“The Silence of Chung Ling Soo” by Todd Karr. Seattle: The Miracle Factory, 2001. First edition. "Mystic" cover art by Katlyn Breene

            “Silence surrounded William E. Robinson.  As Chung Ling Soo, Robinson remained quiet, onstage as well as in public, hiding the truth of his American nationality behind his Asian persona.  His sad death brought final silence to this master magician.

“He was ‘the man reputed to know more about magic than any other living person,’ in the awed words of Howard Thurston in ‘My Life of Magic’ (Baltimore, 1929).

“But when the magician dies, his magic vanishes, too.  The old props might come alive in the hands of another performer, the antique posters may still proclaim his miracles, but never again can an audience directly experience the man himself creating magic for them. 

“This book is my attempt to hear the words of Robinson’s silence, if only faintly. . .”  [From the Author’s Introduction]

---------------------------------------------

William E. Robinson (1861-1918), better known by his stage name Chung Ling Soo, was an American magician who gained international fame by impersonating a Chinese conjurer.  Born in New York City, Robinson began his career in vaudeville, performing various acts including impersonations and magic tricks.  Inspired by the success of the Chinese magician Ching Ling Foo, Robinson adopted the persona of Chung Ling Soo, complete with a fabricated backstory.  

Chung Ling Soo’s performances were known for their elaborate illusions and daring tricks.  He gained a significant following in England, where he performed extensively and became a household name.  The bullet catch is one of his most famous tricks and involved catching a bullet fired from a gun in mid-air, which captivated audiences due to the inherent danger.  Tragically, it was also the trick that led to his untimely death in 1918, when the apparatus malfunctioned during a performance in London.

Robinson’s legacy as Chung Ling Soo remains a fascinating chapter in the history of magic, highlighting both the allure and dangers of stage performances in the early 20th century.  His story continues to captivate magic enthusiasts and historians alike.  

[Sources: Wikipedia, Britannica.com, and Archives.shef.ac.uk]

Taken in: United States / Virginia / Washington Forest (show map)

Taken on: October 15, 2024

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Silence of Chung Ling Soo

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