Click on any photo to see an expanded version.



If you grew up anywhere access to WGN-TV and the legendary Bozo's Circus show then you should know Marshall Brodien's alter ego "Wizzo the Wizard".



Marshall played Wizzo on Bozo's Circus from 1962 to 1994.  He was an accomplished magician and even marketed the "TV Magic Cards" that he created.



Marshall got his start in Magic when he was 16 at Chicago's legendary Riverview Park.  When Old Chicago came to be Marshall decided to hang his sign up and open up his own magic shop.



Situated right across from the entrance to the Old Chicago Fairgrounds Marshall's Magic Shop was full of everything from magic tricks to....



...magicians like Shane Denkins who could demonstrate the tricks for any budding magicians.



These photos were donated by Shane's son Cody.  Shane certainly looks like he is loving his job.



Marshall Brodien's Magic Shop had all sorts of tricks including Marshall's very own TV Magic Cards that you can see on the counter in the bottom of the picture.

Looking at Marshall Brodien's Magic Shop through the eyes of a child from age 4 to 8 it was a place of wonder.  Everywhere you looked there was some exotic looking thing that was magical and wow it would be so cool to be able to perform all of these tricks for family or friends.  One has to wonder how many magicians across the Midwest got their start after staring at all of the magical things in Marshall's store.



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Paul B. Drabek