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‘’’Theodore 'Theo' Annemann’’’ (February 22, 1907 – January 12, 1942), born Theodore John Squires, was an American professional magician who specialized in the field of [[Mentalism]]. Annemann is most famous for inventing and refining many of the standard mentalism routines that continue to be used by magicians today.
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[[File: ChanningPollock1.png|right|thumb|200px|[[ Channing Pollock]]]]
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'''Channing Pollock''' (b.1926–d.2006) was an American magician and film actor born in Sacramento, California.
  
 
== Biography ==
 
== Biography ==
[[File: AnnemannandVernon.png |right|thumb|200px|[[Theodore Annemann]]]]
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A charismatic practitioner of his craft and strikingly handsome with an enigmatic stage presence, he was best known for an act in which he would elegantly produce doves out of thin air and he was often billed as "the most beautiful man in the world". He first became interested in magic at the age of 21. He trained at the [[Chavez School of Magic]] in Los Angeles, graduating in 1952. Pollock's early work as a magician was on the nightclub circuit, where his talents were enhanced by his good looks.
Born Theodore John Squires in East Waverly, New York, he was adopted by Stanley Anneman. Ted added the second 'n' in 1930.
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Early in his life, Annemann began working as a railroad clerk and then got into show business as a tenor singer and a magician's assistant. He eventually became interested in [[mentalism]] and used his invention and performance skills to become one of the most talented and respected magicians of the 1930s. He invented the "Window Envelope" by 1931 and "Flat Rabbit" in 1937.
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Annemann perfected his own version of the famous [[bullet catch]] illusion, performing the effect outdoors. Accounts of his performance describe the feat as a dramatic effect wherein Annemann would collapse from the apparent force of the gun and then produce the bullet from his blood-drenched mouth.
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In 1934 he became the editor of the famous magazine The [[Jinx]], published primarily for magicians. The magazine was primarily focused on mentalism, but did also feature ground-breaking effects from other fields of magic. The publication of this magazine ceased after Annemann's death and copies of it have become collector's items. Effects from the magazine have been published in several books and manuscripts, among them Annemann's [[Practical Mental Magic]]. This book is considered a classic in the field of mentalism. Annemann also founded and edited [[The Sign of Exceptional Magic]] in 1935
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[[Theodore Annemann |Read more about Theodore Annemann...]]
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He appeared on the [[Ed Sullivan Show]] in 1954 and went on to make several appearances at the London Palladium. By the mid-1950s Pollock was unsurpassed in his field, and he had spawned a great many imitators. But his act was unique, and the excitement in his routine was so tied up with his own personality (he always made a point of never smiling until he was taking his final bow) that copyists were never as good. He appeared at cabaret venues and in special shows all over the world, performing for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Queen Elizabeth II and at the wedding of Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly. At the height of his career, he was one of America's highest-paid entertainers.
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[[Channing Pollock |Read more about Channing Pollock…]]

Revision as of 21:13, 14 April 2024

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Channing Pollock (b.1926–d.2006) was an American magician and film actor born in Sacramento, California.

Biography

A charismatic practitioner of his craft and strikingly handsome with an enigmatic stage presence, he was best known for an act in which he would elegantly produce doves out of thin air and he was often billed as "the most beautiful man in the world". He first became interested in magic at the age of 21. He trained at the Chavez School of Magic in Los Angeles, graduating in 1952. Pollock's early work as a magician was on the nightclub circuit, where his talents were enhanced by his good looks.

He appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1954 and went on to make several appearances at the London Palladium. By the mid-1950s Pollock was unsurpassed in his field, and he had spawned a great many imitators. But his act was unique, and the excitement in his routine was so tied up with his own personality (he always made a point of never smiling until he was taking his final bow) that copyists were never as good. He appeared at cabaret venues and in special shows all over the world, performing for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Queen Elizabeth II and at the wedding of Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly. At the height of his career, he was one of America's highest-paid entertainers.

Read more about Channing Pollock…