NEW The Riddle Of Chung Ling Soo
By Will Dexter
A fascinating account of the of the life of Chung Ling Soo (William E. Robertson). You'll learn about his meager beginnings all the way to his larger-than-life presence in the entertainment world.
This book contains all of the detailed highlights. A fun and fascinating read!
The Riddle of Chung Ling Soo-Will Dexter
Chung Ling Soo (April 2, 1861 - March 24, 1918), born William Ellsworth Robinson, died on the stage of London's Wood Green Empire when his bullet catching routine went wrong. During his early career, William Ellsworth Robinson called himself Robinson, the Man of Mystery. To increase his allure with a touch of exoticism, he changed his name to Chung Ling Soo and took his show to Europe. He took the name as a variation of a real Chinese stage magician - Ching Ling Foo - and performed many of the tricks that Foo had made famous.
Chung Ling Soo maintained his role as a Chinese man scrupulously. He never spoke onstage and always used an interpreter when he spoke to journalists. Only his friends and other stage magicians knew the truth. He then became the idol of the English Music Halls & associated with the likes of Harry Houdini, Karry Kellar, Horace Goldin, and other Magicians of the day. His mysterious death during his performance of the Bullet Catching Trick, may have been an accident, suicide, or murder as it is a mystery that has never been fully explained!
Will Dexter was born in 1909, always interested in Magic and one of the officers of The Magic Circle. For this biography Dexter has gathered material from all over the world. He tells of Robinson's early experiences in the United States, of his appearance and calamitous failure at the Folies Bergeres as "Hop Sing Soo" - and his great success the following night as "Chung Ling Soo". He tells of the battle with Ching Ling Foo, a genuine Chinese magician. The truth behind the greasepaint and the Oriental mask, and yet retains all the glamour and colour of a great illusionist and a great personality.
Chapter Listing
Introduction
Acknowledgment
Who Was Chung Ling Soo?
Misadventure
The Man of Mystery
Exit Loo
Enter Soo
Foo versus Soo
The Conquering Hero
"House Full" in Australia
A Change of Mind That Was Fatal
Close of an Era
The Man Who Wrote "Sensational Tales"
Fulton's Fantasy
The Trick That Scared Houdini
Front Row, Orchestra Stalls
Guardians of the Secrets
Secrets for Sale
Appendix One
Appendix Two
Index
BEST PRICE ON EBAY Or Anywhere Else!
222 pages - 8" x 5.5" - with black and white photos - Soft Cover
A Supreme Magic Publication
WOW FREE SHIPPING!
USPS Media Mail
Need it faster? Please choose the priority mail option when checking out.
NOW ON SALE!