THEODORE ANNEMANN : THE TRAGIC DARK LIFE OF A MENTALIST
- Sid Quatrine
- Nov 26, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 3, 2025
Theodore John Squires was Born February 22nd 1907, Waverly, New York.
Their family would alter their surname to Annemann early on in life after Fred Squires; the natural father of Theodore, left him and his family when Theodore was just 2 years old.
Flavilla, Theo's mother would soon remarry Stanley Anneman.
He would gain an interest for magic around the age of 10 when shown The classic Ball & Vase routine by a friend at his school.
From this point forth he dedicated much of his time to studying all the material he could find on the subject. So much so that his love for magic would surpass his studies.
His mother took a distaste to this seizing the few books and props he'd acquired and throwing them into the furnace of his home.
Theo would hold a grudge against his mother for this act for many years,
Later in life he would send his mother a bound edition of the first fifty issues of his, The Jinx Magazine.
Inscribing on the opening page.
'Dear Momma, When you look through these pages, I hope you'll remember when your burnt my magic books in the furnace, that made me try and write one myself... Have you a match for this? Theo." During his teen years Annemann would perform at every opportunity, Enlisting the paid help of his younger brother Leland to assist him, for Leland had little interest in magic. Their signature effect was Houdini's metamorphosis (sub-trunk) escape.
Annemann would make ends meet through a series of small jobs, the most prominent of which being a railroad clerk, in his earlier years was to then work for the Lee high valley system shops in Sayer Pennsylvania.
His first brush with show business was working as a vocalist and then assistant to a plethora of magicians, as well as assisting Doc Criss's medicine show.
At 17 in 1924, Annemann would already be a regular contributor to both the Linking Ring & The Sphinx magic magazines. He would publish a variety of clever effects, though would fall under criticism for many of the effects would be slight variations on already published material. This would be noted by Newmann, The Mentalist and Robert Gysal, The Escapologist. Newmann would go on to publish a poem critiquing Annemann: Nor can we forget T. Annemann,
That clever, smart & canny man, who's high pressure method's cannot be gain said, He rehashes mere trifles, From old magazine he rifles, Then as new effects, resells them to the trade... This said Newmann would later write warmly of Annemann. on April 23rd 1927 Annemann would wed his first wife Margaret Abrams, (Greta) eight years later, Nov 1st 1935 she would birth their daughter Mona Lee Annemann. Two years later, Ted would divorce Greta to marry Jeanette Parre.
In his early years Annemann would pick up correspondence with a variety of magicians.
The most prominent being a years love, hate correspondence from 1926-1927 with an idol of his, Mr Al Baker.
Al Baker wasn't too fond of Annemann, writing bitter and nasty letters to him accusing him of theft and plagiarism.
Annemann would respond to much of these in a level headed manner, though other times he would poke fun at Baker.
Baker like Newmann would respect Annemann later on in life.
With much of Annemanns antics as a result of the eagerness of youth.
By the 1930's the air had been cleared and the two men became close friends.
In his early days of performing he would don both Turban and Cape.
It was Al Baker who convinced Annemann to drop the theatrics and modernise his appearance.
From this point forth he would commit to a suit and bow tie, with an introductory branding gimmick being an unnerving ice cold handshake.
In 1934, Annemann began publishing his periodical titled The Jinx. Around this time, he preferred to be called Ted instead of Theo. Al Baker contributed the testimonial in the inaugural edition.
If a person can get one trick out of an issue, It would cost them only a quarter,If they can find two that they can use, the cost is 12.5 cents a piece, However if one can find use from all three, It's a rare bargain indeed.
The jinx would run from 1934 to 1941 as a go to source for the latest in mentalism and card magic.
Though he wrote countless routine's on the work of Mentalism, The core effect he would garner attention for was his take on 'The Bullet Catch." Utilising the Orville Meyer technique, The method undisclosed here, though it's the closest you will get to the real thing in all aspects making it the most dangerous. An anecdotal account from John Booth in his book 'psychic paradox' details his experience standing next to Annemann on his preparation leading up to the effect, with the claim that he was both shaking and pail, when the gun was fired he'd rotate 360 degrees hitting the ground face down motionless. After a period of audience panic he arose spitting the bullet onto the plate. Booth found his showmanship to be a little excessive, But on learning the method to the effect he would redact his statement and understood why Annemann was so firm on his requests leading up to the effect.
Annemann was truly confronting death head on, with the slightest miscalculation resulting in surefire death. The New Jinx, July 1965 details an ironic account where Bill Neff, encourages Annemann to partake in a blindfolded drive, as a publicity stunt. Annemann after drinking a plethora of alcoholic beverages would blindfold himself and drive for 10 miles perfectly with no issues. The following day driving home from a gig Annemann would wreck his car. He went on to explain in jest, 'If I'd have been wearing the damn blindfold this never would have happened.' Annemann's show would comprise of a spirit slate effect, book test, his own method to Houdini's needle trick 'Publishing the method in the first issue of The Jinx. Ted Annemann would perform a handcuff escape for the Police chiefs of western New York state, on a small show billed with Rossini & Booth. Annemann would request he be handcuffed behind his back and isolated in a side room. Where after much audible commotion, the door was opened revealing Annemann, looking a mess but still handcuffed, but mysteriously through the arms of a chair... Ted would apologise asking for a second chance. The same commotion was heard and on the revelation Annemann was still cuffed but this time around a water pipe. The finale being a complete escape from the cuffs to audience applause. Although Annemann was not a smooth performer, his was an "in demand" act despite the economic conditions of the time. He appeared before foreign embassies in Washington, and in the homes of Herbert Hoover, Herbert Lehman, Mrs Cornelius Vanderbilt, Alfred P Sloan, Barbara Hutton and many other notables.
He would headline in some of the finest hotels and night clubs on the east coast.
Interestingly Annemann was an introvert who hated crowds but was forced to play the extrovert during his performances. He suffered greatly from stage fright. While performing he was tense and nervous and his body would sway from side to side and his forehead would be covered in sweat. At the end of his performance he would appear to be exhausted ( he really was) and this helped foster the belief in spectators that his performance was supernatural to some degree. in 1941 Wallstreet accountant and amateur magician, Max Katz (Grandfather to Ricky Jay) would produce a show with Annemann titled Annemann the enigma. A two night perform on Jan 26th and 27th 1942, In the Channing building
Little Theatre In the Sky (A rooftop theatre), New York City.
The big feature of this event would be a live rendition of Annemann's Bullet catching miracle. An effect he reportedly "loathed", despite its fame, because of the immense pressure and psychological toll it took on him. He was said to be despondent about having to perform the dangerous trick, especially as his previous methods had been published.
Meaning he had to painstakingly devise a new method for the effect
He had presented the effect four times prior always outside and never in an enclosed stage.
However after much financial difficulty, due to income tax bills, health problems, marital issues with an unfaithful wife, a recent court order to leave their apartment and alcohol dependancy. The frequency of performance and their quality began to diminish, Annemann depressed and broke started Illustrating pornographic comics to make ends meet. Walter Gibson would state that Annemann was an odd man with dark moods, to add to already poor situation he was known to experience panic attacks.
The alcohol made him a difficult personality and hard to understand.
A complex charismatic character & creative genius,
But a flawed human.
On Jan 12th 1942 Annemann was found with a paper bag over his head & gas hose running from an open stove at his home 370 W. 51st st NY.
Passing at the age of 34.
Leaving behind his second wife, daughter and mother who lived to the age of 93, passing in 1981. He is buried with his Grandmother in the Glenwood's Cemetery in Waverly NY.
Copyright © 2025 by Sid Quatrine, Author, Editor
References
Gresham, William Lindsay. (1953). Monster Midway: An Uninhibited Look at the Glittering World of the Carny. Rinehart. p. 296
"Sanders The Great » Theodore Annemann". May 27, 2008. Archived from the original on May 27, 2008. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
Karr, T, (2008). "Annemann's Journey" found in CD Set "Annemann's Enigma." Published by The Miracle Factory.
"Theodore Annemann (1907-1942)". Retrieved June 20, 2016.
Booth, John. (1986). Psychic Paradoxes. Prometheus Books. p. 28. ISBN 0-87975-358-7
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