Slydini

The story I recently posted largely concerned a magician by the name of Tony Slydini. I think it worthy of note that this character is no mere fantasy constructed in the mind of a deranged writer of fiction, but is--or was--a living, breathing human being, and quite possibly one of the greatest magicians to grace this land since Merlin.
     Slydini was born Quintino Marucci in Italy on September 1st, 1900. His father was an amateur magician, who passed his knowledge on to his son. He and his family later moved to Argentina, where began to dedicate his life to magic by performing in South American Vaudeville. When the Great Depression hit around 1930, Slydini moved to New York, performing in sideshows, carnivals and museums. However, while he was visiting his sister in Boston, an agent there saw how talented he was, and offered him a job at a theater for 15 dollars a night, three nights a week. During those three days, another agent saw him, and offered him another contract. This ended up continuing for seven years, during which Slydini gained worldwide fame, recognition, respect, and the name "Tony," which some idiot thought his name was and whom Slydini was too polite to correct.
      Perhaps the most widely known of Slydini's many, many great performances was his appearances on the Dick Cavett Show, one of which you may begin watching right now just below, and the other you can watch in the second half of the newspaper article in the link below the video. But be warned: once you hit "play," there is no turning back.

Also, here is a wonderful article by Dick Cavett about Slydini.