“Dante – The Devil Himself” by Phil Temple (1991). Biography of the last of America’s master magicians from the Golden Age of Magic.

            Dante was the stage name of Harry August Jansen (1883-1955), a Danish-born American who began his career in magic as an illusion builder and later became a performer touring the world.  In 1922, magician Howard Thurston, realizing Jansen’s talent and possible competition to him, engaged Jansen to star in the 2nd unit Thurston show.  Thurston gave Jansen the stage name of Dante.  In 1925, Dante the Magician Inc. came into being with Thurston as co-owner.  

Dante’s career spanned vaudeville, burlesque, legitimate theater, films, and television.   He and his troupe, consisting of between 25 and 40 performers, made several global trips and appeared in many U.S. theaters.  He was known for his elaborate stage shows and illusions, including the famous “Sawing a Woman in Half” trick.  His stage trademark was to utter three nonsense words, “Sim Sala Bim” (taken from a Danish children’s song), to acknowledge applause.  In 1940, he produced and starred in the Broadway revue “Sim Sala Bim” at the Morosco Theatre.  

Dante also appeared as himself in movies, including “Racket Busters” (1938), A-Haunting We Will Go” (1942), and “Bunco Squad” (1950), and he played a character role in Jean Renoir’s “The Golden Coach” (1952).    

[Source: Wikipedia]

Taken on: October 30, 2024

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