DVD-Contains a complete Chan Canasta television broadcast. The show that has been reproduced is the programme upon which the book Chan Canasta a Remarkable Man by David Britland was based.

This 30 minute DVD has been released by The Society for the Preservation of Magical History

From Martin Breese:
I was delighted to see that the DVD features a full television show by Chan Canasta and it was broadcast in the UK live on TV on the 18th of March 1960. As programs in those days were not put on video the actual show was filmed off- screen on movie film. The program was then converted to video and then later to DVD format.

The show that you will be watching is probably the only show by Canasta available for viewing from the 1960s. There was a programme broadcast on British TV and it was Chan Canasta on the Michael Parkinson show and some lucky magicians have a record of the day when Canasta came out of retirement to feature on this show. On the very day of the recording he had to go out and buy some packs of cards for the show.

The programme that you will see on this DVD is the actual programme that David Britland used for his wonderful book: Chan Canasta A Remarkable Man. Everything on this DVD is included in the book and David Britland reveals all of the secrets. You will see some stunning card effects that so easily could have gone wrong and which didnt and you will also have the chance to see Canastas famous and completely puzzling Book Test.

This is the perfect companion to David Britlands book but as no explanations are shown on the DVD it can be shown to laymen as a performance.

When some of these DVDs were sold to a number of magicians we received a lot of excited feedback from our magician friends and in particular we had a wonderful email from Kenton Knepper and this is what he had to say:

I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU for keeping the work of the brilliant Chan Canasta alive and accessible.

On one hand, I hope no one listens or learns anything about what Canasta did. I pray most think such work daring and impossible. I wish this for purely selfish reasons, of course.

But I must say that we were at a sincere loss in magic and mentalism without access to any of the Canasta performances or material. You deserve much accolades for keeping those of us secret "Chan Fans" happy and supplied.

You have always been, Martin, a true champion of magic and mentalism; of top performers and creator's rights. It is a thrill, and only proper then that you should be the one to keep the Canasta Legacy going.

Thanks and My Best

Kenton Knepper, USA

And then we received this comment from Henry Carlyle also from the USA:
This Canasta DVD is incredible to watch. The book is the perfect compliment. Thanks for all the work. Best regards,

Henry Carlyle, USA

Now sit back and enjoy the opportunity of seeing Chan Canasta Live on TV