Bally Master

Indie Flix

Web: http://www.indieflix.com/film/bally-master-30517/

Scott Baker is a very unusual magician. His act is way off the usual magic tricks and has a large element of danger. The usual card tricks aren’t for Scott – he prefers cutting his arm off, eating glass and razorblades, or tying ropes around his neck to strangle himself.

He started in show business at an early age. He grew up in the Bible Belt of the United States, and when he was three he and his mother went to the Tulsa Fair. There the famous stripper Gypsy Rose Lee invited them in to the show and later into her dressing room. Scott recalls “even at three I’m hanging around in a dressing room with strippers”. Some kids have tough childhoods.

He took an interest in magic when he got a Magic Set for Christmas, but over the years his act has changed to the dark side of the magical arts. His inspiration ranges from the immortal Harry Houdini to the work of the Indian fakirs. Even so, to see Scott in action spruiking out in front of a show is to recall those days of Sideshow Alley. He has the patter and the presentation and it shows right through his act. Partly this results from training as an actor. He now uses these vocal skills to make his performance more ominous and threatening. Scott is a master of the demonic laughter and mad look. He is based at Coney Island, New York where he is well known.

Strangely Scott works as Santa Claus at Bloomingdale’s during winter. I guess even a magician likes to keep warm. He also teaches Sunday School, using interactive magic to enhance the Bible stories.

In this short (22 minutes) DVD we see a number of short acts that give a good idea of his style and presentation. It’s not the sort of show you would take the kiddies to in case it inspires them to try the tricks themselves.

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This review will appear in Volume 3 No. 3 of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

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