Jack Gwynne was an American Magician and movie actor. He was one of the few magicians who made a successful transition out of Vaudeville into other markets. As Vaudeville died, Gwynne created a show that could be performed at nightclubs and on dance floors. That meant that his illusions had to set up quickly and could be performed surrounded.
He is credited for adapting the classic Doll's House Illusion and creating a brand new effect called The Temple of Benares or Temple of An-Gee. During World War II, Gwynne and his family traveled overseas to perform for the troupes. He was a popular attraction and if memory serves was given the honorary rank of Lieutenant.
Jack Gwynne was also a movie star. He had an uncredited roll in Citizen Kane, and he starred in The Dark Streets of Cairo and Model Wife. After his movie star days were over and the nightclub venues began to dry up, Jack once again transitioned into another market, this time the school show market. Jack Gwynne was born April 12, 1895 and died on December 7, 1969. He is buried in Lakeside Cemetery in Colon Michigan next to his wife Anne, and along with many of magic's notables.
A photo of the grave can be seen here. There is also a map/diagram of where the various magic graves in the Lakeside Cemetery are, click here.
(If you have a photo of the grave you would be willing to share, and that you own, please send it over to carnegiemagic@aol.com)
Featuring the graves of famous magicians and a few other celebrities. Death is an emotional issue and I make every effort to treat this topic with the respect it deserves. I do think we as magicians, have a duty to honor those who came before us and pay tribute to them. Anyone willing to share information and photos of graves of famous magicians, please contact me at info@carnegiemagic.com
Showing posts with label Michigan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michigan. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Saturday, October 13, 2012
The grave of Dr. Henry Slade
Henry Slade was not a magician, nor was he a real doctor. He was a Victorian era Spirit Medium who according to Mahatma Magazine "was the originator of spook slate writing." He was from the same area of the country that produced the Fox Sisters and the Davenport Brothers, also famous spirit mediums.
He was so popular that he traveled the world presenting his seances and spirit sittings. However, in London he was exposed as a fraud by Professor Ray Lankester and sentenced to several months in prison. However, upon appeals the case was dismissed and Dr. Slade returned to America.
He fought exposure his whole life from scientific investigators and magicians, but it wasn't until he was robbed and beaten one night in NY that his career came to a halt. He ended up partially paralyzed and struggled to continue his sittings. He was penniless and ended up in a Sanitorium in Detroit.
He died September 8, 1905 and is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Albion Michigan. His grave is in Block 22, Lot 19.
He was so popular that he traveled the world presenting his seances and spirit sittings. However, in London he was exposed as a fraud by Professor Ray Lankester and sentenced to several months in prison. However, upon appeals the case was dismissed and Dr. Slade returned to America.
He fought exposure his whole life from scientific investigators and magicians, but it wasn't until he was robbed and beaten one night in NY that his career came to a halt. He ended up partially paralyzed and struggled to continue his sittings. He was penniless and ended up in a Sanitorium in Detroit.
He died September 8, 1905 and is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Albion Michigan. His grave is in Block 22, Lot 19.
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