Designer: P.T. Selbit

Selbit created Broadcasting a Woman in the mid-1930s. It was reasonably successful in both England and America. PT Selbit: Magical Innovator mentions its revival in recent years, but with modern technology not available in Selbit’s day.

An assistant entered a cabinet and sits down on a chair inside. A borrowed handkerchief was tied around her wrist. An identical second cabinet was about 3 feet apart and both sat on a raised platform. A thin open-mesh screen was placed in front of both cabinets and the lights inside the cabinet were slowly illuminated allowing the girl to become visible through the screen. Gradually she faded away while simultaneously materializing in the other chair in the other cabinet. In the middle of the effect, the girl was actually seen to be in both cabinets.

An interesting story was told in PT Selbit: Magical Innovator:
In New York, Walter Gibson accompanied Thurston and Dante to a private showing of Selbit’s new illusion. Thurston decided against [this trick] but Dante bought the rights for his show. Years later, Walter went to see Dante’s show and afterwards, commented to Dante that he had really made a success of Selbit’s “Broadcasting” illusion. “Selbit’s illusion!”, Dante roared, “I’ve heard that story before and I’d like to know who started that ridiculous rumor.” Walter knew better than to argue.