Herbert L. Becker
| Herbert Becker (Herbert L. Becker) | |
|---|---|
 Herbert Becker (right) | |
| Born | Hollywood, Florida |
| Occupation | magician, escapologist, stunt performer, writer, businessman |
Herbert Lawrence Becker is a former magician who also wrote a computer program described by him as "broadcasting analog signals over the internet in real time" in 2000.[1][2] He is also the author of several books, an actor, and the creator/director of the Masked Magician TV specials for Fox TV.[3]
Magic
Voted Best USA Magician in 1975 and 1976 by Houdini Magic Magazine, Becker performed under the name "The Kardeen Brothers" with Marc Nicols. Later, he worked solo as "The Great Kardeen". He helped open the first Guinness Museums, toured with Guinness on Parade and performed at the Steel Pier and Radio City Music Hall (1976) with the Guinness show.
As a magician, Becker toured worldwide until he retired in 1978. He was the opening act for such bands as Elton John and Genesis. Later bands which opened for him included Hall & Oates. He had long runs in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Becker appeared as himself (a magician) on the television programs "Bozo the Clown" (1975–1977 appearing weekly) and "The Maury Povich Show" (2001).[4]
In his book All the Secrets of Magic Revealed: The Tricks and Illusions of the World's Greatest Magicians, Becker explained how magicians such as Harry Houdini, David Copperfield, Doug Henning, and Siegfried and Roy created some of their most famous illusions, to the consternation of his colleagues.[5] Becker caused more unhappiness among magicians when he appeared on the television talk show of Maury Povich in March 1997 and exposed the secrets behind such well-known magic tricks as sawing a person in half.[5] Becker was believed to be the anonymous Masked Magician, who, in a series of Fox TV specials, explained exactly what is behind the tricks of the magic trade. Becker has written Magic Secrets and So That's How They Do It.[5]
Becker replaced Harry Houdini as the world's fastest escape artist from a regulation straitjacket in the 1976 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records.[6]
Litigation
Becker has been involved in legal disputes with David Copperfield. Copperfield sued Becker in an attempt to prevent publication of All the Secrets of Magic Revealed: The Tricks and Illusions of the World's Greatest Magicians (Lifetime Books, Inc. (March 11, 1997); ISBN 978-0-8119-0822-1) which Copperfield maintained revealed some of Copperfield's secrets; Copperfield lost and the book was published. Becker then sued his publisher, Lifetime Books, for purportedly colluding with Copperfield to remove details of Copperfield's illusions.[7][8]
Other interests and career
Becker was CEO of boutique book publishing house Barclay Road, retiring on July 2, 2008 but continuing as an advisor until the company ceased operations.
Books
- 101 Greatest Magic Secrets Exposed, Citadel (March 2002); ISBN 978-0-8065-2154-1
- All the Secrets of Magic Revealed: The Tricks and Illusions of the World's Greatest Magicians, Lifetime Books, Inc. (March 11, 1997); ISBN 978-0-8119-0822-1
- More Magic Secrets, Lifetime Books, Inc. January 1997 ISBN 1-890167-00-2
- John Lennon: Between the Lines, Lifetime Books, Inc. October 1997 ISBN 978-1-890167-01-1
- Typing By Design, McGraw Hill. March 1982 ISBN 978-0-02-830760-2
References
- ↑ "EnterVision Broadcasting System (Registration Number: 485229)". Canadian Copyright Register. Canadian Intellectual Property Office. 2000-05-25. Retrieved 2012-01-13.
- ↑ "Entervision broadcasting system. (TXu000964525)". Copyright Catalog (1978 to present). United States Copyright Office. 2000-05-26. Retrieved 2012-01-13.
- ↑ "Herbert Becker creates Masked Magician".
- ↑ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0065434/
- 1 2 3 "More Magic Secrets". Retrieved 2009-07-14.
- ↑ 1977 Guinness Book page 467, second paragraph. Sterling Publishers ISBN 0-8069-0016-4.
- ↑ "America's top two magicians locked in bitter legal battle". New Straits Times. 1997-08-01. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
- ↑ "Copperfield Loses Court Bid to Keep Rabbits in the Hat". San Jose Mercury News. 1994-09-01. Retrieved 2009-07-13.