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This is Episode #30, which aired on week 30 as planned. The team has already made more shows in the first year than most current series do in their first year.
Here's my observation about this production... It's really creative! You may think I'm bias, just because its my parents and a team of people I love, but really, it's a super creative show, and I can prove it. Below are some of my observations. Read on, then watch the show for yourself, and tell me what you think.
My first clue was to notice that the opening sequence is substantially shorter than all 29 that came before it. That made me think that they are saving time for more magic later. And it's only a 1 Cartoon show! Bonus time!
Not counting the commercials, and the cartoon intro which are all very creative, let's start with the first magic after the opening. Mark does the Gypsy thread with a ball of yarn. Notice his handling. If you know the secret to this effect, you will appreciate Mark's Magical Hands during the "restoration" moment, and the clean-up at the end. So nice, so simple, and so practiced. I've never seen Dad perform that effect in my lifetime in quite that way, so it must have been from his years of being a Demonstrator and doing so many live shows and on TV before Allakazam.
"The Magic word is... Kellogg's!" Episode #30
Magic with Yarn, Episode #30
Then Mark, Nani, and the team present an amazing version of the mutilated parasol. Notice the subtitles during the whole presentation... I don't want to blow it for you, but the end is really cute, and could be done live. Well, you need a nice team to help out, but it's REAL, and not done with plants or pre-selected objects, and certainly NO CAMERA TRICKS. You might think there are "doubles", but not so! Also keep your eyes on the Lovely Nani Darnell and how deftly she unrolls the Parasol to reveal the Transposition. I hope I can find that prop someday. This is clearly not your standard Mutilated Parasol!
Mark's audience interaction, a standard in every show, leaves them with a custom made ending, a prize that's worth the effort to make. Again, you won't find those T&R props in your normal magic shop these days.
The Innovative Parasol Mystery, Episode #30
Mark in the Audience, Episode #30
And finally we get to the Big Illusion finale. The Fantasy from the Far East. See how many cast members you can spot in this sequence. I'm actually not sure myself, can you figure out who is playing the part of the male assistant in the whole bit. I have some thoughts but I want to hear what you think first. Then I'll ask Mark and Nani... and if they don't know, I'll ask John Gaughan. He might remember.
The very end, after the big Illusion, Mark invites kids to write in and ask for tickets. Was this an early way to promote "social media feedback". There was no "email" but everyone could afford a stamp for a REAL LETTER! Many of those wonderful and charming letters are in the "Fan Mail Library." Just click on the link above and check them out.
To cap it off, that brilliant group of minds came up with a "bookend" for the finale. It ties in with the "Mark in the Audience" bit. I don't see it as a duplication of effect, because the result is so different. It's all about where you "take the audience" on their magical adventure.
As my good friend and mentor, Jack Goldfinger, taught me, "He who controls the story, controls the ending." Which is so applicable with his other teaching, "Take them someplace new and unexpected."
I leave you with the above thoughts, and my hopes that you enjoy watching these shows as much as I do. It really puts the Magic into Allakazam, or does the show create that feeling of "Allakazam" which to me is "Magic"... think on that.
Write to me, please!
Best Magical Wishes,
Greg
Far East Fantasy Opening, Episode #30
Far East Fantasy Mark and Nani, Episode #30
Far East Fantasy ???, Rebo, and Mark, Episode #30
Mark and Nani looking cute! Episode #30
Time to be RE-ENCHANTED!
The Allakazam Archives has digitized to preserve Episode 30 of The Magic Land of Allakazam!
IF YOU SEE THIS TEXT...
IT MEANS YOU ARE NOT WATCHING THE VIDEO. BUMMER! BUT JUST LIKE MAGIC...
IF YOU SUPPORT OUR PRESERVATION EFFORTS
WITH A PAID MEMBERSHIP, OF ANY KIND...
THIS SPACE WILL MAGICALLY TRANSFORM INTO
THE MAGIC LAND OF ALLAKAZAM ON A TV!
| AIRED 30TH WEEK | April 22 1961 | KELLOGGS | SHOW #30 |
| (1 Cartoon) | |||
| Opening - Production | 0:06 | ||
| Welcome to Allakazam | 1:38 | ||
| Teaser - Fantasy from the Far East | 1:49 | ||
| Opening Magic Word - Kelloggs | 2:03 | ||
| Crystal Dove Box | 2:13 | ||
| Commercial - Tape - OK's | 2:54 | ||
| Cartoon lead in - Huck out of Hat - Picture Frame | 3:54 | ||
| Cartoon - Huck | (Cut) | ||
| Commercial - Film | (Cut) | ||
| Yarn Trick - SOH | 4:21 | ||
| Parasol with Borrowed Articles | 5:52 | ||
| Mark in Audience - Torn tissue to Apron and Hat | 9:21 | ||
| Commercial - Tape - Frosted Flakes | 10:23 | ||
| Fantasy from the Far East | 11:27 | ||
| Commercial - Film | (Cut) | ||
| Ticket Info | 18:13 | ||
| Tissue Tear - Good bye | 18:42 | ||
| Cast | 19:15 | ||
| Close - Credits | 19:20 | ||
| End - TRT edited version | 20:37 | ||
