On Johnny Thompson, a.k.a. The Great Tomsoni

Just a few words in memory of comedy magician Johnny Thompson, a.k.a. The Great Tomsoni (1934-2019).

When we call Thompson a comedy magician, we don’t mean like Carl Ballantine, whose routine was that he was a bad illusionist. Thompson was known for being a master of close-up magic as well as large scale illusions, and on top of all that, he was as funny as any comedian. Hailing from Chicago, Thompson had studied card manipulation as a kid, and worked for a time sword swallowing and eating fire in a carnival. When still a teenager he was already in Las Vegas playing bass harmonica with The Harmonicats. He worked the Playboy Clubs with comedy teams while continuing to develop his magic skills.

In 1969 he combined the comedy with the magic in act he called “The Great Tomsoni, the Wizard of Warsaw” (he was part Polish). He presented himself with a lot of exaggerated serious and dignity, dolled up in a full dress suit. He would do dazzling tricks, but they would always be manifested in some askew manner. If he went to produce a rabbit from under a handkerchief, a bowling ball would materialize. In 1973, he added his wife Pamela Hayes, who played his bored, gum-chewing assistant. For decades they worked resort casinos, cruise ships, and similar venues, and occasionally appeared on television. Thompson also mentored younger performers like Penn and Teller.

For more on the history of show business,consult No Applause, Just Throw Money: The Book That Made Vaudeville Famous, and stay tuned for my upcomingElectric Vaudeville: A Century of Radio and TV Variety.