The Best Moments Of The Amazing Kreskin

 

 

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This three-disc set compiles nearly nine--curiously non-sequential--hours of the "World's Foremost Mentalist"'s popular Canadian-produced television series, which began as The Amazing World Of Kreskin in 1971 and was retitled The New Kreskin Show for its final 1975-77 run. It was produced not in Toronto as one would expect, but at Ottawa's CJOH Studios where Bill Luxton, whom some Canadian viewers of a certain age will recall fondly from the "Uncle Willy And Floyd" show, served as Kreskin's Ed McMahon-slash-Jim Fowler, steering the largely college-age audience members through their polyester-clad paces.

Kreskin pretty much commanded the first season on his own, pontificating from the stage and occassionally bounding into the audience rows Donahue-style to lead draftees into experiments in table tilting, alleged "mind reading", closeup card tricks, and Jack Bergerac's old arm-twirling shtick from "The Hypnotic Eye". His first wave of guests was limited to such otherworldly oddballs as prolific paranormal matron Sybil Leek (she pleads tolerance for modern druids and tells of meeting H.G. Wells and Lawrence Of Arabia as a child) and former-wife-of-Lex-Barker turned psychic/astrological columnist Arlene Dahl (there's also a priceless vintage bit in which Kreskin questions Dr. Joyce Brothers on her feelings about the then-new phenom "Star Wars").

The program became such a hit that by its next season, it was second to Hockey Night In Canada as the most watched homegrown series. The star power, such as it can be defined under these terms, grew comparatively to include such tax-shelter-era staples as Robert Vaughan (warming up for Ed Hunt's Starship Invasions perhaps?), Patrick MacNee (in Toronto shooting The New Avengers with Joanna Lumley, enthusing over Langella's stage turn as Dracula), Loretta Switt, Nipsey Russell, The King Of Kensington (and then-CanCon icon) himself Al Waxman (Americans will know him from Cagney And Lacey and William Fruet's Death Bite), William Shatner (who would appear four times during a career low point that would have him doing spots for the Canadian grocery chain "Loblaws" while Roddenberry prepped umpteen versions of his "Star Trek" revival), and even Dr. J. Allen Hynek, who was the co-founder of "Project: Bluebook" and an advisor on Spielberg's "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind" (in which he can be glimpsed in a cameo).

Considering the age of the episodes and the fact that the series was entirely stage bound and recorded live, the overall video/audio quality of the set is more than adequate--the image is soft (the transfers are reportedly direct from the original masters) but the programs seem complete despite the odd reference to an event from an episode not included in the compilation (for reasons unknown). Kreskin (born George Joseph Kresge, Jr., but whose legal name is "The Amazing Kreskin, btw) comes off witty and eminently likeable with a gangly, disarming rapport with his audience and C-list celebrity guests that was no doubt essential to his apparent "abilities"--in the same era that could make Sonny Bono a star it's not too much of a leap to conceive that this bespectacled beanpole could enchant a nation week-in, week-out. What's interesting (and admirable, considering his seemingly inexhaustible supply of true believers) is that he vocally dismisses any notion of his illusions as the result of some supernatural power, and repeatedly reminds the viewers that his apparent "gifts" are nothing more than a refined aptitude for slight-of-hand and deduction based upon information from the participants that is willing, if unconsciously, offered. At the time, he was offering $50,000 (Canadian?) to anyone who could prove he utilized "plants" in his audience (Luxton would choose Kreskin's participants by chucking golf balls over his shoulder into the seats)--presumably, the offer still stands today.

If three discs--which include engaging and lucid commentary from the still-at-it Kreskin himself--aren't enough, the collection comes with a mini-reproduction of the vintage Milton-Bradley board game "Kreskin's ESP", which was originally released in 1967 (before headlining his own series, he was a popular fixture on Steve Allen, Mike Douglas, and The Tonight Show) and was a huge bestseller (I was tempted to fork out nearly a hundred smackeroos for it at a memorabilia show until my significant-other talked me out of it). The gem that comes with the game's "mystery" pendulum had to be manufactured in India and delayed the set's release for months--note that this pressing is limited to 3000 copies and will eventually be replaced by a 2-disc set sans game repro.

This DVD set will be a true delight for fans young and old of the World's Foremost Mentalist. Twenty of the best episodes from his The Amazing World of Kreskin and later simply titled The Amazing Kreskin are featured on this 3 DVD set. Episodes include programs from England, Ottawa and Toronto, recorded between the years 1972 through to 1978. You will marvel at Kreskin's ability to read random peoples thoughts from the studio audience - with things like guessing the DOB of all 4 of the a fathers children (including names), the ages and genders of a womens 5 children, the Social Insurance Number of someone else, the name of someones dog and many other feats. Featured guests include Nipsey Rusell (a dollar bill is burned and then appears in a picture frame), Al Waxman (numbers are guessed using childrens blocks), Loretta Swit (both huge fans of Perogees), Dr. Joyce Brothers, Patrick MacNee to name just a few. Guest discussions also include UFOs, Russian ESP, Dreams and the fact there is no such thing as Hypnosis. There are a few bonus features which show just the main feat Kreskin would perform towards the end of the show. There is also a 20 odd minute current discussion from the Man himself. There are no liner notes which would be the only disappointment of the DVD set, I would have liked to have gotten a bit more background info on certain episodes. Kreskin continues to offer any $50,000 if they can prove that he uses confederates or plants in his audience. While some of the Power of Suggestion stuff may seem a bit fake, there is no mistaking the amazing tricks, slight of hand and mind reading that he is often able to perform. You also get a replica of the 1960's Pendulum Kreskin board game. David Copperfield, David Blaine, Penn & Teller bow down to the Harry Houdini of our generation.

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