Article written by
Street Magic Training Center
e l l u s i o n i s t

The true facts behind the David Blain Street Magic Special that started it all.

"Prepare yourself.  It's time for
David Blain: Street Magic."

David Blain wanted more than an underground reputation.  He didn't want to work anymore in just nightclubs and private parties.   

Blain had an ambition to spread his magic throughout the country and the world.  With a friend videotaping action on the street, David took his rare brand of sleight of hand into Times Square, New York.   

Contrary to overwhelming belief, David Blain had never performed street magic before this point. 

Stopping unsuspecting passersby for a few minutes at a time, he performed small hand magic using nothing more than a deck of cards and the spare change people let him borrow.  The results for such a simple idea were phenomenal.  David Blain's camera caught reactions of people screaming in the street, laughing in shock, and crying in hysteria.  This raw early footage would be something to look back on now - in light of the fame Blain has achieved so far. 

After crudely editing rough footage at home, David brought it to ABC.  Without an appointment of any kind, he boldly used his magic to gain an introduction to the station's president, Ted Harbert.  David played the tape for Harbert, and the executive showed interest in the idea. 

The president gathered other execs in his main office and the show began.  Harbert proceeded to select a card and tear a corner from it as proof that there could be no duplicate.  He then shuffled the card into the deck.  David took the cards, looked, and suddenly tossed them into the air, scattering them all over the private office.  When the cards settled, Blain casually looked over at the window in the office.  Although the office was several stories up and the window unopenable - frozen for many years - there,  stuck to the other side of the double paned glass, was Harbert's seven of diamonds with the missing corner he now held in his hand.   

The ABC executive matched the corner in his hand to the one outside his window and realized...

(continued here)

Click HERE to add us to your favorites before you forget!

Article written by
Street Magic Training Center
e l l u s i o n i s t