Wizzo and Bozo's Circus

Bozo's Circus on WGN in Chicago was one of the most successful children's shows in television history.  Marshall first appeared on the show as Marshall Brodien the magician.  They loved him and had him back many times.  Then as luck would have it, the stars aligned and Marshall joined the cast as Wizzo the Wizard and was on Bozo's Circus / The Bozo Show for 27 of its 40 years.

The image above is a museum display that was created for a temporary exhibit about Marshall.  To the right is one of the Wizzo costumes and the first pair of Wizzo shoes.  You will notice that the hat and sash are missing.  If you should know where they are or can help put me in touch with Marshall's costumer I would appreciate it.

Here is a photo of Marshall levitating Bozo while Sandy the Clown looks on.  Marshall was so popular that they asked him back again and again.  However, Marshall's trade show work kept him so busy he had little time to appear on Bozo's Circus.

The week before Marshall's next next scheduled Bozo's Circus appearance he wrapped up a trade show for the American Gas Association.  They had built an elaborate Arabian set and had Marshall appear as an Arabian Sultan.  They told Marshall he could keep the costumes that they had made for him and he did.

Marshall happened to mention the costumes to the folks at WGN, and they asked if he could appear as that character. A week later on July 31, 1968 Wizzo, the wacky wizard from Arobia, was born.

The Stack of Boxes is one of my favorite effects that Marshall used on The Bozo Show and for personal appearances with Cooky.  In the photo above right, Marshall and I are checking out the Stack of Boxes at my house. (Also, if you look closely you can see an original Garfield Goose Story Board painting by Roy "Cooky" Brown.)

Here is how the trick worked:  Cooky stepped into the stack of boxes.  Marshall then proceeded to insert blades cutting Cooky into 4 pieces and separated the boxes. Then in typical "Wizzo" fashion, Marshall put Cooky back together in the wrong order. Cooky doesn't look too happy does he?

Here is a collection of Cooky the Clown items, including his "Three Sheeter's Roast" sign, his Clown Hall of Fame posters, a ceramic Cooky, and the center piece, Cooky's first wig, which was made from one of Bozo's wigs. The way Marshall told me the story of the wig was that Cooky saw Bozo's old wig in the trash and asked if he could have it.  Bob Bell (Bozo) said yes, and Cooky took it and made his wig. Later Cooky got a new wig and threw this one away. Marshall saw it in the trash and asked Roy Brown (Cooky) if he could have it. Roy said yes, and Marshall added it to his growing museum.

In 1991 The Bozo Show was filmed at Disney World.  As you can see, it was first class all the way.  Roy "Cooky" Brown sends his complements to the chef!

Wizzo prepares to pull some "Wu Wu" over on Bozo and Friend...

Bozo the Director kicked back and relaxed - it doesn't get any better than this.

While Wizzo, Cooky and Bozo prepare to pick the winner of the "Take A Vacation With Bozo" promotion, some Storm Troopers drop by to see if they won. Did I mention that I love cross-overs, and what's better than Bozo and Star Wars!

Wizzo out looking for more magic... What princess could resist that wacky wizard from Arobia?

The above painting was used in one of my favorite skits on the show. Bozo, Cooky, and Wizzo would come out carrying the painting of them. Ring Master Fraiser Thomas would come up and say he wanted to be in the painting too.  After some byplay, they would say, "Don't worry Fraiser, you are" and turn the painting around to show him on the back side.

In 1992 Marshall won an Emmy for his original skit using the substitution trunk.  This substitution trunk was made for Marshall by Jack Gwynne.

Hippity Hop Rabbits is a classic effect in magic, but can't compare to the Hippity Hop Bozo used by Wizzo on the show.

As mentioned earlier, Bozo's Circus / Show was one of the most popular children's shows in history.  So it didn't hurt when Marshall's TV Magic products were often prizes in the Grand Prize Game.

After 40 years, The Bozo Show went out with a bang!

Wizzo prepares for his closeup, and then Rusty and Bozo enjoy Wizzo's magic one last time.

Bozo looks for someplace, or rather someone, to "share" his pie with.  Cast photo: Wizzo, Professor Andy (hiding), Mark & Sue Holstein (guest magic act), Bozo, and Rusty.

Wizzo gives Marshall's wife, Mary, a big hug.