Charles Reynolds (magician)
Encyclopedia
Charles Raymond Reynolds (September 9, 1932 – November 4, 2010) was a behind-the-scenes magician involved with virtually every elements of magic production—inventing illusions, producing and direction magic acts, helping performers perfect their acts, and writing on the subject.
Reynolds was born in in Toledo, Ohio
, and as a child, he saw Harry Blackstone, Sr.
perform. Reynolds was immediately drawn to magic, starting with a Gilbert Mysto
Kit.
He majored in theater at the University of Michigan
, and earned his masters degree there too. He undertook a number of jobs in media and journalism. He met Doug Henning
while writing an article on magic, and Henning hired him as a consultant. He was chief magic consultant for Henning's popular network TV magic shows, which ran from 1975 for nearly a decade. He did other work with Henning, including Merlin
.
He also worked frequently with Harry Blackstone, Jr.
, the son of his childhood hero. He designed numerous illusions for Blackstone, Jr., including assisting him in cutting his wife in half with a buzz saw for the Broadway production of Blackstone!, and creating a new levitation illusion for a live show in Las Vegas.
He invented two different ways to make an elephant vanish, and made a horse and rider disappear.
He produced and directed productions all over the world and in various media—live, film, and television, wrote and co-wrote extensively on magic, collected notable magic memorabilia, and lectured at the Smithsonian.
He died of liver cancer at the age of 78 at his (Greenwich Village
, New York County, New York, United States) home. He was survived by his wife Regina.
Reynolds was born in in Toledo, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
, and as a child, he saw Harry Blackstone, Sr.
Harry Blackstone, Sr.
Harry Blackstone was a famed stage magician and illusionist of the 20th century. Blackstone was born Harry Bouton in Chicago, Illinois, he began his career as a magician in his teens and was popular through World War II as a USO entertainer. He was often billed as The Great Blackstone. His son...
perform. Reynolds was immediately drawn to magic, starting with a Gilbert Mysto
Mysto
Mysto, Magician Detective is a fictional character in the DC Universe. He first appeared in Detective Comics #203 .-Publication history:...
Kit.
He majored in theater at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, and earned his masters degree there too. He undertook a number of jobs in media and journalism. He met Doug Henning
Doug Henning
Douglas James Henning was a Canadian magician, illusionist, escape artist and politician.-Early life:...
while writing an article on magic, and Henning hired him as a consultant. He was chief magic consultant for Henning's popular network TV magic shows, which ran from 1975 for nearly a decade. He did other work with Henning, including Merlin
Merlin (musical)
Merlin was a musical based on a concept by popular illusionist Doug Henning and Barbara De Angelis, written by Richard Levinson and William Link, with music written by Elmer Bernstein and lyrics by Don Black....
.
He also worked frequently with Harry Blackstone, Jr.
Harry Blackstone, Jr.
Harry Blackstone, Jr. was an American stage magician, author, and television performer.-Career and life:Blackstone was born in Three Rivers, Michigan, the son of noted stage magician Harry Blackstone, Sr. .As an infant, he was used as a prop in his father's act...
, the son of his childhood hero. He designed numerous illusions for Blackstone, Jr., including assisting him in cutting his wife in half with a buzz saw for the Broadway production of Blackstone!, and creating a new levitation illusion for a live show in Las Vegas.
He invented two different ways to make an elephant vanish, and made a horse and rider disappear.
He produced and directed productions all over the world and in various media—live, film, and television, wrote and co-wrote extensively on magic, collected notable magic memorabilia, and lectured at the Smithsonian.
He died of liver cancer at the age of 78 at his (Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...
, New York County, New York, United States) home. He was survived by his wife Regina.