BOXES!
The grand finale is theclassic SHOOTING A GIRL FROM A CANNONto an empty base drum suspended high in air incorperating several improvements byAlan WakelingandJohn Gaughan.
The secondMAGIC CIRCUSbegins withMARK WILSON’Sparts being assembled from a collection of boxes stacked individually, while completely surrounded by the audience.
Having appeared,Markperforms several sleight of hand effects, leading into theclassic LADY TO LEOPARD illusion. Still surrounded, Mark and Nani present what was then the first US performance ofRobert Harbin’sZIG-ZAG Illusion.
Now it’s ARECIPE FOR BEAUTY, an original illusion featuring anENCHANTED OVENon whichMarkmagically combines the ingredients beauty, love and just a touch of jealousy to create the enchanting Nani .
Markperforms his version of the Split Deck and a fast-paced series ofDOVE PRODUCTIONS and VANISHES, which leads in to the program’s climactic finish, the début performance of Alan Wakeling’s creation, the dangerous,"underwater” AQUARIAN ILLUSION.This spectacular mystery was later used to close Mark’s Las Vegas shows in the giant showroom at the Hilton Hotel to standing room only audiences.
As are allMagic Circus shows, these are first-generation transfers from master broadcast tapes, which featureMark, Naniand all their magical guest stars performing their timeless bits of wonder in sparkling color and scored by equally legendary Hollywood musicians with a full orchestra in the studio.
Running TimeApproximately 1Hr 18min
World-renowned ventriloquial performance of JAY MARSHALL and LEFTY, which appeared for over half a century in theaters around the world.
The complete magic act of RICO.
MAGIC CIRCUS Show #3opens withMark’soriginalFLYING CRYSTAL BOX, which produces the equally magicalNani Darnell.
ThenMarkperforms aclever color silk transposition, andRebo assists Mark and Naniin the first US televised performance ofRobert Harbin’spuzzlingTOPSY-TURVEY CABINET.
Now a close-up card effect is seen from a unique overhead perspective andMarkperformsTHE PROFESSOR’S NIGHTMAREwith a volunteer from the studio audience.
Everyone is amazed when the lovelyNaniis divided into four parts inAlan Wakeling’srevolutionary version of a classic illusion, whichMarkcallsTHE WORLD’S LARGEST CARD TRICK. There are many laughs asMarkperforms theEGG BAGwith two children from the audience.
Now we witness the only televised performance of another new illusion, the remarkableMOTLEY MAN, in which a comic character is instantly costumed in four comically contrasting types of wardrobe, all selected by members of the audience.
The finale of the show,THE ENCHANTED PRINCESS, is a spectacular presentation ofMark’s SCIMITAR SUSPENSIONnever seen before and now featured inJim Steinmeyerbook“The Magic of Alan Wakeling.”
InMAGIC CIRCUS show #4Mark Wilson, surrounded by the audience, magically brings a largeDOLL TO LIFEby assembling the Irish Washer Woman’s parts and winding her up with a giant key. Then the cast dances with the now animated toy lady and then she is taken apart to show that their is no one inside to make her move!
We see how Mark makes easy money by turningPAPER TO REAL BILLS.
Then he performs severalBUNNY and DUCK PRODUCTIONS.
In the next illusion, lovelyNani Darnellis penetrated by more than 30 electric light bulbs in theclassic PANEL OF LIGHT. NowMark and son Greg Wilsonperform a delightful tandemBILLIARD BALL MANIPULATION; which is 6-year-oldGreg’sfirst television appearance!
Next in theWALL OF GLASS, a baffling mystery created byAlan Wakeling, Naniamazingly penetrates a fully-examined sheet of glass while surrounded by the audience.
Then isMark’sRISING CARDS and GIANT CARD FOUNTAIN. Later this was taught byMarkto Bill Bixby for the“Magician” series.
Next,Mark and Nanidébut, for the first time on television,Robert Harbin’sASSISTANT’S REVENGE.
Finally,Mark and Nanipresent one of magic’s most baffling illusions, originally created byCarl Owen, first performed byHoward Thurstonand later improved byJames Aubrey,THE GIRL WITHOUT A MIDDLE.
As are allMagic Circus shows, these are first-generation transfers from master broadcast tapes, which featureMark, Naniand all their magical guest stars performing their timeless bits of wonder in sparkling color and scored by equally legendary Hollywood musicians with a full orchestra in the studio.
Running TimeApproximately 1Hr 18min
The hilarious AMAZING CARL BALLANTINE, “every move a picture.”
Comedy magician ART METRANO.
The fifth MAGIC CIRCUSspecial is titled“MAGIC WITH A PAST”and features magic history though the ages. In the first dazzling mystery,Master Magician Mark Wilsonperforms his legendary transposition,WHERE IS MARK?, in which he instantly vanishes from the stage and reappears watching the show from the audience!
Following some excellent sleight-of-hand, the Wilsons then present their most famous illusion, theALLAKAZAM TRAIN. Here we see the impossible, as engineer Nani is divided into two parts in a miniature steam engine, and then happily restored.
Equally amazing is“SUSPENSION DIMENSION,”an exquisite version ofthe Harbin Levitation, asMarkfloats the mesmerizedNanihigh in the air in full view of the audience. Based on Dante’s original mystery, apparently explaining an illusion, youngGreg Wilson and Marktake the viewersBACKSTAGE WITH A MAGICIAN, with a surprising climax.
For the grand finale,Mark and Nanipresent their famedCANVAS COVERED PACKING CASE ESCAPE,in which, whiled surrounded by the audience, a wooden box is built on stage by two union carpenters and enclosed in a tight canvas cover. Then comes an amazing“TRANSFIGURATION,”which you must see to believe.
The final MAGIC CIRCUSspecial opens with the television debut of the puzzlingGROWING ILLUSION, in which sonGreg Wilsonopens the show and then magically “grows up” and becomesMark.
Now comesMark’sfamousBILL IN LEMONroutine, as he has performed it throughout the world. This precedes the charming Nani being mysteriously “misfiled,” which is the first US performance ofRobert Harbin’sLITTLE BY LITTLE illusion, which has evolved intoMark’sbafflingMAGICIAN’S FILE CABINET.
Rapid-fire DOVE and SWORD PRODUCTIONSfollow, and thenMark’s son Gregreturns to the center ring to perform his first solo illusion on television, a miniature version of theDOLL HOUSEwith a surprising finish.
Now comes magical guestRICOperforming elegant magic with silks and candles. ThenMark and Nanipresent the miraculousCOSTUME TRUNK, featuring one of the most beautiful magic props ever made, designed byAlan Wakeling and built by John Gaughan.
Mark’ssleight of hand highlights hisCOLOR-CHANGING KNIFE routine, whichMarkhas carried in his pocket since he was 13 years old, shot from many impossible angles.
And now we are treated to a powerful mystery designed byAlan Wakeling, the sensational“COSMIC RAY ILLUSION”in whichNani Darnellvanishes instantly from between two sets of sharp spikes. After showing the device completely empty, just as amazinglyNanireappears for her final bow.
As are allMagic Circus shows, these are first-generation transfers from master broadcast tapes, which featureMark, Naniand all their magical guest stars performing their timeless bits of wonder in sparkling color and scored by equally legendary Hollywood musicians with a full orchestra in the studio.
Running TimeApproximately 1Hr 18min