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A Tribute to Billy McComb 1922 - 2006
The Magic Circle, London
8th May 2007
Reported by Mandy Davis
This
was a poignant evening filled with archived film clips and a plethora of names
who shared their private memories of one of the greatest magical personalities
of our time – the world’s largest leprechaun, Billy McComb.
John Wade told us of meeting the great man for the first time at Lime Grove TV
studios. He also displayed an example of Billy’s candle making – a large Buddha
which still exists to this day as Billy had forgotten to add a wick!
Alan Shaxon told of looking up to Billy and his greatest friend, Robert Harbin.
He was indebted to them for their advice on cruise work – the three of them
often followed each other on the larger boats. On one occasion Billy arrived on
board a few days early and greeted Alan each morning in his cabin with ‘another
trick you can do in your act!’
We saw many clips of tributes paid by American magicians during the Magic
Castle’s McComb tribute. Bryan Lee, stage manager of the Magic Castle theatre
and husband of Mystina, Milt Larsen, Penn and Teller, the Amazing Jonathan and
Lance Burton all told anecdotes of great interest.
Harry Reeve described the time that Billy was magical advisor to David Nixon.
Harry had invented a trick, Treasury Transpo, which utilised two Perspex sheets
and a bank note. Billy instructed the prop builder at the BBC to make up David’s
version of it but his instructions were not clear enough and the result was
measured in feet rather than inches! However to spare Harry’s feelings, Billy
never told him the story for twenty-five years.
A Pathe film was shown featuring Billy at his home in Edgware in the early 60s.
This was a personal moment as I knew that house very well indeed – Billy had
sold it to a couple who became family friends and I had taken Billy back there
for an unforgettable visit around seven years ago.
J.J., a past member of The Magic Circle and editor of Opus magazine, told of how
he was booked to perform at the society’s annual banquet and assumed it was
similar to a club night, only to discover, on arrival, that everyone was in
evening dress whilst he was not only improperly dressed but under-rehearsed -
causing him to die on stage! He would never forget the phone call of support he
received from McComb the following day – a mark of professional understanding.
Patrick Page was unable to be present but, in a video tribute, told how he
shared a room with Billy and wasn’t allowed back into it late one night unless
he performed a trick. Mac King, likewise, explained how Billy was responsible
for the signature appearance of Fig Newton biscuits in Mac’s act. Johnny Thomson
stated that Billy always started a conversation with a date ‘Did you know in
19…!’ Billy had also spoken of how Al Koran’s ashes, when ritually scattered by
Billy, had blown back at him in the wind; he declared this ‘disgusting - but my
mentalism improved!’
We saw several clips of Billy performing: his match trick, Gypsy Thread, Coin in
Bottle, some silent magic and an early screen test for television which showed
Billy as a personality rather than a magician.
Noel Britten, who organised the entire evening, spoke humbly about being in
audiences of small groups when Billy talked; jumping from one subject to another
with seamless enthusiasm. Edgar Benyon was Billy’s mentor and we were advised to
read his tribute to Edgar and that these words were just as relevant to Noel’s
view of Billy.
Magic Circle member Timothy Dill Russell had come over from Spain to tell how,
owing to his late night conversations, Billy had missed a plane one morning –
and escaped a fatal crash. We heard emailed messages from Simon Lovell and from
Robert Child who is currently writing a definitive McComb biography.
John Fisher talked about Billy’s TV shows. He recommended two books: ‘McComb’s
Magic’ and ‘The Professional Touch’.
Members of the audience included Lew Lane representing the Water Rats together
with Pat Sharp, widow of Joe Church.
Billy’s lady of twenty-two years, Annabel, spoke of the sea lion with whiskers,
which over-saw the scattering of the McComb ashes, making all those present
believe it was the man himself reincarnated. She presented the museum with some
memorabilia.
The final tribute came from Terry Seabrooke, Billy’s lifelong friend, and the
evening ended with Billy’s last TV appearance, on the Keith Barry TV show in
Ireland, a 2005 performance of the vanishing bird cage.
©
Mandy Davis, May 2007