The Famous Man With the Spirit Hand -- Zera Semon -- May 7, 2018

Society of American Magicians Monthly, January, 1918

Magician, ventriloquist and puppeteer Zera Semon, father of silent movie comedian Larry Semon, toured the country for many years. His shows often included gift giveaways. "The Story of the Gift Shows" by Kit Clarke appeared in the January, 1901 issue of the Society of American Magicians Monthly. Clarke managed many magicians, including Professor Zera. I think it was interesting that Clarke says that "his magic was entirely mechanical." Some people thought his son's humor was mechanical. I think this is the first time I have heard that Zera was handicapped.  And it was interesting that Zera's wife ran the show and used foul language.  

Prof. Zera, right name Semon, and a native of Charlottsville, Va., was one of the well known and successful gift show entertainers of his time, his magic being entirely mechanical, while ventriloquism was first class. He always closed his show with a performance of marionettes, which were remarkably fine, and he always won the sympathy of the audience because of his being a cripple—one leg being shorter than the other.

I thought he was under my management but soon found that I was under his wife's management. She was an attractive woman and ruled the roost a great vigor, and the way in which she bossed the outfit was a dream in generalship.

And say, that girl could cuss and swear to make your soul rejoice. I have never heard her equal among the male sex in constant and competent cussing.

The last I heard of Zera he was located in Halifax, engaged in the fish industry.

The Emperor of Magic, Zera Semon -- April 5, 2018

Owosso, Michigan Times, 12-December-1890

Magician, ventriloquist and puppeteer Zera Semon, father of silent movie comedian Larry Semon, toured the country for many years.  I think this is the first time I have seen an image of Zera.

The Original Zera -- September 26, 2017

This ad from the 09-December-1885 Louisiana Democrat features Zera Semon, magician and father of silent movie comedian Larry Semon.This show was in Alexandria, Louisiana.  Two brief items appeared on the same page:


"ZERA Semon, the great ventriloquist, is billed to give four entertainments in our town next week, commencing Monday, Dec. 14th. One hundred presents given away each night."

 "ZERA SEMON AND THE MARIONETTES.-The above combination appears here at Exchange Hall next week for four nights, commencing Monday. As regards Prof. Zera nothing need be said, as he is too well known to need commendation. Besides himself he introduces to Alexandria audiences something entirely new in the way of novelty, Bell's Royal Marionettes. They give a minstrel show and the pantymine (sic) Humpty-Dumpty. They carry all their own scenery, whichl is said to be something grand. Prof. Zera sill gives away night one hundred presents, and no doubt the hall will be tested to its utmost capacity. The admission has been placed at 35 and 50 cents, without extra charge for reserved seats, on sale at Dr. Henry St. John's Drug Store."