Recently, the Amazing Kreskin passed away. This is a man who, in public, always balked when someone referred to him as a magician. He stayed away from the idea of a magic, though that is what he was, a specialized magician, known as a mentalist. Conversely, he also did not like to be known as a psychic.
I'm old enough to have seen Kreskin on TV and in person numerous times. I always found him quite remarkable. There were times I found him quite brazen in his methods knowing full well what he was doing, but his approach was different. And I found him far more entertaining than most mentalist. (Modern mentalists, please don't take offense in that, we have MARVELOUS Mental performers today) In fact, I was led to believe that he stole his act from Dunninger. I few pages from Stewart James first opus had a list of Dunningers routine's and they matched up pretty close to Kreskin's set list.
I had assumed that Kreskin started in the late 60's early 1970s maybe. But he was already a house hold name by the 1970s. He had his own TV show. He definitely took Dunninger's mantel away, which explains the animosity towards Kreskin from the Dunninger family. I don't know what Dunninger himself thought, but I can't imagine it was good.
But if we are honest, we must bring up another name, Robert Nelson. He was a magic shop owner and publisher of many many books and booklets on Mentalism. He also sold mental gadgets and gimmicks. Nelson Enterprises began in 1921 and his first book on mentalism, Sensational Effects, was published in 1928. Kreskin, whose real name was George Joseph Kresge, was not even born yet. So basically, all the information that would have explained Dunninger's act was already published long before Kreskin came around.
And if I might add to this, I have personally seen part of Joe Dunninger's collection of apparatus and I can attest to the fact that he purchased items from Robert Nelson! So I'm not sure it's fair to say Kreskin stole Dunninger's act. I have seen video of Dunninger and his personality and Kreskin's are very very different. (though I did see a post on Facebook that said Dunninger did the crazy handshake long before Kreskin....that I have NOT verified yet)
What I have learned recently was that Kreskin began around age 19 or 20, in the 1950s to perform his mental act! He certainly took a page from the Dunninger career by appearing on TV and radio, but you can't fault him for that.
On August 16th Potter Auctions is going to have an auction of items belonging to Kreskin. Looking over the lots it's clear that he had an interest in magic and magic history. I know he used magic props on occasion on TV, but NEVER presented them as magic tricks, he always used the mental angle.
He was truly amazing in many ways. I'll be bidding on the auction. Later this year I'll reveal the new Kreskin painting which will be for sale.
