FOGEL, Maurice (1911 – 81). Russian Roulette Bullet and X-Rays. November, 1972. A set of five x-rays of Fogel’s head, taken from various angles, showing the metal pellet lodged in his head which was fired at him on stage during a performance of his Russian Roulette routine. Sold together with the metal pellet which was extracted from Fogel’s person by the doctors attending him, and two notes from the Salisbury Central Hospital (of Rhodesia) relating its findings: “Small metallic foreign body (pellet) lodged at base of left frontal mascillary sinus.” Largest x-ray 12 x 10”. All elements held in the original brown paper wrapper as issued by the hospital.
These X-rays give evidence of the second time Fogel was shot during a performance of this trick. In the first, before the gun was discharged, Fogel instructed the marksman to fire at his chest, having discovered his error before the guns were fired. In this case, while on an extended tour of Africa, Fogel was not as fortunate.
As related in Maurice Fogel: In Search of the Sensational (2007), the authors wrote, “Maurice fell to the floor. Blood was pouring down his face. Pam Fogel, who happened to be in the audience that night, knew immediately there was something wrong and shouted for a doctor. By the strangest of coincidences, the man who had fired the gun was a doctor! He offered first aid but Maurice was determined to finish the act. An ambulance was called and after the show he was rushed to hospital.” Incidentally, Fogel’s first performance of the Russian Roulette routine was by the request of Eddie Dawes, for a Hull Magicians’ Circle banquet in 1970.