First Magic Show Memories

One of the first magic shows I ever performed was for my elementary school's talent show. This show was memorable for two reasons.

First of all, for my show, I was going to cut someone's head off with my homemade guillotine. I had seen this performed on TV, so I made one. It was so cool...5 feet tall with one of my mother's kitchen knives for the blade. It probably would have worked if given a chance. The teachers and principal failed to see the entertainment value and nixed the guillotine from my act. Maybe it was for the best.

I'm happy to say that I now have a 7 ft. guillotine which I use regularly in big shows... and it works just fine.

Oh, I said there were two things that made this talent show memorable. While we were all waiting to perform our acts during rehearsal in the auditorium of Old Alexander II Grammar school, all of a sudden, the Star Spangled Banner began playing over the intercom. It was just after 1pm, November 22nd, 1963. Kennedy had just been shot. Rehearsal was canceled and we all went home early.