Dante the Magician

Harry August Jansen (1883 - 1955) and his family came to the United States and settled in Chicago. Jansen made his stage debut at the age of sixteen. Years later, he toured the world as "The Great Jansen – America’s Greatest Transformist". From 1908 to 1911, Jansen and his partner I. F. Halton built magic props under the name Halton and Jansen Company. In 1922, Jansen began working for magician Howard Thurston in the capacity of shop foreman and master prop builder. Once the show was built, Jansen’s options were coming to a close.

 

 

 

 

 

This is a half sheet poster Jansen used during his early days of performing

 

Thurston proposed an opportunity for Jansen to star in a second touring show. With only a verbal contact, Dante the Magician, Inc. was created with Thurston as co-owner. Jansen built the illusions and toured under the name Dante the Magician. 

This is one of the wood imps that hung in the Dante bar. It was made by Arturo Montes.

        In May of 1927, he left the United States and eventually traveled the world featuring spectacular illusions, comedy, and fun for the entire family. In 1940, he performed at the Morosco Theatre in New York in his revue show titled, "Sim Sala Bim". Those three words became his trademark throughout his performances. In 1942, he joined the comedy team of Laurel and Hardy as co-star in the film "A-Haunting We Will Go".

     

   By 1948, there was an estimated one million homes that had a television set. The audiences that once filled theaters were staying home.  The "Golden Age of Magic" had come to a close. He retired in the San Fernando Valley in Southern California at his ranch known as "Rancho Dante". Seen on this post are two different cards Dante used during his career.
        He returned from the S.A.M./P.C.A.M. Magic Convention in Santa Barbara visiting with old friends and fellow magicians on the 11th of June. On June 10th, he gave three speeches. As he was ending his speech at the banquet, he clutched his chest briefly and grimaced at one point, but made no mention of it afterward. On June 16, 1955, his wife Edna went to a picnic party at 10 a.m. when she returned at 4 p.m., she found Dante had passed away on the bed. It was determined he passed away from a heart attack a number of hours prior. Days later, at his funeral Ray Muse, the past president of the Society of American Magicians performed a "Disappearing Wand Ceremony" The wand would magically disappear and appear in the casket of Jansen that, according to Muse this ceremony was performed "...for only the magicians who had reached the topmost rung in their art..." The funeral and ceremony was performed at Pierce Brothers Mortuary in Van Nuys, California.

For $12,000 You could have owned the Dante Show!

Here is the stage as it was in 1965 (Genii Vol. 29 No. 11).

Here is what Dante's stage looks like in 2020 at "Rancho Dante" in Northridge, California.

The pool in 1965 (Genii Vol. 29 No. 11)

Here is the pool at "Rancho Dante" 2020 in Northridge, California.