G. Ben Small & Gladys Rene Small
1218 N. St. Paul
Wichita, Kansas 67203
316-942-6522
 

No. 14233
IBM 1953  
OM 1988  
OMS Cert. 1998
Died March 7, 2007  

Rene Small is a lifetime member of the Wizards.

Benjamin first became interested in the art of magic shortly after he and his wife René were first married. While looking in the window of an antique shop owned by Bert Holtzclaw, a local magician, they noticed an array of magic tricks displayed in the window. Curiously they went inside and were shown a set of Chinese sticks by Bert.

They both were bit by the magic bug and were invited to attend a meeting of "The Wizards of Wichita". This was the start of a long and successful career in the wonderful world of magic. The union between Ben and René interrupted and put a stop to the singing career of Gladys René, who was singing on K.P.D.N. Radio in Texas. She had been offered a contract with the Grand Old Opry and turned it down to become Benjamin's wife.

Benjamins' friendship with Lloyd Chambers was a great boon to this husband and wife team. Mr. Chambers was like father to the Smalls, helping them with ideas and giving expert advice where it was needed. Benjamin often demonstrated magic for the Chamber's Magic Shop, an opportunity he greatly enjoyed.

A few years later Ben and René opened their own magic shop in Wichita on East Douglas across from East High School. They called it, " Trick O' The Day Magic Co.", where they featured a different trick every day

By this time the Smalls had produced three beautiful daughters, Dianne, Gaye and Sandra. Having a set of "built-in" assistants, they decided to go professional. René taught the girls dancing, singing, acrobatics and juggling. Benjamin was a self taught juggler and had been practicing the art of ventriloquism since he was twelve years old. Putting their talents together they formed a variety show called the "Small Time Varieties" which they presented to audiences all over the country.

The Benjamins took some time out to play a season with The De Forrest Magic Circus and also appearing with his troupe of performers on Forrest Kuhns Christmas Santa Show.

They also played fair dates as well as presenting their full evening concert shows from the Mexican border to Canada. During these presentations the three girls performed a three way juggling act. They, along with their mother sang, juggled and danced their way into the hearts of audiences everywhere they appeared.

René a charter member of the Wizardettes, designed and made all of the costumes for the shows. She also designed many of the illusions that Ben built for the show. The name of the show was later changed to "The Benjamins Variety Review".

Clowning is another of Benjamin's talents. He masquerades as a tramp clown (Bennie the Bum) and a white face (Benbo).

"Happy Day" and "Suzie Gaye" are the only two members of the troupe they didn't have to feed. These ventriloquial figures gave Ben a lot of grief but the story behind them is too long to relate to here.

The Smalls were very active in the "Wizards" and Ben never hesitated to participate on the board and he was called many times. In 1963, when the International Executive Board visited Wichita, President Ben Small and his family were very prominent on the program. In 1968 they contributed three items for the " Hocus Pocus Parade ". In 1988 Ben received the order of Merlin award for twenty-five years of continuous membership in the IBM. However, he had dropped out three years earlier and was later reinstated. In 1998 he received the Order of Merlin Shield award designating thirty-five years of continuous membership.

The Wizards at one time had all of their meetings in the Smalls' basement where they had a stage set up for the members to perform. Ben had the honor of being president two years running. This was in the early sixties at the time when the International Board was in Wichita.

After Dianne, Gaye and Sandy grew up and left the act, Ben and René spent a Summer in Eureka
Springs, Ark.. They opened a combination magic, rock and antique shop which was a great experience. While there they became acquainted with Dave Workman who had appeared on the Ed Sullivan show many times and had also been a regular on the Spike Jones show. Dave had a good friend who was a talent agent in Independence, Mo., and he invited him down to meet Ben and René. He hired them on the spot without even an audition for the Lyceum circuit. The next few years were spent performing for high schools, middle and grade schools as well as Indian reservations, shopping malls and air bases throughout the country. They had nine agents to book for them and they were kept busy nine months out of the year. The tours were very successful and well received where ever they showed.

Presently the Benjamins have handed down their talents to their grandsons and they have six beautiful granddaughters that are more than happy to assist them on their shows today.

Benjamin and René have turned their basement into a magic museum of posters pictures and memorabilia pertaining to show business.

   Ben and René Small 

Receiving the award for hosting and directing the 1999 Fox Theatre benefit magic show in Hutchinson. Read about it by clicking here.