Name/Title
Dell O'DellEntry/Object ID
2022.30.2Description
Two photographs of Dell O'Dell performing on stage and interacting with patrons in New York, 1944.Context
Born Nell Odella Newton in 1897, Dell O'Dell was a circus performer, magician, author, and actress who performed from the late 1920's to the late 1950's. O'Dell started performing at a young age as a juggler within her father, Lucky Bill Newton's, circus. In 1931 O'Dell married Charles Carrer, a famous juggler. Carrer assisted O'Dell with prop repairs, prop construction, and management of performance. During O'Dell's career, she gained the rights of Frank Van Hoven's magic comedy act. O'Dell modified the act to her character and performed Van Hoven's act for several tours.
In 1951, O'Dell gained her own show on television in Los Angeles, California called "the Dell O'Dell Show," where she performed her magic performances on the big screen. O'Dell had also written several articles within a column called "Dell-lightfully" in magazine "The Linking Ring" throughout the 1940's. O'Dell has written numerous book on magic performance routines, some being "Presenting Magical Moments" and "On Both Sides of the Footlights." O'Dell passed away in 1962.Collection
Robert & Elaine Lund Archives & Special CollectionsMade/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Irving DesforRole
PhotographerDate made
Mar 11, 1944Place
State/Province
New YorkCountry
United StatesContinent
North America