The Castle of Magic: A Journey into the Supernatural

The castle of magic is a place filled with wonder and mystery. It stands tall, nestled atop a mountain peak, its grandeur visible for miles around. The castle is said to possess extraordinary powers and is home to an ancient order of magicians. Visitors are drawn to the castle by stories of enchantments and spells that have been passed down through generations. Many believe that within the castle walls, secrets of the universe are unlocked, and the laws of nature are bent to the will of those who possess the knowledge. As you approach the castle, you are greeted by intricately carved gates that seem to come alive in the sunlight.

Visitors who secure an invitation from an academy member can dine, drink and watch magic acts at the castle. The invitation carries with it a strict dress code that notes: “When in doubt, err on the side of being overdressed.”

The Magic Castle, a familiar sight on Hollywood s Franklin Avenue, is an Edwardian manor with French and Gothic elements built in 1908 by Rollin Lane, a Redlands financier and orange grower, and his wife, Katherine. Joseph Furlow, general manager of the Academy of Magical Arts, has resigned two weeks after a story by The Times detailed allegations of sexual misconduct, racism and other issues at the Magic Castle, the famed Hollywood club for magicians.

As you approach the castle, you are greeted by intricately carved gates that seem to come alive in the sunlight. The gates themselves are said to possess protective charms, guarding the castle from any who may seek to harm it. Once inside, the castle reveals itself to be a labyrinth of passages and rooms, each more fascinating than the last.

A Brief And Enchanting Visual History Of Los Angeles' Iconic Magic Castle

A death-defying trick: Bill Larsen, Sr. enlists an audience members for a death-defying trick utilizing the Thayer head chopper, while Geraldine (in mock horror) and Milt look on, circa. 1940. "I grew up in a kind of Alice in Wonderland world," Milt Larsen said about his upbringing on the road in a family Vaudeville act.

T he Magic Castle, one of Los Angeles' most prized (and private) landmarks, is the headquarters of a members-only club that is intensely dedicated to the art of magic. Called the Academy of Magical Arts, the castle doors opened in 1963, but its history goes back much, much farther.

The 1910-era Gothic Renaissance chateau sits in the middle of what is now historic Hollywood and was originally the personal residence of a wealthy banker, Rollin B. Lane. The mansion fell into disrepair by the late 1940s, even serving for a time as a boarding house, before Bill Larsen Jr. and his brother Milt Larsen purchased the property to breathe life into their parent's lifelong dream of opening a magic club.

The Lane Mansion under construction, 1909-1910: The Lane Mansion, which would later be rented by the Larsen brothers, was originally called Holly Chateau. It was built amidst the famous orange groves of Hollywood, California in 1910. The brothers secured the property in 1961 on nothing more than a handshake.

The Larsen family is a true magic dynasty. William Larsen, Sr. and Geraldine Larsen were pioneers in the field of magic. Geraldine was one of the rare female magicians of the day -- at a time when women were magician’s assistants (being sawed in half), not magicians themselves. She also became the first woman to perform magic on television in the late 1930s.

Geraldine Larsen performs one of her signature tricks: Geraldine Larsen, often referred to as "the First Lady of Illusion,” performs with Peterkin the rabbit -- an act that is re-enacted on stage today by her great granddaughter, Liberty Larsen, in a contemporary, live magic show.

On top of all that, in 1936, the Larsens launched Genii, the longest, continually running magic magazine in the world, which is still published today. During the Depression, the family, including sons Bill, Jr. and Milt, began touring as the “Larsen Family of Magicians,” playing upscale, resort hotels all over Southern California.

Today, guests from all around the globe travel to the castle to see its high quality magic shows. The AMA’s membership includes entertainment’s most preeminent magicians and illusionists, including Penn and Teller, Lance Burton, David Blaine, and Siegfried and Roy. There is a strict formal dress code and one can only visit if already a member (or, as the plus one of a member for the evening).

The Larsen Boys: Bill Larsen, Sr. teaches young sons, Bill, Jr. (left) and Milt, the ropes of magic and an escape trick, circa. 1930.

Back in the day, Hollywood royalty like Cary Grant and Johnny Carson visited often, and today, Johnny Depp, Jimmy Kimmel, Sarah Silverman and Katy Perry are frequent guests. This year, Perry rented the whole castle out for her costumed birthday party.

The Magic Castle combines illusion and mystery with a kitschy history of Hollywood. Much of the ornate decor was rescued from wrecking balls on construction sites or from Hollywood studio sets before they were dumped into the trash. Secret doors and panels hidden all over the castle lead to the 13 different performance stages.

The Huffington Post acquired vintage photos directly from the Academy of Magical Arts (many have never before been published) to see what magic used to look like.

The Larsen Family of Magicians: Bill Larsen Jr., Bill Larsen Sr. and Geraldine Larsen pictured performing the ubiquitous balls and cups trick. The family appeared at Southern California’s finest resort hotels at the time performing full, evening magic shows.

A call for members: Advertisement in Genii magazine in May 1962, soliciting membership, eight months prior to the club’s opening.

1963 issue of Newsweek: On Jan. 14, 1963, Newsweek magazine ran a story about the opening of the Academy of Magical Arts and the Magic Castle. In the article’s accompanying photo, magician Mark Wilson levitates his wife, Nani.

Jay Ose's close-up: Late magician Jay Ose (1911-1967), one of the AMA-Magic Castle’s first resident magicians, performs close-up in the mid-1960s. While the mansion was being renovated in stages, Jay lived upstairs for a time, in a room that had not yet been remodeled.

Milt Larsen performing his “Illusion-Delusion” effect: Larsen in in the 1970s during his signature carpenter’s magic show. The Illusion-Delusion was performed by three generations of the Larsen family.

Lane Mansion in 1920: For 30 years, Holly Chateau was one of the most recognized addresses in Hollywood and was a popular destination for the area’s social elite. Katherine Lane was a renowned hostess and hundreds of newspaper articles attest to the elegant and elaborate luncheons, teas, musicals and lawn parties held for artists, orphans, community leaders and world travelers.

Renovations for the Magic Castle begin in 1962.

The Magic Castle today.

Captions, in part, provided by the Academy of Magical Arts.

Each room is adorned with tapestries, paintings, and sculptures that depict scenes of incredible magic and myth. The air is thick with a palpable energy, as if the very walls are pulsing with invisible power. It is said that the very essence of magic permeates every inch of the castle, making it a place where reality blends seamlessly with fantasy. In the heart of the castle lies the library, a vast collection of ancient tomes and grimoires that hold the knowledge of centuries. It is said that those who immerse themselves in the library's wisdom are imbued with a deep understanding of magic's true nature. But the castle of magic is not just a place of study and contemplation. It is also a place where the ancient arts of magic are practiced and honed. The order of magicians who reside in the castle are known for their incredible abilities and have dedicated their lives to harnessing the power of magic for the greater good. But the castle is not without its dangers. Legends speak of hidden traps, tests, and trials that guard the most powerful spells and artifacts within its walls. Only those who have proven themselves worthy and possess a pure heart can unlock these secrets and harness their power. The castle of magic is a place that has captivated the imaginations of people for centuries. Its allure lies in the promise of accessing untold power and knowledge, but also in the wonder and awe that comes from experiencing the blending of the real and the fantastical. It is a place that reminds us of the limitless possibilities that exist beyond the boundaries of our everyday lives..

Reviews for "The Castle of Magic: A Portal to Another Realm"

1. Samantha - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Castle of Magic". The story felt completely disjointed and the characters were poorly developed. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself not caring about what happened to them. The writing style was also lacking, with awkward sentence structure and repetitive descriptions. Overall, it felt like a rushed and poorly executed book.

2. Mark - 1 star - I couldn't even finish "The Castle of Magic" because it was so boring and predictable. The plot seemed like a recycled version of every other fantasy novel out there, and there was nothing unique or engaging about it. The dialogue was stilted and awkward, making it hard to stay engaged with the story. I was really disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

3. Kelly - 2 stars - I found "The Castle of Magic" to be incredibly slow-paced and lacking in excitement. The world-building was minimal, and I struggled to envision the setting of the story. The magic system was poorly explained, leaving me confused about how it worked. The plot was predictable and filled with cliches, making it a frustrating read. I wish I could say I enjoyed this book, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me.

4. Mike - 1 star - "The Castle of Magic" was a complete letdown for me. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to feel any emotional connection to them. The plot was convoluted and confusing, with unnecessary subplots and a lack of focus. The writing style was also inconsistent, with awkward transitions and choppy pacing. Overall, I was not impressed with this book and would not recommend it.

The Castle of Magic: Where Dreams Come True