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William Van Berkel

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William Van Berkel

Cover of Genii (1944)
BornWilliam J. Van Berkel

Flourished1930s - 1940s

William Van Berkel (fl. 1930s-1940s) was a Los Angeles based magician, known for performing school shows with his wife, Verna.[1]

Biography

A friend of William W. Larsen, Sr., he was a charter member of IBM Ring 21 in Hollywood and was member No. 2627 of the SAM.[2]

In 1950, he plead guilty to "moral offenses" involving young boys and girls that he used as assistants for his popular school assembly magic shows, which was billed as "miracle of magic, mirth and mystery."[3][4]

A description of his act in 1938 was described in "EXPLANATORY PROGRAM OF WILLIAM VAN BERKEL & CO. As Witnessed and Described by RAY MUSE" in Genii 1960 February.

It was reported in Genii 1973 January that Van Berkel, at the age of 86, was not doing well as he fell from the steps of his home and cracked eight ribs.

References

  1. Cover Genii 1944 March
  2. http://www.ibmring21.org/charter.html
  3. "Magician, 63, Questioned in Morals Inquiry", LA Times, 3/2/1950 p A24
  4. Phoenix No. 199 , page 797 (1950)