91 years ago today, Howard Thurston suffered a stroke while performing in Charleston, West Virginia, during what was intended to be his farewell tour. Remarkably, Thurston later returned to work. He suffered another stroke in March 1936 and died the following April. You could use the story to look back at Thurston's enormous touring illusion show and the final chapter of one of magic's biggest careers.ober 6, 1935
On this day in magic history, October 6, 1935, one of the greatest magicians of the Golden Age of Magic suffered a stroke during an engagement in Charleston, West Virginia.
Howard Thurston was 66 years old and in the middle of what was intended to be his farewell tour when his health suddenly failed.
It was a dramatic final chapter for a magician who had spent decades traveling with one of the largest and most spectacular illusion shows America had ever seen.
Today, 91 years later, October 6 gives us an opportunity to remember not only the event that brought Thurston's legendary career toward its conclusion, but also the enormous impact he had on the art of stage magic.
From the King of Cards to the King of the Magic Show
Born Howard Franklin Thurston on July 20, 1869, in Columbus, Ohio, Thurston became fascinated with magic after seeing the great Alexander Herrmann perform.
Early in his career, Thurston became famous for his extraordinary work with playing cards.
His skill earned him the nickname “The King of Cards,” and his card manipulation act helped establish his reputation in America and Europe.
But Thurston had much bigger ambitions.
He eventually expanded beyond a specialty card act and began developing a full-evening illusion show.
That decision would transform him into one of the most successful magicians of his era.
Taking Over From Harry Kellar
By the early 1900s, Harry Kellar was America's reigning master of stage illusion.
As Kellar prepared to retire, Thurston emerged as his successor.
In 1908, Kellar publicly passed the mantle to Thurston, who continued developing the massive touring magic production into a spectacle of his own.
Thurston presented illusions, card magic, comedy and elaborate theatrical effects to audiences across the country.
One of the most famous illusions associated with his show was the Levitation of Princess Karnac, a spectacular floating-lady illusion previously associated with Kellar.
Under Thurston, the levitation became one of his signature theatrical pieces.
His show eventually became enormous.
At its peak, Thurston's touring production reportedly required eight railroad cars to transport the performers, scenery, illusions and equipment from city to city.
Imagine moving an entire Vegas-style illusion production to a different theater again and again — except doing it in the early 20th century, long before modern trucks, lighting systems and production technology.
That was Howard Thurston's world.
Thurston and Houdini
Today, Harry Houdini is unquestionably the more recognizable name among the general public.
During their lifetimes, however, Howard Thurston was also one of America's biggest magical celebrities.
The two men represented very different approaches to entertainment.
Houdini became famous primarily through escapes, publicity stunts and his larger-than-life public persona.
Thurston was the grand theatrical magician.
He toured with an enormous full-evening production filled with illusions and spectacle, building an experience that in many ways helped establish the template followed by later generations of touring illusionists.
While Houdini became immortalized in popular culture, Thurston dominated the world of the traditional American magic show.
The Farewell Tour Begins
By 1935, Thurston had been performing professionally for decades.
He was getting older, his health was becoming a concern, and the enormous touring productions that had defined his career were increasingly difficult to maintain.
Thurston finally decided to embark on a farewell tour.
The tour began on August 23, 1935, at the Fox Theatre in Philadelphia.
Even at 66 years old, Thurston continued presenting the illusions and fast-paced magical entertainment audiences had expected from him for generations.
Then, less than two months into the tour, everything changed.
October 6, 1935
Thurston was appearing in Charleston, West Virginia, when he suffered a stroke on October 6, 1935.
The stroke reportedly left his left arm paralyzed.
Accounts differ slightly about exactly when the medical emergency occurred. Some historical biographies describe Thurston suffering the stroke during a performance, while another account places the incident backstage as his technical director helped him put on his coat.
There is also disagreement over what happened afterward.
Some biographical sources state that Thurston recovered sufficiently to return to work, while others maintain that he never performed again after the October stroke.
Whatever the exact sequence of events, there is no question that Thurston's health had taken a devastating turn.
For a performer whose entire adult life had revolved around touring, performing and standing before audiences, the great Thurston magic show was approaching its final curtain.
A Second Stroke
Thurston's health problems continued into the following year.
On March 30, 1936, less than six months after the Charleston incident, Thurston suffered a second stroke.
This time he was at his home in Florida.
His condition deteriorated, and on April 13, 1936, Howard Thurston died in Miami Beach.
He was 66 years old.
His body was returned to his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, where he was entombed at Green Lawn Abbey.
One of the greatest careers in the history of American magic had come to an end.
The Magician History Almost Forgot
Howard Thurston presents an interesting puzzle in magic history.
At the height of his fame, he was enormous.
His name appeared on spectacular posters. His show traveled throughout America. Audiences packed theaters to see his illusions. His production required railroad cars simply to move from one engagement to another.
Yet outside the magic community, his name is nowhere near as familiar today as Houdini's.
Magic historian Jim Steinmeyer explored that forgotten legacy in his book The Last Greatest Magician in the World, helping introduce modern readers to the extraordinary scale of Thurston's career.
Thurston's influence can still be seen whenever a magician walks onto a large stage and presents a full-evening illusion show.
The idea of building an entire theatrical experience around magic — mixing personality, spectacle, comedy, mystery and large-scale illusions — was something Thurston helped perfect.
Remembering Howard Thurston 91 Years Later
October 6, 1935 was a sad turning point in the life of Howard Thurston.
A man who had spent decades traveling from theater to theater suddenly found himself confronting a medical crisis that his skill, showmanship and magic couldn't overcome.
But 91 years later, it is also an opportunity to remember what came before that day.
Howard Thurston wasn't simply another magician from magic's past.
He was one of the biggest stars the art of magic had ever produced.
He went from being the “King of Cards” to inheriting Harry Kellar's mantle and ultimately commanding an enormous touring illusion show of his own.
The railroad cars are gone.
The giant Thurston touring show disappeared generations ago.
But every time a modern illusionist builds a full-evening production around spectacular magic, theatrical presentation and personality, a little of the tradition Howard Thurston helped establish remains.
On this day in magic history — October 6, 1935 — Howard Thurston suffered the stroke that marked the beginning of the final chapter of one of magic's greatest careers.
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