Egyptian magician LUXOR GALI-GALI {1950}

An early tv appearance by a legend among magicians, the great LUXOR GALI-GALI
(Mahguob Mohamed Hanafi), 1902-?? (Egypt)

Egyptian magician were known as "Gali Gali men" , because their tricks were presented on ships which ran in the ports in Egypt against tips, including in particular the cups and balls trick, with baby chicks as a finale'

Hanafis name "Luxor Gali-Gali" comes, therefore, from the fact that he had his first success as a magician in Luxor {a city in central Egypt on the east bank of the Nile, that is a center for visitors to the ruins of, and around Thebes},
where he performed for, among others, John D. Rockefeller and Aga Khan. After he had acquired the necessary skills, he went on world tour and appeared in countless hotels and clubs. Here he performed for, among others, the Kings of Sweden and Denmark, as well as the Duke of Windsor. During his five-year stay in Paris 1926-1931, he married Gabrielle Siroky, a Paris dancer and film actress. After appearances in European variety shows, he performed in 1934 for the first time in America. In New York, his engagement in the Rainbow room ran 30 consecutive weeks. During the second world war, he traveled through the American military camps and again appeared in many major variety shows of the United States. After the war, he continued these performances, as well as appearances in nightclubs and hotels. in 1944 he was awarded American citizenship. in 1951 he appeared on television for the first time on the Ed Sullivan show, followed by another seven appearances until 1963. in 1963, he travelled to Australia, where he played a total of 8 times on television.

{all info above is compiled from various online sources, and may be added to from time to time, pending new info}

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• magic
• magicians
• luxor gali gali
• gali gali
• early tv