Robert Orben
(New York City, NY: 4th March 1927 - ).
Learned at age circa 13 from 10-year older brother who had learned from books. They would busk for money at East Coast mountain resorts. At age 18 his 1st job was for a year as demonstrator in Stuart Robson's magic shop in New York City c1945-46.
Prolific author of patter books for magi, including The Encyclopedia of Patter (1946, 40pp), Magicdotes (1948, 44pp), Professional Patter (1950, 48pp), Flip Lines (1952, 50pp), and Sight Bits (1952, 40pp). His Comedy Technique (1951, 72pp) is a how-to book. Columns in Magic is Fun and Genii (since 1952, originally as "Mother Jongeleur"). Later in the 1950s turned toward writing comedy for general theatrical performers. Professional comedy writer for Jack Paar and Red Skelton; White House speech writer 1974-77.
