Mervyn the Magnificent in a rare poster for his Magic Delicatessen act, which he toured in 1926.
Myron the Magnificent descends from a long line of magicians. His grandfather, Mervyn the Magnificent was a star of the vaudeville stage, his father Marvin the Magnificent was an innovator in the age of television, and when Myron's time came...he set aside his passion for the insurance industry to follow in his family's footsteps.
Mervyn the Magnificent and The Age of Vaudeville
Grandpa Mervyn the Magnificent was nothing but a youngster when he appeared in a Yiddish Theater production of Abraham Goldfaden's The Witch, in 1908. The production was filled with magical effects that entranced the boy who was taken under the wing of Izzy Cohen a magician in the cast (later known as Izzy the Impressive). Grandpa Mervyn threw himself into practicing tricks with cards, coins, and deli food (his first innovation in this realm was "Tricky Pickles," which later became a staple of his touring vaudeville act). In the 1920s Grandpa Mervyn expanded his act into a full suite of effects centered around deli food, the only such routine ever created. After bringing it to theaters around the country for a year he finally was able to negotiate a New York contract. But just before his big moment arrived, Mervyn's run was unfortunately cancelled at the last minute when Tammy Tepper and Her Troupe of Rat-a-Tat-Tappers suddenly became available instead. Mervyn continued touring for the next several years but he never recovered from his near miss in New York and his innovative effects with pickles and matzoh balls were set aside. Mervyn and his wife, Velma, had three children Marvin, Miriam, and Meyer.
Mervyn the Magnificent and The Age of Vaudeville
Grandpa Mervyn the Magnificent was nothing but a youngster when he appeared in a Yiddish Theater production of Abraham Goldfaden's The Witch, in 1908. The production was filled with magical effects that entranced the boy who was taken under the wing of Izzy Cohen a magician in the cast (later known as Izzy the Impressive). Grandpa Mervyn threw himself into practicing tricks with cards, coins, and deli food (his first innovation in this realm was "Tricky Pickles," which later became a staple of his touring vaudeville act). In the 1920s Grandpa Mervyn expanded his act into a full suite of effects centered around deli food, the only such routine ever created. After bringing it to theaters around the country for a year he finally was able to negotiate a New York contract. But just before his big moment arrived, Mervyn's run was unfortunately cancelled at the last minute when Tammy Tepper and Her Troupe of Rat-a-Tat-Tappers suddenly became available instead. Mervyn continued touring for the next several years but he never recovered from his near miss in New York and his innovative effects with pickles and matzoh balls were set aside. Mervyn and his wife, Velma, had three children Marvin, Miriam, and Meyer.
Marvin the Magnificent and The TV Era
Mervyn was determined to send his kids to college so that they could have reliable careers, yet in the case of his son Marvin the magic bug bit early. Marvin did graduate from City College and even started law school, but after he showed a few card tricks to the nightclub impresario Sidney Stein, Marvin was offered a regular gig at The Blue Penguin in 1948. He developed a loyal following there and continued as the house magician for the next eight years, performing both close-up and stage magic. Eventually Marvin was spotted by Lew Christianson, then the programming director at the new Buford Television Network (BTN). Marvin premiered his first magic special "The Marvelous Magic of Marvin the Magnificent," on November 8, 1956. His special was characterized by original magic effects such as the Pall Mall Cigarette Shower and the Kraft Cheese Slice Prediction. Marvin made waves with an appreciative audience in his second special for the network when he miraculously made Ethel Merman vanish while she was singing "I Got Rhythm." Marvin and his wife Victoria were the proud parents of Myron, Mortimer, and Maxine.
Mervyn was determined to send his kids to college so that they could have reliable careers, yet in the case of his son Marvin the magic bug bit early. Marvin did graduate from City College and even started law school, but after he showed a few card tricks to the nightclub impresario Sidney Stein, Marvin was offered a regular gig at The Blue Penguin in 1948. He developed a loyal following there and continued as the house magician for the next eight years, performing both close-up and stage magic. Eventually Marvin was spotted by Lew Christianson, then the programming director at the new Buford Television Network (BTN). Marvin premiered his first magic special "The Marvelous Magic of Marvin the Magnificent," on November 8, 1956. His special was characterized by original magic effects such as the Pall Mall Cigarette Shower and the Kraft Cheese Slice Prediction. Marvin made waves with an appreciative audience in his second special for the network when he miraculously made Ethel Merman vanish while she was singing "I Got Rhythm." Marvin and his wife Victoria were the proud parents of Myron, Mortimer, and Maxine.
Las Vegas and Beyond with Myron the Magnificent
Myron and his brother Morty both inherited their father's love of magic. Myron greatly admired his Grandpa Mervyn and spent time with him in his Lower East Side apartment, learning the tricks of the trade including Mervyn's old act. Morty on the other hand was hanging out with the kids who congregated at Bannion's Magic Shop, many of whom like Albert the Amazing and Wacky William became the magic innovators of their time. Morty was recognized early on for his phenomenal skill and creativity, yet he also became caught up in a variety of unfortunate teenage shenanigans. In the meantime Myron was performing at libraries and children's parties, but the bigger gigs eluded him. Eventually Myron decided to take a crack at the growing magic opportunities in Las Vegas. It was there that he and his assistant, the Lovely Vera, became established at Rustic Rudy's Roadside Casino and Rest Stop performing his spectacular revue, Myronic!. Myron and Vera's run continued for several years but was put into "hiatus" after an unfortunate incident with his flaming double sword vivisection. That's when Myron returned to the East Coast ready to seize the mantle of the Magnificent Family. His act carried forward the tricks and routines that he learned from his Grandpa Mervyn the Magnificent, including some of Mervyn's innovative work with deli food. Today Myron performs regularly throughout the tri-state area. He is available for children's shows, bar and bat mitzvahs, corporate gigs, and TV appearances. Myron is unmarried but he cares for his nephew, Maxie, whose father Morty was last seen performing at a resort in Guadalajara.
Myron and his brother Morty both inherited their father's love of magic. Myron greatly admired his Grandpa Mervyn and spent time with him in his Lower East Side apartment, learning the tricks of the trade including Mervyn's old act. Morty on the other hand was hanging out with the kids who congregated at Bannion's Magic Shop, many of whom like Albert the Amazing and Wacky William became the magic innovators of their time. Morty was recognized early on for his phenomenal skill and creativity, yet he also became caught up in a variety of unfortunate teenage shenanigans. In the meantime Myron was performing at libraries and children's parties, but the bigger gigs eluded him. Eventually Myron decided to take a crack at the growing magic opportunities in Las Vegas. It was there that he and his assistant, the Lovely Vera, became established at Rustic Rudy's Roadside Casino and Rest Stop performing his spectacular revue, Myronic!. Myron and Vera's run continued for several years but was put into "hiatus" after an unfortunate incident with his flaming double sword vivisection. That's when Myron returned to the East Coast ready to seize the mantle of the Magnificent Family. His act carried forward the tricks and routines that he learned from his Grandpa Mervyn the Magnificent, including some of Mervyn's innovative work with deli food. Today Myron performs regularly throughout the tri-state area. He is available for children's shows, bar and bat mitzvahs, corporate gigs, and TV appearances. Myron is unmarried but he cares for his nephew, Maxie, whose father Morty was last seen performing at a resort in Guadalajara.