I remember watching this disaster of a half time show way back when and Mr. Velveeta and I have been laughing about it for over 30 years. I am so glad that I found this video. We just rewatched it several times, laughing harder with each viewing. Thank for posting.
Being a professional magician and illusionist since 25 years, I can give you words that for audience there is no fault except some execution problems created by wind. I have a lots of experience doing shows at sea view
I know that I saw this on live TV, but not until today did I remember it as so disastrous. I do know that within a year of getting into the magic racket, I swore off outdoor shows. Wind is only one of many problems, but it sure is a big one!
Blackstone Jr was one of the greatest and most popular at this time, so I guess they just paid him whatever amount of money it was for him to accept being put in this disaster which mixed some gags from the producers that were obviously played as if they were actual tricks ("horse" hah) and a little of his own. But it shows there was almost no preparation, hubris perhaps, as nobody would have believed a Blackstone act could turn out this bad.
Met him when I was a magician at Six Flags...he told me to always enjoy the show and not pick it apart by trying to figure out the trick...okay sir but...
I also want to thank the poster for uploading this. I actually recorded this on Beta, but seem to lost the tape. I was quite puzzled back then. I'm guessing Blackstone was struggling with his "magician identity", as Copperfield and Henning by this time had clearly become bigger names. Tuxedos and top hats were already dated by the 1970s. Based on his voice, had he ever considered a gig in the voice-over business? 4:33 Ironic......
That was his mistake, he shouldn't have tried to take the bundle of cloths that the rabbit was in with one hand, holding his hat in the other. He should have put his hat on his head and taken him with both hands. Yet, I wonder how they could have rehearsed this without working all that out.
The method of making the giant rabbit appear was alarmingly poor, even if he hadn't dropped the poor old thing. - "Here you go, mister magician, a two stone pile of bucking handkerchiefs.". - "Thank you. I'll just, oof, put those in my hat. Presto, there's a rabbit!".
Being a second generation magician, and a friend of Harry Blackstone JR, as my dad knew Harry Blackstone Sr, I have this to say. Doing magic and illusions in a place that is outside, and surrounded by the audience, with inexperienced assistants, and a TV crew that has no idea how to film magic, well, at least he most likely got payed well, for taking the blame and the heat.
Actually, if you'll see, there are no secrets inadvertently revealed. Not even with the Queen's appearance. It was just an overall hokey show, with only three true magic acts performed. And one of them - sawing - she was not separated. If I was Blackstone, and I saw the first act was the "horse", I'd tell them, See ya! He should've never signed the contract. This may be why the Super Bowl in Miami 2 years later couldn't find a real magician, and had to settle for some nobody named "Elvis Presto"
Watch the Ms Orange Bowl appearing in the mirror box again. You can actually see through the mirrors and see her struggling to get out of the trap door inside the box. Yes, I realize I'm responding 5 years later lol
I was 7 when this happened. As a child of the 80s I've always loved the decade and told everyone is was great. This changed my mind. The 80s sucked. I was wrong, my apologies.
Well, this is not a defining moment for the eighties either way. It was a fun decade. The time we're living in now is just weird.....brick and mortar stores closing (becoming obsolete), virtual socializing, shopping, etc. I hope movie theatres don't go the way of Tower Records, I enjoy the experience of getting out, buying popcorn, etc.
I doubt the audience would notice - well I did as magician because I/we know what to look for but him hiding the "Magician assistant popping up too early" perhaps didn't help because he brought attention to it more. Having said that - Long live his best "Floating light bulb" - still one of my personal favourites.
I think she wasn't too early, she was too late because she was stuck in a trapdoor or something. But the audience probably wouldn't notice either way, they were probably too drunk to care. I mean, it's a football game after all…
I wonder why Harry did this performance? Especially under these kind of limitations. Unprofessional assistants (Orange Bowl Queen and court) and logistical nightmares (need split second timing just for sound and action, not to mention the illusion executions). I wonder if other illusionists would have suffered the same fate?
Copperfield and Henning were bigger draws at the time, and Blackstone Jr probably thought it would be good fun, good publicity & a good payday Business is business
@@tombstoneharrystudios584 I thought Henning & Copperfield had their TV specials, where they had carte blanche and supervised everything. Where as Blackstone had to get approval from the Bowl committee every time he needed something
This was at a crossroads in Blackstone Jr's career. Whilst still a legendary name, his style of stage magic had became old-hat, even cliched. Copperfield and Henning were bigger draws at the time, bringing youth, energy & current stars to the field. Blackstone Jr probably thought The Orange Bowl would be good fun, good publicity & a good payday - Business is business! Sadly, this show seemed a disaster from the start...its like the planners couldn't decide whether it was a magic show or a pantomime! The rabbit production (mistakes and all!) was a classic of magic, but the girl-into-horse. Would have been funny in vaudeville but made little sense here! Had this not been a tightly-choreographed show (even if it doesn't look like it!), I'm sure Blackstone Jr would have effortlessly ad-libbed. And to his credit, he smiles, takes the Beauty Queen's hand and dances down the stairs with her RIP Blackstone Jr
This is still so painful to watch. I remember seeing this live and crying for the man. Blackstone was one of the greatest. This performance I almost wish would be taken down so he's not remembered for this travesty. Every last thing that could go wrong did. This is what happens when you are forced to work with a team of people that, while they may be great at what they do, they're still not Blackstone's team of regulars.
That may be true for 99% of the show, but it's hard to blame the production crew on Harry dropping the rabbit, which was the only "trick" that he actually performed himself.
@@JeffDeLamater It was hashed to him inside the silks in a rather haphazard way. If you're going to criticise, at least be are of the facts. He did a crap show, but he wasn't responsible for every error. The rabbit thing was due to bad handover as much as him receiving it. Sometimes a thing like that goes wrong. He doesn't deserve the shit morons like Chris -exposer- Ramsay (the internet cool kids magician) gave.
@@TABBYMUSIC wtf? You are yet another online weirdo. But carry on, let it take you twice as long to write just so that you can prove... erm... nothing except that you're a millennial fuckwit. Ciao!
Damn this was this guys second best trick ever besides making the 9/11 towers disappear.
Bastard is lucky he didn't get arrested for black magic. I still have nightmares trying to figure out that damn horse trick...
flamingmonkays lmao
bouncin on my boys horse to this one
I've only got 3 words. You. Fooled. Us!
As a magician, this just hurts. I feel for him.
I remember watching this disaster of a half time show way back when and Mr. Velveeta and I have been laughing about it for over 30 years. I am so glad that I found this video. We just rewatched it several times, laughing harder with each viewing. Thank for posting.
How did he get that horse to remain so calm!??
"Aw, what the heck, we don't need a dress rehearsal."
Chris Ramsey anyone?
Yep
Yeah, this is comedy at its best
Yes duh
Yes
jup
OMG HOW DID HE CUT THAT WOMAN IN HALF!? AND HOW DID THAT HORSE GET IN THAT EMPTY BOX!? THAT DUDE IS A GOD.
Being a professional magician and illusionist since 25 years, I can give you words that for audience there is no fault except some execution problems created by wind. I have a lots of experience doing shows at sea view
I know that I saw this on live TV, but not until today did I remember it as so disastrous. I do know that within a year of getting into the magic racket, I swore off outdoor shows. Wind is only one of many problems, but it sure is a big one!
Blackstone Jr was one of the greatest and most popular at this time, so I guess they just paid him whatever amount of money it was for him to accept being put in this disaster which mixed some gags from the producers that were obviously played as if they were actual tricks ("horse" hah) and a little of his own. But it shows there was almost no preparation, hubris perhaps, as nobody would have believed a Blackstone act could turn out this bad.
Met him when I was a magician at Six Flags...he told me to always enjoy the show and not pick it apart by trying to figure out the trick...okay sir but...
Myrka had a few choice words when she stepped out of the box 3:49
I also want to thank the poster for uploading this. I actually recorded this on Beta, but seem to lost the tape. I was quite puzzled back then.
I'm guessing Blackstone was struggling with his "magician identity", as Copperfield and Henning by this time had clearly become bigger names. Tuxedos and top hats were already dated by the 1970s. Based on his voice, had he ever considered a gig in the voice-over business?
4:33 Ironic......
I feel for him... ugh... shame...
1:42 He dropped.. the fucking... rabbit. o_o
That was his mistake, he shouldn't have tried to take the bundle of cloths that the rabbit was in with one hand, holding his hat in the other. He should have put his hat on his head and taken him with both hands. Yet, I wonder how they could have rehearsed this without working all that out.
This is simultaneously the best and worst magic video I've seen
The method of making the giant rabbit appear was alarmingly poor, even if he hadn't dropped the poor old thing.
- "Here you go, mister magician, a two stone pile of bucking handkerchiefs.".
- "Thank you. I'll just, oof, put those in my hat. Presto, there's a rabbit!".
2:40 were they shoving her back INTO the box??
Being a second generation magician, and a friend of Harry Blackstone JR, as my dad knew Harry Blackstone Sr, I have this to say. Doing magic and illusions in a place that is outside, and surrounded by the audience, with inexperienced assistants, and a TV crew that has no idea how to film magic, well, at least he most likely got payed well, for taking the blame and the heat.
This is epic
Did he ever perform again after this amazing show????
This is Gilderoy Lockheart IRL
There were some huge winds in Miami that night, but it would have been great if they would make the gosh damned cards not fall all over the princesses
I figured it out; the part with the horse is in reverse.
Actually, if you'll see, there are no secrets inadvertently revealed. Not even with the Queen's appearance. It was just an overall hokey show, with only three true magic acts performed. And one of them - sawing - she was not separated. If I was Blackstone, and I saw the first act was the "horse", I'd tell them, See ya! He should've never signed the contract.
This may be why the Super Bowl in Miami 2 years later couldn't find a real magician, and had to settle for some nobody named "Elvis Presto"
Watch the Ms Orange Bowl appearing in the mirror box again. You can actually see through the mirrors and see her struggling to get out of the trap door inside the box.
Yes, I realize I'm responding 5 years later lol
@@JeffDeLamater That's what I was going to say. Three years later, but you are correct. You could see right through the mirrored box
I was 7 when this happened. As a child of the 80s I've always loved the decade and told everyone is was great. This changed my mind. The 80s sucked. I was wrong, my apologies.
Well, this is not a defining moment for the eighties either way. It was a fun decade. The time we're living in now is just weird.....brick and mortar stores closing (becoming obsolete), virtual socializing, shopping, etc.
I hope movie theatres don't go the way of Tower Records, I enjoy the experience of getting out, buying popcorn, etc.
sorry to hear you gave into the smartphone brainworms
wow... the big magic to figure out is how he used drones at the 80's????? 4:43
Oh my God, I am cringing SO HARD watching this! x/
3:32 When your boss shows up so you have to pretend that you’re doing something
I doubt the audience would notice - well I did as magician because I/we know what to look for but him hiding the "Magician assistant popping up too early" perhaps didn't help because he brought attention to it more. Having said that - Long live his best "Floating light bulb" - still one of my personal favourites.
I think she wasn't too early, she was too late because she was stuck in a trapdoor or something. But the audience probably wouldn't notice either way, they were probably too drunk to care. I mean, it's a football game after all…
What about him dropping the bunny, the balloon box not opening, the horse thing and the saw in half gag which passed too quickly?
I wonder why Harry did this performance? Especially under these kind of limitations. Unprofessional assistants (Orange Bowl Queen and court) and logistical nightmares (need split second timing just for sound and action, not to mention the illusion executions). I wonder if other illusionists would have suffered the same fate?
Copperfield and Henning were bigger draws at the time, and Blackstone Jr probably thought it would be good fun, good publicity & a good payday
Business is business
@@tombstoneharrystudios584 I thought Henning & Copperfield had their TV specials, where they had carte blanche and supervised everything. Where as Blackstone had to get approval from the Bowl committee every time he needed something
It's the song. The hurricane didn't help too.
This was at a crossroads in Blackstone Jr's career.
Whilst still a legendary name, his style of stage magic had became old-hat, even cliched.
Copperfield and Henning were bigger draws at the time, bringing youth, energy & current stars to the field.
Blackstone Jr probably thought The Orange Bowl would be good fun, good publicity & a good payday - Business is business!
Sadly, this show seemed a disaster from the start...its like the planners couldn't decide whether it was a magic show or a pantomime! The rabbit production (mistakes and all!) was a classic of magic, but the girl-into-horse. Would have been funny in vaudeville but made little sense here!
Had this not been a tightly-choreographed show (even if it doesn't look like it!), I'm sure Blackstone Jr would have effortlessly ad-libbed.
And to his credit, he smiles, takes the Beauty Queen's hand and dances down the stairs with her
RIP Blackstone Jr
This is still so painful to watch. I remember seeing this live and crying for the man. Blackstone was one of the greatest. This performance I almost wish would be taken down so he's not remembered for this travesty. Every last thing that could go wrong did.
This is what happens when you are forced to work with a team of people that, while they may be great at what they do, they're still not Blackstone's team of regulars.
That may be true for 99% of the show, but it's hard to blame the production crew on Harry dropping the rabbit, which was the only "trick" that he actually performed himself.
@@JeffDeLamater It was hashed to him inside the silks in a rather haphazard way. If you're going to criticise, at least be are of the facts. He did a crap show, but he wasn't responsible for every error. The rabbit thing was due to bad handover as much as him receiving it.
Sometimes a thing like that goes wrong. He doesn't deserve the shit morons like Chris -exposer- Ramsay (the internet cool kids magician) gave.
A magician disaster show !!! 😩😩😩
After watching the 2022 halftime.
I'd rather have this magic show again!!!
I wish I had the money that was blown on this right now.
Looked fine to me except for the old VHS tracking issue. Crappy Tape... nobody noticed anything but magicians.
Ｔｈｅ ｂａｄ ｔｒａｃｋｉｎｇ ａｄｄｓ ｔｏ ｔｈｅ ａｅｓｔｈｅｔｉｃ
@@TABBYMUSIC wtf? You are yet another online weirdo. But carry on, let it take you twice as long to write just so that you can prove... erm... nothing except that you're a millennial fuckwit.
Ciao!
Cool inChrist always chubby billpage illusionist magician in fun 🐇🎩🇺🇸😎😇💡🌲🍰🎂🍪
What a disaster 😱
3:28 hahaha fail :D
Holy shit, ha ha ha ha ha.
Uhhemm...and now back to football.
Gee, I wonder how the girl turned into a girl in a horse suit.
Don't forget: It was a "Double-Locked empty box!"
😵😵😵😬😬😞😞💤💤
I was sent here by Chris Ramsay. Anyone else?
horse fail
This is the worst halftime show ever. Blackstone was cool, but jr sucks