Marshall Brodien - Magician, Side Show Talker, and Hypnotist

Marshall Brodien has been in magic since he was a teenager, when he worked as a demonstrator at Treasure Chest's Magic Center magic shop. Over the years, he has worked as a magician and talker at the side show in Riverview Park, a hypnotist and magician in several night clubs around Chicago, and appeared on several television shows, including The Mike Douglas Show and The Bozo Show (both as Marshall Brodien and Wizzo the Wizard).  For information about Marshall's career as Wizzo on the Bozo Show please visit the Movies & Television section.

I hope you enjoy some of my favorite photos, ephemera, and props related to Marshall's career as a performer.

As a teenager, Marshall worked as a demonstrator at the Treasure Chest Magic Shop. In the small world department, Ed Marlo also worked as a magic pitchman at the Treasure Chest and the photo above left is featured on the cover of Arcade Dreams by Jon Racherbaumer and Ed Marlo.

Here you can see Marshall's linking rings and a photo of him performing the rings at the Magic Lounge.

Marshall worked at Riverview Park, the largest Amusement Park in America, when he as a teenager.

Marshall started his time at Riverview Park as a magician in the sideshow. It wasn't long before he was promoted to "talker" and his talent for gathering crowds was recognized. This experience would benefit Marshall later in his career as he became a trade show magician.

Marshall was drafted into the Army in 1957. Recognizing his talent, he was assigned to Special Services and performed entertaining troops for the next two years. His act included items he had learned in the side show, such as the electric chair. He also put on a special Halloween show for the troops.

Shown is Marshall escaping from a straight jacket. One day, Marshall was performing the straight jacket escape while suspended upside down in an army hanger. Suddenly the rope came loose and Marshall started falling towards the concrete floor below. A quick thinking soldier jumped up, grabbing the rope. Sliding across the floor, he managed to stop Marshall's fall just a few feet above the floor. Marshall admits that if it hadn't been for that quick thinking soldier, he probably would not have survived.

Marshall was very successful as a mentalist, but as you can see, it was not all fun and games.  The Cairo Supper Club was owned by the mob and was bombed one night.  Luckily, Marshall wasn't there.  The photo you see of Marshall in the lower right corner of the demolished club image also resides in my collection.

Sept 10, 1962, Chicago Illinois:  The Illinois Boxing Commission gets a "surprise", as veteran boxing writer Frankie Mastro uncorks a left hook to the body of John Lane at commission hearing. Cus D'Amato (left, behind Mastro) requested the hearing to demonstrate that a person under hypnosis could not feel the punch. He had Lane hypnotized by Marshall and punched by Mastro. D'Amto, manager of heavyweight champ Floyd Patterson, charged that challenger Sonny Liston had lined up Jimmy Grippo to hypnotize him for the coming title fight so he would not feel Patterson's punches.

Marshall also hypnotized Brenda Green and demonstrated other effects hypnosis could have on someone. As a result of Marshall's demonstrations, the Commission ended up banning the use of hypnosis.

Marshall was one of the first trade show magicians. He performed for many major companies, including Bethlehem Steel and Westinghouse. He also helped many magicians, including Johnny Thompson, get their start doing trade shows.

Marshall appeared on the Mike Douglas Show at least two times. He had Bill Cosby and Louis Nye as his celebrity assistants.

Two of Marshall's favorite tricks - the Chinese Laundry Ticket and the Sponge Bunnies.  I fondly recall the hours Marshall and I would spend down in his museum exploring and showing each other magic.