Francis Carlyle

Francis Carlyle (1911 - December 26, 1975) was born Francis Xavier Finneran.

Francis Carlyle made three contributions to the Stars of Magic, Inc. series of tricks including:

• "Decapitation" a effect using paper matches
• "Homing Card"
• "Wrist Watch Steal"

He is also known for developing a one-hand turnover (paddle move) with business and playing cards.

Dai Vernon frequently mentioned Carlyle with admiration for his ability to make his effects crystal clear to spectators.

Later in life, Francis was known to have a drinking problem and his bookings as a magician became infrequent because of his unreliability. Things got so bad that his wife left him. Many nights while working at the Kiwi, a bar in Greenwich Village, he ended up sleeping there. He also began losing his vision.

He died in a convalescent center in Hollywood, California. He had been taken there a few weeks after he was admitted to a hospital as a "John Doe" case being found unconscious and helpless (most likely from his battle with drinking over a period of years.) He never improved and eventually died at the convalescent center.

Roger Pierre wrote "The Magic of Francis Carlyle".