Help us get to over 8,769 articles in 2026.
If you know of a magician not listed in MagicPedia, start a New Biography for them. Contact us at magicpediahelp@gmail.com
Mel-Roy: Difference between revisions
mNo edit summary |
|||
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
| caption = | | caption = | ||
| birth_name = Wilbert Willis Holley | | birth_name = Wilbert Willis Holley | ||
| birth_day = | | birth_day = February 18, | ||
| birth_year = | | birth_year = 1888 | ||
| birth_place = | | birth_place = | ||
| death_day = | | death_day = | ||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
| resting_place = | | resting_place = | ||
| resting_place_coordinates = | | resting_place_coordinates = | ||
| nationality = | | nationality = American | ||
| known_for = | | known_for = | ||
| notable works = | | notable works = | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
Mel-Roy toured the country during [[Vaudeville]], hitting it big in 1928 with a radio show at KOKO in Wichita Falls, Texas where he would do mentalism over the air. He received so much mail (about 17,000 letters a day) that he had a staff of 84 typists and secretaries to handle it all. He finally had to quit when the strain became too much. | Mel-Roy toured the country during [[Vaudeville]], hitting it big in 1928 with a radio show at KOKO in Wichita Falls, Texas where he would do mentalism over the air. He received so much mail (about 17,000 letters a day) that he had a staff of 84 typists and secretaries to handle it all. He finally had to quit when the strain became too much.<ref>http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=ctoddyoung&id=I6632</ref> | ||
After six months of rest, he began to grow restless, in the fall of 1934 he opened one of the world's biggest magical revues under canvas that seated 3,500 people. | After six months of rest, he began to grow restless, in the fall of 1934 he opened one of the world's biggest magical revues under canvas that seated 3,500 people. | ||
| Line 34: | Line 34: | ||
The following season he started a magic show "Sensation of 1935" which played theaters and auditoriums with success. This show traveled around the country which he would feature a [[Blindfold Drive]] as an outdoor advertising stunt. | The following season he started a magic show "Sensation of 1935" which played theaters and auditoriums with success. This show traveled around the country which he would feature a [[Blindfold Drive]] as an outdoor advertising stunt. | ||
Mel-Roy semi-retired to Los Angeles, California in 1950. | Mel-Roy semi-retired to Los Angeles, California in 1950.<ref>[[Linking Ring]], Vol. 29, February 1950 - Mel-Roy, Radio Mentalist By C. A. Franks</ref> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references /> | |||
[[Category:Mentalism]] | [[Category:Mentalism]] | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mel-Roy}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Mel-Roy}} | ||
Revision as of 06:38, 6 October 2011
Mel-Roy (? - 1966), born Wilbert Willis Holley, a pioneer of mentalism on radio was known as The Mental Mystic.
| Mel-Roy | |
| Born | Wilbert Willis Holley February 18, 1888 |
|---|---|
| Died | 1966 |
| Nationality | American |
Biography
Mel-Roy toured the country during Vaudeville, hitting it big in 1928 with a radio show at KOKO in Wichita Falls, Texas where he would do mentalism over the air. He received so much mail (about 17,000 letters a day) that he had a staff of 84 typists and secretaries to handle it all. He finally had to quit when the strain became too much.[1]
After six months of rest, he began to grow restless, in the fall of 1934 he opened one of the world's biggest magical revues under canvas that seated 3,500 people.
In 1935, he hired an assistant named Treva who traveled the country with him in costumes she made herself. They soon wed on February 3, 1936 in Louisiana. (Treva passed away on Oct. 6, 2006 at the age of 95).
Due to mismanagement and lack of experienced help, the show was closed down with the tent and a portion of the equipment sold at a considerable loss.
The following season he started a magic show "Sensation of 1935" which played theaters and auditoriums with success. This show traveled around the country which he would feature a Blindfold Drive as an outdoor advertising stunt.
Mel-Roy semi-retired to Los Angeles, California in 1950.[2]
References
- ↑ http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=ctoddyoung&id=I6632
- ↑ Linking Ring, Vol. 29, February 1950 - Mel-Roy, Radio Mentalist By C. A. Franks