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Vivian Cosby

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Vivian Cosby

Cover of Genii (1951)
Born?
DiedAugust 11, 1963
Los Angeles, California

Vivian Cosby (?-1963) was a playwright and amateur magician.

Biography

She wrote a play about magicians called "Trick for Trick," which ran on Broadway and later became a motion picture.[1] She also wrote "The Mindreader" and "Man of Magic" for the screen.

She lost both parents when a small child and lived for many years with her brother, Richard Cosby, who was a band leader and magician.

After her success in New York, she moved to Hollywood in 1940. While moving into her new home, her dress ignited from a heater and she was burned so severely that doctors said she would not live. But after five operations, thirteen skin graftings, and four years in a hospital bed, she proved them wrong.

When her only surviving relative, her brother, passed away, he left her all his magic and books. She took lessons at Chavez School of Magic, joined the Hollywood Magigals and the International Guild of Prestidigitators so she could entertain at hospitals and charity functions.[2][3]

In December, 1951, she was featured as a magician on the cover of Genii with an article about her written by friend Joan Crawford. [4]

Vivian's interesting life was featured on Ralph Edward's "This Is Your Life" program.

References

  1. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024698/
  2. Obit, Genii 1963 August
  3. MAGICAL OF THE MONTH, Genii 1945 October
  4. Cover, Genii 1951 December