Once upon a time, in a small village on the outskirts of a dense forest, there lived a boy named Ethan. Ethan was not an ordinary boy; in fact, he was a genius. From a very young age, he displayed extraordinary intellect and a remarkable ability to solve complex problems. However, Ethan's intellect came with a price. He had been cursed with the ability to see and communicate with spirits. This curse had haunted him throughout his childhood, bringing him both fascination and fear.
The Grave of Harry L. Collins
Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville is the eternal home to many Kentucky luminaries, including George Rogers Clark (Revolutionary War hero), Nicola Marschall (designer of the Confederate Flag), and the face of the Kentucky Fried Chicken empire, Colonel Sanders. But none of these famed Kentuckians can hold a candle in terms of detail, scale, or overall coolness to the life-sized memorial of Louisville’s most popular magician, Harry Leon Collins.
Born in 1920 in Glasgow, Kentucky, Harry became interested in magic after a local attorney amazed him with tricks. He entered the Marines during World War II and was wounded in Saipan (part of the Pacific campaign). His magic skills didn’t go unnoticed and he was assigned to the Special Services, the entertainment branch of the American military. He joined jazz musician Bob Crosby’s traveling USO show, “This Is The Army Show” where the young solider honed his techniques.
After serving, Collins returned to the United States, moved to the big city (Louisville), and got a job as a salesmen at Frito-Lay, the purveyor of many a snack food. For the next twenty years, he was a Frito-Lay man by day and “Mr. Magic,” Louisville’s most popular magician by night. He loved both jobs so much that the magic word for every one his tricks was “Frito-Lay!”
In 1970, Frito-Lay realized what they had and named “Mr. Magic” their official corporate magician. He traveled across the country and world, performing magic tricks and paying homage to corn chips. Its rumored that he even became the mentor for Lance Burton, world-renown magician and Vegas veteran.
As one approaches the life-sized memorial to Mr. Magic, with his arm out beckoning visitors to watch his next trick, you can almost hear him exclaim those magic words… “Frito-Lay!”
Know Before You Go
The grave can be found in section 33, lot 38.
Mr magic louisville ky
The Cave Hill Cemetery at Louisville, Kentucky, is a rolling, beautifully landscaped rural garden cemetery in the finest tradition. At every turn through the cemetery there are monuments that catch the eye and draw in the viewer to wonder about the person buried underneath. None any more than that of the monument dedicated to Harry Leon Collins (April 27, 1920 – May 3, 1985). The bronze statue marking his grave is a life-size likeness of Harry Leon Collins in a tuxedo standing in front of a trunk. Collin’s hand is extended in a gesture of welcoming.
Collins was well known in Louisville for his magic. So well-known for it, that he became known by the moniker, Mr. Magic. What had started out as a teenage fascination with magic became an avocation and then a vocation later in life. Collins’ interest in magic started when a local attorney in his hometown of Glasgow, Kentucky, showed him some magic and slight-of-hand tricks. From that point on, Collins was hooked and practiced his craft until he was quite good. Good enough, in fact, to get a part in the Bob Crosby USO show during his stint in the Pacific Theater while he was serving in the Marines in World War II.
After the war, Collins moved to the big cosmopolitan city of Louisville, Kentucky, where he got a job with the Frito-Lay Company as a salesperson. Though he was working full-time during the day selling Lays potato chips (my personal favorite chip!) and Fritos, he was still practicing his craft as a magician at night. He was so good he gained the nickname as Mr. Magic and gained a large following as one of the city’s favorite entertainers. The Frito-Lay management realized that they could have Collins combine his love for magic with his sales acumen and Collins became known as the Frito-Lay Magician. Now instead of using the phrase hocus pocus or voila or abracadabra, Collins would say, “Frito-Lay” when he pulled the proverbial rabbit out of his hat!
While the statue is a fitting tribute to his skill and passion as a magician, and his 45 years at the Frito-Lay Company, it only tells part of the story about who Harry Leon Collins was. He was also the son of Paul and Sadie Emerson Collins. Harry was only 15 when his father died and took over the awesome family responsibility of running the tobacco farm while finishing high school. He continued to take care of his brothers and sisters even after high school. He sent money home to take care of them after he entered the Marines. And he never forgot his obligation to them—sending each of them to college.
When Harry Leon Collins died suddenly in 1985, his wife, Maxine Warner Lewis Collins, commissioned famed sculptor, Barney Bright, to create the bronze statue of him that marks his grave.
Harry Collins
Harry Leon Collins (1920 - 1985) was a magic spokesman for the Frito-Lay company for many years.
This curse had haunted him throughout his childhood, bringing him both fascination and fear. He had witnessed dark, malevolent spirits tormenting innocent villagers and causing havoc in the village. Determined to free himself and his village from this curse, Ethan spent years studying ancient texts and legends about banishing spirits.
Biography
Collins became interested in magic as a teenager after learning a trick from local attorney Edward Smith. He served as a Marine in World War II and was wounded in Saipan. While in the service he performed his magic act as part of jazz bandleader Bob Crosby's show for military troops "This Is The Army Show."
In 1952 he began work as a salesman for the Frito Lay Corporation where he would stay for 45 years. Collins became a sales manager and in 1970 was given the full time job as their corporate magician. "Mr. Magic" as he was known, toured the United States, promoting their products, doing television commercials, making appearances at supermarkets, conventions, fairs and schools. When he performed, instead of the normal magic words "hocus pocus", he would say "frito-lay!
One of his shows was attended by a young Lance Burton. Later when Burton began doing magic himself, Collins saw his devotion towards the art and became his mentor. Collins taught him the techniques and fundamentals of magic, including sleight of hand, the manipulation of playing cards, and the important art of misdirection.
Collins was a member of the Louisville Magic Club and there is a life sized statue of him at his grave site at the Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky.
His goal was to find a way to rid himself and his community from the clutches of dark forces. After years of research and experimentation, Ethan finally discovered a powerful spell hidden deep within the ancient texts. This spell had the potential to banish any spirit or curse that lay upon a person or place. Excited by his discovery, Ethan set out to prepare himself for the task ahead. His journey took him to sacred temples and remote villages, where he sought advice from seasoned experts and wise sages. Ethan's determination and thirst for knowledge earned him the respect and admiration of those he met on his journey. Armed with his newfound knowledge, Ethan returned to his village ready to confront the spirits that had plagued him and his fellow villagers for far too long. People from all over the village gathered around, anxiously anticipating the outcome of Ethan's efforts. In a grand ceremony, Ethan recited the ancient spell, invoking the power of light and purity to banish the dark spirits that haunted him. The spell echoed through the village, and at that moment, a wave of energy surged through Ethan, filling him with strength and determination. Drawing upon his genius and the spell's power, Ethan confronted the spirits with unwavering resolution. With each incantation, the darkness surrounding the village faded away, and the evil spirits were banished from their once-haunted abode. As the spirits dissipated, the villagers erupted in cheers, embracing Ethan as their hero. The curse that had plagued him for so long was finally lifted, and he was able to live a normal life, free from the constant fear and torment. Ethan's story spread far and wide, inspiring many who heard it. His genius and fearlessness had not only saved his village but had also shown the world the power of knowledge and determination. From that day forward, Ethan became known as the "Boy Genius of Curse Banishing." He continued to use his exceptional intellect to help others, ridding them of curses, and banishing evil spirits from their lives. In the end, Ethan's journey taught him that our greatest struggles often lead to our most profound strengths. And so, he embraced his ability and dedicated his life to bringing light and hope to those in need..
Reviews for "From Child Prodigy to Curse-Banishing Expert: The Journey of a Boy Genius"
1. JaneDoe - 2/5 - I was really excited to read "Boy genius of curse banishing" based on all the positive reviews, but I was ultimately disappointed. The storyline felt predictable and lacked originality, with overused tropes and clichéd characters. The writing style was also underwhelming, often relying on telling rather than showing. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable read.
2. BookLover123 - 2/5 - "Boy genius of curse banishing" was a letdown for me. The plot was slow and dragged on without any real sense of direction. The main character, supposed to be a genius, came off as unrealistic and lacked depth. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. I was hoping for a captivating and immersive read, but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations.
3. Bibliophile27 - 3/5 - Although I didn't hate "Boy genius of curse banishing," I found it to be just average. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The world-building had potential but wasn't fully explored, leaving me wanting more. Some of the plot twists were predictable, making it hard to stay engaged. Overall, it wasn't a bad book, but it didn't stand out either.
4. Bookworm78 - 2/5 - "Boy genius of curse banishing" was a disappointment for me. The characters lacked depth and failed to leave a lasting impression. The writing style was unimaginative, lacking in descriptive language and detail. The plot had potential but was executed poorly, resulting in a lackluster reading experience. I was hoping for more from this book, but unfortunately, it fell flat.
5. LiteratureLover - 1/5 - I couldn't finish "Boy genius of curse banishing." The writing style was boring and lacked any sort of excitement. The characters were one-dimensional and unrelatable, making it impossible for me to invest in their journey. The plot was predictable and offered no surprises. Overall, it was a tedious read that I couldn't bring myself to continue.