We dig deeper into The Miser’s Dream … and then talk to Carisa Hendrix (aka Lucy Darling) about mixing comedy and magic via the concept of The Third Surprise.

A Few Minutes With… Carisa Hendrix starts at 00:02:24

Chapter Six of “The Miser’s Dream” starts at 00:14:31

LINKS

The Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/

Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj

Listen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD

A Few Minutes With … Carisa Hendrix: https://youtu.be/7emxF7RSPf8

Link to Original Interview with Carisa: https://www.elimarksmysteries.com/eli-marks-podcast/episode-118-we-visit-with-carisa-hendrix-aka-lucy-darling-and-listen-to-chapter-seventeen-of-the-ambitious-card

Carisa’s Website: https://www.carisahendrix.com/

Lucy Darling Hide and Seek Routine: https://youtu.be/tK3PfS0bGOI

Check out the Occasional Film Podcast: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/the-podcast

Episode 405: Writer Daniel Titley on his “London After Midnight” book … and then Chapter Five of “The Miser’s Dream.”

March 11, 2024

Writer Daniel Titley talks about his book on the classic (and now lost) film, “London After Midnight.” That movie’s possible existence plays a big part in this season’s book, “The Miser’s Dream.”

Daniel Titley Interview starts at 00:03:10

Chapter Five of “The Miser’s Dream” starts at 00:58:42

LINKS

The Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/

Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj

Listen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD

London After Midnight book: https://www.amazon.com/London-After-Midnight-Lost-Film/dp/1399939890

London After Midnight (reconstruction): https://youtu.be/JJTuZb_A-H8

London After Midnight on Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/dupst8h4

Check out the Occasional Film Podcast: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/the-podcast

Episode 404: Chapter Four of “The Miser’s Dream” and A Few Minutes With… John Carney.

February 26, 2024

We dive further in the third book in the Eli Marks mystery series, “The Miser’s Dream … and then look back at some wise words from magician John Carney.

A Few Minutes With… John Carney starts at 00:02:00

Chapter Four of “The Miser’s Dream” starts at 00:10:25

LINKS

The Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/

Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj

Listen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD

John Carney website: https://carneymagic.com/

London After Midnight book: https://www.amazon.com/London-After-Midnight-Lost-Film/dp/1399939890

London After Midnight (reconstruction): https://youtu.be/JJTuZb_A-H8

Check out the Occasional Film Podcast: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/the-podcast

Episode 403: Magician Rachel Wax stops by to chat … and then Chapter Three of “The Miser’s Dream.”

February 12, 2024

Up and coming magician Rachel Wax talks about getting started in magic … appearing on “Fool Us” … and learning how to say “no” to opportunities.

Rachel Wax Interview starts at 00:02:15

Chapter Three of “The Miser’s Dream” starts at 00:41:44

LINKS

The Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/

Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj

Listen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD

BONUS VIDEO: Rachel Flies Home From “Fool Us”: https://youtu.be/eb8nrnyFEkk

Rachel Wax website: https://www.rachelwax.com/

Professor’s Nightmare with Phone Chargers: https://youtu.be/VXhulcrr7Wg

Dr. David Wax website: https://www.drdavemagic.com/

Speakeasy Magic Experience: https://mckittrickhotel.com/events/speakeasy-magick/

Rachel Wax on Fool Us: https://youtu.be/TfitzehSRGc

Check out the Occasional Film Podcast: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/the-podcast

Episode 402: Chapter Two of “The Miser’s Dream” … and A Few Minutes With Rob Zabrecky

January 22, 2024

First, we re-visit some thoughts from previous guest Rob Zabrecky about how he deals with different audience reactions to his séance show at The Magic Castle. Then we delve deeper into the third book in the Eli Marks series, “The Miser’s Dream.”

A Few Minutes With… Rob Zabrecky starts at 00:04:00

Chapter Two of “The Miser’s Dream” starts at 00:17:01

LINKS

The Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/

Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj

Listen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD

The Houdini Séance at The Magic Castle: https://www.magiccastle.com/houdini-seance/

Check out the Occasional Film Podcast: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/the-podcast

Episode 401: Comedian (and former magician) George Campbell stops by to chat … and then Chapter One of “The Miser’s Dream.”

January 8, 2024

Writer, stand-up comedian, corporate entertainer … AND one-time magician George Campbell stops by to talk about his career entertaining corporate audiences, and his latest venture: The Consistency Chain.

George Campbell Interview starts at 00:02:44

Chapter One of “The Miser’s Dream” starts at 01:15:51

LINKS

The Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/

Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj

Listen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD

BONUS VIDEO: Joe Malarkey & Joe Calloway: https://youtu.be/BIQVaM8ArUI

Michael Ammar on the Vernon Wand Spin: https://youtu.be/LV-VsiX-Rq4

The Vernon Wand Spin: https://youtu.be/RDWcWvqyrH0

Sidewalk Shuffle: https://youtu.be/BgtJ84udLnw

The Consistency Chain: https://www.consistencychain.com/

Dewitt Jones videos: https://youtu.be/d6_5k8wdQPg

Check out the Occasional Film Podcast: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/the-podcast

Episode 313: a special bonus treat for listeners: “An Opening Nightmare.”

December 25, 2023

Hear the flip side of the Eli Marks short story, “The Self-Working Trick.” It’s the same mystery, but from the POV of Leah Sexton from the Como Lake Players mystery series.

LINKS

The Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/

The Como Lake Players Mystery Series: https://www.albertsbridgebooks.com/eli-marks - /acting-can-be-murder-como-book-1/

Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj

Listen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD

Check out the Occasional Film Podcast: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/the-podcast

Episode 312: Top-notch magicians discuss what is (and isn’t) a self-working trick … and then an Eli Marks mystery.

December 11, 2023

Thoughts on self-working tricks from Jade, David Williamson, Alexandra Duvivier, Mac King, Kayla Drescher, Ken Weber, Bill Arnold, Shep Hyken and more!

Magician interviews starts at 00:02:41

“The Self-Working Trick” starts at 00:21:09

LINKS

The Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/

Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj

Listen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD

BONUS VIDEO: Magicians on Self-Working Tricks: https://youtu.be/U683A5VazdE

Check out the Occasional Film Podcast: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/the-podcast

Episode 311: David Williamson returns with stories from magic conventions … and then an Eli Marks mystery.

November 13, 2023

Magician David Williamson returns to offer some choice memories and stories about his experiences at magic conventions over the years, including the story which inspired this episode’s Eli Marks short story, “The Vanishing Man (Redux).”

“The Vanishing Man” starts at 00:02:59

David Williamson interview starts at 00:37:00

LINKS

The Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/

Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj

Listen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD

David Williamson Website: https://davidwilliamson.com/

Circus 1903 Video: https://youtu.be/Eluxy79Nopc?si=HHP0zgvsN69ylc2S

BONUS VIDEO: Tom Mullica Convention Video: https://youtu.be/DE_Wj9ID8ow

Midnight Madness Video (Mr. Mysto): https://davidwilliamson.com/the-ridiculist/bj5wc9wewhryfhpcrg357g8tksgscp

Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@behindthepagetheelimarkspo5241

Check out the Occasional Film Podcast: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/the-podcast

Episode 310: Ventriloquist Jay Johnson and Puppet Master Gordon Smuder … and an Eli Marks short mystery!

October 9, 2023

Returning guest Jay Johnson and long-time pal Gordon Smuder join us to talk about puppets, ventriloquism, “Soap,” and many other topics …

“The Death of the Black Knight” starts at 00:05:29

The Jay Johnson/Gordon Smuder interview starts at 00:45:22

LINKS

The Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/

Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj

Listen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD

Jay Johnson’s The Two and Only: https://monkeyjoke.com/jay-johnson-the-two-and-only/

Gordon’s Website: http://www.thepuppetforge.com/

Transylvania TV: https://www.youtube.com/@TVTVonline

Transylvania on TubiTV: https://tubitv.com/series/1039/transylvania-tv

Transylvania TV on Seeka: https://watch.seeka.tv/en/transylvania-television

Check out the Occasional Film Podcast: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/the-podcast

Episode 309: Magicians Teller & Michael Callahan talk about mentoring … and an Eli Marks short mystery!

September 11, 2023

Teller and Michael Callahan talk about their Mentor/Telemachus relationship: How it started, how it works and how each has benefitted. And then an Eli Marks short story.

The Teller/Michael Callahan interview starts at 00:02:01

“The One-Star Review” starts at 01:13:40

LINKS

The Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/

Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj

Listen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD

BONUS VIDEO: Michael Callahan’s Gift to Teller: https://youtu.be/e3QvTcv9xl8

Michael Callahan Magic: http://www.mjcallahan.com/intro

Penn & Teller Website: https://pennandteller.com/

Michael Callahan performance: https://youtu.be/txfDi5_TVWQ

Check out the Occasional Film Podcast: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/the-podcast

Episode 308: Magician Bill Arnold on mentors and miracles … and an Eli Marks short mystery radio play!

August 14, 2023

Triple Espresso co-creator Bill Arnold joins us to talk about the value of mentorship and the importance of always being in position to create a miracle. And then another Eli Marks short story.

“Magician in Trouble” starts at 00:02:50

The Bill Arnold interview starts at 00:40:29

LINKS

The Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/

Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj

Listen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD

Triple Espresso Website: https://tripleespresso.com/

Triple Espresso Promo: https://youtu.be/gKiSGxAgLEQ

Chip Barber Music Website: https://www.hominoidmusic.com/

Steve Carlson Website: https://www.stevenpaulcarlson.com/

Steve Carlson Performs Dr. Daley’s Last Trick: https://youtu.be/_JCIyhxt0Vg

Check out the Occasional Film Podcast: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/the-podcast

Episode 307: Magician Kayla Drescher on bar magic … and an Eli Marks short mystery.

July 10, 2023

Kayla joins us to talk about what sets bar magic apart from other types of magic performances. And then another Eli Marks short story.

“The Secondary Convincer” starts at 00:02:30

The Kayla Drescher interview starts at 00:34:56

LINKS

The Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/

Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj

Listen to A Free Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD

Kayla Drescher website: https://magicinheels.com/

Kayla Drescher (Tips for Tips on Magic Bartending): https://youtu.be/OPxaAyWHV3k

Kayla Drescher on Fool Us: https://youtu.be/xG_QLGXsDhw

Victor Borge: https://youtu.be/RtDX1Vl-Jxk

More Victor Borge: https://youtu.be/dKeqaDSjy98

Victor Borge: Phonetic Punctuation: https://youtu.be/TIf3IfHCoiE

Ed Ames on The Tonight Show: https://youtu.be/0L5QC9ZJkM8

Banksy Painting Self-Destructs: https://youtu.be/rkC80in5heU

Bill Shredding Gag Gift: https://thetoynetwork.com/85-bill-shredding-savings-bank~p8580

Check out the Occasional Film Podcast: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/the-podcast

Episode 306: Medical Examiner (and magician!) Dr. Reade Quinton … and an Eli Marks short mystery.

June 12, 2023

Dr. Reade Quinton joins us to talk about the Eli Marks series, through the eyes of a Medical Examiner. And then another Eli Marks short story.

“The 38 Steps” starts at 00:04:19

The Dr. Reade Quinton interview starts at 00:50:24

LINKS

The Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/

Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj

Listen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD

“All In with Bryan Weatherford” Video: https://youtu.be/IddXMfRJZQk

The Georgetown Steps: https://youtu.be/F15M4x2LDZU

Check out the Occasional Film Podcast: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/the-podcast

Episode 305: Magician Alexandra Duvivier on taking magic to college … and an Eli Marks short mystery.

May 8, 2023

Alexandra Duvivier joins us all the way from Paris to talk about a new college-degree program in magic … and then we’ll listen to a new version of an old favorite Eli Marks short story.

The Alexandra Duvivier interview starts at 00:05:08

“The Last Customer” starts at 01:04:26

LINKS

The Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/

Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj

Listen to a Free Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD

Alexandra’s Fool Us appearance: https://youtu.be/tjZSG0lycr8

Double Fond theater: https://www.doublefond.com/

Magic School: https://doublefond-formation.com/

Chip Barber Music Website: https://www.hominoidmusic.com/

The Last Customer (Animatic version): https://youtu.be/Q1ddQR9mDEI

Check out the Occasional Film Podcast: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/the-podcast

Episode 304: Ken Weber on how to give (and receive) notes.

April 10, 2023

Ken Weber (and surprise guest Shep Hyken) join us to talking about giving (and getting) performance notes … and then an Eli Marks short story.

“The $100 Gift Certificate” starts at 00:04:13

The Ken Weber interview starts at 00:37:35

LINKS

The Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/

Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj

Listen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD

Ken Weber’s Maximum Entertainment 2.0: https://www.max-ent.info/

Shep Hyken’s website: https://hyken.com/

Check out the Occasional Film Podcast: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/the-podcast

Episode 303: Magician Jade visits … and a reading of an Eli Marks short story.

March 13, 2023

Magician extraordinaire Jade stops by to discuss the pleasures and the pains of doing walk-around/strolling magic … and then a reading of the short story, “The Crazy Man’s Handcuffs.”

“The Crazy Man’s Handcuffs” starts at 00:04:47

The Jade interview starts at 00:42:55

LINKS

Take the Podcast Survey: https://forms.gle/Wa8tc2SvgpC84kYx7

The Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/

Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj

Listen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD

Jade’s website: https://magicjade.com

Jade on Craig Ferguson: https://youtu.be/yER_Trr1-Js

Jade on Monday Magic: https://youtu.be/StTWfMtUQ50

Check out the Occasional Film Podcast: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/the-podcast

Episode 302: An interview with Dr. Larry Hass about Eugene Burger … along with the Eli Marks short story “The Trick That Cannot Be Explained.”

February 13, 2023

Dr. Larry Hass discusses Eugene Burger’s legacy and his approach to the trick in this episode’s story: “The Trick That Cannot Be Explained” (among other topics).

The reading of “The Trick That Cannot Be Explained” starts at 00:06:18

The Larry Hass interview starts at 00:37:27

LINKS

The Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/

Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj

Listen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD

Larry Hass website: https://lawrencehass.com/

Check out the Occasional Film Podcast: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/the-podcast