Magical evening

It's been a rough week for Las Vegas illusionist David Copperfield.

First, a woman's allegations of assault, and then the FBI search his property and confiscate his computer, along with finding $2 million in cash socked away in one of Copperfield's warehouses in Sin City.

Copperfield might want to enlist the help of our own Chicago icon for magic and illusion, Wizzo the Wizard, of "Bozo's Circus" fame a.k.a. Marshall Brodien, to help him make all of this trouble disappear.

Actually, Brodien is pretty busy these days.

He has just released his new autobiography written with author John Moehring.

"The Magic of Marshall Brodien: Creator of TV Magic Cards and Wizzo the Wizard" ($35 McFarland Publishing 2007).

From 1968 to 1995, Brodien's Wizzo character entertained both children and adults right along side Bozo and Cooky.

Today, Brodien, 73, is primarily retired and living the quiet life with his wife Mary between their homes in Geneva, Ill. and a winter place in Florida. (Their son Marshall Brodien Jr. also performs magic shows and is available at www.magicmarshall.com.)

I only got to meet him once, and that was back in 1988 when I was with my mom, Peggy, my sister Pam and my Aunt Ruby, at River Oaks Mall in Calumet City shopping for school clothes. It was still an outdoor mall and Bozo (the second Chicago clown, Joey D'Auria) and Cooky, played by the late great Roy Brown, and Wizzo were all performing.

Brodien handed me a Bozo Button. (Remember those?) Even though I was at the age when I was ready to start my freshman year of college at Valparaiso University in just a couple weeks, I was pretty excited. Growing up as a farm kid, I'd never had the luxury of attending a taping of "Bozo's Circus."

Nearly 20 years later, I'm getting a second chance to meet Brodien and I plan to buy a copy of his new book.

The Prairie State College Foundation is still accepting reservations until Thursday for its annual fundraising gala at the Olympia Fields Country Club. The event "Scholarship Magic" is at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 9. and the fundraiser benefits PSC Foundation scholarships with an evening of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and entertainment by the college's jazz band and illusionist Brodien, who also will sign copies of his biography.

Space is limited. Tickets are $150, of which $60 is tax deductible for this black tie optional gala.

"Every year this event provides crucial financial help to deserving Prairie State College students, with a great deal of fun as well," said Cal Bellamy, foundation president.

"Scholarships can make magic happen for students."

For more information, contact the PSC Foundation office at (708) 709-3636.

In March 2001, I had the sad task of writing one of the most depressing TV entertainment stories I've ever written as a reporter.

WGN-TV in Chicago made the announcement it was ending its 40-year tradition of airing a locally produced "Bozo Show," bringing down the curtain on the last of what was once 200 franchised local Bozo shows across the United States. WGN management said a competitive market of cable networks targeting young audiences 24 hours a day made it difficult to keep Bozo a profitable mainstay.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

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