The Blindfold Drive to Dallas
Shared
with the kind permission of Bev Bergeron. This remarkable story perfectly
illustrates the showmanship of great performers—and how some always seem to
find a way to steal the spotlight.
It
was September 1959, and excitement was building for the annual convention of
the Texas Association of Magicians. More than 1,000 amateur and professional
magicians would gather at the Statler Hotel in Dallas to watch performances,
exchange ideas, and, as always, try to outdo one another.
Over
250 miles away in Houston, two magicians were planning a publicity stunt that
would become convention legend.
One
was Bill Siros, a former carnival performer who had traded life on the road for
a successful sign business. The other was Gene de Jean (McIntosh), Bill's
talented protégé. Bill had mentored Gene since his early teens, and by his
mid-twenties Gene had developed supreme confidence in his abilities. In Gene's
mind, his magic skills rivaled anyone's in the world.
Bill,
with the wisdom—and mischievous streak—that came from years in show business,
knew exactly how to use that confidence against him. More than once he had
maneuvered Gene into situations that everyone else found hilarious. The Dallas
convention would produce perhaps the best example of all.
 |
Gene de Jene removing a curse in Dallas. (One of many stunts he got publicity for) |
Bill proposed a stunt designed to eclipse one he had masterminded two years earlier, when a woman had apparently floated through the streets of Houston by his magical talents. The suggestion was proposed by Bill, Gene would drive a convertible from Houston to Dallas... completely blindfolded.
Gene
immediately objected. The distance alone seemed impossible, and anyone who had
experienced a Texas September knew that driving hundreds of miles in a
convertible with the top down would be unbearable.
Bill
had an answer.
Once
the convention committee taped the blindfold in place and Gene drove out of
Houston, he explained, he would simply pull over, remove the blindfold, raise
the convertible top, switch on the air conditioning, and enjoy a comfortable
drive. Near Dallas he would stop again, lower the top, replace the blindfold,
and make the final approach to the Statler Hotel in dramatic fashion. The crowd
would never know the difference.
Gene
finally agreed.
What
neither of them anticipated was the unexpected cooperation of law enforcement.
After
the committee inspected the blindfold and approved the car, the Houston Police
Department volunteered to escort Gene through city traffic. At the city limits,
officers from the Harris County Sheriff's Department took over.
Then
another department.
And
another.
County
after county, jurisdiction after jurisdiction, police escorts appeared to hand
Gene off without interruption. There was never an opportunity to stop, remove
the blindfold, or turn on the air conditioning.
Gene
had no choice but to complete the entire journey exactly as advertised.
The
Texas heat was relentless. Sweat poured down his face as mile after mile rolled
beneath the tires. He relied on his remarkable skills to keep the car on course
while struggling just as hard to keep his temper under control.
At
last, the Statler Hotel came into view.
Pulling
into the driveway, Gene finally relaxed. Surely every miserable mile had been
worth it. Reporters, photographers, and television cameras crowded the
entrance. He could hear the cheers of the waiting spectators even better than
he could see through the limited vision allowed by the specially prepared
blindfold.
This
was his moment.
Gene
stopped the car, opened the door, and stepped out, ready to tear away the
blindfold and claim the applause that he had earned.
But
Bill Siros had one final surprise.
Before
Gene could lift the blindfold, Bill quickly placed his hand over it and loudly
announced to the assembled press:
"Don't
anyone attempt to awaken this man without me doing so. It would be too
dangerous for him. He is under my power and could not have performed this
magnificent drive if I had not hypnotized him in Houston!"
The
cameras rolled.
Flashbulbs
exploded.
Reporters
furiously took notes.
The
next day's newspapers and television stories celebrated Bill Siros—the
hypnotist who had supposedly placed a man under his spell and caused him to
drive blindfolded all the way from Houston to Dallas.
Gene's
name wasn't even mentioned.
Every
photograph showed only a man with his face hidden behind a black blindfold...
and Bill Siros standing beside him with his hand covering the mask, soaking up
every ounce of the publicity.
