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Amazingly Honest

As a young boy, I used to look forward to two shows on Sunday mornings. "I Believe in Miracles", starring televangelist Kathryn Kuhlman and "Wonderama", a kid's show hosted by a fellow named Sonny Fox. One of the regulars on Wonderama was The Amazing Randi, probably the first magician I ever witnessed performing tricks that truly did amaze me.

The Amazing Randi's real name was James Randi and years latter he appeared in a different role. He devoted his life to exposing phonies who claimed they had psychic or supernatural powers. By that time, Kuhlman had already passed, so those two would never have to cross paths.

In "An Honest Liar", a documentary about the life of James Randi, directors Justin Weinstein and Tyler Measom give us an entertaining look at the twists and turns of Randi's life and what drove the man to expose charlatans.

Randi's idol was the great Harry Houdini and he emulated him in multiple ways. Houdini despised those that attempted to dishonestly profit from other people's pain and grief.

Randi felt the exact same way. since it was difficult to catch the many fakes out in the world that were fleecing people left and right, Randi came up with a different strategy, he became one of the crooks.

He created Carlos, a spirit channeler. No one knew that Randi was behind Carlos, and the plan was such a huge success that they were able to fill many arenas, including the Sydney Opera House. After a bunch of these events, Randi revealed that it was all phony. Carlos was really an artist by the name of Jose Alvarez. Randi spoke to Carlos through an earpiece in order to help fool the masses in attendance. Then Randi revealed that it was all an elaborate scam.

Randi's most famous target was Uri Geller, a psychic who attained a tremendous amount of fame and success. Geller often appeared on major television shows and his most famous trick was to bend a spoon with only his thoughts. It was impressive to watch. Randi would often appear on television and show how Geller had fooled the masses. At one point, Randi offered a million dollars to any person who could actually accomplish the tricks they claimed were real. No one was ever able to collect that million.

Towards the end of the film we learn quite a bit about Randi's personal life and it's a very sweet peek inside. "An Honest Liar" is great fun and of particular interest to me because I had grown up watching him on television. Even as a child I knew Kuhlman was a phony. It's a shame that I never got to see Randi expose her, too, but as an admirer of those that debunk nonsense, I couldn't help but leave with a big smile on my face.