Magician Kodell is a renowned magician known for his extraordinary tricks and illusions. Born into a family of performers, he developed an early passion for magic and began practicing his skills from a young age. Kodell's performances are known for their creativity and originality. He has a unique way of captivating his audience and keeping them enthralled throughout the entire show. His tricks often involve mind-boggling disappearances, levitations, and mind-reading acts that leave spectators in awe. One of Kodell's most famous tricks is the "Floating Ball," where he makes a ball levitate and move around the stage seemingly on its own.
Jack Kodell
Jack Kodell, known as 'The Original Bird Manipulator', was born in Mankato, Minnesota, USA. From a very early age his father's advice was always 'Do something different'. By the age of nine he had learned to fly a Taylor Cub Airplane and at thirteen he became the Soap Box Derby Champion (Kids un-powered car races). During 1941 Jack spent most of that year bedridden due to rheumatic fever. His father gave him books about card magic and a few decks of cards to pass away the time. With each passing day Jack became more intrigued with card magic. By the end of that summer he had become quite good with a deck of cards. By the time he had recovered he was hooked on magic and went around the various magic shops in Chicago, to where his family had moved. One day Jack saw Bill Baird, the famous billiard ball manipulator and was inspired to follow his father's dictum and 'do something different' he replaced the billiard balls with birds.
Throughout his teenage years he broke-in his parakeet act and changed his name. In 1947 at the International Magic Convention, in Chicago, he won the prestigious award for being the most original magician. He was presented his award by the great Harry Blackstone, Snr., who proudly announced that "This young boy has revolutionised magic. Kodell has created 'A Fantasy of Birds' an act in which he manipulates birds from bare hands, as others handle cards and billiard balls". That summer. Kodell was offered $1,500 a week at the El Rancho Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas. Over fifty years later Jack was still impressed when he recalled that it was a huge amount of money then and also that it gave him the honour of being the first Magician to be featured in Las Vegas.
Over the next few decades Jack worked in most of the great venues around the world and regularly appeared on major TV shows. His magic took him around the world many times, performing to the Royal families and Heads of State. In England he met and performed for Queen Elizabeth and other members of the royal family, including private parties for the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who referred to him as one of America's goodwill Ambassadors.
Whilst in London in 1950 he met the popular singer and actress Mary Naylor but, because of their separate work schedules, it was not until March 1953 that they were married at Caxton Hall in London. The headlines read 'Mary Naylor Marries Ice Magician' at the time Jack was appearing with his birds in an Ice show at London's Empress Hall. A magician on ice! another first. They were married at 10am and by 1.30pm Jack had to leave his wife and their guest to fulfil his contract at the Empress Hall. These career separations carried on throughout their careers. Happily, they did not affect the devotion and love for each other for nearly 60 years of happy marriage.
David Copperfield, a close friend since his own childhood, stated "Kodell was a trail-blazer of magic and a true inspiration for others to follow".
Since his retirement in 1962 Jack and Mary have spent their time in their Orlando home. They often visit Las Vegas spending time with their dear friend?s Lance Burton & David Copperfield.
Jack's last visit to London was in 2011 when he was honoured in a special tribute show as 'A living Legend of Magic', at the London Palladium.
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Kodell: Do Something Different by Jack Kodell - Book
For a lifetime, Kodell traveled the world with his unique creativity, and a flight of birds. Headlining long running shows around the world in five-star venues from the Moulin Rouge and the Lido in Paris, the London Hippodrome, The Savoy Hotel, and the London Palladium in the United Kingdom, and.
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For a lifetime, Kodell traveled the world with his unique creativity, and a flight of birds. Headlining long running shows around the world in five-star venues from the Moulin Rouge and the Lido in Paris, the London Hippodrome, The Savoy Hotel, and the London Palladium in the United Kingdom, and the Ed Sullivan Show, New York's Copacabana, and The Latin Quarter in the United States. He also accomplished a number of firsts in his career including being the first magician to perform in Las Vegas. Kodell always strived to be different with his magic and his life. From flying and airplane at the age of nine to doubling at the Moulin Rouge and the Lido for one year in his early thirties. To quote the legendary magician Channing Pollock, "Thanks Kodell for paving the way for me and other magicians to follow."
When he retired from show business at the young age of thirty-three he had five years of contracts sitting on his managers desk. So why would someone walk away from show business at such a young age?
Kodell had the best of both worlds, a privileged life, and his wildest dreams coming true. All thanks to Doing Something Different in the world of magic.
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Kodell: Do Something Different - Jack Kodell
For a lifetime, Kodell traveled the world with his unique creativity, and a flight of birds. Headlining long running shows around the world in five-star venues from the Moulin Rouge and the Lido in Paris, the London Hippodrome, The Savoy Hotel, and the London Palladium in the United Kingdom, and the Ed Sullivan Show, New York's Copacabana, and The Latin Quarter in the United States. He also accomplished a number of firsts in his career including being the first magician to perform in Las Vegas. Kodell always strived to be different with his magic and his life. From flying and airplane at the age of nine to doubling at the Moulin Rouge and the Lido for one year in his early thirties. To quote the legendary magician Channing Pollock, "Thanks Kodell for paving the way for me and other magicians to follow."
When he retired from show business at the young age of thirty-three he had five years of contracts sitting on his managers desk. So why would someone walk away from show business at such a young age?
Kodell had the best of both worlds, a privileged life, and his wildest dreams coming true. All thanks to Doing Something Different in the world of magic. USED, HC w/dj, 327 pages IMPORTANT NOTE: Former owner has pasted his nameplate, as well as small photos of the magicians that are mentioned throughout this book, on the inside front cover & onto facing page. There may also be a colored dot on the spine, by which he indexed his collection, as well as underlining throughout. THIS IS A USED BOOK, and the listed price reflects these possibilities.
One of Kodell's most famous tricks is the "Floating Ball," where he makes a ball levitate and move around the stage seemingly on its own. The illusion is so convincing that it baffles even the most skeptical viewers. He has often been praised for his flawless execution and attention to detail, making it difficult for the audience to figure out how he performs these seemingly impossible feats.
Magician Kodell is also known for his close-up magic, where he performs tricks right in front of the audience's eyes. This type of magic requires exceptional skill and precision, as the audience is just arm's length away from the magician. Despite being able to see everything up close, Kodell still manages to defy logic and leave his spectators amazed. In addition to his skills as a magician, Kodell is also a charismatic entertainer. He has a natural ability to connect with his audience, making them feel a part of the magic and creating a memorable experience for everyone present. His shows are filled with humor and audience participation, ensuring that everyone leaves with a smile on their face. Magician Kodell's contributions to the world of magic have earned him numerous accolades and a loyal fan base. He continues to inspire aspiring magicians with his talent and dedication to the craft. Whether performing on a grand stage or in an intimate setting, Kodell's magic leaves a lasting impression on all who witness it..
Reviews for "The Innovator of Illusion: How Magician Kodell Pushes the Boundaries of Magic"
1. John - 2/5 - I was quite disappointed with "Magician kodell". The tricks performed by the magician were not as impressive as I expected. It felt like he was just going through the motions without any real creativity or innovation. The audience participation was also minimal, which made the show feel much more like a monologue rather than an engaging performance. Overall, the show lacked the wow factor that I associate with a great magician.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I attended "Magician kodell" with high hopes, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The tricks performed were nothing out of the ordinary and lacked any real excitement. The magician's delivery seemed forced and his stage presence was quite underwhelming. The show lacked a cohesive storyline, making it difficult to stay engaged throughout. Overall, I found "Magician kodell" to be a forgettable and unimpressive experience.
3. Mike - 2/5 - "Magician kodell" left me underwhelmed. The tricks performed were generic and lacked any real surprises. The pacing of the show was slow, and the transitions between tricks felt awkward and disjointed. Moreover, the magician's interaction with the audience felt forced and uncomfortable. Overall, I was hoping for a more thrilling and captivating performance, but unfortunately, "Magician kodell" fell short of my expectations.
4. Emily - 3/5 - While "Magician kodell" had its moments, overall, I was not impressed. The tricks performed were average and did not offer anything new or innovative. The pace of the show was inconsistent, with some moments dragging on while others felt rushed. The magician's stage presence was lacking, and there were times when his delivery seemed forced. Although there were a few moments of intrigue, "Magician kodell" failed to leave a lasting impression.
5. Mark - 2/5 - "Magician kodell" was a disappointing experience. The tricks performed were easily predictable, and there were no jaw-dropping moments. The magician lacked charisma and the ability to engage the audience. The show felt disjointed, and the transitions between tricks were not smooth. Overall, "Magician kodell" fell short of delivering an enchanting and memorable magical experience.