Genii Speaks Contact us by calling 301-652-5800, e-mailing [email protected] Richard Kaufman or surfing our website at www.geniimagazine.com

Here we are, Volume 70 of Genii, The Genii you’ll find a free sample of the full Five of Spades Conjurors’ Magazine, and I’m pleased beyond bruise. And, we’ve got a contest for the inspired among words to welcome as our you: we’ll award $250 to the person sending in the best Associate Editor. His expertise in almost every idea for utilizing any of the bruises in field of , in addition to being one of a magical effect. Here’s one possible our field’s finest writers and graphic designers, idea sent in by a friend: “Card picked, makes him an invaluable addition to our family. replaced. Something about finding it This month we also welcome two of my old- in the spread. Cards spread up the est friends in magic to Genii with new columns. arm (flourish), arm turnover and catch. begins a series of interviews with famous All about the cards bruising your arm, magicians on showmanship, which will run every other et cetera.” While we’re giving you only month (the first is with Johnny and Pam Thompson); Harry the Five of Spades bruise in Genii, a Lorayne joins “” with “Hidden Gems,” a monthly quick hop over to your local dealer or treasure hunt through the hundreds of his own items he’s www.creativemagic.net (click on the Some notable bruises written up over the years with the goal of pointing us tab) will enable you to toward some lesser known but excellent sleights and tricks. purchase “Bruised” and give you a wide choice of differ- The inaugural sleight, “Peek Lap,” is something I learned ent bruises to choose from. Contest submissions will be from Harry in 1975 and have used often since then—it’s a accepted until January 31, 2007 (must be postmarked by superb, economical sleight that has been utterly ignored that date) by snail mail only, at: Creative Magic, 1581 S. since publication. If you do “Card to Wallet” (or any 930 W., Payson, UT 84651. impossible location, such as Jennings’s “Card to Bottle”) while sitting, this method of going south with the signed On January 1, the price for registering for the combined selection can’t be topped. • Our cover story focuses on IBM/SAM convention in 2008 will rise from $295 to $395. Tony Chapek, whose magical act with a television has been This is going to be the convention of a lifetime for most drawing cheers at conventions around the world over the of us in the U.S., so send in your dough while it’s still last several years. Jon Racherbaumer, always fascinated by cheap! This is going to be a FISM quality convention and the odd interaction of various electronic media and human you don’t have to fly to Europe (or China!) to go. You can beings, tells the tale. • Earlier this year, the Walt Disney always cancel your registration (as late as March 2008, only Company collaborated with Kenneth Feld to produce a few months before the convention) for a full refund minus Disney Live: Mickey’s Magic Show. Jim Steinmeyer, who a $25 service fee. Don’t wait! designed all of the magic for the show, provides an over- view, then I interview the two magicians, Brad Ross and Shortly after returning home to after a difficult Alex Gonzalez, who perform along with the characters. first performance of their new show Ghosts of Broadway The show is unique in that it mixes real people in with the in New Jersey, Jonathan Pendragon is reported to have characters, and also because Feld hired two real magicians fallen on the broken-off upper end of an arrow while hang- rather than actors. Our in-depth coverage begins on page ing a lamp in his home. It pierced various organs appar- 58. • returns with a potpourri of ideas in ently starting near the groin and upward to the heart, but “Genii Session;” brings the Chinese acrobats he has recovered enough to continue performing, though to the U.S. in “The Inside Story;” Jim Steinmeyer examines a male assistant has been doing most of the illusions with Maskelyne’s “Will, the Witch, and the Watchman” and Charlotte. We wish him a speedy recovery. publishes a photo which has been unseen for over 100 years; moonwalks his way through another The Associated Press reported on November 10 that the “Inquisition,” and Jamy Ian Swiss, Dustin Stinett, and “Thief tricked by David Copperfield pleads guilty. One of Danny Orleans will help guide your last-minute holiday three teenagers charged with attempting to rob illusionist shopping (if the post office is kind enough to actually David Copperfield as he left a performance has pleaded deliver this issue before the end of the month). guilty. Terrance Riley, 17, was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison for three counts of robbery with a weapon In this issue you’ll find a gift from Brian and Rebekah at and one count of attempted robbery. … Copperfield, 50, Creative Magic: a free “Bruise.” When you purchase and two female assistants were walking from the Kravis “Bruised” you receive an instructional DVD and 15 sheets Center to their tour bus when they were approached by of temporary body tattoos of many different types of the teens April 23. The assistants handed over money bruises that can be used to reveal chosen cards, ESP and a cellphone, but the illusionist turned his pockets symbols, etc. There’s even a bruise of a quarter for the inside out to reveal nothing, although he was carrying his masochistic coinmen among you. Inside this issue of passport, wallet and cell phone. ‘He said in depositions

10 GENII Now Performing THE LAS VEGAS JANUARY 1 to 7 Compiled by David Neubauer Closed Monday Amazing Johnathan that he had things on him, but it wasn’t difficult to make Close-Up Gallery 10 pm (Dark Thurs.), Sahara it seem like there was nothing there,’ prosecutor Sherri Early: 7:00, 7:45, 8:30, 9:15 Beacher’s Madhouse Collins said.” Asi Wind Tyas Frantz, Chris Karpiak, Late: 10:00, 10:45,11:30, 12:00 & Seth Grabel Brian Gillis 10 pm, Hard Rock Barry Govan writes: “I have seen those Mr. Moto films … W. C. Fields Bar Bite (Vampire Strip Revue) and have even been using some of the (Friday and Saturday only) Antonio Restivo As far as I know Peter Lorre did some of the sleights, but Karl Hein 10:30 pm (dark Thurs.), Paul LePaul did the major work. Another item of interest The Parlour of Prestidigitation Stratosphere is that in an old western serial the crooks used the Early: 7:30, 8:45, 9:30 Haunted Vegas Tour & Show Ehler idea of a series of dots on the edges of the cards Raymond Karch Robert Allen, Jac Hayden & Late: 9:45, 11:15, Midnight Zamora, 9 pm tour and show and the people at the other end knew the order in which Danny Sylvester (Dark Fri.), Greek Isle to reassemble the deck so that the dots became legible Palace Of Mystery Jason Bird words. I think they read something like: ‘We meet at devils 8:30, 10:00, 11:15 Main stage, near the “V” canyon.’ Interesting!” Al Lampkin Theater, Thurs.-Mon. Various Farrell Dillon times from 1:15- 8:15 pm. Free. Ricardo The Shops in Desert Passage, Although I’ve known for some time, it has become public Aladdin JANUARY 8 to 14 that is battling throat cancer. He’s been La Femme Close-Up Gallery undergoing radiation and is unable to talk, but would be Stephan Vanel, 8 pm, 10:30 pm Early: Tom Ogden (Dark Tues.), MGM Grand very happy to have letters from well-wishers. You can reach Late: Joe Monti him at 10074 Ashland St., Ventura, CA 93004. , Master Magician W. C. Fields Bar 7 pm Tues.-Sat. & 10 pm Tues. Jon Armstrong & Sat. Monte Carlo Few of you (okay, none of you) will know who Shiriki The Parlour of Prestidigitation Comedy Magic Show Utundu is. He’s the little African Early: Asi Wind 1 pm, 3 pm, (Dark Sun., Mon.) Late: statue that causes a ruckus Harrah’s Clint Holmes Theater Palace of Mystery in the new Tower of Terror Nathan Burton Duane Laflin & Mary ride in Tokyo DisneySea. Aside Comedy Magic Show George Saterial 2 pm, (Dark Fri. & Sun.) from the fact that they use Norman Ng the same Jim Steinmeyer V Theater in the Desert JANUARY 15 to 21 Passage, Aladdin concept for a new type of Close-Up Gallery Penn & Teller Pepper’s Ghost already Early: Derek DelGaudio 9 pm, (Dark Tues.), Rio seen at the attraction in Late: The Magic of Rick Thomas W. C. Fields Bar California, there’s a souve- 2, 4 pm, Orleans J.C. Wagner nir from the Tokyo version that may Steve Wyrick Real Magic The Parlour of Prestidigitation be of interest. It’s a custom printed deck 7 & 9 pm, (Dark Fri.) Aladdin Early: David Williamson of cards whose two Jokers differ in a way that Late: Handsome Jack The Ultimate Variety Showcase make a fun effect possible. In one, Shiriki is printed in 8 pm, Midnight every Tuesday Palace of Mystery A different live show every color with his eyes open and a malicious grin on his face. In week. Free. Roxy’s Live, Jim Steinmeyer the other, he’s in black and white with eyes closed and no Sam’s Town smile. A color change, done for an audience of one, at a V, The Ultimate Variety Show scary moment could produce some fun. JANUARY 22 to 28 Close-Up Gallery Jeff Hobson, Nathan & Sarah Early: Damian Nieman 7 and 9 pm Aladdin The Magic Circle Awards Banquet was held on November Late: Suzanne World’s Greatest Magic Show 18. The awards presented were: The Cecil Lyle Award W. C. Fields Bar , Kozak, and guest to Tom Gagnon (best contributed effect to The Magic TBA stars. Billy Fergueson (pre- show). 6 pm Sat.-Thurs., 8:15 Circular); The Silver Wand Awards were presented The Parlour of Prestidigitation Fri., Greek Isle Early: Alan Hudson to Business Manager Diane O’Brien, Librarian Peter Xtreme Magic Late: John Archer Lane, member/supporter David Baldwin; The John Nevil Starring Dirk Arthur Maskelyne Prize for Literature to Duncan Trillo; The Palace of Mystery Tiffany Theatre, Tropicana Maskelyne Award to Alan Alan; and The Devant Award Rich Bloch 2 and 4 pm. (Dark Fri.) to John Fisher. In addition, at the end of October, Magic Castle Information David Copperfield Tour Schedule Feb 2: Kodak Theater, Romany won the Magic Circle’s Magician of the Year Those with guest cards, Hollywood & Vine, and those who belong to award, becoming the first woman to do so. Hollywood, CA the IBM and SAM, are admitted to The Magic Castle with dinner Three deaths to note this month. Bill Tarr, age 81, died in reservations. Please call 323-851- November from complications associated with Parkinson’s 3313 for more information. Updates disease attributed, in his case, to the inhalation of welding to the performing schedule can be found at www.MagicCastle.com.

GENII SPEAKS, continued on page 13 JANUARY 2007 11 GENII SPEAKS, continued from page 11 “Roy Baker, magician, hypnotist, and mentalist died on fumes over a span of many years. Tarr was self-taught—a Friday 10th November. Living in Kent, England, Roy was dedicated do-it yourself sculptor who produced a wide also a dealer for many years, eventually selling his busi- variety of work in various styles and mediums. The first ness to Supreme Magic in 1976. Roy was a clever and piece he ever exhibited in public was at the prestigious direct thinker as well as a good performer. Roy Baker 1962 Whitney Museum Biennial. That year the Ford will be remembered for his many contributions to maga- Foundation bought eight pieces off the floor and one of zines, in particular Abra, where his series was eventually them was Tarr’s. It was donated to the Chicago Art Institute put into a 159-page book published by Supreme. In where it remains part of their permanent collection. His addition, he produced Baker’s Bonanza, by Hugh Miller, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in the heart of New York published by Harry Stanley. It is in this work that the City, one of the world’s largest welded-steel pieces, is famous PATEO force appeared.”• considered a highly innovative work. New York Magazine declared it the “Best Monument in N.Y.” He was known to us as the author of the series of three Now You See It, Now You Don’t! books, the first volume of which may well be the best-selling magic book in history. • Jay Leslie reports that James Swoger, born January 26 1918, died November 1, 2006. He was an accomplished illusionist, sleight of hand artist, ventriloquist, and builder. Swoger invented hun- dreds of magical effects. His most notable invention was “Tricky Bottles”—he estimated that he sold 15,000 before 1965. He was also the first person to produce magic made from plastic. Known as the Plastic King he was one of the largest producers of magic in the world during the 1940s and ’50s. He operated various shops under the name The House Of Enchantment from 1937 through the 1980s. Swoger made props for all the major retail shops during the 1940s through the ‘80s. In the early ‘50s he teamed up with Ed Mellon and the two of them produced many great mental effects. He also bought the rights to produc- ing a hundred different products and he bought out a few businesses outright until he owned the largest magic manufacturing business in the world. Those who watched his manipulation with coins, balls, rope and cards were mesmerized. He hardly ever performed the same routine twice. • Quentin Reynolds and Allan Tiption report that,

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