David Berglas: A Master of Magic and Mind: 1926 – 2023
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Some time has passed since David Berglas’s death in 2023, aged 97, but his legacy still feels very present. Few figures shaped modern magic and mentalism as profoundly as he did.
The unexplained trick
He was known for his incredible magic and mind-reading abilities, with his most famous trick being the “Berglas Effect”. In this trick, he could find a spectator’s chosen card at any number selected from a deck of cards. David never revealed the secret, and it remains one of the most mysterious magic tricks of all time.
Berglas was also a pioneer of television magic, and his shows were enjoyed by audiences worldwide. One of his most famous stunts was driving a car around London, whilst blindfolded!
Early Life
Berglas was born in Germany in 1926 to German-Jewish parents who fled when Hitler and the Nazis came to power. During the war, he worked alongside the U.S. Intelligence Service. The applicants had to have previous military training and pass strict physical and mental tests. Most importantly, he had been able to speak two languages besides English. David, of course, could speak fluent German. The required minimum age was also 21. 19-year-old Berglas explained this, but he could meet all the other qualifications.
Magic
After a chance meeting with magician Ken Brooke, magic became a hobby alongside studies in hypnosis and psychotherapy. In 1954, Berglas became the first magician to have a television show in the United Kingdom. His show, Meet David Berglas, was a huge success, helping make Berglas a household name. In the 80s, he had another programme, Mind of David Berglas, where he entertained celebrities, including Omar Sharif and Christopher Lee.
From 1989 to 1998, David was president of the Magic Circle, and during this time, the organisation finally allowed women to be members.
He is survived by his son, Marvin Berglas, who is also a magician and the founder of Marvin’s Magic Sets. Berglas’s legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of his fans and in the work of the many magicians and mentalists he inspired.
Away from the stage, Adrian holds a Master's degree in Early Modern History from the University of York and occasionally volunteers at York Castle Museum in Victorian costume. When he's not performing magic, you'll usually find him building models, reading, gaming, or exploring his passion for history.
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