Skip Granger, 1960
Wichita Eagle Sunday Feature Magazine Cover
It all began when I was selected to be the Ringmaster for my kindergarten circus. As a result, my mother took me to Leon’s Magic Store in Joplin to buy a fake moustache. She also bought me the basic Ball and Vase trick. And thus began my life in magic.
From this humble beginning, I continued practicing magic tricks until I was on the stage at 8 and television at 12 years old. I went by the name ”The Great Granger.” My sister Brenda was my (very unwilling ) assistant. My wife Mary Ann also enjoys magic and we go to many magic conventions together, befriending many world-famous magicians and their families.
Hocus Pocus
During high school, I donned my white tie and tails quite often and was rewarded with substantial compensation for my act. In fact, Bill Strout and Dan Tontz used to chide me about my being paid the same amount for a 20-minute act as they split among all of their band members for playing a 3-hour dance at the country club. I used to entertain myself for hours by perfecting my Floating Cane routine in front of a mirror in my closet when we lived at 312 South Clifton during high school, but it was much more lucrative to entertain others.
Wichita Eagle, 1959
Fortunately, East High was built for a very large enrollment and included a very large auditorium. I
performed there often. Our drama teacher Bill Foster (right) liked me, partly because my father, who was manager of Innes Department Store, provided me with the means to get lots of props for our shows from their display inventory. I even received a statue at one of our ”Oscars” dinners at the Petroleum Club. Mr. Foster, a favorite teacher and acting instructor of mine, especially liked the fact that I could perform in front of the curtain during set changes, and therein lies another tale.
At the All School Review in 1960, I was to do such a show. I carried my small table out, but as others carried my equipment forward on a card table, the front leg collapsed and my magic props ended up in the foot lights! Horrified, I had no choice other than to continue my show, which quickly became a comedy show as I chased my rabbit across the stage shooting blanks at it. The next day, I was happy when several friends said that my ”magic” show was the funniest that they had ever seen. However, I continued with my regular show in the future. ( At left, chair arm from the East High Auditorium)
I was the first person in the Magical Youth International (MYI) with a group that traveled around the Midwest to provide a kids show in the movie theater in the afternoon and a dinner dance for the adults in the evening. They offered me a full time job, which earned me new respect from my parents, who were afraid that their son would ”go off and join the carnival.” I never did. (At right, my magic trunk)Our MYI group was later incorporated into the International Brotherhood of Magicians, allowing me access to many new opportunities. Our ring was the Wizards of Wichita, and one member, Lloyd Chambers, was a wealthy oilman who bought magic collections from magicians’ widows. He would take a couple of effects and then give me the first choice to buy before selling the remainder to the ring members. Thus, much of my magic collection was antique even before I acquired it — and at great prices!
The “Magic” in Traveling
Mary Ann and I love magic shows and even attended one at the Moscow Circus while on a Mediterranean Cruise. Mary Ann asked how they could have done the effect without the lady and the tiger being in the same container. I said that was why it could not be performed in America. This was before Siegfred and Roy, whom we later met. We enjoyed annual IBM Conventions around the country and Magic Live in Las Vegas. Eventually, I was awarded the Shield Award in the Order of Merlin.
Amanda’s 7th Birthday Party
In 1967, I did a magic show for my daughter’s birthday party. Having stuffed a large feather bouquet in the wrong sleeve for production, I was quite concerned about my opening. Then Amanda said ”Dad, you are not wearing your magic ring,” allowing me to go to our bedroom to retrieve the ring and reload the bouquet!
The Magic Castle
In 1974, I had a Hollywood office across from Grauman’s Chinese Theater, which was a block from the famous Magic
Castle, and my hotel was halfway in between the two. I would visit Los Angeles once a month, which always included a visit to the Castle. To get in, you walked up to a bookcase and say the magic word, at which time the bookcase would swing open, granting you access. My International Brotherhood of Magicians membership was my free ticket, and it saved me the $1,500 initiation fee and $750 per year, not a small amount when I was just starting out. Dai Vernon was still living and in residence there, as well as Ricky Jay and many famous magicians. When Mary Ann came down, we could dine there and enjoy an evening of magic.
Castle, and my hotel was halfway in between the two. I would visit Los Angeles once a month, which always included a visit to the Castle. To get in, you walked up to a bookcase and say the magic word, at which time the bookcase would swing open, granting you access. My International Brotherhood of Magicians membership was my free ticket, and it saved me the $1,500 initiation fee and $750 per year, not a small amount when I was just starting out. Dai Vernon was still living and in residence there, as well as Ricky Jay and many famous magicians. When Mary Ann came down, we could dine there and enjoy an evening of magic. Speaking of Ricky Jay, the actor and magician, Mary Ann and I took a cruise to Mexico in 1973 before he was famous. At the first evening show, he was introduced, and speaking of the length of his hair in those days, said, ”I’m the guy who you came on this cruise to get away from.” But I knew who he was, and we had him to ourselves for many days before he performed and was then being courted constantly by many aboard our Princess Italia ship. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricky Jay
Another friend is Gay Blackstone, Harry’s widow, with whom we dine at our annual IBM dinner. She produces the ”Masters of Illusion” weekly show on television.
Cups and Balls
En route to Minnesota for a summer vacation, I convinced my father to take me to a magic shop in Minneapolis, where I found a set of Dai Vernon Cups and Balls. My dad was amazed to learn that they cost $80. The cost was high, since they were perfectly balanced by Dai, who was ”The Professor” of the Magic Castle. Sensing my dad’s reluctance, the owner said that he had a set in the back where the nickel was off of the copper at one small point. He sold them to me for $20 and 70 years later, they are exactly the same and still as magical as ever. Dan and Skip. Up for Magic
In 2011, we got Dan Tontz to join us for some magic at our Dallas IBM Convention. 
We were able to enjoy some fun parties and magic shows together.
At right, Dan and his date.
At left are Mary Ann and I with our son Trey and our friend, Michael Finney, world famous comedy magician and then President of the IBM, holding Linking Rings at a contest. A fun video of Mike performing at the Wichita Country Club in 2016 is here:
One of my favorite parts of magic is performing for kids. My granddaughters Zoe and Hannah
always say, ”Will you check my ears, Grandpa Skip?” And I would find a flood of quarters to their delight! One Christmas, as we were departing, I found dollars in their ears. Then I said, ”It’s time for me to teach you how to palm.” They have never asked again, saving me lots of money. When I brought them their first 
effect, obviously it was the Ball and Vase!
always say, ”Will you check my ears, Grandpa Skip?” And I would find a flood of quarters to their delight! One Christmas, as we were departing, I found dollars in their ears. Then I said, ”It’s time for me to teach you how to palm.” They have never asked again, saving me lots of money. When I brought them their first effect, obviously it was the Ball and Vase!In November of 2020, I performed for my grand-
daughters close up on our patio, although it was stage magic. They loved it when I used my Disecto to cut off their dad’s arm, plus they loved my disappearing milk in the newspaper… everyone’s favorite. (Left, Skip with his Disecto)
I performed my Omega card effect for them this June on Fathers Day. This was perfect timing because my Essential Tremor was to be removed two days later, so I could explain that they had to perform it for me. Watch this video… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8gLECgpt4
Memories of my youth — It seems like yesterday that I was dressing in my white tie and tails many times a month to perform my magic act on the stage or television. Magic has always been a big part of my life. We have so many good friends who are magicians. Our 2020 conventions were cancelled. It was not a magical year. We were registered for the recent IBM SAM Convention in Louisville and for Magic Live in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Mary Ann fractured her leg, and I was not magic enough to heal it before we left. There’s always next year! Our friend, Michael Finney will become the International President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians then, and we wouldn’t miss it.
Skip, it seems like a charming life! Love the magic.