Who was Channing Pollock?

Channing Pollock (1926–2006) was an American magician best known for an elegant, silent act in which he produced doves out of the air. He appeared on Ed Sullivan’s television show, played the London Palladium, performed for Queen Elizabeth II and President Eisenhower, and later starred in European films before leaving show business for an organic farm in Northern California.

Who was Channing Pollock?

Channing Pollock was an American stage magician. Wikipedia describes him as “best known for an act in which he elegantly produced doves out of the air,” and he was also skilled at card manipulation. He was born in California in 1926. Sources disagree on the town: Wikipedia gives Cement, California, while Magicana gives Sacramento. He died in Las Vegas in 2006, at the age of 79.

How did he get into magic?

Both Wikipedia and Magicana tell the same starting point: as a young man, Pollock watched a pitchman demonstrate a Svengali deck at a state fair. He went on to study at the Chavez school of magic in the Los Angeles area. Both sources also name the dove magician Abe Cantu as an inspiration.

What was his act like?

His act was short and silent. Magicana and Half Moon Bay Memories both describe it as a seven-minute act, and a 1955 Variety review quoted on Wikipedia says that “without a spoken word,” he “baffles the audience.” Half Moon Bay Memories notes that he made doves vanish without saying a word.

The doves were the heart of it. Wikipedia says he produced them “out of the air,” and Magicana describes his barehanded bird productions alongside card manipulations learned at the Chavez school.

Where did he perform?

• Television. He appeared on Ed Sullivan’s show (then called Toast of the Town) in 1954, according to Magicana. Wikipedia lists several appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show between 1954 and 1960.
• London. Both sources record appearances at the London Palladium.
• Royal and presidential audiences. Wikipedia and Magicana both say he performed for Queen Elizabeth II, for President Eisenhower, and at the wedding of Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly.

Was Channing Pollock also an actor?

Yes. His dove act was filmed in colour for European Nights (1959). He then turned to acting in European films, including Judex (1963) and Rocambole (1963).

What happened after he left the stage?

Pollock stepped away from show business at the end of the 1960s. Wikipedia says he retired from full-time performing in 1968, while Magicana says he retired completely in 1969. With his wife Cori, he set up an organic farm in Northern California. He later lived in Las Vegas, where he died in 2006.

Why is he still remembered?

Magicana’s Jamy Ian Swiss writes that in dove magic, “no act was more influential than Pollock’s.” The magician Lance Burton has said Pollock was an inspiration, as both Magicana and Joe Skilton’s review of Pollock’s work record.

For more on the great manipulators, read Who was Cardini? and Who was Howard Thurston?

What helps you take it further?

• Perfect Manipulation Balls by Bond Lee. Silicone manipulation balls in 8 colours, with a basic routine tutorial included. Each set comes with 4 balls and 2 shells, in 1.7″ (45 mm) or 2″ (50 mm).

Our suggestion: manipulation is about smooth, silent handling, and silks are a natural place to start. Browse our magic silks collection.

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