Carter the Great: The Magical Life of Charles Joseph Carter
Updated: Jul 2
Discover the fascinating life and career of Charles Joseph Carter, known as Carter the Great, a skilled magician and inventor who left a lasting impact on the world of magic.
A fictionalized account of his life can be found in the novel 'Carter Beats the Devil' by Glen David Gold, which combines real-life characters with fictitious encounters and received rave reviews from readers.
Explore his magical journey, inventions, and the legacy he left behind.
Charles Joseph Carter - "Carter the Great": A Master Magician's Journey
Let’s discover another one of the world’s greatest magicians!
Charles Joseph Carter, better known as “Carter the Great,” was an influential magician who captivated audiences worldwide with his incredible illusions and unwavering determination.
Charles Joseph Carter grew fascinated with magic early and evolved into a world-touring magician, achieving international fame and mystique.
At a glance
Early Career: Started performing at age ten as “Master Charles Carter the Original Boy Magician” at Herzog’s museum and Pat Harris’ Masonic Temple in Baltimore.
World Tours: His elaborate show equipment weighed up to 31 tons, leading to his being denied passage on the RMS Titanic during a return trip to the US.
Timely acts: Carter was celebrated for crafting performances that reflected current events and tap into public fascination, such as commemorating the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922 or recreating John Dillinger's daring jailbreak in 1934.
Succession: Charles Joseph Carter suffered a heart attack in 1936, which marked the end of his illustrious career. After Charles Carter's death in 1936, his son Larry Carter took over as Carter the Great.
This blog post will delve into Carter’s life, from his early beginnings in magic to his entrepreneurial ventures, world tours, and lasting legacy.
Early Life and Beginnings in Magic
Born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, on June 14, 1874, Carter’s fascination with magic began early.
Carter started performing at ten as “Master Charles Carter the Original Boy Magician” at Herzog’s Museum and Pat Harris’ Masonic Temple in Baltimore.
After attending law school in Chicago, he gained a strong foundation in legal education and developed essential skills that proved invaluable throughout his remarkable career in the world of magic.
World Tours and Global Success
Instead of competing with other great magicians in major cities, Carter focused on performing in remote areas of the globe where audiences rarely had the opportunity to witness magic shows.
He established his career in world-touring magic as a globetrotting illusionist who achieved international fame.
He embarked on seven extensive world tours, often lasting over two years.
He stayed in luxurious hotels, dined in the finest restaurants, and traveled in first-class accommodations.
Martinka Magic Palace and Monty the Lion
In 1917, Carter purchased the famous Martinka Magic Palace in New York City, adding another fascinating chapter to his magical career.
The shop, known for its rich history in the world of magic, became even more intriguing under Carter’s ownership.
Perhaps the most captivating aspect of Carter’s tenure at Martinka’s was his unusual choice of a shop companion – a live lion named Monty.
Carter kept Monty in the back room of the magic shop, creating an unexpected and thrilling element for unsuspecting customers[1][2].
Imagine browsing through an assortment of magical props and illusions, only to be startled by the sudden roar of a lion!
This unique feature often caught visitors off guard, adding an extra layer of excitement and mystery to the shopping experience[2][3].
The presence of Monty in the shop perfectly encapsulated Carter’s flair for the dramatic and his ability to blur the lines between reality and illusion.
It also served as a living advertisement for some of Carter’s most spectacular stage illusions, often incorporating exotic animals. One of his most popular tricks was the 'shrouded Carter' illusion, where Carter would vanish just as he dropped at the end of a hangman's noose, adding to his international mystique and fame.
Carter’s ownership of Martinka Magic Palace was relatively short-lived, as he sold the shop to the legendary Harry Houdini in 1919[2].
However, the tale of Monty the Lion remains one of the most colorful anecdotes in the shop’s long and storied history, perfectly capturing the spirit of wonder and surprise that defined Carter’s approach to magic.
Signature Illusions and Performances
Some of Carter's most famous illusions include "The Lion's Bride" and the "Temple of Mystery."
However, his career was not without its setbacks.
In 1921, he lost a fortune filming "The Lion's Bride" in South Africa, a movie he wrote, produced, directed, and starred in.
In 1933, he faced another financial loss when his Temple of Mystery at the Chicago World's Fair closed after just two months of poor business.
Capitalizing on Current Events
Carter the Great was not only a master illusionist but also a savvy showman who knew how to capture the public’s imagination.
He had a knack for incorporating recent events and popular topics into his acts, keeping his performances fresh and relevant[4][5].
Two notable examples of this talent were:
The discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922: Carter quickly developed an Egyptian-themed illusion that capitalized on the worldwide fascination with ancient Egypt following this momentous archaeological find.
John Dillinger’s famous jailbreak in 1934: Carter created an act inspired by the notorious gangster’s escape, tapping into the public’s fascination with crime and daring getaways.
By weaving these current events into his performances, Carter ensured that his shows remained exciting and topical, further cementing his reputation as one of the most innovative and adaptable magicians of his time.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
Carter was not only a talented magician but also a savvy entrepreneur. He formed a booking agency called The National Theatrical Exchange and started a theatrical magazine called The Chicago Footlights.
Carter even owned the famous New York magic company, Martinka’s Magical Palace for a few short years before selling it to the legendary Harry Houdini.
Personal Life and Legacy
Carter’s success allowed him to build a beautiful home overlooking San Francisco Bay and invest in a large apartment building.
After Charles Carter passed from a heart attack in 1936, his son Larry Carter assumed control of the show, carrying forward the legacy of Carter the Great.
Today, his legacy lives on as an example of ambition, determination, and the power to share the art of magic with audiences worldwide.
Neil Patrick Harris, known for his role as Barney Stinson in the TV show 'How I Met Your Mother,' is also an amateur magician and serves as the President of the Board of Directors of Hollywood's Magic Castle.
Regular show viewers will notice a Carter the Great poster in the background of the kitchen.
Carter's San Francisco Mansion
Carter's true home was always in San Francisco, where he purchased a sprawling mansion in the prestigious Seacliff District near the Pacific Ocean[8][9].
This remarkable residence reflected Carter's magical persona and served as a private performance space:
The house featured intriguing occult references in its stained glass windows, adding an air of mystery to the property.
Carter often performed for small, intimate groups in the basement of the home, creating a unique and exclusive magical experience.
Though sometimes mistakenly called the "Houdini Mansion," the house has an interesting history [8].
In the 1980s-90s, the mansion served as the residence of the president of Sumitomo Bank of California.[9].
Later, the property was repurposed as a foreign consulate[1][2].
This magnificent home showcased Carter's success and served as a testament to his enduring love for magic and performance, even in his private life.
Interesting Facts About Carter the Great
Carter narrowly avoided boarding the doomed RMS Titanic in 1912, because the ship’s storage was already full.
He was a lawyer and a magician, graduating from law school in 1905.
Carter the Great has a connection to the popular TV show “How I Met Your Mother,” as a poster of him can be seen in the lead character Barney Stinson’s apartment.
Carter capitalized on the Egyptian craze of the 1920s by commissioning a special poster of himself in front of the Sphinx and the Pyramid of Cheops.
One of his famous illusions, “The Phantom Bride,” originally had the less amusing name “The Magical Divorce.”
The novel 'Carter Beats the Devil' by Glen David Gold is a fictionalized account of Carter's life, and a classic advertising print shows him playing poker with the devil.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Charles Joseph Carter, or “Carter the Great,” was a master magician whose ambition, determination, and contributions to the world of magic continue to inspire and captivate audiences today.
Be sure to explore more about other fascinating magicians in our future blog posts.
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 Ryan Joyce is the Executive Director of the Ontario OWOW Magic Festival. Ryan is a professional magician, entertainer and speaker who has performed over 5000+ shows worldwide. He has appeared on Penn & Teller's Fool Us, Canada's Got Talent and every Canadian national television network. He has over 10+ million views on YouTube, Facebook and social media and is trusted by Fortune 500 companies to deliver world-class performance. |
Really enjoyed the article. I believe my grandfather travelled with Carter the Great for a short while in the early 1920s. Nothing much online about him (grandfather) and imagine he’d have just been a “worker” but I’d appreciate any links you have to Carters travels in say 1920-1923.
That article was very interesting, thank you for sharing, kind regards, David from the U.K.