“The Riddle Of Chung Ling Soo” is a book by journalist Will Dexter on the mysterious life of the famous “Chinese” conjuror Chung Ling Soo,
alias William Ellsworth Robinson.
This publication is
softbound published in USA by Arco publishing company in 1976.
In 1973 The Supreme
Magic Company from England purchased rights of the full book and published a hard
backed edition apparently unaware of this Arco edition. Eventually everything
was worked out mutually for both sides.
The book begins by
taking us back to one of the most talked about accidents in the history of
magic, namely the mysterious death on stage of Chung Ling Soo.
William
Ellsworth Robinsion died on stage performing the dangerous bullet catch illusion
in 1918. Great mystery and speculation surround his actual death, and this has
been written about and recounted in numerous publications.
Will Dexter pens his
opinion and takes us back in time to the so-called Golden Age of modern magic
at the beginning of the 20th Century (1880’s though to 1930’s).
I love to read about
the history of magic and learn about the lives and acts of the giants upon
whose shoulders we stand. Dexter describes famous illusions, personal
relationships, rivalry, performances, and philosophy, whilst focusing on the
life of the famous magician Chung Ling Soo.
Born William
Ellsworth Robinson in Westchester County, NY, he started his magic career as a
young teenager. As an inventor of magic Robinson worked alongside many famous
contemporaries including Kellar and Herrman. Before assuming the persona of
Chung Ling Soo, Robinson performed under different names. It was when he
arrived in London that his full back story and character developed, and
Robinson became Chung Ling Soo, shaving his head, wearing greasepaint and never
speaking on stage. It is this character that has been the fascination of many
over the years.
I find this book
exciting not only for the history, but also the mystery, and can highly
recommend it to anyone with an interest in the history of magic.
The book contains
many black and white photos and posters from Chung Ling Soo’s shows.
I would like to
finish with this quote from the book which sums up the life of Robinson:
“The moment I step upon the stage I lose my identity
and become in fact, what I am to be - Chung Ling Soo.“ W.E.Robinson
Review: Saša Gerber
Review Editor: Lee Alex
Review Editor: Lee Alex
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