MovieChat Forums > Breaking the Magician's Code: Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed (1997) Discussion > I Know who the Masked Magician is (not h...

I Know who the Masked Magician is (not hard to find out)

posted 15 years ago by matthew_nicholls1991
6 replies | jump to latest

"Masked Magician
While he was performing in Las Vegas showrooms, Valentino was recruited by the Fox Network.

Fox's Alternative Programming division was looking for a magician to appear in a series of specials revealing the secrets behind selected illusions, and they had a long list of potential candidates, Valentino among them. Although he initially turned the network down, Fox was willing to negotiate, and Valentino eventually signed, promising that he would only reveal the secrets behind old illusions. However, when the programs aired, many newer illusions were also revealed. This sparked controversy, as many feared that their illusions were now worthless.

For a span of two years (circa 1997-1998), Valentino was known as the Masked Magician on FOX specials called Breaking the Magician's Code: Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed which exposed long-guarded trade secrets. He also appeared in this persona on a 1999 episode of Diagnosis Murder.

In numerous public appearances, in which he kept his Masked Magician identity and had his voice disguised, Valentino said his motive behind the shows was to force magicians to invent new tricks and illusions rather than constantly relying on the old ones. When he finally revealed himself at the end of the fourth show, he emphasized that he felt revealing the secrets would encourage kids into trying magic instead of discouraging them, and that the entertainment of magic shows was more in the magician's showmanship instead of the wonder of how the trick was pulled off.

The show has returned to broadcast on MyNetwork TV, and Valentino is believed to be reprising his role as the Masked Magician."

Straight from wikiapeida

[–] cityslickerktm 15 years ago

Dude, he's listed in the credits. Right there under Mitch Pillegi, the announcer, four of the assistants and him...the "Masked Magician" Val Valentino (uncredited).

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] reiyi 14 years ago

In numerous public appearances, in which he kept his Masked Magician identity and had his voice disguised, Valentino said his motive behind the shows was to force magicians to invent new tricks and illusions rather than constantly relying on the old ones. When he finally revealed himself at the end of the fourth show, he emphasized that he felt revealing the secrets would encourage kids into trying magic instead of discouraging them, and that the entertainment of magic shows was more in the magician's showmanship instead of the wonder of how the trick was pulled off.

Hahahahahahahahaha. Please stop pretending to be so honorable. Your motive is $$$$$$. Period.

What an unethical magician.

[–] Prismark10 13 years ago

He revealed himself years ago and other magicians knew who he was.

Its that man again!!

[–] MewmewGirl 8 years ago

I know this is a very old post, but I have to say I disagree with what you are saying.

His motive wasn't just money. If you do simple research you see that he grew up as a teenager that was in a program that showed others how tricks were done in order to try and encourage others to get into magic. He had done this from when he was a kid, not getting any money, and grew up thinking this was okay and how things were done.

Back at the time this probably was a big deal, back before the Internet was big. Now days you can just easily look up anything you want in the entire world and spoil whatever you want for yourself.

I admit it does take away some of the "magic" feeling of it all knowing how it's done, but it's our choice to watch and see.

Though in some ways it encourages magicians to come up with new material.

You can think what you want but in knowing he grew up taking part in a program that showed other school kids how tricks were done that this was always something he thought was okay, so it wasn't just strictly that he broke the code for money. He never really grew up with that same code.