Location 4: The Magic Castle

Line 1

-oddest stop on this tour

-originally built as mansion for businessman Rollin B. Lan in 1909

-currently the exclusive clubhouse for Academy of Magical Arts, membership of 5000+ magicians

-current version of Magic Castle dreamed up in 60s by Milt Larsen, writer for 60s NBC show Truth or Consequences and a magic enthusiast along with his brother, magician Bill Larsen

Line 2

-Milt & Bill’s father always dreamed of magician clubhouse

-1963: castle opened to members for 1st time, remains upscale club w/ strict dress code and invitation-only clientele with a performance venue

-performances include variety of magicians, and celebrity performances from Orson Welles to Steve Martin

Line 3

-building closely linked to magic has some hauntings

-original owner (Rollin B. Lane) died in the house

-said to roam the rooms/halls as a non-confrontational presence

-also another little girl apparition haunting the basement, which is commonly nicknamed the Haunted Cellar

Line 4

-something strange w/ performance venue

-several magicians died by suicide backstage while waiting to perform

-maybe pressure or mental illness

-but many performers reported strange things happening

-One of these was Matt Gilroy

-magician & member rising up in 90s for card trick called Disappearing Horseman, performed on Tonight Show

-Gilroy scheduled to perform for Saturday night as an opener

Line 5

-20 min before Gilroy was going to go on, heard whispers backstage

-they called him names, mocked his magic and stage presence

-called him a loser, said he wouldn’t amount to anything

-Matt thought someone planted a recording to freak him out

-tore room apart

-stage manager came back to tell him 5 minutes left

-found Matt in manic rage, cutting open cushions, ripping stuffing

-he didn’t perform that night

-stuck with magic, but died in early 2000s of heart attack

-never reached same heights of career; story serves as urban legend for magicians

Key Names & Dates

-Built by Rollin B. Lane 1909

-Academy of Magical Arts w/ 5000 magicians

-new version designed by Milt Larsen in 1960s

-Milt Larsen wrote for 60s NBC show Truth or Consequences

-Bill Larsen is Milt’s brother & a magician

-1963: castle opens to members

-celeb performances range from Orson Welles to Steve Martin

-basement called Haunted Cellar