NOVEMBER 2012

Rory Feldman Page 36

MAGIC - UNITY - MIGHT Editor Michael Close Editor Emeritus David Goodsell Associate Editor W.S. Duncan Proofreader & Copy Editor Lindsay Smith Art Director Lisa Close Publisher Society of American Magicians, 6838 N. Alpine Dr. Parker, CO 80134 Copyright © 2012

Subscription is through membership in the Society and annual dues of $65, of which $40 is for 12 issues of M-U-M. All inquiries concerning membership, change of address, and missing or replacement issues should be addressed to: Manon Rodriguez, National Administrator P.O. Box 505, Parker, CO 80134 manon@magic.bz Skype: manonadmin Phone: 303-362-0575 Fax: 303-362-0424

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4 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 M-U-M NOVEMBER 2012 Magazine Volume 102 • Number 6

S.A.M. NEWS 6 From the Editor’s Desk 8 From the President’s Desk 64 11 M-U-M Assembly News 24 Good Cheer List 30 Newsworthy 65 Our Advertisers ON THE COVER PAGE 36

THIS MONTH’S FEATURES 26 Pro Files • by James Munton 28 Critical Mass • by John Carney 36 COVER STORY • by David Goodsell 44 A Magician Prepares • by Dennis Loomis 54 Nielsen Gallery • by Tom Ewing 56 Informed Opinion • New Product Reviews 64 Treasures from the Salon de Magie • by Ken Klosterman 68 Basil the Baffling • by Alan Wassilak 54 COLUMNISTS 25 Tech Tricks • by Bruce Kalver 32 Ellipsis • by Michael Perovich 48 48 I Left My Cards at Home • by Steve Marshall 52 Unlimited Possibilities • by Roger Blakiston 65 Inside Straight • by Norman Beck 66 Mental Breakdown • by Christian Painter 68 The Dean’s Diary • by George Schindler 70 Confessions of a Paid Amateur • by Rod Danilewicz 64

M-U-M (ISSN 00475300 USPS 323580) is published monthly for $40 per year by The Society of American Magicians, 6838 N. Alpine Dr., Parker, CO 80134 . Periodical postage paid at Parker, CO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to M-U-M, c/o Manon Rodriguez, P.O. Box 505, Parker, CO 80134.

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 5 ing support from those at the convention, the members of the national S.A.M. have certainly stepped up to the plate, and shown unbelievable support, care, and encouragement. When I first joined the S.A.M. (Assembly 21 in Hartford, Connecticut), I was in college. For more than twenty-five years Editor’s Desk we have remained friends. This is why I must publicly thank the members of Assembly 21 (now part of the Central Connecticut Michael Close Magicians Association), and compeer Dan Sclare in particular, for coming up with the idea of the purple wristbands and for Those of you who attended the national convention in distributing them at the Las Vegas convention and beyond. He and Las Vegas this summer probably saw a lot of people wearing the members of the CCMA knew that because of my declining purple wristbands (you may have worn one yourself). David health, I would have to stop performing, and that would certainly Copperfield wore one during his show. The wristbands were affect my income and ability to pay current and future medical a show of support for Boston magician David Oliver, who is bills. My old S.A.M. friends tried to convince me that it was time facing some serious health challenges. Having such a support for me to stop being “brave” and “proud,” and to let my friends system of compeers is just one more benefit of membership in help me and to learn to be gracious and just say “thank you.” So the S.A.M. David (who is an old friend) sent me an email that he to Dan and the Central Connecticut Magicians Association, I will wanted passed along to his fellow compeers. Here it is. pause and say, thank you.

An open letter to members of the S.A.M.:

While I was unable to attend this year’s annual conven- tion in Las Vegas, I was certainly there in spirit...in more ways than one. As many of you are aware, because of severe lung issues (caused by working with my birds for thirty-plus years), I am facing some difficult times ahead. Rapidly declining health has all but stopped me from performing after more than thirty- five years of life onstage. The most important decision though, concerns having a double lung transplant in the very near future. It is not a cure for my situation. However, it is a treatment for my symptoms that can offer some relief, some positive quality-of- life, and possibly a little extra longevity. Details on my situation, the disease (Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis), symptoms, and treatments were in the August 2011 issue of Genii magazine (“Death -Defying Dove Acts”). A never-ending swarm of emails, texts, and Facebook postings were sent to me during the convention. From the biggest names in the business, to the youngest of SYMers, you all humbled me with your warm messages of concern for my well-being. A montage video was created and sent to me, with messages and Dan Sclare well-wishes from dozens of stars, magic legends, and a sea of just plain ol’ conventioneers, all wearing a purple-colored “Do Magic There are far too many others to thank, people who have been for David Oliver” wristbands. Each and every message brought a more than supportive of my situation. I would feel downright smile to my face and, at the same time, had me in tears. horrible if I missed anyone by trying to list everyone. So, I won’t. The S.A.M. is an organization that has always been dear to But, along with Dan, there are a few who I feel I must publicly my heart. It may seem cliché, but it is like a family. As a member thank for their help and support during the convention and of the family, I have always tried to do my best to promote magic beyond. They will know why. To the rest, I am not forgetting you and the S.A.M. in its best form, encourage and mentor our youth or ignoring your help or thoughtfulness (there just aren’t enough through the S.Y.M., and help those less fortunate. Somehow, pages in this magazine to thank everyone). So to Ian Rich, Matt the tables have turned, and for the first time in my life, I am Schick, Mike Boyce, Oliver Dodd, Lyn Dillies, Mike Miller, now on the receiving end. It is uncomfortable. It is difficult. It Vinny Grosso, John Cassidy, John Reid, Eric DeCamps, George is certainly a humbling experience. However, the outpouring of Schindler, Marc DeSouza, Dayle Cook, Devlin & Bronwyn, love and support from hundreds of my fellow compeers has given Bob Little, Meir Yedid, Richard Kaufman, Stan Allen, Johnny me strength to keep fighting and pushing forward. For twenty-six Thompson, Marvyn Roy, Lance Burton, Jann Goodsell, Norm years, “my kids” in the Boston S.Y.M. and their families have and Lupe Nielsen, Arlen Solomon, Mac King, Ray and Ann gone out of their way to support me and have always been there Goulet, Chris Kenner, Frank Monaco, David Copperfield, and so through good times and bad. My Tannen’s Camp family has many more, your affection and support has humbled me. given me extra hope, as well as unwavering love and support. To quote the Dalai Lama, “We can live without religion and My brothers-in-arms from Boston’s Mystery Lounge show and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.” New York’s Monday Night Magic have had my back at all times. Thank you all for your care and concern. This is a very scary And, from the recent name change of our Boston area S.Y.M. to time in my life. However, because of your support, I can certainly the “John Calvert/David Oliver Assembly,” to the overwhelm- breathe a little easier. – David Oliver 

6 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012

to see your password, only you can check to see if your password works. Here’s how: Go to www.magicsam.com and click on “Member Login” at the top right corner. Your username is your name exactly as it appears on your membership card. (Please check your card President’s Desk as you do this – even a period added or missed after a middle initial will cause a problem.) Your password is your membership Chris Bontjes number up to the dash. (If your member number is 54321-123, then your password is 54321.) Fill in these two fields and click the “Log In” button. National Council Meeting If this takes you back to the home screen, you are logged in and everything is fine. If you get an error message, send an email The national council (the governing body of The Society of to Technology Chairman Bruce Kalver at samtalkbruce@cox. American Magicians) meets three times each year to discuss the net with the subject “Can’t Log In.” Include your name as it is work being done for the Society by our committees and to vote printed on your membership card and your membership number on new initiatives to keep the S.A.M. moving forward. Our next in the body of the email. Bruce will send you an e-mail when the meeting will be on Saturday, November 10, 2012, at the Marriott problem is fixed. Downtown in Indianapolis, Indiana. The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m.; it is open to any S.A.M. member. On the Road Again The members of our national council and our national com- mittees work hard to improve the S.A.M., to continue to elevate I made two trips during the month of September to represent and advance the art of magic, and to give all compeers the best the S.A.M. The first was to Houston for the Texas Association of value possible for their membership investment. Reports on Magicians convention. I visited with many S.A.M. compeers and the activities of each officer and committee in the S.A.M. are also spoke with many magicians who were not members about prepared prior to each national council meeting and compiled the benefits of joining. Many were interested and a few signed by National Secretary Marlene Clark into the “Blue Book” up on the spot. (so called because, in times past, the book was duplicated and A high point of the convention for me was talking with Joshua bound with a blue cover). Today, the term Blue Book is largely Jay, our newest Ambassador of Magic. He told me about some traditional because the reports are compiled into a PDF file that very exciting ideas he is working can be downloaded from www.magicsam.com. This allows all on for the benefit of the S.A.M. compeers to access the reports and to stay informed about the and the S.Y.M., and he showed work that is being done for the benefit of magic. his dedication to the future of the art of magic. After his lecture, Cutting-Edge Tradition when he could have been hanging out with friends and networking The national council works hard to keep the S.A.M. on the with adult magicians, he chose cutting edge of technology. Our iPhone app was the first of its to spend his time sharing magic kind, our website has just undergone a major transformation, and with the young magicians at the our national officers have held virtual meetings with assemblies. convention. I am sure that he These are just a few examples of the efforts being made to utilize provided them with an experience technology for the benefit of our membership. they will never forget. At the same time, we always bear in mind that the S.A.M. is At the end of September, I the world’s oldest magic organization. There are important tradi- travelled to Cincinnati to help tions that must be upheld as well. This is evident in the beginning With Leland Pennington Assembly 11 to celebrate the and ending of our national council meetings. Meetings are called ninetieth anniversary of their to order and closed according to ritual. This simply means that assembly charter. Their members put on an excellent show and we use a traditional ceremony (procedure) to open and close then went out to share magic, stories, and friendship. I presented our meetings that has been in place since the beginning of our Assembly President Leland Pennington with a Presidential Cer- Society nearly 110 years ago. The tradition is continued as a sign tificate of Recognition to mark the event. To all Assembly 11 of respect for the founders of the S.A.M. members – thank you for the invitation and your hospitality. My If you are unfamiliar with the meeting rituals and the other family and I truly enjoyed the trip. signs and symbols of the S.A.M. (all of which have special meaning), you can find all the answers in theS.A.M. Ritual Book, Echoes of the Past which is available as a free download from the “Members Only” section of www.magicsam.com. In the February 1972 installment of “The Prez Sez,” M.I. Gary Bontjes writes the following: Speed Bumps “How long has it been since you signed up a new S.A.M. member? A number of good magicians don’t belong simply Even the information super-highway has occasional speed because they haven’t been asked. We are continually seeking bumps. We have run into one of those with the launch of our new qualified applicants for either assembly membership or our rela- website. When our new site’s designers moved member informa- tively new associate program. An application blank slipped inside tion to the new site, some of our members’ passwords were not an extra copy of M-U-M will often do the trick. More members copied correctly. Because the design of the site does not allow us mean a better S.A.M. to serve you.”

8 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 S.A.M. National Officers

Dean: George Schindler, 1735 East 26th St., Brooklyn, NY 11229, (718) 336-0605, Fax (718) 627-1397, [email protected] President: J. Christopher Bontjes, 2313 Atwood Ct., Danville, IL 61834 (217) 442-6244 [email protected] President Elect: Dal Sanders, 3316 Northaven Rd, Dallas, TX 75229 (214) 902-9200, DalSanders@ StagemMagic.com First Vice President: Kenrick “ICE” McDonald, P.O. Box 341034, Los Angeles, CA 90034, (310) 559-8968 [email protected] Second Vice President: David Bowers, (717) 414- 7574, [email protected] Secretary: Marlene Clark, 274 Church Street, #6B Guilford, CT 06437, (203) 689-5730, Skype: marlene.clark, [email protected] Treasurer: Eric Lampert, (215) 939-5555, [email protected] Regional Vice Presidents

New England: CT MA RI NH ME VT Joseph Caulfield (603) 654-6022, [email protected] North Atlantic: NY NJ Eric DeCamps, (718) 896-5861, [email protected] Mid Atlantic: PA DE MD VAWV DC Phil Milstead, (703) 481-5271, [email protected] South Atlantic: FL AL GA MS NC SC Debbie Leifer (404) 630-1120 [email protected] Central Plains: KY TN OH IN MI Jania Taylor, (231)242-8242, [email protected] Midwest: IL MN WI MO ND NE KS SD IA Shaun Rivera, (618) 781-8621 shaun.rivera@ gmail.com South Cental States: TX AR OK NM LA Jeff Lanes, (713)850-1770, [email protected] Southwest: CA AZ NV HI Ron Ishimar, (808) 456-2780, aliai@hawaiiantel. net Northwest: WA OR UT ID CO AK WY MT Michael Roth, (503)493-8316, [email protected] Canada Rod Chow (604) 669-7777 [email protected] Society of Young Magicians Director Jann Wherry Goodsell, 329 West 1750 North, Orem, Utah 84057 (801) 376-0353. Many magicians who are not S.A.M. members have simply never been asked to join [email protected] or shown the advantages and benefits of membership. As a current compeer, you know Living Past about the quality of M-U-M magazine; you know about the programs and committees National Presidents in place for the benefit of compeers; you know the benefits of sharing with compeers through national conventions, SAMtalk, Facebook, and assembly meetings to improve Bradley M. Jacobs, Richard L. Gustafson, Roy A. your magic; and you know about the fellowship shared by S.A.M. compeers locally and Snyder, Bruce W. Fletcher, James E. worldwide. In other words, you know the value of Getting Involved. Zachary, David R. Goodsell, Robert A. Steiner, Now it is time to Pass It On and let your fellow magicians know. You can download Fr. Cyprian Murray, Michael D. Douglass, George Schindler, Dan Rodriguez, Dan Garrett, Donald an application at www.magicsam.com to print and give to a fellow magician who is F. Oltz Jr., Craig Dickson, Loren C. Lind, Gary considering S.A.M. membership. Interested magicians can also visit www.magicsam. D. Hughes, Harry Monti, Jann Wherry Goodsell, com to download a sample copy of M-U-M or complete an application online. Warren J. Kaps, Ed Thomas, Jay Gorham, John How many magicians do you know who may never have been asked to join the Apperson, Richard M. Dooley, Andy Dallas, Maria S.A.M.? Most of us are members today because someone we respected suggested Ibáñez, Bruce Kalver, Mike Miller, Mark Weidhaas, we join. You could be that person for a magician you know. So – Get Involved and Vinny Grosso Pass It On! 

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 9 Warehouse sale! Every couple of years, we throw a “little” convention here in Las Vegas. And when we do, we create special promotional items. After the convention, we offer whatever stock we still have for sale. Here are a couple of great items to add to your gift list from MAGIC Live 2009 and 2011.

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MAGIC Magazine $ (postage paid Mouse Pad 6 in the US) No compartments, no pens, no straps, no staples to remove — just a cool 7- x 9-inch pad for your mouse!

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This custom computer bag measures 14 x 15 inches, with compartments for pens, phone, business cards, and even a water bottle. Comes in black with maroon flap, tan embroidery, adjustable shoulder strap, and even a MAGIC “M” zipper tab.

MAGIC Magazine 6220 Stevenson Way, Las Vegas, NV 89120 (702) 798-0099, ext. 103 Outlet Store www.MAGICmagazine.com ASSEMBLY NEWS Society of American Magicians Monthly News

NOVEMBER 2012 Volume 102, Number 6

Go to: www.mum-magazine.com and use the easy submission form to file your report

Edwards, with about a dozen dients for an entertaining act. 1 members present. Doug taught Beginning the evening’s 4 The Slydini Lecture a variety of close-up classics performances, Walt Johnson MINI-CONVENTION A including Triumph, Twisting the introduced crazy glue, a SUCCESS New York, NY— Our Aces, and Al Baker’s knotted binding and healing substance. September meeting began with silk through rope. Doug will be With Cameron Langdell and PHILADELPHIA, PA— Our members greeting each other holding his workshops on the Ed Litwin assisting, Walt September meeting featured a after our summer hiatus. After third Friday of each month. performed a surgical procedure. mini-convention with all the giving everyone a little time The magic table continues to Cutting a rope held by the assis- events of a substantive magic to say hello, recently elected meet each Friday at the Cafe tants, Walt placed a ring on one convention packed into three president Richie Magic called Edison right off of Time Square; end and then healed the cut with fun-filled hours. The festivities the business meeting to order. stop by if you’re visiting New crazy glue. The rope lacked got under way after an enthusi- After hearing reports from the York City. —Jordan Linker scars or other evidence of a cut. astic welcome by Assembly 4 many committees and conduct- GoldWurm Auditorium Mt. Stu Bacon’s psychic skill was President Donna Horn. ing some new business items, Sinai Hospital, 1425 Madison clearly demonstrated with a The mini-convention began the meeting was adjourned and Avenue @ 98th street Contact prediction routine. Rob Shapiro with a great Teach-a-Trick we proceeded to the evening’s Jordan Linker Linker.Jordan@ selected items from four res- segment during which Tom entertainment, Bill Wisch’s gmail.com (646) 670-7235 taurant menus. When the cost Ewing taught a wonderful card Slydini lecture. www.sampa1.com for more of Rob’s dinner was totaled, it effect using only two cards Tony Slydini was a fixture in details. was the same amount as Stu’s called Sleight of Breath, and New York and many Parent prediction. Reba Strong showed everyone Assembly members had first- 2 Hippo Lau also revealed he how to do the ring escape hand experiences with him as COWBOY MAGIC was an adept of psychic power. portion of her signature ring a performer and/or teacher. A deck was shuffled, cut into and string routine. The Teach- Bill treated us to a wonderful SAN FRANCISCO, CA— several stacks, and one stack a-Trick segment was followed remembrance of Slydini’s With summer fading and selected. The chosen stack was by a round robin of four excep- magic, detailing a number of autumn forthcoming, mages cut into smaller stacks, and the tional close-up performances Slydini classics such as the and their friends gathered process repeated until a card by Ed Cohen, Ed Hanisco, Eric coins through table, the Flight for an enchanted session was chosen. The selected card Johnson, and Bob Lamphere, all of the Paper Balls, The Paper of breath-taking wonders. was identical to the predic- of whom rotated between four Balls to Box, and the Helicop- Stars overhead were properly tion card. Even more astonish- separate close-up stations where ter Card. A few obscure effects aligned for maximum flow ing, the deck contained all red members and their guests were were discussed, including the of magical energy. Corky Kings with the exception of seated. Ed Cohen confounded Chicago rope mystery, in which LaVallee, borrowing a theme the selected black Ace. Corky everyone with a bill transfor- a knot mysteriously disap- from the Wild West, directed returned with an amusing mation that was both visual and peared from a rope under im- the teach-in. Wearing four version of a coin production pure. Ed Hanisco wowed the possible conditions. Bill treated bandanas around his neck and involving a coin cup he had crowd with his excellent ring our assembly to nearly three a cowboy hat, Corky described made from items normally and string routine. Eric Johnson hours of material. several challenges buckaroos found around the home. Rich made everyone laugh with his encountered while living on Seguine staged his now monthly very funny chop cup routine, the range. For example, the giveaway: vanishing and ending with a triple load. Bob maintenance of clean bandanas producing bottle caps. Finishing Lamphere amazed everyone was especially important. the engaging talent show, with a wonderful prediction Calling on two other buckaroos Corky and Tamaka displayed effect using ESP cards. to assist, Corky utilized two versions of rope ties and pen- The close-up performances ropes, essential equipment for etration routines. Daniel Dock, were followed by very in- his job. He tied the ropes onto Jack Langdell, and Mary and formative lecture by Dennis a stick and gave the ends of the John Caris enjoyed the spirited Michael on how to create the ropes to his assistants. After performances and assisted with most effective website for your washing the dusty bandanas, he the cookie vanishing routine. business. A brief question-and- September Workshop tied them to the ropes. A strong —John Caris answer session followed the 9-21-2012 wind blew through the camp, Golden Gate Assembly 2 meets lecture, after which we were knocking the stick loose, and first Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at treated to a very enjoyable stage The third Friday of the month the bandanas fell off the ropes Community Room of Taraval show for which Jeff Carson is Workshop night, and on to the ground. A cowboy’s life Police Station, 2345 24th ably served as emcee. Al Lloyd September 21 we were treated is not easy. Discussion of the Avenue, San Francisco. Contact opened the show with his to our first workshop led by routine centered on the impor- Tamaka [email protected] beautiful dove act, which had new workshop chairman Doug tance of presentation and ingre- (415) 531-9332 for more details. everyone cheering. After Al,

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 11 Assembly News

Jim Straub, whose laugh and people who chose numbers and letters in the word “house” and Louis MO 63139. Contact Dick smile are infectious, performed whose total matched his pre- then select one, which would Blowers [email protected] a very funny jumbo card effect diction. For his second miracle, be the most likely choice? He (314) 846-8468 Assembly8. with the assistance of Adele Banachek asked that several followed this with introducing com for more details. Friel Rhindress in which the audience members write on PK Touches (look it up), using sole card selected from a jumbo slips of paper their names, a two more volunteers from the deck was revealed to have little known fact about them- audience. He then showed us 11 selves, and a number. While what happened, although we Fielding West this was going on he introduced couldn’t see what he did. The Lectures a phone book and an assistant, last part of the performance who helped him choose some was a slightly different book Cincinnati, OH— On audience input to determine test performed with a finger September 14, 2012, Leland what column and how far ring. He then explained how Pennington opened the meeting down the column he would he could “read our minds.” by commenting that this was run his finger to select a phone He left our assembly with the ninetieth year for Assembly number. While setting up the a framed copy of pledges 11 (Queen City Mystics) and audience for the climax he suggested for all magicians. talked about the upcoming seemed to keep us occupied by —Jerry Golmanavich public show on September 21 Bob Lamphere (L) captivates the crowd during the Mini- getting the audience involved Assembly 7 generally meets celebrating this achievement. Convention Round Robin. in most of the activities. Then on the third Monday of each Also, it was announced that he revealed the correct predic- month at the Southwest Church Bill Pryor is the current dean tion. As he came back to the of Christ at 124th St. and of Cincinnati magicians and an imprint of lips on it only filled-out papers he asked an West Center Road. Contact Bill Brewe is dean emeritus. moments after Adele had given assistant to remember one of Jerry Golmanavich golubki@ The lecturer was Fielding Jim a kiss on the cheek. Sam the “little known facts” while cox.net (402) 390-9834 West – magician’s magician, Sandler then closed the show he started to sketch it out. It omahamagicalsociety.com for writer, technical consultant, with a most entertaining, fast- turned out not quite perfect, more details. TV show host, etc. This was a paced performance involving but still amazing! very practical lecture; Fielding colorful silks, streamers, and Next came the reveal, 8 discussed some of his unique canes, climaxing with his emo- sprinkled with extremely Wallet Workshop approaches to magic effects: tionally charged Gypsy Thread useful hints and tools for the large coin production using glow-in-the-dark thread. budding mentalists (of which St. Louis, MO— August 23, and disappearance, new uses The four stage performers were I am one). The surprising part 2012, was Wallet Workshop for a thumb tip, and a finger justly rewarded with a standing is that, although the effects night. George Van Dyke had a ring vanish and reappear- ovation for their exception- can be somewhat astounding, great time showing Lee Bazzell ance. Fielding makes and sells al performances. Everyone one can experience occasional his mini card in wallet. PNP Johnny Thompson’s gimmick agreed that the mini-conven- stumbles. He proceeded to Harry Monti has wallets of his (Wings of Warsaw) to produce tion was a tremendous success. show some of the preparation own design. Harry explained a dove or other inanimate —Peter Cuddihy and then encouraged us to take their use and you could see objects such as a bottle of James Wobensmith Assembly the presentation and change it the quality. Both Randy Kalin Coca-Cola or a glass of wine. 4 meets third Thursday at to suit our own personalities. and Columbus Smith showed He went into a lot of detail 7:00 p.m. at the Bustleton The psychological aspects were what’s in their wallets. Larry explaining his balloon effects Memorial Post, 810 (American the most fascinating, and they Minth gave away a wallet – pulling an inflated a balloon Legion) 9151 Old Newtown were key factors to making the prize, donated by Ray Belz. from your mouth and swallow- Road. Contact Information: Steve Barcelona give expert ing a balloon. He referenced www.sam4.org/ for more techniques and I brought a Tom Kirby’s 117 Ideas for details. book on Cards to Wallet, that Better Business Presentations. I got at our last action. What Fielding West had excellent 7 wallet do you use? stories to go with the effects. If you could read my September 13, 2012, was On September 21 we had a mind Magic Movie Night. Randy public show celebrating the Kalin brought a very interest- ninetieth year for the Queen Omaha, NE— September’s ing presentation of magic with City Mystics. MI Chris Omaha Magical Society video clips of commercials and Bontjes was on hand to present meeting started with an an- performances from television. the assembly with a special nouncement from Jeff Sikora We saw David Copperfield, citation. Artie Kidwell (Pro- and Greg Schuerman that we Boris Wild, Jay Marshal with prietor of the Magic Shop) now have the makings of a Lefty, and much more. There was a warm, entertaining, Society of Young Magicians must have been about fifty and masterful emcee. Leland assembly. Their meetings are clips and we only got through Pennington opened the show scheduled for the first and third about a dozen of them. We with a magical D’lite routine Mondays preceding Assembly Dick Sanders and Banachek had snacks and soda and lots and silk production. Don 7 programs. More leaders of fun. Top hats off to Randy! Hinton entertained with two would be welcomed. illusions work. —Dan Todd audience-participation effects. Tonight’s program featured After a brief intermission We meet on the 2nd & Denny Metz closed the first Banachek, who led us on a he performed some simpler 4th Thursdays of most act with his very entertain- journey among Miracles of effects that might be easily months at 7:30 PM at ing Albert the Rabbit routine. the Mind. He started with added to any performance. Mount Tabor United Church Bill Pryor opened the second the selection of four random For example, if you mix up the of Christ 6520 Arsenal, St. act with his Professor Pryor

12 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 Assembly News

Pain Killer Medicine routine. Ted then invited Dan Estep to shook up the bag, and he was This is highly honed and clever take a page from a magazine 16 able to pick it out the first routine. He followed up with a and begin tearing the page to Bring Some time. Rich Pinsonnault’s per- very funny silk change routine. pieces, discarding one half Magic Night formance of Limited Edition The last entertainer was the each time. After multiple was right on. The thought-of illusionist – Donovan. He tears, Dan selected one word Worcester, MA— The first card disappeared at the end. performed three great illusions on the remaining piece, which meeting of our new season was P.J. Pinsonnault blindfolded – producing an assistant from Ted was able to determine by attended by eight members. himself to mystify us with an empty container with reading Dan’s mind – kangaroo. Jerry Schirwitz was first up to The Mystery of the Incred- white silk drapes on all sides, Next up was Ian Richards, who some magic and did a silk effect ible Tenth Card. Somehow he a disappearing assistant into confused “mentalism” with in which a spectator tied three started out with nine cards and a small square box that is “going completely mental.” Ian different colored silks together kept ending up with ten. Using removed from the platform, displayed an interesting device and Jerry’s silks were tied in a special nine-color board, and the amazing sawing a composed of PVC pipe, tub the same order. Peter Lennis Lenard Nadeau had us choose woman into three parts, which stoppers, washers, electrical was up next to do some magic. a color and after following his are separated. Donavon also sockets, and even a faucet. This He did a great coin effect in astounded the audience with led to one of the most elaborate which a spectator’s marked a refined Zombie Ball routine. and hysterical versions of the coin was found if a bag full This was a great celebra- Chinese Pom-Pom Sticks ever of other coins. John Chumsae tion of Cincinnati magicians. performed. followed and did a great cap in —John Martini bottle effect. John also taught Queen City Mystics, SAM this effect to everyone present. Assembly 11 generally meets John and Peter also did a on the 2nd Friday of the month variety of card effects and they at Haines House of Cards in taught us quite a few of these Bob Carrol uses his venting Cincinnati, Ohio. Contact great effects. Our annual fund talents on Tom Gentile www.assembly11.com for more raiser was also discussed. We details. have a large, two-hour theater instructions had us landing show every November; this is on the color we thought of. our fifth year. It will be held at Rounding out the evening of 13 Mike Smith, Dal Sanders, and the Assembly Theatre in Har- great magic was Michael Wald Frank Seltzer honor Gene risville, RI, on Saturday Nov. and his rendition of Master- Mentalism Part 2 Davis, John Gladfelter, and Bob Karlebach. 10, 2012, at 8:00 p.m. The per- mind. He had us call a friend Dallas, TX— President Mark formers will be David Garrity, and ask him to choose a card. Jensen called the meeting to The last performer of the Jason Monette, Jason Kallio, He was able to find the card order, welcoming everyone night was Brian O’Neill. Brian and Dennis Pimenta. The in his “special” deck. We’re back to Crosspointe. The night’s wanted to experiment with emcee for the evening will be looking forward to next month guests included David Wall, the audience to see if they Fran Flynn. —Dennis Pimenta when the spirits of Halloween Jacob Cotton, and Greg Cotton. could read the mind of another The Magic Barn 175R Main invade our assembly. Following these opening ac- spectator. Derrel Allen stepped Street in Ashland, Ma. Contact —Karen Gibson tivities, Dal Sanders took the up to be the volunteer, and was Dennis Pimenta pimentad1@ Dr. I.R. Calkins Assembly 17 stage to lead a broken wand asked to choose a postcard from aol.com (508) 883-3575 http:// meets the first Friday of every ceremony in honor of three a stack, representing a city. The sam16.com/ for more details. month at 7 pm at Pinsonnault club members, each past presi- rest of the stack was handed Moto-X-Equipment, 69 East dents of the Dallas Magic out to the crowd, and multiple Street, Ludlow, MA Contact Clubs, who have recently people also selected a postcard, 17 Rich Gilbert rgilbertmagic@ passed away – Bob Karlebach, remembered the location, Fall Potpourri yahoo.com (413) 210-5725 Gene Davis, and John Gladfel- and handed the cards back. www.assembly17org for more ter. Dal was assisted by Mike Brian went through the crowd, Springfield, MA— It is the details. Smith and Frank Seltzer, each reading the selected cities from start of a new season of magic breaking one wand in honor of the crowd’s thoughts. After and everyone was ready to show these fine magicians. doing this multiple times, Brian off their new stuff. Joe Bednar 21 After a break, the performing asked the crowd to concentrate decide to do his opening act of Number Nine began. First up was David Wall, on Derrel’s city and asked the Dai Vernon’s Twisting the Aces performing a Linking Rings crowd to call out as a group by making the spectator do the Hartford, CT— The theme routine in his pirate persona, the name of the location. A magic. Bob Carrol used our for tonight was the number with assistance from Cinde resounding “Paris” was called dean, Tom Gentile, to be his Nine, since September is the Sanders and Frank Seltzer. out by the crowd, which turned life-size puppet. He had him ninth month. Theme host Dana Ted Gillam displayed a pack out to be Derrel’s selection. singing and dancing and had us Ring led off by performing of cards that had the names The Dallas Magic Clubs meet roaring with laughter. Bob kept Emerson & West’s Six Mix, of celebrities. After asking a at Crosspointe Community us laughing with Bank Night. in which a spectator, from a spectator to eliminate cards Center/Theater 166 on the 3rd Of course, he ended up with packet of sixes, is able to find until he arrived at a selection Tuesday of the month at 7:00 all the money in his envelope. the only nine. Rick St. Pierre (Julia Roberts), Ted opened PM (see www.dallasmagic.org Next, Peter Liennes took the then brought up Barbara Scully an envelope to show a picture for directions). Contact Reade spotlight using his psychic to separate some cards into of a baby Julia. Aware that the Quinton reade.quinton@ skills. He did a nice mind-read- red/black piles without looking spectators were skeptical, Ted gmail.com (972) 400-0195 ing card routine and then took at the faces. Thanks to Rick’s unfolded the picture to show an www.dallasmagic.org for more out a bag filled with quarters. magic, Barbara was able to get adult Julia on the opposite side. details. We wrote our name on one, them exactly right.

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 13 Assembly News

duced the Magic from M-U-M all about pocket magic. Roger routine using the new Ultimate show. Mike, as always, provided opened the show with a great Chop Cup from Bill’s company, witty and very funny intro- Any Card at Any Number Wellington Enterprises. Three ductions for each performer. routine. Ken Marcinowski different colored balls repeat- Opening the show was Henry showed the value of Buddha edly jumped around until Springer with You Two-Faced Papers. Michael “Ace” Russo two baseball-size solid balls Mother FIRPer (April 2012), shared a tossed-out deck appeared. Good stuff. Metal Mint (June 2011), and a routine. Mathew Bixby dem- Your reporter, Del Dixon, did nice coin manipulation routine onstrated a card prediction. some bar bets, including dollar Rick St. Pierre does an out-of-this-world trick using the Stone Drop (January Pete Beeble amazed with coin bill bets and Howard Schwarz- 2012). John Richmond used magic. Dave McDonald shared man’s Un-Cup-led. Sean Burke the Jumbo Three Card Monte a card printing routine. Steve showed his new acquisition, Soll Levine passed out copies Routine (February 2012) for a Brengage performed a card a version of Midas Cups with of instructions for two mathe- nicely presented and entertain- to pocket routine. Great fun! four coins and two metal cups. matical routines. By following ing effect. Assembly 24 meets on the Sean was looking for some the instructions, no matter The third performer was second Tuesday of each month input. He got some. Veep Bob what number was chosen to John Engman who did a nice at 7:30 p.m. at the SW Pitts Delaney did a poker chips pre- start off, the ending number coins across effect, Coins to Hose Co. of Latham, 26 Old diction known as Dunes Day matched a prediction. Glass (July 2012). Bill Pearce Loudon Rd, Latham, NY. Prophecy. It was well received. Dan Sclare had a deck and performed In the Hands Wild Jay Gorham Assembly 24 John Henderson showed a prediction in a packet. A Card (June 2012) using large meets 2nd Tuesday at the SW us how he could memorize number was called out and the red and black spots on card Pitts Hose Company, Latham a shuffled deck. He had Bill card at that position in the deck faces for added visual effect. NY at 7:30pm, www.sam24. Schmeelk shuffle the deck matched the prediction. Jason Our secretary, P.N.P Ed org. and remove up to five cards Abate had a packet of cards Thomas, performed Bermuda and John revealed them each (they were the four Nines). A Triangle (August 2002), a 25 time. John explained the com- particular Nine was chosen and trick that he had contributed Gambling and Dice plicated set up for us. Then that Nine proved to be unique to M-U-M. It was an interest- it was encore time for Vice- in the packet. Of course, Jason ing story and a unique vanish Elmwood Park, NJ— Our president Bob Delaney. He did then showed that each of the of a silk. Steve Jennings did theme was things pertaining a really smooth routine with a Nines was unique in some way some mental magic with Keno to gambling. First, member twenty-four-inch silk and an or other. —Dana T. Ring Prediction (June 2003) and A Ron Wohl showed some inter- appearing, vanishing, and re- Assembly 21 meets at 289 Grave Decision (March 1975). esting books from his library, appearing candle. Bob thor- South Main Street, West Closing the show was Doug including Gibeciere from oughly explained the routine, Hartford CT 06107. Contact Slater, a frequent Magic Castle the Conjuring Arts Research which is always appreciated by Dana T. Ring dana@danaring. performer, presenting Torn & Center. Another was Hubert’s the members. com (860) 5239888 ctmagic. Restrawed (September 2012), Freaks, a history of New York It’s never a gamble seeing org for more details. Straw Through Straw (May City’s Hubert’s Museum, by some good magic at our 2012), and Really Fit for Kings Gregory Gibson, from Mariner meetings, and the odds are (March 2007). Books, and a few others. good you’ll come away with 22 This is an annual event President Phil Schwartz some new usable ideas. You THE MAGIC OF M-U-M for Assembly 22, and with started things rolling with lots can bet on it! Join us if you can. a trophy awarded during of dice. One was Dice-sation, —Del Dixon Los Angeles, CA— Magic the June banquet for the a coincidence effect. Then Assembly 25 meets on the from the pages of M-U-M was best performance of Magic Phil had Earl Hicks come up third Friday of each month the September 7, 2012, program from M-U-M, it’s competi- and gamble on finding a one- at the VFW Hall, Veterans for the Southern California tive. These programs always hundred-dollar bill hidden Place, Elmwood Park, NJ. Assembly. Before launching demonstrate the amount of under one of six cups. Earl Contact Phil Schwartz into the performance of magic, good magic available from chose five cups by rolling a die, [email protected] assembly president Jim Callen our monthly magazine. leaving one cup for Phil. Guess www.livemagicguide.com/ opened the meeting, as always, —Steven Jennings who won? (If you’re going to sam25 for more details. with a few jokes and then Southern California Assembly gamble with Phil, better bring informed everyone about the 22 meets the third Monday your own dice!) S.A.M. Hall of Fame & Magic each month at 8:00 P.M., St. Tony Gerbio tested us with 26 Museum grand reopening at the Thomas Moore, 2510 South Scotch and Soda. He won! He So Much Magic Whittier Museum the previous Fremont Avenue, Alhambra, then showed us how to push a day. There was a lot of interest California Contact Ed Thomas selected coin through a sheet Providence, RI— What in this as the collection has [email protected] of rubber stretched over a a great season of magic in been unavailable for enjoyment (213) 382 8504 for more details. glass. ‘Dam’ good trick, Tony. Rhode Island! Russ DeSimone the past few years. P.N.P. Ed Gene Nebel showed us card assembled a great banquet, Thomas was then called to stacking and bottom dealing. with a fantastic buffet and per- conduct first readings for pro- 24 After dealing the cards slowly formances by Fran Flynn, Matt spective new members Roy Magical Summer in and getting the four Kings, he the Knife, and Jim Spinnato. Ball, Harrison Lampert, Greg Latham said he’d do it again at faster Fran’s performance was family Quioan, and John Jacobson. speed, and this time he got the friendly, getting all the kids With the business meeting Latham, NY— This summer four Aces! Every other player involved, while Matt tossed in concluded, Michael Perovich, was a fun time for Assembly had four of a kind. Don’t play a bundle of over-their-heads who produced the program and 24. We had our annual flea cards with Gene! humor. Jim closed the show also served as emcee, intro- market in August. July was John Mintz did a Chop Cup with his over-the-top antics,

14 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 Assembly News getting some help from Nick look at it, put it back in the switches. from their own studies and and Ian Miller. There were deck, and then send their brain- It was a fun evening routines. Frank then showed plenty of prizes raffled off, waves to the next person, who combining magic perfor- us an amazing routine using a both magical and civilian. Dan picked a card and put it back in mance and magic education. diabolical gimmick. Thanks to Cipolla was lucky enough to the deck and then send brain- —Dale Benson everyone who contributed to win the Super Giant Raffle, waves to the third person. It Assembly 31 meets the first a fabulous evening of magic. filling his house with lots of was only after the third person Monday of the month at —Craig Kunaschk new magic. picked the card that Aaron, 7:00 pm. If the first Monday Al Baker Assembly No. 35 The club also held its annual using his psychic powers, conflicts with a holiday (usually) meets at 7:30 p.m. magic contest, with Larry, revealed the name of the card weekend, we postpone on the second Tuesday of the Russ, and Tony judging the that each of them had picked. the meeting by one week. month at the Milanese Italian contestants. Tony’s award Taylor Martin did Paul Harris’s Unless otherwise announced Restaurant, 115 Main Street, plaques were beautiful, all Free Flight, which involved the meeting location is the Poughkeepsie, NY. Contact hand-made and featuring a four coins, his Okito Box, the Irvington United Methodist www.compumagic.com/sam35 detachable wand. Dave Hill, coins disappearing through Church, 30 Audubon road on for more details. Jeff Smith, and Cameron his hands (Taylor’s original the east side of the city. See Ramsay took first, second, idea), and finally turning up our website for details. Contact and third prizes, respectively. under a card. As a part of the Steve Spence sspence@ 37 Dan Cipolla won the People’s finale, the Okito box also ended mediationalternative.com (317) June is Kid-abra! Choice award, owing some up going through his hands. 507-4534 www.sam31.com for credit to his comical assistant Mike Root did a Halloween- more details. Denver, CO— The month of Shelby. Other contestants themed version of Will the June was a perfect opportunity were Ed Hill, Andrew Cipolla, Cards Match, which one of the to have our membership invite Richard Kornacki, and Tom audience members suggested 35 the kids in their lives to enjoy Holmes. should be called Will the Ghoul RINGS ON OUR FINGERS an evening of Kid-ab-bra style Rhode Island also hosted the Match. Bill Coffee then topped AND STRINGS ON OUR magic. We had a wonderful S.Y.M. Weekend of Wonder off the magic with what on the TOES large turnout of kids, grand- in August. This was a great surface started out to be a mind kids, and neighbor kids. It was time for kids and adults alike, reading trick, then appeared to Poughkeepsie, NY— After kids galore! with lessons, ice cream, and be messed up, but ultimately the summer break, our year of- Amazing Dave Elstun started even a magic show. Thanks was brilliantly salvaged. ficially started by welcoming out the fun evening with his to all of the volunteers who Terry Morgan as our new vice cat’s toy that became magic donated their time and talents. president. The business portion when he used the ancient —Chris Natale of our meeting discussed how wizard’s advice. “Young Magic Assembly 26 meets first magic can passed along in un- Mike” impressed the young Tuesday each month from expected ways, such as Lew audience members, especially September to June at 7 pm. Neporent’s magic collection the eight grandchildren of our American Legion Auburn Post inspiring future generations former editor John Davis. It 20, 7 Legion Way, Cranston. of magicians in a variety of was a special evening for the RI. locations, even though Lew is Davis cousins as they were all now gone. We continued the awaiting the return of military 31 meeting in an interesting new fathers from their deployment New Beginnings way via Skype with RVP Eric in Afghanistan. To celebrate, DeCamps. Eric updated us on Mike transformed himself Indianapolis, IN— The a few items happening with the into the legendary Spider- theme for the August 6, national organization. After- Man. Local performer Lewis 2012, meeting of the Harry wards Eric showed us a great Peacock delighted the children Riser Assembly was “new Aaron Kalinowski Ring on Ribbon routine to tie to a good breakfast with his beginnings.” The idea was and the holy grail in with our September theme box of Trix that was really a to showcase tricks that each of Rope, Ring, and String box of tricks. magician had recently begun The new educational format magic. It’s amazing how tech- What would kid’s night be working on. Considering that involves a member teaching nology can bring us all closer without one kid performer? they were new beginnings, a bit of magic found in one together. Steve Johnson kept S.Y.M. member A.J. Perera the tricks were extremely well of the classic books of magic. the magic going with a ring and did a strong routine to music performed. It was also the first This evening it was The New silk routine which very cleverly and then continued to teach all evening for our new education- Modern Coin Magic, which is used a reel. Terry Morgan the other kids how to do some al format, which was also well the 1966 revised version of J. performed a routine taught to magic for themselves. Folding received. B. Bobo’s classic, Modern Coin him by George Sands, one of a banana is always a good idea Here is a quick review of the Magic published in 1952 for the his mentors. He also presented when just learning. Did I just “new beginnings” that were express purpose of “reestab- routines from Mark Wilson and say “banana”? I meant to say enjoyed by the members. lishing coin magic as a popular Pavel. Ed Fitchett showed us a “bandana.” All-around magic Jim Croop went first with branch of conjuring.” President number of wonderful things pro Gene Gordon showed us his version of Alex Linian’s Steve Spence shared inter- developed over his many years his softer side with a little Puncture 2.0, in which a black esting historical notes. Steve of performing. Frank Monaco kid-style magic that came from Bic pen went through a quarter. then taught the group several and Derrin Berger ran through his bag of tricks and the help of Aaron Kalinowski followed classic coin moves, including a number of subtleties for the one of the Housely boys. with Psypher and the Holy the classic palm, the thumb and Professor’s Nightmare. Several Karen Wake provided an Grail. Aaron had three specta- finger palm, the back finger members, like Joel Zaritsky, array of fabulous kid tempting tors, one at a time, pick a card, clip, and the Bobo and utility added interesting nuances refreshments. And then she and

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 15 Assembly News

at-Arms, and a unanimous Cube finale. Barbara Pfeifer I reach her age, and I’m no vote of the members present explained how her brownies spring chicken. confirmed his appointment to vanished. John Love performed Up next for our September that position. Thanks, Don. a Scotch & Soda routine in meeting will be Teach-a-Trick, Tonight’s suggested theme which he made a bet for a a recurring club activity in was Rope Magic, and starting date with Pamela Edwards. which nine magicians select off the performances was John then did an American one trick to teach to the club. Doug Gorman, who did a Flag Blendo and Blank Card Running simultaneously in card trick! He performed The routine. Dave Davis showed the background during this Color Changing Queens and us “The Mystery of the Red multi-magi lecture will be a new trick that he purchased Hanky!!!” along with some magician and photographer at the Houston TAOM titled Rubber Band Magic. Joanne, Glen Bledsoe taking publicity The Wakes spell bound Exact. Ray Adams did The our newest member, did a very photographs for those who Cherish Awakening by Dan Harlen, clever Vanishing Coat Hanger and Michael Tallon did the card effect. Mike Herrick performed her husband Jeff Wake donned effect Now Look Here by Chad a Selected Card Folded in their cowboy hats and had a Long. Geoffrey Sadowsky Box effect, along with a coin hysterical show down at the performed a very visual and vanish. Scott Miller closed out magic corral with their magic amazing effect he called Salt of the performance portion of our wands. Then Karen showed us the Earth. John Murphy did the meeting with his Three Card some impressive sleight of hand rope effect Rope-In and then Monte routine. We had a great and fooled Cherish Nalepa with conducted a teaching table on evening of magic and fun was some fast draws. Cherish is Rope Magic. He taught the had by all. —Matthew David Past President Connie Elstun’s Chinese Guillotine, Aldo Co- Stanley granddaughter. Connie then lombini’s Rope Puzzle, and a Assembly 56 meets at various had her grandson Chase come Simplicity Over-Handed Knot. locations contact Barbara up and help her treat the kids Many thanks to John for a fun Pfeifer [email protected] to a special dish of fried beanie and interesting teaching table. for more details. baby and some disappearing Brother John Hamman candy. Fortunately, the candy Assembly 52 meets at 7:30 p.m. Chef Michael Roth reappeared and the audience on the first Thursday of the 59 enjoys a burger gathered it all up. month at La Madeleine Restau- The Magic Picnic To close the night President rant, located at 722 N.W. Loop desire it. For a small fee he Chad Wonder played a little 410. The restaurant is inside Portland, OR— It was an will Photoshop-away wrinkles, Run Big Bad Wolf Run with the Loop 410 on the access road informal occasion hosted by remove double chins, restore kids and then choose Cherish between Blanco Rd. and San Vice President John Kaleta receding hairlines and put an to come back up to a secret Pedro. For more information, filled with laughter and indelible smile on your face special delight. He placed her contact [email protected]. chicanery. There was more and a twinkle in your eye. No on a balanced board between food than anybody could eat, charge for color, friends. Don’t two chairs as he commenced and not a Jell-o mold in the forget your top hat, your wand, to have her float in air when 56 mix, which I take as a sign and your rabbit, but please the board was removed. It is September Meeting of the perfect picnic. I didn’t leave your flash paper at home. always a pleasure to bring joy notice any ants, and it didn’t You won’t want to miss this. to a child.—Connie Elstun Dayton, OH— Our September threaten to rain. We weren’t Promoters sort the amateurs Assembly 37 meeets at the meeting was held at the home ravaged by mosquitoes and the from the pros just by looking at Riverpointe Senior Center in of Matthew David Stanley temperature was fair. your publicity photos. Littleton Colorado Contact and was well attended. After Folks hadn’t seen each other And now the fall lies before Chad Wonder chad@ the business meeting we took all summer and smiles creased us. It will be howling winds and Idomagic.com (303) 933-4118 a break for refreshments. their faces as they greeted Halloween before you know it www.milehighmagicians.com Then came the magic perfor- one another with cries of “Yo! and, of course, National Magic for more details. mance portion of the evening. Compeer!” More than one Week. —Glen L. Bledsoe Our theme of “Your Favorite magician huddled with a small Assembly 59 meets on the 4th Vanish” was brought to us circle of comrades to share the Wednesday of every month 52 by Craig Morgan. Craig was latest sleight learned over the (except July-August) at The ROPE MAGIC unable to make the meeting, summer. Beaverton Elks, 3500 SW but Scott Miller hosted in his We paused our eating and 104th, Beaverton, Oregon SAN ANTONIO, TX— absence. Our first performer gabbing only for a brief 97005. Contact Glen L. Bledsoe September 6, 2012, Brother was Fred Witwer, showing us a gift exchange. Master chef, [email protected] (503) John Hamman Assembly 52 Comedy Vanishing and Reap- magician, and Northwest RVP 581-2795 www.sam59portland. held its monthly meeting at pearing Silk in a Tube followed Michael Roth spent most of the org/ for more details. LaMadeleine Restaurant. by a Drawer Box effect. After time bent over the grill making Secretary/Treasurer Doug Fred, Millie Witwer performed sure that our hamburgers were Gorman called the meeting a Hippity-Hop Rabbits style not pink on the inside and that 61 to order. Due to schedul- effect with ropes in place of our hotdogs were never burnt. Magic swap meet ing conflicts, President Paul the rabbits – sucker ending We also paused to celebrate Amerson and Vice President included. Millie was followed the birthday of Betty Gallucci, Milwaukee, WI— August was John Dahlinger could not attend by Paul Burnham perform- whose age I will never reveal, our annual swap meet. We had the meeting. Don Moravits vol- ing a clever Cube to Golf Ball but let’s just say I hope I’m many members and friends of unteered to be our Sergeant- effect with a Color Changing going as strong when (and if) the magic community show up

16 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 Assembly News to buy, sell and trade magic. the national website and handed them to volunteers. There were so many simple, Assembly 61 meet the 3rd insurance for performers. As a He was able to play a song by imaginative tips and things Wednesday of each month at surprise, Eric appointed former organizing the volunteers and that Fielding West talked about 7:00 PM at Dicken’s Grille, president of The Mystics Steve pointing to each one to tap and showed us, I believe he 9646 W. Greenfield Avenue, Rodman to be his deputy to their tube with the spoon. It could have gone on for hours. West Allis, WI 53214. Contact help out with magical happen- was amazing and completely Unfortunately for us he was sam61milwaukee@yahoo. ings throughout Long Island. unexpected. only there for about two hours. com https://www.facebook. President John Lepre intro- Keith was very entertaining, Great lecture, great comedy com/groups/464281890433/ for duced our first lecturer of the and I recommend that you see magic – I’d recommend seeing more details. season. We were so glad to him. Fielding West if you get the have David Corsaro all the way Assembly 82 meets the third chance! —Randy A. Smith from New Jersey. Upon com- Thursday of the month at the Hank Moorehouse Assembly 63 pletion of his lock solid effect Sheriff’s Youth Ranch in Safety 88 meets the second Wednesday “Chopped” Magic Mad about You, which revolved Harbor Florida. The members 7PM Faith Lutheran Church, Challenge around his lovely wife Lauren, only close up class begins 1255 East Forest Ave, Ypsilanti, he opened a PowerPoint pre- at 6:30 PM and the meeting Michigan. Contact Randy A. New London / Norwich, sentation, which made his begins at 7:30 PM. Contact Smith randy.remarkable@ CT— The Dick Roy – Al thoughts easy to follow. Lots Chris Ostrowski cmmagic@ gmail.com (313) 562-3875 Stefanick New London Society of his pieces were showcased, verizon.net (727) 8477837 for www.aamagic.org for more of Magicians welcomed a including Mallrats, Baby Gag more details. details. challenge from our own Ray with a really strong punch Haddad in September, as the finish, and more that were met group was split into teams with enthusiasm. Quick Tips 88 92 and given virtual grab bags of had platform and stage tips AAMC September Money Magic things from which to create about simple things magicians Meeting/Fielding magic. In thirty minutes each take for granted. All about You West Lecture Reading, PA— The meeting team came up with many ideas, got us to listen about listening was called to order by President from a mind-reading skeleton, to our audience. The second Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti, MI— Ryan Adamowicz and a to various bill changes, to half started with the gift of Fielding West was our lecturer moment of silence was held. vanishing paper bags. A great kisses by his card trick, BACI. for September, probably one Present were members Tony night was had by all, and His slice of Marketing for Res- of the best comedy magicians Bialy, Bob Remaly, Michael lessons were learned about taurants was very filling! Next around! Fielding was very Reist, Dan Munsell, and Ryan creating magic with everyday month, one of our time-tested entertaining and informative Adamowicz. A moment of objects. —Peter A. Crizer themes, Classic Book Night, about comedy magic, past and silence was held and the trea- S.A.M. Assembly 63 meets with effects so old, they’re new. present. You don’t have to have surer’s report was given. the second Tuesday of each Until then, see you at the diner. big expensive props as long as After the treasurer’s report, month in a private residence —Lou Johnson you can keep your audience there was a brief report on the in Norwich, CT, at 7:00 L.I. Mystics Assembly #77 laughing. He was planning on status of the Kutztown Conven- PM Contact Peter A. Crizer meets at 7:30PM on the second showing us his routine with a tion. There was very little in [email protected] (860) Monday of the month at The live dove, but our member who the way of old or new business 460-7790 magicsam63.com for Community United Methodist was to bring one couldn’t make The theme picked for October more details. Church. Contact Lou Johnson it that night. So Fielding did is “Spooky or Eerie Magic.” [email protected] (516) his “dove” performance with a Some Good and Welfare items 599-2612 www.limystics.org. Coke bottle instead; it was still were also shared, including the 77 for more details. a great trick! He makes and David Ginn Workshop being Turning Tricks with sells a dove harness that works held on Saturday, Sept. 29th The Mystics quite well with about anything. being sponsored by Rev. Mike. 82 He does a hilarious routine After a five-minute recess, it Long Island, NY— The Keith Fields lecture with a “spray paint” can that he was on to magic. Mystics started off our 2012-13 September 2012 sprays on the back of his head This month’s theme was season with a renovated space to look like real hair (from “Money Magic.” Dan Munsell and a hearty pat on the back Safety Harbor, FL— Keith the Top Cover spray-on hair). opened with a type of bar-bet given to newly elected RVP Fields did a wonderful job. He prediction proving that Mitt Eric DeCamps. DeCamps taught us how to turn almost Romney played quarterback spoke highly of the SAM’s any disposable cup into a Chop in the NFL. He then did a nice new improvements to both Cup. He also had someone card prediction effect. Todd choose a random page number Kent took a dollar bill, had it from a book, and then someone signed, and then burned it. He else said what their favorite then produced a lemon from Chinese takeout item was. He his shoe. He showed the lemon then produced a Chinese menu completely, cutting it open and that had the selected food next finding the signed bill inside. to the chosen number. Todd then also did a very nice My favorite part of the card clock type of effect. evening was when he Rev. Mike followed and did performed the “human a Bills Across routine with xylophone.” He dumped a bag the help of Tony B and Ryan Steve Rodman with Eric full of metal tubes and wooden A. Tony Bialy followed with DeCamps spoons on the stage. Then he Fielding West a nice effect called Touché by

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 17 Assembly News

Steve Duchek. As usual our into a detailed explanation of which pasteboards became a [email protected] (339) magic was closed out by Bob his magic squares methodol- “magician” and “dancing girls” 227-0797 www.sam104.com Remaly who did a nice Six ogy. Guest Matthew Jones and the card box emerged as for more details. Card Repeat routine followed demonstrated a card-dealing the “Box of Death.” Visiting by a “One Dollar Please” 3 sequence exercise known as magician Kayla Drescher 108 Card Monte. After the meeting Level 7 by Richard Turner, assisted. Taking a break from Busy Summer several adjourned to a local saying that he has been suc- cards, Tim Levesque dem- diner for more magic and fel- cessful doing Level 11; onstrated how proficient his Somerset, PA— It was a busy lowship. —Michael L. Reist Matthew also performed a coin work has become with a summer for the Somerset Assembly 92 Meets at the dealing effect on the premise display of his latest routine with S.A.M. and S.Y.M. assemblies. Mingus Magic Shop, 528 that he memorized the order half dollars. Kayla Drescher The annual family picnic was Lancaster Ave. Reading, PA of the entire deck. Anthony followed and, with Blake well attended and the show 19611 on the 3rd Monday of the Young caused a normal-sized Barr’s assistance, performed a was emceed by Dody-Jane Month at 7:00 PM. card case to shrink to a mini few nice routines with rubber Svetahor in the absence of our case. Shawn Farquhar closed bands, including a startling one president Gary Weimer. A lot the evening with his presenta- of good food vanished during 95 tion of the Hopping Halves. the day. S.Y.M. member Addie Game & Puzzle Magic —Rod Chow Best did a knife-throwing act The Carl Hemeon Assembly with Dan Miller as the guinea Vancouver, Canada— The No. 95 meets the first Tuesday pig. Aaron Trulick did Hippity- September 2012 meeting was of each month at members’ Hop Rabbits for the first time. held at the home of Lon and homes. Contact Rod Chow John Bammen did a card trick Linda Mandrake. As people [email protected] (604) with Olivia Miller, ending enjoyed the great snacks 669-7777 www.SAM95.com with a flower production. Dan and excellent coffee by the for more details. Miller, Dody-Jane Svetahor, Mandrakes, Ray Roch, who had Louis Paul, and Derrick Robey to leave early, walked around finished their run at the Yogi Evan Buso-Jarnis prepares for leaving people puzzled on how 104 a cheesy revelation Bear/Jellystone campground a loop could be removed from a The big kids’ show in Mill Run, Pa. We had good horseshoe shaped chain. and tell night receptive crowds throughout Dennis Hewson began the in which a band suddenly dis- the summer. after-snack performances with Salem, MA— Len Lazar began appeared from two in the hand. The group of Gary Weimer, a puzzling lightning addition a new season of the Bill Towne Steve “Doc” Rogers skirted Dan Miller, Dody-Jane demonstration with five School of Magic sessions on a topicality by borrowing a Svetahor, Louis Paul, Derrick special dice with three random high note with a well-attended credit card from Eddie Gardner Robey, and newest member numbers printed on each side. card class titled “The Face is and tearing it to bits. To Eddie’s Mike Hruska performed at Lon Mandrake was up next Familiar.” The October class relief, the plastic did return the Venue of Merging Arts in with a bingo prediction effect will move to rubber ball magic, safely from the confines of a Johnstown, Pa. with the place in which five bingo balls were exploring the Classic Three wallet after a brief half-life as packed. The audience was chosen at random, and they Ball techniques of Scarne, a hundred dollar bill. Cards one of the best we have ever happened to be the winning Vernon, and other notables. of the poker variety returned had. The club also performed numbers on a randomly Plans for our annual SAMCON in the hands of Mike “Duct a benefit show in September chosen bingo card. Rod Chow continue to gel, with Danny Tape” Milan, who offered a for the Bedford Co. Special followed up with his bingo Hustle having stepped up to the few “sucker” moments in a Olympics. Again we enjoyed routine using bingo number plate as our newly announced selected card’s journey before performing together at this playing cards; he played a emcee. The exciting line-up he revealed the cards were in benefit for another enthusias- mind-reading game that ended for our eleventh-annual con- control again and the selection tic audience. We all have been with Shawn Farquhar getting vention on November 3 will be was in hand. busy with our own individual the winning combination to Levent, Scott Alexander, and Having prepared for his shows in the local area as well. win a million dollar bill. Juan Norm Barnhart. “impromptu” closer during I believe we are one of the most Garcia performed a puzzling Fortified by the goodies con- all of the above, Evan Buso- welcoming assemblies; guests rope routine. tributed for the night by Debbie Jarnis discovered a Baby Bell are always welcome to our Steve Dickson showed us O’Carroll, Member Perform- cheese within an orange, only meetings. —Dan Miller some bar-bet games with ing and Sharing Night began to finally unfold a selected card The James Swoger Assembly matchsticks. Henry Tom went with Jay Fraser controlling inside the cheese. It was a long 108 meets at Wheeler Brothers the “chaos” of a shuffled deck way to go, but a very funny in Somerset, Pa. at 6:00 PM in volunteer Eddie Gardner’s wrap for a perfect first evening for SYM and 7:00PM for the hands. To Eddie’s delight, the of the season at Assembly 104. SAM Contact Dan Miller trick worked beautifully and —Bob Forrest millermagic@centurylink. may one day be applied to the Information on SAMCON and net (814) 733-4978 for more chaos at Ed’s desk at Diamond’s Witch City Assembly 104 can details. Magic. Vince DeAngelis be found at the website. S.A.M. followed with an effective pre- 104 meets the first Wednesday 110 sentation of Vietnam, the card of each month, September- Eddie Clever Contest trick he shared earlier this year June, 7 p.m., at the First Baptist at S.Y.M. 124. Church of Salem, 292 Lafayette New Cumberland, PA— Dennis Hewson with his Jim Loscutoff performed Street, Salem Massachusetts. There were two events after the Lightning Addition dice. a tour-de-force card trick in Contact Bob Forrest captain- September meeting. First was

18 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 Assembly News the annual Eddie Clever contest The kindergarten thru grade pressive. He finished off with details. in which the contestants must two kids like: Sponge Bunnies, a routine that used a small perform an effect from a past Magic Coloring Book, Hank portable refrigerator (which 118 Linking Ring “Parade.” Eddie in thumb tip, Dove Pan, and looked suspiciously like an egg Magic in New Clever was a member of Ring a Gung Ho or other box pro- bag). Hampshire 20, Harrisburg, PA, and editor duction of colorful silks or a Next, Rod McFadden of the “Parade” for many years. stuffed or live animal. performed a number predic- Nashu, NH— Assembly 118 Frank Bianco was the first The grades 3 thru 6 kids can tion and finished off with an continues to keep busy per- performer doing a Michael handle an easy rapid addition amusing prediction of the total forming for local charities and Skinner coins through table test, a Presidents game, the from several items chosen community events. Members routine described by Jim Kennedy Card Box, and from Chinese restaurant menus of the Assembly will be per- Mullens in the August 2009 The Treasure Hunt Game that had been handed out to forming at the Southern New “Parade.” The silver half employing multiple colored audience members. Hampshire Expo on October dollars just seemed to melt boxes and bags. Finally, Douglass the Magic 18. We are booked to give our through the black close-up mat. The 7th thru 9th graders ap- Man (aka Doug Kovacich) annual performance at the Joe Noll did “Book Test” preciate Mental Epic, Book vanished a silk inside an egg, Nashua Library on November by Father Mervyn Jennings Tests, the Presidents Game, which he revealed to be a 24 as part of the Nashua Holiday from the January 2009 British Kennedy Card Box, Treasure wooden egg with a hole in Stroll. And our annual per- Ring “Parade.” He found a Hunt, and the more sophisticat- it. Not too impressive until formance to help Merrimack single word determined by ed effects provided they do not the wooden egg turned into a Crimeline has been booked a randomly chosen number, take too long to develop and real egg, which Doug cracked employing nine paper-back they seem truly magical. open to let its slimy contents books. Rod Ries regaled us Joe Homecheck, Assembly 110 (none of which was a silk) slide with a Monkey Bar and Blue meets the second Thursday into a wine glass. He also ex- at 7:00pm at Doc Holiday’s perimented with a large guil- Restaurant, Limekiln Road, lotine in a comedy routine, New Cumberland, PA Email: which luckily did not end with [email protected] the actual decapitation of an audience member. That whole routine was very funny. 112 The judges voted Fred Nelson Stage Contest as the amateur winner and Zappo the professional winner. Lady BlackSword (Kathy Caulfield) and Baxter at the Concord, CA— With the Congratulations to the winners Nashua Fairy Tale Festival annual stage competition as and thanks to the judges. its theme, our August meeting At that point, Jerry Barril- packed the room with a very leaux presented two Tricks of for April 13 of next year. At large turnout. The first (and the Month for the price of one. our September meeting, Glenn only) contestant in the amateur The first, suitable for all ages, Riel led a workshop on making category was Fred Nelson, who consisted of blowing bubbles card gaffs. Rod Reis performed a smooth version of and grabbing one of them that Assembly 118 meets on the the Chinese Linking Rings. turned out to be a solid, hard, third Wednesday of each Monkey House, which he took The first of three contestants clear sphere. The second, for month at 7:00 p.m. at the from a Jim Green effect in in the professional category those old enough to handle Nashua Church of Christ, 97 the March 2012 “Parade.” It was Zappo (aka Larry Wright). sharp blades, had Jerry insert Farley Rd., Nashua, NH. Our turned out that the monkey was Showcasing his ability to work a sharp hunting knife into venue rotates, so contact us “packin’” a water pistol. with kids, he first worked with an inflated sausage balloon first. Contact Robert Granville Al Bienstock went all the three small assistants before without popping it. As usual [email protected] (603) way back to January 1951 for having one of them pull a rabbit for Trick of the Month, both 505 8749 http://sam118.com for a Jerry Rinstadt detective card out of a top hat. Well, actually effects were explained. more details. effect titled Pardon Me, Your it was a foulard with a picture The last bit of magic for the Whorl’s Showing. This one of a rabbit printed on it that evening was an off-theme employed a pocket mirror and his assistant pulled out of the effect by Ric Ewing. It was 120 fingerprint dusting powder. hat, but it was still pretty im- a stunning one in which a Get-Together The non-performing members necklace vanished in the bare present voted Frank Bianco the hands of a female audience Champaign, IL— In our winner, followed by JoeNoll, member and reappeared back August meeting, we discussed Rod Ries, and Al Bienstock in on a necklace display stand. our Get-Together coming up that order. —Dave Anderson next May and some of the Al Bienstock provided a short Diablo Assembly #112 meets talent we have already booked. workshop on school shows and on the third Wednesday of We also heard of people’s ex- what effects might be suitable every month at the Round periences in Las Vegas. Appar- for doing a short stint in a Table Pizza in Concord. ently, they had a Get-Together classroom or small meeting Contact Doug Kovacich dou- down there too. It sounds like area. Al broke the effects into glassthemagicman@hotmail. it was fun enough to give us a groupings by class designa- Zappo instructing a young comdouglassthemagicman@ run for our money, so I am glad tions that separate the kids by assistant how to produce a hotmail.com (925) 435-4824 we didn’t have to compete with age: K-2, 3-6, and 7-9. rabbit from the silk hat http://sam112.com/ for more it. —Ken Barham

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 19 Assembly News

Assembly 120, Andy Dallas 2012 convention by several org or for more informa- Assembly meets the 3rd members who had attended. tion. Contact Libby Sharpe Wed. 7pm, (except Nov. and Rich Burcher recognized Ash FortWorthMagiciansClub@ Dec.) For location call Jim Adams for his service as the hotmail.com Percy at 217-494-2222 or current club president and Ken Barham Sec, 2318 Win- guest Bruce Caldwell was rec- chester Dr, Champaign, IL ognized. 150 61821. 217-841-5616 email: The club’s tradition of a HOW TO BRING [email protected] monthly performance of a MEMBERS OUT member selected by the passing of a totem was delivered this Fort Myers, FL— Vultures. The Amazing Kenny performs 136 for Art Trillo month by Doug Wilson who Yes, vultures circling, circling, Strange Meeting performed a surprising and with their beady eyes fixed on was Fun! and parlor competition lovely matching-deck-in- a prize below. What? What an scheduled for next month, and wineglass effect followed by a odd way to begin a report on the Tucson, AZ— Thanks to we were told that Randy Atha mind-reading effect. September FMMA meeting! the Labor Day weekend, our would make an appearance and After Doug’s performance But that was the scene that meeting was postponed by enlighten us about the contests, there was a trivia contest, came to mind when members one week, which ended up but he never appeared, so the which led to a discussion about stepped through the doorway with a very minor glitch in our questions went unanswered. the life and works of Robert of the meeting room and saw normally sedate meetings. This A motion was made, Houdin and the theme for the four big cardboard cartons month, our normal meeting seconded, voted upon, and September meeting, “Old for lined up on a table just inside. room was being used by a carried that the assembly will New,” or how old effects can be And in the boxes – dozens band, so we held our meeting provide a $50 award for the updated for modern audiences. upon dozens of videocassettes, in the bar area...sometimes the winner of the close-up compe- Michael Stein then demon- lecture notes, pamphlets, and music was perfect; other times tition and also for the winner of strated Robert Houdin’s cone magazines from the over-the- we had to yell to be heard a few the parlor contest. production. Larry Heil dem- decades magic accumulations feet away. After a short break, the floor onstrated an updated method of club President Tony Dunn Kenny announced that the was opened up to perform- of producing a seemingly- and Treasurer Dick Payne. Amazing Kreskin will be ers, and we were treated to random number, which was in For sale? No. Up for auction? performing on November 1; the magic of Mark Saks, Niam fact the current date. (Larry No. What brought members tickets are set at $125. Knoll, Kenny Stewart, Nate then followed in the spirit of scurrying to check out the Niam Knoll was singled out Anderson, and Gary Husson. the meeting by offering years contents was the single word for recognition. Even though —Gary Husson of old magic magazines he had on each box: Free! he had not really performed for John E. Alexander Assembly brought to whoever wanted And there was magic aplenty a “real” audience before, Niam #136 meets at 7:00 p.m. on the them). Following Larry, Hal as some ten members vied for took the stage and performed first Monday of each month at Hudgins performed an updated a DVD by performing. Rich close-up magic in the lobby the Fraternal Order of Eagles, version of Houdin’s Compul- Bukowski led with a clever during the Stars of Magic 1530 N Stone Ave Tucson, AZ sion. Michael then completed prediction using a packet of show! Great job, Naim! Contact Gary Husson () for the demonstration with a new Post-its; he then did a where’s- Secretary/Historian Husson more details. and different version of the cut the-coin effect with a nickel, reminded everyone about the and restored rope. dime, and quarter. Tony burlesque and magic show we 138 Mike then announced his Chaudhuri showed a rainbow put on a few months ago, and Old for New new program for the coming deck miracle. Dan Tong came how we were trying to come up year titled PASS – Performing up with yet another variation with enough money to purchase Fort Worth, TX— The Art Skill Sessions. His initial on Out of This World. a video camera so we can put September 2012 meeting of the session again was inspired by Among other performers, one our routines up on YouTube. He Forth Worth Magicians Club Houdin and covered the impor- member demonstrated that then produced a new JVC HD was opened by vice president tance of costuming, including age and infirmities of various video camera that will even- Michael Stein. He began with discussion of pocket manage- kinds can’t stop a magi from tually be available for general an announcement of the 2012 ment, appropriate costuming, remembering how to tie a knot use. Nate mentioned that the installation banquet, which and knowing the performance in a rope without letting go of S.Y.M. is coming along well; will be held on October 10. environment, followed by the ends. He walked off with he has a few new members and Following this was the election a great group discussion of the DVD award. Another did has the next meeting set up for of the club officers for 2012. costuming hints and tips. a showy and costly version of the 23rd of this month. Thanks Our new officers are: President The meeting concluded with an effect that used to come in again, Nate, for taking on such – Larry Heil; VP/Program Michael reading a commentary many beginner magic sets: a challenging task. Chair – Michael Stein; VP/ on taking magic seriously and two plastic rings placed on a Mr. Anderson also mentioned Flashpaper Editor – Geoff imploring the club to follow table can vanish a coin placed that Dan Fleishman will lecture Grimes; VP/Webmaster – suit. —Libby Sharpe between them. And a younger for us on October 1, and that Bruce Chadwick; Treasurer – SAM Assembly 138 meets member puzzled everyone he has also contacted Trevor Matt Martin; Historian – Rick as the Fort Worth Magicians with a card effect that seemed Duffy and Paul Draper to see Burcher; Secretary – Libby Club on the first Thursday considerably less amazing if they will lecture for us. Paul Sharpe; Sergeant at Arms of each month at 7:00 P.M. at when he revealed he’d simply Draper’s lecture is tentatively – Mike Rubino; Member at the Tarrant County College used a stacked deck Si Stebbins set for sometime in February. Large – Jeff Hallberg. Trinity River Campus in style, and had no trouble dis- Many questions were asked We heard a review of the Texas downtown Fort Worth. See cerning the chosen card by about the upcoming close-up Association of Magicians fortworthmagiciansclub. noting the card above it when

20 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 Assembly News he cut the deck. (Most guys at a the only one in a blank deck and sign a card that was placed magic meeting are looking for removed from the box. Sean back in the deck. The deck Colorado Springs, CO— It something more complicated,” Evanick had a helper pick a was then placed between was funny. It was great. It was he laughed.) card and Sean picked three Dave Jaye’s hands. Dave T. comedy magic night. Chris more. They all turned out to be announced that he was going Faria mastered the ceremonies Nines. Dick Recktenwald had to locate the selected card with and introduced our member’s someone cut the cards, pick the help of a very lethal looking funniest acts. Between acts he one card, and return it to the knife! Dave Jaye was relieved deepened our knowledge of deck. Dick was able to find the when Dave T. had him place magical comedy and performed chosen card. Bob Mullins told the cards on a board before the Dunberry Delusion as a a story about using the same stabbing the entire deck with magician in trouble. tools to perform the same and the knife. It took Dave T. two Bruce Black led off with a different tasks. He then folded tries but his knife penetrated signed ambitious card that a dollar bill in half, then again, Dave Jaye’s signed card, which went through every gag in the and again. When opened up, it was somewhere in the middle book to ultimately end up in was upside down. of the deck. his wallet. Tom Paine’s “pick Bill Cornelius’s helper picked S. Patrick did a very nice a card” routine went fright- Members separate the wheat a card, dealt the cards into six mentalism piece with a fully awry when the volunteer from The Masked Magician piles, rolled a die with no spots, blow-up world globe and three actually lost the card in the and picked the card showed on envelopes. Dan Kosloski was deck before Tom was ready. As a grand finale, President die. Tom Chidester presented asked to draw three geometric Tom’s back-up rope trick didn’t Tony Dunn showed a tic-tac- several moves with a paddle. figures on the globe while seem enough so he brought toe routine in which nine cards He said this is something you covered with a cloth. Once out a dangerously prototypi- laid down by the performer and can carry in your pocket and the cover was removed, S.’s cal lie detector helmet (thanks spectator somehow produced use anywhere, anytime. Jim predictions matched every to Bruce Kalver’s 2009 and a magic square. He passed on Tate showed a die with different location that Dan marked. In- 2010 M-U-M articles) to help the instructions to Dick Payne colors on its sides and a scarf. terestingly, the last location determine the picked card. The to distribute to club members; He put the die in his pocket, that Dan marked in the shape volunteer was instructed to if you’d like a copy, email him and put the scarf in his fist. He of a triangle, was in the middle always say “yes” and then was at [email protected]. opened his fist, showing the of the Atlantic Ocean near quizzed on a variety of topics. —Donald Dunn die. The scarf was now in his Bermuda – in other words, The lie detector rang at the Assembly 150 meets the pocket. Don Moody mixed up a the Bermuda triangle. S. then lies and allowed the magician second Tuesday of each month deck of cards with a hand mixer folded his prediction and finally find the card to escapes at 7 p.m. at Myerlee Manor in a bowl. He then had a helper poured out salt water from his troubles. at 1499 Brandywine Circle pick a number of cards, cut the between the folds. Mark Weidhaas did his “long Contact Secretary Dick Payne deck, keep a card, and pass out Mr. Jay showed some true & short” rope routine, errr his [email protected] (239) the rest. Don mentally named a originality with Dave T. Jay “two equal ropes” routine, 4336885 for more details. card and a person would stand noted that many people try to umm his “one rope” routine up with that card. —Judy Steed “trap” the magician by discov- in which he tied and untied The Mystics of Assembly 157 ering the trick. Wanting to beat a knot while the ends were 157 meet at the Towne Square him to the punch, Jay removed being held securely by two Old + New = Fun Restaurant in Beaver, PA, the a mousetrap from his pocket volunteers. Mark followed this second Thursday of every that he used to trap his tongue. with his dragon flower that Beaver, PA— The Mystic month. Contact Judy Steed Continuing the trick with the kept reversing its colors until Magicians of Beaver Valley [email protected] (330) mousetrap still attached to his (unknown to Mark) the flower installed new officers for 2012- 525-5389 for more details. tongue, he showed Dave the colors alternated. Dwyane 2013. A prospective member, two black Aces, which he gave Faux brought forth his “live Sean Evanick, performed his to Dave, keeping the red Aces animal” rope that he had raised third trick for membership 160 for himself. At the conclusion, from a string. At five years old, and was voted into the club. Getting set for Fall it was discovered that Dave it was three-feet long from a Reports were given on the was the one with the red Aces steady diet of string beans and recent banquet and lecture, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and Jay had the black Aces. string cheese. The rope did its with only one being profitable. PA— It was a night of tying up Talk about suffering for your favorite trick and tied itself in a The difference is to be made loose ends and planning for art! knot for us. Then after a failed up with the three area clubs in our fall and winter project. An Assembly 160 meets at card trick, it successfully and the GPMN. A thank-you was open house and flea market sale 7:00 on the first Thursday magically found and tied itself received from Jay Brenner for is scheduled for November, of every month at the Iron around the picked card. his recent surgery and from and final plans were made for Skillet Restaurant at the Petro Dave Wintermute performed Ray Lucas and Rich Howard our holiday party. Our thanks Truck Stop 98 Grove Street Jack Bateman’s Rub-A-Dub- for deaths in family. to Fred Kraft for finding an Dupont, PA. Contact Dave Dub routine for the cups and The performances were excellent location. Jenkins [email protected] balls. Needless to say, Dave’s emceed by new president Ray Our big news for 2013 will (570) 5785751 http://www. “men” disappeared and reap- Lucas. He also had a helper be the Nathan Kranzo lecture nepamagic.8m.com/ for more peared according to a poetic pick a card that came out of the during our regular meeting details. ditty. special hat Ray put on him. Ray night on January 3 – more info Larry Mahan ended the show then spread the deck, pushed to come. With business out of 170 with a timed escape routine one forward, placed them back the way, we got down to magic. Ha Ha Ha Wo Hee Hee that was botched by a defective in box, and the chosen one was Dave T. had Dave Jaye select Hee Ho timer. Each escape (first rope,

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 21 Assembly News then chain, then handcuffs) with a description of a Zombie establish a contact with each of was sabotaged by the timer, Diner Roll that can be done the thirteen assemblies in his which had problems (first water with a fork and a table napkin. in the works, then snakes in the Unfortunately, the diner Keith gears, then an explosion of the stopped at before the meeting, apparatus). After each confine- did not have a floatable size ment, Larry had to free himself dinner roll for Keith to bring to fix the timer and then was along and perform with. re-confined to try again. Ulti- Club President Steve Sloan mately, Larry was unsuccess- continued the night’s theme by ful in a timed escape, but he demonstrating a Daniel Garcia did clean up with the act. coin through glass penetration Assembly 170 is the Pikes Peak with perfect success (it is not an Prestidigitators and meets at 7 easy move). As the workshop Watt Hyer Demonstrating p.m. on the 4th Tuesday every shifted to member perfor- Paddle Magic month at Sand Creek Police mances, Jimmy Brown did a Eric DeCamps appoints Mike Department Community Do as I Do routine and Magic Piacente his Deputy enjoy his close-up effects that Room - 4125 Center. Park Dr., Mike showed and explained a ranged from paddles, knives, Colorado Springs, CO 80916. five-item PATEO predication. region through these deputies. dice, hot rods, etc. – all this ac- Come and join us if you are in September’s meeting was Fr. Brennam then reviewed companied by delightful patter. town. well attended and included the results of a survey sent Watt, we thank you so much. two member-operated vendor out in June to twenty-one —Philip Thorp 181 displays, Dennis James’s Magic members, eighteen of whom Baker-Temple Assembly 226 An Impromptu (set up by Dennis Eleuteri) and responded. He indicated how meets at 7:00 p.m. on the 4th September the Costume Scene and Magic the responses provided very Wednesday (except December Shop (set up by Mike Dziubas). good material for future dis- and January) room 009, Wil- Hightstown, NJ— Finally, with the meeting cussion on how to improve our liamsburg Presbyterian September was the first adjourned, it was off to the assembly and how to recruit Church, 215 Richmond Road, meeting of our calendar year, local diner, in search of a dinner new members. Williamsburg, VA 23185. and club member Keith Warner roll that we could perform a This was followed by a Contact Phil Thorp pthorp@ stepped up and led a workshop zombie with. —David Zboray lecture by Marty Steinberg widomaker.com (757) 229-2329 on the month’s theme, Assembly 181 meets at the that contained worthwhile in- http://sites.google.com/ Impromptu Magic. Magicians First United Methodist Church, formation on working with sitesamassembly226 for more are often called on to perform 187 Stockton Street Hight- coins, palming, various card details. Email: assembly226@ without preparation, when only stown, NJ 08520. Doors open flourishes, a puzzle with seven gmail.com everyday objects are available. at 7:00PM. Contact Stephan large nails, a device for floating Keith’s workshop offered Sloan [email protected] small objects, and the folding solutions to that challenge. His (732) 757-5337 http://www. bill, along with several stories 248 first effect, Tip-It, was a Do magicsam181.com for more of his time in magic. Al Lampkin Lecture as I Do challenge with a box details. We always stand ready to of matches that no one solved, welcome any compeers to our Phoenix, AZ— Program until he revealed the secret. 194 meetings when they are in the chairman Jerry Ferguson intro- Keith demonstrated a neat Another Year Begins area. —Fr. Dermot Brennan duced magician Al Lampkin, cocktail napkin vanish and Assembly 194 meets at who graced us with a great followed up with a corner Yonkers, NY— Whle there the Catholic Slovak Club lecture. He showed us and burnt torn and restored with was no assembly meeting on Lockwood Avenue in then explained a multitude of the very same napkin. He then during August, several of Yonkers,NY on the third easy to perform routines from did a torn and restored tent the members performed at a Wednesday of each month a torn and restored napkin to card, using the kind of tent display on magic at the Hudson at 7:30 PM Contact Pres. a borrowed finger ring to an card you often see at a wedding River Museum in Yonkers, NY. Jim Stranges magicjim1@ empty playing card box. He also reception. That was followed Surrounded by a wonderful optonline.net (914) 478-1473 taught us an easy-to-do Cards by some nice cigarette moves wall display of posters and new for more details. Across, and showed us how to integrated into a quick routine. items, we performed four twen- create a magic square without Keith’s workshop concluded ty-minute shows to capacity 226 any hidden notes, making the audiences on each of the four Paddle Magic routine suitable for stage or on Sundays of August. We all had Workshop a napkin in a coffee shop. His a great time on the small but lecture contained many other elegant stage provided, and we Williamsburg, VA— useable tricks and routines hope that we stirred up in some President Michael Hecken- complete with comedic patter. of the spectators a desire to berger called our August Al is a professional magician learn more and in the Museum meeting to order with eight with years of experience. He is to invite us back. members present. The business entertaining and a real treasure Our September meeting meeting focused on complet- to the magic community. It is began with a presentation ing our plans for the balance of hard to find lecturers with so by assembly member Eric the year. much stand-up material and DeCamps, North Atlantic Member Watt Hyer put on his lecture is recommended for RVP, to Michael Piacente, who a remarkable workshop of any magic club. Keith Warner performing will serve as Eric’s deputy for paddle and related magic. We Assembly 248 meets at 6:30 impromptu magic our assembly. Eric’s goal is to all gathered around his table to pm on the first Wednesday of

22 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 Assembly News each month at Coco’s Bakery balloon. [email protected] Slate of Mind. Manny Riskin & Restaurant 4514 E. Cactus Craig took the stage next and (321) 437-3814 for more details. showed us how difficult it is Rd., Phoenix, AZ Contact was able to divine the card to make a cigarette float. Herb David Longley davidlong- picked by Jim Malone. Craig Arno did a nice job as emcee. [email protected] (602) 628-1968 played lost and found two 274 Other performers included: http://sam248az.wordpress. more times with the same card SHOW ANY TRICK Oliver Rauch (our youngest com/ for more details. before moving on. He then had member, who has a lot of poise) Jim pick some cards blindly Boca Raton, FL— On did a great card trick called and proceeded to name every Monday, September 10, 2012, Killer Instinct; Henry Epstein 266 card. Craig tipped that his in- our meeting was held a week did his Half & Half trick; MAGIC SCHOOL credible skills were assisted by later due to Labor Day. We Karl Gorenstein presented a BACK IN SESSION the new S.A.M. deck of cards began with a Broken Wand card color change; Mel Panzer – a very high quality deck of Ceremony for Alan Gorenstein, did a card spelling trick; Lakeland, FL— New stacked and marked cards that conducted by Vice President Simon Carmel did his ESP president Jerry Kardos ran thru were easy to read. Do yourself Manny Riskin. Alan’s nine- Effect; George Turetsky did a his first business meeting in a favor and check them out on teen-year old grandson Karl matching card effect; Warren record time so we could move the gifts and gadgetry page. is also a member of our club. Kaps did Cutting Cards; Barry onto the magic. Ed McGowan was next; he Our deepest sympathy to the Rubin showed his prediction The festivities were kicked off gave Craig a poker lesson in Gorenstein family. Two new of a dollar bill serial number; in high gear by Al D’Alfonso, which he taught Craig to deal members joined our club Larry Cellon did an amazing who played a round of Rock, from the bottom of the deck this night. The first is Gabe trick called Blood Thirsty Paper, Scissors with guest to beat all his opponents. A Auerbach, who is new to Kings; Peter Fox did his Ini- Craig Schwarz. Al was able very entertaining routine. magic, and the other is Norman tiation Trick; and Herb Arno to predict what Craig would Prez Jerry played clean-up Mack, a full-time professional did his cute “linking lifesav- choose during their duel. batter with his Halloween- who performs large stage ers” trick. Marshall Johnson Funnyman Elmo Bennett was themed effect. Calling on illusions. We were honored by showed us his Cutting The up next and wowed us with the spirits, he caused a ball the presence of PNP Warren Aces trick and Phil Labush did a card effect in which the to levitate from one location Kaps, who has a place here in the Chinese Laundry Trick. selected card penetrated the to another. We parted with Boca Raton. Our own Simon —Marshall Johnson table. thoughts of fall in our minds as Carmel announced he will be The Sam Schwartz Assembly New member Rick Shapter we wrapped up the September teaching an adult education 274 meet at the JCC in Boca showed us how to make change festivities. Come join in the course of magic in Welling- Raton, FL on the first Monday by magic with a perfectly fun next time your travels ton, FL. The course is for eight of each month. 7:00 PM until executed bill change. Showing bring you to Central Florida. weeks, each Wednesday from 9:30 PM. Contact Arnold that magic runs in the family, —Al D’Alfonso 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and costs $52. Rosen, President Arnold205@ Jack Norman-Shapter hypno- Jim Zachary Assembly 266 For details call (561) 795-4910. aol.com (561) 212-2575 for tized a straw to do his bidding meets the second Monday All the performers were kind more details.  then followed up by taking of the month at 7PM at the enough to “Show & Tell” their Randy Smith’s phone and Lakeland I-HOP, I-4 & US tricks. Bill Lucas had a real magically inserted it into a 98. Contact Al D’Alfonso winner with an effect called

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 23 Good Cheer List

Please take a minute and spread a few words of cheer with a card or note to one of our less fortunate members.Send additions, changes, or deletions to: Anthony Antonelly, Chairman, Sick and Convalescent Committee, (215) 820-3192 ext. 1512. [email protected]

David Ball Charlie Gross James J. Morrisey Matt Savin 40 Sandy Lodge Way 16745 Gertrude Street, 24 Grove St. P.O. Box 7693 Northwood, Middlesex Omaha, NE 60136-3023 Wayland, MA 01788 Alhambra, CA 91802-7533 HA6 2AS UK Roy Horn Anthony Murphy Grant Schofield Roger Barr c/o Siegfried & Roy 11 Angel Rd., (The Great Granzini) 883 B Leverpool Circle, 1639 N Valley Drive, North Reading, MA 01864 9303 Quailbrook Ct. Manchester, NJ 08759 Las Vegas, NV 89108 Bakersfield, CA 93312 Nahmen Nissen William H. Brewe Bob King PO Box 1856 Sybill Simons 1698 Montrose 304 Suburban Court, Colfax, CA 95713-1856 65 West 95 St. Apt 3A Cincinnati, OH 45214 Rochester, NY 14620 New York, NY 10025 Larry Poague Tony Corrao Robert D. Knigge 34221 West 90 Circle Bob Steiner 100 Daly Blvd. #2804 PO Box 5, Desota, KS 66108 c/o San Miguel Villa Oceanside, NY 11572 Jones Borough, TN 3765 1050 San Miguel Blvd. Jim Relyea Concord, CA 94518 Daniel Cudennec Stanley R. Kramien 241 W. Lakeshore “Dany Trick” 11205 SW Summerfield Dr. Rockaway, NJ 07866 Hank Strasser 225, Stang-ar-Veil- Apt 161 46 Bordentown-Chesterfield Rd. d’an-Traon, Mellac-29300, Tigard, OR 97224-3391 Harry Riser Chesterfield, NJ 08515 Quimperle, France 8505 Woodfield Crossing Richard Laneau The Forum Mario Susi Dan A. Dorsey 4020 55th St. N. Indianapolis, IN 46240 6 Bristol Rd. 98 Woodvalley Dr. St. Petersburg, FL 33709 W. Peabody, MA 01960 Fayetteville, GA 30215 Dale Rumsmoke George Gilbert Lott 430 Perrymont Ave Larry Taverner Joseph H. (Ben) Grant 1725 Great Hill Rd. Lynchburg, VA 24502 805 LaPaz Ct. 400 Commonwealth Ave, Unit 9 Guilford, CT 06437 Bakersfield, CA 93312 Warwick, RI 02886 Pat Ryan Frank J. McNaughton, Sr 43 Fairbanks Rd. Jack White 1926 Apple Street, Churchville, NY 14428 4288 Arguello St. Williamsport, PA 17701 San Diego, CA 92103

24 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 Play a Game with Houdini iDevice (which shows a face-down playing With the holiday card) to a spectator. The season soon to be upon spectator freely selects us, you are probably a card; the prediction wondering what to get that card is turned over to magician on your gift list. show the card as being If he likes games, consider correct. It is very hard Midnight Mysteries: to talk about this app Haunted Houdini. Filled without revealing its with incredible graphics method, so I will skirt the issue by saying a few things. You and a great storyline, you have to use two iDevices (iPod, iPad, iPod touch). You need find hidden objects to advance up the levels. You also learn an accomplice. You can change the card while it is face down. about Houdini’s career and accomplishments. The Society You can do a color change. You can forget the prediction thing of American Magicians is prominent throughout the game, and just cue the magician. There are lots of possibilities with including our logo on the playing cards and emblems that this app. Highly recommended! Card Zap is available from the are seen everywhere. You’ll even notice a plug for the orga- iTunes App Store for $4.99. nization when you get to the end of the game. This game of mindless fun is available for all platforms, including Windows Photos on the Run and Mac computers as well as iPads. I warn you that this game is addictive. Go to www.bigfishgames.com for the computer No magic with this, but it’s worth knowing about. If you version, or the iTunes App Store for the iPad version. take lots of photos with your phone at your shows and you want to have prints made, here’s a quick and easy solution. Download Card Vision XL – Better than X-Ray the CVS or Walgreens App to your phone. These apps allow you Glasses to go into your camera roll, select the photos you want printed, select the store near you, and in about an hour, your prints can This one is really cool. Use your be picked up! I tried the CVS app and not only were the twenty- iPad or iPhone as an X-ray machine cents-a-piece prints ready in thirty minutes, they sent me an to look inside the card box and to email to come pick them up. Amazing. This works with both discover the name of a card. I know Android and iDevices; look for the store apps in the iTunes App you are thinking that this has been Store and the Android Store. done before. Not like this! Turn on your X-ray iPad/iPhone/iPod; as you Ding Dong Fun move it over the deck, you and your spectators will see an X-ray view The No Yell Bell is an electronic of the top card. It’s kind of hard to version of the old handheld school explain, but imagine that as you are bell. It’s loud and gives off seven moving over the deck, you see the different sounds, including a bugle various angles of the X-ray. These call, applause, tick-tock alarm, hand are real-time movements based on bell, alarm clock ring, and more. The the accelerometers inside the device, kids won’t know what sound will so no recorded video or sequence come out when you tilt and shake the animation has to be learned. The bell to get their attention. The high- many settings in this app will make quality speaker and volume control it seem very real. Take a look at the allow you to use the bell indoors or app Card Vision XL in the iTunes App Store and spend the $1. out. This is a cool gadget that you will You’ll find something fun to do with it. find useful in all your kid shows. The No Yell Bell was found at www.amazon.com and sells for around $25.  Real Time Stooge Found a cool gadget, app, or website for magic Card Zap is a sneaky utility that I am sure you will applications? Share your discovery with Bruce to include in a find a use for in your shows. Essentially, you can hand your future column. Email him ([email protected]).

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 25 James shares an entertaining tale from the performing lives of professional magicians. These stories illustrate various tricky situations that working pros have found themselves in and how they handled them.

my show?” It was January 2009 and the forty-fourth president of the United States, Barack Obama, his wife Michelle, and their daughters Malia and Sasha were settling into their new home. Sasha Obama, then seven, was the youngest child to reside in the White House since John F. Kennedy Jr. Not wanting to draw media attention, Zucchini told no one except the management at the Avalon. On the day of the show, as he later found out, Michelle Obama arrived at the Avalon to drop Sasha off with her friends. A few people gathered around to shake Mrs. Obama’s hand, but after she left, no one noticed that Sasha remained behind. With a full house, the little girl and her Secret Service minders slipped unobtrusively into their seats and the show began. The Great Zucchini’s show incorporates magic and comedy and is geared toward the preschool and kindergarten crowd. It involves audience participation and in the days leading up to the performance, Sasha had expressed an interest in wanting to help out with a trick. The Secret Service agents put the kibosh he Great Zucchini raised the sheet over the little girl, about on that. Tto make her disappear. It was at that precise moment that he “One of the agents told my friend that I was not to call Sasha had second thoughts as he imagined the jumpy Secret Service up on stage to help me because the theater was packed and they officers in the audience reaching for their holsters. didn’t want her standing in front of such a big crowd. That was The previous day, The Great Zucchini, whose real name fine. I was planning on calling her buddies up anyway, because is Eric Knaus, had been preparing for a return engagement I knew them. They could help me out with my last trick. Finally, at the Avalon Theatre, a historic venue dating back to 1923. the Secret Service agent came back and said Sasha really wanted The Avalon screens films and also holds special programs for to help out, and so they were going to let her do it.” families. “I was really excited,” Knaus recalls. “I had performed When it came to the end of the show, The Great Zucchini at the Avalon a few times, but this show was sold out, which called up the three girls and introduced them like any other means an audience of about 450.” audience members, asking their names and welcoming them to It was an act he performs regularly in public around the D.C. the stage. area; there was no reason to suspect that it would be different “I didn’t want to embarrass her. I thought I’d let the audience from any other. Then he received a phone call. figure it out. So I asked her name, she answered, and I said, “Someone I knew, whose house I had performed at, told me ‘Ladies and gentlemen, this is Sasha!’ That’s my standard in- he was bringing his kids to the Avalon to see my show. Then troduction.” This time, a slight hush fell over the audience as he told me that he couldn’t promise, but he thought that Sasha people began to look at one another and ask, “Is it her?” Half Obama would be coming too, since his kids attended the same the crowd did a double take. Suddenly people noticed the well- school and were friends with her. Then I got really excited. The dressed men with receivers in their ears. Obamas had just come to town, and already one of them is at The trick is a simple one, but a favorite with the younger

26 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 crowd. The Great Zucchini tells the audience he’s going to “In the Washington area, the presses were stopped, but in make the volunteers disappear. He holds up a sheet in front of Delaware, where my mom lives, word didn’t get there in time, the kids, tells the audience to put their heads down, and then has so my mom was able to go to the store and buy about fifteen the participants run offstage. copies of the paper.” “I did the trick. Sasha and her friends ran offstage. But the Word also got out online. The Great Zucchini found a post on Secret Service guys are supposed to have her in their line of the DC Urban Moms and Dads blog speculating on the identity sight at all times, and she’s just disappeared.” When The Great of “Sasha”: “Can anyone confirm that the young lady who went Zucchini looked out into the audience, he saw four hundred up towards the end of the show (with two other girls) was Sasha people with their heads bowed and the stony faces of her Secret Obama?” Zucchini himself confirmed that it had indeed been Service agents. “They were good sports, but they were also the president’s daughter. serious people, so they gave me the signal to bring her back Although The Great Zucchini had been alerted before- where they could see her. She was a really sweet kid, just like hand, he took special care not to exploit the opportunity. The any other kid. She just wanted to enjoy the show. And she did.” Obamas were new in town and curiosity about the family was Although there were no reporters assigned to cover the per- at an all-time high. He could easily have used the occasion for formance, it just so happened that there was an off-duty Wash- self-promotion, but he chose not to. Instead, he treated Sasha ington Post reporter in the audience with her son. She took a Obama like any other seven-year-old girl, allowing her to join picture of Sasha on stage and emailed it to her editor, asking if in and have fun along with every other child in the audience. they wanted her to write something for publication. The editor Washington, D.C. is like the Hollywood of politics; all the said yes. stars reside there. It’s not unusual to run into a CNN anchor at That night, the White House got wind that the Washing- the local Starbucks or to be seated at a table next to a senator. ton Post would have a piece about Sasha’s appearance on the Many Washingtonians can boast at least one celebrity sighting. front page of the paper’s Metro section. The paper was asked But vanishing the daughter of the leader of the free world under to cancel the story because the Obamas wanted to keep their the intense gaze of the Secret Service? That honor belongs to children out of the media spotlight. But that wasn’t the end of one man. The name’s Zucchini. The Great Zucchini.  the story.

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 27 Critical Mass By John Carney

Nothing can be as em- I love the guitar, and have practiced most every day for fifteen powering, or as crippling, years. But whereas I am a decent player, I still have not invested as criticism. Without an half the time that I have spent studying magic. When I compare objective viewpoint of how the hours, it is clear why my playing is not as accomplished as my things are working, we can’t magic. But then again, I still practice every day, and in the coming get to where we want to go, or years, perhaps I will clock in with the necessary hours to attain indeed, even know if we are some mastery – that is, if I evaluate each day’s lessons and learn on the right path. A helpful from my mistakes as well as my triumphs. critique is not just about what All creative endeavors are a matter of problem solving, is “good” or “bad,” but an ex- problems that you yourself create! These problems are what you ploration of different options, see standing between you and the ideal you have in your mind, the merits, and faults. criteria that will define your effect. Recognize them, and address them. “The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined This is where your internal “judge” comes into play. But make by praise than saved by criticism.” sure this judge is not only the most objective and wise, but also – Norman Vincent Peale the kindest and most nurturing. Don’t put yourself down and say, “I keep dropping the cards; I’m terrible at sleight of hand.” Self Criticism Instead, ask, “Why are the cards dropping from my hands? Why am I flashing this move? Why is it making noise? How would this My pal Joel Hodgson once said to me that the difference be perceived by an audience member?” Focus on what you can between the work of an artist and the work of a hack was the change or find alternate procedures. number of aesthetic decisions made along the way. To the hack, everything is “good enough,” or “gets by.” But merely turning a Confidence and Ignorance crank on a box does not make a person a musician. The artist has many decisions to make because he has an “One of the painful things about our time is that those who ultimate ideal in mind. He has a clear idea of what he wants to feel certainty are stupid, and those with any imagination and achieve. The path may be fuzzy at first, but it comes sharply into understanding are filled with doubt and indecision.” focus with hundreds or thousands of hours of creative choices and – Bertrand Russell a thoughtful reason for keeping or discarding any particular piece. It either fits in the bigger puzzle, or it does not belong. The artist is I have often wondered where some beginners or hacks get such willing to chip away at the marble, piece by piece, until (like Mi- great confidence when they have so little ability, wit, or under- chelangelo) his David is revealed. These chips seem insignificant standing. How does someone fly across the country to audition for when viewed individually, but together they determine the whole. American Idol, so confident that people will see their star quality, But first, the artist must visualize what David looks like. when their only preparation is singing with a hairbrush in front of It is imperative that the artist be aware of the quality of his the bathroom mirror? These people never consider for a moment self-criticism. It is useful to be critical of details; it is not useful that they might not have talent. Somehow they have mustered the to be critical of your personal potential. It is counterproductive to nerve to get up on a stage in front of millions of people, where it is shake one’s self confidence with toxic self-talk. Your inner voice immediately apparent they have not developed a talent, or for that can either move you forward or it can cut you off at the knees. matter, self awareness. Ignorance is bliss. Magic master Dai Vernon could be very sharp and critical of Editor Michael Close brought my attention to an official those he felt were not making the slightest sincere effort. “Get out term that has come to be associated with this phenomenon: The of magic!” was a familiar remark. He had no patience for those Dunning-Kruger Effect. who tried to cut in line. But I never saw him drag down anyone Stupid and unskilled people often have a bias that renders who had obviously made a genuine effort. As the scientists say, them unable to properly evaluate their performance. Whereas you you have to “show your work.” There is no one right or wrong would think they would be insecure about their lack of knowledge, answer. There is only thinking, or not thinking at all. in fact, in many cases this person has illusions of superiority. They It is a fantasy that artists are born with their talents in full have a “metacognitive inability” to recognize their mistakes. bloom – they are the “lucky” ones, they simply will it, and art They don’t know that they don’t know! Without this acknowl- appears before them. You see the finished product; you don’t see edgement, mistakes are not corrected and no growth is possible. all the preliminary sketches, the failures and half triumphs, the Many competent people, on the other hand, suffer from poor self discouragements, and the renewed passions. This preparation confidence because they assume that others have an equivalent eventually allows them to “get to it” faster, which might make it understanding of the subject. As Dunning and Kruger conclude, look easy, because you don’t see all the study and experimentation “the mis-calibration of the incompetent stems from an error about that came before. the self, whereas the mis-calibration of the highly competent In his book Outliers, author Malcolm Gladwell gives us a very stems from an error about others.” Self doubt must be healthy and plausible formula when he claims the key to mastering something balanced if it is to drive achievement as we attempt to understand is practicing and analyzing a task for ten thousand hours. The something, or master a task. key is to keep focused, not just on repetition, but on achieving Brashness and baseless confidence can temporarily steamroll comprehension; to truly understand something, as opposed to just your way into money and gigs, but without honest self critique, memorization or pointless skill. Skill is useless without vision. nothing of value is produced. You might “cheat the system for

28 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 a while,” but ultimately no one wins – neither you nor your September 2009. The title of the article is “I Will Not Read Your audience. #%@** Script!” It pretty much sums up this “lose-lose” situation. Being creative and productive requires confidence, and the belief that we have something new to say, a new way to say it, Poison or Tonic? and that we are capable of achieving it. But baseless confidence can be a liability without honest, objective evaluation. Strive for It is infinitely easier to see the faults in others than ourselves. balance. We can see the splinter in our neighbor’s eye, but not the two- by-four that is sticking out of our own. Other’s flaws seem so Validation of Contests and Awards obvious, but we tend to build defenses against seeing our own. This creates a “perception bias.” We don’t want to see that move Who would deny the pleasure and thrill of being appreciated flashing in the mirror, so we blink. If we can just keep our eyes by your peers, winning a contest, or receiving an award? Every closed, we can cling to our fantasy of competence. human being wants to be appreciated. Winning can offer us en- Before you go off critiquing everyone in sight, first ask, what couragement to keep going, or indicate that we are headed in qualifies you? What is your motivation? How well do you know the right direction. It is not, however, an indication that we have the person, and would they value your opinion? Why should arrived. they listen to you? Maybe the person has considered many more options than you, and settled on this one for a good reason, “You can’t let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to reasons you could not understand. get caught up in either one.” – John Wooden “Criticism is an indirect form of self-boasting.” – Emmet Fox No true art can be measured for value. It is totally subjective to the tastes and sophistication of the observer. You can measure I occasionally hold workshops where participants demonstrate how many dollars an act makes, but this is a measure of com- routines for me and the rest of the class, and I offer coaching. I mercial value, not artistry. You can put the latest bubblegum realize this can be nerve wracking, but it is far more valuable music against Bach and Debussy, and the classical would claim than a lecture or even private lessons. You not only learn specifi- the booby prize most every time. Art is not a popularity contest. cally what you, yourself need to work on, but by watching the It is about stretching boundaries and creating something new and performance and coaching of others, you learn much more that beautiful for its own sake. applies to all of us. There are many common mistakes we all A contest has the most value as an incentive and as a deadline. make, points that may not have otherwise come up in our own We are able to super focus our efforts, as the stakes, the rules, critique session. and the conditions are very clear. If we win, it can be a future I am very careful of the language that I use in addressing motivator, a reminder of what we are capable of doing when we an individual’s issues. My sole purpose is to be of help to the use this focus. It is a parting of the clouds, not proof that we student, not to parade my authority and make them feel small. have reached the mountain top. If winning any award or contest Phrasing and tact is important. It must build, not destroy. is your ultimate goal, you are limiting your ambitions. It is a cruel truth that many teachers, in and out of magic, are tactless and unspecific, and this makes them bad teachers. No Kind Words Go Unpunished Knowledge is one skill, teaching is another. Teaching is not just about “facts.” It is building a spirit of curiosity and confidence, “Do these pants make me look fat?” – Your Spouse and serves as a road map for learning on our own.

No one likes to be criticized, even when they ask for it. “Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish Honesty is not always appreciated, or indeed, desired. I admit a man’s growth without destroying his roots.” I am no different. Criticism stinks, even in situations where the – Frank A. Clark person doing the critiquing is well qualified, might have a valid point, and could really improve my act. It’s hard not to take it Critiques must be phrased in terms of what the student can do personally. and can change; it must not simply be the pointing out of flaws. But the mark of an intelligent, growing person is that they are If the student is given something to live up to, they will strive to able to at least thoughtfully consider another point of view, and reach it. If they are torn down, they may likely toss in the towel explore other options. We can’t expect better results if we don’t altogether. I want to motivate students to look deeper, to invest change our procedure. more of themselves, and to reach their potential. Usually when a person asks for a critique, he or she is really So be careful of how you critique yourself and others. No one asking for praise and encouragement (or at the very least, simple, has yet to build a statue in praise of a critic. This may be for the easy-to-implement changes). “I think a red handkerchief would best, because the birds might just give them a taste of their own show up better!” But what we need to hear may be more painful. medicine.  “You are flashing.” “That looks suspicious.” “There is no mo- tivation for that action.” These are harder comments to accept, John Carney is a performer from Los Angeles. Unless he because they will take a substantial amount of thought, time, and asks, you can assume he doesn’t want your opinion. He is the effort to correct. subject of Carneycopia, and the author of The Book of Secrets, Despite someone saying, they “really want an honest opinion,” and Mr. Mysto’s Wizard Academy, as well as many instructional you can be sure that there will be plenty of drama and resistance videos. His book Magic by Design is soon to become an ebook. offered to even the most expert advice. If you are paying for The Carney curious can find more fun facts at CarneyMagic.com. the advice, you get what you paid for, but if you don’t pay, you most likely won’t value the time that went into the advice, which Copyright 2012 by John Carney and CarneyMagic. Not to be includes years of building up that unique store of knowledge. reproduced without express consent of the author. And if you doubt the punishment that awaits the reluctant critic, Google screenwriter Josh Orson’s article in The Village Voice,

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 29 Updates From Our Newsworthy S.A.M. Members

Creating Miracles now spelled “miracle,” something he reminded the audience that Brick by Brick 2012 Habitat for Humanity does day in and day out. Bringing our first half to a close was Rich Gerber, who warmed By Rev. Michael Reist the audience up with a clever wordplay routine; he then did a wonderful pizza oven effect to the delight of many screaming Members of Assembly 92 and Ring 57, as well as other children, followed by a chain thru body illusion with an audience magicians and performers, came together for the fifth annual member on each side holding the chain. Habitat for Humanity Magic and Variety Benefit Show. Since its inception, this show has been organized by the Rev. Michael L. Reist (The Amazing Magi). This year’s show was held at the Mount Penn Primary Center in Reading, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, May 5, 2012. In its first four years this benefit show raised slightly over ten thousand dollars for Habitat for Humanity; this year’s show ultimately raised $3,185.27 to benefit this incredible cause. The program this year included a variety of acts, featuring magic, as well as a singing ensemble, juggling, ventriloquism, and more. All performances involved local talent who generously gave of their time, and all proceeds benefitted Berks County Thrivent Builds/Habitat for Humanity.

Some of the show performers: Front row from left: Jim Stilianos, Kurt Garwood, Kelly Peron Back row from left: Dwight Powell, Ryan Adamowich, Rich Gerber, Matt Bailey, Don Spencer, Kyle Peron, Sam Sandler, the Rev. Michael L. Reist

Next it was intermission and time for snacks and drinks that all benefited the cause, while our balloonists were busy with many children. Then it was on with the show! Matt Bailey, a high-school junior and one of our younger members, got us off to a terrific start with a ventriloquism routine with his parrot Vern. Following Matt was one of our long-time members, Dwight The Rev. Michael Reist presents the Powell, who did a hilarious Egg Bag routine with an audience check to Tim Daley. member complete with costumes. Next came Jim Stilianos, who brought his own unique personality to the show with his juggling Prior to the start of the show, several magicians provided and “freak” type effects. The kids could not get enough of him. walk-around magic and/or balloons for the children. At show- Finally, bringing the show to a smashing close was the hilarious time, our emcee, Rev. Reist, introduced Tim Daly, the director of magic of Sam Sandler, who opened with several dove produc- the local Habitat for Humanity. Mr. Daly spoke of the mission of tions, a color changing balloon, lots of silks, and much more. Habitat for Humanity, and then presented Rev. Reist (much to his Sam did a wonderfully fast-paced twenty minutes and left to a surprise) with a volunteer recognition plaque. standing ovation. Our opening act was initially delayed due to a sound system Also supporting the show this year were many local busi- problem, so the Antietam Women’s Ensemble and the Stony Creek nesses, many of which have supported the show every year, and Chorale got us off to a rousing start with some wonderful music. Chick-Fil-A, which helped with a special promotion. In addition, With our sound problem rectified, it was time for the incredible the show from its start has been backed by Rev. Reist’s church, illusions of Kyle and Kelly. They performed several outstand- Bethany Lutheran, as well as other community organizations and ing illusions, including opening with Kyle producing his wife the local school district. As usual, the performers and organiz- Kelly, then a Sword Basket routine, followed with one of Kyle’s ers of the show wish to thank our family, friends, and the local trademark pieces, the Chair Suspension. community for helping to make this show possible. In between acts, our emcee, The Amazing Magi, kept the Our pre-show performers and balloonists were: Paul Hallas, audience entertained with routines such as the Growing Head Ryan Adamowicz, Ryan Parsons, Don Spencer, Kurt Garwood, Illusion, his hilarious “Washing Machine,” and a story in which he and Alice Reist. showed the word “reclaim” in a large, clear, numbered, Plexiglas Our show performers were: Emcee Michael L. Reist, The display stand, took the cards out, mixed them up, and had the Antietam Women’s Ensemble, The Stony Creek Chorale, The audience call out numbers as to where to put the cards. When Magic of Kyle and Kelly Peron, Rich Gerber, Matt Bailey, Dwight finished and turned around, Rev. Reist showed that the letters Powell, Jim Stilanos, and Sam Sandler.

30 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 The S.A.M. Hall Of Fame & Magic Museum Reopens By Steven Jennings

Thurston Sawing with life-like figures of magicians performing their signature effects. The Whittier Museum in California An electrical fire closed the bank and also the Hall of Fame & Magic Museum. The building was subsequently extensively Sunday, September 16, 2012, was an exciting and much antici- remodeled and then sold to J. P. Morgan Chase. This resulted pated day, especially for the Los Angeles area volunteers and staff in the loss of space available to the Hall & Museum and, after of the S.A.M. Hall of Fame & Magic Museum. The exhibits of the nearly four decades, the collection was moved out and placed into museum were back on display after being unavailable for public storage. view for a number of years. Although the Hall & Museum is still The reopening of the Hall of Fame & Magic Museum at looking for a permanent home in the greater Los Angeles area, the the Whittier Museum was well attended by a very enthusiastic exhibits will be on display at the Whittier Museum in downtown group of over one hundred magic enthusiasts, collectors, and Whittier, California, for the next year. The Whittier Museum, area residents. The opening day included a stage show and his- operated by the Whittier Historical Society, has provided an torical presentations by the staff and directors of the museum, entire second floor in their historic downtown building for the including John Engman, PNP Ed Thomas, Steven Jennings, Jim Hall of Fame & Magic Museum. Callen, Michael Perovich, and Kim Hallinger. Docent-led tours of the museum, including the second floor magic exhibits, are conducted on weekends, with special group tours available by ar- rangement during the week. Throughout the year programs and shows to illustrate the history of magic as a form of entertain- ment are scheduled. With many rare and collectible items in the museum collection, the exhibit is of interest to both magicians and non-magicians.

The audience at the opening

The S.A.M. Hall of Fame & Magic Museum became a reality in 1967 when S.A.M. national president John U. Zweers had the Hall of Fame included in a revised S.A.M. constitution. During the next few years the institution existed on paper, but there was no physical Hall of Fame or Magic Museum location. In 1970, Zweers, through a personal friendship with Robert Ahmanson, founder of Home Savings of America, was offered rent-free space The Hall of Fame & Magic Museum is a 501(c)(3) non- in a bank building at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Vine profit educational institution and all donations are tax de- Street in Hollywood. By October 25, 1971, an all-volunteer staff ductible under provisions of the IRS code. It is incorporated had constructed a museum and opened the Hall & Museum to in the State of California and is tax exempt. Donations can celebrate National Magic Week. be made through the Hall of Fame website (www.samhallof- Over the years, the collection grew and the museum ultimately fame.com). The Hall of Fame can also be visited on Facebook occupied seven thousand square feet of floor space depicting three (www.facebook.com/MagicHallofFame).  thousand years of magic history. It honored the great names in magic with photos, posters, equipment, apparatus, and tableaus

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 31 [ih-lip-sis] an omission of a word, sentence, or whole section from an original text Ellipsis* by Michael Perovich CARD BOX INS AND OUTS Elegance in Motion

We’re going to discuss something no one talks about. If you Michael Skinner was, of course, a very accomplished close-up stick with me, I hope you’ll agree the items below are quite magician whose ability at sleight of hand exerted a calming yet important and deserving of our attention. The subject is how mystifying influence over everyone who saw him perform. I’ll a deck of cards is best removed from its box and how it can be preface his technique of removing the cards from the box with a neatly returned. As I’ve previously mentioned, more people brief story. watch a performer when he is between effects than the performer My uncle Al was a rancher for most of his life. As he grew may realize. The performer may believe the audience’s attention older, however, he turned to real estate as the rigors of driving is suddenly focused elsewhere, but that is seldom the case. a tractor through a vineyard in the one-hundred-degree heat of Therefore, it is worthwhile to consider not just the card effects we California’s central valley lost some of its charm. He constantly perform but how the deck is brought out and how it is put away. saw the light side of people’s actions and motives; on the one An audience may not be consciously aware of these things, but occasion he visited the Magic Castle, he was more interested in they will register if you fumble in either of these two endeavors. watching the idiosyncrasies of the crowd than the magicians in I’ll focus on how four prominent magicians of the fairly recent the showrooms. He once laughingly told me that part of his real past dealt with this issue, each in a different way, consistent estate training involved learning the seductive actions by which a with their persona. I’ll also discuss each method’s impact on the potential buyer could be induced to sign on the dotted line. audience. He was taught to engage the buyers in positive conversation, congratulating them on their choice of a new home. As their eyes Calm, Cool, and Collected met, he was to hold up his pen horizontally, directly between his eyes and the buyers. Once the buyers focus had shifted to the The first method is by Jay Ose, a magician who had passed away pen, the glimmering tube was slowly but steadily moved down only a year or so before I first visited the Magic Castle. Virtually to the signature block as Uncle Al’s body language shifted the everyone I met there spoke glowingly of Jay; his presence seemed buyer’s attention to the dotted line on the contract. The idea was to hover over Castle members for years after his passing. to time the comments about signing and the pen’s movement to The most common and seemingly the most natural way for a the signature line so as to create an irresistible urge to put pen to person to remove cards from a box is to open the flap at the top of paper. This needed to occur before the buyer had time to ask yet the box, pinch the deck between the forefinger and thumb (where another question or concoct some other reason to delay signing the double crease in the lid and the semi-circle opening in the the contract. front of the box allow it), and neatly extract the cards. There is Michael Skinner used this same basic concept to capture the nothing wrong with this, although there is a tendency to be a bit audience’s attention before the cards were even out of the box. awkward as the cards are removed and re-gripped. This occurred as the boxed deck was brought forward and held I’ve noted several magicians through the years who handled horizontally a foot or so above the center of the table. As one hand objects so neatly and efficiently that the viewer was almost held the box with the cards inside, the thumb of the other hand hypnotized by the manner in which various things were held, came forward and snapped the box flap open (Photos 1 and 2). picked up, put down, or transferred from hand to hand. Coe Norton Bang – the lid had now been dramatically opened; the snapping and Don Lawton come to mind, and to some extent Jay Ose fit into hand immediately pulled the deck about halfway out of the box this mold as well. As he spoke, the low key Mr. Ose removed the (Photo 3). This hand was now repositioned with the palm up, cards from the box in a pretty much standard way and placed them the thumb on one side of the exposed deck and the index and on the table. As he continued his introductory remarks, he took middle fingers on the other (Photo 4). With the card box still held up the now empty box and very calmly reinserted the flap into horizontally, the pack was deftly pulled forward from the box the box, returning it to the appearance it had prior to removing until it dropped elegantly into the waiting hand (Photo 5). The the deck. He then placed the empty box aside and out of the way. trick hadn’t started, but everyone’s eyes were glued to that deck of I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone else do this, but I think it subliminally communicated to the audience that there was a place for everything and that everything would be put in its place. Also, it communicated that Mr. Ose was going to be deliberate in his manner, that he was not nervous, and that he knew exactly what he was doing. He wasn’t rushing into his first trick, but rather setting the stage both through his comments and his actions. I doubt that anyone truly noticed that he had taken the time to neaten up the box and gently place it aside. Even so, I think this action put the audience in a different place than they had previously occupied and offered a gentle buildup to the first effect he performed. Photo 1 The audience was gradually drawn into his web; they were focused as his first trick began with a neat and orderly table set before them.

32 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 The Whisk Away

Bruce Cervon had a method of removing the cards from the box whose impact was almost the opposite of those we have described to this point. When I first met Bruce Cervon, I thought he must have once worked in a carnival. As it turned out, he had. Bruce was all about fooling people; while many of us spend our time trying to distract our audience, Bruce was always admonishing them to watch Photo 2 closer. “Get closer. Look! Now watch,” Bruce was constantly saying. He moved quickly, in a studied but somewhat herky-jerky

Photo 6

Photo 3

manner, where every move was a sure move. When it came to opening a deck of cards, he opened the box’s lid and pinched the deck with the thumb on top and the fingers on the bottom. Then, suddenly, while the deck stayed still, the box was whisked away. This was done with a very quick, long sweeping motion of the hand taking the box (Photo 6). One moment the box of cards was held before the audience; in the next instant the hand held only the Photo 4 cards and the box was gone from the scene, out of the spectators’ view. Bruce had other ways of removing the cards from the box, but none more dramatic than this. It had the effect of suddenly yanking a cloth away to reveal a surprise. The audience was somewhat taken aback and put a bit on the defensive, as was the Photo 5 intent. The Last Jujube in the Box

Dai Vernon wanted the magic to speak for itself. He wasn’t about deft hand movements and snazzy flourishes when he performed close-up card magic. The method he used to remove the cards from the box was in keeping with his utilitarian approach to card handling. Vernon opened with some humble but amusing cards just as Michael entered into his first effect. They were ready Photo 7 to sign on the dotted line. I’m not sure how Jack McMillan took the cards out of the box, but I remember that he removed the Jokers from the pack and, as he tossed them aside, commented that he was the only joker to be concerned about. He had a gentle charm that, for some reason I can’t be sure of, caused people to crane their necks in an effort to see what he was doing. Suddenly everyone’s interest level was amped up and they wanted to see just what was going on. There was no challenge and no sense of showing off. Just the sense that something interesting was about to happen and you didn’t want to miss it.

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 33 Ellipsis* remarks and, unlike the others, held the box up vertically, almost to shoulder height, once the flap had been opened. He held the cupped hand that was about to receive the cards below the box’s Photo 8 opening with the thumb near the semi-circle and the four fingers in the back pressing the opened lid out of the way. He then allowed the pack to slide out into his waiting palm. Typically, he shook the box to get every last card out just as a movie theater patron might shake the last piece of candy from an almost empty box (Figure 7). This was very disarming. It was not the action of someone who was about to cheat you, or make fun of you or bamboozle you. It was the action of a mature gentleman who was going to show you something he thought you might enjoy. And he was right. Interestingly Channing Pollock produced the pack in a way that blended these last two techniques. He held the end of the deck Photo 9 still in the vertical box and then pulled the box up and tossed it away, immediately making a one handed fan with the pack that remained in his hand. As with so many things Channing Pollock did, this was effective in great part due to the economy of movement he employed. Well, now that we have found a way to get the cards out of the box without dropping them on the floor and amazed our audience with our conjuring skill, the time has come to put the cards back in the box. For many magicians, this is a monkey with a football moment. Suddenly it seems the pack is too big for the box. We can’t seem to get them all in at the same time, those little side flaps are constantly in our way and we run out of clever patter before we can cram the obstinate pack back into its little home. Believe it Photo 10 or not, this isn’t the suave finish the audience was hoping for. The audience may even feel drawn to leap from their seats to assist you. “They were in there a minute ago, I’m sure we can get them back in if we all push together.” Putting the cards back in the box is something we should practice as assiduously as anything else we do. For many of magic’s cognoscenti, it is an accepted practice to tear off those little side tabs, more correctly called “ears,” to facilitate the return of the pack into the box. It somewhat disturbs me to do this so three fingers on the back of the box. The index finger sweeps up to I’ll give you another method that will facilitate this replacement simultaneously hold the lid and the near ear up and out of the way without damaging the box. (Figure 8). The lower far corner of the pack is now inserted near In this method the ear furthest from the performer is the far end of the box using the bent ear and the sloped exposed permanently bent down and the pack is always placed in the box lid as sort of a slide (Figure 9). The pack is levered up and into with this ear pressed against the side. Only the ear nearest the the box with the ear held up by the forefinger allowed to flip back performer’s body is folded over the pack when the flap of the lid along the top of the pack once it slides cleanly into the box. It is is pushed home. The pack is held perfectly squared in one hand helpful to squeeze the sides of the box to create a gap for the flap with most of the pack hanging down below the thumb and first to enter (Figure 10). Voila! two fingers. These fingers hold the pack by the tops of the long Photos by John Perovich edges. The other hand holds the box with the thumb in front and

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34 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012

By David R. Goodsell

he Hudson River Museum Google, iMacs, and iPads, when in Westchester County, youngsters in their teens and TNew York, sits high above twenties kick-started those re- the Hudson River on the northern markable success stories. Google edge of Yonkers. In addition to co-founder Larry Page was the their permanent collections, the first kid in his elementary school museum features special exhibi- to use a word processor, and by tions. Recently the “Gilded Age the time he was twelve he knew Magic” exhibit featured items from that he would start a company the collections of Rory Feldman one day. In his early teens Rory and Bjorn Hanson. Visitors to the Feldman was buying and selling Hudson River Museum were struck magic collectibles on his way by a huge twenty-sheet billboard to financing the world’s largest of Howard Thurston, Kellar and Thurston collection, with over Thurston memorabilia, and several 30,000 items and still counting. large black-and-white photo en- Wishful thinking? Perhaps not! largements that tied the displays to the reality of Thurston’s “Wonder But...Why Thurston? Show of the Universe,” a show that played to sold-out crowds from During the prosperous 1900 till his death in 1936. 1920s, American entertainment A year ago, magic collec- exploded. Every city of any size tors and historians attending the had at least one vaudeville stage acclaimed Los Angeles Confer- as well as a cinema where silent ence of Magic History were treated films gave way to that new phe- to a display of early twentieth nomenon, the talkies. It was the century costumes worn by Howard Jazz Age, and the emergence of Thurston and several of his assis- network radio made it possible tants. Earlier that year, magician, for people everywhere to be a part historian, and collector Feldman of it, dancing the Charleston to mounted a handsome display at the tunes of Duke Ellington and the Magi-Fest 2011, and two years Paul Whiteman. But the sound before that the equally acclaimed was scratchy and the broadcast Yankee Gathering displayed sometimes faded. The airwaves close to one hundred items from were not the same as being there. Feldman’s remarkable collection Rory with the Thurston Vignettes three-sheet poster. In town auditoriums and rural of Thurston memorabilia. A trip tents, Chautauqua and Lyceum to The Museum of Magic website acts drew packed houses, as provides the visitor with a glance into Feldman’s vision of what he did local community concerts and plays. Thousands crowded is determined will one day be the nation’s premiere display of the city streets at mid-day to cheer as Harry Houdini wriggled free history of magic in America. from a strait-jacket while suspended upside down like a trout on a Wishful thinking? No more so than the early days of Facebook, hook, and Harry Blackstone escaped from a sealed packing crate

36 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 dumped into the local river or bay. People wanted to be a part of hat and phantom tube. the performance. There was nothing quite like live entertainment. RF: It is remarkable how those kinds of things happened and The traveling circus and stage magic shows epitomized the how accessible these items were. Another time I acquired a box public enthusiasm for live entertainment. When these two institu- of memorabilia that actually contained locks and handcuffs that tions came to town every bare wall and fence became a stunning had come from Sid Radner, along with Houdini provenance; display of the lithographer’s craft. Circus and magic posters were Houdini had owned them at one time. It was the perfect time to a highly effective, and artistic, form of advertising and consis- get involved with collecting. Prices were still very reasonable, and tently drew audiences to tents and auditoriums. What set the stage a huge amount of Thurston material had come into circulation in magic show apart from the circus, and other forms of entertain- ment, was the magician. Throughout the show the magician was the focus of both attention and adoration. He was responsible for every miracle. The magician exercised “more than skill, more than deftness of [his] clever hand, more than the trick which seemed to do [his] will. The magician ‘banished care and pain,’ and ‘touched old hearts, leaving youngsters there.’” ῀ ῀ ῀ ῀ “Mrs. Feldman,” said Rory Feldman’s sixth grade teacher at a parent-teacher conference in 1992. “Rory gave a wonderful performance of magic for show-and-tell. However, you probably should talk with him about his overactive imagination. He told his classmates that his equipment, the top hat and the colorful tube, belonged to Howard Thurston, the greatest magician in the world.” Mrs. Feldman replied with a smile and a sigh, perhaps anticipating this to be the first of many such explanations in years to come, “They did belong to Howard Thurston, Mrs. Stone.”

David R. Goodsell: Rory, Thurston’s hat and phantom tube? Rory Feldman: When I was about ten, my mom began taking me to Tannen’s every Saturday, where we became a fixture. Tony Rory holds the very book that was acquired from Tony Spina. Spina even provided my mom with a chair off to one side. While I liked performing magic, and bought just about every video produced by L&L, I was also drawn to the romance of “the old the late 1980s. The monetary value at the time was quite modest days” of magic. I hung around the older magicians, listening to – not like today. their stories. Before long they began to notice this little kid, all DRG: And you became a collector. eyes and ears, always looking up at them. I asked questions and RF: I didn’t set out to become a collector. I am more like they talked. “I knew Walter Gibson,” they would say, “and Walter the “accidental collector.” Maybe it was somehow programmed always said that Howard Thurston was the greatest magician who into my DNA, but it was very cool to be performing magic with ever lived.” Occasionally I would meet someone who had actually Thurston’s props! I remember when I was in the fourth grade seen Thurston. “That’s right,” he’d say, “Howard Thurston was we were asked to prepare a class presentation on someone we the man. When he took the stage we knew we were watching a admired, some hero figure whom we hoped to emulate. My class- real magician.” mates chose professional athletes, rock stars, and a president or One Saturday, as my mom and I were leaving Tannen’s, Tony two. I had recently read an article in the January 1991 Smithso- Spina took us into a back room. “Here Rory,” Tony said, as he gave nian magazine about Ken Klosterman’s Salon de Magie. The me a box of books. “You might enjoy these.” They were history photographs in that article were captivating. At ten years old, that books that had been sitting around for some time. Christopher’s was what sparked my vision for the Museum of Magic. Panorama of Magic and History of Magic, several other titles, and a small book with a black paper dust jacket with red letters DRG: It sounds a little like Google’s Larry Page. titled My Life of Magic. There was also a drawing of the author’s RF: Kind of, I suppose. Two or three years later I became face, but it was split – the right side showed his actual face, while friends with Fred Jurgensen, who had purchased several items the left side showed a red devil! It was by Howard Thurston. That from Don Hinz when he dispersed of the Heaney barn, including night I read that book and was convinced. Howard Thurston was the entire Thurston estate. Jurgensen sold me a green velvet the greatest magician the world had ever known, and he remains costume with tan mesh trimming from the Thurston show, similar my passion. to ones I had actually seen in old black-and-white photographs. As time went by I became the kid who loved old time magic, Based on the photographs, it was missing a sleeve and matching the “back in the day” magic that older magicians remembered cap, but I didn’t care about that; it was the real thing. That costume with fondness and nostalgia. As older magicians have always done had been worn on the stage of the greatest magic show on earth! when they discover youngsters who share their love of magic, they took me under their wing. “Hey, Rory, this is what Dorny said DRG: Rory, why would a thirteen-year-old boy buy an old about Thurston. Or Al Baker.” And then one day, “Rory, I thought costume? you might like to have these.” RF: For the same reason I continue to buy old letters, photos, business ledgers, and whatever I can find about Thurston. DRG: And you suddenly were in possession of Thurston’s top Thurston is the heart and soul of The Museum of Magic. Every

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 37 piece is a part of the puzzle of Howard Thurston’s life. While the scope of the museum will one day be quite broad, encompassing the whole of American magic, Howard Thurston will always be at the heart of the museum. But Still, Why Thurston?

Two years ago Feldman and noted author/ historian William V. Rauscher released their suc- cessful three-hour documentary DVD When Thurston Came to Town. Among the dozens of audio and video commentaries, rare video clips of Thurston performing and being interviewed, and hundreds of exclusive images are insightful observa- tions about Howard Thurston by several magicians who attained fame in their own right and who saw Thurston’s show. MacDonald Birch and John Booth both commented on Thurston’s marvelous voice, not just the words, but the way he said them and the tone and quality of his voice. “It was something you did not forget.” “He did not appear to be reciting theatrical lines,” George Boston wrote in Inside Magic. Thurston told stories as he presented his tricks, rather like sharing something that had happened to him. His audiences felt like he was telling the story for the first time, just for them. “He was a master of the theater,” recalled Ormond McGill. “He had incredible control of the audience.” And he “…enchanted the audience,” Booth added. They loved the way he looked, his grace as he moved about the stage. Werner Dornfield, the sixth Dean of American Magicians knew Thurston well. He remembered Thurston’s magnetic personality and marvelous showmanship. “When Mr. Thurston stepped on the stage you knew you were in the presence of a Displays are filled with ephemera, props and window cards. Highlights cultured gentleman,” he said, “a nice man.” He was include items that belong to Thurston, such as his floating ball, top hat, gracious and polite to everyone, he truly loved his Demon’s Club hat that was passed down from Harry Kellar, production audience, and they loved him in return. lanterns, and costumes from the Thurston show. This was an era when those qualities were paramount in American society, including show business. You could believe a gentleman; you could trust him. There was that magic which could banish care, Wherever he went, Thurston made it possible for the poor, the Touch an old heart and leave a youngster there. needy and infirm, and especially for children to enjoy his magic. Indeed, he had a special place in his heart for children. The public And a bit later: knew this, and loved him all the more for it. For all of these reasons people went to the Thurston show I know I saw what you’d have me see. again and again, looking forward each year with anticipation. But, oh, by such deception men are blessed! Children grew to adulthood seeing the Thurston show and looked Thanks for the magic which can banish pain forward not only to taking their own children and grandchildren And make a tired old grownup young again. to see the greatest magician in the world, but to seeing the show again themselves. Edgar Guest understood the power of In May 1926, Edgar A. Guest, acclaimed universally as the the world’s greatest magician. It was the People’s Poet, had lunch with his friends Howard Thurston and pageantry, the music, the gentle, refined Harrison Davies in downtown Detroit. Guest penned a quartet of humor that rivaled vaudeville and Broadway six-line stanzas to mark the occasion, and published it as part of shows, the mystery unlike anything seen his regular column in the Detroit Free Press. The third verse read: before, and different from the tricks and illusions of other magicians. But above all I watched you both and could not understand, else, it was the man whom generations had But in your magic there was more than skill, grown to love and revere and who, beyond all More than deftness of your clever hand, other magicians, made “tired old grownups More than the trick which seemed to do your will; young again.”

38 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 And that is “why Thurston.” magic episode of the hit series Castle and various other magic TV episodes, and have appeared on various television shows myself, The Museum of Magic on PBS, A&E, and CBS. One of the projects I am most proud of is the When Thurston Came to Town DVD, which I worked on with DRG: The Museum of Magic. The website is impressive, but William V. Rauscher. To date, the DVD has sold over five hundred there is no brick and mortar. copies and is what we believe to be a major contribution to magic RF: Not yet. I want The Museum of Magic to bring the story history. But of special importance is that the collection serves as a of magic to the people, to present the big displays and yet tell the resource for serious academic research. hundreds of little stories that make history come to life. While I DRG: Like for Jim Steinmeyer. have multiple displays in my apartment and in other locations, RF: Yes, I was honored to host Jim Steinmeyer as he re- there is no stand-alone museum – yet. But the vision is sharp and searched his excellent book The Last Greatest Magician in the the plan moves forward. World. It has also been my pleasure to host several noted magic historians and collectors. Recently, the visitor book has been DRG: However, you are a chartered museum. signed by such guests as Eddie Dawes, Ray Goulet, and Stanley RF: Yes, in 2007 we were granted a charter by the Board Palm, just to name a few. of Regents of The University of the State of New York, and the Museum of Magic is incorporated as a tax exempt 501(c)(3) DRG: Rory, I am really struck by the large Thurston poster. not-for-profit educational organization. We had a great feature What’s its story? in the Brooklyn newspaper noting this accomplishment, which RF: The Thurston Vignettes three-sheet is one of my favorite was exciting because it’s my hometown. That charter comes Thurston posters. There are actually two versions of it, made a few under review every five years, and was just recently renewed. months apart, that bookend May 16, 1908, when Kellar passed the The museum has a board of trustees (which includes William V. mantle of magic to Thurston at Ford’s Opera House in Baltimore. Rauscher), a mission statement, and an award-winning business In the version I have on display, the text reads “Mr. Kellar says: plan, which we are eager to put into action. Thurston is the greatest magician the world has ever known.” The earlier version featured portraits of Kellar and Thurston in the DRG: Rory, I think it is important for readers to understand upper corners and the text read: “Mr. Kellar says: Thurston will be that you actually function as a museum, and that this is not just the greatest magician the world has ever known.” The vignettes, a paper tiger. It is important to walk the talk. We’ve been talking the small pictures, show seven mysteries that Thurston featured in a lot about the Museum of Magic, but you yourself have been his show throughout the rest of his life. working on many projects related to magic and Thurston. For example, you were directly involved with the restoration of the DRG: It is a great poster! I can see it and blowups of the photos Green Lawn Abbey Mausoleum, where Thurston is entombed, as a museum display one day, maybe with both posters – a little and in addition to the exhibits mentioned at the beginning of this history lesson, right there. article you are actively involved with several museums around RF: That is what museums are about. I have photographs of the country for future exhibits. You are also considered an expert Thurston performing each of those effects and restored video consultant, as well, and you or your collection have appeared on from Thurston’s shows. It would be a multi-media display. or been referenced on mainstream outlets, such as NPR, Wired magazine, Slate, Coast to Coast and The Los Angeles Times. Most people recognize how difficult it is to get press in The New York ῀ ῀ ῀ ῀ Times, but you have been featured twice in two years, with photos, DRG: Rory, I understand that you have acquired over two on the cover of the real estate section and in the antiques section. hundred collections from Thurston’s descendants, family You also contributed to the 2009 Taschen book on magic history members of people who worked with Thurston, magicians who and many other magazines and books. worked and were friends with Thurston, as well as the estates of RF: Yes, I really enjoy being able to share the collection several magicians. Tell me about your favorite recent acquisition. through these opportunities. I also consulted with ABC on their RF: I have a photograph of Jack Jones. He was Thurston’s

Thurston and Company, circa 1910. Woman at the far right of the photo is Jack Jones’s wife, Polly.

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 39 show manager for almost ten years, starting not long after Kellar retired. Those were the formative years of Thurston’s rise to fame as the greatest magician in the world. While reading David Bamberg’s book, Illusion Show, I came across a rather obscure reference to Jones. Bamberg, then the famous Fu Manchu, wrote, “Another man who went out of his way to be very kind to me in those days [referring to the days when his father, Okito, toured with Thurston] was Jack Jones, Thurston’s manager. [When Jack] left the show, I felt that I had lost a great friend. I never saw or heard of Jack again.” The show manager was an extremely important person, for he was the man who made things run smoothly. He made sure the show was offloaded at the railroad station and transported to the theater. He was responsible for harmony among the troop, from the stagehands and carpenters to the assistants to Thurston himself. He was the liaison between the troop and the theater, the town, the railroad – you name it. Jack Jones was a genius as a show manager and was greatly loved and admired by everyone who knew him. But, I didn’t know that until recently. In February, 2010, I received an email from a lady named Cathy Hamm in California that led to one of my most prized acquisitions. Jack Jones was her great, great uncle and she had some material that had belonged to Jones. It was an amazing array of memorabilia, including annual ledgers for the show – expenses, income, profits – from the years Jones was with Thurston, and a box filled with marvelous letters and photographs. It became clear that Thurston and Jones were great friends, and after Jones left the show and began running theaters and producing shows, the two men kept in touch. But in addition, it seems that everyone in professional magic knew and liked Jack Jones, and that he was considered “the guy” when it came to running a show. Look at these letters, which support his friendship with Thurston, Kellar, Adelaide Herrmann, Houdini, Okito, David Bamberg, and many others. Remember the curious comment about Jones in the Bamberg book? Theo Bamberg, “Okito,” was with the Thurston show for about six years, beginning in 1910. When the show played near Boston, New York, or Philadelphia, young David would troop along with his father. David became a favorite of Thurston and of Jones. There is a tiny photo of a boy with a tie and a book opened From top: Rory with a newspaper clipping featuring Jack Jones, at a desk. Written on the back is a message: “To Mr. and Mrs. photo of a young Jack Jones, a ledger from the Jack Jones Jones, with love, from David.” There is another photo of David when he became Fu Manchu. collection. It is signed: “With my very best wishes to Mr. Jack Jones and some pleasant memories of my youth. Magically, David.” I have if it was yesterday.” You clearly get a sense of their long friend- a letter David sent to Jack from Barcelona, Spain, dated June 21, ship. 1933. It reads, in part: “I remember in the old days when you were manager for Thurston; I used to sit in the front and watch him. DRG: The details do bring out the humanity of history. Thur- He fascinated me in those days and thru’ him I was inspired to ston’s show was the inspiration for the Fu Manchu show, which do the same thing. I’m glad now that I did...If I should ever touch later inspired Cesareo Pelaez and The Le Grand David show. the states maybe you could manage my show like you did Thur- There is another museum wall display someday – photos of all ston’s. It would be a pleasure working together with you. Do you three shows, with text linking them all together – not to mention remember the night in Flatbush when you told me not to waste the colorful posters that could enhance the display! And all from food and chew each piece of bread? I still remember that night as an email out of nowhere.

40 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 Letters and photos from David Bamberg (Fu Manchu) to Jack Jones.

The Dean of American Magicians Houdini was in the middle of his ten-year term as president of the S.A.M. with Thurston as second vice president. Thurston would RF: Other times I come across great finds on the Internet, like soon chair a committee to honor Houdini for his service to the this 1922 letter from Brooklyn magician William Meyenberg to Dr. S.A.M. Houdini and Thurston were friendly rivals, and Thurston A.M. Wilson, the editor of The Sphinx magazine. Dated October would become president of the S.A.M. two years after Houdini’s 8, it was about the question of who should be the next Dean of untimely death in 1926. American Magicians, Howard Thurston or Harry Houdini. Harry A few weeks later Thurston played St. Louis and invited Kellar, first Dean of American Magic, had died in March of that Wilson, who lived in Kansas City, to attend his show as his year and discussion was heated. In his letter, Meyenberg told of guest. In the following issue of The Sphinx, Wilson applauded suggesting Thurston’s name at a recent meeting of the S.A.M. Thurston and his show, and declared that he had been mistaken, and being met with doubt. After all, the S.A.M. was Houdini’s domain. His friends were surprised, if not incensed, that Meyenberg would suggest Thurston. In the very next issue of The Sphinx, dated October 15, 1922, Wilson began an editorial with Meyenberg’s words: “Word has come to me that ‘a movement is on foot to declare a Dean of Magic to fill the place left vacant by our lamented Dean Kellar.’” Wilson editorialized that “not until years of ripe experience and on retirement and resting on the laurels of a richly earned honor that such an exalted title should be bestowed.” He chose at that time not to take sides. Some of the doubt stemmed from an advertis- ing promotion Thurston had recently launched called Thurston’s Magic Box of Candy. Walter Gibson, who often worked for Thurston, designed fifty simple tricks, each enclosed in an actual candy box, along with instructions and chocolate taffy kisses wrapped in white paper. Twenty thousand of each of the fifty tricks were produced for a total of a million boxes. Some of the pro-Houdini camp misstated the promotion and accused Thurston of exposing magic. Wilson accepted the exaggera- tions as fact and spoke out against Thurston in the pages of the March 1923 The Sphinx. Houdini was The only known existing box of Thurston’s Magic Box of Candy. The box in his traveling with show engagements during this time collection is number 37, which included the “Ring Rising on the Pencil” trick. and was not part of this attack on Thurston. In fact,

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 41 that Thurston did not and never would expose magic. The tricks that were a part of the Thurston Magic Box of Candy promotion were similar to those found in beginning magic booklets sold by traveling magicians everywhere. In fact, Thurston sold similar booklets at his own shows from time to time.

DRG: A million Thurston Magic Boxes of Candy! How many exist today? RF: Just this one. This is the only complete box of candy that I know of. The trick was the rising ring and pencil trick. It came with a little rubber cap to trap the thread on the end of the pencil. It could be removed and the pencil could be handed out.

DRG: The S.A.M. Ethics Committee considered the Thurston advertising promotion, but it must have dismissed it because there is no mention of it in the minutes of the New York chapter, the Parent Assembly, for all of 1923. RF: You know, David, the connection of Meyenberg to Thurston, Houdini, and Wilson as outlined in Meyenberg’s letter is of mild interest, but here is what we collectors and his- torians dream of: That letter links to the debate over what is or is not exposure in magic that has existed for over a hundred years. Houdini was accused of exposing magic, as was Joseph Dunninger, Blackstone, and others.

DRG: That could be the subject of still another museum display one day, Rory – exposure in magic. RF: It would be a great display, but we would not expose Rory standing with his favorite Thurston illusion, anything more than one or two of those simple beginner’s tricks. The Swords of Damocles. But, we would sell magic books in the gift shop!

DRG: By the way, Rory, within a few years William continued over the possibility of Houdini and Thurston, and Meyenberg, writing under his stage name of Frazee, would probably others, as candidates for the deanship. A careful reading become a popular gadabout columnist for The Sphinx under the of The Sphinx for 1922, 1923, and 1924 reveal a remarkable heading of “Squawks!” sequence of events. RF: The connections are endless. Kellar died, but the S.A.M. After several months in Texas caring for his ailing wife, the was slow to name the next dean. venerable Frederick Eugene Powell, in his mid-sixties at the time, returned to New York City. Her continued need for care would DRG: Throughout 1922 and well into 1923, discussion keep Powell from ever returning to traveling a full show, although

Thurston on stage with Jane and assistants, circa 1928.

42 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 he did some Chautauqua and Lyceum work. Meanwhile, the National Conjurers’ Association, established around 1910, and which claimed a membership nearly as large as that of the S.A.M., was quick to honor Powell with a life membership in March of 1923, and followed that by naming him Dean of American Magicians on April 18, 1923. The N.C.A. numbered among its active members Harry Black- stone, Frank Ducrot, Al Baker, and a number of other well-known magicians, several active in the S.A.M., as well. A quick review of The Sphinx from 1910 to 1926 gives little information about this once vigorous New York based organization, which had several satellite clubs, or locals, in major eastern cities. N.C.A. reports in The Sphinx, which were common throughout the early 1920s, ceased to appear after 1924. The earliest evidence we find of the S.A.M. referring to “Dean Powell” is a casual mention in a report in The Sphinx of the “rec- reation hour” of the Society’s twenty-first annual meeting, June 2, 1923. From that date forward the reference appears in various reports in The Sphinx. Rory, I think that Powell was clearly the popular choice, and quite possibly the inevitable choice. On April 5, 1924, at the 234th regular meeting of the Parent Assembly of the S.A.M., “Frederick Eugene Powell was unanimously and enthusiastically invested Dean Frederick Eugene Powell with the honored title of ‘Dean of American Magicians.’”

RF: But notice that Dean Powell did meet the requirements DRG: But one of these days… suggested by Dr. Wilson in response to Meyenberg’s letter. It all RF: Yes, one of these days. And until then, we will continue ties neatly together. to provide the services we are able to: gathering information, col- lecting artifacts, producing traveling exhibits, and opening our DRG: Another episode of magic history. Rory, most of the archives for academic research. great small museums in this country exist because of benefactors. RF: That is true, which is why we are focusing our outreach DRG: I encourage our readers to read more about The Museum not only within the magic community, but also to the general by logging on to www.museumofmagic.org. Readers will also public. It is not uncommon for someone who has been to our enjoy Rory’s other website: www.ThurstonMasterMagician.com. website to contact me with tales of a love of magic that originated Rory, this has been a fascinating venture into your Museum of in their youth, and a wish to share that with their own children and Magic and the world of collecting. We will watch your future with grandchildren. When we explain that we are in the early stages of both interest and anticipation. Are there any last words you would development many ask how they can help. Most are good-hearted like to leave with us? people with modest means. RF: Remember the costume I purchased from Fred Jurgensen that had originally come from Don Hinz? Over the years I got to know Don as a friend and fellow collector. We had many great discussions about the future of magic and the Museum of Magic. I feel thankful to have gotten to know him before he passed away. This past February, seventeen years after acquiring that costume, Don’s wife Margaret informed me that she had stumbled upon some boxes of Thurston show costumes, which she thought might include the two tailcoats that she remembered Don telling me about many times. It was a meaningful acquisition; and what turned out to be forty boxes later, I reached in to find a lone green velvet sleeve, the tan mesh trimming still intact – and the matching cap! That costume I purchased seventeen years ago is now complete.

DRG: Not a big thing for most people. RF: But a small miracle for The Museum of Magic. 

῀ ῀ ῀ ῀ David Goodsell is Editor Emeritus of M-U-M magazine, and a Past National President and Honorary Member of the S.A.M. His feature articles and reviews appear frequently in the magic literature.

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 43 A Magician Prepares... by Dennis Loomis

Kelly Kollege, Part Two on the cards as well. The right hand swivel cuts the upper half of the deck I taught you how to do my version of the Kelly Bottom to the left. At the same time, pressure Placement (The Konvincing Kelly) in the June 2011 issue of of the left hand’s index and ring fingers M-U-M. This time I’ll detail several other uses for this versatile causes the bottom card of the deck move. From here on, I’ll simply call the move the “Kelly.” I’ll to also swivel to the left, remaining in also break the rules of grammar and make the word Kelly into alignment with the upper half. (In Photo 3 a verb (“Kelly” the card downward, or the card was “Kellyed” the left fingers are curled in so you can see the face downward). of the retained bottom card. In practice, that portion of the deck is still held in a dealing position.) The left hand fingers squeeze the The DeLo Cut upper half down against the bottom card as the right hand pulls the upper half (minus the bottom card) straight to the right. As This is based on Harry Lorayne’s HaLo Cut, which Harry soon as the halves of the deck are separated, the right hand stops detailed in his book Rim Shots in the section on his effect HaLo Aces. The word HaLo consists of the first two letters of Harry’s first and last name. DeLo is the word formed from the first two letters of my first and last names. Rim Shots is no longer in print, Photo 3 but Harry has reprinted it, slightly updated, in the book The Classic Collection 2. The HaLo cut appears to be an ordinary straight cut of the deck, but it keeps the original bottom card of the deck on the bottom. The DeLo cut also appears to be a simple straight cut of the deck, but it retains the two bottom cards of the deck on the bottom, switching their positions in the process. If you have a selected card on the bottom of the deck, a single DeLo cut will move it to the second-from-the-bottom position. You can now casually flash the bottom of the deck. Another DeLo cut will bring the selection back to the bottom. To begin, the deck is held in the left hand dealing position. In Photo 1 you see this, but you don’t need to bevel the cards. The its rightward movement and reverses direction. As it moves back right hand comes over and grips the front and back ends of the to the left it is lifted slightly upward so that it can be deposited deck from above as seen in Photo 2, except that the left hand has on top of the cards in the left hand. However, as it moves back to been removed for clarity. This is the position known as Biddle grip the left, the bottom card is Kellyed so that the bottom card goes (or overhand grip). As this happens, the left hand retains its grip underneath the cards in the left hand. This is accomplished by relaxing the grip of the left fingers, allowing the Kellyed card to move to the bottom of the left-hand packet. As soon as the right- hand cards overlap the left-hand cards, the right thumb moves Photo 1 downward to take over the grip of both packets. The left hand is free to relinquish its grip on the cards and its fingers are extended to press the packets into alignment, completing the DeLo cut. It should look like just a straight cut. The DeLo Pop Out

There are several variations of this, including popping out a card from the middle, from the bottom, from the top, etc. But we’ll start with the procedure to pop out the card that starts on the bottom of the deck. Unlike many pop outs, it is not necessary to have the card reversed on the bottom at the start. Still, the popped out card ends up protruding face up from the deck for about half of its length, while the deck is face down. To begin, the deck is held in dealing position in the left hand; the right hand comes over and grips it from above in overhand grip. Immediately, the right index finger swivels cuts the top half of the deck back into the left hand. The right hand now moves forward with the original bottom half of the deck to a position in front of the left hand. In the process, the packets are aligned, which is to say that they are both about the same distance from Photo 2 the floor or the tabletop. The right thumb is about two inches in front of the left-hand packet. The right hand immediately changes

44 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 direction and moves straight back. As this happens, the right hand audience) until the upper half is about two inches forward of the Kellys the bottom card into a “V” position relative to the rest lower half. The right hand stops and changes direction, moving of the right-hand cards. The right hand continues straight back straight backwards. As it does, the right middle and index fingers in order to deposit the packet on top of the left-hand cards, but Kelly the card as the upper half moves back into its original the protruding bottom card strikes the left index finger, which is position; the selected card will pop out and stick outward about gripping the lower packet at its front edge (Photo 4). This causes half of its length, face up in the face-down deck. the bottom card to flip over with a distinct snap. It is caught by the tip of the right middle finger and trapped against the top of the Kelly to the Top lower packet. It’s possible to use the Kelly to control a selection to the top of the deck. The right hand does the normal Kelly action, but as the Photo 4 hands return the card is allowed to land on top of the lower portion of the deck, which is held in dealing position (Photo 6). This is an exaggerated view; the card only needs to be pivoted down far enough so that there is room for the left little finger to catch a break between the upper and lower packets (Photo 7). As soon as the break is obtained, the right hand comes over and grips the deck from above in standard Biddle grip and a double undercut is performed, bringing the card to the top of the deck. If you turn the deck face up and do the DeLo Pop Out, the selected card will pop out of the deck in a face-down position. The left hand can now simply tip the deck upwards to reveal the selection, as explained previously. Immediately, the right hand deposits its packet on top of (and aligned with) the lower packet. The original bottom card of the Kelly Injog deck is face up, protruding by about half its length (Photo 5). After the effect sinks in, depending on what routine you are doing, the right hand can easily pick up all of the cards above the protruding one and return them to underneath the other packet. If the pro- truding card is now taken in the right hand, reversed, and placed on the bottom, then the full deck is back in the original position it was in before the pop-out move.

Photo 5 Photo 6

If you already do the Kelly Bottom Placement with some facility (or if you are familiar with J.K. Hartman’s Popover Move, which is the precursor of the DeLo Pop Out), then you should be able to learn this move easily. Photo 7 If you do the same move starting with the deck face up, the original top card of the deck will pop out. It will be the only face-down card, protruding from the middle of the face-up deck. It can be shown by simply tipping the deck upright, in front of your face, allowing the spectators to see the identity of the card Start with the Kelly to the Top procedure. Instead of placing that popped out. This is a nice display because your face is behind the card in alignment with the short ends of the deck, push it the card, reminding the spectators that you are responsible for the backward about the width of the border of a card. You’ll find this magic. very easy to do with just a light push by the right ring finger as If you start by holding a break below a selected card in the the card is placed onto the lower half of the deck. Immediately middle of the deck, you can pop out the selection without actually square the front and sides of the deck, but allow the card to remain cutting the deck. You bring the right hand over the deck and grip in-jogged at the back. The deck can now be placed down on the the cards from above, taking over the break with the tip of the right table if you wish; the in-jog can be converted back into a break thumb. You then simply move the upper half forward (towards the when you pick up the deck again.

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 45 A MAGICIAN PREPARES

The Kelly Side Glide will believe that the card taken from the deck is that card. If you have moved the selection to second from the bottom using a DeLo The glide is an excellent move, once you have the deck in cut, you can access that card directly with the side glide. position to do it. But there’s a suspicious “dance” to get into that position. Here’s a straightforward handling using the Kelly action A Kelly Force to minimize that dance. The deck is in dealing position in the left hand. The right hand comes over and grips the deck from above in Biddle grip. As soon as it gets its grip the left hand moves Photo 9 away as the right hand pivots the bottom card of the deck straight downward (Photo 8). Again, this is an exaggerated view; the card only needs to be moved downward about an inch. The left hand now reaches under the deck close to the back or inside end of the deck and grips the card that is second from the bottom. This is done with the tips of the index and middle fingers (Photo 9). The card is withdrawn from the deck, completing the glide. If the bottom card of the deck had been shown initially, the spectators

Photo 8

By doing the Kelly Side Glide, placing the card onto the table, and continuing to do the same action over and over, you can do a nice force. Just keep doing the side glide, placing the cards on the table in a face-down pile, and ask a spectator to say stop whenever she wants. When she does, table the final card with the left hand as the right hand tips upward and displays the bottom card of the right hand packet as the selection. Just before the hand is tipped upward, as the left hand is tabling its last card, the right fingers pull the bottom card back flush with the bottom of the deck. 

46 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 47 i left my by steve cards at HOME marshall

As I write this this palm, I would just do everything with a half dollar held in I have just finished a classic palm. Today it is so comfortable to hold something performing at a in this way that I often Dutch festival here find myself holding in Japan; lots of small objects, like a Japanese people ran bottle cap, like this just around in traditional to free up my fingers to Dutch costumes, do something else. This there was a windmill photo shows the correct next to a divine position to hold the coin palanquin (used to here. This photo was transport a Japanese taken on the bullet train deity, called a “Mikoshi”), and I was given a big block of Dutch in Japan while traveling cheese as a gift! (See the photo above for photographic proof of at two hundred miles most of this! You just have to trust me about the rest.) per hour. The last time I wrote something personally in these pages Thanks again for your support over the year; I look forward to was after the March 11, 2011, Tohoku earthquake and tsunami hanging out with you here in the future. Onwards and upwards! here in Japan. I am happy to say that things are better here now, although there is still a lot of rebuilding going on in the areas north of me that were severely affected. I was able to use my No Frills Coins Across entertainment skills to perform in some fundraising shows and By Steve Marshall I did a show at one of the shelters with some other performers. After our show one lady, whose family was now living in a tent I use “no frills” to describe my version of coins across because their home had been swept away by the tsunami, said, because the only sleight you will need to know to perform this “Thank you for coming here to entertain us, for today we could is the classic palm. For over twenty-five years I have used this smile.” It really made me remember that our real power is to routine to entertain audiences from Zephyrhills, Florida, to make people happy. New York City, to Tokyo, Japan. It gets a great reaction, has One of the things that happens when a big disaster strikes magical moments, makes people laugh, and entertains the is that entertainment gigs get cancelled, and with something of audience. In my book, that’s a pretty good combination. this magnitude there’s no telling when they would come back. To perform the routine you will need three coins that are With that in mind I put together a twenty-three-city lecture- the same and one odd coin. I use three half dollars and a half- and-show tour on the East Coast of the USA; I was really happy dollar-size Japanese coin with a hole in it. You could use an to be able to visit a lot of assemblies and meet a lot of S.A.M. English penny or other odd coin, but, as you will read, I get members. One of the things that made me happy was that a an extra joke out of a coin with a hole in it. I will explain the lot of you told me that you enjoy the current “No Card Tricks” routine here with the Japanese coin. focus of my column. Thanks for all of your support on my tour Bring out the coins and say, “I have four coins. As you see, and for reading my column! three of them are the same, but this coin (show the Japanese I am also happy to report that Sayonara to Hello, the fea- coin) is a magic coin.” Place the half dollars on the table and ture-length documentary that was filmed about me and the tour hold the Japanese coin. “This coin is a magic coin because it is completed and, just a few weeks ago, won the best docu- has a hole in it.” Hold the coin up to your eye and look at the mentary award at the Secret City Film Festival in Knoxville, spectators through the hole. “The magic part is that the hole Tennessee! in this coin can get bigger or smaller.” Turn to a spectator and It’s hard for me to believe that, as of next month, I will have ask, “Would you like to see the hole get bigger or smaller?” been writing for M-U-M for seven years. We have gone through Most of the time, the person will say, “Bigger.” (I’ll explain in “Asian Astonishments,” “The 4F Files,” and “I Left My Cards a moment what to do if she says smaller.) at Home.” I have asked a lot of magicians to contribute material “Okay, bigger it is. Watch the coin as I place it in my hand to this column over the years, and they have all done so very and give it a little squeeze.” Throw the coin from your right graciously. I sincerely thank them all for giving their time and palm into your left hand and give the coin a squeeze. Open your material so freely. hand to show that nothing has happened yet. Say, “I need to With this in mind I felt it was high time for me to contribute heat up the coin a bit to get the metal softer.” Repeat this action an effect to these pages. So, this month I will give you a routine again to get the spectators accustomed to the fact that you are that has served me well over the years. The only sleight you will just tossing the coin from one hand to the other. need to know for this is a classic palm. If you don’t already do On the third throw retain the coin in your right hand in this it’s a lot of fun to practice. Years ago, when I was learning classic palm position. Squeeze once again with your left hand

48 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 as you say, “Ah yes, I can feel the metal heating up; the hole is (Photo 6). Say, “Listen.” You now make a slight, quick twist starting to get bigger, bigger, bigger.” Open your hand to show with your left hand; at the same time let the coin fall from your that the coin is gone and say, “As a matter of fact, the hole gets right palm onto the Japanese coin so it makes a clink. (If these so big that you can’t even see the coin anymore. It’s just a big two moves are timed perfectly it will give the illusion of one hole in my hand!” This will get a surprise reaction because the coin traveling instantaneously from one hand to the other.) spectators are thinking they will see the hole get bigger. It will Now open your hand to show that you have two coins in each then get a laugh when you describe it as just a big hole in your hand. hand. As the laugh comes, tap your left palm with your right Lay all the coins on the fingers; then turn your left hand over and tap the back of your 6 table with the Japanese left hand, showing both sides of that hand. Hold your two hands coin and one half dollar close together; as your left hand turns palm up let the coin drop to your right and the other from your right hand into your left hand and immediately close two coins to your left. Say, your left hand around it. (Photos 1-4 show this sequence.) Now “Now I’m not supposed to blow on your hand and say, “But if I cool the coin down a bit, do this, but I’m going to the hole gets smaller and you can see the coin again.” teach you how this works.” Set the Japanese coin As you say this line, look on the table, pick up the nervously around as if the “magic police” are watching you. As half dollars, and say, “But you say, “I need four coins, two in my left hand...” place the two these coins have no hole half dollars on your right palm and dump them into your left in them, so they possess hand, retaining one in your right hand. “...and two in my right.” no magic.” Place all three Pick up the Japanese coin and the half dollar with your right coins on your right palm hand and let them rest on your right fingertips. At this point you 1 and dump them into your have one half dollar in your left hand, one half dollar classic left palm, closing your palmed in your right hand, and two coins resting on your right left hand into a fist around fingers. Now say, “I also need long sleeves, because I actually them. Ask, “How many throw one coin into my sleeve.” With your left hand, make a coins are in my left hand?” tossing motion toward your left sleeve and then raise your left The spectator should say, hand up, keeping your fist closed. “The coin drops down to my “Three.” Open your hand elbow, goes up to my left shoulder, slides across to my right and say, “Correct. You’re shoulder, drops down my right sleeve, and falls into my right paying attention, I like hand.” As you say these lines, move your body in the appro- that!” If she says something priate manner to make it look like you are causing the coin to 2 other than three, open move in these directions. Don’t let the palmed coin drop yet; as your hand and say, “No, you say it is dropping into your right hand look concerned that it’s three; the questions you don’t hear a noise. Say, “Sometimes the coin gets stuck in aren’t that difficult.” Or my sleeve. Could you please give it a little pull?” Say this to a if you’re working in a bar, person on your right. Just as she tugs your right sleeve let the look at her drink and say, palmed coin drop; everyone will hear the noise as if the coin 3 “What are you drinking?” just dropped from your sleeve. This always gets a laugh. Open Say these things in a fun, your hands to show that there are now three coins in your right playful manner and it will hand and one in your left. get a laugh from everyone, Lay the Japanese coin and the two half dollars on the table including the spectator it is and say, “The last coin is always the most difficult.” As I say directed at. This will also this I usually roll the coin across my fingers, do a muscle pass, encourage the spectators or perform any other flourishy, one-coin move. Place the coin to give you direct answers on the table and pick up the other three coins saying, “The last 4 later on. coin is going to go across, but this time it’s going to go into your Once again line up the hand.” Turn to the spectator on your right and place the three three half dollars on your coins on her open palm; ask her to keep her hand open. Pick up right palm (Photo 5) and the last half dollar with your right hand and really place it into dump them into your left your left hand. Close your hand around it saying, “The last coin hand. This time keep one will now disappear!” Make this big and dramatic and then open coin palmed in your right your left hand to show that the coin is still there. Take the coin hand. Say, “Three coins in in your right hand and say, my left hand.” Pick up the “Oops, I made a mistake!” Japanese coin with your This will get a laugh; as right hand, being careful they are laughing, appar- 5 not to flash the coin palmed ently place the coin back in that hand and say, “I’ll into your left hand, but this hold the magic coin in my time classic palm it in your right hand.” Keep your 7 right hand and immedi- right hand partway open ately cover the lady’s open and let the Japanese coin hand (which holds three rest on your right fingertips coins) with your open right

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 49 hand. Keep some space between the two palms (Photo 7). Hold out your closed left hand and ask her to say, “Go.” As soon as she does, you say, “Gone!” Quickly open your left hand and at the same time release the coin in your right palm so it falls onto her coins. Everyone will hear the noise, but she both will hear and feel the coin going into her hand and she will react accordingly.

Steve’s Stuff (about my own stuff!)

As I mentioned, I have been doing this routine for a long time for many different audiences. It has changed over the years and now every move and reaction has been thought out for maximum response from the audience. Also, the bit about the “growing hole” in the Japanese coin takes the heat off the vanishing aspect of it. They are expecting to see one thing and are surprised when the coin is gone. By the way, if someone asks for the hole to get smaller the first time, place it in your hand, squeeze the coin, open your hand, and say, “See, the hole is now smaller.” Everyone will lean in close to check it out, and as they do you say, “It’s just a little bit smaller. It’s really hard to notice. It’s more amazing if the hole gets bigger.” Then proceed as above. I hope you have as much fun as I have had (and I continue to have) with this routine! Final note: The photos for this trick were taken by my friend Rene Bosman while we were on the bullet train traveling across Japan. Rene said, “This is possibly the fastest coin trick in the world!” 

50 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 51 Roger Blakiston (AKA Jolly Roger) Unlimited Possibilities

never saw Ali work live, there are YouTube of art. You are creating a performance that videos of him out there in cyberspace. is unique and that nobody can duplicate. Look at his facial expressions while he As you explore this idea, you will see that performs. Nobody could duplicate them. there are no black or white, or even shades To the Beat of a This was the one and only Ali Bongo. Terry of gray, but a unique color of the spectrum Different Drummer Herbert, who is a good friend and a very not yet discovered! From this way of funny children’s entertainer from the UK thinking have come great magicians, As an entertainer of children, it is so is also a master at facial expressions when artists, actors, teachers, philosophers, easy to be influenced by those around us, he performs. Both of these gentlemen were inventors, etc. believing that is where all the answers true to themselves and were not trying to Once you have your list, study it lie. There is the tendency to look outward copy others; no one could copy them. They carefully, realizing that everything you are rather than inward. We watch the “names” knew they had the gift to make kids laugh seeing is a positive, even though you may in magic lecture at our local club or national without saying a word! in the past have perceived some of these convention; we listen to the recent influx Who is the real you? What is your qualities as a negative. You are looking at of marketing gurus who tell us how to unique selling point (USP) when it comes yourself in the mirror. You are not going move our business forward to new levels; to promoting yourself as a children’s en- to change anything, but you are accepting we watch the many DVDs available, and a tertainer? Are you tall, small, thin, fat, that this is who you are and it is all good. few of us still read books and magazines to soft spoken and gentle, abrasive and loud, In this positive way of looking at yourself, gain knowledge! The one area that is often serious and intense, or funny and carefree? you are going to consider how you can use neglected is to look inward for wisdom. Or are you a combination – to differing these attributes to their best advantage in degrees – of all of the above? Do you your performance. “If a man does not keep pace with his stammer, speak with a heavy accent, wear companions, perhaps it is because he glasses, walk with a limp, have long bushy “If I wasn’t an actor, I think I’d have gone hears a different drummer. Let him step hair, or are you bald? Not only does it not mad. You have to have extra voltage, to the music which he hears, however matter if you don’t fit the mold of what you some extra temperament to reach certain measured or far away.” may perceive a children’s entertainer to heights. Art is a little bit larger than life – Henry David Thoreau be, the unique path you march down and – it’s an exhalation of life and I think you your special strengths, personality traits, probably need a little touch of madness.” “Know Thyself” was written on the character, and style are like the beats of a – Sir Lawrence Olivier forecourt of the Temple of Apollo at drum no one can duplicate; they are likely Delphi. Legend tells that the seven sages of to be your greatest assets. Let me be very clear that I am not telling ancient Greece – philosophers, statesmen, Your stage persona is really just an you to ignore the lectures you attend, the and law-givers who laid the foundation for extension of yourself. Write down all the DVDs that you watch, or the tricks you western culture – gathered in Delphi and things that in your opinion make up the read about in books and magazines. What contemplated on the two words “know real you. This will include the physical I am suggesting you do is to be aware that thyself” at the entry to its sacred oracle. features as well as the personality. Once these are the ideas of others, and do not Knowing yourself and being true to who you have written these down, read them necessarily belong in your show. They you are is the key to real success in the en- out loud to someone who knows you really should serve as inspiration, not a “how to” tertainment of both children and adults. well, like a partner or family member. guide. It is a common approach for those Years ago I was having dinner with Invite them to add any qualities you may starting out in this business to look at the late and great Ali Bongo at an S.A.M. have neglected. These are the qualities that their heroes in magic and to try to emulate convention in Las Vegas. There was a little will make you both confident and success- them. This is understandable, but can be a child in the restaurant who walked past ful as a children’s entertainer because you big mistake. What would be far more pro- our table crying, while her mother was will be your true self, so your performance ductive while watching them is to consider shouting at her. Ali got down on his knees, will be effortless. what it is that actually makes them so looked the child in the eyes, and pulled a As an artist and entertainer you are a good. You will likely soon come to the funny face. Tears soon turned to laughter. blank canvas; your personality and style realization that it is because the perform- The mother looked stunned. Ali was very are the colors of your pallet. Now you are ers are being true to themselves. good with his facial expressions. If you ready to produce your one-of-a-kind work Fear is one of the biggest obstacles to

52 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 success in your children’s shows. One of “This above all; to thine own self be true, children’s show, try to use one that reflects the dangers of fear is that it can cause you and it must follow, as the night the day, who you are. My real name is Roger and I to over-rehearse a routine to such an extent thou canst not then be false to any man.” consider myself to be a very jolly fellow, that by the time you actually get to perform – William Shakespeare so for twenty-five years I have been known it in front of the kids it comes across as as “Jolly Roger.” It works for me, and it is dull and scripted. When you do not get You may already believe you know a name that kids seem to remember. I get the reaction you expected after weeks of who you are, but I am inviting you to calls from mums saying that their child rehearsal, then fear sets in again, and you study yourself in greater depth. It can be wants “Jolly Roger” to come to their party. start to lose confidence. The question I a scary exercise to be truthful and honest They don’t call up and say their child wants would ask is what are you afraid of? The about some of the aspects of yourself that a magician to come to their party. There is Nike commercial says: “Just do it!” What you may not like. Remember, nobody is a big difference. Are you memorable? Or, great advice for a children’s entertainer. asking you to change yourself. What I were you the magician their child saw last I would expand the sentence to say “Just am suggesting you do is to embrace these week? When the next opportunity arises do it! Throw yourself head on into the characteristics. Do not hold back for fear for them to hire a magician, will they routine, enjoy what you are doing, be that others may not like what they see. Do remember your name? Will they remember yourself, and do not worry about getting the opposite, and take all your qualities, you? a negative reaction. You probably Confucius said, “Choose a job won’t.” Positive thinking is a you love and you will never have very powerful tool. It eliminates to work a day in your life.” He also the fear of the unknown, and it is said, “Life is really simple, but we always good even if the end result insist on making it complicated.” is not what you imagined. I cannot think of anything worse As I have mentioned in previous or more stressful than trying to fit columns, I am a big fan of impro- into a “mold.” I am Jolly Roger for visation. The best moments in my children or adults. My personal- career as a children’s entertainer ity doesn’t change. The costume were when a) things went wrong, and dress do, of course, but not the b) I got a great response from essential me. If you meet me on the children, and c) I added the the street, away from the “stage,” apparent mishap to future shows. I am Jolly Roger. You could The best dress rehearsal you can say that I am a “method” acting have is in front of a live audience. Jolly Roger performing in India magician, 24/7; it is second nature So my suggestion is to take the for me. I am not saying that you plunge without too much rehearsal, and regardless of how you may perceive them, cannot transform yourself when you are you may surprise yourself. Rather than and try to incorporate them into your onstage. I am just saying that if you find it focusing on the tricks and routines, focus onstage personality. Onstage or offstage, stressful being someone you aren’t and it is on how you feel during the show. Are you you are now essentially the same unique impairing your confidence, try playing on at ease and comfortable with yourself? personality. Onstage you are just a little your preferences and tendencies (formerly Does the show seem more effortless when larger than life, so some aspects of your known as strengths and weaknesses). you are? You will become more fully personality are slightly exaggerated. There is only one “You” on the planet. aware of what makes you tick, and bring When it comes to selecting tricks Let the kids discover who that amazing those aspects of yourself to the forefront of and routines for your show, do so with entertainer is by not holding anything your performance. The tricks and routines this personality in mind. The costume or back, and being your true larger-than- are secondary to your personality. Even clothes that you wear during your show life self on stage. Being normal to me though you may think that the children are could also reflect your personality. The insinuates passivity and doesn’t encourage watching the tricks, and trying to figure out great British comedy magician Tommy me to grow, question, or seek my path the secret, their primary focus is actually Cooper did not feel that wearing a simple and philosophy as an entertainer. Keep on you. They are laughing at your antics, tuxedo expressed the real Tommy. On a marching to the beat of the different your facial expressions, your mannerisms, trip to Egypt, he picked up a red fez with drummer. Best of luck embracing the real the way you respond to them, and the way a black tassel hanging from the top. The you. you express your personality. In truth, unlikely combination of a fez and a tuxedo they are being entertained by who you are fit his personality; actually, itunleashed it. Please keep your comments and and not by what you are doing. Doesn’t When he walked on stage there would be suggestions coming in. Email me at it make sense then to know who continual laughter before he even spoke. ([email protected]). you are? When choosing a name for your

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 53 The Nielsen Gallery Theatre Robert-Houdin - Decapitation Dimensions:Half sheet - 23.5” x 31” • Lithographer: Affiches Americaines, Ch. Levy, Paris Date:1890s • Nielsen Rating: Rare

Throughout magic history there have been a number of on two canes and after having his son inhale the liquid, removed famous theaters where audiences have sat enthralled by wonders one of the canes and raised his son to a horizontal position, where and miracles on stage. Robert Heller had a theater in New York, as he “floated” in the air. did Alexander Herrmann. Harry Kellar operated his own theater The automatons mentioned earlier also played an integral part in Philadelphia. And, of course, England’s home of mystery The in the evening’s entertainment. These included: Egyptian Hall and later St. George’s Hall were both longtime The Marvelous Orange Tree – A borrowed ladies handkerchief attractions. The subject of this month’s column is France’s famous disappears into an egg, which disappears into a lemon, which illusionary palace – Theatre Robert-Houdin. disappears into an orange. That, too, disappears and an orange The theater was the creation of Robert-Houdin, the father of tree is brought on stage. Through magic the tree blossoms and modern conjuring and master of magic. He was born in Blois, oranges appear and are distributed to the audience. From the last France, on December 6, 1805, and was the son of one of the best orange two butterflies appear, carrying the lady’s handkerchief watchmakers in Blois. His entry into the magical world came aloft. by mistake. In the early 1820s he had saved enough money to Robert-Houdin’s Portfolio – From a large portfolio used for purchase a two-volume set of books on clock making called Traité holding documents or art work (which is about two-inches thick), de l’horlogerie, or Treatise on Clock Making. The young man Robert-Houdin produces bonnets, flowers, birds, enormous picked up the wrapped copies of the books, but when he opened copper pots filled with flame or boiling water, birdcages, and the package at home he discovered they were two magic books. finally his son. Instead of returning them, he read them and was immediately The Light and Heavy Chest – Utilizing the relatively new smitten by magic. He began taking lessons from a local magician principles of electricity and magnetism, Robert-Houdin created and he practiced incessantly. a small wood box about a foot wide that he described as a means While practicing his watch-making and magic he also con- of preventing theft. A small child was invited to lift it, which he structed automatons (mechanical figures that performed amazing did, but then an adult from the audience was unable to lift it, no feats). These figures included singing birds, a dancer on a matter how strong he may have been. Ken Klosterman, owner of tightrope, one that performed the cups and balls, and even a writ- the Salon de Magie, currently owns this illusion. ing-and-drawing figure that he sold to P.T. Barnum. He also often Antonio Diavolo – A small boy (an automaton) dressed in witnessed the magic shows appearing in Paris and dreamed of Turkish attire swings himself on a trapeze, hangs by his hands having his own theater. and knees, and eventually jumps off the bar into the arms of the With backing from a French count, he rented a suite of rooms magician. Collector, historian, and craftsman John Gaughan near the Palais Royal and turned them into his theater. It was a restored this illusion and still presents it. complete departure from current theaters in that it was intimate Eventually, Robert-Houdin decided to retire; in 1851 the and decorated to appear like a drawing room in a private home. operation of the theater was taken over by a magician named Pierre It was decorated with tapestries, chandeliers, and Louis XV Chocat. It continued at the Palais Royale location until 1854, when furniture. it moved. In 1871, another magician, Cleverman, took over. Then The two-hundred-seat theater opened on July 3, 1845, featuring Emile, Robert-Houdin’s eldest son, operated the theater. When what Robert-Houdin called “Soirées Fantastiques.” He quickly he died in 1883, his wife took over, but eventually she turned it received critical acclaim, especially as upper class clientele con- over to George Méliès in 1888. Méliès later presented some of the tinuously sold out his performances. There are a number of great earliest motion pictures using stop action, including classics like biographies of Robert-Houdin as well as online overviews of his A Trip to the Moon. In 1924 the building was demolished. life and career. However, a brief overview of some of the illusions This month’s poster features the decapitation illusion. Whether seems appropriate. this was performed live or whether it utilized trick photography Early on he premiered his Second Sight, a two-person mind- is unknown. There were certainly magicians who performed this reading act. The magician walked into the audience, touched illusion, but one cannot discount the work of Méliès. While the items provided by the audience, and his blindfolded son described theater is long gone, the memory and impact of Robert-Houdin each one in detail. It was an immediate sensation. lives on, inspiring new generations of magicians.  At this time ether was beginning to be used medically to induce sleep during surgical operations; Robert-Houdin took advantage of —Tom Ewing this by presenting an illusion in which his son inhaled this strange liquid and became as light as a balloon. He rested his son’s arms

54 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 55 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 INFORMED OPINION Latest Product Reviews - Compiled and Edited by W. S. Duncan If you wish to have your product reviewed please send it to: Bill Duncan, P.O. Box 50562, Bellevue, WA 98015-0562

This month we have a number of oldies but goodies: the return of Lubor’s Lens, some vintage Dan Harlan, and a collection of close-up from the FFFF convention. Also reviewed are a couple of old standard trick decks from the Essentials of Magic series. You may recall that we gave you a heads up about these new videos when they were announced a few months back, and they met our ex- pectations. The Stripper Deck and the Invisible Deck are familiar props, but I have to admit that there were a couple of ideas on each DVD that brought something new to the table for me. If you have one of these decks in your drawers and aren’t using it, the small investment in one of these DVDs may change that. Next month we hope to have a detailed review of the new three-volume set The Definitive Sankey. There is a metric ton of close-up magic in these volumes; after giving all three books a quick read, my initial impression is this: it’s easy to forget how much good magic Jay has created over the years. These books are a reminder.

Thinking the Impossible Book as he wishes. The performer briefly recapitulates the hands-off By Ramón Riobóo nature of the procedure, and then reveals the selection lying under Available from: www.HermeticPress.com the spectator’s finger, on top of the deck. This, I can personally Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies confirm, is a magician-fooler that can be done from a shuffled Price $40.00 deck in use, and requires nothing more than a basic sleight and cunning, both of which are fully explained. Review by Curtis Kam For years, stage mentalists have featured the effect of naming a random number of cards taken from an apparently shuffled deck. I have just made magic happen, If you would like to be able to perform this without ever having to and I have no idea how I did it. If you retrieve, or even see, the deck after the cards are chosen, you may enjoy that experience, then you will like find Telepathy to Order worth the price of the book. If you would Thinking the Impossible at least as much like to do this same effect after the spectator actually shuffles, as I have. The methods employed have then you will enjoy Super Telepathy for Skeptics. an elusive quality that teases surprising I was personally delighted to see Riobóo’s elaboration of a things out of seemingly useless actions. trick I had never heard of, The Waikiki Card Location, by Hawaii Often, this seems like magic, even to the magician Bill Murata. Riobóo has worked it into a wonderful magician. hands-off mystery in which the spectator shuffles the deck, cuts There is a recent swell of interest it into anywhere from five to ten piles, chooses a card at random in this sort of card effect – ones that from one of the piles, and then reassembles the deck into a face-up rely more on intricate construction and and face-down mess that he can cut as much as he likes. You turn cunning presentation than deft sleight around (yes, your back was turned during this), pick up the deck, of hand. If you’re interested in riding that wave, you owe it to show its condition, and put it down. At that moment, you can yourself to read this, the first book in English by Spanish master of name the card. the form, Ramón Riobóo. Presented here are forty effects, each of In the course of the descriptions, Riobóo teaches a master class which teaches something of value to even the most advanced card in the effective use of equivoque, and the sneaky use of, well, worker. While most of the effects feature intriguing hands-off sneakiness. Seriously, if you’re a mentalist interested in refined locations of selected or thought-of cards, there are also handlings fishing techniques, or the application of multiple outs, and you’re of more physical effects, such as Brother Hamman’s Signed Card, tired of being left to your own devices, this book is a very good the sandwiched transposition, Fusion, and the Slow-Motion Ace read. Assembly. Riobóo rebuilds the Clock Trick, re-writes the spelling There are two effects that can be generally described as trick a couple of ways, and makes the old 21-Card Trick new again. follows: A spectator simply thinks of any card, without removing If you perform some version of Simon Aronson’s Shuffle it from the deck, or even looking at the cards. A procedure is Bored, you really have to read Riobóo’s independently-created followed, generally involving the removal of cards from the deck. Control in Chaos, which brings several layers of freedom and You do not see the cards removed, nor do you see the faces of the impossibility to that effect. The discussion here first appeared in cards. Just when it seems that there must be something more to be Juan Tamariz’s Mnemonica, and it immediately changed the way done, you name the card. Yes, there is a procedure involved, but many perform this effect. Elements of Riobóo’s handling appear how that odd little procedure could have anything to do with you in Woody Aragon’s Bored of Shuffling from hisA Book in English; knowing the card is part of the mystery. Riobóo is mentioned several times in Aragon’s outstanding work. That is characteristic of many of the routines in the book. In fact, this book is a lot like Aragon’s, with a bit less math, and There is a procedure involved, and the spectators know it. In fact, more emphasis on traditional techniques applied in subtle ways. they participate in it. But they just can’t see how that business Case in point is a routine in which the spectator shuffles the has anything to do with the end result. In this, these effects differ deck, and then cuts it into four piles. He chooses a random card from true “magic.” They are admittedly puzzles, rather than from any pile, re-assembles the deck, and cuts it as many times demonstrations of a supernatural power, but they are deep and

56 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 elegant puzzles. And while such effects are probably out-of-place at a drunken cocktail party, or tableside at a restaurant, there is a Recall Two-DVD Set time and a place for them. They are ideally suited for gatherings By Tom Crosbie of friends, including other magicians, or perhaps formal parlor Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies situations, where you have a bit of time and the focused attention Price $48.00 of the audience. As most of the readers of magic books do find themselves performing socially on occasion, if not primarily, this Review by Antonio M. Cabral book is recommended reading. There was a brief period of time as The FFFF Book I was just getting serious about card Compiled by Obie O’Brien magic that the memorized stack Available from: www.MagicBookshop.com became the hot method of the Price $50.00 moment. It started with Simon Aronson’s A Stack To Remember Review by W.S. Duncan and its popularization via Michael Close’s Workers series, and just as Back in the 1980s a small (sixty-six that excitement was starting to cool pages) paperback compilation of tricks down, Juan Tamariz’s Mnemonica called Fork Full of Appetizers, containing emerged in an English translation and material collected from the attendees of the kicked all the excitement back up again. With all Fechter’s Finger Flicking Frolic convention the interest in memorized stacks and memorized deck magic, a was published. It was followed by a second huge obstacle for the beginner is the sheer amount of information volume of more than twice the size. The currently available on those two most popular stacks. Figuring FFFF Book, a nicely illustrated hardbound out where and how to begin can be overwhelming. Tom Crosbie’s volume just published by H&R Magic Books Recall is a two-DVD set that does a solid job of easing the novice clocks in at almost three hundred pages. It in to the ranks of memorized deck work. serves not only as a collection of close-up While it’s not as hot as it used to be, there’s still sustained magic tricks but also as a small history of interest in memorized deck magic. That interest tends to be in one of the most important magic conven- which stack is “best,” providing the most built-in bang for the tions in our history. buck for all of the supposed effort invested in learning the stack. The number of magic legends who attended Fechter’s is, well, It’s the first of three simple yet seemingly insurmountable steps legendary. The artists represented here defined close-up magic in to actually performing memorized deck magic: choose a stack, the last years of the twentieth century: our own Dan Garrett, a memorize it, and start doing tricks with it. The first disc ofRecall young man known then as Phil Goldstein, the prolific Steve Beam, provides a good general overview on how to get past the second and the inexhaustible Dave Neighbors. But what makes this just and third steps. For example, I happen to agree with Tom that the a bit more interesting than the average collection of tricks is that advice popularized by Simon Aronson of learning a system of it represents familiar names whose magic you may not know. peg words and images for each playing card and number gets in Folks like the brilliant illustrator Earl Oakes, or genius gaffed- the way of a lot of performers actually memorizing a stack. The card-maker Gary Plants. Mike Skinner, and Tommy Wonder are Major System of mnemonics (the letter/number association used here too, along with Paul Gertner (and his routine Unshuffled) and by Smith, Roth, Nicola, Lorayne) is no doubt useful for many other Bill Eason, who you probably know as “Doc.” Nearly five dozen things, but it obscures the fact that the task is to simply memorize attendees in all. the stack. Juan Tamariz provides a number of terrific alternatives The physical book matches the quality of the material within in Mnemonica, and the one I eventually used is the one Tom rec- it. There are many quality illustrations, and the layout is pleasing ommends here, drawing the stack numbers directly on the face to the eye. A minor quibble is that the text doesn’t always refer to of the cards to help visualize the association. He also gives some the illustrations by their numbers. This was particularly annoying very good tips on how to avoid bad habits while learning the when reading Pete Tappan’s two thimble vanishes; the illustra- stack. After teaching how to learn the stack, Tom also provides tions for one were next to the text for the other. Anyone who reads you with a toolbox of techniques such as false cuts, false shuffles, has learned to deal with matching pictures to words, but when and glimpses – some of which you may already know and use – the text doesn’t key to the illustration numbers it makes that task that will allow you to really use the stack most effectively. harder. Still, it’s not an insurmountable problem and the material Once the stack is burned into your brain, what do you do is worth the effort. with it? Again, people tend to hang up on which stack has the In addition to the magic there are reminisces from attendees niftiest built-in toys, forgetting that the real strength lies in the of note, and nearly twenty pages of memories of Eddie Fechter by card and number associations you spent all that time memoriz- Bill Miesel. And a bunch of photos. There’s even an Appendix ing. Tom teaches a number of tricks along those lines that don’t with the names of the folks who have attended FFFF over the depend on the specific arrangement. What I found interesting years. is that he jumps right into what Simon Aronson calls the Open The FFFF Book is clearly a labor of love, and it’s full of in- Index – using estimation to locate any named card without openly teresting magic, with a variety of props besides cards and coins. searching through the deck. It’s not typically thought of as a be- And the folks who created that magic are as varied as the material ginner’s application, but I’d be lying if I said it’s not one of the itself. That’s rare, and worthwhile. The FFFF Book is recom- strongest and most useful things you can learn with a memorized mended to readers who enjoy variety in their magic, as well as a deck. Here, Crosbie applies it to sandwich tricks, Triumph, and bit of history. encourages the viewer to think of other simple tricks that could be

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 57 made that much stronger by simply having any card named instead I am not crazy about the presentation angle on all the tricks, of using the standard “pick a card” opening gambit. From here he but that’s not why you should be buying the DVD. When viewing segues into The Trick That Can’t Be Explained and a discussion a DVD, I ask two things: can I do the tricks, and can I sell them? of “jazzing” – improvising and thinking on your feet – both with There are ten tricks on Ultimate Self Working Card Tricks, and the memorized deck. Again, it feels a bit to me like the deep end I really liked eight of them. And the two I didn’t care for are not of the pool for someone just starting out, when there are many, bad; they just don’t suit my taste. many simpler and just as strong effects (divining an unknown I would compare reading a book on card magic to reading a card’s identity or its position in the deck, e.g.) that the novice can cookbook, in that you sometimes can’t tell by reading it if a recipe perform to get comfortable and confident with a memorized deck. will be good or not. This DVD lets you see how the trick plays, On the other hand, getting confident with this kind of material and so you are much better informed. I loved Shufflebored; this will put any performer over the top with any audience. is a brilliant card trick by Simon Aronson that you have to see to In answer to the primary question of “Which stack do I learn, appreciate. It’s the best trick on the DVD. I also love Impossible, anyway?” Tom Crosbie has taken a strong step not many perform- a trick by Larry Jennings. The trick is built around the word “im- ers can claim to have made, which is to say he’s created his own. possible,” and if you don’t know the method, it will fool you badly. The second disc is devoted to a very basic exploration of Tom’s A trick by Al Thatcher called 4-5-6 caused me to actually pull out Shadow Stack, which has been built to contain a number of inter- the cards. I can’t (or shouldn’t) tell you what the title has to do with esting spelling effects and four-of-a-kind productions, and is also the trick, but it is tied to it. The basic idea is that a person shuffles designed so the performer can fish easily for any given thought- and cuts the deck, and then cuts and looks at a card and you find it. of card. It’s clever, but in this regard I’m not convinced it’s any (You have to work out how to make it entertaining.) The method “better” than Aronson, Tamariz, or any other stack you might is great. I don’t do this as a rule, but if you buy the DVD I have choose to use. The best built-in effects in any stack are the ones actually worked out a little something extra that makes 4-5-6 you get the most use out of. (By way of example, the stack I use no longer a self working card trick but something that is almost really contains only one built-in effect, but it’s an absolute killer.) self working and makes it very good. Email me (norman.beck@ More interesting are some of the other touches and devices that scapromo.com) and I will give you my touch on this trick. I also Tom uses to facilitate Any Card at Any Number type effects and like Chad Long’s Shuffling lesson – a very cool production of two divinations. And a real mind-blower is a scarily deceptive false fours-of-a-kind. count by Tom’s friend Joe Williamson called the Braino Count The DVD is full of good, usable material, and I can’t stress that Tom uses in a handful of countdown effects. Even if you don’t how much I liked this project. I have watched it twice now. In jump ship to the Shadow Stack, there are a number of very useful addition to the tricks, they have a bonus section that teaches some ideas on this second disc whether you’re just picking up a stack or basic false cuts and talks about self working card tricks. Many whether you’ve used one for a while. magicians who are new to magic look down on self working card This is a very well-produced set of discs. The information is tricks; should you be one of those types, you are missing the boat. clearly stated and there’s a lot of bang for the buck here, even if Please give yourself a gift and pick this up. the $48 price tag seems a bit high. The material does what it says on the tin, because you get to see how good it really is in front Ultimate Impromptu Card Magic DVD of real people. I think this is a very useful tool for the student By Cameron Francis interested in finally jumping off the cliff into memorized deck Available from: www.bigblindmedia.com work, and even seasoned workers will find an idea or three in here Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies to jump start their own work. It’s nowhere near as easy to fool a Price $35.00 magician with a memorized deck anymore with the number of practitioners increasing, and this is going to make it even tougher. Review by Danny Archer Recommended. Cameron Francis is the performer and Ultimate Self Working Card Tricks DVD the topic is impromptu card magic on By Big Blind Media this ninety-minute DVD from Big Available from: www.bigblindmedia.com Blind Media. The fourteen effects Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies are performed in different outdoor Price $30.00 and studio locals around the UK. The sound, image quality, and DVD navi- Review by Norman Beck gation are first rate. The idea behind this project is that these are all routines you This is a collection of ten self working can do with any deck at any time (even a card tricks from Aldo Colombini, deck that is not complete). As with any compilation Mike Austin, Chad Long, Liam of card effects, some are stronger and better than others, Montier, Larry Jennings, Terry and they have differing levels of skill. LaGerould, Simon Aronson, In Ace Thang you find all four Aces in an impressive fashion, Alex Elmsley, Al Thatcher, and and then Sly Cheese uses the Aces to find a selected card. These others. In doing reviews, I find that two routines flow together well and make a nice sequence. Liam products fall into three categories: Montier then explains his handling of Ace Thang that takes the good, mediocre, and bad, with degrees effect up a notch and also increases the number of sleights and the of each. I can say that this product falls difficulty. Interchangeling has three Jacks put into three different into the good category, and on the side of real pockets as a spectator holds the fourth Jack. A card is selected; good at that. the held Jack changes into the selection. When the pocketed Jacks

58 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 are removed, each one is a now a mate of the selected card. This each designed to fit in a briefcase. I viewed the comedy club show is a nice handling of a Jerry Sadowitz pocket interchange type of and the trade show and decided to review them together instead effect. of separately because they are similar. In each case, Harlan stands Hofwich combines the Hofziner Ace Problem with a sandwich in the L & L studio in front of a set with the same audience of routine. It’s okay, but there are better similar routines in the lit- enthusiastic spectators. In his comedy club show, all of the tricks erature. Zombieland has four Jacks (Zombies) removed and are a bit outrageous with lots of comedy by-play. Most of it is tabled along with the Ace of Spades (mad scientist). Three cards situational comedy, which makes for a better routine than just are selected from a face-up deck and each selection turns into a performing tricks with added-on gags. He combines a standard Jack before they change into the other three Aces. This uses more bar-code prediction gag with a production of the exact named advanced moves like a Hamman count and Vernon’s Strip-Out grocery product, and then segues that into a vanishing ketchup Addition. bottle routine with an excellently deceptive handling. His Profes- Instinct is a sandwich/transposition type routine that again is sor’s Nightmare is standard, except that he introduces risqué gags the type of effect that we have seen many times before. Killer about a male helper having a short rope. He burns and destroys Trifecta has three selections lost and found; it ends with the the same borrowed bill twice, then restores it twice, all while a vanish of the deck. A small packet Ambitious Card routine is the spectator holds a matching torn corner. The humor comes from focus of Elevation, a simple and effective routine. Wilder has four the fact that it is the spectator’s bill. Comedy yes, but not uncom- Jokers that change into the first of two selections and then they monly original. change into the mates of the second selection. A little weird as The Trade Show DVD looks similar, except that Harlan em- you appear to remove four Jokers from the deck (what if the deck phasizes tricks that purportedly help to generate product interest, is borrowed?) but the effect is strong. The four Kings are used or draw a crowd. Torn and restored borrowed bills, smashed and in Uppers to find two selections in this variation of Ed Marlo’s restored borrowed wristwatch, and Paper Balls over the Head are Elevator plot. The P***ing Contest uses a magician’s competition classics, shown to demonstrate how to engage and use spectators plot between three magicians to get a lot of magic from three se- at a trade show. All of his patter reflects a generic trade show lections and three Jokers. ambiance. He uses such lines as “The XYZ Company makes A small packet version of Out of this World is the plot for widgets of the best quality.” Getting Even, which is presented as a test of intuition in this nice These were filmed by L&L in 2000, but I did not receive an handling of the Paul Curry classic. The DVD finishes up with answer from them as to why they were held for twelve years Selected Assembly in which you fail to find the selection and move before being released. They may have been lost in the archives, into an Ace Assembly. This uses some more advanced moves and or perhaps someone felt they were not up to Harlan’s usual finishes as the Aces assemble and then change into the selection. standards. He chooses good tricks and routines them well with a Other than a couple of routines, there is nothing unique in storyline and some clever original humor, but some of the material terms of presentation or plot. The sleights and moves are all just seems a bit forced. Doing your regular Linking Rings routine explained and most are standard but a few routines do use some while pattering about how a company “makes connections” with more advanced sleights and moves. Overall this is a better than its customers is a stretch, as is showing the Professor’s Nightmare average collection of impromptu card magic. I believe it would while pattering about a company having the three equal elements better suited for the beginning to intermediate card magician of price, service, and quality. Also, some of the tricks from because more advanced performers will have their own arsenal of different Packs Flat Plays Big Show DVDs are duplicated – same card effects for these situations. trick, same handling, same advice, just slightly different patter. He uses and teaches (as if it needs to be taught) the Professor’s Dan Harlan Pack Small Play Big Volume 6: Nightmare in both shows. Some routines are duplicate material The Trade Show from other Dan Harlan videos. Cheez Wiz, for example, appears Dan Harlan Pack Small Play Big Volume 8: in an identical form on his Harlan Live DVD. The Comedy Club Show By following his objective of fitting everything into one DVDs by Dan Harlan briefcase, Dan sometimes skirts the issue of packing small and Available from: www.LLPub.com playing big. For example, he vanishes a twelve-inch silk in a thumb Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies tip. While the routine is clever and witty, it does not really play Price $35.00 each big. Another issue is that although he starts each show by walking on with a closed briefcase, he ends each show with a half-full Review by Jim Kleefeld briefcase and a separate cloth ditch-bag full of scattered torn cards, squashed bananas, soggy bread, mismatched bill halves, Dan Harlan videos sell chewed tissue paper, and spent mouth coils. These are not shows well because he is a clever that quickly reset. In many cases you would have to leave the thinker who knows how to venue, reset, and add your renewable props in order to continue write a routine. His Pack or repeat the show. Watching Dan do the thirty-minute show one Small Play Big series is a time for a studio audience is one thing. Would it really play if lot like his Premium Blend you had to repeat it over and over at a trade show? Trade shows series, in which he focuses are notorious for having long continuous performance hours. Can on one area of magic for you imagine performing Paper Balls over the Head thirty or forty each disc. Volumes 1-4 times a day while standing in one spot? You’d be knee-deep in were released years ago, crumpled napkins. That said, there are still some very solid and but Volumes 5 through 9 decent routines in these videos. Even though you may not want to have only been recently replicate his shows, you are likely to find a solid piece or two to released. These new titles include five separate stand-up shows, put into your act.

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 59 Dan Harlan Pack Small Play Big looking to add some manipulation magic to your show, this would Volume 7: The Manipulation Show DVD be an excellent DVD to start with. By Dan Harlan Available from: www.LLPub.com Dan Harlan Pack Small Play Big Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies Volume 9: The Bizarre Magic Show DVD Price $35.00 By Dan Harlan Available from: www.LLPub.com Review by Danny Archer Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies Price $35.00 L&L Publishing is the producer of this DVD (one of a series featuring Dan Review by David Goodsell Harlan). Sound and volume are excellent, and the usually over-the-top L&L audience At last count Dan Harlan has published did not become a distraction. The underly- some three-dozen DVDs, ranging from ing theme is an entire show that can fit into rubber band magic to his most recent DVD a briefcase. “Pack small and play big” is a titled Harlan, the Bizarre Magic Show. In concept most professional magicians strive fact, the bizarre magic DVD is the ninth for. The music starts and the performance in Harlan’s Pack Small Play Big series begins with Dan producing a red silk and presented by L&L Publishing. He has a then presenting the classic Dancing Cane. prodigious knowledge of magic and is an Rubbing the silk on the cane it changes entertaining performer. from black to red, and for the climax, the cane changes into two There aren’t many bizarre magic silks. DVDs on the market, especially with true Moving on to candles, a small candelabra is shown with three bizarre themes, which often include shock white candles. First, a lit candle changes into a silk. Another and blood. Bizarre magic is also the umbrella for story magic, candle vanishes while the third candle is covered by a silk, as with magic used to enhance a good story well told. Both kinds a blue silk vanishes and reappears tied around the candle before are found here. The performance is filmed in the L&L studio, this candle also vanishes. Up to this point Dan has been perform- but with the set arranged for a somewhat more intimate setting ing silently to music, and now the music changes to an upbeat than is usual for L&L, and which is appropriate for bizarre magic. jazz tune as he presents a nicely done multiplying ball routine. Harlan’s thirty-five minute performance is, as he would suggest, The music ends, but the magic doesn’t, as Dan (still not speaking) for a home setting or intimate clubroom. What Harlan says is as presents a rope routine called Tight Rope that involves two specta- important as what he does; that’s the nature of bizarre magic. tors from the audience. The routine plays very strong. This is what happens: Harlan sets the mood of the show by Next is Silken Dream, in which a number of different colored talking about an old book he has acquired, a book that is filled silks are produced from a single silk. Dan ends the silence with with names of the dead. Using an old principle he raises questions the effect called Ouch. This is a thimble routine using band-aids about violent death and the strange nature of the book as the pages instead of thimbles. They vanish and jump back and forth between become filled with bloody smears and handprints. The book is the tips of his fingers. For the climax, Dan displays his left hand not difficult to make, but Dan has carefully thought through the showing each finger now has a bandage at its tip. steps that make the book look realistic. This is followed by a very Chinese music starts as Dan performs a three-ring Linking effective needle through arm routine, well presented, and Dan Ring routine. The rings are put away and the music changes for his explains how he makes his own large needle for this. Old stuff? Zombie floating ball. For his finale, the silks that were produced Yes, but what is important is how these props can be used in a earlier are changed into a large Blendo. While Dan is not the first bizarre show. Harlan switches to telling a story using an effective name that leaps to mind when I think of manipulative magic, he torn and restored card trick that lightens the mood while still presents and performs the effects quite well. maintaining the bizarre theme. With the audience gone, Dan explains his show sheet, which Next, he supposedly withdraws vampire blood from a willing, helps him keep the show organized, and how he has modified his and slightly nervous, spectator, which finds its way into an egg. briefcase. A very simple servante is shown, and Dan uses it exten- This routine is highlighted by a bizarre rendering of Harlan’s sively throughout the show (mainly to dispose of props once they excellent Starcle paper tear, and a gimmicked knife that appears are finished). Step by step, Dan takes you through the set-up of to draw egg fluid from the spectator’s hand. Then back to lighter each trick and how each prop is placed into the case. Obviously, fare with another card trick that features Dan telling the story of a the props needed are things like Fantasio canes and candles, silks, card game between God and the Devil, as he effectively discerns Linking Rings, and candelabras. the value of a chosen card. This is followed by placing several I am more of a close-up guy myself, but I watched with sharp razor blades in his mouth and threading them on a string fascination as Dan set up the entire act before he teaches each or piece of floss. They are sharp, and you might well take Dan’s effect one by one. The effects he teaches are all classic pieces of advice and leave this out of your own show. The switch is one magic, and if performed well should get a great reaction from a we’ve seen before, long ago, but Dan also has an effective, if risky, lay audience. Dan does an excellent job of explaining everything; method of avoiding cuts inside his mouth. anyone watching should be able to incorporate these effects into Using a child’s balloon as a prop, Dan tells a delightful story his show. of birth, life, and death, eventually bursting and then restoring the I would hazard a guess that this volume is aimed at newcomers balloon, which is once again inflated. The balance shifts again, to manipulation magic because more experienced performers this time to a demonstration of psychic surgery, very bloody and will probably have their own versions of these effects. If you are effective, using a spectator placed prone on the floor or on a table.

60 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 Dan explains how he selects his volunteer and in detail how he Daryl emphasizes here. I would like to see a little more emphasis performs the stunt. Not for everyone, but if you can carry it off on the real strengths of the method, otherwise the lesson becomes and if you have the right spectator, this is a show stopper, reminis- “good = easy.” In that vein, I’d actually like to see Daryl perform cent of the Richiardi Jr. Buzz Saw illusion, during which specta- some of these Stripper Deck tricks in front of a real audience tors were invited to see the results up close. Dan then closes with instead of just walking through rough sketches alone in the studio. a ring-on-rope routine performed to the classic poem “The Spider The real proof of the pudding is seeing how strong and impressive and the Fly” by Mary Howitt, a little bizarre masterpiece all by these tricks can actually be. Even if the goal is just to pitch the itself. decks, there’s no better way to pimp a secret than in actual per- The purpose of the Pack Small Play Big series is to give the formance. This is especially important when the “secret” is as old viewer a complete show in a brief case. Dan covers every aspect and well-known as the Stripper Deck. The only thing better than of the show, from how to pack the case to move through the a really deceptive method is one that everyone thinks they know, routines efficiently, to presentation tips, and even how to make but are still deceived by. effective stage blood. Obviously, the bizarre magic show is not for For a $10 DVD ($15 if you want a deck with it), this is a fine be- everyone, and perhaps most will want to exclude the shock and ginner’s introduction to the Stripper Deck. It’s worth mentioning blood routines. But some of you will find some of these effects that at this price point, for five or six dollars more you can essen- perfect for your personal style – maybe especially the blood and tially get the same information in the chapter on the Stripper Deck guts routines. in the truly essential book The Encyclopedia of Card Magic, plus Others will be able to take a few of these routines and, using all the other great information that book contains. (That would be new insights on how story magic can be presented, put together another reason to have included performance clips on the DVD, to your own show, for favored friends or wealthy clients! If you provide something you can’t get from the book.) But either way, dare... this information will put any performer miles ahead of anyone who bought one of these decks at the joke shop, and it will put the Essentials in Magic: The Stripper Deck DVD beginner on a solid path to strong magic. Recommended to the By Daryl beginner. Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies Price $10.00 Essentials in Magic: The Invisible Deck DVD By Daryl Review by Antonio M. Cabral Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies Price: $10.00 One of the best worst-kept secrets in card magic is the “shaved” deck (aka the Review by Joshua Kane Stripper Deck). The Stripper Deck, along with the Svengali Deck, is Remember back in the old days of what normal people think of when bricks-and-mortar magic shops? they think of “trick decks.” It’s the Things were different then. We first deck pitched to laymen over bought less and learned more. The the counter at the local magic shop. purchase of an effect came with a It’s an old and common enough device lecture and some guidance. Our that, even in 1902, an obscure author magic had more oomph. As Gus the wrote that with “…‘strippers,’ or any Theatre Cat said through T.S. Eliott, kind of prepared cards, the clever professional “I say now these kittens they do not get who values his reputation will have nothing to do.” And trained.” yet, when it’s handled with an expert sense of skill and subtlety, Well, that point may now be mitigated, a performer can accomplish a number of impressive effects, if thanks to the joint impact of Daryl and Murphy’s Magic. not downright miracles with this gaffed deck. Daryl, as part of The most unlikely item in my recent review box was a seventy-six his Essentials in Magic series of DVDs, has turned into a virtual minute DVD on the Invisible Deck. I wondered if this mainstay pitchman and is introducing a new crop of beginners in magic to item of the magician’s trade warranted over an hour of instruc- the wonders of the Stripper Deck. tion…and the answer is yes. At twice the price, this one-trick The DVD is well-produced, and Daryl long ago established DVD would still be a bargain. himself as a fine instructor. The ideas taught and discussed range The history of the deck is elucidated with demonstrations of from the mind-numbingly basic to some very subtle applications the most notable routines associated with it. Dai Vernon’s influ- of the Stripper Deck principle. The one that got my attention was ence-oriented effect is shown and taught, as is the classic Eddie using the stripped edge as a visual key, as opposed to the usual Field’s comedy routine, which has given the gaffed deck its most tactile applications. The effects range from typical pick-a-card famous title of the Invisible Deck. We are also referred to Don tricks to blockbuster displays of control (producing a whole suit Alan’s routine, which is featured in Jon Racherbaumer’s cele- or separating all the reds and blacks) to “gambling effects,” which brated tome and which is heralded by Daryl and respectfully not in this case means one poker deal and a four-Ace production. All taught. (Yes, they want you to buy someone else’s book and they in all, it’s a decent if not thorough overview of exactly what can are kind enough to point you in the right direction.) The crediting be done with this seeming piece of “slum magic.” throughout the DVD is extensive, and every subtlety and nuance As to whether either this device or the DVD itself constitutes is plainly taught. Variations of the classic routine whose strength an “essential” in magic…there are a few things I’d have liked to is built by repetition are taught, as well as multi-deck routines have seen more of. The usual beginner’s reason behind gravitat- and convincers that render an excellent effect into the miracle ing towards a Stripper Deck is that it’s easy to use, and that’s what class. Daryl is an appealing teacher and performer. It is not an

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 61 easy DVD to turn off and it is one I will turn to again. I encourage Risky Bet, presented by FISM 2000 winner Henry Evans, is anyone who owns an Invisible Deck to buy the DVD. It is a must based on an idea by Paulo Guerrini and was created by Henry for every assembly’s library. Evans and Rodrigo Romano. The performer has a card selected from a fanned deck, noted, and shuffled back into the deck by the Random Trick Deck plus DVD spectator. While the spectator is shuffling, the performer removes By Peter Nardi a five-dollar bill from his wallet, which Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies he promises to give to the spectator Price $38.95 should he fail to find the card. Bending down, he places the bill under his left Review by Dan Garrett shoe, leaving most of the bill showing. Taking the cards back, the performer You receive a deck of cards that is fans them once again and requests two basically a one-trick wonder, which chances to find the card. He then takes means you can only perform the one one from the fan. It is not the chosen routine with it. But it is a very strong card. Claiming his second chance, the effect. Basically, the mentalist influ- performer replaces the card and moves to ences the location of three cards in take a second card. However, instead of a deck shuffled by both performer a card, he plucks a folded five-dollar bill from the fan. Slipping and spectator, and on these cards the the cards into a side pocket, he opens the bill. By then everyone performer writes predictions of three is looking down at the performer’s shoe. The bill is missing, and more cards freely chosen by her. in its place is a playing card, which the performer shows to be the On the outside of the box, we read, “Random is a totally self- selected card. working masterpiece...” First of all, I would argue that there is A clever gimmicked card is used. Risky Bet comes with a ten- no such thing as a “self-working” trick. And Random is far from minute mpeg file on a video CD that shows a performance and self-working. gives full instructions in the operation of the gimmick. Whatever You receive a deck of cards with about half the deck gaffed, as you are thinking, you are probably wrong. This is very clever, well as a locator card. However, there is about thirty minutes of visual, and not difficult to do. It is great for walk-around and will prep work you must do before you can perform Random. It doesn’t play very well when people are standing all around you. It can also work straight out of the box. You will need a permanent marker be done for just one or two. The trick takes about two minutes to to prepare and to perform (not provided). If you know what you perform. The VCD may not play on some models of home DVD are doing, you can prep in ten minutes, but I suggest you take players. However, it is accessible on computers with either DVD your time and double check everything. If you mess up, you are or CD-ROM drives. cooked. Once you prep the deck, you will be ready to perform Random frequently without any further preparation. The re-set is Quarterly Returns DVD not very complicated at all. By David Eldridge It is suggested that you allow a permanent marker to dry out Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies completely to make it easier to do the necessary writing simula- Retail Price $19.95 tion on the faces of three cards. That takes at least two or three days. There is a card code you must memorize, although it is quite Review by Jamie Salinas simple. I think it could have been made even simpler. It is also rec- ommended that you perform a few effects with a matching deck, After putting this DVD in my laptop, the then switch decks and close your set with Random. I agree, but all copyright screen comes on with a year the above makes Random far from “self-working” in my mind. of 2000. My laptop has just been Once the performance is complete, you are done and cannot converted into a time machine. perform additional effects (easily) with the deck. Neither can it This DVD teaches you a signed be examined, but the handling is quite fair. It appears everything torn and restored card effect. As has been examined during the course of the presentation. That good classic magic is timeless, we being said, performing Random is quite easy, and requires no will see if Quarterly Returns falls difficult sleight of hand. But a minimum of skill (such as cutting into this category. to a locator card) is required. This is a Brad Burt video production Peter Nardi has some very good ideas, and this is one of them. and begins with an introduction from Brad He credits both John Archer and T.A. Waters as his inspiration telling us that what makes this version different is for Random. In spite of my reaction to the “self-working” claim, I that after a card is torn in four pieces, it is instantly restored. Next, think Random is a very strong effect. I like it a lot, and I can’t wait David Eldridge performs the effect in a studio setting with a pre- to try it out on real audiences. signed card. He rips a signed card into pieces, cleanly displays four separate pieces, places them together, blows on them and Risky Bet Trick they are instantly restored back to one unfolded piece. By Henry Evans Ignore the bad puns and dated comedy and you’ll find that Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies this is a straightforward instant card restoration that looks good. Price: $35.00 During the explanation, David begins the instructional portion by offering some background information about the effect. You Review by David Goodsell are provided with an over-the-shoulder view for the explanation. David provides clear and precise instructions that should allow

62 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 the beginning to intermediate performer a chance to quickly this effect, each at polar opposites of the scale. Some see the pos- master this effect. sibilities with this wonder while others see it as little more than a This is not a flashy modern instructional video (it was made party stunt. twelve years ago), but the effect is timeless. In fact, I would say In case you are new to magic, or have been it is a very good version of the T&R plot. If you are looking for a living under a rock for the last decade signed torn and restored card effect, do not let the older repack- and are completely unaware of this aged video fool you into passing on this video. This is a must for controversial effect, I will attempt anyone interested in this plot. to describe it to you. The magician takes out his wallet and removes Burn Notice Trick a couple of credit cards from it. He By Christopher Wiehl spreads the two cards and reveals that Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies between them is a translucent piece of Price $20.00 plastic that looks like a pocket magnifier. The magician explains that this is a device Review by Joshua Kane that is used to protect the magnetic stripes on the back of credit cards from getting erased and that it has other in- Burn Notice is not a trick. It is a means of making a revelation teresting uses as well. A Bic pen is brought out and placed across of something that you have forced. In short, you force an item, the fingers of the spectator’s open hand. The credit card protector pick up a receipt that has been in full view, wave a lit lighter or is then held above the pen; the spectator can see the barrel of the candle flame under it, and the receipt turns pen through the lens. The lens is the rotated ninety degrees; as black except for writing, which appears the magician does so, the spectator can see the middle section as still white, revealing your forced of the pen fade away and vanish. The assisting spectator can information. The DVD instruction see her fingers through the lens but not the middle of the pen. includes several simple effects, but The spectator can even open and close her fingers and see them the revelations are the same. Think moving back and forth under the lens, but still the pen seemingly of this not as a one-trick DVD but a has no middle. It really is a freaky looking illusion. The lens is one-revelation DVD. then rotated back to its original position and the barrel of the pen Christopher Wiehl is using a basic slowly reappears. But, because it has had its “reality twisted,” the scientific principle that has been around center of the pen now has a twist in it. The lens is taken away as long as thermal receipt paper. My problem from the top of the pen, yet the twist remains. The pen then can with the lack of impact is that many people under- be given to the spectator as a memento of her magical experience. stand that fire and heat can manifest chemical changes. There are While the visual qualities of the illusion are superb, it is security tags and parking receipts in commercial use that rely difficult for many to pass this off as anything more than an optical on oxidation or exposure to light to darken the paper, rendering illusion. Hence the two camps of thought on this effect. Others it unusable for multiple entries. The revelation itself does look find the effect weak due to the viewing restriction: you can really “cool.” Most things with fire do. Revealing secret writing that was only show it to one person at a time. It’s also quite an easy for written in lemon juice by holding it over a light bulb was also cool the spectator to come to the conclusion that the whole thing is when I read about it in secret writing books when I was eight. I do just an optical illusion caused by the refractive properties of the not feel that this is more impressive than a prediction written on a lens. Even I, as much as I like this effect, have to admit that it is facedown business card or one in an envelope. not a major mystery but more a curious demonstration of optics. On the other hand, if you know how to rock a lighter and just Regardless, it still looks freaky-neat and you can spend hours want a revelation, it is fun. The details for exactly what to use, watching the middle of the pen vanish and reappear before your and how to do it, are capably taught on the DVD. An editable own disbelieving eyes. All right…perhaps I’m easily amused. .PDF of a receipt set up for a number of standard forces is also You receive the lens, a carrying case for the lens, and a DVD included and does not require the use of a lighter. You will need with instructions for the Reality Twister routine as well as a your own lighter, but the special paper and that something extra version of it done with a straw. A bonus effect in which you use are both included. This is more Mr. Science than Mr. Magic. I it to cause a burnt paper match to penetrate a spectators hand is am underwhelmed and suspect you will see a number of these at also included. Unlike the original there is no twisted pen included. swap meets. Instead, the DVD includes instructions on how to bend your own. This way you can make up as many as you wish and give them out Paul Harris Presents: Lubor’s Lens Trick as souvenirs. You might even be able to get pens printed with your A Paul Harris Adaptation of a Lubor Fiedler contact info on them that you could twist and use as promotional Discovery material. Available from: www.PaulHarrisPresents.com My only complaint is that the instructions for making a twisted Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies pen aren’t very good. The one they make on the DVD is awful; the Price $15.00 center is badly scorched and the whole pen is horribly misaligned. Here’s a tip: you really don’t want the flame to touch the pen as Review by Payne you are preparing it. And if you roll the pen on a heat resistant flat It’s back. Well, I really don’t know if it ever left. But as you surface as it cools, it will remain straight. might already have suspected, this is just a re-release of Reality So that’s what you get for your $15. If you’re looking for a cute Twister, the trick/optical illusion that was the center of many a little one-on-one ice breaker this is just the thing. But if you want magic message board debate a few years back. Some of that dis- a major mystery to blow the socks off your audience and truly fry cussion became rather heated. There are two distinct camps on them, this isn’t the trick you’re looking for. 

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 63 Treasures from the Salon de Magie by Ken Klosterman

of Victorian furniture: a forty-four- inch-long plush reclining chair, and a glass-front armoire 30½ by 35½ by 50½ inches. He introduced the trick as a comedic interlude. A rural “country man” stumbled on stage, complaining of “some sorter buzzing” in his head. Could Herrmann help the rustic relieve the pain? Assuming the role of quack doctor, the magician did not prescribe a home remedy or patent medicine. Instead he suggested a permanent cure: cut off the Herrmann’s Decapitation offending member! And that is exactly what he Without question, stage illusions brought patrons into proceeded to do. the theater; some were mystifying, others hilarious. The The dubious patient Decapitation playlet by Alexander Herrmann (February was seated in the 10, 1844 – December 7, 1896) was a marvelous blend reclining, long-backed of comedy and magic, which made it a favorite of his chair in which the audiences. operation was to take Although today it would likely not fool anyone, even place. A “receiver” up through the time of Dante’s world tours in the 1940s was then shown to the the decapitation trick was a decided hit with the public. audience and placed Dante’s version had many of the same elements – an over the top of the patient’s head. It looked much like unwitting victim, a specially prepared chair, the threat the helmet from an antique diver’s outfit, and had a of decapitation, and a startling ending. In Dante’s visor that opened in its front to reveal the head within. presentation, the scene was an exotic barbershop with Herrmann closed the visor, and in one graceful stroke, Moorish architecture and assistants wearing fezzes. The lopped off the country man’s head, receiver and all. “customer” came in for a haircut and Dante, in a white The body, limp and lifeless, with a towel atop its bloody barber’s smock, proceeded to threaten decapitation with neck, sat motionless in the armchair. The magician a giant razor, big scissors, and a giant pair of pincers. To then presented the most magical moment of the sketch calm the customer, Dante placed a papier-mâché head by bringing the severed head back to life. Placing the on the man and another on himself. The customer in the receiver on top of the empty, glass-fronted armoire, giant head was eventually trimmed, lathered up, and Herrmann opened the front doors showing the shelves shaved, and upon the papier-mâché head being removed, full of medicine bottles. He took a pill bottle from the Dante was revealed in the chair. The barber removed his cabinet, opened it, and gave one to the head. The head giant head, and it was the customer. came to life and conversed with the magician and the Certainly the most involved farcical presentation, audience. Herrmann, soon realizing the error of his ways, and a strong contender for being the funniest, was that magically rejoined the head to its body – a fitting close created by Georges Méliès in 1891 at the Theatre to the sketch. Robert-Houdin, in Paris. Méliès, who had performed as a The cabinet is well described in H.J. Burlingame’s magician and shown films there, purchased the theater somewhat muddled biography, Herrmann the Magician, in 1888 from the widow of Emile Robert-Houdin, son of and in his Leaves from Conjurors’ Scrap Books, but it was the founder. The production was billed as “American misrepresented in the illustrations. The actual apparatus Spiritualistic Mediums ou le Décapité Récalcitrant used to accomplish the effect is shown here, except for [The Recalcitrant Decapitated Man], Bouffonnerie the “receiver” helmet. Burlingame identifies it as the Fantastique.” The skit’s dialog, action, and methods are first of two decapitations Herrmann used. The props fully described in S.H. Sharpe’s Conjurors’ Mechanical were obtained by Joseph Dunninger, then by the Houdini Secrets. Herrmann played Paris in 1878 and 1885, so Museum of Niagara Falls, Canada. They were purchased there can be little doubt that his comic decapitation was for the Salon de Magie at the Butterfield auction in the inspiration for Méliès. California in 1999, soon after fire had destroyed part of For Herrmann’s version, the properties required to the Houdini Museum.  present the trick were two seemingly ordinary pieces

64 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 Our Advertisers INSIDE STRAIGHT BY NORMAN BECK Augustine Magic 47 Complaint Deportment Axtell Expressions 67 I have a rather checkered past. I was a bartender at age Balloons to You 67 thirteen, a bouncer at nineteen, and a cop at twenty-three. A B. Happie Entertainment 50 person can learn a bunch in those professions. I had a mentor on the police department, a crusty gray-haired sergeant who taught Burgoon Magic 65 me things like, “Always circle before you light,” “Don’t go if you’re going to get caught,” “The first rule of any gunfight is to Card Shark 3 always have a gun.” I asked him once why he carried a .45; he said that the reason was that they don’t make a .46. The single Fitch Magic 50 most important thing he taught me was this: “It does not matter James Munton 47 what you say or do, but rather what you write down.” The concept is simple. The term “paper trail” means more to Jest Master's Foolery Shoppe 27 me than most folks. Were you to go through my email history, you would not find one email to anyone that I would not mind Joe Mogar - Magic Stars 27 anyone else reading. I don’t text anything that is not okay for the Jolly Roger 50 world to see. A recent situation came up where I was on the receiving end Klamm Magic 47 of a rather curt email. I had purchased a book from a magic publisher (whom I will not name, other than to say it was not La Rock's Fun & Magic Outlet 35 Hermetic Press). I did not like the book. In private conversa- tions with friends I questioned the contents of the book and Loomis Magic 4 its value (or lack of value). Some of my comments got back to MAGIC Magazine 10 the publisher, who emailed me (and I quote), “Your points are so stupid I can’t even begin to deal with them and I don’t have MAGIC Live 51 the time.” The last line of his email was, “You’re just not smart enough to get it.” Nielsen Magic 46 His last comment may well be true. I may be stupid, or maybe I’m just not smart enough to get it. The fact of the matter is, none Rory Feldman Productions 71, 72 of that should matter. I never went to the Magic Café or the Genii S.A.M. Convention 2013 69 Forum and posted my concerns. I never put anything in print that would in any way make me look bad. I did not wish to voice S.A.M. Life Membership 24 my thoughts to anyone but people via the phone. I won’t tell you the book, the author, or the publisher; the point of this article is S.A.M. Twitter 27 to make certain that you learn from other people’s stupidity. Show-Biz Services 9 The most important point was that prior to this one email I had purchased everything this person had put out. But I will The Magic Bakery 7 never buy anything this person puts out in the future. The proper response should have been, “I am sorry you did not like the Theory and Art of Magic Press 2 book. Thank you for your comments. I hope you will like the next project better than this one.” That would have done it and I T. Myers 4 would have continued to be a great customer. Instead, he told me how dumb I was for not “getting” the wisdom inside his book. I understand that in many ways a book, a video, or a trick are like your children; you may feel that in some way any criticism is a personal attack at you, but that is not the case. Please be aware that once you hit “Send” the words you type are out there forever. It’s just like toothpaste; once out of the tube you cannot put it back. The lesson here is that if I am right or if I am wrong, it makes no difference. I am the customer; the moment I give you money for a product or service, I become the boss. You must understand that this is true every time we are paid to perform; the person who paid us is the boss and we must do all we can to make them happy. I like the old adage, “The answer is yes; now, what was the question?” A casino billboard in Reno sums it up nicely. It says, “I may own the casino, but you are the boss.” 

NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 65 Christian Painter Mental Breakdown

with the word “Prediction” scrawled on my character, my performance, and the it say about you? Perhaps it says, “I’m level of my show? thirteen and I just learned a magic trick.” I have seen magicians pull coins from Did that envelope create any dramatic a small coin purse. My question for them The Props That Don’t tension, sense of mystery, or propel the is, would you or your character ever use a Matter – Matter story arc of the show? Probably not. coin purse? Almost always the answer is Let’s re-imagine the moment: From no. We do this because as magicians we Recently, Katalina and I were at an art your jacket pocket you pull out a red carry the coins in these small purses to gallery enjoying the marvelous paintings. envelope. “Marketing experts say that red keep them separate from other coins and There were a plethora of different styles, is used when they want to surprise you to protect them. These small purses were textures, and color palates among the works visually with a message. I have an intrigu- not meant to creep into our show. of art. At the end of our tour we had a very ing message in this envelope, a message Again let’s re-imagine a moment in our interesting conversation with the gallery’s that we will get to later.” You carefully show: “A few years back I was playing a art technician. He explained to us that a place the envelope on the table as if you little poker with some friends: card cheats, great deal of care is given to the frames are arranging it in some sort of clandestine mind readers, witches, and wizards. Not that are chosen for each painting and also way. every hand is for money. Sometimes we the type and intensity of the lighting, the Two critical factors have changed. One, play for arcane secrets and mystical layout of the paintings, and even the color we did not call the envelope a prediction. If oddities. That is how I came to own these.” of the wall on which they are hung. I’m going to use playing cards for the trick, You toss a velvet bag on the table; it lands He went on to explain that he can alter let’s redefine what I will call the ending. with a crash. “The bag contains silver the amount of time that people will stop Instead of calling it a prediction, I simply coins, but not your ordinary silver coins. and observe a painting by simply changing said we have a message in the envelope. By These coins have been touched by the su- any of the above factors. Each of these calling it a message instead of a prediction, pernatural.” factors either adds to the impact of the art the trick does not seem overstated. The I think it’s easy to see that the re- or takes away from it. He made clear that word “message” has a relaxed yet curious imagined script and prop are much more what separates good art houses from great feel to it. interesting to the audience. The velvet bag ones are these small factors – factors that The second factor is that the envelope supports the story and moves the trick the ordinary patrons would never notice. is red, a small change but a strong one. forward. Pulling coins out of a small purse It occurred to me that the same thing Red is a bold color. You don’t see too says this is a magic trick I bought at the applies to our shows. You can substitute many red envelopes in your life. A red store. a trick for the painting. A good trick is a envelope seems important without saying Many years ago, I had a very expensive good trick, but a good trick could be made it’s important. It also generates interest wood pen that I used when I had people amazing by simply tweaking the props that and mystery in the mind of your audience. write down a thought or their signature. surround it. Here’s an example: A red envelope says you took time to The pen had an extraordinary look to it, Reaching into your jacket you take out develop this routine, as opposed to an ugly and many people commented on its beauty a deck of cards. Opening the card case you yellowish pay envelope that has “predic- or uniqueness. This happened so much, I spread the cards face down on the table. tion” scrawled on it. felt compelled to create a back story for it. You explain that you are going to make a The envelope itself has nothing to do I won’t bore you with the particulars, but prediction about the future. You pull out with the method of the trick. However, suffice it to say the people enjoyed hearing a yellowish pay envelope with the word changing the kind of envelope we pull out, the bizarre tale that I had woven around “Prediction” written in black marker on changes the subtext of the trick. It can give this interesting accoutrement. Simply the face and place it on the table. the performance a bit of class. We want telling them about my pen became part of Stop! No matter how good this trick is, our audience to be emotionally charged the show and helped define my character. what do your props say about you and this when we perform our mini-miracles. It is Every prop tells a story, whether it is moment in time? Let’s walk through this. difficult to be emotionally moved when spoken or not. Look at each and every prop One: If you have the power to see into your props look pedestrian. and see if it conveys an image that helps the future, would you use it to predict what This goes for every prop in your show. your overall act or distracts from it. Would card I am going to take? And if you did, Look at your tables, the bags or boxes your character use this item or is it some what does this say about your choices in from which you pull your tricks, and the piece that wandered haphazardly into your life? pen you use to write something. Then ask show? I look forward to seeing what props Two: What does an ordinary envelope yourself, what do these things say about you will place on the table. 

66 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 67 George Schindler The Dean’s Diary

probably already taken. “Great” is another old fashioned title. Since I am always introduced as the “World’s Greatest Magician,” I am naturally touchy about other people using the title. Who’s “Ini”? Alexander the Great (not even a magician) probably influenced the latter day guys such In an interview in Las Vegas, David as Herrmann the Great. “Great” is a popular Copperfield spoke about adopting a stage adjective. Remember some of these? “The name; he did not want to use the “ini” so Great” was mostly seen on their posters: many magicians find attractive. Since Harry The Great Nicola, The Great Rameses, added the “i” to Houdin, the practice has Carter the Great, The Great Clivette, The become overused. I do not want to belittle Great Zancig, The Great Laurant, The Great those who use it, but very few have been Levante, and, of course, The Great Black- successful with the “ini” ending. I am sure stone. Sorcar’s posters always used the that you are about to tell me about the few initials “WGM.” famous ones of another era, magicians like Often magicians of yesteryear would Cardini, Malini, Rosini, or Slydini. They use descriptive titles to help sell the act. The were unique and they were also of another Great Triple Alliance (Leroy, Fox, Powell) time. I laugh when I see names like Aldini, is an example. One poster advertised the Benjalini, Fakini, Galdini, Fantocini, “Wonderful” Kellar. There was the “In- Phantini or Martini. I am sure that they comparable” Aldini; Rouclair used “the are all good guys who thought the associa- Transformist” after his name. Wyman the tion would help them get work or help them “Wizard” tells you what he does. We still be remembered. Alas, “George –ini” is see the “Amazing” Kreskin and Reveen, “the Impossibilist.” I’ve been playing with some grand names you can use if you ever get hired by the Food Channel. How about the Great Tortellini, the Impossible Fettuccini, the Amazing Zucchini, or just plain Panini? It’s so important for new, young magicians to change their names. Who would even think of booking people with names like Steve Cohen, Phil Goldstein, Max Katz, George Schindler, or David Kotkin? 

68 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012

Rod Danilewicz Confessions of a Paid Amateur

old guys. The common denominator appears “The younger crowd to be that young magicians are not making an effort to seek us out. If seems to confine their Each November, I acknowledge those we want to make them aware of the who wrote in during the year and I share benefits of joining a local club or research to YouTube, their comments with the general member- national organization we are going to ship. The hot button this year was the issue have to take the initiative and go to where the magic is of how we might attract and retain younger where the young people are. magicians. Outside of school, they are at home presented without a The responses indicate that many of online, at the mall, or the skate board you from all over the country having been park. We could put a promo tape for the formal stage setting, giving serious thought to this problem. If S.A.M. on YouTube. We could offer we could somehow get all of you into the to do a school assembly promoting with no audience, and same room together, I’m sure we would magic as a hobby. We could establish quickly formulate the correct game plan. after-school magic clubs. certainly with not a lot Jim Ottmer observed that the problem Malls rent small spaces during the of recruiting younger members extends to holiday season. Why not set up there of thought given to a all organizations. There was a time when for three months? A case of Svengali you had to leave your home to find people decks would draw a crowd and pay the polished presentation." of a like mind. There were clubs and kiosk rent. Have plenty of materials to fraternal organizations to fill every need. hand out about your local club or the “assets” will have an easier time. Mark Today you can access the world from your S.A.M. wherever you go. I’m too old for Evans tags all of his books with Post-it home with a few keystrokes. motorcycles or skateboards, so I can’t help Notes as to value and rarity. I discussed Doctor Chris Faria noted that when we you there. this subject in my columns of September do pique the interest of a young magician, Finally, on this subject, watch the 2010 and July 2011. they do not hang around us very long. Part interview on the S.A.M. website that Bruce When I mentioned Steve’s name last of it is due to generational differences. We Kalver did with Hank Moorehouse at the year, someone from his California magic old guys are hesitant to leave our comfort St. Louis convention. Hank mentioned that shop days wrote to me looking to reestab- zone. Doctor Faria emphasized that there he was working on a youth program. I don’t lish contact. If you’re still out there, email are almost no young role models within know if he ever got this off the ground, me and I will forward your information to our craft to entice the younger generation. but I would like to hear from anyone he Mr. Dawson. I won’t give you his address John Morrissy’s comments supported may have shared his thoughts with on this because you might be a bill collector or a this. He and I grew up watching old guys subject. hit man. such as Jack Benny or Bob Hope. From Anything Hank took on he believed Diego Domingo read that magic was these old programs we learned about in and saw through to completion. I think declared dead in a 1920s issue of Billboard personal appearance, stagecraft, how to a youth program in his name would be a magazine. So what else is new? Frank take command of an audience, and timing. fitting tribute. If his program does exist Kovach and Alan Wheeler both put the The younger crowd seems to confine somewhere in rudimentary form, I’ll audience first. Frank hands out comment their research to YouTube, where the magic donate a thousand dollars in his memory cards that he collects after the show. is presented without a formal stage setting, to get it up and running. David Goldberg commented on the lack with no audience, and certainly with not a Doctor Bruce Lish says your personal of professional courtesy some magicians lot of thought given to a polished presen- appearance and the appearance of your display when attending the show of another tation (all of which are important steps to apparatus determines how you will both be performer. I will look up Dave and Roland learn on the way to success). But you do perceived and received by your audience. Sarlot and Susan Eyed when I finally get find out how the trick was done. Presentation ranks second, and the actual moved to Arizona. There are scattered efforts to recruit trick is last. Doctor Steven Stanek echoed Thanks also to Jerry Schiowitz, Doctor younger members. Paul Hilko says his those views. Apparently those who present Gary Flegal, and Tom Bohacek for their Florida assembly has begun a membership a professional image in their day jobs have comments. The series on helpful hints drive. Jim Ottmer has taken on the respon- no problem carrying the concept over to when things go wrong during a show sibility of personal mentorship to a young their magic shows. begins next month.  man who shows promise but who has no Steve Dawson suggested we catalog desire to attend meetings with a bunch of everything so those left to liquidate our Email me at [email protected]

70 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012