Francis Carlyle (September 17, 1912 - December 27, 1975) was a professional magician who was a regular and popular performer at Hollywood's Magic Castle.[1]
History
Francis Carlyle was born Francis Xavier Finneran. He was born in Fall River, Massachusetts and lived most of his life in New York, living at one time in Greenwich Village. He was well known and regarded by his peers, contributing his tricks to several books on magic.
He was a regular and popular performer at Hollywood's Magic Castle in their close-up room, specializing in card and coin magic.[2] He also performed at notable clubs such as the Stork Club in New York.
Later (at least from 1964), problems with alcohol made it difficult for him to continue professionally performing magic, and eventually to be barred from performing at the Magic Castle.[3]
In 1975, fellow magician Ricky Jay encountered Carlyle living in the streets of Los Angeles, and put him up for a few days at his home in nearby Venice in an effort to help Carlyle get back on his feet. But Carlyle relapsed, and was found unconscious on a Hollywood street shortly thereafer. He was taken to a convalescent home, where he later died on December 27, 1975.
Francis Finneran is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Hollywood Hills.
Featured in the following Books
Card Manipulations N° 5 By Jean Hugard -- Hugard, Jean (1936). Card Manipulations N° 5. Max Holden.
Stars of Magic, Series 4 By George Starke -- Starke, George (1948). Stars of Magic, Series 4. Stars of Magic, Inc.
The Magic of Francis Carlyle By Roger Pierre -- Pierre, Roger (1975). The Magic of Francis Carlyle. Nightmare Alley Productions. ISBN 0-686-11869-3.
Scarne On Card Tricks By John Scarne—1950, Scarne On Card Tricks, published by Crown Publishers, New York
References
1. State of California. California Death Index, 1940-1997. Sacramento, CA, USA: State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics.
2. "Francis Carlyle."
3. "Only Twice."
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