JULY 2014

MEET S.A.M. PRESIDENT

KENRICK "ICE" MCDONALD
AND I.B.M. PRESIDENT
SHAWN FARQUHAR
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,
18915 East Briargate Lane, #1F
Parker, CO 80134
Copyright © 2014
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

To file an assembly report go to:

www.mum-magazine.com

For advertising information,

reservations, and placement contact:
Cinde Sanders
M-U-M Advertising Manager
Email: ads@magicsam.com
Telephone: 214-902-9200

Editorial contributions and correspondence

concerning all content and advertising
should be addressed to the editor:
Michael Close - Email: mumeditor@gmail.com
Phone: 317-456-7234
Submissions for the magazine will only be
accepted by email or fax.
VISIT THE S.A.M. WEB SITE
www.magicsam.com
To access “Members Only” pages:
Enter your Name and Membership number
exactly as it appears on your membership card.

4 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

M-U-M July 2014
MAGAZINE Volume 104 • Number 2

cover story S.A.M. NEWS

page 36
6 From the Editor’s Desk
8 From the President’s Desk
10 Newsworthy 49
11 M-U-M Assembly News
22 Good Cheer List
23 New Members & Reinstatements
24 Broken Wands
69 Our Advertisers
Cover Photo by Robin Dawes

THIS MONTH’S FEATURES

26 Magic from a Member • by Mitch Geier
28 Stage 101 Practium • by Levent
32 Paranormal Happenings • by Charles Siebert, MD
34 Nielsen Gallery • by Tom Ewing 34
36 COVER STORY • by R.D. Michaels 46
40 Looking Forward • by David R. Goodsell
42 Hit the Road • by Scott Alexander
44 Cheats and Deceptions • by Antonio M. Cabral
46 Not Just Kid Stuff • by Jim Kleefeld
49 Tech Tricks • by Bruce Kalver
50 The High Road • by Mick Ayres 68
52 For Your Consideration • by George Parker
54 Ebook Nook: Master Notebook of Magic
60 Informed Opinion • New Product Reviews
68 Salon de Magie • by Ken Klosterman
69 Inside Straight • by Norman Beck
70 The Dean’s Diary • by George Schindler
70 Basil the Baffling • by Alan Wassilak

10

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.

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 5

Photo by fivebyphotography.com

And there was much more. For close-up workers we had Aldo
Colombini (On the Loose, Anytime – Anywhere – Any Deck),
Michael Perovich (Ellipsis, January 2012 – December 2012);
Editor’s Desk Steve Marshall (Magic from 4F, January 2009 – December 2010,
and I Left My Cards at Home, January 2011 – present), Chris
Michael Close Wasshuber (How to Make Your Own Playing Cards, February
2011 – July 2011), and Bob Farmer (El Roberto Enigmatico,
January 2014 – present). For illusionists we ran Shop to Stage
This is a unique and historic issue of M-U-M. It marks the by Paul Osborne (February 2009 – November 2011); Illusions of
first time that the incoming president of The Society of American Grandeur by David Seebach (January 2010 – present). Mentalists
Magicians and the incoming president of the International had Mental Breakdown by Christian Painter (July 2009 – March
Brotherhood of Magicians appear together on the cover of this 2014) and Messing with Your Mind by Christopher Carter (April
magazine. (They are also together on the cover of the Linking 2014 to present). Larry White’s Specters & Secrets (January
Ring.) Kenrick “ICE” McDonald and Shawn Farquhar are great 2009 – December 2009) featured bizarre magic in the style of
friends of almost twenty-five years, so it was serendipitous that his great book A Devil of a Bar and Pub. Kid show magic has
they ascended to the presidency in the same year, and in the year been well represented by Power of Bending Air (March 2009 –
that the S.A.M. and I.B.M. decided to hold a joint national con- November 2011) by Tom Vorjohan and Daniel Herron, Unlimited
vention. ICE was on the cover of M-U-M in January 2010. You Possibilities (February 2010 – January 2013) by Jolly Roger, and
can read about what he’s been up to in this month’s cover story Jim Kleefeld’s Not Just Kid Stuff (January 2014 – present). (This
by R.D. Michaels. Following that story is an interview with ICE month Jim offers for free the plans and graphics for a prop that he
and Shawn conducted by Editor Emeritus David Goodsell. I’ve could easily have charged money for.)
known ICE and Shawn for a long time, and I congratulate them Because most of the contributors to M-U-M are full-time or
on their achievement. part-time professional magicians, the articles they contribute (even
If you are a longtime reader of M-U-M, you might want to if they are training-based) are full of practical, real-world advice
skip the rest of this column and plunge right into the rest of the – the kind of advice that can save a lot of time and heartache. Of
magazine; there’s plenty of good stuff to read. (However, you particular note in this regard was A Magician Prepares (January
might want to keep reading just to be reminded of some of the 2009 – January 2013) by the late Dennis Loomis. Dennis was a
material that has appeared in M-U-M over the past six years.) general practitioner; he had done it all, from escapes to illusions
Because this issue of the magazine will be available to prospec- to school assembly shows to walk-around magic. His columns
tive new members of the S.A.M. at the combined convention, I provided a post-graduate course in what you need to know
want to discuss my editorial approach and what you can find in if you want to make a living as a magician. They are an enor-
this issue (and the previous sixty-six issues I’ve edited). mously valuable resource. Dennis was also a good friend of Doug
Before I began my editorship of M-U-M with the January Henning, and he offered some great stories about his friend in the
2009 issue, my wife Lisa (who does the graphic design for the column The Skinny Kid with the Overbite. If you’re interested in
magazine) and I discussed the type of content we wanted to offer the history of magic, these columns are worth your time. Also
in the magazine. Our discussion resulted in four main areas: worth your time are our regular history columnists Tom Ewing
practical training in the major branches of magic (close-up, (Nielsen Gallery, January 2009 – present) and Ken Klosterman
stand-up, stage, mentalism, and kid shows); real-world advice (Treasures from the Salon de Magie January 2012 – present).
from professional performers; topics on magic theory that could Most of our writers also understand that the practical and the
be used as springboards for discussion at assembly meetings; and theoretical go hand in hand, and they incorporate magic theory
an emphasis on the importance of reading and an appreciation into their writings. Some columns address theoretical concepts
of the classic texts of magic. In addition, we’d include profiles more directly. I was very pleased when Charles Reynolds allowed
of contemporary performers, articles on magic history, commen- me to serialize his lecture notes Observations in M-U-M. (This
tary, and reviews of current products. appeared as On Topic, May 2009 – March 2010). Charles’s as-
For the practical training, we led off with Ian Kendall’s sessment of what makes magic work is as clear and concise as
wonderful column, Basic Training (January 2009 – December anything I’ve read on the subject. Larry Hass, the associate dean
2011), which introduced readers to many of the core techniques of the McBride Magic & Mystery School, has contributed two
of close-up magic. After Ian’s column concluded, we focused on valuable series of columns: Theory and Art of Magic (May 2010 –
stand-up magic with Levent’s Stage 101 column (January 2012 April 2012) and Building a Show (January 2013 – January 2014).
– December 2013). While this column focused on basic princi- Currently, For Your Consideration (January 2013 – present) by
ples and how to apply them, Levent’s current column, Stage 101 George Parker, who is also associated with Mystery School, and
Practicum, offers complete routines from Levent’s professional The High Road (January 2013 – present) by Mick Ayres offer
repertoire. A special treat for stage and stand-up performers was insights into magic theory and the importance of character and
Scott Alexander’s column On the Shoulders of Giants (January script writing.
2013 – December 2013), which detailed the classic routines in the There is much more to M-U-M, but I’m out of space. If you
act of Denny Haney. (Scott’s current column, Hit the Road, offers join the S.A.M. while attending the combined convention (and
practical advice for the traveling magician.) Currently, Tony I hope you will), you’ll find a wealth of information in the back
Cabral is offering techniques and training for the intermediate issues of the magazine (several year’s worth are available online).
card magician in his column Cheats & Deceptions. (Incidentally, If you have questions, don’t hesitate to come up and talk to me.
this month Tony tips a very useful method of card control, one for And have a great time at the convention! 
which I immediately found many uses.)

6 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

 their families.
Tevell said, “There are
times when magic is about
President’s Desk entertainment, and then there
Kenrick "ICE" McDonald are other times when it’s about
changing the world. When I
walk into a hospital room it’s
Wow, it is finally here. Allow me to introduce myself; I am about changing the world!”
Kenrick “ICE” McDonald, the national president of The Society Tevell tells of setting up to do
of American Magicians. I am honored to be the president; I don’t a show in one of the hospital’s
take this position lightly. I’m sure there will be issues that I can playrooms and a father saying
solve and some that I can’t. During my term as president, one of to him that he wished his
the major things that I would like to highlight is “the good will” son could see the show, but
of the Society and its members. I want to showcase the wonderful he was going into surgery.
programs available to our members, such as the Houdini Fund and Tevell talked to the staff and
the Magic Endowment Fund. These funds are available to help ended up going down to pre-op with the family. Tevell did the
magicians. Since I first became involved with the national council Malini Egg Bag for the boy; when he finished, the boy smiled
of the Society, I have talked about including and connecting and laughed. The parents started to cry and told him it was the
with the younger magical artist. I have advocated infusing youth first time their son had laughed or smiled in two weeks. Tevell
into the Society and for those young people to take advantage of says, “Your magic must be about more than getting a check or self
all the wisdom the Society has to offer. I would like to engage, gratification or it’s not really magic.”
encourage, and embrace the young entertainers of our art. I also
want to make this year “The Year of the Member,” celebrating the THE PRESIDENT’S YOUNG MAGICAL ARTIST
members of The Society of American Magicians. OF THE MONTH
Each month I plan to highlight two individuals on my president’s
page. The section will be called the President Spotlight. There Kayla Drescher, a pro-
will be two categories. One category will highlight an individual fessional magician from the
who performs for hospitals, charities, or similar organizations. New England area, has been
The other category will highlight a young person who is striving performing magic for over a
for excellence in the art of magic and the business of magic. The decade. She has performed on
age range for the young artist will be sixteen to twenty-four; numerous television programs,
exceptions will be made on a case by case basis. I will need your including Indianapolis’s Fox 59
help finding magicians to highlight. If you know of an outstanding News, Connecticut’s Talking
individual who will fit into the either of these categories, please with Tom, and NBC’s The Today
submit the following information to ice@magicsam.com: his or Show, where she won David
her name, email address, and a brief explanation of why he or she Copperfield’s “Search for the
should be highlighted. Next Great Magician.” Kayla
continues to pursue her dream
PRESIDENT’S SPOTLIGHT of pushing reality’s limits and sharing magic with the world.
THE PRESIDENT’S GOOD WILL PERFORMER After graduating college with a degree in environmental
science, Kayla made the decision to pursue magic profession-
OF THE MONTH
ally. Since then, she has won numerous awards, including the
Tevell Rose of Chicago, Winter Carnival of Magic First Place in Close-up. She can often
Illinois, has been performing be seen performing behind a bar, on a college campus, or during
magic for more than twenty a corporate event.
years. During those years, Through Kayla’s career, she has used her magic for fund-
he has entertained well over raisers, charity events, and much more. Kayla has helped raise
100,000 audience members. money for the Wheelock College’s athletic department in Boston,
Tevell has truly enjoyed Massachusetts, the Jimmy Fund, Devon, CT Rotary Club, New
performing for each and every England Cancer Society, Hartford Children’s hospitals, and many
one. There is a group, however, more! Kayla also loves organizing magic fundraisers, such as
that is closer to his heart than all her multiple magic shows at Sheehan High School in Walling-
the rest; he has performed four ford, Connecticut, which raised over $9,000 for the music and art
hundred shows for more than departments. 
5,000 hospitalized children and
8 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014
 S.A.M. National Officers

Dean: George Schindler, 1735 East 26th St.,

Brooklyn, NY 11229, (718) 336-0605, Fax (718)
627-1397, showbiz10@aol.com
President: Kenrick “ICE” McDonald, P.O. Box
341034, Los Angeles, CA 90034,
(310) 559-8968, ICE@MagicSam.com
President Elect: David Bowers,
(717) 414-7574, David@MagicSam.com
First Vice President: Jeffrey Sikora, (402) 339-
6726 Jeff@MagicSam.com
Secretary: Marlene Clark, 274 Church Street,
#6B, Guilford, CT 06437, (203) 689-5730,
Skype: marlene.clark, Marlene@MagicSam.com
Treasurer: Eric Lampert, (215) 939-5555,
Eric@MagicSam.com

Regional Vice Presidents

New England: CT MA RI NH ME VT
Joseph Caulfield (603) 654-6022,
rvpnewengland@MagicSam.com
North Atlantic: NY NJ
Eric DeCamps, (718) 896-5861,
rvpnorthatlantic@MagicSam.com
Mid Atlantic: PA DE MD VAWV DC
Phil Milstead, (703) 481-5271,
rvpmidatlantic@MagicSam.com
South Atlantic: FL AL GA MS NC SC
Debbie Leifer (404) 630-1120
rvpsouthatlantic@MagicSam.com
Central Plains: KY TN OH IN MI
Steven A. Spence, (317) 722-0429
rvpcentralplains@MagicSam.com
Midwest: IL MN WI MO ND NE KS SD IA
Shaun Rivera, (618) 781-8621
rvpmidwest@MagicSam.com
South Central States: TX AR OK NM LA
Michael Tallon, (210) 341-6959
rvpsouthcentral@MagicSam.com
Southwest: CA AZ NV HI
Ron Ishimaru, (808) 428-6019,
rvpsouthwest@MagicSam.com
Northwest: WA OR UT ID CO AK WY MT
James Russell, (360) 682-6648
rvpnorthwest@MagicSam.com
Canada: Rod Chow (604) 669-7777
rvpcanada@MagicSam.com
Society of Young Magicians Director:
Jann Wherry Goodsell, 329 West 1750 North,
Orem, Utah 84057 (801) 376-0353.
bravesjann@comcast.net

Living Past
National Presidents

Bradley M. Jacobs, Richard L. Gustafson, Roy A.

Snyder, Bruce W. Fletcher, James E.
Zachary, David R. Goodsell, Fr. Cyprian Murray,
Michael D. Douglass, George Schindler, Dan
Rodriguez, Dan Garrett, Donald F. Oltz Jr., Craig
Dickson, Loren C. Lind, Gary D. Hughes, Harry
Monti, Jann Wherry Goodsell, Warren J. Kaps,
Ed Thomas, Jay Gorham, John Apperson, Richard
M. Dooley, Andy Dallas, Maria Ibáñez, Bruce
Kalver, Mike Miller, Mark Weidhaas, Vinny
Grosso, J. Christopher Bontjes, Dal Sanders

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 9

Newsworthy Updates From Our
S.A.M. Members
105TH SALUTE TO MAGIC SHOW tion of a silk scarf. He then
MAY 17, 2014 went into the audience and
BY DEAN GEORGE SCHINDLER recruited two willing assis-
tants for a most entertaining
The historic 472-seat Queens Theater was one of three musical and visual presenta-
buildings comprising the New York State Pavilion at the 1964 tion of the walking knot. After
World’s Fair. On May 17, 2014, it was the venue for the 105th an- instructing the participants,
niversary of the Parent Assembly 1 annual Salute to Magic. Fifty he changed into a bright,
years ago, magicians were represented at the fair opening with a glittery, purple jacket, donned
special “Magic Day” event produced by PA 1 and The Society of some sunglasses (as did his as-
American Magicians. Twenty-five years before that, the S.A.M. David Oliver sistants), and performed a re-
was active at the 1939 fair as well. The timing was perfect for the markable lip-sync presentation
Salute to Magic show to help celebrate this golden anniversary. of Barry White’s “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything”
Audience members who filed into the music-filled theater were that brought many laughs and gasps for the amazing rope restora-
treated to a slide show of the old Fair as they awaited the Salute. tions. His masterful handling of the spectators is to be lauded.
The show began with a welcome by producer Ken Ferst and PA David has not lost his touch; he closed with his well-known
1 president David Adamovich. A congratulatory letter from New Linking Ring routine, which was as crisp and stunning as ever.
York’s mayor Bill deBlasio preceded the introduction of a short Known as the “Virtuoso of Magic,” the handsome Jay Scott
film by Herb Sher, which highlighted some of the close-up magic Berry presented some smart manipulative moves with billiard
performed by our “Magician of the Year,” Sol Stone. Sol is one of balls and segued into rope and silk effects that culminated with a
New York’s hidden magic treasures. He has mentored dozens of pretty and most artistic presentation of a silk knot through a rope.
close-up magicians who met on hundreds of Saturdays at various Changing the pace, he found two spectators to assist in an original
restaurant meeting places around the city. Although not a profes- “destiny or chance” prediction effect. Using a young audience
sional performer, Sol has created and developed magic for many helper, Jay closed the first half of the show with a most amusing
of today’s well known artists, one of whom was Jeff McBride, and amazing presentation of the Floating Table. His patter and
who accompanied him to the stage, where producers David and suave, dignified, emcee style sets him apart from the rest.
Ken presented Sol Stone with his well-deserved award. Intermission time allowed four S.Y.M. youngsters the chance
to shine in public, as they also did during their pre-show per-
formances in the theater lobby. Kayla Caputo, George Danyluk,
Adam Krevlin, and David Rosenstein made us proud.
The second half of the show opened with recognition of
Kamarr, who
was one of the
magic acts in the
General Cigar
Hall of Magic
show produced
by Mark Wilson
in 1964. Kamarr
David Adamovich, Sol Stone, Jeff McBride, and Ken Ferst charmed the
audience with
After a few words of thanks by Stone, Ken Ferst introduced his still-comical
emcee Jay Scott Berry, who indeed was a “master” of the cer- Greek accent and
emonies and set the tone for the electrifying show that followed. Intermission performers Kayla Caputo a Magic Square.
The full-house audience was ready for the stimulating opening act and Adam Krevlin The final star
as Joe Devlin was introduced as the “Matador of Magic.” From performer was Jeff McBride. It would take many pages to describe
his very first “Ole!” the matador took command of the stage with the effects performed, but he did almost all of his well-established
the production of the statuesque Bronwyn from the flames of a McBride classics, which have rarely been seen by lay audiences
burning trunk. She then climbed into the large basket mounted in New York. These include his mask and kabuki effects plus a
on a stand in center stage; after being skewered by blades she street magic sequence and knots-off-silk routines with audience
reemerged in a completely different costume. The act continued members. His dancing neon lights, now-famous Miser’s Dream
with Devlin’s version of the classic Razor Blade trick followed with a youngster from the audience (the most entertaining ever),
by one of his two signature effects – the striking and poetic “Las and an especially great performance of the water bowls all went
Flores” flower effect. The Devlins closed with another pictur- perfectly. Naturally, this King of Kards closed with his card ma-
esque illusion in which senorita Bronwyn is magically suspended nipulations. The standing ovation at the curtain call told the story.
atop the neck of a guitar. The audience gave them well-deserved If you were at the show, the spectacular program done by
applause. David Adamovich is a collectible. Ask MI Dal Sanders and
David Oliver was the perfect act to follow. This gentleman of his wife Cinde, who graced us with their attendance, how they
magic won over his audience with his comedy lines and enchanted enjoyed the evening. 
them with the masterful, sleight-of-hand vanish and reproduc- Photos by Bill Wang

10 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

 ASSEMBLY NEWS July 2014 Volume 104, Number 2

Society of American Magicians Monthly News

GO TO: WWW.MUM-MAGAZINE.COM
and use the easy submission form to file your report

2
A MAGICAL CIRCUS
help John Caris staged a bizarre
version of Howard Adams’s
Predicnic, an ESP card effect.
frame we had two lectures and a
workshop.
This started with an in depth
Mary Caris enjoyed the magic and study with Daryl in which he
SAN FRANCISCO, CA— assisted in vanishing the cookies. carefully addressed all of the
Corky LaVallee gave the teach-in, —John Caris steps in his version of Out of this
a continuation of last month’s Golden Gate Assembly 2 meets Hemisphere. This was followed
thread magic. Tonight Corky first Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at by many pointers on presentation
utilized visible thread, demon- Community Room of Taraval and variation as he went through
strating two routines. The first Police Station, 2345 24th Avenue, another complicated effect. The
involved a selected card that, after San Francisco. Contact Tamaka evening brought more magic as
being replaced in the deck, slid out Tamaka3715@aol.com (415) some of the students clamored for
from the deck. The other exhibited 531-9332 https://www.facebook. additional knowledge. Before the
a match box that could stand up; com/groups/249018441875771/ for New member Jarod Raitsky week ended Norman Beck came to
when lying flat, the drawer would more details. about to predict the one coin town again to show us some neat
open and close. Corky provided Jeff Eline will leave stuff. Warren Buffett and Walter

6
thread and cards for members to on the table Scott were not in attendance
practice the sliding card effect. although their hobbies included
Stu Bacon began the evening’s MYSTICAL MAGIC IN MAY a classic coin prediction based magic.
performances with an amusing on heads/tails elimination. Jay Our regular May meeting
rendition of Jim Steinmeyer’s Cue BALTIMORE, MD— Following Silverman showed his Spectator followed with the theme of Chil-
Cards. Terrie Cardoza assisted Stu an under-a-minute discussion Cuts to the Aces (similar to dren’s Magic. President Tom
with a second effect consisting of of the upcoming flea market Nick Trost’s Revolving Aces). Zepf led some discussion about
a calendar with numbers on each and possible joint lecture with Apologizing that “the method is the recent AbraCorndabra in Des
day. Terrie chose her birthday and I.B.M. Ring 179, we got right into better than the trick,” Jeff Eline Moines, Iowa, that was attended
Stu dealt that number of cards. magic with Ira Kolman instantly pulled numbered cards out of by many of our members. For
This was Terrie’s selected card. unlinking two big (and ungaffed) six pay envelopes and success- a Nebraskan, it was so conve-
With a second deck Stu dealt safety pins that a spectator had fully predicted the number a nient and such a great value for
the same number and the card just linked. Mentalist Oneil Banks spectator had mentally chosen. something only two hours from
matched the chosen one. took a shot at mental suggestion We all thought the trick was as Omaha. Dean Walter Graham
Walt Johnson followed with two with two volunteers (Banachek’s good as the method is clever. He distributed our new directory and
compelling mysteries. He first Psychic Touch). He then discussed followed by having five spectators then Denny Rourke talked about
presented the power of attraction the effect. Howard Katz mystified randomly select five envelopes, a recent Broken Wand Ceremony
between objects: a metal ring on us with an ESP cards prediction all but one of which were then for compeer Art Chapin, Past-
a metal spring. Walt was able to using a pair of dice; his card and shredded. The surviving envelope President.
remove and replace the ring on those of the two spectators all contained a $5 bill (donated to
the spring but others who tried matched. Peter Wood divined the the assembly). And finally, guest
were unable to. Next Walt showed one thought-of card in an all-blank Mike Parkinson, after much
a bonded metal band. He amazed deck, a possibly original effect. coercion, had a spectator mentally
us when he transformed the band Eric Hoffman finally located his name any card, which was then
into a square figure and then blank die and performed Die of found in Mike’s wallet. Hmm...
into a circular shape. Hippo Lau Destiny. Andy London wowed us —Eric Hoffman
presented Hippity-Hop Rabbits. with a card prediction using his The Kellar/Thurston Assembly
Corky returned and entertained Lucky 13 deck. 6 meets every first Thursday at
with a silk-in-the-tube routine. Joe Bruno wanted to show us 8:00 pm at the Magic Warehouse,
After putting several colored something new and therefore 11419 Cronridge Drive Suite
silks in the tube, he announced picked “something really old,” an #10 in Owings Mills, Maryland.
he would transform them into a Ace assembly he invented ten or 410-561-0777. Contact Andy
large bouquet of flowers. Reaching eleven years ago (similar to Peter London alondon@comcast.net,
into the tube, he pulled out a long Kane’s Jazz Aces, but a different www.baltimoresam.com for more
string of silks tied together. Once method). He followed with another details. The fez of Neil Bable
the silks were removed, he did
produce the flowers. After writing
a message on a large drawing pad,
effect he invented in 1975 in which
a card selected from among ten
turns into a Joker. He tipped the
7
BACK TO NORMAL?
Next, the parade of performers
started with one of our S.Y.M.
Rich Seguine opened the pad and effect; meanwhile we were all members, Josh, followed by Neil
a bowling ball suddenly fell to the admiring his flawless Elmsley OMAHA, NE— Where has the Bable, Pete Petrashek, Walter
floor, astonishing the members. counts. Craig Feinstein debuted Omaha Magical Society been this Graham, Dick Sanders, Joyce
Concluding his comedic act, Rich his first try at mentalism: locating year? Due to the rapid-fire season Chleboun, Bob Gehringer, and Jeff
displayed his magician’s table: un- the one signed/sealed envelope (of we’ve scheduled, one could be Sikora . There was a wide variety
expectedly the two front legs fell five) containing an X written on afraid of magic overload. Fortu- of effects and each performer was
off and then amazingly a pair of one of the five business cards; it nately, this didn’t happen. For the offered an opportunity to select
human legs appeared, holding up took two tries but it worked. very first time that anyone can two tricks from the Warren Mattes
the front of the table. With Walt’s New member Jarod Raitsky did remember, within a one-week time estate.

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 11

Assembly News
Jeff asked that we all keep in our on the block that night! Yes, many years. Then Derrel Allen to Peter L. we have a wonderful
thoughts some get-well wishes for even a Zig-Zag Girl illusion in was joined by incoming president meeting place at slot car raceway.
an S.Y.M. member named Alex excellent condition! Meanwhile, Frank Seltzer and the two rec- This month we had a do-what-you-
who is battling non-Hodgkin’s Steve Corbitt rummaged for more ognized S.A.M. President Dal want theme; what a great evening
lymphoma. We understand that he patio blocks (outside joke). Steve Sanders with a nice plaque. Then it was.
is hoping his bone marrow trans- Barcellona organized the whole Frank gave Derrel our thanks, a Scott led off with wonderful
plant will keep him on the road to auction and made sure it all went certificate, and a wand to com- rendition of rope through neck
recovery. smoothly. Hats off to Steve! memorate his service as president and the Professor’s Nightmare
Our next meeting is our annual As always, we had no less than this past year. – beautiful execution and
garage sale. We call this back to the best financial minds, Dick wonderful history lesson. Our
normal. —Jerry Golmanavich and Mary Ann Blowers, set to the future new member Paul A. did
Omaha Magical Society meets task of keeping track of all sales some wonderful card work with
usually at 7 p.m. on the third transactions. PNP John Apperson an effect he called A Million to
Monday of each month at the was exhausted from the bidding One. This amazed us all. Ken E.,
Southwest Church of Christ, frenzy, started it off by purchas- another future member, ended
near 124th St. and West Center ing the very first item on the up as the designated assistant for
Road, right across from where block, a porcelain Card King! the evening. Bob C. was up next.
Hooters used to be. Contact Everyone said that it was a great Bob amazed us all by taking the
jerry golmanavich golubki@ success and they laughed out loud cap off a water bottle and having
cox.net (402) 390-9834 www. at the comments that the auction- it penetrate the bottom of the
omahamagicalsociety.com for eers made to entertain the large bottle. Thanks Bob. Back to cards
more details. group of buyers we had. This was again: Dennis P. performed a card

8
TABLE HOPPERS
another great Assembly 8 event.
—Dan Todd
Assembly 8 meets at Mount Tabor Mark Jensen recieves the
discovery using half the deck; it
blew my mind.
Jo G., known professionally as
United Church of Christ located Chuck & Joannie Lehr Award Joe Joe, did a great prediction with
SAINT LOUIS, MO — April 24, at 6520 Arsenal in Saint Louis, from Derrel Allen a twist; it had a totally unexpected
2014: Congratulations to President Missouri 63139. Contact Dick ending and a terrific presentation.
Randy Kalin, Vice Pres. Steve Blowers rmblowers@aol.com It was now time to announce the Welcome to the group Joe Joe.
Barcellona, Sec./Treasurer Dick (213) 846-8468 http://Assembly8. winner of the DMC stage contest. Up next was one of our more
Blowers, Sergeant of Arms Greg com for more details. The contest was held in April seasoned performers, Larry P.,
Lewis, Chaplin Harry Monti, and and was judged on the T.A.O.M. with a blank deck effect that was
elected board members Harry
Monti, Sandy Weis, and Columbus
Smith. Randy Kalin presided over
13
INSTALLATION AND
contest rules. The five finalists
were Daryl Howard, Derrel Allen,
Mike Squires, Joey Byers, and
extremely entertaining. Joe B.
was up next with some finger ring
magic and selected signed card
a brief meeting with elections. BANQUET Kendal Kane. The winner of the transposition.
There were interesting discus- Dallas Magic Clubs first Magician Jessie K. followed with a
sions about magic books and DALLAS, TX— Assembly 13 of the Year Contest (at least the fantastic scarf vanish and trans-
more. Gregory Green taught coin held our annual officer installation first one for many years) was Mike position – well done, and a great
sleights. Randy taught a mental and banquet at the Brookhaven Squires. change of pace. John S. Provided
effect that was very adaptable. For Country Club on May 20, 2014. With the business part of the the assembled with a wonderful
this example, he used cards. Joey After a wonderful dinner, our banquet finished it was time to solid through solid card effect
Lortz performed feats of presti- meeting began by welcoming our present the evening’s entertain- with a twist. You just have to see
digitation. Coins were circulating newest S.A.M. members. Joey ment. This year we brought in the this.
throughout Larry Minth‘s body. Byers received his Certificate of amazing Martin Lewis for our Clean up was left for Peter (chef);
George Van Dyke taught another Membership and his pin from show. He presented many of his can’t wait to be back at the barn
great effect from M-U-M. We S.A.M. National President Dal classic routines, including his Golf and dinner before the meeting.
even had our visitors performing Sanders. His daughter Ava also Ball Bag (Egg Bag with a twist), Peter had three cards selected and
amazing feats with a yo-yo. received her S.Y.M. credentials at Cardiographic, Crystal Gazing, sealed in separate envelopes. Peter
April 25, 2014: Thanks to PNP the same time. MI Sanders then Linking Rings, Tamasudare, and divined each card correctly by
John Apperson, an opportunity read and shared the Congressio- his Snowstorm routine. After a sense of touch and smell. Thanks
to raise funds for Assembly 8 by nal Record that recognizes magic couple of standing ovations, the to all the performers and audience
table-hopping was taken up by as an art to the assembly and evening concluded, but we were participants. —Joe Berman
Randy Kalin, Joey Lortz, Steve presented Mayor Eric Hogue a in for more fun the next night Assembly 16 meets First Monday
Barcellona, Columbus Smith, Presidential Citation for his work (Wednesday) as Martin performed of the month, at The Magic Barn,
Gregory Green, John Apperson, getting this to the U.S. Congress. a special lecture at our regular 175R Main Street, Ashland, MA
and Greg Lewis! After that our new officers were meeting place. —The Scribe of the 01721. Contact Dennis Pimenta
May 8 was our annual magic installed by outgoing President Scroll (508) 881-1818 for more details.
auction! We brought in outside Derrel Allen. The 2014-2015 The Dallas Magic Clubs meet
talent, Chris Rayman, to help
auction off all of these gems. We
had just about everything magical
officers of the Dallas Magic Clubs
are President – Frank Seltzer,
Vice President – David Knight,
on the third Tuesday of the
month at 7:00 PM at Crosspointe
Community Center, Theater 166
19
MAY‘S MAGIC BLOOMS IN
Sgt. at Arms – Joey Byers, in Carrollton, TX (go to www. HOUSTON
Secretary – Dal Sanders, dallasmagic.org for directions).
Treasurer – Reade Quinton. Contact Frank Seltzer fhs3@ HOUSTON, TX— May’s
Outgoing DMC President mac.com (214) 676-6440 www. meeting was filled with magic.
Derrel Allen presented dallasmagic.org for more details. This month’s contest was on
Mark Jensen with the Chuck impromptu magic. Jamie Salinas
and Joannie Lehr award for
outstanding service to the
Dallas Magic Clubs. Of
16
MARCH MAGIC
had Miles Root help with a great
mental effect that had everyone
talking afterward. Dick Olson’s
course, this award is named borrowed and lit cigarette was
after our Dean, Chuck Lehr, WORCESTER, MA— The placed into his closed fist, yet he
and our Secretary/Treasurer weather has finally turned mild remained unharmed. Scott Wells
Emeritus, Joannie Lehr, here in New England; it was time had Kim Lampkin assist as a
who both went above and for another meeting. The barn one-dollar bill was folded and
Table hoppers beyond the call of duty for is still under repair, but thanks then unfolded into a mis-made

12 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

 Assembly News
dollar. Shane Wilson’s cigarette enjoy the foods and and named the missing card.
sleights were great! David Hinken treats prepared by Joe Turner also borrowed a
unlinked two folded dollar bills Chef Bill Yamane. shuffled deck of cards from
with Scott Wells assisting. Bob With members someone. He ended up with Murl’s
Smith caused the four Aces to turn reseated in our “Zombie Apocalypse” deck, but
face up and down as they were theater, the show still managed to do some excellent
twisted around in his hands. David presented by our magic with the four Aces, and
Rangel had a number called out new members finished by magically finding the
and showed that his pocket change began. Brian mate of a selected card.
totaled to that exact value. Regalbuto opened Dan Garrett also borrowed a
Jeff Lanes caused a cigarette the show with a shuffled deck, in order to maintain
lighter to change from red to short history and the theme. He used the four Jacks
white as it was pushed into his fist. From Left: E. Thomas, S. Jennings, T. science presenta- as a “search engine,” showing
Frank Price’s story of how five Messeroll, M. Savin, J. Engman, K. Hallinger, tion about “forks,” how they instantly went out and
Kings were changed into five Aces J. Richmond Seated from left: Jeremy and then performed “captured” two free selections
became reality in his hands. The Williams, Brian Regalbuto, Hugo Avila an interesting in different parts of the deck. He
judging was close, but the winners levitation with the also predicted a random card that
were Jamie Salinas – first, Shane Southern California Assembly same. Jeremy Williams next gave Mal Simpson merely thought of,
Wilson – second, and Bob Smith was honored to have S.A.M. a very polished presentation with and finished with a performance
– third. National President-Elect Kenrick a set of three card effects. Closing of Shawn Farquhar’s new Comedy
Frank Price led our regular per- “ICE” McDonald and S.A.M. the show was Hugo Avila who also Magic Book Test.
formance and had Kim Lampkin National Treasurer Eric Lampert, demonstrating his skill with cards; Jim Driscoll challenged
cut and shuffle cards that were visiting from Philadelphia, both he also performed a nice coins himself with a card effect that
then dealt in two piles and then attend our May 19, 2014, meeting. across effect. was attempted and failed by a
mixed up in a variety of ways. Eric also toured the S.A.M. Hall It was another very successful recent lecturer. Jim replicated
Regardless of the mixing, the of Fame and Magic Museum and very enjoyable evening of the effect perfectly…including
top cards always matched in on the previous day. The May magic for the Southern California the failure. But he redeemed
suits. Michael Thomas presented Assembly meeting always carries Assembly. —Steven L.Jennings himself by revealing the card at
a Cobra “no-sleights” mental a full agenda with the election of Southern California Assembly the end. Perhaps we were set up.
routine in which he discerned the assembly officers, the initiation of 22 meets the third Monday each —Dan Garrett, Guest Scribe
location of a paper ball that was neophytes, and a show featuring month at 8:00 PM, St. Thomas Assembly 30 meets the second
passed between spectator’s hands. new members scheduled. The More Parish Hall, 2510 South Tuesday of the month at Piccadilly
Scott Wells’s six-hand poker deal first item of business was a first Fremont Avenue, Alhambra, Cafeteria, I-85/North Druid Hills
saw him come out the winner in a reading for Jeremy Williams, a California Contact Ed Thomas Road, Atlanta, Georgia
most unique manner. S.A.M. national member applying magicmred@earthlink.net (213)
Randy Stulken quickly shuffled
a deck and cut it into four piles;
for Assembly 22 membership. 382 8504 for more details.
Our secretary, PNP Ed Thomas, 31
the four Aces were on top. Roger
Johnson’s dollar bill penetration
left no hole to be seen. David
and Nominations Chairman John
Engman then conducted elections
for the 2014-2015 assembly
30
ZOMBIES, NAZIS, AND THE
SPRING IS IN THE AIR

INDIANAPOLIS, IN— Spring

Rangel located the four Aces from officers. Michael Perovich was VULCAN MIND MELD has finally arrived, so what better
a shuffled deck one at a time in a unanimously elected as our theme for our May meeting then
magical fashion. incoming president. Congratula- ATLANTA, GA— Merritt “Spring and Flowers.” After some
Shane Wilson had Kim Lampkin tions to Mike and all of the newly Ambrose gave the monthly TIP brief announcements concerning
try to catch a chosen card between elected assembly officers. lecture on ring and rope magic. the action-packed summer that
her hands as they were dealt out The action then moved to the He taught his street routine and is planned for Assembly 31 and
one at a time. Kim saw her card area in our meeting hall that had how it could be presented for both Ring 10, President Taylor Martin
dealt into her hand and thought she been set up for the S.A.M. initia- close-up and stage. introduced us all to our newest
had it securely in her palms, but tion ceremony. The Southern Cali- Debbie Leifer hosted the member, Nicholas Geigle. Talk
the card in her hands had changed, fornia Assembly has for its entire members’ performances. Mal about dedication – Nick drives all
and her actual card was found eighty-three-year history used the Simpson used mentalism, with of the way from Illinois (where he
folded up under her watch. Jamie full-form initiation ceremony. This a little NLP, to predict a famous lives) to Indianapolis in central
Salinas’s “explanation” of how a ceremony was developed by the person Merritt Ambrose would Indiana (close to a two-hundred-
red handkerchief was changed to S.A.M. national council in its early later name. He then used the mile round trip) to attend our
white left us wondering. days and has changed very little Vulcan Mind Meld to help predict magic gatherings. A tip of the top
Chris Alonzo’s fine card handling since its inception. This ceremony a total of numbers written down hat to you, Nick.
saw Kings changed to Aces and is intended to be the final step in by various audience members. Mike Root kicked off the evening
then to a royal straight flush. becoming a full member of the Rick Hinze “magished” with by performing a flower production
—Miles Root Assembly 22. As one of the very West Evan’s signed quarter, and using his wife’s Botania. Although
Assembly 19 meets the first few assemblies that still use the made the quarter vanish and Mike did a wonderful production,
Monday of every month at full-form initiation ceremony, we reappear under West’s hand. He he bemoaned what he considered
the Internationl Alliance of conduct the ceremony complete then vanished another quarter in a to a weakness of the Botania
Theatrical Stage Employees Local with robed costumes and regalia Styrofoam cup. gimmick. He believes that the
51 Meeting Hall, 3030 North as described in the ritual manual. Using heat sensitive cards, West shape of the cone itself suggests
Freeway, Houston, TX. A teaching This ceremony provides those Evans found a selection which was to the audience that the flowers
lecture begins at 7:30 pm with the initiated with a long-remembered almost the Three of Diamonds. are concealed within the cone. He
meeting beginning at 8:00 pm. insight into the true significance of Striving for perfection, he then asked for some suggestions from
Contact Miles Root milesroot@ the S.A.M. and the importance of knocked off the center diamond his compeers on how to cover
aol.com (281) 334-7508 www. their membership. pip, making the card the correct this flaw. His request sparked an
houstonmagic.com for more Three neophytes were initiated; Two of Diamonds selection. The outpouring of useful suggestions.
details. Jeremy Williams, Hugo Avila, and pip fell to the table as a ruby-col- This discussion once again was

22
LOS ANGELES ELECTION
Brian Regalbuto. All three suc- ored jewel.
cessfully completed their initia- Murl Harmon memorized a
tion and have become “Illustrious borrowed, shuffled deck. A card
evidence of the strength of S.A.M.
We saw compeers always ready
to help their fellow magicians
INITIATIONS AND SHOW Compeers.” Congratulations to all. was randomly removed by an in order to strengthen the art of
Following the initiation ceremony, onlooker and Murl, with a couple magic.
LOS ANGELES, CA— The a short intermission was taken to of tries, looked at the spread deck President Taylor next dem-

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 13

Assembly News
onstrated for us his method of And thus the gathering of Lumber Baron Inn and Gardens.
making napkin roses. It’s all in Lynchburg compeers welcomed in This facility is an authentically re-
the little tears that make the petals the warm weather with a very nice furnished 1890s Denver mansion.
appear lifelike. Next up was our assortment of magic planned and The event was well advertised
newest member, Nike Geigle. He presented. —John Jennings to the public; just like our stage
shared one of his favorite card The Hersy Basham Assembly 32 show in the fall, we use the funds
tricks using a deck of cards, his meets the third Tuesday at 7:00 collected to pay for great lecturers,
business card, some disappear- p.m. at Tharp Funeral Home, 220 presenters, and special events.
ing/appearing ink, and a flame. Breezewood Drive, Lynchburg, Our final leg of this grand month
His was a clever handling of this VA. Contact John Jennings was an evening with Joshua Jay.
effect guaranteed to astonish his investigatefire@aol.com (434) We had a privileged large group
audience. 851-6240 for more details. who was fortunate to see Joshua
Finally, President Taylor and the Jay‘s brand new lecture, which
First V.P. each shared a story of
how magic can go terribly wrong
while performing live – a fitting
35
NEW ZOO REVUE
Caption: Joshua Jay and club
secretary Connie Elstun
included fourteen effects. Some
of his materiel was inspired by
Joshua‘s third love, that of being
conclusion to an enjoyable spring- new, you can re-discover why you a film buff and enthusiast. His
time evening. —Steven A. Spence POUGHKEEPSIE, NY— After became interested in magic in second love is magic, while his
Assembly 31 meets the first some bits of business which the first place. Plus, by teaching first is his assistant, high school
Monday of each month at included what Saturday would be someone, you focus on what you’re sweetheart, and future wife,
7:00 p.m. at Irvington United good to have the club’s picnic in doing yourself, and may confirm Anna. He used the magic and
Methodist Church, 30 Audubon August, tonight’s theme was titled that what you’re doing is good, or movies theme with a film called
Rd., on the east side of the City “New Zoo Revue.” Some of you it may lead to introspection and The Usual Suspects in mind. Then
unless otherwise announced. If will find that name familiar. For find out that there could be a better from atop a chair he performed a
the first Monday conflicts with a those who don’t, please Google way. We all need that glance in the remarkable Chinese coins on a
holiday weekend, we postpone the it and consider it a free media mirror from time to time to see if ribbon trick and then taught it. He
meeting one week. Contact Taylor history lesson. You’re welcome. the reflection is crystal clear, or if presented his acclaimed Trick of
Martin kazoo23@aol.com (317) Basically, tonight was meant it’s fuzzy and needs a cleaning. the Year called Inferno. Of course,
431-1320 for more details. to be a reminder of past lectures —Darryl Bielski all he had to do was burn up a deck
that stood out for people for The Assembly 35 meetings are of cards, magically, of course. The

32
DEALER DEMO AND MORE
various reasons, and why they did.
Marty Steinberg started off the
night’s remembrances by saying
held at Milanese Restaurant in
Poughkeepsie, NY. Typically,
meetings are held every 2nd
second part of his lecture concen-
trated on magic theory and he used
triad coins to visualize his theory.
AT MAY’S MEETING how the Silly Billy lecture stood Tuesday of each month. Meetings As a multiple year Secretary of the
out for him. By empowering the begin at 7:30 pm. Contact Joel club I, Connie Elstun, found this
LYNCHBURG, VA— May audience, they turn from being Zaritsky jizdds@optonline.net particular lecture to be one of the
brings the warm end of spring merely spectators to participants (845) 546-1559 www.sam35.com best that I have acquired in the last
and blooming plants everywhere. in the magic, where the magic for more details. fifteen years. His any card, any
It also brought a lively turnout for has more meaning for them, and page book trick was just fantastic.
Lynchburg’s assembly meeting.
After a few business items, V.P.
Mike Kinnaird updated members
therefore a much more meaningful
experience.
Frank Monaco also brought up
37
TRIPLE HEADER MAY WITH
—Connie Elstun
Assembly
second
37
Thursday
meets
of
the
the
regarding the Relay-for-Life event Silly Billy by reminding us that JOSHUA JAY month at Riverpointe
coming up in less than two weeks. Silly Billy exemplifies what he Senior Center in Littleton
More than a few members have preaches. Frank also mentioned DENVER, CO— May 2014 was CO. Contact Connie Elstun
volunteered to perform and look Murray Hatfield for one of the a triple header for the Mile High con n ie@comedy mag icbu n ny.
forward to adding magic to a effects that Frank performs. Magicians Society! We started the com (303)933-4118 www.
worthy cause. Joel Zaritsky referenced Jay month with a close-up teach-in milehighmagicians.com for more
The feature of May’s agenda Scott Berry’s lecture of how to providing our membership with details.
was a dealer demo by our local
magic dealer, Greg Coudoures.
Greg brought a variety of magical
build a show by reminding us of
the mnemonic: SPIF- Spectacle,
Personality, Intimacy, and Finale.
exceptional magic lessons and
instruction. The format was the
same as in past years. The four
47
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
goodies from his Smith Mountain Also sounds like a really good first instructors were Gene Gordon AND MAGIC!
Lake Magic & Science shop. There date, doesn’t it? (who presented card magic),
were an abundance of effects with Ryan Dutcher reminded us that Rodney Housely (who taught ROCHESTER, NY— The May
cards, coins, and mentalism. Silly Billy got some good ideas a few stellar coin moves), Jeff meeting brought the election of
The meeting continued picking from the club, so it was a good Jensen (who instructed a handy new officers into our club. They
up the theme for the month night for all around. ring and string routine), and are: President – Mike Ihrig, Vice
“Packs Small, Plays Big”; several Terry Morgan brought up Jay President Matt Brandt (who came President – Nick Young, Secretary
members provided demonstra- Sankey’s belief that magicians are prepared with a thumb tip to teach – Joel Greenwich, and Treasurer –
tions. Bob Staton showed his own like chefs, and that they should a few impromptu basics). Each had Jeff Blood. Congrats! We talked
version of Cardiographic and make their “recipes” actually their own table and area with the about our upcoming June picnic,
was generous to share innovative “theirs.” By simply changing the members rotating from instructor the Broken Wand Ceremony
details that he had worked in. effect’s props or presentation, a to instructor for approximately held for Dean Charlie Struck, a
Glen Rae presented a nice performer can put their own spin twenty minutes. The event was Facebook presence, and then on to
handling of a Jim Steinmeyer on a trick instead of just doing well attended. the magic!
effect: Number, Number, Number. what someone else has already And talk about well attended, President JP Lacey used the Pro-
Cards always pack small; the trick done. How boring is that? next on the May agenda was our fessor‘s Nightmare to symbolize
is to make it play big and Glen did Professor Platypus mentioned sold-out public close-up show the merging of members into one
a nice presentation towards that Jay Scott Berry again, of how called „Magic Monday Madness,“ cohesive club. Very well thought
objective. there can be magic in everything. featuring six of Denver‘s strongest out and received! Prof. Rem
John Jennings continued the You just have to look for it. Put close-up performers. Dave Elstun, displayed and attempted to teach
theme-related magic by presenting yourself into the trick instead of Matt Brandt, Rod Spade, Gregg a bit of finger magic from a Jim
a rope effect written in Tarbell, just doing it. Also, how important Tobo, Gene Gordon, and Tommy Steinmeyer book. What finger is
in which a rope that is wrapped it is to teach the next generation Walker took to their mini stages, remaining? The index! Mark Toker
around his neck passes through of performers in order to keep the each at a different and unique room performed one of my favorites:
his neck. art alive. By teaching someone at the magnificent and historic Triumph. There is just a mystery

14 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

 Assembly News
to the audience when the selected
card in revealed as the only face-up
card in the face-down deck. He
few were really extraordinary.
First the great Al Callus
performed Silent Treatment. In-
from Knoxville, Ed Ripley, who
was working with Shank Kothare
preparing for their FFFF show the
52
MOTHER’S DAY
also memorized the deck and put credibly, Al made a selected card following week. I was at FFFF this
it back into suit and numerical appear in his mouth! Well shut year and saw their performance. SAN ANTONIO, TX— May
order! Nick Young displayed five my mouth! Next, President Billy I can tell you they did a great job 1, 2014, Brother John Hamman
ESP symbols, of which one was Byron did a red and yellow card and were very well received there. Assembly 52 held its monthly
sealed in an envelope. On another routine with predicted matching To top the evening off, Steve meeting at La Madeleine Restau-
envelope, he wrote a prediction numbers that was spellbinding. Spence did some excellent magic rant. Vice-President Ray Adams
and they matched! Very thought The magic was running rampant, for our club. Fun was had by all. called the meeting to order.
provoking. just rampant, as Billy would say. —Stephen Bargatze We had a great turnout tonight
Jeff Blood, through a series of Next the young wizard Mark Assembly 50 meets at Harvest with the theme being Mother’s
cool messages from different Rossbach told a spectator to think Hands which is at 424 Humphreys Day. Welcome to friend, fellow
locations on his person, revealed a of an insect. The spectator did Street, Nashville, TN 37203. magician, and guest Ted Derringer,
selected card, which finally ended so and unbeknownst to Mark or Contact Mike Pyle magic@ Jr. The Assembly’s installation of
up in his pocket! Very funny and anyone else I might add he chose py-logic.com (615) 477-6639 for new officers banquet will be held
it held much audience appeal. a butterfly. Master Mark then took more details. on June 7, 2014, at Pompeii Italian
Dan Grayson performed a very
quick coin appearance. The coin
was purchased at a gold exchange
a dollar bill, folded it origami
style into a butterfly to astonish-
ment of all in attendance. Next
51
MAY FLOWERS!
Grill. Congratulations to the new
incoming officers for 2014-2015:
Ray Adams, President; Joe Libby,
store very inexpensively. The Joe Freidman and Mike Easler Vice-President; Doug Gorman,
shiny silver coin displayed a moon both did mentalism card tricks PEORIA, IL— Our May meeting Secretary/Treasurer; and James
landing and had a nice look and that were magnificent. And finally began with President Rodney Dusek, Sergeant-at-Arms.
feel. He also performed pocket Mel Panzer did a great card effect Nordstrom giving business Starting off the open perfor-
traffic light, in which a spot jumps that at first gave the appearance ofupdates regarding upcoming mances tonight was Vice-Presi-
from one card to another. A great, going horribly wrong. Mel, being events, including the Farmer’s dent Ray Adams who did a great
easy to carry trick! John Guerin the great actor that he is acted as Market, the show at the Riverfront color changing silk and candle
took a couple of decks of cards nervous as a long-tailed cat in a Museum, a possible segment with routine. Paul Mims performed
lying on the table and performed room full of rocking chairs, when Mark & Gretchen from WHOI-TV, Bob Swadling’s Matchboxes. Ed
an impromptu card revelation. It at the last second he revealed he the teaching session and Houdini Solomon told a story about moth-
shows how a good magician can had indeed pulled it off under the Tribute in October, and the erhood, and Doug Gorman enter-
think on his/her feet. most difficult circumstances! Bradley basketball halftime show. tained with Joshua Jay’s Inferno.
Mike Ihrig performed a spelling Assembly 49 meets at the Rodney and Michael Baker gave Michael Tallon was our close-up
bee trick from The Wild Deck by Tamarac Community Center, a review of the Abracorndabra performer for the evening. He
Jim Kleefeld. From a mini poster of Tamarac FL on the fourth convention this past weekend. opened with Aldo Colombini’s
animals, one is selected. One card Thursday at 7:00pm. Visit www. The magic theme for tonight was Mini Maxi, in which three selected
is dealt for each letter of its name fortlauderdalemagicsociety.com Flower Magic. Michael Baker cards of three different sizes
and the card after last reveals that for more information or contact began by demonstrating and de- matched perfectly with predic-
animal. Finally, longtime member Billy Byron@comcast.net scribing a spring flower segment tions of three different sizes. After
John Adams performed one of he once used. This involved a small a couple more astounding card
his patented effects: Hopping
Halves. His patter and technique
are indeed flawless and brought
50
VISIT FROM RVP
folding screen that continued to
produce flowers and finishes with
a shower of several dozen flowers.
effects, he moved into beautiful
coin work, the highlight of which
was a routine that blended together
rousing applause. After a couple of Michael also demonstrated a trick Coins Across, Coins Through the
questions on „talking“ coins, the NASHVILLE, TN— This month with matches. Table, and Wild Coin. He closed
meeting was adjourned to be taken we had a special visit from SAM Paul Buob came very well with David Roth’s Tuning Fork,
up again at Dunkin‘ Donuts. Next Regional Vice President Steve stocked with the many flower which had us not only watching
month: the picnic! —Mike Ihrig Spence, all the way from India- devices he uses in his stage show. carefully, but listening intently
Assembly 47 meets on the third napolis. Steve got to sit in on our This involved appearing roses, as well. We can always count
Tuesday September through May club’s crazy ways of doing things. flowers to silks, color-changing on Michael, with his polished
at St. Joseph‘s School, 39 Gebhardt flowers, light-up technical skills and wonderful
Rd, Penfield, NY 14526 7:00 PM roses, and a floating showmanship, to delight his
Contact Mike Ihrig ihrigmagic@ rose, among other audiences. He certainly delighted
aol.com (585) 377-1566 www. ideas and props. Paul us. Thanks, MT for a great show.
sam47.com for more details. also showed a few Door Prize winners were Paul
ideas with silks. Mims, Ray Adams, and Michael
49
RAFFLE AND MAGIC
Grant
brought a
Golden

Botania, which he
new
Tallon. Paul won Fenik’s Mexican
Revolution, Ray won Mutanz from
Bob Farmer and Roy Walton, and
recently purchased, Michael won Miracle Monte from
FT. LAUDERDALE, FL — adding to his Shigeo Takagi.
The evening’s festivities began growing collec- Brother John Hamman Assembly
with a most successful raffle. tion of Botanias. He 52 meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first
Members of the club donated old also demonstrated a Thursday of the month at La
and vintage magic tricks. Each A fun night with Steve Spence Garden of Flowers Madeleine Restaurant, located at
participating member then gave shawl, and discussed 722 N.W. Loop 410. The restaurant
$5 to enter the raffle. After our We started the meeting with great ideas for improved handling. is inside Loop 410 on the access
names were put on our bills, they tricks from our two youngest There was conversation, road between Blanco Rd. and
are randomly selected with each members, David and Albert. You drinks, dinner, and more San Pedro. For more information,
winner choosing a trick or effect couldn‘t tell by the magic they did magic at a nearby restaurant. contact douggorman@att.net.
of their choice. I believe we raised that they are youth members. Both —Michael Baker
$75 that will go into our treasury
and help to pay for a future lecture
or event! We were blessed to have
of these young men performed Assembly 51 meets 3rd Mondays
some really good magic. We at Schnucks, 4800 N. University,
also had our resident kid guy Peoria, IL Contact Michael Baker
56
ANNUAL BANQUET
the usual suspects perform, the and kid at heart "Magic Wayne" themagiccompany@aol.com (205)
likes of Gene Fein, Henry Epstein, Clemons perform. We enjoyed 612-3696 http://peoriamagicians. DAYTON, OH— In place of our
Manny Riskin, and Mel Boskin; a having another special guest com/ for more details. May Meeting, we had our annual

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 15

Assembly News
assembly banquet. It was held at 2 with the hole restoration was who displayed (under the title 95 meets the first Tuesday of
the Cove Springs Grange Hall a standout, stand-up piece, his “Karl’s Museum”) magic he had each month at members’ homes.
in Troy, Ohio; we had seventeen classic force called the attitude as a child, including items that Contact Rod Chow rod@rodchow.
members and fourteen guests force, the put and take move and were handmade. Needless to say, com (604) 669-7777 www.sam95.
in attendance. After a great finally a big finish with his method none were for sale, holding so com for more details.
meal prepared by Christopher‘s for the Signed Card to sealed deck many memories from childhood.
Catering, we were entertained by
the vocal talents of Jaeleen Davis
from Bay City, Michigan. A big
with the card in correct place,
brought another drove of buyers to
his table at the conclusion. He was
However, his table fit in nicely
with the evening’s theme and
really brought all of us back to the
104
IN WITH THE NEW - AN
thank you to Paul Burnham and informative and very funny! “good old days”. —Jim Folkl ELECTION AND A DIAMOND
Jo Ann Kinder for planning this Until next time, we will see you Assembly 88 meets 2nd SHINES ON
event; a great time was had by all. at the diner.—Lou Johnson Wednesday. each month at 7pm,
—Matthew David Stanley Long Island Mystics Assembly Faith Lutheran Church 1255 E. WITCH CITY, SALEM, MA—
Assembly 56 meets at various 77 meets at 7:30PM on the second Forest, Ypsilanti MI Contact The May 7 meeting of Assembly
locations. Contact Paul Burnham Monday of the month at The Jim Folkl Folkinimagic@yahoo. 104 followed the Bill Towne School
pburnham@woh.rr.com (937) Community United Methodist com (248) 8514839 http://www. of Magic Class, capably conducted
474-0647 for more details. Church. For more information, aamagic.org/. for more details. by Len Lazar. This class was note-
check www.limystics.org or worthy for the student sitting in:

77
MARK MASON AMAZES
contact Lou Johnson at loucircus@
aol.com (516) 978-7735. 95
STRING MAGIC
tonight’s lecturer Steve Reynolds,
picking up a few of Len’s nuances
with the pasteboards. The meeting

MASSAPEQUA, NY— Our

business meeting was quick to
88
MAY REPORT
VANCOUVER, CANADA—
The May, 2014 meeting was held
was productive on two fronts. On
one, we learned that our November
15 SAMCON hotel plans for the
give as much time as possible at the home of Jens Henriksen Doubletree Hotel, in Danvers,
for our guest from the UK, Mark ANN ARBOR, MI— Our May in Crescent Beach, BC. Dennis Massachusetts, are progressing
Mason. From the moment Mark meeting was packed with excite- Hewson opened with a one-hand- well. On the second front, our
arrived and had his product table ment on many levels! First and ed slip knot taught to him by Eric new webmaster, Compeer Blake
set up, he attracted at least twenty foremost, Marvin Mathena was Lenz, and then put the rope into Barr, announced several improve-
people over to him like a powerful inducted into the Michigan Magic Trevor Watter’s hands and pulled ments in the works for the sam104.
magnet. His demo of his coin Hall of Fame on April 11 in Colon, out a string of knots. Ray Roch com website. Perhaps the biggest
work was money in the bank and Michigan. The Michigan Magic performed a ring on a cord. Glen news of the night came from
he hadn‘t even started his lecture. Hall of Fame currently encom- Labarre had Dave Watters pick a Vice President Eddie Gardner,
Once he took the floor, he tipped passes twenty-two members, card, and then stunned everyone who announced his sale of the
almost everything as to how his representing talent such as Kevin by visibly causing that card to venerable Diamond’s Magic to
inventive mind works. James, Hank Moorehouse, and securely loop onto a string on Compeer Vince DeAngelis. This
Reboxed was so visual and direct June Horowitz. The plaque Glen’s neck. Glen then handed is a win-win for the New England
it made for a perfect opening honoring recipients is perma- out for everything for inspec- magic community that evoked
effect. Stuck up Monte is Mark’s nently on display at the American tion, including the deck of cards hearty applause. With the future
“go-to” opener and had a great Museum of Magic in Marshall, with the selected card no longer of brick and mortar magic shops in
theme; when the money card Michigan. jeopardy across the country, local
became the signed selection, we Five guests were introduced: magicians are now assured of an
knew that that was “money!” Old Gene Fogel, Jack and Shirley old fashioned, full-service magic
standards took on new life like Markley, Howard Goldfaden, and experience (and free coffee) for
the origami illusion of tearing Ron Hoole. many years to come.
and folding a $5 bill into two. Our very popular swap meet/ At this election meeting, the final
(I‘ve known that from one of Karl flea market then commenced as roster for the coming year was de-
Fulves’s books) What amazed us nine folks hawked their myste- termined: Co-Presidents will be
was when the “two” $5 bills trans- rious wares. Six members had Bill Jensen and Rob Snider; Vice
formed into a $10 bill. magical treasurers for sale, guar- President, Ed Gardner; Second
anteed to make you a star! The Vice President, “J” Hubbard;
vendors were Gary Segadi, Randy Treasurer, Debbie Loscutoff;
Smith, Marvin Mathena, John Rod Chow uses string to com- Secretary, Bob Forrest; Sergeant-
Russell, Jim Folkl, and Jim Ruth. municate between the minds at-Arms, Bill Marotte. Installation
Additionally, guests Jack and of Ray Roch, Jeff Christensen will follow, with ample dining, in
Shirley Markley, from Anderson, and Dave Watters to June.
Indiana, offered original magic Trevor Watters
creations. The last partici-
pant was member Karl Rabe, present. Jens Henriksen showed
a cord with a ring looped on, and
then magically pulled the ring off
the cord. Rod Chow adapted Tony
Binarelli’s Super Mentalism Deck
by Card Shark into a performance
Mark Mason makes the using string by using the string to
NEWS with magic! amplify the thought of card from
three different minds to another
Mentalists fell in love with the mind, such as in the old tie two
practicality of Word in a Million: cans together by string to com-
an any word, any language, book municate. Lon Mandrake caused a
test that Mark spent a great deal rope to penetrate through his hand. Guest lecturer Steve Reynolds
designing it to be simple for Henry Tom closed the evening by sits in on a School of
anyone to use. Mike Kirby‘s in- taking a used coupon and trans- Magic class
credible effect X-act card at any forming it into dental floss, then
number fooled David Copperfield using that dental floss to perform Our lecturer for the evening was
and rightfully so. No moves and Marvin Mathena Michigan Gypsy Thread. —Rod Chow cardician Steve Reynolds. Steve is
very direct. No Tear Newspaper Magic Hall of Fame Inductee The Carl Hemeon Assembly No. a seriously dressed magician who

16 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

 Assembly News
might be mistaken for a banker if to perform at and are is doing well and
not for his ever present decks of working to accomplish looking forward to
cards. His low-key manner and that. Also fellow club coming to the June
three-piece suit conceal a vested member Louis Paul lecture with Shoot
interest: subtle card switches and showed a redesigned, Ogawa. Wes Iseli
ditches made possible by some improved version of reported on his
creative use of vest pockets. In the old wilting flower upcoming benefit
addition to Steve’s clever, Topit- comedy effect, The show for a local
like treatment of the garment, Crazy Lazy Daisy. It is a young lady named
he offered some highly visual wonderful piece to put in Jaeda at the Ruck-
transformations and an unusual a kids show that plays to ersville Elemen-
variation on the Torn and Restored a lot of laughter. tary School on the
Card. In the Reynold’s handling of Our latest meeting had John Gyllenhaal and Kara Ewing get Game Show evening of May 9th.
the latter, a single card creates the a former member who Night started at SAM 112 President George
entire effect. And this tiny miracle, is retiring from magic, Buckley taught our
which begins with a Paul Harris bring his magic items for S.Y.M. teach-in for
influence, allows that single card purchase because he wanted them David Facer performing the May on sponge balls with some
to be signed as well! Steve brought to stay in the hands who would Miser‘s Dream, Roy Porfido wonderful insights and handling
us quite a few different ideas in a use them to brighten people’s vanishing two half-dollar coins, taught by Dan Rowan and Wes
Triumph-based effect and other lives with the wonderful world of and Ric Ewing reversing his Iseli. George opened the business
standards, but what stood out in magic. —Dan Miller hands while holding a magic wand portion of the meeting with reports
his overall approach to cards was The James Swoger Assembly 108 and then vanishing the wand. on upcoming lectures by Daryl in
his use of blocking techniques, meets at Wheeler Bros. every Douglass Kovacich borrowed Richmond sponsored by the I.B.M.
psychological controls, and ex- third Monday at 6:00 pm for SYM two fleas to horizontally suspend Ring. He also asked for input on a
ploitation of the spectator’s “In- members and 7:00 pm for SAM a piece of rope. Jerry Barrilleaux possible lecture by Jason Ladanye.
attentional Amnesia” during a members Contact Dan Miller performed a comic Torn-and-Re- It was decided that with the Shoot
performance. This represented the miller magic@cent u r ylin k.net stored Newspaper, and finally Nate Ogawa lecture on the 6th of June
heart of his philosophy: affecting (814) 733-4978 for more details. Wilson demonstrated his routine that we would have to pass on any
what a spectator “thinks” he sees, of cascading cards called Niagara other offerings for June. George
to create a more magical experi-
ence. It was well worth “seeing.”
—Bob Forrest
112
GAME SHOW NIGHT
Falls with a comedy ending. reported on the new (and very
The contest was all in fun, of welcome) subscription rates for
course, but first and second place MAGIC magazine. George then
Assembly 104 meets on the winners, David and Zappo, were reminded members of the con-
first Wednesday of each month, PLEASANT HILL, CA— Roy awarded truly valuable prizes vention dates for the Kidabra, the
September-June, 7 p.m., at the Porfido and Zappo kicked off this provided by our friend and bene- I.B.M./S.A.M. combined, the Fel-
First Baptist Church of Salem, month‘s instructional program factor, Paul Gross, owner of the lowship of Christian Magicians,
292 Lafayette Street, Salem, with a pair of card tricks using Hocus Pocus Magic Shop. and the Magician‘s Alliance of
Massachusetts. Contact Bob gaffed cards. Roy went first, With the contest completed, ac- Eastern States conventions. The
Forrest captainalbrightsq1@ demonstrating Reverso. In this tivities continued with further business meeting was closed at
comcast.net (339) 227-0797 www. packet trick, a card switch takes demonstrations of magic with 8:20 p.m.
sam104.com for more details. place in the spectator‘s pocket. David Facer performing a The magic theme for the month
Zappo followed with a variation mentalism feat with cards, Zappo was Destruction and Restoration.

108
MAGICAL HAPPENINGS
of the Ambitious Card routine. doing Anniversary Waltz, Bob Tom Olshefski started the evening
Instead of rising to the top of the Holdridge surprising us with with a signed and guarded card
deck, a signed card inexplicably a magical block on a rope, and traveling from one pack to another.
appears in various places around Nate Wilson invisibly switching He continued by causing a card to
SOMERSET, PA— President the room, including the wallet selected cards between his hands penetrate a spectator’s hand and
Gary Weimer opened the or pocket of different audience and a spectator‘s. then performed a wonderful torn
meeting with announcements and members. Props were then handed Guests are welcome at our and restored card. His patter and
upcoming events. After, it was on out to each member, and practice meetings; so make a point routining were entertaining and
to our theme of making magic. sessions were conducted under the of dropping in next time. flawless. Wes Iseli was up next
Our S.Y.M. group made a magic supervision of Roy and Zappo. —Bill Marquardt with his routine of a Mike Bent
trick after Dan Miller performed Then it was time for our annual Diablo Assembly 112 meets on the paper tear. Next Wes performed
his version. The kids made theirs Game Night contest with Kara third Wednesday of every month at The Magical Indestructible
in the first part of the meeting and Ewing acting as emcee. In this the VFW building in Pleasant Hill, Rope routine from his profession
then several were brave enough game, members volunteer to California Contact Larry Wright stage show. He then performed
to perform when they had theirs answer a randomly selected Zappo@zappothemagician.com a Karrell Fox/Tom Mullica torn
completed. Each tried out a question about magic. With a (925) 685-5129 www.sam112. and restored card routine followed
different patter which was an in- correct answer, the member com/ for more details. by a teach-in on the effect. Next
dication that they were thinking chooses a closed paper bag con- up was Bethany Hall with her
creatively.
The adults talked of various
different venues we would like
taining an unknown but complete
prop for a magic trick to be
performed in competition with the
115
MAY RESTORATION
version of John Fedko‘s Beads
of Prussia. The string on an

other contestants. A wrong answer

provides the contestant with a CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA—
bag containing an incomplete After a one month hiatus, our
prop. Eight magicians were brave May meeting found Assembly
enough to enter the contest. 115 members gathered together
The competition began with at our new meeting location at the
Zappo vanishing several items Pepsi-Cola Plant in Charlottes-
from a large foulard. John Gyllen- ville, Virginia. Members in atten-
haal came next with the Gozinta dance were George Buckley, Wes
Boxes, in which the laws of physics Iseli, Daniel and Bethany Hall, Ed
seem to change when a small box Schmitz and his son Edward, Dan
removed from a bigger box is then Rowen, Everette Anderson, Tom
Somerset SAM Officers before used to contain the bigger box. Olshefski, and Nathan Clauss.
benefit show The remaining acts included George reported that Mark Davis Princess Beads of Prussia

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 17

Assembly News
enchanted necklace was broken, one-ahead method of predict- S.Y.M. are to be discussed. Steve Sander passed out a survey
the beads placed into a magic ing multiple objects. Jim Percy —Martin Steinberg asking for input on theme nights,
wand, and with the utterance of followed up with Diction. Vic Assembly 131 meets at the etc. From the Treasurer: “We’re
the magic word restored for a Tarquini revealed a chosen card Methodist Church on Clapboard sound, period.” And on to the
young princess. George Buckley had turned upside down in a deck. Ridge Rd. in Danbury CT, magic, with nearly half the assem-
performed his Clippo Bunny Chris Bontjes performed My Word around back on the third Monday blage having signed up to show
effect and then showed the set of and demonstrated his mini version of Month, 7:30 PM. Contact their talents.
four comedy cut-no cut scissors of Pepper’s Ghost, which he magic marty magicmarty@aol. First up, Jim Canaday, whose
he had produced for his birthday displayed with other magic at the com (845) 797-8363 Danbury Magic Portal website is a treasure
party shows. Amazing magic and S.A.M. exhibit at the US Science Top Hatters Facebook for more trove of references on everything
joyful laughter was enjoyed by all. and Technology Exp. Photos of the details. magic, carnival-related, juggling,
—Bethany Hall
Assembly 115 meets at the
Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company
event are posted on his Facebook
page. Andy Dallas closed out the
meeting by predicting one of three
138
WOMEN IN MAGIC
and more. He surprised a couple
of volunteers with a variation
on The Web, using a one-cent
Building at, 1150 Pepsi Place, chosen cards, The Kozar Predic- postage stamp instead of the
Charlottesville, VA 22901. Contact tion, and a book test. See ya at the FORT WORTH, TX— Dal dreaded spider. Next, Mike Yost
George Buckley gbbuckley@mac. meeting. —Ken Barham Sanders reported on his visit to showed the complete rope-and-
com (434) 409-2643 http://www. Andy Dallas Assembly 120, meets Washington, D.C., represent- ring routine he does during his
facebook.com/SAMAssembly115 on the 3rd Wed. 7pm, (except Nov. ing the S.A.M, with Congress- street magic.
for more details. and Dec.) For location call Jim man Pete Sessions. Dal was very One of those folks who frequent-
Percy at (217) 494-2222 or Ken excited that the House of Repre- ly show up at magic gatherings

118
GRANITE STATE
Barham Sec, 2318 Winchester
Dr, Champaign, IL 61821. (217)
841-5616 email: Kebram@aol.com
sentatives now has a Congressio-
nal Record recognizing „The Art
of Magic.“ This is a tremendous
was John Levy with the oft-heard
comment, “I kind of got out of it,
but I’m trying to get in again.” He
CONJURORS honor for all magicians. showed he’s well on his way with

NASHUA, NH— The Granite

State Conjurors held our May
131
CUPS AND BALLS
This evening‘s program was
Women in Magic, featuring Cinde
Sanders recalling the history of
an in-the-hands Triumph.
Nine-year-old Logan followed
with a quick display of The
meeting at Diamond‘s Magic in women magicians, on being a ma- Coloring Book. (Logan? Well,
Peabody, Massachusetts, where DANBURY, CT— President gician‘s assistant, and her personal one name was good enough for
we met the new owner, Vince Magic Mo, whose health journey as a clown, balloon artist, Houdini and Blackstone.) Dan
DeAngelis. Congratulations to is improving, almost made and face painter. Tracie Stein Tong, who’s a lot older than Logan,
tonight‘s meeting. Our official talked about her career as a dancer revealed how a stacked deck can
photographer, Walter B., is and performer tying in to her let you spell any card – and turn it
recovering from a fall and career as a magician‘s assistant. up. Wally Feather found a missing
should be at next meeting. Larry Heil contributed the life ex- dollar in a balloon – expensive
Methodist Church‘s Fall Festival pectancy of women in magic, com- darn trick means popping two
will be held on October 4, 2014, menting that many live into their balloons each time.
so be ready for two shows on that 90s and beyond; Pam Jenkins, and Tin City Magic manager Tony
date. Vanessa Ayala contributed stories Chaudhuri and his wife showed
Our lecture tonight was presented of their experience to the lively off a new mental effect in which
by a local magic historian, discussion. the familiar ESP symbols match
published author, and member, Bruce Chadwick presented some placed randomly in a plastic
Joe Lantiere. Joe presented a brief „Tricks Old and Seldom Seen“ rack. Another new item at the
history of the classic Cups and from the Walter Blaney collection, shop is a hot-rod bar resembling a
Balls, followed by a hands-on part of his Ladder Trick. Bruce stretched-out Rubik’s Cube.
Vince DeAngelis welcomes the demo. Techniques and patter were demonstrated the Miracle Levita- V-P Sander took a while to
Granite State Conjurers to discussed followed by a selection tion Hoop and told the history of mentally choose which colored
Diamond‘s Magic of various cups from Joe‘s personal this amazing piece. marker would be right to match a
collection: brass, spun aluminum, Geoff Grimes and Hal Hudgins spectator’s drawing, but the costly
Eddie Gardner on his retirement hand-engraved sterling silver, and participated in the „Teach a piece of electronic equipment did
and a heartfelt thank you for his turned hard woods. Many of our Trick“ demonstration. Geoff the job. With much less expensive
years of friendly service. And con- members came prepared with their performed the Mentalism Lock props – paper cups and a railroad
gratulations to Vince. Here‘s to a and Hal his Marked Cards trick. spike – yours truly used an iPad
long magical relationship! —Cindy Bighorse-Chadwick to show what trouble can happen
Assembly 118 meets on the The Fort Worth Magicians Club with when a cup conceals the
third Wednesday of each month met at The Bruce Chadwick spike. Then he poured water from
at 7:00 p.m. at Black Sword Illusion Warehouse Contact cindy the empty cups and jabbed the
Estate, 126 Perham Corner Rd., Bighorse-Chadwick cabighorse@ spike into one to make the water
Lyndeborough, NH 03082 Our gmail.com (817) 846-4062 http:// vanish.
venue rotates, so contact us first. www.for twor thmagiciansclub. Closing the show, Tony (the
Contact Robert Granville sam. org/ for more details. other) Dunn did a clever Three-
nashua@gmail.com (603) 505 Card Monte. The directions, with
8749 http://sam118.com for more
details. 150 his usual clarifying illustrations,
will appear in the June Linking

120
MENTALISM THEME
WHO NEEDS A
LECTURER?
Ring. —Don Dunn
Assembly 150 meets the second
Tuesday of each month at
Joe Lantiere
FORT MYERS, FL — After a Myerlee Manor, Fort Myers.
CHAMPAIGN, IL— At this own sets. The hands-on demo was quintet of great lecturers served Contact RichardHPayne@aol.
month’s meeting, we discussed a well-received addition to the up miracles and moves over the com for details, or check our
using the Fluid Event Center for lecture. Great lecture in all. five months of “season” here in website at: www.FMMAONLINE.
our Get-Together in 2016. Our Our summer BBQ date and place southwest Florida, members had ORG
topic this month was mentalism.
Kiera Percy opened the magic
with Name That Card, Mental
will be set by next meeting. Our
Chinese buffet magic gathering
date is still to be set. Talks to share
no trouble providing our own
“content” for the May meeting.
During a quick business session,
157
GOOD LECTURES AND FUN
Logs, and a demonstration of the another lecture with Standford President Tom McVey and Veep IN THE SPRING

18 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

 Assembly News
Tim Conover, and, more recently, Nice job, Don! Al Chiaver-
BEAVER, PA— The Mystic Chris Kenner, Homer Liwag, ini closed the evening with
Magicians of Beaver Valley and our friend David Copper- a beautiful card penetration
(Assembly 157) had their meeting field. When Dan was performing and ended his performance
with Vice President Don Moody Martin Lewis’s Cardiographic with Grand Slam, a great
presiding in place of the President. at a convention eons ago, David baseball-themed routine
Tom Chidester reported that there asked him for a private session with baseball cards and an
are three prospective applications to see Dan’s presentation. Dan’s autographed baseball. What
for membership. Eleven members linking pin routine, which is on fun!
of the Mystics were present for the his Close-Up Connivery video, So...till next time...Magic,
Daryl lecture on April 30, 2014. was published in Michael Weber’s Unity, Might! —Dean F.
Daryl presented a very entertain- book Lifesavers with Michael’s Devitt
ing as well as instructive program. handling. Dan shared some fun Assembly 172 meet on the
He joined several members at the magic with us including cards fourth Tuesday of every
Outback Restaurant before the and coins. He also demonstrated Gene, Scott, Norman - Having some month (except December)
lecture. Bill Cornelius announced his marketed effect Heartz – with fun at the Holiday party at 7:00pm at the St Lucie
that he has received the „Alliance heart shaped sponges - which Lanes on Route 1 in Port
of Harry Houdini Award“ for his many of our members were eager Scott Leavitt, Greg Ferdinand, St. Lucie Contact Dean F. Devitt
thirty-five years as a member of to add to their collections. Gene Soucek, Norman Rosen, and quindar46@yahoo.com (772) 332
the S.A.M. Jay Scott Berry, originally from our headliner, Jason Katsikis. Do 8412 for more details.
Dick Recktenwald entertained Reno, Nevada, visited in October. visit our assembly when you are in
as emcee for the performanc- He opened with some coin magic
es. Don Moody performed The and later a long colorful streamer
Kenard Mystery, which consists appeared from his seemingly
town! —Christopher J Smith
Assembly 161 meets at the Stage
House Restaurant, 366 Park
181
MAY DAY
empty hands. Avenue, Scotch Plains, New
One of his prin- Jersey 07076 (908) 332-4224. On HIGHTSTOWN, NJ— Our first
ciples: Start the second Monday of the Month meeting in May landed on the first
clean, end 6 pm Dinner - 8 pm Lecture day of the month – May Day. The
clean. Jay’s Contact Christopher J Smith theme of the night was Ring and
upbeat energy s a m -161@ c o m c a s t . n e t (9 0 8) String, which was the basis for a
kept many 850-8765 www.sam161.org for workshop present by Reba Strong.
in our group more details. Reba regularly performs magic
engaged. Jay is and clowning under the name Silly
also a musician
and writes his
own music. A
172
APRIL SHOWERS AND ALL
Reba. Her magical career is quite
interesting because it started with
her as a spectator, while working
number of his THAT STUFF as a bartender. The place where
The Mystics and Daryl effects used she worked had hired a magician
his marketed PORT ST LUCIE, FL — April dressed as a leprechaun, to
of a wooden box, a ring , and a Cloaking Device, which has uses started a little early this year for entertain the patrons. At first,
wand. The ring goes into the box, such as vanishes, appearances, the compeers of the Donald E. Reba just watched, but she soon
the wand goes through the closed and even a bill switch. The gang Lea Assembly here in beautiful decided that she would like to
box, and the ring magically ends also purchased his diamond-cut Port Saint Lucie with an afternoon learn some magic tricks so that she
up on the wand. Bill Cornelius silks. The members were happy show at the Saint Lucie Lanes could entertain her customers.
showed that he had ten cards. He Jay visited. Annual Family Day and Car Thirty-three years later, Reba is
had a participant pick five cards. Dan Hauss, from Philadelphia, Show. We opened the show at high now the one teaching others how
It is patterned after a poker hand. is lively, energetic, and funny. He noon on April 19 at the Lanes in to entertain.
The magic did not go well, so he lectured in November 2013. Dan our regular meeting room. With
said, „I did not show up.“ Eric told us that whenever he bought Matt Musgrave, Harley Salas,
Davis presented some cards, all a trick he wanted to change it; Nick Bradley, and Al Chiaver-
Kings and Queens, four each. He then he began to create his own ini providing nearly forty-five
shuffled them, then picked one and effects. Dan creates a lot of magic minutes of flawless magic to what
had a participant pick one. They but doesn’t perform all of his all considered to be a really great
matched. He did this four times. creations. His single rubber band crowd, the afternoon flew by for
„Can‘t keep perfect pairs apart.“ that penetrates his hand had us performers and spectators alike.
—Judy Steed baffled. He taught us the secret April 22 was our regular meeting
Assembly 157, The Mystic and it’s on his DVD Rubber and once we dispensed with the
Magicians of Beaver Valley, Thruhand (a clever pun on Robert business for the night, the real
meet the second Thursday of Houdin). His Sugar Block in which fun started off with Al Chiaver-
every month at the Towne Square a quarter ends up in a sealed sugar ini and a short auction of several
Restaurant in Beaver, PA. Contact packet was written up in M-U-M. items he wanted to ensure got
Judy Steed heyjude1943@msn. He also performed his Rattled into good hands. James Offen- Reba Strong
com (330) 525-5389 for more and Growing Ring. Oh, and we hartz followed Al with a routine
details. have to mention that David Blaine on „How to Cheat at Poker.“ The workshop was her opportu-
performed one of Dan’s creations He dealt several winning hands nity to teach her ring and string
161
SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER
on his TV special. It’s called Lit.
A card vanishes from a deck and
later, a paper matchbook is opened
from a randomly shuffled deck, routine. To facilitate the learning,
assembled the four Aces, and left Reba brought along practice
everybody dazed and confused. rings and strings for each person
2013 UPDATE and has transformed into the I don‘t think anybody‘s going to who wanted to work along. This
selection. Shazam! be playing cards with him soon. was not just show and tell; you
SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ— In December we held our annual Longtime member Don Smith were going to have to work at
September 2013 brought Dan holiday party, which is always a seemed a little confused when told this workshop. Ring and string
Garrett to our assembly. Dan, a sell-out. Great food and drinks he had signed up to perform, but routines have always fascinated
Past National President, is from were enjoyed while some members he turned the tables on everybody me. Even after you have seen the
Atlanta and is well-known in did some strolling magic. Special with a variation on The Chicago secret, the ring still seems to pass
magic convention circles, and thanks to the gentlemen who Opener and a great silk routine impossibly through the confining
has shared time with Duke Stern, performed onstage: Vice President based on Slydini‘s Not a Knot. pieces of string. It just looks like

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 19

Assembly News
magic. (Pom-Pom Pole) routine in which including Newton’s Miracle, an from throughout Texas gather
I asked Reba what were the keys pom-poms strung on a tube anti-gravity device that changes together to trade stories, perform
to her over thirty years of success, behaved in a manner outside the the speed of objects passing new tricks, and (most important)
to which she replied, “always laws of physics. through it. Next were Numerology to buy magic equipment.
have fun” and “never insult your Daniel Schaffer performed his blocks that always add up to the The Austin magic community
assistant or audience.” That is version of a single coin through same result. Lastly there was the organizes the event, with
great advice to entertain by. a silk handkerchief, followed by Vanishing Box prototype in which magicians and their spouses
Coco kept with our theme and Steve Dawson’s presentation of roses transform into daisies. meeting for weeks beforehand to
followed with a ring and silk Dean’s Box. Michael Jacobs performed a catalog and package the auction
routine. Our amazing Randy Jason Carling vanished a small sweet card trick in which a Queen items. Everything from the largest
performed what he calls the silk handkerchief, which he caused appeared where we least expected stage illusions to the tiniest
“Geometry Teachers Nightmare.” to reappear in a box being held by it. Roger Sylwester then twisted gimmicks goes on sale. This year’s
It is an effect based on a small a spectator (or what was left of the Michael Close’s Erma la Fource event was held April 5, 2014.
puzzle that he built in a stage size. box once it fell apart). routine to spectacularly predict a
This puzzle of eight pieces has an Ron Carrasco made a few al- random card choice. Roger shared
area that never increases, even most-unforgivable puns related how he tested this routine with
after a ninth and then tenth piece to funerals as he showed a large tricky student audiences in Cali-
are added. Mathematically impos- piece of paper illustrating various fornia.
sible, but that’s magic. caskets. As he folded the paper, Dan Kennedy displayed four
Rocco performed a trifecta of the caskets grew smaller until it card avatars (red and black royals)
effects. First he performed his changed into a trash receptacle who performed a hanky-panky
biting sensation, then a prediction (Dick Stoner’s A Grave Mistake). soap opera based on Bro. John
of a thought of card, and finished Then, after failing to find a Hamman’s Gemini Twins. Larry
up with a rock-paper-scissors selected card, he gave the shirt off Dimmit followed with a predic-
effect. Zak finished the night’s his back to find it. tion card miracle, The Teacher
performances with a packet trick Daniel next attempted to find Knows. Jay Boiselle, a newcomer,
called Poker Deal that ends with a a card while blindfolded. Had it invited us all to shop at his Seattle
royal straight flush. have worked, it would have been Juggling and Magic Shop. Edward Boswell displays a
This was not the only Assembly great! He made up for it later by Chris Carlyle had five Wizards new acquisition from the
181 meeting this month, as we finding another chosen card among select cards and then, by five Austin magic auction
have scheduled a second assembly three random selections. Theron different means, he named all the
meeting on the fourth Thursday returned with a mind reading chosen cards. Mike Battistoni, The Assembly’s April meeting,
of the month at Tommy’s Inn in effect using cards, finishing with another newcomer, introduced held a couple weeks later, was
Millstone, New Jersey. At this the selected card in his pocket. himself and related his Magic also devoted to the auction – but
meeting, Robert Francis, the Dave “Magical” Johnson showed Castle experiences. as more of a post-operative review.
“Dork of Deception,” lectured on a packet of cards with objects on Bill Murray asked a Wizard to Assembly members discussed
busking and street magic. One them, then correctly predicted cut any number of cards from a what went well, what could be
club, two assembly meetings a the object selected by a spectator. deck and using Juan Tamariz’s improved, and showed off their
month – I hope that you will visit —Steve Dawson Mnemonica, he predicted not only new acquisitions.
us one day. —David Zboray Assembly 188 meets the second the number of cards selected but Auction chairwoman Trixie Bond
Assembly 181 of Hightstown Thursday of each month at the all their names. Mark Paulson ran down the numbers, explain-
meets the first Thursday of every Courtyard Jamestown, 3352 then told how, on the Tonight ing that auction attendance was
month, September thru June at the North 100 East in Provo, Utah. Show, Ricky Jay had produced a down somewhat, with just over a
First United Methodist Church , Contact Brian South brian@ royal flush that was beyond any hundred buyers. But despite fewer
187 Stockton Street, Hightstown, teachbymagic.com (801) 916-2442 rational explanation. But then, magicians, revenues held more
NJ 08520. Doors open at 7:00PM. www.utahmagicclub.org for more in an instant, Mark produced the or less steady from the previous
Contact Stephan Sloan lands10@ details. identical royal flush; also beyond year. Ms. Bond credited the char-
optonline.net (732) 757-5337
http://www.magicsam181.com for
more details.
200
UNFINISHED MAGIC
explanation.
Terry Burlison performed the
Ninja card trick using the Elmsley
ismatic auctioneers for much of
that success, including David Hira
and Grant Walsh from Dallas, and

188
"ORIENTAL"
SEATTLE, WA— The Emerald
City Wizards met the evening
count. Following this, JR Russell
led a tutorial on this most useful
card maneuver. Rounding out the
Scott Wells from Houston. Several
local magicians, including Kent
Cummins and Brad Henderson,
MAGIC of April 3, 2014, to perform evening, Reymarx Gereda baffled also helped with the stage auction.
effects we’d been working on but us with a repeating, computer-like Ms. Bond also noted that a
OREM, UT— Our theme for weren’t quite polished yet. Ben knowledge of how many cards a flat-screen video monitor was a
the month of May was “Oriental Eskenazi and his dad, Marty, Wizard cut. —Ric Ruidl popular addition this year. The
Magic,” a reference to the type of told the Wizards about their plan Assembly 200, The Emerald monitor displayed a live feed
magic performed by the likes of to perform magic to nursing and City Wizards meet the first from the stage auction, but was
Okito and Chung Ling Soo. (No retirement homes. Seeking input Thursday of each month at 7PM set up in the separate room for the
offense is intended by the use of from others, two rules emerged. at a branch of the King County silent auction. This allowed buyers
the term.) The first: keep it simple! Wizard Library, WA. Please check website to watch for their favorite stage
Theron Christensen started off Leader, JR Russell, recounted for meeting locations. Contact items, while continuing to peruse
with Troy Hooser‘s Charming how, after he had performed Chuck Kleiner chuckkleiner@ smaller close-up tricks and col-
Chinese Challenge, a very nice his best stuff, someone in the yahoo.com (206) 236-0608 www. lectibles from the silent auction.
routine in which three Chinese- audience said: “JR, next time play emeraldcitywizards.org for more Ms. Bond said organizers are
style coins penetrate through a some Country-Western.” Despite details. considering an earlier auction date
red ribbon. Kerry Summers then
came front and center with three
large flat black rings that each
the bittersweet humor, the second
rule is: these audiences are most
appreciative of magic.
206
AUSTIN CELEBRATES
for 2015. This is to avoid over-
stretching the resources of the
Austin magic community, which
changed to a rainbow pattern and With a “special” card deck ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL will host the Texas Association of
then back to black, with the help carried ninety miles expressly for MAGIC AUCTION Magicians convention in 2015.
of an exotic fan. He then tied four him, Ben Eskenazi had a Wizard Several members also displayed
ropes into loops, which he then select a card and Ben immediately AUSTIN, TX— The World new acquisitions during the
linked and unlinked in a myste- predicted that very card! Ralph Famous Magic Auction – it’s an assembly meeting. Edward
rious way. He finished by per- Hunzinger shared a potpourri Austin tradition. Every year – Boswell performed a startling
forming his “Chinese Whatsit” of magical works in progress, generally around April – conjurors Hot Rod effect, one in which the

20 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

 Assembly News
colored stones on the bar change
multiple times. He acquired
the effect in the silent auction.
12. —Roger L. Omanson
Assembly 215 meets at 7:00 p.m.
on various dates, but usually the
out a feather flower with those
colors on it. John Macelli enter-
tained with the Baby Hummer
277
THE PMMC BLOWS UP!
Assembly member Shelby Parsons first Tuesday of each month, at card trick – just wonderful.
showed off a new card trick. the Kosair Community Center on President Doug Welch dazzled us STROUDSBURG, PA— We hope
Veterans Kent Cummins and Eastern Parkway. Contact Roger with an effect made for earth day: we got your attention with the
Ron Cartlidge also displayed new Omanson rlomanson@gmail.com a trick with the message to “Stop headline. The Pocono Mountains
props. —R.A. Dyer (502) 296-6577 website: www. Pollution.” He then performed Magic Club met again in May and
Assembly 206 meets at the Omni lmcmagic.com for more details. one of his favorite pocket effects the theme of the night was Inflat-
South Park Hotel, 4140 Governors called Dizzy Dominoes Outdone. able Magic. Anything that you can
Row, Austin, Texas Contact Jake
Dyer jakedyer@yahoo.com (512)
658-0017 http://sam206.com/ for
263
NON-STOP
Some of the members continued
to perform even after the meeting
was officially closed. Some
blow up can be used.
First off, the Toman family in-
troduced everyone to the newest
more details. PERFORMING magicians just can’t stop perform- member of the magic club, Isaiah

215
MAY HAPPENINGS
BIG FLATS, NY— Greetings
fellow magi; it’s been a while
ing. And that’s the way we like it.
The Twin Tiers Magic Club
Assembly 263 meets the fourth
James, born on May 12, 2014 to
Austin Miller and Tabby Mcarthy.
Ryne Gade played our emcee
since I posted our club’s activity. Monday of the month @ 7:00 pm this month; we have instituted a
LOUISVILLE, KY— May was Please accept my apologies. Our at the Hillview United Methodist new program – each month we
an active month for the Louisville April meeting was well attended. Church, Hillview Drive, Big elect a new emcee for the platform
Magic Club. The seventh annual We spend a half hour greeting and Flats NY. Contact Tim Cleary at performance part of our meeting.
The Magic and the Wonder, a filling each other in about recent magictim04@gmail.com This gets everyone involved, and
show benefitting Kosair Charities
& Kids Center for Pediatric
Therapies, was held on May 18,
events, then, a business meeting,
hopefully brief, and then we do
what all magicians love to do.
266
MAGICAL MAY MISHAPS
we get to practice our emcee skills
as well.
Ryne began the performances
2014, at the Kentucky Center for We try to create wonder, no easy with a version of Daniel Garcia’s
the Arts. Performing were Dan feat when performing for other LAKELAND, FL— Jerry walked Archery in which an arrow (Ace
Sperry, Aaron Radatz, Stephen magicians. in with his hand bandaged and of Spades) is thrust into the deck
Knowles, Dinky Gowen, and Club secretary, Tim Cleary “attention to detail” Ed noticed and magically changes into a pre-
Patrick and Janice Miller. was hoping for some important that Jerry’s hand was bandaged viously chosen card.
The next evening was the critiquing with a new effect he and his “little finger seemed to be Jay Kraft was up next with a
monthly meeting of the LMC. acquired: The Nut Waltz, a form missing.” Jerry is a woodworker routine he put together that week.
About forty members were present of cups and balls, in which three and most us know of at least one A card was chosen, a corner torn,
and welcomed new members walnuts vanish from his hands woodworker with a missing finger, and a balloon blown up. The card
Carson Harral and Myron (Ron) only to appear under an upside- so all were in sympathy with Jerry was magically thrust into the
Fribush. down glass covered with paper. A who didn’t want to talk much balloon. The balloon was popped,
Then Dan Sperry taught and en- few constructive criticisms were about it but just said he had lost it freeing the card and the corners
tertained for an hour and a half offered and graciously accepted. working on a new magic project! matched perfectly.
with magic and stories from his Sir James (Jim Turner) claimed to After a short business meeting Mark Mysterrio was up next and
performances. Among the effects have memorized a deck of cards; during which the meeting night did a version of the chosen card in
that Dan taught were the pro- he shuffled them and still named a was discussed, the magic began. the balloon with a totally different
duction of a dove from a sketch series of them rapidly. How did he Card tricks were done by all but presentation and a totally different
pad on which he had just drawn do it? A marked deck. He pattered Jerry. Jim Zachary did one of his method. I love the fact that our
a picture of a dove (and many well and we almost swallowed it. famous “marketed” tricks and guys have different magic back-
good handling tips); produc- Grandpaw Willie was there and even Beverly, (who hates card grounds that allows for such
tion of real worms from a bag of showed his collection of his own tricks) did a card trick. We missed diversity in our performance
Trolli gummy worms; a balls from handmade horse-nail jewelry. Bob Al and Elmo because Al had an portion of the night.
mouth routine; a borrowed bill Cobb was up next and pulled out anniversary and Elmo was under
that shows the embedded words the four Queens had them replaced the weather.
“made in China” when held up to randomly back in the deck face up Jerry got up to perform his latest
a light source; a Russian- roulette- in a face-down deck, He pulled out effect and explained that it had
with-cookies routine in which a the Queens and the card next to it. gone wrong at home but he had
razor blade has been inserted into That card turned out to be a King it working now! A volunteer was
one of the cookies; Remember to of the matching suit. Mike Stanley selected to help; Jerry brought out
Floss, a routine with razor blades performed the color changing a guillotine finger chopper! Some
and dental floss; various uses chips for a young visitor. of us then started to suspect the
of a can of citrus air freshener; Our resident card man Ralpho con Jerry had played on the group!
and tips on traveling with (Ralph Candelori) always delights Jerry performed the effect flaw-
live birds. us with new and complex card lessly three times, on his magician
Dan has developed his own mysteries. If I were to describe assistant, on a waitress, and on
unique style of magic and defines what happened, I’d need a few a waiter at the IHOP. He then
himself as an “anti-conjuror.” He pages, but as always very enter- removed the bandage and revealed S. Patrick and 14 day old
has become well known in the taining. Mike Lavarnway, got us it was part of a macabre scam to Isaiah James
field of magic, having performed thinking about not past recollec- sell the finger guillotine. Fun was
at the Magic Castle, on the TV tions but the possibility of time had by all and the meeting broke Next was the Magic of Ricardo
hit series Masters of Illusion, on travel and future recall. A pre- up around 9:00 p.m. If you are who showed us his latest project.
season five of NBC’s America’s diction was made or was it a note close to Lakeland, FL, on meeting It was an actual Zombie Balloon
Got Talent in early 2010, in The from the future? A spectator cut night come and enjoy the macabre! complete with a place on the
World’s Greatest Magic Show for the deck and discarded half, then —Ed McGowan balloon sculpture for the zombie
three years in Las Vegas, and he repeated until one card remained Jim Zachery Assembly 266 meets gimmick to be placed. He then
is the only illusionist to ever be and that was written on the note. the second Wednesday of the created an adult balloon sculpture
awarded the title of most original Phil Messina was up next and mas- month at 7pm at the Lakeland that has all of us rolling on the
magician on FOX’s World Magic terfully executed the Three Card I-Hop at Rt-98 and I-4 Contact floor laughing. You have to see it
Awards. Repeat. He followed that with a Al D‘Alfonso keeper0499@ to believe it!
The annual LMC picnic is on packet trick called Amazing Ace. embarqmail.com (321) 4373814 for S. Patrick was up last and
August 23; and the annual fund- Len Saukus pushed three colored more details. performed a routine he hasn‘t
raiser show, It’s Magic, is on Sept silks into a mesh tube only to pull performed regularly in over

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 21

Assembly News
twenty-one years. Even he was being the first group to enjoy a an informative discussion of fair bly’s resources, Jim Pope asked
surprised when he calculated handsome bar designed to ac- rates to charge, and of justifica- for help in developing false cuts
how old the trick actually was. commodate bar magic. We met tions for donated shows. to be done both on the table and
Jay Sankeys Airtight was even at Danielle and Paul Noffsinger’s The meeting theme was “plastic,” in the hands. Lew “The Great
performed by David Copperfield home. The working bar stage but an option was added to perform Loudini” Wymisner presented his
on a TV special many years ago. area had just been completed on a five-minute “bar magic” routine. collection of many different varia-
A card is chosen and signed, and their lower level. The room had a Paul Noffsinger opened, explain- tions on plastic and other Color
the deck shuffled. S. then showed pool table and a lovely collection ing the finale to his Triumph card- Vision boxes, including a “blind”
us some clear balloons, chose one, of magic posters, both Hunter S. revelation effect. He then did a fast electronic version. He explained a
and then slammed the entire deck Thompson and magic memora- card and color change (Poker Test basic move by Ed Marlo that made
of cards inside the balloon. S. then bilia, and shelves of magic books. 2.0 by Erik Casey). the peek seamless and fluid.
blew up the balloon and shuffled Jim Pope ran a brief business We enjoyed a card-predic- “The Amazing James” Lopez
the cards by shaking the balloon. meeting with updates on the post- tion routine devised by Lloyd performed a bar routine including
The balloon was squeezed and one ponement of the Magic in the “Worley the Wizard” Worley. It Paul Vigil’s Sympathy (for the
card was pulled through the wall Rockies convention for 2014. We combined an Out to Lunch rev- Devil) Cards, and Charlie Miller’s
of the balloon. The card was the elation followed Dunbury Delusion card effect, an
original signed card. by a deck- all-time favorite that has spawned
Thanks to all our platform per- vanishing box. some twenty published variants
formers as well as our close-up Teagan Brown and alternatives. He closed with a
performers who kicked off our did a great J. B. Bobo routine involving four
meeting earlier. Everyone did a pickpocket coins in a glass, two in the hand,
great job! —S. Patrick Toman routine that and one in the pocket. The helpful
The PMMC Meets on the 3rd loaded a spec- take-away was to slow down and
Friday each month at the "Art tator’s signed really engage the audience.
Space Gallery“, 18 N. 7th St. coin into the It was a delightful meeting, with
Stroudsburg PA. 18360. Contact S. spectator’s own lots of magic in a classy venue.
Patrick damagician@verizon.net shirt pocket. —James Lopez
(570) 242-6821 www.pmmc.webs. Rich Nakata The Dr. Ronald P. Dutton
com for more details. presented a Assembly 292 usually meets at
From left, Paul Noffsinger, James Lopez, whole slew of Kenny‘s Steak House, 3502 West
Bob Lopez, and Lew Wymisner
292
BREAKING IN A PRIVATE
fantastic Tenyo
plastic tricks,
were sad to hear the news, but including a splendid Tenyo soft
10th Street (corner of 35th Avenue)
at 11:00 A.M. (lunch optional), on
the second Saturday of the month.
MAGIC BAR hope this break can bring it back coin routine. He concluded with Contact Jim Pope jlp1616@
bigger and better in the future. We some self-working mathematical comcast.net (970) 339-3277
GREELEY, CO— In May, welcomed a guest, Bob Lopez. The card effects. www.SAM292.com for more
our assembly had the honor of “Show Reports” section included Taking advantage of the assem- details. 

Good Cheer List

Please take a minute to 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.
magicforfun60@aol.com

Daniel Cudennec Stanley R. Kramien Anthony Murphy Pat Ryan

“Dany Trick” 11205 SW Summerfield Dr. 11 Angel Rd., 43 Fairbanks Rd.
225, Stang-ar-Veil- Apt 161 North Reading, MA 01864 Churchville, NY 14428
d’an-Traon, Mellac-29300, Tigard, OR 97224-3391
Quimperle, France Nahmen Nissen Matt Savin
Richard Laneau PO Box 1856 P.O. Box 7693
Dan A. Dorsey 4020 55th St. N. Colfax, CA 95713-1856 Alhambra, CA 91802-7533
98 Woodvalley Dr. St. Petersburg, FL 33709
Fayetteville, GA 30215 Allen Okawa Mario Susi
George Gilbert Lott 2101 Nuuanu Ave., Tower 1, 6 Bristol Rd.
Charlie Gross 1725 Great Hill Rd. #2203 W. Peabody, MA 01960
16745 Gertrude Street, Guilford, CT 06437 Honolulu, HI 96817
Omaha, NE 60136-3023 Jack White
Frank J. McNaughton, Sr Jim Relyea 4288 Arguello St.
Roy Horn 1926 Apple Street, 241 W. Lakeshore San Diego, CA 92103
c/o Siegfried & Roy Williamsport, PA 17701 Rockaway, NJ 07866
1639 N Valley Drive, Jim Zachary
Las Vegas, NV 89108 James J. Morrisey Harry Riser 2801 South Creek Drive
24 Grove St. 11755 N. Michigan Rd #313 Mulberry, FL 33860
Bob King Wayland, MA 01788 Zionsville, IN 46077
304 Suburban Court,
Rochester, NY 14620

22 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

 New Members & Reinstatements
The following applications and reinstatements for Associate Memberships and Assembly Memberships have been received. For good cause shown, in
accordance with Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution of the Society of American Magicians, any member in good standing may object to the
acceptance of any new Associate Member (Assembly Memberships have already been approved by the Assembly to which they will be affiliated).
Any objection should be directed to the National Administrator.

NEW APPLICATIONS Livonia, MI Rivera, Zareth Tokyo, JAPAN Draper, UT

Jacobs, Chad Kansas City, KS Yamagami, Yoshinosuke Kirschner, Michael
Aungpe, Dino St Louis, MO Roberts Jr, Bradley E Tokyo, Fort Lee, NJ
Wheatley Heights, NY Jave, Douglas Taylors, SC Yang, Jaehyeock Kolb, Anthony
Bally, Frederick Indianapolis, IN Routh, Josh Gumi-Si, Kyungsangbuk- Vienna, IL
New York, NY Johnson, Mark Ballwin, MO Do Korea South Kothare, Shank
Beck, Eric M Mableton, GA Sacco, Aj Zehnacker, Russell Mount Julliet, TN
Tulsa, OK Kaliszewska, Zofia Adelajda Chicago, IL Bear, DE Lee, Delbert
Bell, Michael Cambridge, MA Salva, Peter Zimmerman, Douglas Yreka, CA
Cedar Park, TX Kanzelberger, Leo Scranton, PA Loveland, CO Leonard, Paul (Andy)
Breitenmoser, Natalie Shoreline, WA Sanz, Danny St. Louis, MO
Degersheim, Switzerland Kennedy, Steven Palm Bay, FL REINSTATEMENTS Lindvig, Bruce A
Breitenmoser, Retonio New Orleans, LA Scheifflee, Jeremy Scottsdale, AZ
Degersheim, Switzerland Knowles, Frank Wauwatosa, Wi Alexander, Gale M Luong, John
Brenneman, Blake Melbourne, FL Schwall, David New Milford, CT Lakewood, CO
Winston Salem, NC Kosakura, Steve Pomona, NY Artle, Earl J Lyford, Trey
Brown, Matthew Tustin, CA Scott, Richard Highlands, NJ Brooklyn, NY
Calne, Wiltshire, UK Kraft, Fred Kingston, WA Austin, Jake Machny, Elizabeth
Brown, Paul Nanticoke, PA Sellers, Kenneth Colorado Springs, CO Ville St Laurent, QB
Howell, MI Lai, Po-Cheng Tucson, AZ Barrett, Mike Canada
Brown, Teagan Taichung City, Taiwan Shields, Randall B Long Island City, NY Marchionda, George
Fort Collins, CO Lampkin, Kim D Hoopeston, IL Black, Bruce Niagara Falls, ON Canada
Buck, Dave Houston, TX Smith, Jacob Peyton, CO Mayers, Richard
Lynnwood, WA Lee, Hun Austin, TX Boone, Frederick D Springfield, MA
Byers, Joseph Incheon, Kyunggi-do Korea Soto, Robert Ocoee, FL Melendez, Benjamin
Coppell, TX Leshen, Lee Mayaguez, PR Camp, Jack Roselle, NJ
Carini, Kathy New York, NY Stapleton, Brian Hillsboro, OR Nordstrom, Rodney
Rancho Cordova, CA Marsh, Larry Allen Park, MI Chamblerlin, Michael Peoria, IL
Carter, Tyle Colorado Springs, CO Stein, Ariel Arlington, VA Paxson, Donna
Columbus, OH Martinez, Circe Scarsdale, NY Copeland, Jeff Henderson, NV
Choi, Cheolseung Las Vegas, NV Sullivan, James Winston Salem, NC Portala, Eli
Seoul, Seoul Korea Martinez, Brandon Garland, TX Dicharry, Ryan Toledo, OH
Copin, Bruno Anchorage, AK Swyt, Sue Saint Gabriel, LA Pruitt, Joe
Marcq En Baroeul, France Mccoy, Maury Dublin, OH Dudley, Kathleen Denver, NC
Credidio, Paul Anthony Austin, TX Szewczyk, Ricky Blue Mound, IL Ranalli, David
Del Ray Beach, FL Mcdonnell, Thomas J Macomb, IL Ewing, Ric Indianapolis, IN
Crowley, William J Wynnewood, PA Templeton, Jerry Pittsburg, CA Rico, George
Wauwatosa, WI Mcgrath, John Westerville, OH Ezenwa, Rev Fr Josaphat C Monterey Park, CA
Davis, Patrick Bridgend, UK Thomas, Kirk Turnbridge Wells, KENT Saylor, James
New York, NY Mcgriff, Michael J Bronx, NY UK Prescott, AZ
Dutcher, Ryan Vallejo, CA Thorne Iii, Charles Lyell Fiorentino, James L Sherman, Aaron
Hopewell Jct, NY Melnyk, Rob West Wyoming, PA Philadelphia, PA Danbury, CT
Eckland, Kenneth T Willowbrook, IL Tong, Damian Flint, Bryan Skye, Victoria
Lancaster, MA Middlebrooks, Weldon Pasadena, CA Ellington, CT Roswell, GA
Ephraim, Jesse Arlington, TX Torrenson, Roy Tore Folkl, James Spagnola, Janice
Keller, TX Mulrooney, Charles Mandal, Norway Bloomfield Township, MI Niagara Falls, NY
Eskenazi, Gregg Westfield, NJ Towey, William Gotmer, Alfred A Spangler, Steven D
Mercer Island, WA O‘connor, Heather Philadelphia, PA Rochester, MN Littleton, CO
Farmer, Robert Manhattan Beach, CA Von Strong, Tom Grayson, Daniel F Stuessy, Ted J
Tempe, AZ Orriola, Victor R Vacaville, CA Rochester, NY Cherry Hill, NJ
Gordon, Peter Lancaster, PA Weiss, Jonathan-Taylor Guida, Patrick Trombetto, Daniel
Scarsdale, NY Park, Woong Sunninghill, Berkshire UK Portland, CT Danbury, CT
Goss, Hans Seoul, Seoul Korea Westgate, Robert Hannibal, Christopher Vandenberg, Byron Ford
Houston, TX Parkinson, Michael Donald Temple City, CA Indian Trail, NC Coralville, IA
Greenberg, Don E Baltimore, MD Williams, Jeremy Hansell, Christopher Violette, Scot
New Waterford, OH Perricone, Alexander Temple City, CA Lebanon, PA Baker City, OR
Greenwell, Jeff Avenel, NJ Willis, Chad Harness, Rebecca Weidner, Joshua
Lakewood, WA Pinckney, Darrell C Powell, OH Eureka, MO Granite City, IL
Hernandez, Bill Glenmont, NY Wilson, Betsy Hicks, Michael White, John C
Stratford, CT Putnam, Adam Livermore, CA Jackson, MI Centerville, IA
Hollander, Andrew Saint Louis, MO Windsor, Randy Jia, Kui Wicks, Roger
Philadelphia, PA Regalbuto, Brian A Farmington, MO Los Angeles, CA Woodstock, OH
Hsueh, Billy Downey, CA Wolfire, Mark Jones, Eric Woelfel, Arnold
Surrey, BC Canada Rhoades, Harlin Baltimore, MD Philadelphia, PA Cromwell, CT
Hubbard Ii, Ron Midland, TX Wright, Tim Karavolos, Mark Young, Joseph
Oak Ridge, TN Riley, Robert St Marys, OH Westwood, NJ Big Stone Gap, VA
Hudy, Jason Baton Rouge, LA Yamagami, Akinoshin Kercher, Rick

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 23

 Broken Wands

MICHAEL E. ABSTON ROBERT BLUEMLE

(JULY 23, 1954 – APRIL 24, 2014)
Robert L. “Bob” Bluemle, 80,
Michael Edward Abston retired attorney and magician,
was born in the small town died Thursday, May 8, 2014,
of Rockwood, Tennessee. surrounded by family in Williston,
He received a Bachelor of Vermont. The son of Orville
Music degree from Middle Wesley Bluemle, newspaper
Tennessee State and began editor, and Marguerite Fadely,
work as a band director. He court clerk, organist and pianist,
was in that position when Bob spent his youth in Anderson,
he encountered the uglier Indiana, and Phoenix, Arizona. He
side of the job – politics and earned his bachelor’s degree and
bureaucracy. Thankfully for MBA at Indiana University, where he served as Student
the rest of the world, he Body President and was voted outstanding graduating
left his trumpet and students behind and started work in senior in 1955. He received his Juris Doctor from the
an unlikely place – Ripley’s…Believe it or Not! University of Michigan Law School in 1959.
Mike‘s first and only wife, Marion, supported his In 1960, Bob moved back to Phoenix with his wife,
vocational change, so he started work at the Ripley’s actress Sarah Jane Miller, where he launched a long and
attraction, which had a magic shop attached to it in successful career in securities and tax law and raised
Gatlinburg, Tennessee. He worked there and was trained two daughters, Tiffany and Elizabeth. Known for his
by famed demonstrator Ron Conley. In no time, he lightning-fast wit, mischievous sense of humor, and dashing
excelled as a magic demonstrator, even demonstrating and sartorial style, Bob’s greatest passions were magic, travel,
selling tricks to a young boy named Lance Burton. photography, writing, and family.
Mike owned his own magic shop in Myrtle Beach, At the age of ten, Bob discovered Bert Easley’s Magic
South Carolina, and continued to do shows on the side. Shop, and a young magician was born. Known to fellow
Soon enough, he and Marion had his only son Travis, who performers as Dr. Juris and to children as “Magic Uncle
Mike often said was his only true magic. Bob,” Bob specialized in close-up magic and mentalism.
Marion travelled as her husband’s assistant as they He was an active member and officer of the International
did shows in malls, festivals, and flea markets. He was a Brotherhood of Magicians, The Society of American
founding member of I.B.M. Ring 234, the Charles Towne Magicians, and Ring 55 in Phoenix, and was a regular
Mystics in Charleston. contributor to magic periodicals, including the Linking Ring
Mike found a home for twenty-five years at Ken and M-U-M. He also wrote film reviews and articles on
Fletcher’s Magic Masters stores. He worked in nearly travel, as well as an unpublished biography of European
every store in that chain, from Washington, D.C. and magician Dr. Stanley Jaks. Bob’s college stint as emcee of a
Chicago, Illinois, to Underground Atlanta, Georgia, and USO show sparked his love of travel that included visits to
the Jax Brewery in New Orleans. He worked in the Virgin over a hundred countries.
Islands at St. Thomas and even briefly in Hawaii. He spent In 2001, Bob moved from Phoenix to Burlington,
his longest time in the Las Vegas location at the Caesars Vermont, to be closer to his family. He was predeceased
Palace Forum Shoppes. by his daughters’ mother, Sarah Jane Miller, and his second
Magic Masters, like Mike, is no longer with us; when wife, Carol Bidstrup. Bob’s family is grateful to the amazing
the last shop closed, Mike briefly worked in the Caesars Dr. Karen Sokol and to his many wonderful caregivers at
Magical Empire shop until that attraction was closed as Shelburne Bay, particularly his trusted friend and caregiver
well. He then worked for a while at the Las Vegas pro Elizabeth Wathugi, and the Vermont Respite House for
shop The Magic Emporium until it was sold to Denny and their caring support of Bob in his final years and days.
Lee. Mike went to work next for Perry Maynard’s Las
Vegas Magic shops, becoming a regular fixture in both the WILLIAM EDWARD RYDER ALEXANDER SR.
Stratosphere and Riviera stores until his untimely passing.
To say he will be missed is an understatement; he will William Alexander of Louisville, Kentucky, died May
never be forgotten by those he left behind. Mike Abston is 12, 2014, at age seventy-nine. He served four years in the
survived by his son Travis, his ex-wife Marion, his brother US Army before working as a US Air Force physicist and
Jeff, and his sister Susan. – Kevin Martin aerospace engineer at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in

24 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

 Broken Wands

Ohio for over thirty years. to emcee when needed.

He was a Life Member In school he was always the
of the S.A.M., a member of class clown. Ron grew up in New
the I.B.M., and a member of York and worked as a salesman
the Louisville Magic Club, for his father before going into
serving as its Sergeant- the service during the Korean
of-Arms. Bill Alexander War. While stationed in Japan for
began magic as a hobby in two years as a staff sergeant, he
junior high school; by the donned his red velvet jacket and
eleventh grade his magic along with two other magicians
performances had become performed for our servicemen.
semi-professional. At age He was awarded several
nineteen, Bill privately performed for Louisville’s Don commendations for his work.
Redmon, an internationally famed magician. As a result, Once back at home, Ron went into show business,
Don sponsored Bill’s membership into the I.B.M. During working cruise ships for the Royal Caribbean Line and
his college years, he continued to perform at nightclubs Carnival lines, where he met his wife Jackie. They had
and in hotel bar rooms, as well as hospitals, schools, three children. Reckseit did a funny comedy magic act with
colleges, churches, and in private homes. the accent on laughs. He had a few signature effects such
When Bill retired in 1990, he was averaging over one as a “Tissel-Tassle” Chinese Sticks routine, and a comedy
hundred magic shows per year. He performed in many rope escape. He also added humorous mental effects to
locations, including the states of Ohio and Kentucky, Belize, his repertoire.
South America, and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Survivors include Ronnie established a business in St. Thomas in the Virgin
his wife, Mary, and children Noreda Denise, William Islands, renting mopeds and cars to cruise ship tourists
Edward, Jr., Norman Douglas, and Ivanora Odessa. visiting the island. After several years, the Reckseits came
home and lived both in Florida and New York. Ron loved
RONALD “RONNIE” RECKSEIT to play golf and won tournaments both in Westchester
(NOVEMBER 17, 1931 – MAY 22, 2014) and in Boca Raton. Until illness took him in April, he was
still making people laugh at retirement homes on the East
Ronnie Reckseit belonged to S.A.M. for more than fifty- Coast. We’ll miss his jokes and stories, but he can always
seven years; during that time he was a valuable member of be seen on YouTube. A broken wand ceremony was
both PA 1 in New York and Assembly 274 in Florida. He performed by Dean George Schindler at his funeral May
always participated in after-meeting shows and was ready 25, 2014. 

NEED TO WRITE
AN ASSEMBLY REPORT?
We Made Your Job a Little Easier

Go to www.mum-magazine.com and click on “Easy Report Submis-

sion.” You’ll be taken to a page with a form that makes submitting your
assembly report a breeze. Simply fill in the required fields and paste in your
report from your word processor. Upload a photo and a caption if you are
submitting one. Then hit “Submit Form.” You’re done, and your report comes
to us in a format that makes our job a lot easier, too.
MAGIC FROM A MEMBER
A CUT ABOVE THE PROFESSOR’S From this position,
NIGHTMARE take the medium rope
with your opposite
BY MITCH GEIER - ASSEMBLY 81 hand (probably your
right hand) and show it
Effect: I’m sure most of you know Bob Carver’s classic trick to the audience as you
The Professor’s Nightmare. Here is a routine that starts from say, “I’ll take this rope
a single length of rope on a spool. The spectator assists you and roll it up in my
in cutting three ropes of equal length. You then change them hand.” This will give
in to three ropes of different lengths, which can be examined. you misdirection for
You then change the unequal ropes into three ropes of equal dropping (from the top
lengths, then back to three of different lengths, and back again of your hand to the Photo 3
to three ropes of equal length. You end with three equal ropes bottom of your hand)
that the spectator can examine and take home. one end of the short
Method: During this explanation, I will add the patter that rope in your left hand
is necessary to explain the effect and misdirect the audience. (Photo 4). No one will
You will need to add additional patter to make this effect your notice this, if properly executed. With your right hand, start
own. I will also explain this effect as it is done by a right-hand- folding up the medium-length rope into your left hand, with
ed person. I will assume that you already know the moves for both ends eventually coming out of the top of your left hand.
the standard Professor’s Nightmare routine. You are holding this bundle in a way that shows three ropes,
Start with a rope that the spectators can examine and prove with three ends on top and three ends hanging down. The
to be solid. The rope may even be cut directly from a spool of reality is that you have coiled the medium rope into your hand
rope. The length of rope you start with should be equal to the and both of its ends are on top. The short rope, because you
distance from fingertip to fingertip of your outstretched arms. I moved its end, now runs straight through the hand; the long
do a rope escape before this routine and I use the rope for that rope is looped, with both ends coming out of the bottom of
escape. This avoids the necessity of having the ropes examined your hand. This looks correct to the spectator because he sees
and gives credibility to the strength of the rope. the proper number of ends above and below your hand.
Do the standard “cut and restored” move (Photo 1), creating
a loop on the bottom and a loop on the top. Ask a spectator to
cut those loops and one final cut to get rid of any extra length
left (Photo 2), which creates three equal strands of rope (or so Photo 4
they appear). You have created, by using the “cut and restored”
move, the Professor’s Nightmare gimmick right in front of the
audience and with the spectator’s help.

Photo 1

This creates the illusion of a short rope and two long ropes.
Photo 2
Now prove that you have a short rope by slightly pulling the
lower end of the short rope down by an inch or so. Do not
remove the short rope from your left hand just yet. As you pull
the short end, notice which top end moves downward. Now
pull up that short rope an inch or so by its top end; you can now
freely move the short rope up and down in your hand. “This is
just an illusion,” you say as you pretend to roll the short rope
down into your hand with your thumb while pulling it from the
bottom with your other hand. This is just acting, because the
[Note: Slydini published the idea of starting with a long short rope is the short rope (free and clear); you are not really
piece of rope and apparently cutting it into three equal lengths rolling it up with your thumb at all. You may now remove the
in his book Slydini Encores (Long and Short of It, pages 85-89).] short rope from the top of your hand and give it to the spectator
At this point, a small rope is looped around the long rope as you say, “This really is a short rope.” The spectator will be
(Photo 3); in their looped condition they equal the length of the shocked to see that one of the three equal pieces is now a short
medium-length rope. You can now do the standard Professor’s rope.
Nightmare count, first counting a single rope as “one,” then At this point, you have a coiled up medium rope with both
taking the looped ropes and leaving the single one as you count ends coming out the top of your hand and a long rope folded
“two.” You then recount the single rope as “three.” in half with both ends coming out the bottom of your hand.

26 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

As you patter, your upcoming actions follow exactly what you
say. “I’ll take this end from the bottom (a long rope end) and
place it on the top. I’ll take an end from the top (a medium rope Photo 5
end) and place it to the bottom. This creates the illusion of a
long rope and a short rope.” To prove this to the spectator, you
now pull one end of the long rope and move it back and forth
through your hand. Remove the long rope from your hand and
give it to the spectator while commenting about the length of
the rope. The spectator’s attention on the long rope provides
the perfect misdirection to release the medium rope (which was
coiled in your hand), allowing it to uncoil to its full length.
Turn your attention to this rope and say, “And this one falls
somewhere in the middle,” as you hand him the medium rope.
The ropes that are left in the spectator’s hands can be
examined (and they should be examined) because they are
ungimmicked and ready to be used in a standard Professor’s
Nightmare routine. I’m not going to explain the details of the
Photo 6
Professor’s Nightmare routine here, because it is so well known
and documented.
From here, go into your standard Professor’s Nightmare
routine; when you get to the point of lining up the ends (just
before you stretch the three unequal ropes to become equal
lengths) you will want to introduce a ploy that sets the spectator
up for the conclusion of this routine. During the routine you
act very fastidious and concerned about the frayed ends of the
ropes (thanks to Ice McDonald for the frayed idea). Cut some
small pieces off the ends (whether they are frayed or not). This
concern and trimming of the ends will add to the illusion at the
conclusion of the effect.
Complete the Professor’s Nightmare routine by pulling the
ropes into equal lengths and immediately transforming them
back into a short rope, a medium rope, and a long rope. Again,
the spectator has three ungimmicked ropes in his hands to
examine.
Start the finale of this effect by asking for the short rope,
the long rope, and medium rope. You will now do the slow
stretching part of the standard routine. Create the Professor’s
Nightmare loop, wrapping the short rope around the long rope.
Stop yourself and reverse your steps by saying, “Remember Photo 7
how I took the ends of the rope and matched them up before?
I’m not going to do that now,” as you bring down the top end of
the long rope. This is a deceit, because you brought up the short
rope to create the Professor’s Nightmare loop but you “reverse” three ropes, which are ungimmicked and of equal length. This
yourself by dropping down the end of the long rope (Photo 5). is a great way to end the Professor’s Nightmare routine.
The hidden loop that was created still remains. Remember, when doing this routine, keep up the ploy of
Now you are in a perfect position to do a visual stretch of concern over the frayed ends. Each time that you stop to trim
the ropes by pulling on the three bottom ends. However, before a little bit off the ends, it justifies the final clean up where the
doing the stretch, you must continue that fastidious ploy of evidence is destroyed. You should also practice the false count
always cutting off the frayed ends. Gather up the three lower that is used with every Professor’s Nightmare routine. It is the
rope ends into your right hand with the three upper rope ends believability of that count that makes the Professor’s Nightmare
that are already in your left hand (Photo 6). Your hands are such a strong effect.
very close together at this point and your hands are pointing The cutting of the frays and the final cut are all ideas that
towards the spectator. Have the spectator snip off some of the I recently added to this routine. In the 1970s, at a bar during
frayed ends before you stretch the ropes to equal length. break time at a magic convention, Jose De La Torre, Doug
From here do the standard Professor’s Nightmare count Keller, and I were discussing some improvements to the Pro-
and keep up the ruse by trimming the ends again. This time, fessor’s Nightmare routine. From this discussion, the idea of
because you have the standard loop of short rope holding a long doing the Professor’s Nightmare routine in reverse was created.
rope, you must cut that loop (Photo 7) while trimming the ends. This effect is in reverse, because this routine starts with ropes
It is very easy to do and a standard move that is often used in of the same length (and least from the spectator view), not from
cut and restored rope effects. When the loops are cut (and there the typical different three lengths that magicians usually start
are actually two loops to cut through) and the short pieces are from. Jose described some of his ideas in his book, Magic of
trimmed away and discarded, the spectator can be left with Havana. 

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 27

 Stage 101 Pr acticum
By Levent
pencils had two needle points instead of
CHARLIE MILLER AND one, which made the attachment to the
THE PENCIL hand more stable and secure. Sadly, the
one that I have in my collection has only
Take for example the late, great Charlie one needle point, but overall the construc-
Miller, who used to do a delightful routine tion quality is first class. For the record,
on stage with a prop called the Royal the magician who invented the removable
LEVENT’S MAGIC Rising Pencil. Manufactured by the long cap gimmick for the pencil trick was the
WALLET TRICK defunct Petrie Lewis magic company, the vaudeville magician Nate Leipzig. He had
rising pencil prop consisted of two parts: shown it to the New England magic dealer
This month I will explain a routine a wooden pencil with a small brass cap Henry Hardin, who subsequently put it on
that has been in my working stage magic permanently attached to one end and a the market without Leipzig’s consent.
repertoire for long time. It was previously gimmick consisting of a duplicate brass Getting back to Charlie Miller and the
explained a few years ago in the German cap. This cap gimmick could be secretly Rising Pencil, the basic effect is that he
language periodical Magische Welt. placed over the cap that is on the end of placed a pencil on the palm of his hand and
The text below has been greatly revised, the pencil. Soldered on the top of the made one end of it rise upward. That de-
expanded, and is in English. Before I go gimmicked cap was a pair of very short scription alone makes it hard to believe
into the trick, I would first like to offer a needle points that ran parallel to the top of that this could be an appropriate trick for
few thoughts. the pencil. the stage, let alone something that is enter-
In performance, the magician secretly taining. But as the saying goes “the play’s
THE PLAY’S palmed the gimmick and passed out the the thing.” In the hands of a master like
THE THING pencil for examination. The conjurer then Charlie Miller, the Royal Rising Pencil
retrieved the pencil and secretly added the was quite a delightful routine.
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, a ghost gimmicked cap onto the end of the pencil.
visits Prince Hamlet and tells him that his The right hand was held palm upward in
uncle, King Claudius, in order to ascend a cupped position. The left hand placed
to the Danish throne, has secretly killed the cap side of the pencil against the
his father (the former King) by pouring fleshy area of the palm, near the base of
poison in his ear. Hamlet then conceives the thumb. The needle points were then
of a clever scheme to confirm if this act slightly embedded into that fleshy area.
of regicide is true. His plan is to present The pencil was then laid down against
a theatrical play with his uncle in atten- the flattened palm, while the needles were
dance. In the play, the character of a king oriented with the points up towards the sky
will be killed by having poison poured into and hooked into the loose skin. Then, as Close-up of Rising Pencil gimmick
his ear. By observing his uncle’s reaction the pencil rested flat against the upturned
to that scene, Hamlet hopes to determine palm, the right thumb moved outward and At the beginning of the trick, Miller
if his father was indeed murdered by his downward, which caused the skin on the invited two ladies onto the stage, with one
uncle. Thus in Act 2, Scene 2 of Hamlet, palm to become taut, which in turn made standing on either side of him. He then let
the young prince utters: “the play’s the the end of the pencil (opposite the cap) rise them examine the pencil while he secretly
thing/Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of upward. palmed the cap gimmick. He retrieved the
the King.” I bring this up, because the “the I don’t know the exact origin of the pencil, secretly attached the gimmick to
play’s the thing” is something that often rising pencil trick, which was called The it, and placed the pencil above his ear, so
comes to my mind as I work on new magic Obedient Pencil in the nineteenth century. that it remained in view while keeping his
routines. However it would more appropri- But when I was a kid I used to see a cheap hands unencumbered. Miller reached into
ately be phrased as follows: the play’s the version of it in magic shops; it was made his coat and retrieved an imaginary spool
thing/Wherein I’ll hold the attention of the by sticking a bent pin into a pencil eraser of invisible thread. Using pantomime,
crowd.” and gluing it into place. I don’t see them he pretended to unroll a lengthy piece
Please note that when I use the above in magic shops anymore, but today they of thread and gave each woman an end
word “play,” I am really talking about sell a version of it with a voodoo doll to hold. While getting the volunteers to
the “plot” of a trick, or what is typically that is based on a trick called the Hindu hold the ends of the imaginary thread, he
referred to as the “routine.” To me, the Talisman, which is from the 1921 book would give them comic directions such as,
routine describes what happens in terms of Quality Magic by Okito. You occasionally “Please stand with your feet together, back
drama, comedy, and the things that directly see other tricks that utilize the pin-on-the- leg straight, front knee slightly bent.” Ulti-
connect with the audience. The “effect” palm principle. As far as I can tell, the P&L mately, Miller directed the two spectators
of a trick describes what transpires in a Royal Rising Pencil was the best one ever to hold the taut “invisible thread” in front
magical sense. So in my personal nomen- made for two reasons. First, the removable of him, parallel to the floor. The pencil was
clature, the effect is what mystifies and the cap gimmick allowed for the examination removed from behind his ear and the needle
routine is what entertains. of the pencil. Second, most of the P&L points were secretly engaged into the palm

28 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

of his left hand. Miller then pretended to disappear. After a bit of byplay, the object to perform Mike Kozlowski’s 100 Dollar
hook the invisible thread under the end of reappears and is returned to the spectator. Bill Switch, a standard move that allows
the pencil and by making the pencil rise as I think that one of the appeals of such a you to switch one folded-up bank note
he lowered his hand, he created the illusion routine comes from a form of schaden- for another with a thumb tip. Finally, in
that a thread was making the pencil stand freude in which the audience enjoys the my lectures I often tell magicians that
erect. There are more clever touches to this volunteer’s (temporary) misfortune. I say “laughter is the best misdirection.” This
four-minute-long routine; if you are inter- this because even today my eighty-seven- means that when you have to do a secret
ested in learning about it, you can see it on year-old mother still laughingly recalls move, you can often cover the move by
The Greater Magic Video Library Volume the distress of a volunteer during a magic telling a joke, because the spectators are
18 DVD. show she saw as a young girl in Crimea distracted while they are laughing. As you
The point in mentioning Charlie Miller during the Soviet era. As she recalled, will see, I use this laughter misdirection
and the P&L Royal Rising Pencil is that the magician borrowed a watch from a technique twice in this routine.
the engine that makes a trick entertain- spectator and the audience roared with Effect: The magician holds a pack of
ing is the routine, provided, of course, laughter when the magician destroyed the cards; he approaches a female spectator
that the performer has the talent to deliver man’s watch with a hammer. The volunteer in the front row and asks her to select a
the goods. In the case of this trick, the was extremely upset until the fully restored card. He tells her to hold the card for a few
entertainment is derived from Charlie watch reappeared in a loaf of bread. Inci- minutes and says that he will return to her
making two spectators go through all dentally the watch to loaf of bread trick later to finish the magic trick.
sorts of obviously silly procedures with an appears in the 1876 book Modern Magic by The magician discards the rest of
imaginary thread. And the mystery comes Professor Hoffmann. Among comedians, the deck and picks up a leather wallet,
from the fact that a pencil is reacting to a there is a saying that “comedy is tragedy showing it to be empty. He finds a man
nonexistent thread, thus defying gravity. plus time.” In terms of comedy magic, I in the audience and asks to borrow a one-
Take, for instance, the routine known would posit that “tragedy is comedy, when dollar bill. The magician places the dollar
as Slydini’s Flight of the Paper Balls. The the tragedy is not happening to you.” This bill into the wallet and closes it. He asks
basic trick is that a magician repeatedly type of routine is a good example of this. the woman who is holding the chosen
makes paper balls disappear by secretly In the middle of the 1980s I began to card to breathe on the wallet. The wallet
throwing them over a spectator’s head. At perform at comedy clubs and wanted to is opened and the dollar bill has magically
its core, it is a small close-up trick, intended do a routine in which I borrowed money doubled into two dollar bills. The magician
to fool one person. But when Slydini did it and made it disappear and reappear. At goes to the man in the audience and gives
by seating a lone spectator on a stage and that time many professional magicians him both dollar bills, telling him to keep
having the rest of the audience see the ball were performing the Burnt Bill into Wallet the money. The magician then says that
fly over the befuddled volunteer, it became routine that was made famous by the he would like to repeat the trick, but
enormously entertaining and easily visible British magician Terry Seabrooke (1932- with a bill of a higher denomination. The
to a large audience. In a subtle way, 2011); I did not want to do the same routine magician borrows a twenty-dollar bill from
the mystery comes from the audience’s as others. Also in 1987, I saw the David the same man who had originally lent the
amazement that the volunteer is actually Mamet film House of Games in which dollar bill and places the twenty-dollar bill
fooled by such a seemingly simple trick. they had an unusual definition of a “con into the wallet. The magician then goes to
I have witnessed many such examples man.” In that film a “con” or “confidence the woman (who is still holding the previ-
of magicians taking simple tricks and man” was called that because he first gave ously selected card) and asks her to again
magnifying their entertainment value by his confidence to the victim, before he breathe on the wallet. When the magician
the application of a clever routine. Sadly, gained her confidence and cheated her. In opens the wallet, it is seen that the twenty-
I have also seen the opposite, whereby other words, the con man gives his trust, dollar bill has changed into a playing card.
a great trick is subsumed and weighed or gives something of value to the victim The card is removed from the wallet and
down by an ill-considered routine that was as a ruse to show that he is trustworthy. shown to match the card the woman had
devoid of entertainment. Then the victim trusts the con man, who been holding. The magician takes a bow
later swindles her. I don’t know if this is and acts as if the trick is over. He humor-
STUDYING PLOTS how it works in the real world, but I was ously ignores the man in the audience
fascinated by the psychology of this ruse who has now lost his twenty-dollar bill.
Being a professional magician, I find from the Mamet film; it was the main in- Finally, the magician takes back one of the
that I am constantly on the lookout for spiration for the following routine. dollar bills that the man in the audience
new routines to develop and include in my Unlike the other classic money routines, had received earlier in the routine. The
show. For me, the best source for research this is not a transposition effect. Instead magician magically transforms the dollar
is old magic books. The best tip that I can it is a routine that makes the audience bill into a twenty-dollar bill and returns it
offer when reading the old books is that think that I am a fast-talking con man to the man, thus completing the trick.
sometimes the method of the trick is not who is trying to swindle a spectator out Preparation: You need several thumb
as important as the plot. So I often search of his money. In the past ten years I often tips, several bills of various denomina-
for a new kind of plot that I don’t currently followed my Magic Wallet Trick with the tions, a Himber wallet, a deck of cards,
have in my working repertoire. Miser’s Dream routine, which had some and one duplicate card that matches the
One classic magic plot that appears pickpocketing in it. card that will be forced.
in the literature is a routine in which a This routine is easy to do; it requires A Himber wallet is a wallet that has
magician borrows a valuable object from a specially modified Himber wallet, which two compartments, allowing you to switch
a spectator (such as a finger ring, a pocket I will explain in due course. You need to one item for another. In my routine, I
watch, or money) and makes the item force a card and you must also know how need to make the wallet change one item

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 29

Stage 101 Pr acticum
Routine: Pick up a deck of cards, that the other compartment is revealed,
approach a woman in the audience, saying, “Because of this lady’s magic
and say, “Madam I would like you to breath, this man’s dollar bill has doubled
select a card.” Using any method you to two one-dollar bills!”
choose, force the card that matches the In full view of the audience, slip out
one that you loaded into your Himber the two one-dollar bills from the wallet,
wallet. Let us say that you have forced making sure that you do not disturb the
the Four of Clubs. After she selects the playing card hidden under the flap. As the
force card, say, “Please look at your audience applauds because of the transfor-
card and memorize it. Don’t show mation, walk over to the man who lent you
Levent wallet modiification your card to anyone else; just hold the the money and say, “Here sir, this money is
card until I return to you, three hours for you; please keep it.” Hand him the two
to another, twice. To make a two-way from now.” bills with your right hand while your left
wallet into a three-way wallet, you need to Discard the pack of cards, pick up the hand holds the open Himber wallet close to
modify that wallet by cutting away some Himber wallet, and address the audience your chest. The wallet should be sideways,
of the leather so that the leather flap is only saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, I would with the open side of the wallet facing your
big enough to cover a single playing card. like to present to you my favorite magic body and the leather flaps uppermost.
Before the show you put a duplicate of the trick in the whole world – the Magic Wallet Now comes an important part of the
force card under the flap and push it down Trick.” Open the wallet so the audience trick; you must adjust the card and note
so that the card is completely hidden by sees the empty compartment. (Note: The in the wallet without the audience being
the leather flap. Two one-dollar bills are other compartment secretly holds the aware. This requires misdirection that is
placed on top of the card. playing card and two bank notes.) created by laughter. Right after you gave
In your prop case, out of view from the Find a man in the audience who is at the man the two one-dollar bills, bring
audience, is a series of thumb tips. The least fifteen feet away from the woman your right hand up to the wallet. Using
thumb tips are held against the wall of the with the card and say to him, “You sir, the right thumb, secretly slip out the card
case with thick elastic. Folded up in each please lend me a one-dollar bill for a hidden under the leather flap by about
thumb tip is a bank note of a different de- moment. Don’t worry about a thing; I one and a half inches, so that the card is
nomination, such as a five-, ten-, twenty-, guarantee that you might get your money sticking out a bit, but still held in place by
fifty-, and one-hundred-dollar bill. I also back.” the leather flap. (This sequence is shown in
suggest that you have an empty thumb tip Take his dollar bill, walk away from the photos below.)
attached to the case as well. Written inside him, and move near the woman holding Say to the man, “Let’s do this trick
the floor of the prop case are the numbers the card. When you are a little distance again, but this time, lend me a hundred-
5, 10, 20, etc. so that you can instantly from him, talk to the man who lent you the dollar bill.” This line always gets a big
know which bank note is in each tip. Also money and say, “Sir, it is very important to laugh. At the moment the audience laughs
keep a toy cap gun inside your case. notice that at no point during this trick do at the fact that you are asking for a great
I switch your dollar bill for a different bill. amount of money, close the Himber wallet
So please take the time now to memorize and reopen it against your chest so that
the serial number of the bill.” (Of course, the other compartment is now open and
from fifteen feet away, he will find it im- facing you. This is the compartment with
possible to see the numbers on the bill.) the man’s original dollar bill sticking out
Visibly place his dollar bill part of the from under the leather flap. Use your right
way under the leather flap of the wallet, thumb to push the note completely under
so that exactly half of his bill is hidden the leather flap so that it is hidden, after
under the flap. Show the audience that his which you can turn the wallet around and
dollar bill is still inside the wallet. Close handle it freely so that the audience thinks
the wallet and go to the woman who is still the wallet is empty. The key is that the
holding the force card and say, “Madam, big move happens when the people laugh;
please breathe on the magic wallet.” After you should never look at your hands or the
Thumbtip arrangement inside case she breathes on the wallet, open it up so wallet when the move is executed.

30 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

 Now you must get the higher denomi- laughs, drop the cards and wallet into your STAGE LOGIC
nation bill from the man. Say, “Sir, it prop case and attach the thumb tip con-
doesn’t have to be a hundred-dollar bill; taining the folded-up twenty-dollar bill When I do shows in a large theater, I
as long as it is bigger than a dollar bill, it onto your right thumb. (Obviously, if you end the routine a bit differently, the reason
will be perfect.” Get the money from the had borrowed a fifty-dollar bill, you would being that a dollar bill is similar in appear-
man. Let’s assume that the man gives you have put the thumb tip containing the fifty- ance to the other US denominations. The
a twenty-dollar bill, say, “Thank you, sir. dollar bill on your thumb.) transformation of the bill cannot be seen
Watch as I place your twenty-dollar bill Once the thumb tip is securely on the unless I do the trick close up or for video
inside the magic wallet.” Quickly fold the right thumb, pick up the toy gun in the left cameras and projectors, and I don’t like to
man’s twenty-dollar bill into quarters and hand, but don’t let the audience see that use video screens. The theaters that I work
place it under the leather flap, making sure you have a gun. Say, “There is only one usually hold between 1,000 and 1,300
not to expose the crumpled one-dollar bill problem with this trick.” Quickly aim the seats, so I found a way to do the trick that
hidden under the flap. gun at the man who lent you the money will seem very strange, but I swear it abso-
Display the twenty-dollar bill in the and shoot at him once as you say, “Now lutely works.
wallet to the entire audience and walk over the problem is solved.” I take the money from the man and I
to the woman who has been holding the Drop the toy gun into your case, walk tear the bill in half. As I do so I say, “Sir,
force card this entire time. Show her the close to the man, and say, “Ladies and don’t worry. I did not tear your money in
twenty-dollar bill in the wallet and close gentlemen, I would like to present to you half; this is only an optical illusion caused
the wallet, saying to her, “Madam, please my favorite magic trick in the whole world, by psychotropic drugs. This illusion is
breathe on the wallet.” After she does the Déjà Vu Mystery. For the Déjà Vu caused by the fact that I make the tearing
so, open the wallet so the other compart- Mystery, I would like to borrow a twenty- sound with my mouth.” I bring the money
ment that contains the card is exposed and dollar bill.” Stand next to the man, look near the microphone and tear it again
say to the entire audience, “Ladies and at his face, and say, “You sir, please lend while moving my mouth as if I am making
gentleman, this a miracle; that man’s twen- me a twenty-dollar bill!” This line will a sound effect. As the audience laughs at
ty-dollar bill has magically transformed get a certain laugh because the rest of the the ridiculousness of my lame attempt at
into the Four of Clubs.” Visibly remove audience knows that the poor man will get making them believe that the tearing is an
the Four of Clubs and say to the woman, swindled again. illusion, I quickly fold up the pieces and
“Madam what card did you select?” She Say to the man, “All I really need is one switch the dollar bill for the twenty-dollar
says, “The Four of Clubs!” Take her card of the dollar bills that I doubled earlier bill. While I unfold the twenty, I say, “This
and show the audience that both cards are tonight.” Take from him one of the dollar man’s torn one-dollar bill has restored
the same, saying, “Ladies and gentleman, bills that you gave him a few minutes ago. into a twenty-dollar bill.” The audience
the cards match!” At this point you have two ways to applauds the restoration of the bill while I
Take a deep bow as if the entire trick has end the routine. If you are doing this trick return it to the spectator.
been completed and have a happy smile on before a small audience, do the following: As a thinking magician, I know that it is
your face, knowing that you have swindled Take the one-dollar bill and say, “Don’t illogical for a torn one-dollar bill to restore
the man in the audience out of his twenty- worry sir, all your problems will be solved into a twenty-dollar bill. But for the people
dollar bill! Of course, since you previously by magic,” as you fold up the one-dollar in the large theater, the visual image of
doubled his one-dollar bill, your actual bill and switch it for the twenty-dollar bill four pieces of a one-dollar bill transform-
profit here is really nineteen dollars. But that is in your thumb tip. Once the audience ing into a solid twenty-dollar bill is strong
make no mention of this, because it is not realizes that the dollar bill has transformed enough to overcome the fact that it makes
important to the audience; they just know into a twenty, they will begin to applaud, no sense. In my many years of performing,
that the poor victim’s twenty-dollar bill at which time you turn to the woman and I have learned that in the theater the artist
has changed to the chosen card. say, “Madam, I would like to return to you, creates the situation to such a great extent
Calmly walk over to your prop case, the twenty-dollar bill that you had lent that the audience is happy to relinquish all
saying, “Okay ladies and gentlemen, it me.” Once the audience laughs, give the control of reality or logic to the performer.
is time to move on to a different magic man back his twenty-dollar bill and say, In fact, this is the real reason why people
trick.” This will get a big laugh because “Ladies and Gentlemen could we please believe in the ghost in Hamlet, and it is the
the full audience will believe the man will have some applause for our volunteers.” real reason why people love to attend the
never get his money back. As the audience Take a bow. theater.  © 2014 Levent Cimkentli

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 31

 Par anormal happenings
By Charles Siebert, MD
be choosing boxes systematically – if not Poland is not as strong a soccer team as
on the basis of football expertise, perhaps Germany, and they ended the tournament
on his evaluation of the countries’ flags. in the bottom of their group without a win.
Paul’s species (Octopus vulgaris) is almost Not to be outdone, China has declared their
certainly color blind, but they can distin- heir to the psychic crown, a panda cub from
ANIMAL PSYCHICS guish brightness, size, shape, and orienta- the Chengdu Research Center. According
tion. They are drawn to horizontal shapes, to the Wall Street Journal, “Chinese state
We are going to go a little off topic this and indeed, there are horizontal stripes on media reported that the giant panda con-
month and discuss the realm of animal the flags he has chosen. The German flag servation center in the south western
psychics. No I am not talking about the consists of three equal horizontal bands province of Sichuan has ‘invited’ a panda
kind who claims to be able to communi- of black, red, and gold; it was Paul’s usual cub to predict the results of matches in the
cate with your long lost pet, or connect favorite. Octopi have very good memories; 2014 tournament. It is unclear if the panda
with an animal’s soul through reiki or ther- it is quite possible that guessing right the has responded to the invitation, but reports
apeutic touch. This month we are going first time got Paul his food, so the next suggest the cub will predict the outcome
to talk about the animals themselves who time he saw the pattern of Germany’s flag, of matches either by picking food marked
have the psychic abilities. Right now (or he picked it again, knowing he got food the with a certain national flag or by climbing
maybe it is over, depending on when you first time. But the flag of Spain, with its a tree flying a flag.”
are reading this) is the sporting event that broad yellow stripe, and the flag of Serbia, Lest you think that it is only non-
people all over the world go crazy for – the with its contrast of blue and white, are Americans who would be involved in
World Cup. For those mostly Americans more vivid still, possibly explaining why such craziness, here is a headline from
who don’t know what I am talking about, Paul picked those countries over Germany. this year’s football Super Bowl: “Top Two
the World Cup is a month long soccer Psychic Animals Disagree on Super
tournament held every four years to Bowl Winner. Ape vs. Manatee! To
determine which country has the best The Death!” Eli the Ape lives at the
team in a thirty-two-team field whittled Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City, Utah, and
down over the previous four years from makes his predictions by running into
204 teams; over seven hundred million a papier-mâché helmet decorated with
people worldwide watch the final game. the insignia of one of the two teams.
Now back to the crazy part. Worldwide, It’s not clear how Eli’s powers as a
animals are being used to predict the sports oracle were first brought to the
winner of sporting events and even the attention of the zoo, but the primate has
weather on Groundhog Day. The most been making the right calls since 2007.
famous of these psychic predictors has It should be noted that after making his
to be Paul the Octopus, who predicted prediction, Eli and family smashed and
Germany’s seven out of eight wins as ate both helmets. Buffett the Manatee
Paul the octopus
well as Spain’s win in the final game of has predicted the correct Super Bowl
the 2010 World Cup. Unfortunately, Paul the Octopus’s reign winner six years in a row. A resident of
Paul was a common octopus hatched in as king of the animal predictors was short the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota,
2008 at the Sea Life Centre in Weymouth, lived, since the life span of octopi are short, Florida, who has never been in the wild,
England; he was moved shortly thereafter only about two years. Paul died in October Buffett made his pick by swimming to one
to a tank at the Sea Life Centre in Ober- 2010 of natural causes at the age of two and of two cards placed in his tank.
hausen, Germany. He quickly became a a half, when all three of his hearts stopped While these incidences of “psychic
visitor favorite with his “inquisitiveness” beating. But he would not be forgotten. animal powers” are (I hope) not taken too
with the patrons. His method of divina- Paul was cremated; his ashes were placed seriously by most people, there have been
tion was a two-box method; both boxes in a gold urn inside of the statue seen in cases involving animals and the para-
contained a mussel or an oyster, a favorite the photo. Paul the Octopus’s final record normal that took on more serious notes.
food. Each box was decorated, either with of twelve out of fourteen matches will be a These include the famous Gef the talking
the flag of Germany or whatever country hard act to follow. mongoose from Britain’s Isle of Man in
they were playing against in the match to Paul the Octopus’s success has spawned the 1930s, to Jaytee, a terrier mixed breed
be predicted. Whichever box Paul opened many imitators. There was Citta, the Indian dog that could psychically tell when her
was his prediction. elephant from the Krakow zoo in Poland owners were coming home during the
While it is certainly possible that it who became the oracle for the European 1990s. Jaytee was also from Britain. Co-
was just luck that he picked Germany Cup Championships in 2012, beating out incidence? We will delve deeper into these
most of the time, there are other more a donkey named Mary. Citta’s method of in upcoming articles. Till then, stay well
plausible theories. Other experts propose choice was picking melons placed above a and stay skeptical. (But you don’t have to
that chance alone is not the only possible nation’s flag, and she backed her country be cynical!) 
explanation for Paul’s choices. He could of Poland in most of her picks. However,

32 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

 The Nielsen Gallery
Vonetta - Portrait
Dimensions: 3-Sheet 39.5" x 87.5" • Lithographer: Allen and Sons, Belfast
Date: Circa 1910 • Nielsen Rating: Rare

This month’s poster features “The Incomparable a shown empty jar from which she then produced a large
Vonetta,” the world’s only lady illusionist, whose billing display of silks. The Mutilated Parasol came next and then
modestly declared her act as, “…all that brains, beauty, the Rice Bowls were filled with sand from which she worked
talent, and lavish expenditure of capital can accomplish!” the Kellar Growth of Flowers, producing real flowers that
While her star blazed brightly on the British music hall stage were distributed to the audience.
for only eight years, during that time she was wildly popular “Vonetta now introduced her famous Casket and Locked
with a unique act of lightning quick changes, dancing, and Golden Trunk illusion. At the side of the stage, reposing on
illusions. a stand, and in full view of the audience from the rise of
She began life as Etty Thompson, the youngest of six the curtain, was a large golden trunk. A lady assistant went
children – three boys and three girls – of Elizabeth and down into the stalls and a gentleman was requested to tie
George Ion Thompson. She was born in North Yorkshire, his handkerchief around the girl’s wrist for identification
England, on August 14, 1878. As a young girl she showed a purposes. The girl entered an oblong casket; after shutting
talent and love of interpretive dance. In 1904 she married a the door three swords were thrust through the top. They
theatrical impresario named Thomas Monaghan. were withdrawn, the door opened, and the girl seen to be
Etta started in show business as a member of a pantomime unharmed. The door was closed and immediately reopened
company as a vocalist and specialty dancer during 1904-05. to reveal the casket empty. A rope was lowered from the
In 1906, she made her appearance as Vonetta, “Quick flies and the gold trunk lifted across. Within was a second
Change Artiste and Illusionist,” with the Moss Empires trunk containing yet a smaller trunk from which, before the
with a starting salary of at £18 per week. She made such an trunk had touched the stage, an arm bearing a handkerchief
impression with her act that by 1907 she was appearing at was pushed through the lid, which when opened, disgorged
London’s Hippodrome Theater pulling down £60 a week. the girl. Vonetta concluded with Flags of All Nations that
The act was designed to occupy a half hour and eventu- ended with the production of two enormous sprays of flags
ally featured twenty-four quick costume changes, a series from which she produced three girls. The act ran thirty-five
of poses representing classical studies such as “The Birth of minutes.”
Venus,” “Cleopatra,” and “The Bath of Psyche,” and Etta’s In 1910, she also began appearing under a different
own creation, “The Passion Dance.” Several illusions were name, Countess de Russe, with a troupe of ten people. It is
also included; the entire troupe was composed of ten people. not known whether this was her Vonetta act under another
It was also at the London Hippodrome back in 1907 that name or an entirely different act, because no record of
she introduced a new floating box illusion in which she effects exists. She was still performing under this name in
was locked in the box that began to float and jump about January 1914.
in mid-air. Shortly afterward, Vonetta entered either from The outbreak of World War I in 1914 ended her career
the wings or the auditorium, the box floated down and upon as an illusionist. While her husband continued in theatrical
being opened, disclosed a young girl dressed as a butterfly. management, her son Alfred and brother George enlisted
It utilized the black art principle. and other troupe members went off to war. In the 1920s and
An account of her act was provided by the late Will Dale ‘30s she dabbled in other careers, including film, singing,
of Glasgow, Scotland, who recorded it for posterity in 1914. dancing, and selling furs and costumes.
Magic historian Eddie Dawes, who has researched Vonetta’s In 1922 she resurfaced as Countess Wilet with a Revue
career extensively, drew from Dale’s account in an early of Art and Magic featuring her trademark costume changes
research monograph published in 1982. Dawes wrote: playing theaters in Scotland. She settled in Glasgow and
“She came on in male evening dress, smoking a cigarette, over the years made occasional appearances at magic events
and performed the Smoke Vase. Then retiring behind a hosted by the Scottish Conjurers’ Association which, in
screen for a second, she reappeared as a Spanish dancing girl 1924, made her an Honorary Member. Vonetta, “Scotland’s
and went into her quick change act of twenty-four costume Only Lady Magician,” friend of Houdini, Lafayette, and
changes. Her next item was the Twentieth Century Silks Chung Ling Soo, died on June 30, 1964, at the age of eighty-
spiced with comedy from one of her assistants. She then did five. 
the Rice Bowls; after producing the water, she poured it into —Tom Ewing

34 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

 KENRICK 'ICE' MCDONALD
Imagination - Compassion - Excellence
By R.D. Michaels

So you think you know ICE McDonald? Think again. Yes, he

has been featured on a half-dozen covers and in dozens of articles
in magic magazines, and has also starred on national and world
television. ICE has received numerous awards and has performed
in nearly a dozen countries. But there is much more to the man
than his accomplishments in the field of magic.
ICE made his magical appearance on Wednesday morning July
6, 1960, at 1:46 a.m. His father was a Baptist preacher, and the
family business was preaching and ministering. At the age of ten,
ICE received his first magic kit from a second-hand store; it was
missing several pieces. Young Kenrick had to use his creative skill
to figure out the missing parts of the kit. We know ICE’s imagi-
nation was so wild that many times his parents found him on top
of a thirty-foot tree in his backyard performing to an imaginary
audience. ICE was reared in a strict Christian home, so activi-
ties such as singing, dancing, and other entertainment outside of
church activities were not tolerated. ICE speaks of a time when
his mother heard strange noises coming from his room. When she
opened his bedroom door, she saw her youngest child perform-
ing for an imaginary audience, and then becoming the audience
applauding for the performer! She would often just shake her head
and continue with her housework.
It would seem that ICE had a good idea of what he wanted to
be and where he wanted to go, but that would be an illusion. As
ICE recalls, “I would love for people to think I had a firm direction
during my younger days, but I must be truthful. Prior to the tenth
grade, I was the class nerd – a glasses-wearing, several-steps-be-
hind-everybody-else nerd. Don’t get me wrong. I was talented, but ognized by my spiritual family. But, under this appearance of
the coolness didn’t come until my sophomore year of high school. coolness, I am still the biggest nerd.”
How ironic that my stage name is ICE – the embodiment of cool.
Due to the watchfulness of my parents, it took a long time for me Here is a letter to ICE from Josephine Ruffin (a friend of
to shake the nerd-iness. I couldn’t watch ‘worldly’ television pro- twenty-six years):
gramming. Even with the magic, in spite of the fact that my father
bought my first magic kit, I had to be discreet when performing Hi Kenrick: I can’t believe it’s been over twenty-six
magic. There was a time when the church frowned on the practice years since we first met. I remember that first meeting
of magic, and this is still the one evening after choir rehearsal when you approached
case in some churches today. me to introduce yourself. I was a new member of the
“Being a born-again choir and was happy to have such a pleasant welcome.
Christian, I face this issue At that time you told me about your interest in “magic”
even today. Before I became and talked about some projects you were pursuing. At
somewhat famous, I felt first I thought this was just your hobby. Little did I know
like the church’s unwanted that years later you would become known worldwide for
stepchild. The church your skills in the magic world.
leaders wouldn’t allow me As our friendship grew, you began to tell me more
to perform when guests about yourself. Remember one day when you asked
were present, but brought me to be in your magic show? I thought, “I’ve never
me in to entertain children considered doing anything like this before. Most of all,
during some family events. can I do this?” Well, you had confidence in me; through
The bishop at my current your thorough teaching and patience, I did do it. In fact,
church made that a dim I think I did a pretty good job! From that first experi-
memory when he invited me ence of working with you professionally, you have added
to entertain 15,000 church so much to your resume: magician, writer, producer,
members. My God-given editor, and more.
Early high school photo talent had been fully rec- Kenrick, as a friend, you have always treated people

36 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

 with respect; your word is truly your bond. You have Although I knew that you
been such a motivating, supportive, and caring friend dabbled in magic during your
through the years, and I want you to know how much I youth, I was proud to witness the
appreciate it. “rebirth” (i.e. the second coming)
I just wanted you to know how much your friendship of your magical career – as a
means to me, how proud I am of your accomplishments, suave, dapper, young gentlemen
and how blessed I am that you are in my life. with sleight-of-hand skills that
wooed the crowds (a cool G’ if I
Love, your "sis," ever saw one). The interesting part
Josie was that the “rebirth” wasn’t a fad
or a phase for you. You became
Hank Moorehouse was the first to invite ICE to perform drawn to it, captivated by it, and
at a convention, an opportunity ICE will never forget. He has before long, I recall you starting
presented countless performances and lectures for magicians Reggie Smallwood to design and build your own
around the world. A recent memorable appearance was in Travam- illusions, leaving the local magic
drum, India, at the Global Festival of Magic. He and a thousand store tricks for your peers to purchase and perform. At
other magicians released a thousand doves to mark an event called such time I thought to myself, “This just might be what
Magic for Peace. you were born to do – what God had so generously
ICE has received many awards and accolades, including blessed and gifted you to do.”
citations for his performances for various organizations through- Over the next few decades, your creativity and
out the world. His national television credits include the closing mastery would continue to rise and evolve, taking
spot on an episode of Masters of Illusion. He is included in Magic you places you never imagined. Through all the
Heroes: The Lives and Legends of Great African-American sold-out performances, standing ovations, awards, and
Magicians and he has produced a truly important historical work: accolades, what I appreciate most is that you stayed
The African-American Masters of Magic. ICE has been married grounded and always kept it real. To your adoring
for over twenty years to Paris Renea McDonald; they have three fans, you were “ICE.” However, among your family
daughters who, although not taking up magic, have done (and will and friends, you’re still the same friend, son, brother,
do) some remarkable things. husband, and father we’ve always known you to be. For
“It’s lonely at the top” is a cliché heard when one is flexing me Kenrick, I couldn’t have found a better best friend.
his or her “success” muscles. He or she is “numero uno,” but Flashing forward to the present, it will be an exciting
that achievement has come with a price. As the band Three Dog moment to witness your being sworn in and presented
Night tells us: “One is the Loneliest Number.” Different context among your peers and colleagues, who selected you as
– nice musical interlude! When an artist reaches a certain level the best person for the job. I feel honored to have been
of success, do relationships with friends and family suffer? ICE witness to (and to have personally experienced) your
replied, “When striving for success a person can lose the special journey up to this point. I mean “to this point” because
connections with those close to you. Sometimes it does get lonely, I know you’re not through “doin’ your thang” by a long
but my connections with my closest friends have not suffered.” shot. You’re more engaged in your journey and aspira-
tions today than I’ve ever seen, and the sky’s the limit.
Here is a letter to ICE from Reginald Smallwood (a friend of
forty years):

Dear Kenrick: I thought I might drop you a few lines

to express my thoughts in regards to your forthcom-
ing appointment to lead one of the most prestigious
and respected societies in the world of magic arts, The
Society of American Magicians. It blows my mind that
it’s already been some forty-one years since we first
met up that fateful afternoon on the outdoor basketball
courts at the Golden Hills recreation center in San
Diego. With you as a sharp shooter and me as a scrappy
defender, we engaged in some pretty fierce battles at the
tender age of thirteen. It’s funny how such rivalry, at
that time, transcended into such friendship and brother-
hood throughout the years.
During our high school years, I really grew to ap-
preciate your sense of showmanship and flair for enter-
taining. Whether it was in the band room, in the school’s
foyer plaza, or performing on the fifty yard line during a
halftime show, I could always count on the fact that you
would bring it every time, and leave everything on the
field. You were a great soldier to march into battle with
back then, and that still holds true even today. Those
good ol’ days made for some of the most memorable
times of my life.

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 37

 Hence, as “my brother from another mother,” I con- ICE’s reaction is interesting when it comes to the race issue.
gratulate you in being elected to this most honorable Because he is “high profile,” he seems to have kept his thoughts
position. on race to himself, sharing them with a few others, but privately.
I know you’ll treat this office with the utmost respect, “I am very observant. I hear and see a lot, but I just don’t comment
and humbly serve all S.A.M. members with integrity, much when it comes to racial issues – at least not publicly.” He
truth, and character, and always with their best has often been asked about race and the struggles of being an
interests in mind. Thus I say to your peers, you elected African-American magician. He is often the sounding board for
the right man for the post. You’ve always been a firm other African-American performers, not just magicians, who have
believer in teamwork, and I hope the fine members of faced or who are experiencing racial tensions in the entertain-
the S.A.M. will embrace this paradigm in 2014-2015. I’m ment business. How does a talented performer deal with these
confident you’ll collectively accomplish great things, problems? ICE’s pragmatism screams softly: “Keep performing
taking the S.A.M. to new heights never before thought and with excellence.” His rationale is rooted in reality. “You can’t
possible. control what people think or feel about you. You can only control
In closing, I can only imagine the responsibilities what they see when you perform. If that’s the only control you
and demands your newly appointed position will impose have, then it’s your job – no, duty – to be the best ‘you’ possible.
upon you. Nonetheless, I look forward to celebrating “For the record: I believe jokes that are racist are neither funny
by way of our long-time tradition: a bucket of Buffalo nor tolerable. The racial issues people face daily are not going
wings, a stack of celery and carrots drenched in ranch away. I know that not everyone is colorblind. I just don’t have time
dressing, and some ice-cold strawberry soda. Ah – a for those individuals. People often ask me how it feels to be a black
feast fit for two brothers (from other mothers). magician. I will often smile and say that it feels the same as being
a tall magician or a magician with big eyes. This is who I am; and
Peace, Love, & Congrats 2 U Bro’ now check out this new effect! I think the way each individual
Reggie Smallwood handles the situation is what makes the difference. I have tons of
magician friends who are not African American. They see me, not
During the last three years, ICE has expanded his business the individual aspects of my being. I do the same. We see the souls
and creative interests by starting a film division within his enter-
of each other.”
tainment company. He is still creating fantasy: film fantasy. The There is a different element to this year’s S.A.M. presidency:
past seven months have been busy for ICE – feature films will Kenrick “ICE” McDonald is the first African American in the
do that. Written and directed by ICE, Death of an Innocent Swan Society’s 112-year history to hold this position. ICE reflects on
is currently in the film festival circuit. ICE had produced some this: “I know that this is a milestone, but my presidency will not
short films and some lecture DVDs, but he wanted to have a go at be defined only by this. I have earned the privilege to be the S.A.M.
putting a piece of his fiction on the screen. He wrote the script, cast
president, not because I am African American, but because of
the work, produced, and directed what was originally a twenty- what I, during my twenty-five years as a member, have done to
minute film. ICE, as most who know him will attest, is annoyingly make the Society the best it could be. People can find out what
uncomfortable with anything that seems to be limited, so he and positions I held before becoming ‘The Most Illustrious’ and that
his business partner, Bill Kress, decided to mature the film into ais fine. What is not fine is to have members define me only as ‘the
full-length movie. “I was blessed that everything fell into place,”first African-American president.’ I want to be one of the national
commented the usually more loquacious ICE. When pressed about presidents who helps make the Society better every day.”
his next film projects, ICE admits that there is “a magic movie”
on the list. Here is a letter from Paris McDonald to the members of the
One of ICE’s goals is to correct some areas the film industry S.A.M.:
has overlooked in general. “Why is it that so many great magicians
have never had their stories told?” he asked. “True, I love the Dear Members of the S.A.M.: I am writing to you to
creative side of making movies, but another main reason is that make sure that you are aware of a valuable gem in your
I want to present what drives me: magic. How that is done? Well, midst: Kenrick “ICE” McDonald. You know all about
works are in progress!” ICE magically, but I am writing this letter to let you
know about Kenrick McDonald the man, not ICE the
magician.
Kenrick is a man of great honor, character, and
integrity. He is a devoted Christian and family man.
Inside his intimidating exterior is a man who is compas-
sionate and who genuinely cares about others and their
welfare. At the core of his being, his anchors are God,
family, and magic, in that order.
As a devoted Christian, Kenrick is dedicated to
pursue a moral life and responsibly embrace the
demands of such a life in every aspect and in every-
thing he does. He is very careful about how he is
portrayed and will do anything to protect his reputa-
tion. He has turned down gigs and sponsorship due
to the unethical behavior of the organizer or agent.
He purposefully avoids dealing with people who
lack ethics, integrity, or a moral compass, since he
considers these traits key to a person’s character.

38 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

 Ice and his wife Paris ICE with Shawn and Lori Farquhar
Kenrick poses these restrictions on himself because guy. We met, and we became close friends…cousins, really. There
he is concerned not only with taking the correct moral are certain people who were just born to do magic, and there are
position, but also with pursing his commitment to do people who struggle to find their place in magic. ICE is of the first
what is best. type.”
Kenrick’s professional and artistic integrity to the And ICE replies: “Please extend my deepest, heartfelt con-
art of magic and his personal integrity to his life as gratulations to some of my dearest friends in magic and in ‘real
a Christian are not independent of each other. He is life,’ International Brotherhood of Magicians President Shawn
committed to represent both to the best of his ability. Farquhar and his family. Shawn, Lori, and their daughter Hannah
His personal relationships with his friends and col- are close friends of mine; Shawn and I have been friends for
leagues are important to him. He will trust and respect almost two-and-a-half decades. It is something great that two
others until he is given a reason not to. Even then, they long-time friends (we see each other as cousins) become national
are given the benefit of the doubt. presidents of two of the greatest magic organizations in the world
Kenrick has an innate desire to help others; he at the same time. As national presidents we will also share the
seems to be compelled to do it. Whether it is counsel- covers of each organization’s magazine during the same month.
ing a friend with personal problems, filling in when a This is yet another first! Can we say ‘unity?’ Can I get an ‘amen?’”
babysitter falls through, or just lending an ear to help In his January 2010 M-U-M article about ICE, Paul Critelli
a friend work through his frustrations, he is there for wrote: “ICE continues to grow. His foresight of where the art must
those close to him. He has often lost sleep over other aim permits nothing but optimism about the inclusivity for all –
people’s problems. regardless of age and background – who would join the family
Kenrick is a man of commitment; once he commits of magic. His hope is to bring reality to the maxim ‘youth is our
to something, he gives it his all and has the expectation future.’ For Kenrick ‘ICE’ McDonald, magic – in all its forms and
that others involved will do the same. He often finds expressions – is as vital as air.”
himself overwhelmed because of his pledge to do every-
thing possible for everything that he has committed to.
As Kenrick’s wife, we are genuinely best friends. I
honor him for his work ethic, both in business and in
his personal life. He works diligently every day to be a
good husband and father. I have seen him make many
sacrifices to do what is morally right rather than to
simply get ahead. I am proud of the man that he is. I
am proud of his talent and his determination, which led
him to become the national president of The Society of
American Magicians. I must thank you, the members of
the S.A.M., for electing and recognizing the talent, the
abilities, and the man: Kenrick “ICE” McDonald.

Paris McDonald

Shawn Farquhar, the 2009 FISM Grand Prize Champion and

the new president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians,
recalls his first contact with his close friend, ICE. “It is easy to
remember the exact day I met ICE. It was the Fourth of July in
Las Vegas in 1991. We were both performing at the Rivera as Perhaps his wife Paris expresses it best: “It is not just in his
part of The Society of American Magicians Contest of Magic. I blood. It is in his DNA. Helping and teaching and magic – they
remember how he stood out from the rest of the people. He had are all in his DNA.” 
a conviction about what he was doing. I knew I had to meet this

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 39

 LOOKING
FORWARD
David R. G oodsell
I nterviews K enrick
“ICE” McDonald and
Shawn Farquhar
Introduction: If we were to believe in
astrology, as some might, we might think
that this July the stars and planets will
line up just right so that two professional
magicians, and good friends, can assume
leadership of the world’s two largest
magic organizations. ICE McDonald
will assume Harry Houdini’s old job
as National President of The Society
of American Magicians, and his good when I married and started a family, I choices; they simply enabled me to
buddy, Shawn Farquhar, will become the felt the need for more security. I went to continue to do magic. Then, in August
esteemed International President of the work as a technical illustrator/AutoCAD of 1984, on my way to work, I stopped
International Brotherhood of Magicians. (computer aided drawings) engineer. I at the bus stop and put up a little plaque
Of course, it could have been the other interpreted blueprints, and then drew the I had engraved. I then went back to my
way around, because both have belonged items using the computer. But I loved house and went back to sleep. The next
to both organizations for many years. magic and would perform magic at night day I started my career as a professional
We thought you might like to get to and on weekends whenever I could. I magician. The small plaque read: “On
know them better. – DRG began making excuses at work so I could August 30, 1984, Shawn Farquhar said
take magic gigs, and I soon was earning to hell with it and never went to work
DRG: Shawn and ICE, it is quite rare more with magic than at my “profession.” again.” I was twenty-two years old and
that good friends, who are also top pro- I had to make a decision; I chose magic. have never held a typical job since.
fessionals in magic, share their presiden- Shawn (smiling): What ICE didn’t
tial year. That’s a real bonus for you and tell you is that he was a very successful DRG: Clearly, both of you have
for us. How did the two of you come to male model. Yes, that’s right. ICE was a achieved great success in a field where
be friends? male model. In fact, he won awards for many feel the call, but few are really
ICE: Shawn and I were competitors his strutting on the runway! chosen. How did this come about? How
in the stage competition at an S.A.M. did you learn?
convention in 1991. He, Lori, Paris (my DRG: That explains why ICE is ICE: I loved magic as a child, which
wife), and I met while we were waiting always impeccably dressed – a regular my friends thought was cool, but probably
in a hallway together. We kept bumping fashion statement. I doubt if he even was just a phase. Most of the adults I
into each other throughout the conven- owns a pair of jeans! What about you, was around were from church, and some
tion and clicked immediately. It was an Shawn; did you try other fields? wondered if I was playing on the dark
instant bond, as though our spirits recog- Shawn: In my case, I didn’t choose side! I was not involved with a club and
nized each other as brothers. magic as a profession; magic chose me. I did not have a mentor. Of course, that
Shawn: We found that we loved the I can’t imagine ever doing anything was unfortunate in some ways, but also
same fields of magic; but more important, besides being a magician. My success is good. A mentor’s guidance could have
we were completely comfortable sharing because I truly didn’t want to do anything helped me avoid some difficulties, but,
ideas without fear of each other. We’ve else, and I had to find a way to do what I on the other hand, I developed skills I
been friends ever since. love so much. otherwise might not have.
Being a full-time magician in Canada Shawn: My beginnings were inspired
DRG: Both of you are successful, not is a difficult task, so I tried many small by my father, who was a great amateur
just as performers, but also as business- jobs in an effort to survive: pizza cook, magician. But it wasn’t until I moved to
men. You could have been successful in broiler cook, bartender, electrician, con- Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, that
any number of other professions. Why struction framer, and even a stint for I began to grow fast in magic. It was here
magic? North West Biological and Chemical that I met the members of the Victoria
ICE: I started out as a magician, but Laboratories. These were not career Magic Circle, International Brotherhood

40 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

of Magicians Ring 183, amateur and will be encouraged to return. ICE: There were two. The first was
professional magicians alike who were performing to a standing ovation in an
willing to share their ideas and help to DRG: In addition to youth programs arena before 15,000 people. That was
nurture young people like me. That led and an emphasis on mentoring, what breathtaking. The second took place
me to attend magic conventions and to other goals do the two of you have for several years ago. I performed a charity
compete in magic, which opened my your year in office? show in a cancer ward. When I arrived,
eyes to other magicians, great magic, and ICE: Like Shawn, I believe that the the room was filled with the sound of
new friends. Many of these friends, like digital revolution can be a good thing. It breathing machines and sick babies
ICE, are today’s stars of magic. tells us that the S.A.M. and other social crying. When I was done, those sounds
organizations need to change with the had been replaced by laughter and
DRG: Both organizations are inter- times. We need to develop a more active smiles. I can’t explain that feeling, but
ested in bringing young magicians into Internet presence. This is especially there is nothing like it.
their ranks. It is not an easy task. How do important to a rapidly increasing per- Shawn: Mine was also a healing
we get them to see that the Internet is not centage of society. We need to live where moment, I think. On a cruise ship to
the only place to learn magic? they live, through interactive websites, Alaska, I went for a walk around the
ICE: My first affiliation with a group blogs, and Twitter. It is like performing. deck after my show and met a passenger
of magicians was in San Diego. It wasn’t You must know your audience. You must standing by the rail. We talked about my
a Ring or an Assembly, but just a bunch be able to tell when an effect is no longer show and the meaning behind some of the
of magicians that hung out. I learned a working for your audiences and change effects I presented. We talked late into
lot from my friends. Then I joined I.B.M is needed. the night. A year later I received a letter
Ring 21 in Hollywood, California, and I also believe that we must regain from him explaining that the night we
Assembly 22, also in Hollywood. That personal contact with our members. We talked he had planned to jump overboard.
was about twenty-five years ago. So, must let them know that their member- He felt his life had become unbearable,
while I was not mentored in my early ship is not taken for granted and that the and he wanted to give up. He had seen
years of magic, I came to realize the national officers care about them. This my show, and after our talk he changed
value of having someone encourage me, is not unrelated to the concern over the his mind and changed his life. He wrote
help me, and challenge me. That is what Internet. It can be a great tool in helping to tell me that he had bought Royal Road
an Assembly and a Ring can do. us regain that personal contact. to Card Magic, as I had suggested. He
I am very interested in mentoring, And, of course, I am concerned about had learned a few card tricks and met his
helping young magicians (and older ones ethics in magic. The S.A.M. will be future bride in a coffee shop because he
as well) be the best they can be. That’s looking hard at the ethics standards for performed some magic to impress her.
one thing the S.A.M. is attempting to do our society and for magic as a whole. He was writing to thank me.
with The Society of Young Magicians I am just grateful that I have an op-
(S.Y.M.) for youngsters, and the magic portunity to help out. DRG: Any final comments?
program for college students (S.A.M.C.) Shawn: As an international touring ICE: Just a last word about my friend,
for those eighteen to twenty-five years of performer, I have the unique opportunity Shawn. Beyond his professionalism, he
age. As these programs flourish, more to spread the influence of the I.B.M. even is sensitive to the needs of others, almost
and more young magicians will become further. I would love to see the I.B.M. to a fault, and completely loyal to his
aware of them. Of course, they will still have Rings in places like Argentina and friends. He doesn’t use the words “can’t”
learn from the Internet. But it’s like they Norway; I plan to visit other Rings that or “impossible.” I am blessed to have him
say: there is nothing like live entertain- don’t get visits very often, like Malta and as a friend.
ment – and there is nothing like live Holland. Rings play a very important Shawn: I have met only a few people
mentoring. role in the I.B.M., and the growth of who are as passionate about magic as I
Shawn: I certainly agree. It is true these Rings is one of the paramount goals am. When ICE talks about magic, it’s not
that the youth appear to be getting their of my term. I think this goes along with just talking about magic – it’s preaching
information from YouTube and websites. what ICE said about letting our members about it. His love of magic is evident in
I think this is a great loss because they’re know we care. everything he does. To paraphrase his
not learning things correctly. I’m not a I want to add more value for inter- quote, if you were to cut him, he’d bleed
traditionalist. I believe in change; and national members. So over the coming magic.
I believe in the digital revolution. But year I’ll be producing one-day free magic
I think that the contact with a mentor festivals around the world courtesy DRG: Thank you both. It seems clear
is very important. I am proud that my of the I.B.M., exclusively for I.B.M. to me that we are in for a good year. 
local Ring has a mentoring program, and members. These one-day festivals are
over the years I’ve mentored many fine called Magic JAMs: J – just, A – about, David Goodsell is Editor Emeritus of
magicians. I know that other Rings are M – magic. Just About Magic will be M-U-M magazine, and a Past National
actively involved in this sort of thing, as fun-filled one-day events with lectures President and Honorary Member of the
well. and shows by I.B.M. members for I.B.M. S.A.M. He has been a member of the
Events like the W.O.W. for the S.A.M. members for free. I.B.M. since 1966 and of the S.A.M. since
and the Lance Burton Youth Seminar for 1967. His feature articles and reviews
the I.B.M. have proven that, given the DRG: We are about out of time, my appear frequently in the magic litera-
opportunity, young people will come friends. But I thought we would wrap up ture.
to magic events to learn as a group. As with one last question. What was your
we continue to offer them value, they most rewarding moment?

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 41

 Hit The Road
With Scott Alex ander, Puck,
Jenny Alex ander, and Adam Ace

the early ‘90s there was this new fangled Show Cues. This is an app that I have on
device called a Mini Disc player that took my iPad; it runs my music and I love it.
over the position formerly held by cassette I have the ability to edit my music tracks
tapes. Denny decided to use it as his music on the fly. I love this because I am always
BREAKING THE SOUND playing medium. (Anyone under thirty- adding new things to the show and flipping
BARRIER five will be thinking, “Cassette tapes... stuff around due to varying venues and
what are those?”) Regardless, this little audience types. The iPad itself becomes
Music can play an important role in device was the precursor to the MP3 the display, showing me what track is
the success of your shows. Music adds player. The genius of Denny’s portable playing and what track is up next. I bought
automatic production value. It gives the setup was having a wonderfully small and an additional pocket remote that allows me
show a sense of excitement and fullness. compact way to play sound cues. That is, to put the iPad offstage and run the music
If you use musical routines in your show, as long as the venue had an existing setup completely from my pocket with a push of
chase music for the end of tricks, and music with amplifiers and speakers. Since most a few buttons. I can advance and skip and
while the audience volunteers are walking of the gigs Denny was playing were in even control the volume of the tracks. It is
up to the stage, you can cover any lag times hotel ballrooms, this setup was perfect. great! If you can tap into the house sound
and make the pace seem quicker and more His setup consisted of a small four- systems using the appropriate cables,
snappy. Watch any of the old David Cop- channel mixer purchased from Radio either one of these systems work great.
perfield specials. After almost every trick Shack that had a quarter-inch input that
he has a snappy piece of music that wraps the Mini Disc player was plugged into. The SPEAK EASY
it up nicely and cleanses the palate, making output from the mixer was an XLR cable
way for the next effect. If you’re not using that simply patched into the correspond- But let’s say you are working a venue
music in your show, you are missing out ing male XLR cable that was running to that doesn’t have any house sound system.
on a great opportunity. But a lot of people the house sound system. All he needed to Then I would highly recommend that you
feel that they don’t want to bother traveling ask the venue to provide were two working carry your own set of speakers. If you have
with sound equipment and then have to microphones on cords. Denny talked into never done it before, I know this sounds
have someone run it for them. I was one of one microphone. We unplugged the other like a big hassle, but it really isn’t as com-
those people. Well, technology has come microphone from its cable and used that plicated as it sounds. For years I hesitated
to the rescue, making traveling with sound cable to connect the Mini Disc player to carrying my own sound system because,
in your show a much simpler process. our mixer. We played the tracks, which quite frankly, I felt it was just a pain in the
Just a few years ago, traveling with went from the Mini Disc player into the ass.
sound equipment was much more cumber- little mixer and then into the house system. I wanted to just roll in with my little box
some than today, especially if you were We could fade in and out using the mixer. of tricks, get the money, and roll out. Then
working in a venue that has no speakers This type of setup still works today, but Puck and I had a conversation about the
or amps. Lugging that stuff around could now we have more sophisticated ways to importance of production value and music
be a real drag. But luckily there are a great play music. and how it really does enhance even the
variety of portable music playing devices There are systems like the MP3 Tech, most humble of gigs, turning it into a mini
and smart phones and tablets that have which is a player that manages MP3 files production show. Music has an inherent
apps that can run your music via a remote and plays them back in any order you quality that instantly causes feelings and
control. Combine this technology with a like. This type of system allows you to set emotions in the audience, even if you are
good portable speaker system and you are different playlists and manipulate them. working in the multipurpose room of a
your own traveling rock and roll concert! There is often a LED screen that shows nursing home or on someone’s living room
I will go through some of the products I you your tracks and which ones are coming rug. Music automatically creates the mood
have used successfully to give you an idea next. You can operate the whole thing and atmosphere of a real show.
of what is available to help you put together using a remote control in your pocket. Or, I also hesitated in carrying my own mi-
your own traveling sound system. an even more stealthy set of ankle trans- crophone since it was just another technical
mitters lets you advance tracks simply by hassle I didn’t want to deal with. But I
DENNY PORTABLE SETUP clicking your heels together like Dorothy have found that it is not really that big of
in The Wizard of Oz. Puck swears by the a deal. Puck turned me on to a really cool,
Back in the day when I was learning MP3 Tech, which was created by magician super-tiny microphone system that I have
the ropes of touring with the Denny and Kerry Pollock. started using and I love it. Next month I
Lee Show, I would not only help out Denny will go into detail about the easy-to-travel-
as an onstage assistant, handing off swords SHOW CUES with microphone and speaker setup that I
and helping him float his lovely assistant use and where to get all these wonderful
Minh in the air, but I was also the sound I have been using the iPhone and iPad little apps and gadgets I have been talking
guy. I would run the sound backstage. In application put out by Carl Andrews called about. So, keep your ears open! 

42 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

 Cheats & Deceptions
(For Entertainment Purposes Only)
By Antonio M. Cabr al
point to a card. Break the spread with the you are! You’re both going to find each
selection on top of the left-hand portion (if other’s…Don’t look so nervous! I do it all
you’re right handed) and raise the left hand the time; it’s a piece of cake!” For the sake
to let him note and remember the card. of description, I’ll assume you earlier set
Bring the hands back together and cull the aside the Ace of Spades. Retrieve it from
Ted Annemann’s A Card in Hand (The selection under the spread as you turn to your pocket or wherever and place it face
Jinx, No. 80) is one of the great impromptu your second participant. I say, “Did you up on top of the deck. Turn to your first
card tricks of all time. If the name doesn’t get a good look at his card? Well, forget it. participant. “Here’s all you do: take this
ring a bell, it should. Someone chooses You’re going to get your own!” card and stick it somewhere in the middle.
a card and it’s lost in the deck. Then you Continue spreading for the second This doesn’t have to be exact – a little high
show the top card and hand it to your par- selection and cull three more cards under or a little low is fine. Just don’t push it all
ticipant to ostensibly find her own card. the spread. (For some reason, I find the the way in or I’ll have three of these things
You instruct her to stab the card face process flows more smoothly if, after to find!” Take the Ace by the inner end and,
down into the deck but not to let go of the culling the first selection, I spread one or to illustrate, tilt the deck so that the faces
card. You check the cards on either side of two cards and then cull the next three.) are towards your participants and poke the
where she stabbed – no luck. The magician Ask the second participant to point to a ace into a couple of different places in the
makes a magical gesture and the card in card. Once she’s made her choice, show deck. Leave it sticking out as you tilt the
her hand changes into her selection. This her the selection as you did with your first deck back horizontal and have your first
is one of the most basic applications of a participant, and cull it under the spread. participant remove the Ace. This entire
double lift you can find. It’s also one of the You now have a five-card block riding action should mimic the look of perform-
most powerful. It’s also one of those tricks under the spread; when you square up the ing a Push-in Change, because later on,
you can make the mistake of forgetting cards this block will end up on the bottom. you’re going to perform a Push-in Change.
about as you progress along in your card As you square up, move your right hand Hold the deck by pinching the inner end
magic studies and get caught up in Ace as- back toward your body slightly. This will between your right thumb and fingers and
semblies, false shuffles, and other, more in-jog the block as it goes to the bottom. have your first participant stick the Ace
complicated things. As you talk to your participants, scooch face down into the outer end of the deck.
A number of months back I realized I’d your left fingers under the deck and tilt it Holding the deck like this ensures that he
made that very mistake; I decided to revisit up in the left hand in preparation for an won’t accidentally (or on purpose) push the
the trick and put it into my bar repertoire. overhand shuffle. (A little trial and error Ace all the way into the deck. Once he’s
In pondering the trick, it occurred to me will show you can do this without disturb- done that, place the deck back into dealing
that I could actually have someone stab to ing the jog.) Take the deck by the ends with grip and spread down to the protruding
her selection out front (which, by itself, is your right hand; pull on the jog with your card. As you do this, cull the fifth card
a very good trick) and get a one-two punch right thumb to take a break over the block. from the top (the second selection) under
out of both tricks in tandem. This combina- Begin an overhand shuffle by chopping off the spread as you comment on where the
tion has been getting very good responses, ten or eleven cards. As you go to chop off Ace ended up. Once you reach the protrud-
so I thought I’d share it here. the next group of cards, pick up the first ing card, break the spread and use the right-
bunch behind the right hand’s cards so hand cards to flip the Ace face up, still out-
TWO IN THE HAND that it joins the cards below your break. jogged, on the left-hand cards. Now briefly
Now simply shuffle off to the break and square the right-hand cards back on top of
Start by removing the Joker or the Ace throw the remaining cards on top. (For a the now face-up Ace and feed the culled
of Spades (I use the Ace of Spades) and complete description of the lift shuffle, see card directly underneath the ace. Regrip to
placing it in a convenient place; I usually Card College 2, p. 257.) take the upper packet in overhand grip and
place it face outward in the breast pocket It sounds complicated when explained lift off all the cards above the Ace. Push
of my jacket, or, if I’m feeling particularly step-by-step like that, but in practice this the Ace off on top of the right-hand cards
jaunty, in my tie clip. Have two people each is a very quick and efficient control. Each and thumb off the next card into the first
select a card; control one of the selections card is touched, looked at, the cards are participant’s hand. Reassemble the deck
to the top and the other fifth from the top. squared up and given a short shuffle, and with the Ace face up on top.
There are numerous ways to do this, but I everything’s where it should be. The first The preceding is admittedly illogical,
use a combination of an under-the-spread selection is on top of the deck and the because if you just wanted to cut at the Ace,
cull and an overhand lift shuffle. As far as second selection is fifth from the top. This you could have cut at the Ace. To justify the
I know, this handling is original with me. cull/lift shuffle combination has become procedure, I say, “You could’ve placed that
It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s practical one of my go-to control techniques when card above any of these cards, (referring to
(and versatile). Here is the handling. working walk-around and behind the bar. the cards as you spread through them) but
Begin by spreading the cards (as I like Okay, back to the trick. “At this point, you placed it right above this one (as you
to say, “…in the time-honored card trick you’re probably wondering how I’m going lift off the upper half to indicate the card
fashion…”) and have your first participant to find your cards…I’m not going to; below the Ace)”. In addition, the squaring

44 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

and re-gripping of the upper half should be a full description of the Push-in Change.) under the inserted card instead of over it.
brief enough that it appears that the cards This will leave the first person’s selection For whatever reason, it seems to add to the
never come to rest until the portions are sticking out of the deck instead of the Ace. deception. The use of the Push-in Change
separated. It doesn’t make ironclad sense, Have your second participant remove for A Card in Hand so that the audience ap-
but it makes enough sense that it won’t be the card. You hold the deck as before, parently sees the card right up until the last
questioned in context, and it won’t be re- and have her push the card into the outer second is the brainchild of Jason Ladanye
membered later on. end of the deck. She’ll naturally begin to (It’s All in the Hands, Confident Decep-
Have the second participant name let go once she can’t push the card in any tions).
her card, then gesture with the Ace at further, but quickly say, “Actually, hold on Both halves of this trick (the card
the first participant to have him reveal it. to that.” She’ll hold on to the card as now stab and the transformation) are terrific
Use that moment of attention away from you come away with the deck and cleanly impromptu card effects in themselves,
you to reverse the top card of the deck cut to where she inserted the card (which, but together they reinforce each other in
(the first person’s selection) against your of course, you couldn’t do before). Use the a very satisfying way. The key to A Card
leg. Replace the Ace face up back on top right-hand cards to flip over the top card in Hand is to get the audience invested in
of the deck directly on top of the face-up of the left-hand half (which is where she the apparent card stab effect, so that the
first selection without flashing the reversed expects the selection to be from before). transformation takes them by surprise.
card. By the time attention is back on Ask, “Did we get it?” Upon hearing By actually performing that effect and by
you, you should have a face-up double “no,” you look puzzled, and show the offering to repeat it, you get them fully
with the Ace on top and the first selection bottom card of the right-hand portion. focused on that outcome, at which point
beneath it. Upon hearing another “no,” gently ask, you hit them with a real miracle. Occasion-
Just as they’re recovering from the first “What was it?” When he names his ally, I’ll get someone who – for whatever
effect (and it’s a strong one), look at the selection, smile and say, “Oh, we got it!” reason – doesn’t trust me; when I hand
second participant and say, “Your turn!” and point to the card in the second par- him the Ace the first time he’ll look at it
Repeat the instructions and apparently the ticipant’s hand. She won’t need any more to see if it’s still the same card. If I were
demonstration from before, only this time prompting to look at it. just performing A Card in Hand by itself,
you lift off the face-up double and insert it The first half of this trick – the card that would blow my ending. Here, they get
into to the outer end of the deck in a couple stab using the cull – is an old idea. My cooled out by the fact that everything is on
of places. As you tilt the deck back to hori- handling here was inspired by Darwin the up and up. By the time the card does
zontal, perform a Push-in Change, secretly Ortiz’s routine Test Your Luck (which first change, it’s back to being a surprise.
plunging the Ace flush into the deck. appeared in his Ephemeral Lecture Notes), Give it a try; I hope you enjoy it. 
(See Card College 4, pages 820-822, for specifically the loading of the culled card

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 45

 Not Just Kid Stuff
By Jim Kleefeld

imagine that someone had replaced your consider presenting a children’s magic
engine with a gaggle of geese? show without capitalizing on it. Even
If adults are creative and imagina- children who have moved past believing in
tive, they must often be so in a controlled real magic will still take part in exercises
manner. Many magicians develop their of imagination and creativity. Want proof?
own tricks, routines, and shows because Go watch a good magician who uses a vent
PERSONIFY THE PROP they have learned how to channel their routine in his act. Kids may laugh and
Imagine for a moment that you are creativity in a way that is productive. If applaud at the magic but still not believe it.
reading this on a calm, cool, tropical you sat and thought about inventing a They may exhibit all the necessary polite
island, with a breeze blowing off the ocean new trick, you might be able to come up behaviors of an adult audience, but still roll
and the sound of the waves lapping at the with something clever, imaginative, and their eyes at the “trick” of it all. But when
shore. Imagine that you are stretched out creative. You have learned how to combine he brings out the puppet, they will fall
in a chaise lounge with a tall, cool drink by ideas and look for inspiration, how to instantly into the gotcha trap of watching
your side. Someone walks behind you and determine what is creative, and define two performers. The puppet has life.
the scent of coconut drifts your way. Did what is imaginative. Your memory bank of That bundle of cloth and vinyl becomes
you really picture all of that in your mind? creative images from art, books, film, tele- a character. Kids will come up after the
Did you see the sand, hear the waves, and vision, and popular culture give you some show and ask to talk to the puppet.
smell the piña colada? If so, you probably added assistance. I use a Wolf’s Magic trick called Blow
had to work at it. Many adults would Children, however, do not need to Yur Stack in my Character Show. The prop
probably not even try to imagine any of place themselves in a creative mode. It is consists of a box made to look like a large
what I described. You may have just read automatic, even uncontrolled. Their minds piece of Swiss cheese and a small plush
through my imaginary scene wondering soar with a plethora of images from their mouse figure that pops up and down. The
where that stream of text was headed. It’s own world. Many of those images are fake mouse is a simple toy, with no articulation
not your fault if you did not create any real creativity or forced imagination, deliber- whatsoever. It rises out of the prop and
sensations a moment ago. It’s because you ately placed there through advertising and returns back into the prop. That’s all. But
are an adult. You probably reacted the way media programming. Ask a child to draw that one prop gets more comments and ad-
most adults do. You read, absorbed my a picture of a clown and she is much more miration than anything else in that show.
words into information, and processed it likely to draw Ronald McDonald than Kids almost always file out of the school
logically. Emmet Kelly or Pierrot. What do elves auditorium saying “Say hi to Morris,” or
As an adult, you may have lost much of do? They bake cookies inside a tree. How “I hope Morris gets his X-Box back.” I use
your imagination or creativity. You could do camels behave? Why, they smoke ciga- a different prop in my Mystery Show, a
imagine that beach setting, but you would rettes, of course. wooden box with a fake fur weasel inside.
have to go back, reread it, and concen- But children still enjoy the fanciful A simple lever on the back makes it appear
trate. A child would not have to do that. images and impossible conditions that as if the weasel pops up and down, lifting
He would have been right there in the come from cartoons, picture books, and the lid of the box. It is a different effect,
moment with the words, imagining right animated films. In their play, they easily a different prop, and a different character
along. Children are inquisitive, creative, make up stories about characters, real than Blow Yur Stack, but the results are
and imaginative to a degree that we adults or imagined. Turtles fly, trees talk, and the same. Kids comment on the weasel box
sometimes forget. They never have to think fairies ride unicorns over the rainbow. more than any other routine. At one show
about being creative or try to imagine In a child’s world, imagination is real. It I used an Axtell Bird Puppet with the Bird
something. It flows naturally through them is a viable way of thinking. Ask a child Arm Illusion, in which you put on long
as a part of their existence. As we grow about his Halloween costume. He will say, gloves and it looks like the puppet is sitting
older, we learn logical behavior, make “I’m a pirate!” He will never say, “I look on your arm. I once overheard an eleven-
critical decisions, and process an extraor- like a pirate,” or “I am dressed in pirate year-old telling his mother about the show.
dinary amount of mundane and repetitive clothes.” The linguistic difference is a He used these exact words: “Then a bird
tasks. The many bits of mindless minutiae significant indicator of the child’s state of came out of the box, flew around the room,
that we encounter day after day help to mind. A child’s internal thinking is “I am landed on his shoulder, and talked to him.”
slowly erode our imagination. What is a princess,” not “I am pretending to be a The boy had mis-remembered reality in
that weird new sound the car is making princess.” Their imagination is temporar- favor of his imagination.
today? Should I get my brakes checked? ily melded into belief in their mind. This The key to these memorable magic
Will this be a vital repair? How much will belief is fluid and changing, but real. They tricks is personification. When you
it cost? Practical considerations like these may switch from a pirate captain to a first introduce such an object, give it a name,
are a constant reality of adult life. They mate or from a superhero to a villain in the add some patter about its behavior, and
condition our brains to think logically, blink of an eye, but at each moment they speak to it as you would a person. Personify
not creatively. If you honestly heard an believe in the reality of their thinking. the Prop.
unusual noise while you were driving your Children have so much more imagi- Let’s use the Fraidy Cat Rabbit as an
car, would it benefit you in any way to nation than adults that it is hard to even example. You call your black rabbit plaque

46 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

Freddie. You show the door frame, but call separately. Discard the blank top half of pocket on the back of the card. Next print
it a house. Tell the kids that he sometimes the picture. The third picture is a one-inch a comical fish picture on cardboard and
gets scared. Then you open the door of wide frame with the center removed. glue the same busy pattern to the back of
your Fraidy Cat prop and show the black Stack these three pieces of board it. Flip it face down and slide the fish into
rabbit has changed to white. You speak to together and glue the thin frame onto the the pocket on the back of the penguin prop
the painted wooden board as if it were a whole picture. Insert the half-panel loosely as shown in Figure 4.
person, and offer to help “him.” You open in place and then glue the wider frame on
the door and show that the rabbit picture top of the thin frame. Figure 2 shows the
has turned to black. When you remove layered assembly. Be sure not to get any
it and turn it around, you don’t just say, glue on or near the penguin bottom panel.
“There is his tail.” You tell the kids, “Look
he’s hopping away. Wave goodbye.”
Giving a prop the characteristics
of a person is what makes it engaging,
memorable, and fun for children to watch.
Because of children’s innate capacity for
imagination, they cannot help but believe
that the prop is truly a character. When you
Figure 3
personify a prop, you make it memorable.
Even a flat cardboard picture of an animal,
when given a name and moved around,
becomes a character. Farmyard Frolics has
a cat, Pet Store Pranks has a rattlesnake,
and SPS’s Bookworm has a worm. Run,
Rabbit, Run has a rabbit, or maybe a bear
or wolf or dinosaur. If you use any prop like
this, give the animal figure a name. Talk to
it like you would a person. Write a script
that involves true dialogue between two Figure 2 Figure 4
characters. When you personify cut-outs
like these, you grab the attention of a
young audience, engage them in the plot This piece should be able to slide freely
and build an event they will remember. If up and down within the thin frame. The To present the magic, you could bring
you treat these simple props the same way wider frame will keep it from falling out. out the prop, continually flip it over, and
that a great ventriloquist treats his figures, You may need to add a second thin frame have it always show a right-side-up picture.
then the kids in your audience will get as a spacer, or trim the penguin section, But the magic and the routine will be infi-
involved in the routine. or otherwise adjust the pieces before you nitely better if you engage the children’s
Here is an example of how to personify glue them together to make sure the small imagination with personification. Here is
a prop. You will need three drawings done piece slides freely. When you are done, a script example of how to personify the
on plain cardboard or illustration board, you can slide the penguin’s bottom down prop.
such as are shown in Figure 1. Comic book to show him standing upright, or slide it up “Would you boys and girls like to see
backing boards or foam core would work as to show him upside down, as illustrated by my pet penguin? I’ll get her. Her name is
well. The back piece shows the top half of Figure 3. To make the magic effect work, Penny.” Lean over the back of your table.
a penguin on the top half of the picture and you show the prop, turn it towards yourself Knock three times and call, “Penny.”
the same top half of a penguin rotated 180 and then deliberately turn it upside-down. Repeat this action three times. This will
degrees on the bottom half of the picture. The panel will secretly slide to the bottom, get a laugh because it is a reference to the
making the penguin popular TV show The Big Bang Theory.
look right side up again. Bring out the penguin picture and address
When you turn it back the character as if it were a live character.
to face the audience “There you are. Were you getting
they expect the penguin warm down there?” Turn to address the
to be upside down, but audience. “Penny is used to the Antarctic
see that it is still right where the temperature is always below
side up. freezing. She thinks it is harder to catch
For a finale, you will fish in warm weather. She has been prac-
add a hidden fish to ticing her fishing. Do you want to see
the back. Print a busy her try out her fishing technique?” The
Figure 1 pattern on plain paper audience will call out yes.
The second drawing shows the bottom and glue it to the back of the prop. Print Turn the board to face you, with its back
half of a penguin drawn on the bottom a duplicate busy pattern on another sheet, towards the audience. The busy pattern
half of the picture. Leave a half-inch frame cut it in half diagonally, and glue that to the there should keep the audience from
around the entire picture. Then cut out back of the card, but just along the bottom seeing that there is a pocket and a cut-out
the complete frame and the penguin piece and left edges. This will make a secret fish on the back. “Penny, do you remember

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 47

Not Just Kid Stuff
that I told you how to get the biggest fish? Penny. You will never catch a big fish like as if you are trying to see and talk to the
You do? (Pause.) That’s right. I said you that. You have to listen to me and practice penguin. Keep your right hand perfectly
will have to dive upside down so you can go if you want to catch a big fish. First, turn still as you pull the board away from it.
deep. Well, let’s see you do that.” Carefully upside down.” Turn the board slowly and This will expose the fish held in your right
turn the board end for end so it is upside carefully end for end, but this time pinch hand while you “discuss” obedience with
down. Let the panel slide to the bottom so the panel so it stays at the top. Turn the the penguin picture. The kids will see the
the penguin still appears right side up. A board around to face the audience so they fish and begin yelling. Quickly look back
little friction of your fingers on the panel can see that the penguin is upside down. to your right hand and react, as if the fish
will slow it down and keep it from talking. “You see, boys and girls, Penny does had suddenly and magically appeared. “A
Look up and address the audience while know how to listen. This time she’s going fish! No wonder Penny didn’t want to swim
you turn the board around to face them. to go deep and get a really big fish.” Turn upside down! She already has a great big
“There. See how well Penny listens. She’s the board towards you, letting the panel fish! How about a round of applause for
diving upside down so she can go deep and secretly slide down. “You listened well. Penny!”
get a really big fish.” The audience will tell Now you stay upside down. That’s one What a lot of fun from a simple
you that the penguin is right side up. way to swim deep and catch a big fish.” cardboard picture. This routine will get
Turn it back towards yourself and act Turn the board back towards the audience strong reactions from kids because they
surprised. “Penny! Are you afraid of the so they see that the penguin is right side identify with the picture as a character.
deep water? I told you that you have to up, but look at them, not the picture. “Now, Because of your words and behaviors, the
swim upside down to get a big fish. Now, watch this, boys and girls, Penny will be penguin becomes real, alive. Imagine how
don’t be afraid. Just get back in the water able to catch a…” Stop talking when the dull this trick would be if you said, “I have
and swim upside down.” Slowly and kids tell you the penguin is right side up. a picture of a penguin and I’m going to turn
carefully turn the board upside down, Then lean over and look at the picture. it upside down and then make it magically
again letting the panel secretly slide to the “Penny Penguin! You did not listen.” turn back right side up.” The story and the
bottom. Look up and then turn the board Secretly grip the fish cut-out from behind routine become so much more engaging
toward the audience. “She’s doing it. She’s with your right hand, while still holding the and entertaining if you Personify the Prop.
swimming upside down so she can get to the board with your left hand. “Why don’t you By the way, if you want to make your
really deep water and find the biggest…” want to swim upside down? How do you own Penny Penguin trick, I have all of the
Stop as you hear the children yelling that think you can catch any big fish if you are artwork in a folder of jpegs; I’ll send you a
the penguin is not upside down. Turn the not going to swim into the deep part of…” complimentary copy at your request. Just
board back toward yourself. As you are talking, move the board away to email me (Jim@jimkleefeld.com). 
“Again? You are not upside down, the left, and turn your head, also to the left,

48 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

Houdini on the Web and film clips. Houdini Adventures #1 is available in the
iTunes App Store for free.
We are all aware
of www.magicSAM. It’s a Numbers Game
com, the place where
our members can Although not all magicians are good at math, they are
check in to see what still fascinated by numbers. At the 4F convention this
is new and beneficial year, at least five people, including math fan Obie O’Brien,
to the compeers of the mentioned the Grey Matters Blog. Although not all magic,
Society. I regularly there are a lot of puzzles and math tricks to peruse.
search the web for Recently, the website posted some free math magic books
magic sites that offer different and interesting takes on all that have some very good, long forgotten effects. Set your
things magical. I found some great finds and would like to browser to www.headinside.blogspot.com.
share them with you.
You are probably aware of the Houdini Museum in It’s in Your Pocket
Scranton, Pennsylvania, run by Dorothy Deitrich and
Dick Brooks; they keep the Houdini name going as a labor If you have a smart phone, chances
of love. The museum is a fun place to visit if you are ever are it never leaves your hand. Magicians
in the area. almost always have something else
There is also an online Houdini Museum (no relation with them all the time; I am talking
to the Scranton facilities) that has some extremely in- about their favorite packet trick. Want
teresting articles about our longest presiding president. a place to keep both together?
Founded in 2004, San Diego magician Tom Interval has MiPocket Stick On Pocket is just
created a blog of great topics and interesting finds about what it says. Stick it on the back of
Houdini. The website was originally started to discuss your smart phone and you’ve created a
articles in the New York Times relating to Houdini, but it pocket to store business cards or your favorite packet trick.
has grown to include such topics as the previous owner of The real magic is the way things stay inside the pocket.
Houdini’s home, the building where Houdini was born, The material is stretchy and holds everything inside but is
and the Houdini scrapbook collection. You never know soft and flexible enough to take things out.
what will pop up on the site. If you have my Professor Marvel’s Crystal Ball App,
I encourage you to set your browsers to http://houdini- it’s the perfect place to store the cards needed for the trick.
museum.wordpress.com/ and get immersed in its content. MiPocket Stick On Pocket is available for under $10 at
Michael’s Crafts and Toys R Us. Or just Google it; it’s all
Houdini’s Comic Escapes over the Internet.

Houdini is the subject of a new Houdini’s Altered Reality

comic book available on your
iDevice. Houdini Adventures #1 Houdini AR is not really magic, but it is something
takes you to London as Houdini fun to play with. Download the free coasters; then point
aids Scotland Yard in solving your iDevice at the coasters and watch 3D objects appear.
a crime. This audio enhanced You can walk all around these objects. I’ll bet an out-of-
comic book is a fun read and the-box thinker will come up with ways to turn these
reveals one of Houdini’s secrets. cool objects in to magic tricks. Houdini AR is free in the
You have to pay to learn the other iTunes App Store for iDevices as well as in Google Play
secret. for Android devices. 
Forget the fact that Houdini
looked nothing like the Superman-looking guy on these Bruce is always on the lookout for computer magic,
pages. Also forget the sexy outfits that this tall shapely iPhone/iPod Touch apps, and tech toys that can be used in
Bess is wearing. It is a cool comic to look through and magic applications. If you have any suggestions for future
is enhanced with sounds, voice, fun facts about Harry, columns, write to Bruce at SAMtalkBruce@cox.net.

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 49

 The High Road
script writing, char acter
development, and act construction
for the modern conjuror

By Mick Ayres

professionals who perform for a living. and to chat with some old friends. To the
These are rough estimates, but it means merchants, he is not the droid they’re
“I am a butterfly. I am not a butterfly about ninety percent of the people at any looking for.
collector. I want the experience of the convention are hobbyists. There’s nothing All of this brings us back to where we
butterfly.” – William Stafford, poet wrong with that; every professional started – with a fellow hoping to take his
magician in our industry has worn those magic to another level. As a performer,
As conjurers, we tend to begin our shoes at one point or another. you must study your target audience with
education at a young age; there is usually Now consider the average magic dealer the same intensity as a dealer at a conven-
a magic kit involved. We study each trick at a convention. He is there to sell mer- tion and cherry-pick your effects with that
until we learn everything the kit has to chandise to as many people as possible. audience in mind. If you only perform
offer. However, that isn’t enough; we This means his target market is the for the local magic club or at the annual
want to know more secrets. So, we read hobbyist who will impulsively purchase neighborhood block party, there is a world
all the books we can find and buy every the newest cool trick or the latest video. of difference in the selection of appro-
trick we can afford until our resources Magic dealers are not wrong for exploiting priate tricks. For example, your friends
and finances are nearly exhausted. Still, this situation to make money; in fact, it is at the magic club want to be seriously
our thirst for more magic knowledge is a wise business decision. Haven’t we all, fooled because once someone learns
not slaked in the least. Then we discover at one point or another, fallen prey to the enough about the basics of conjuring, ex-
there is a magic club that meets in town. siren call of the dealer’s room? periencing wonder is a rare delight. Your
The members greet us with open arms and Next, consider the lecturers who neighbors are going to treat you like a
welcome us into the fold. Still, the craving frequent convention after convention, prophet without honor anyway, so the
for more secrets and tricks is relentless. offering their newest creations. They diversion of a simple, entertaining mystery
Then the guys in the club share about an depend on merchandise, video, and book will fill their cup. In the magician’s world,
upcoming convention, and it’s like we hit sales to make their attendance worthwhile. skilled technique with playing cards is to
the mother lode. Dealer rooms are packed Since a lecturer’s market is understandably be admired and praised. In your neighbor’s
with boxed-up miracles just waiting to be targeted upon the hobbyist, their continued world, a Svengali Deck is sleight of hand.
opened. Performers lecture and expound popularity and appeal is dependent upon If your target audience is not made up of
upon innovative ideas and tricks. Every- fresh, clever material. Some lecturers offer magicians, then don’t consider effects that
where we look are wonders that appeal so many “new” effects one begins to ask: were designed with them in mind. Look
specifically to the conjurer that hides deep “Where does anyone find the time to create for mysteries that will appeal to the rest
within us all. These events are so popular these wonders and field-test them in front of the world. To find those, many working
there is no longer a weekend during any of a ‘real’ audience (meaning, an audience professionals believe you will have greater
calendar year that doesn’t offer an enticing that is not comprised of his peers within success by searching the classic books of
magic seminar or convention somewhere. the business)?” magic such as those written by Harlan
Today’s conjuring enthusiasts have no Finally, consider this: Professionals in Tarbell, Henry Hay, Henning Nelms, J.
excuse for a lack of tricks in the arsenal. the conjuring business rarely search for G. Thompson, and John Hilliard – or the
Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? their show’s next effect at a magic con- modern texts by John Carney, Tommy
It can be; but for anyone interested in vention. If you are performing shows for a Wonder, and Mark Wilson. The root ideas
raising his or her performances to another living, then you already have an act. What and theatrical presentations offered by any
level, it is wise to look at this from another a professional seeks from the convention of these authors far outclass the one-hit
angle. First, consider the demograph- experience is feedback from his peers. He wonders that seem to flood the market
ics of the average magic convention for wants fellowship with people who know today.
a moment. The majority of attendees are that magic is not about naming someone’s Most professionals in our industry are
amateurs who dream of being on stage, card; it’s about the lost being found and the willing to share a bit of time and infor-
commanding the attention of packed broken restored. It’s about changing the mation with others, as long as the request
theaters. Perhaps ten percent are part-time laws of physics, twisting reality, reversing is made respectfully. Dai Vernon, Juan
performers who pick up the occasional gig time, and getting something from nothing. Tamariz, Larry Jennings, and Johnny
to supplement their income. Just a handful A professional magician loitering in a Thompson were (or are) known for being
of magicians from this latter group are the dealer’s room is only there for the nostalgia cooperative, as long as the request is made

50 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

politely. An amateur who obnoxiously this presentation, there is a bit of prepara- of the Five of Spades and drop them to
demands the attention of a professional tion. You will need two decks of cards, one the table. You now have exactly ten cards
simply because “we’re part of the same red backed and the other blue backed. Cut remaining in your left hand. Drop them
brotherhood” risks divorcing that profes- the Five of Clubs to the top of each deck. onto the tabled pile and square everything
sional from his or her approachability. Next, place the Five of Spades ten cards up.
Make your questions brief and specific. A from the top. Now, switch the top cards of Hand the face-up deck to your guest
generic question begets a generic answer. each deck; that is, put the red Five of Clubs and say, “We’ve done the fair shuffling and
Remember that most professionals attend on top of the blue deck and vice versa. legitimate cutting, but we really don’t need
conventions to socialize with friends and Finally, slide the blue deck with the red an entire deck to do this trick. Let’s thin it
network with their peers. This means they card on top into the red card case. Put the out. We need a random number; it is best
want to use their limited time wisely; remaining pack in the other card case and to use one that is special to you. If I’m not
getting buttonholed by strangers can pocket them both. You are ready to begin. being too personal, tell me: how old were
rapidly make the minutes disappear. To perform, address a guest and say, you when you first drove a car?” Let’s
In general, professionals understand “I’d like to show you something special say she answers, “Sixteen.” Respond by
what it is like to be enthusiastic and hungry with a deck of cards.” Reach into your saying, “Okay, please deal sixteen cards
for information that can improve a career, pocket and remove both decks. Look to the table.” When she is finished, pick up
so unless the pro is a total nibs he or she surprised at the sight of two packs and say, the new pile, hand it to her and say, “We’re
will pause and answer politely, even if that “Well, I do try to come prepared. This will going to use one of these sixteen cards as
answer is “no” or “later.” Finally, if asked, work with any deck so which do you prefer, your special card. Since we’re only looking
be ready to share specific information red or blue?” You will use whichever color for a single card, let’s use the number you
about your work efforts so far. One way is chosen; drop the other deck back in your chose to create a single digit. The number
a professional can tell if his time is well pocket. For the sake of explanation, let’s sixteen has two digits, a one and a six. Add
spent is when he can tell you are serious say she chooses the blue pack (that is, the those together and you get a total of seven.
and willing to put in the necessary work. deck that is in the blue card case). Please deal seven cards to the table. Place
No one wants to throw good seed on rocky Remove the cards from the case; put the seventh card off to one side. What is
ground. the case off to one side and table the deck your card? The Five of Clubs.” You just
Raising the level of our conjuring pre- face down. Pick up a piece of paper and performed a face-up variation of the
sentations requires us to be smart about write down “Five of Clubs.” Fold the paper 10/20 force; even better, you did so while
our audience’s demographics. It means and hand it to the guest as you say, “I just avoiding that dreadful request to “choose a
keeping our eyes wide open. It requires wrote something special. We will have a number between ten and twenty.”
specific ideas of what we’re looking for. look at it later. For now, please put it away Say, “Your choices and actions have
Surprisingly, the information and teaching some place safe.” Do not mention the color isolated one card, special to you, from
we need will often come from where we of the pack; just trust that your guest has the remainder of the deck. Remember the
least expect it. eyes and is currently using them. paper you hid away earlier? Would you
Whether your conjuring passion is Turn the pack face up and give it a brief open it and read it for us all to hear? The
focused on magic or mentalism, you tabled shuffle without disturbing the order Five of Clubs!? I was hoping things would
may find the mystery that follows to be a of the ten cards that are now on the bottom. turn out this way.”
welcome addition to your tool bag. When finished, turn the deck over and Lay the prediction note on the table.
hold it face down casually while you say, Pick up her Five of Clubs, turn it face down,
COLOR MY WORLD “There are fifty-two cards in this deck. and toss it casually on top of the open note.
I want you to find a card that is special Say, “Think back to the beginning of this
A prediction is written down. A deck to you alone. To keep things fair, we will mystery. Do you remember when I said this
of cards is shuffled. A guest takes the deck keep the cards face up so everything stays would work with either deck?” Pick up the
and removes one card that she considers honest. No tricky stuff.” deck, turn it face down, and dribble all the
special. The prediction is opened and read; Turn the deck face up and spread red-backed cards directly onto the table in
it matches her special card precisely. What through the pack. Take roughly ten to a loose pile next to the Five of Clubs and
makes her card so special and predictable? twelve cards into your right hand and drop the prediction. Smile and say, “I just want
The rest of the cards in the deck are backed them face up on the table. Take another ten to prove my point.”
with a different color. You are absolutely to twelve cards off and drop them on top She is going to dive for the cards
clean at the finish. of the tabled cards while saying, “We gave anyway, so you may as well let her inspect
This effect is odd, simple, and baffling. the deck a fair shuffle and now we’ll give them. 
It is odd because it begins with two decks it several random cuts – casino rules, you
of cards but only one is used during the know.” Take a third group and drop them Color My World copyright 1979.
presentation. It is simple because it is very onto the tabled cards. As you spread the Mick is a conjurer, tunesmith, and
close to self-working. It is baffling because deck to take the fourth group of cards, tale-swapper. He can be reached at:
much of it happens in the guest’s hands. you should be able to easily spot the Five mick@mickayreswares.com.
While there are no sleights involved in of Spades. Take all the cards to the right

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 51

 For Your Consider ation
By George Parker
and a funny hat and another passenger. He plaited was his bonnet, and he, a puny colt
then sees the same person two hours later – (how sad the neck he bore, and long) –
at the Gare Saint-Lazare getting advice on was now intent on his quotidian chore. The
adding a button to his overcoat. bus arriving full, of somehow getting on
I will copy the “Litotes” (a figure it.”
of speech in which understatement is Mathematical: In a rectangular paral-
employed) version below in its entirety and lepiped moving along a line representing
EXERCISES IN STYLE add the opening lines of other versions to an integral solution of the second-order
Last month I had a wonderful dinner show you the basic idea. differential equation...”
and evening in Amsterdam with Doc Litotes: “Some of us were traveling Noble: At the hour when the rosy fingers
Eason. At some point I told him that I together. A young man, who didn’t look of the dawn start to crack, I climbed, rapid
typically create multiple scripts for one very intelligent, spoke to the man next to as a tongue of flame, into a bus, of the
routine in order to be able to present the him for a few moments; then he went and S-line of sinuous course. I noticed, with
same routine for construction workers as sat down. Two hours later I met him again; the precision and acuity...”
well as for a room full of college presi- he was with a friend and was talking about
dents. His eyebrows raised; he was inter- clothes.” CARD TO CARD BOX
ested in the why, what, and how of it. We Dream: “I had the impression that ev-
went to see a show and didn’t have time to erything was misty and nacreous around There are many wonderful versions
elaborate. So I thought I’d write about it in me, with multifarious and indistinct appa- of this effect out there. I applied my
this month’s issue. ritions, amongst whom however was one SurvivalVersion® theory (see the April
The initial inspiration for creating figure that stood out fairly clearly, which and May 2014 issues) to this plot and came
multiple scripts came from a theater show was that of a young man whose too-long up with an always-ready-to-go version. I
I saw back in the early ‘80s. The title neck in itself seemed to proclaim the glue a twice-folded card to the non-lid side
was Exercises in Style. It blew me away character at once cowardly and quarrel- of the box, so the lid covers up the opening
because it struck more than one chord with some of the individual...” after I take the deck out. The action of
me. The play was performed by one man Precision: “In a bus of the S-line, taking the deck out of the box is enough
and very few props. But I had seen that ten meters long, three wide, six high, at to make people believe the box is empty
approach before. The special part was that three kilometers and six hundred meters otherwise. And putting the deck back in
he told one short story about thirty-five from its starting point, loaded with forty- after performing this routine reinforces
times in different ways. I mean, how Zen eight people, at 12:17 p.m., a person of the that belief. Putting the cards back in may
can you get?! masculine sex aged twenty-seven years, take just a little bit of practice, but it’s easy
After the play, I talked to the actor three months, and eight days, one meter, to do. You can perform this as a stand-
and learned that the play was based on seventy-two centimeters tall and weighing alone effect or as the finale of any other
Exercises in Style (1947) by Raymond sixty-five kilograms...” card trick.
Queneau. It’s a collection of ninety-nine The Subjective Side: “I was not dis- Let someone select a card and have
retellings of the same story, each in a pleased with my attire that day. I was inau- it signed. Take off half of the deck as
different style. It’s still available on Kindle, gurating a new, rather sprightly hat, and an if you’re going to shuffle the cards and
as well as a paperback. overcoat of which I thought most highly. stretch out your left hand (Figure 1). Ask
Seeing this play and reading the book Met X in front of the Gare Saint-Lazare...” the spectator to put her selection on top of
helped me a lot, both professionally as well Official Letter: “I beg to advise you the half in your left hand. You’re going to
as personally. I find it extremely useful to of the following facts of which I happened control the card to the top while shuffling
be able to express myself in more than one to be the equally impartial and horrified the cards by means of the lift shuffle.
style. It helps me to perform for a wide witness. Today, at roughly twelve noon, I Figure 2 shows you how you put the half in
variety of audiences and engage them. was present on the platform of a bus which your right hand on top of the half in your
More so, it’s a very productive way to work was proceeding up the rue de Courcelles left hand. You start to overhand shuffle
on original approaches to an effect. in the direction of the Place Champerret...
I will first talk about Queneau’s work. Exclamations: Goodness! Twelve
Then I will describe my always-ready-to- o’clock! Time for the bus! What a lot of
go card to box routine and challenge you to people! What a lot of people! Aren’t we
experiment with different styles, premises, squashed! Bloody funny! That chap!”
and scripts. Philosophic: “Great cities alone can
provide phenomenological spirituality
RAYMOND QUENEAU’S with the essentialities of temporal and im-
probabilistic coincidences. The philoso-
STORY pher who occasionally ascends into the
The story Queneau tells is simple: The futile and utilitarian inexistentiality of an Figure 1
narrator gets on the “S” bus, witnesses an S bus...”
altercation between a man with a long neck Sonnet: Glabrous was his dial and

52 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

 For example, if you performed the card-
to-box effect at a Renaissance fair, you
might use the ancient, worn, and cracked
Bicycle 1800 Vintage series cards. You can
create a story about a damsel in distress.
When I think of Jim Carrey in The Mask,
I can create a script about that tiny little
Figure 2 object I’m obsessed with and can’t find. I
Figure 5 can see myself performing the effect on
stage using all of the stage. I would put the
box at one side of the stage, and then go
to the other side of the stage, moving the
non-lid side down. This hides the folded way the Mask moves. Then I would have a
selection. Open the lid (Figure 6). The card selected, Mercury fold it, and tiptoe,
audience sees a folded card. Reach in with in a big, Mask-like manner, to the box on
your right first finger. Your second finger the other side of the stage. I would need to
goes under the box (Figure 7). You pull out create a holdout to hide the folded card, so
the palmed, folded selection and show it. I could make big gestures with open hands
Figure 3 When your fingers pull out, the lid will fall while picking up the box. I would then
back and cover the card that’s glued in the show the card in the box, steal the selection
box. Put the deck back in the box while the from the holdout, and reveal the card.
audience checks the signed card. Obviously, there’s no limit to the styles
like you would normally do, but you steal in which you can perform the card-to-box
away the top five to ten cards of the half in plot. Let me leave you with some short
your left hand (Figure 3). When you first lists to get you started. See what comes
practice this, you may steal fifteen or more up if you imagine performing the card to
cards. That number will slowly decrease box in that style. My only advice at this
after practicing, until you get it down to point is: push it to an extreme level, just
just a few. Keep shuffling the cards until like Queneau did. Don’t hold back, or
you reach the break. Then put the block of you will miss the gems. Then apply those
stolen cards on top. The selection is now on styles, and more, to your own routines and
top. You can repeat this if you want. But I Figure 6 see what happens to your scripts, methods,
usually let someone in the audience shuffle props, and delivery. Maybe you’ll end
the deck as well by saying, “Ah, you don’t up with two or three different styles and
trust me? Please go ahead…!” I do a one- scripts for your favorite effects.
handed top palm with my right hand and What would the script and delivery
give the deck to a spectator. When I take style be if you would perform it: on the
the deck back I add the palmed selection street, for the Queen of England, in a bar
on top. early in the morning, for a group of dentists
What you say next depends on your at a convention, for a ladies night out, for
script, but it will allow you to do a Mercury spoiled kids, on a boat during a Gay Pride
fold. You hold the deck as in Figure 4. Parade in Amsterdam, in a home for the
Figure 5 shows you the exposed view with Figure 7 elderly, in the locker room of the Green
the left hand in the process of folding the Bay Packers before the conference cham-
card once. The card hits your right thumb pionship game, at a wedding party for a
and you immediately fold the card a second sobbing couple…
time. Hide the card under the deck. The STYLES OF PERFORMING What would the script and delivery
whole procedure takes half a second. But style be if you would perform it: like Al
don’t rush it or your movements will be My directors often required of me to Pacino in Scarface, Keanu Reeves in The
noticed. Put the deck away while keeping deliver lines in wildly different styles. Matrix, Julie Andrews in The Sound of
the selection palmed in your left hand. I may have to deliver a script in Italian Music (for the children), Sandra Bullock
Take the box and put it on your hand; the style, which means doing it extremely fast. in Speed, Neil Patrick Harris in How I met
They would ask me to deliver it like I was your Mother, David Duchovny in The X
trying to seduce a girl or like I was in a Files, Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the
courtroom, in a schoolyard, or in a library Lambs, Zoe Saldana in Avatar…
(shh!). In the course of doing this, we would What would the script and delivery
always discover gems that added texture to style be if you would perform it: like a
Figure 4 the final delivery. So experimenting with a poet, a carpenter, a lawyer, a preacher,
wide variety of styles while you’re rehears- a hobo, a football player, a taxi driver, a
ing helps you to come up with fresh new conductor, your neighbor, your grandfa-
ideas for all aspects of your routine: script, ther, a whiz kid, a heckler, an accountant...
style of delivery, method, choice of props, Have fun! 
the way you dress, and so on.

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 53

EBOOK NOOK
Excerpt From:
Bob Wagner's Master
Notebook of Magic
Written By:
Figure 3
R.D. Wagner
Description:
Ebook, 194 pages
Available From:
www.llepub.com Figure 1

Bob Wagner’s Master Notebook of Needed: Two single metal rings, six
Magic is an idiosyncratic book; it flew inches in diameter, from a small set of
under the radar of many magicians. Some linking rings; two linked rings from the
may have been put off by the way the same set; a piece of rope about four and
material was presented: the text is hand- a half feet in length; a box constructed Figure 4
written, and while it is perfectly legible, of one-eighth-inch plywood. It is divided
it’s not what you expect to see in a magic into two sections by a shelf (shaded in
book. (Unfortunately, for space reasons Figure 1). The lid has a cloth hinge on the
it just wasn’t practical to reproduce this front edge and the box is lined with felt to
handwritten text in the following excerpt.) deaden sound. The box is used to switch
The magic, however, is uniformly sets of rings on top of the table. Slide the
excellent, with material for close-up and two single rings below the shelf, put the
stand-up. When I purchased my copy linked set above the shelf, and close the lid.
many years ago, one of the first things I The sleights (in order of appearance):
made note of was the excellent method for Because of the host of moves required, the
making up a card index. Construct a pair sleights are explained separately first. The
of these with non-tear Tyvek paper and routine follows.
you’ll have something you’ll use for the 1. The Penetrating Ring (Wagner):
rest of your life. Take the piece of rope and hold it in the Figure 5
The excerpt for this month’s Ebook left hand as in Figure 2 with the loop under
Nook consists of a long stand-up routine thumb (shown by dotted lines). Take ring
made up of two hunks: a well-constructed in the right hand and slide it under loop and
ring and rope routine (using two rings) the thumb in left hand (Figure 3). As you
and a humorous sequence of knot-tying do this, pull the loop back (Figure 4) with
effects. They can be used individually, the thumb and fingers of the left hand. This
but they make a nice combination when can be done in one motion of placing the
used together. Learn this, construct a pre- ring in the left hand. (Left hand is omitted
sentation that makes sense for you, and in Figure 4.) With the index finger of the
you’ll have a major hunk for your stand-up right hand, poke the rope down into crotch
routine. My thanks to L&L Publishing for of left thumb at the point indicated by the
allowing this excerpt to appear in M-U-M. arrow (Figure 5).
– Michael Close The right hand now grasps end of rope
at B and deliberately places it through
RINGS OF THE ring. Continue pulling end B slowly as the Figure 6
last two fingers of left hand switch their
NIBELUNGS position to beneath the rope instead of
BY BOB WAGNER
Effect: A complete routine in which a
length of rope and two solid steel rings are
handed for examination. The rings mys-
teriously penetrate on and off the piece
of rope. Then the performer gives his im-
pression of different types of people tying
knots in a piece of rope. Still the rings Figure 2 Figure 7
pass on and off the rope at will, and finally
become linked. The rings and rope are
again passed for examination.

54 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

above the rope. (See Figure 6 and compare center of the rope
it with Figure 5.) Continue pulling end B 3. Bob Wagner’s Reverse Liko Pang
slowly until the small loop pulls through Move: Release the rope with your left hand
ring, apparently penetrating it (Figure 7). and set your hand in the same fashion as
As soon as this happens, again clamp it was for the Liko move. Raise the rings
the last two fingers of left hand on top of with the right hand so that the hanging
the rope as they were in Figure 5. Now turn rope drapes over left hand index finger
the left hand around so the spectators see and thumb (Figure 13). Lower the two
your view; grasp end B in the right hand rings with your right hand, but let your
and place it through the ring from the front left thumb ride up between the two rings
(Figure 8) and let it hang. Now slowly Figure 10 (Figure 14). Continue pulling the rings
return the left hand to its original position. straight down. When the two ends of the
Very, very slowly pull end B with right rope approach your left hand, grip the ends
hand. The ring will once again penetrate of the rope and with your right hand yank
the rope; this time for real (Figure 9). a couple of times on the rings. They will
2. Liko Pang Rings On Rope: Drape appear to both be on the rope, when in
reality one of them is free.

Figure 13
Figure 8

Figure 11

(Figure 10). But now you show how this

can be done. Be sure the end of the rope
closest to your body is slightly higher than
the other end. Raise the rings above your
Figure 9 left hand as before, but before you lower
them, remove your left thumb from under
the loop. Just pull it back as you lower the
rings in the same manner as before.
As the rings cross your left palm,
replace your thumb under the loop of rope
as it was before (Figure 12). Continue
pulling the rings slowly downward until
the ends of the rope are pulled close to the
left hand. At this point, grab the ends of
rope with your left hand; with your right Figure 14
hand yank a couple of times on the rings to
show they have linked themselves onto the Raise your right hand and lower your
the center of the rope over your left hand left. Then let go of the rope with your left
with the ends hanging down (Figure hand and grasp the two rings. The right
10). Explain that it would be impossible hand releases its hold and grasps only the
to place the two rings on the rope at the ring that is closest to your body. Pull the
center. With this, take the rings together in ring straight down along the rear of the
the right hand and hold them above your rope and, when it is about halfway down,
left hand. Lower the rings between your pull the ring to the right. It appears to come
left index finger and thumb and continue off the rope.
pulling them straight down. 4. Steinhauer’s Two On, Then One
This will automatically pull down a Off Move: Let the free ring slip over the
loop of the rope (Figure 11). Continue right arm and rest there. The right hand
pulling until the ends of the rope are pulled grasps the end of rope closest to your body
close to the left hand. At this point, stop, Figure 12 and lifts it up. The left hand raises the ring
remove the rings, and replace the rope along the rope to the position shown in
in its original position over the left hand Figure 15. Lower the right hand outside the

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 55

EBOOK NOOK
With both hands, tie the two ends of The left thumb is inserted in loop
the rope in a square knot, leaving about between the ring and little fingers of right
two inches of each end protruding from hand and pulls the rope down and to the
Figure 15 the knot. Pull the looped rope around until left. This action pulls end A out of the
the knot is at the side of the loop. With rings and into the left hand (Figure 18).
your left hand, take hold of the ring that Thread end A through the rings from the
is over your arm and pull it down to your back towards the audience (Figure 19) and
wrist, whereupon you take hold of both tie the two ends of the rope together. The
rings together and pull them off your right rings are apparently linked on the rope
wrist. The right hand continues to hold on loop (Figure 20). Reach down with your
to the rope. Display the two rings linked
on the rope, then let go of the rings and
twirl the rope around in a circle in front of
your body.
As the rings swing around in a
complete circle, grab them with your left
hand. Hold the rings parallel to the floor
and drop the loop of rope through from the Figure 19
Figure 16 top. This action will free one of the rings.
Take the rings in the right hand perpen-
dicular to the floor and with the left hand
grab the bottom of the loop of rope and lift
it up taut above the rings. With the right
hand let go of the linked ring and pull the
unlinked one free.
5. Knot Tying Demonstration: Slide
the ring into the bottom section of the box
on the table. Untie the knot in the rope,
remove the other ring, and hang it on Figure 20
your left arm at the elbow. At this point
the performer will give his impression of
different people tying knots in a piece of
rope. Then the ring routine will continue
and conclude. (The knot tying interlude,
Figure 17 which can be used as a routine by itself,
is explained in great detail following the
presentation of the ring routine.)
At the end of the knot tying interlude
you will be left with a fake knot at the
center of the rope. The right hand removes
the ring from the left arm and deposits
it in the lower section of the box on the left hand and twist together several times
table. At the same time, pick up the two the two strands of rope that are hanging
linked rings from the shelf of the box. The down. Then with the left hand reach up
audience will think you simply picked up and grasp both rings above your right
the other ring and will not be aware that wrist. Holding on to the rope with your
the rings are linked. Thread the rings on thumb and index finger of the right hand,
the rope. Hold the rope horizontal with the let go with your little finger and with your
rings at the right end. Pull on the ends of left hand pull the two rings forward over
the rope as you let the rings slide across your right hand and off your arm. When
Figure 18 the rope toward the left, and the knot will the rings are off of your arm, stop your
disappear as the rings slide over it. left hand and raise your right hand straight
6. Ring and Rope Release: Let the up above the left until the rope becomes
two rings slide down the rope into the left taut. Don’t pull hard. Let go of the rings
ring and clip the rope below the ring hand, which releases its end of the rope with your left hand. If the rope was twisted
between the ring and little fingers (Figure and lifts the two rings up to the position properly, you can let the rings hang gently
16). The left hand folds the ring back over in Figure 15. (The only difference is that from the loop as if they are knotted on.
the right wrist (Figure 17). The left thumb you are holding two rings instead of one.) Re-grasp the rings with the left hand
is inserted in the loop between the ring Lower the right hand outside the ring and and pull them both downward. If you
and little fingers of right hand and pulls clip the rope below the ring between the jiggle the rope slightly, the rings will pull
the rope down and to the left. This action fourth and little fingers (Figure 16). The free of the loop. Let the rings slide over the
pulls end A out of the ring and into the left left hand folds the two rings back over the left arm and hold the loop of rope in your
hand (Figure 18). right wrist (Figure 17). left hand with the knot at the bottom.

56 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

 7. Instantaneous Rings Knotted on rings) and your imagination, just like all clockwise direction perpendicular to the
Rope (Wagner): Hold the knotted rope your troubles, the knot vanishes.” floor. When you are ready to tie the knot,
loop in your left hand with the knot at the Move 6: “And the power is great. lift end A with your left hand; with your
bottom and the two rings hanging on your Watch! Just twist the rope and make a right hand swing end B up under the length
left wrist. Your right hand reaches through wish.” Pull the two rings off of the loop AC, on the performer’s side. Grab end B
the rope loop with the palm upward and of rope. between the index and middle fingers of
grabs the two rings. With the palm still up, Move 7: “But not many people know your right hand. Let go with your left hand
pull your right hand and the two rings back that a knot once tied has within itself a and display the knot.
through the loop of rope. Pull downward strange and wonderful power that can
to the right at an angle of about forty-five bind two rings such as these.” Pull the two
degrees with the floor. If you pull with a rings through the loop with a jerk, linking
quick jerk, as the rings come off of your them on the knot.
left hand, the rings will be trapped in a tag “But alas, when you untie the knot the
tie at the knot on the bottom of the rope dream fades.” Untie the knot and drape the
loop. rope over the left arm. “But even in reality,
It will appear as if they were instanta- dreams come true.” Spin the rings on your
neously knotted to the rope. right index finger. Grab one ring and let
Presentation: “I would like to have the other drop, showing it to be linked to
you examine this length of rope and these the first. “I hope yours do, too.”
two rings. Make sure that they are quite
ordinary in every way.” Hand out the rope KNOT TYING
and the two rings to three different specta-
tors in the audience. Take back the rope. DEMONSTRATION
Move 1: “I am going to demonstrate [Note: All page numbers given here 3. Elevator Operator: Hold the rope
to you the power of the imagination and are references to Abbott’s Encyclopedia with the thumb and index finger of your
the magic of dreams. Please toss me one of Rope Tricks (ERT). Seven knots are left hand at A and the thumb and index
ring. All I want you to do is to use your described therein. Variations of those finger of your right hand at end B (Figure
imagination to make believe you see the knots are described below.] 5). Cross end A behind end B and put the
rope penetrating right through the ring; it last three fingers of each hand inside the
looks like it does. Again, just imagine you Preliminary Knot: The Lightning Knot loop from the back (Figure 6). Stretch
see the ring pass right through the rope, on page 20 of ERT. your hands apart (Figure 7). With your
and in your mind it actually does!” 1. Cowboy: Hold end A, hanging down, left hand, lift loop C up behind end A and
Moves 2 and 3: “May I have the other in the left hand. The right hand throws a pinch end A between the middle and ring
ring please? Most people believe that in circular loop parallel to the floor, below fingers (Figure 8).
order to place the two rings on the rope, end A (Figure 1), and lifts up, raising the Lift your right hand, keeping the rope
I would have to place them over an end. It loop around end A (Figure 2). The left hand stretched, so that the rope is in a vertical
would be impossible to place them on the holds still and drops end A, thus forming position with the right hand above the left.
rope at the center. But in dreams anything the knot (Figure 3). The right hand retains Turn your left side toward the audience.
can happen.” The two rings penetrate onto its hold on end B. Raise your right hand even higher as you
the rope. “They can even be placed on at 2. Swinger: This is a variation of the release your left middle and ring fingers.
the center and removed at will.” One ring One-Handed Knot (ERT, page 19). Hold Hold the left hand still and keep raising
comes off the rope. the rope as in Figure 4. Twirl end B like your right hand. A loop (the elevator) will
Move 4: “Watch as I place both rings an airplane propeller, but slowly, in a climb up the rope. When it gets near the
on my arm and tie a knot in the rope, top, drop the loop off the last two fingers
forming a closed loop. Only in the imagi- of your right hand.
nation can this happen!” The two rings Now repeat the entire operation again,
penetrate onto the loop of rope; you then except when you raise your right hand for
twirl the rope. “Make a wish...” Drop the the elevator to rise, instead of releasing
rope through the rings. “...and it always your left middle and ring fingers, keep
comes true.” Remove the ring from the pinching the rope between those two
rope and slide it into the bottom section of fingers and, instead, release end A with
the box on the table. your left thumb and index fingers. This
Move 5: “There is another way to time a knot will climb up the rope.
remove the ring from the ropes, and that is 4. William Tell: Hold end A in your left
to untie the knot.” Untie the knot, remove hand; hold end B in your right hand. Bring
the other ring, and slide it over the left end B around behind end A (Figure 9).
arm to your elbow. “Speaking of knots...” Open your left index finger and put end B in
Here the performer gives his impression of the crotch of the index and middle fingers.
different types of people tying knots in a Now pull end B down and under your left
piece of rope. The instructions and patter thumb (Figure 10). Continue pulling end
are below. After the knot segment, the ring B towards you, like pulling back an arrow
routine continues. in a bow, as the loop gets smaller (Figure
“With the aid of these two rings (switch 11). Before the loop, or target, gets too

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 57

EBOOK NOOK
5. Royal Mounted Police Chief: This knot is similar to the
Cowboy Knot, except you keep end A short and instead of
throwing the circular loop parallel to the floor, you throw it per-
pendicular to the floor and thrust your left fist through the loop
toward the audience. A handcuff-like knot will form on your left
wrist. Let go with your right hand and grab end A with your thumb
and index finger. While holding end A with your right fingers,
reach down and with the same hand lift the knot off the left wrist.
When the left hand is pulled free, the right hand drops the knot
while still holding on to end A to display the knot on the rope.
6. Wishful Thinker: Hold the rope with end A in your left hand
and end B in your right hand. Lay end B across end A and, with
your left thumb and forefinger, pinch the two ends where they
cross at C (Figure 12). Let go with your right hand, reach down,
and grasp the loop at D with your fingers underneath and your
right thumb through the loop in the direction of the arrow.
Lift loop D and drop it over end A (Figures 13 and 14). The
right hand grasps end A while the left hand holds end B. Drop the
middle of the rope; no knot appears. Repeat the same movements
a second time; still no knot appears.
The third time, you apparently follow the same movements, but
this time you follow Figures 15, 16, and 17. Notice that your right
thumb goes through the loop the opposite way. This time, at the
end, when you drop the middle of the rope, a knot will appear.
7. Mr. Forgetful: Chefalo’s Vanishing Knot is explained on
page 30 of Abbott’s Encyclopedia. Figures 18, 19, and 20 show a
variation. In the patter that follows, the knot is referred to as “four
knots.” The first knot is tied as in Figure 18. The second knot is
tied as in Figure 19. The right hand holds ends A and B while the
left hand grasps the bottom loop and turns the whole rope in a
clockwise direction 180 degrees. The rope is upside-down as in
Figure 20. The right hand lets go of the ends, and then takes end
B and threads it through knot C and knot D, as you call these the
third and fourth knots. Continue holding end B in your right hand
and let go with your left. Jiggle the rope up and down and the
knots will slowly unravel and disappear.
8. Mr. Exaggerator: Three knots are tied as in Any Number of
Knots (ERT, page 23). The knots are untied as described in Gone
Again (ERT, page 35).
9. Freeway Knot Tier: This is G.W. Hunter’s Puzzle Knot (ERT,
page 17). The knot is apparently tied without letting go of the ends
of the rope.
10. Mr. Efficiency: This knot is tied in the rope with one hand.
Hold the rope in your right hand as in Figure 21. The palm is
toward the left. Now lift your right hand and bring it smartly
down, turning your palm down, as you follow the motion shown
in the insert of Figure 22. When your hand reaches the position
shown, abruptly stop it. Your index finger can strike the rope but
it is not essential. A large loop will form above your hand and the
bottom end of the rope will kick up through the loop, forming a
knot.
11. Mr. Perfection: This is the Tenkai Rope through Neck (ERT,
small, stop and apply pressure with your left thumb against your page 58).
middle fingers, pinching the rope and preventing it from sliding 12. Mr. Accidental: This knot is The Magic Shoelaces (ERT,
any more. With your right hand, pull on end B, stretching the page 31).
rope in the direction of the arrow in Figure 11. Suddenly, let end Patter: “Did you ever notice that everyone has his own special
B slip out of your right fingers. End B will shoot through the loop. way of doing things? No two people do things alike...even little
As it does, the left hand opens its middle, ring, and little fingers things like tying an ordinary knot. With your imagination and
and holds the rope only with the thumb and index finger. A knot my ability to tie a simple overhand knot, I would like to give you
should be hanging at the middle of the rope. impression of different types of knot tiers.” Tie the preliminary

58 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

Lightning Knot.
“First we have the cowboy from Texas tying a knot with
his lariat. (Tie knot 1.) This is my impression of a swinger
having a swinging good time – tying a knot in a piece of
rope. (Tie knot 2.) Here’s an elevator operator – going up.
Second floor, ladies ready-to-wear, jewelry, ears pierced
while you wait. (Begin knot 3. The loop ascends the rope,
but no knot forms.) Here’s the same elevator operator tying
a knot in a piece of rope – going up! (The loop ascends the
rope and the knot appears.)
“Next, William Tell shooting an apple off of his son’s
head while tying a knot in a rope. (Tie knot 4). The Royal
Canadian Mounted Police always get their man – and a
knot in the rope at the same time. (Tie knot 5.) Here’s a
wishful thinker tying a knot in a piece of rope. (Begin knot
6. The first time, no knot appears.) A wishful thinker tying a
knot in a... (Again, no knot appears.) Oh, I forgot. A wishful
thinker simply makes a wish. I wish I had a knot!” (The
third time, the knot appears.)
“Mr. Forgetful ties a knot in a piece of rope and then so
that he won’t forget that he tied the knot, he ties a second
knot. Just so that he doesn’t forget about the second knot,
he ties a third and a fourth knot. (Tie knot 7). But even
after tying four knots in the rope, sometimes he forgets
that he tied them, the rope forgets it’s tied in a knot, and
the knot forgets that it is a knot. That’s what’s known as a
forget-me-knot!” (The knot disintegrates.)
“Next we have Mr. Exaggerator. He can’t tie a single
knot in a piece of rope without exaggerating and telling
everyone he tied three knots at the same time. (Tie knot 8).
The freeway knot tier can only tie a knot while he’s driving
on the freeway. Perhaps some you passed him on the way
here this evening. He gets on the on-ramp, goes over the
overpass, under the underpass, and off the off-ramp with
letting go of the steering wheel.” (Tie knot 9, going in and
out of the openings in the rope in accordance with the
patter.)
“Mr. Efficiency doesn’t need two hands to tie a knot in a
piece of rope. In fact, he can tie a knot with one hand tied
behind his back. (Put your left hand behind your back.)
Watch...Mr. Efficiency tying a knot with one hand.” (Tie
knot 10).
“In order for Mr. Perfection to tie a knot, he needs a
perfect set of instructions. (Make believe you are recalling
the instructions as you tie knot 11). Let’s see, A goes over
B; B goes around C; and C goes through D. At this point,
I either end the demonstration or I get a knot in the rope.”
(Pull the knot through your neck.)
“Finally, we have Mr. Accidental. He cannot tie a knot
in a piece of rope to save his life...except accidentally. He
ties his shoelaces in a bow, and during the day the ends
get tangled in the bow. At night, when he tries to untie
them, he gets a nasty knot – accidentally.” (Tie knot 12
and return to the ring routine.) 

(Drawings by Lawrence Steinhauer)

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 59

 INFORMED OPINION
LATEST PRODUCT REVIEWS
Compiled and Edited by W. S. Duncan
A Series of Unfortunate Effects DVD film with commentary by Train and Mayhew, and the obligatory
By Ben Train and Chris Mayhew outtakes. The Special Features disc has the layman-safe version
Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies of the film and a wonderful visit and interview with Judy and
Price $39.95 Tom Dawson. Judy and Tom are playing-card collectors and the
backbone of 52 + Jokers, the premier playing-card collectors
REVIEW BY MARC DESOUZA association. They have a real passion for the subject and share
examples from their collection, as well as information about the
When I first heard about this new history of playing cards. Finally, there is a beautifully designed
DVD, I was very excited to watch it. And and printed booklet that has biographies of the cast and crew,
happily it delivered on its promises. A credits for all of the effects taught, and written explanations for a
Series of Unfortunate Effects is a project couple of the tricks. I really enjoyed everything about this project
perpetrated by Ben Train and Chris and highly recommend it to you. I hope they are already planning
Mayhew, but they are aided and abetted Another Series of Unfortunate Effects.
by a host of their friends both in front
of, and in back of, the camera. If there is The Art of Presenting Magic to Teenagers
more to come from this team of collabo- Three-DVD Set
rators, put in your order now. By Danny Orleans
As a reviewer of products for this Available from: www.DannyOrleansMagic.com
magazine, I am often sent DVD products Price $129.00
to view and report on. I can tell you that
there have been a number of times that I have dreaded that process. REVIEW BY JIM KLEEFELD
Despite the fact that the effects might be well worth learning
and even when the on-screen talent is reasonably entertaining, This three-disc set follows up on
the explanations are generally rather dry, almost like reading a Orleans’s last effort, The Art of Present-
textbook. In fact, I have threatened, half jokingly, to establish a ing Magic to Children. It consists of
new rating system called the “Z scale,” with each Z representing a neat and attractive set of three discs
the number of evenings it took me to get through the disc, because filled with a wealth of material. There
I fell asleep. I am happy to report that this project got no Zs and are several videos and a great deal of
there is a good reason why. printed matter (well, PDFs, to be precise)
I had Train and Mayhew in to do a dual lecture at my house that show, clarify, and teach how to craft
last year. It was one of the best planned and delivered lectures I’ve a stand-up show for teens. First, you get
seen. They established characters, interplay, and structure. They to see Orleans present a live, forty-five-
performed and explained some very fine magic and along the way minute show to an audience of about
talked about a number of theoretical and performance issues. a hundred kids, roughly ages eleven
All of it was done in a playful and entertaining way. I expected to seventeen. Following this is a video
nothing less from this DVD project. with a thorough explanation of the tricks and routines. Next is a
This is a movie. Not one that is going to win an Academy lengthy video commentary on the show with Danny and profes-
Award, but head and shoulders above anything that you’ve seen sional educator and child psychology expert Michael Brandwine
in magic. The featured players include Train and Mayhew, along discussing what behaviors and techniques are being used to create
with some other talented Canadian magicians, including Chris the best possible show for this age group. Also included on the set
Westfall, Jeff Hinchliffe, and Glenn West, all of whom perform is a studio interview of Orleans by Mac King.
and teach some great card magic. West’s color-changing deck The show Orleans presents is excellent and should be viewed
is certainly a stand-out and one I have already started working carefully with an eye towards his approach to teens, and his
on, and Hinchliffe shows some superlative thinking in both of selection of material. He stresses the importance of selecting
his routines. Lee Asher (a Canadian by marriage) and Bill Abbott carefully. As John Carney has said, the difference between a pro-
(playing a really creepy character) make special appearances. It is fessional and an amateur is the number of choices he makes. You
a low budget film, but it doesn’t really look low budget, and there may not want to replicate his routines, but you can learn a lot
is a fun plot and everyone seems to be having a great time with it. about choosing the right tricks as well as presentation of those
It moves along at a fast pace and they have integrated the magic choices by watching how he scripts them and by listening to his
well. There is a second version of the movie included that leaves rationale. He begins with some silent body magic, odd tricks
out the explanations, so you can show it to your laymen friends. I and quirks of mime that the audience focuses on intently. Then
haven’t watched it yet, but I will likely share it with some Muggles he explains a little about what he will present, and moves into a
this summer. Spot Card/What’s Next routine. He uses some instructional patter
Within this beautifully packaged set you will find two discs. to move into Torn and Restored Napkins, and segues neatly into
The first disc includes the film, an alternate version of the full Paper Balls over the Head. He follows with a Pseudo-psychome-

60 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

try routine wherein he divines which of his four helpers put what pleased to find that much of the material here is solid information
object into which of four paper lunch bags. He closes with a fairly about presentation that can be applied to that age group as well.
standard Dove Bag production and Genii Tube silk transposi- There is a ton of material to absorb here, and I suggest you view it
tion. Between each segment, he is constantly giving elucidating in segments with some time in between to absorb the details and
patter about how magicians take advantage of natural psychology process your thinking. The Art of Presenting Magic to Teenagers
through misdirection. These patter segments help the students to is a significant work that could substantially increase your base of
feel like they are participating in an educational lecture rather practical information. If you do shows, get it, study it, and learn
than a kiddie magic show. from the lessons.
The videos are professionally shot with multiple cameras,
expertly edited, and have slick transitions. In addition to the Liar: The Ultimate Comedy Lie Detector Routine
videos, there is a folder full of written material. One of the files Trick
is his complete show script word for word, accompanied by an- By Robert Baxt
notations of his actions and behaviors. The script is so thorough it Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies
takes twenty-one pages to detail the forty-five-minute act. Six of Price: $49.95
the written files are complete instructions on how to make some
of the props and equipment he uses. Eight others are information REVIEW BY DAVID GOODSELL
files itemizing various performance techniques, alternate trick
suggestions, resources, and more. There are also five “bonus” As Robert Baxt explains on this instruc-
videos with additional tricks, routines, even a vintage Orleans act tional DVD, the idea of a lie detector
from 1992. whose alarm is controlled by the
The Art of Presenting Magic to Teens is aptly titled. Orleans performer or his off-stage assistant
is intelligent, thoughtful, and knowledgeable about the age group. has been around a long time. The
He does not just perform magic, he presents it. And he treats his performer asks a helper from the
performance like an art. Over and over he stresses the differences audience a number of questions; sup-
between presenting a show for teens and one for children. His posedly, if the answers are true, nothing
advice is solid, practical, and vital to a successful performance. happens. If the helper is lying, a bell
He certainly does not approach this with the do-it-get-paid-and- rings, a light flashes, a buzzer sounds,
get-out attitude that many performers have towards young adult or sometimes a combination happens. By
groups. Anyone who works shows for the eleven-to-seventeen- asking questions that are funny when the spectator
year-old crowd should watch and study this important set for the “lies,” laughs occur. That is, it should be obvious that it doesn’t
valuable advice it holds. matter if the helper is lying or not, the performer controls the
While I highly recommend this product as a whole, there were sound of the lie detector.
a couple of points where Danny and I would disagree. I would not Examples: Are you good at your job? Answer, “Yes.” Buzz. To
have closed this modern and educationally oriented show with a a little kid: “Are you married?” Answer: “No!” Buzz. Are you a
dated and old-fashioned dove production and magic shop prop. good boy/girl? Buzz. Or, for example, the performer says, “You
After an adult-like routine of torn and restored paper napkins and know, I’m one of the greatest magicians in the world.” Buzz. “In
a cerebral mental routine using found objects and ordinary lunch the country.” Buzz. “Alright! In this room!” Maybe Buzz, maybe
bags, he brings out a top hat, a zippered cloth bag with a red tassel, not. You get the idea. With the DVD you receive a special device
and a chromed Genii Tube filled with colored silks. It feels like a that lets you control the sounding of the alarm without being
step backwards from where he has been heading throughout the detected. On the included DVD Bob explains several ways this
show. Even the volunteer helping him looks awkward and uncom- can be used and shows you how to make a variety of props for the
fortable handling these traditional magic shop props. device. One that might appeal to you is the DETECTOR, which
My other point of contention is that while his show is quite is a hand-held device with a long sign on the end of it that says
successful at his venue (and I have no doubt that he comes across “DETECTOR,” made from a flashlight and some craft foam. It
very well whenever he works this crowd), his style and approach looks like it might be the real thing. If you are into steam punk,
simply will not work for everyone. His routines work partly Bob has a nifty device for that, as well. In any case, there are
because he is older and conservative in both dress and manner. enough options to please most everyone.
If you are younger, brash, active, have a cool or hip persona, or Bob kicks off the demonstrations with a nice video of Mike
dress wild and wacky, you may need a very different approach. Bliss working with a kid on a cruise ship show. His “Detector” is
I speak from experience, because I have been marketing to teen a hand-held lantern that buzzes and flashes when a “lie” is told.
groups for many years and have a very different type of show. My This is really quite funny, and shows what can be accomplished if
young adult shows, Tales From Beyond and Ohio Spirits, are dark you find a kid with the right personality. Bob also presents several
and mysterious with a ghostly, almost sinister air and I get lots of of his own video clips that show how it plays not only with young-
repeat bookings. sters, but also teenagers and adults.
Despite our different approaches, I did pick up several very Finally, if you open Bob’s DVD folder on your computer you
valuable tips from this set. Danny Orleans has assembled a terrific will find a twenty-four-page PDF with many of the same ideas
package of information that is well worth the price and your in- and gag lines. These will help you plan your own routine. Be fore-
vestment of time. Anyone who works shows will want to buy, warned, some of the lines are pretty risqué, but Bob has warned
view, review, and study this wonderful compilation of material on you of those, and so have I.
working with teenagers. If you do most of your shows for children, While none of the routines involved a magic trick per se, it
you will be surprised and pleased to find ways in which you can would be easy to adapt it to a chosen card, etc., and weave that
expand your market and get more shows by offering to work for into the conclusion of the routine. It is a little pricey at $49.95,
this older group. If you perform mostly for adults, you will be but what you are paying for is an item right from Robert Baxt’s

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 61

professional show. It is tested. It is successful. It is good comedy. most miraculous of effects.
If you put this into your own show, it is likely you will consider Over the years many devices have
the price a bargain. been introduced to replace the card box.
Chief among these is the Himber wallet.
Manoj Bottle DVD and Prop But again, this required introducing an
By Manoj K aushal ancillary prop into the routine, which
Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies drew unwanted attention and potentially
Price $24.95 diminished the effect. After all, if one
needed to isolate a card for some reason,
REVIEW BY MARC DESOUZA why not just place it face down on the
table instead of sealing it away in a wallet
There have been a number of coin or cap in or envelope?
bottle effects that have been released in These problems have now been solved; Antonio Romero has
the last five or six years. Most of them managed to replace the card box with, well, a card box. That
look fairly similar and have similar is to say, he’s replaced the old metal or wood card box with a
methods. There are usually trade- gimmicked box that appears for all intents and purposes to be a
offs in “conditions” for each of standard Bicycle card box. You can even keep your cards in it.
them. Here is a different approach It has a magnetic flap that allows you to freely handle the
to the plot. A borrowed coin, ring, “empty” box without fear of the hidden object making an untimely
pen, or similar sized object can be appearance. This flap is dislodged ala the Chop Cup by dropping
made to instantly penetrate into a plastic the box onto the table. A couple of inches is all it needs; done
water bottle held in full view. Here are casually it should not raise the slightest bit of suspicion. Once the
some points to note. The actual object is in flap falls it is magnetically locked in place. So you can have a
the bottle, even an object larger than the mouth of card selected, placed into the card box, then, after the appropri-
the bottle. The object can be signed. The bottle can be examined ate amount of time misdirection, the card can freely be dumped
before and after (okay, a cursory look before the penetration). You out on the table. No one will be any the wiser that it has just been
can have water in the bottle and pour it out before the effect. switched for the other card. Because it locks magnetically and still
After looking at the package, before viewing the DVD, I was allows the magician to move the flap from one side to the other at
ready to hate this. The “props” supplied are minimal: ordinary your whim, you can pretty much do any routine with the Romero
things that you can easily get at an office supply store or hardware Box that you could do with a traditional card box.
store. They could have just released this as a DVD or a download. And because it is magnetic, it can also be used to pick up small
Once I started watching the DVD, I quickly changed my mind. shimmed objects from the table or even the spectator’s hand,
These are startling visual effects. Objects just seem to pass making it a very versatile prop indeed. The box won’t stand up
through the bottle. You need to cut it open to get the object out in to anything more than visual perusal, so it can’t be handed out
many cases. If not, you could use the bottle several times before for examination. But it’s a common everyday object; if properly
you need to prepare another. When you have to prepare a bottle, handled it shouldn’t raise the slightest bit of suspicion.
depending on which handling you choose to use, it can be done It resets in an instant; in most cases the reset even be done
in thirty seconds or less. There are no moves to learn, just a little right in front of the audience. My only complaint is that it’s made
knack that is easily acquired. You can get up to speed in less than of cardboard, so it will wear the same as a standard card box.
one hour (heck, maybe even less than ten minutes) to make this Because it is slightly thicker than a standard deck of cards it will
effect look good. not fit in a card clip. So you’ll just have to be extra careful with
Kaushal has done a marvelous job in teaching all of the it. Otherwise, if you’ve been looking for a substitute for the tradi-
handlings. From setup to performance, everything is crystal clear tional card box, the Romero Box will fit the bill nicely.
and easily understood. This is not something you would likely use
in your regular show repertoire, but what a great “impromptu” MC Sandwich Trick
effect for your friends and coworkers, especially with summer By Mickael Chatelain
upon us. I really like this product and think you will too. Highly Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies
recommended. Price $35.00

Romero Box Utility Item REVIEW BY W.S. DUNCAN

By Antonio Romero
Available from: www.RomeroMagic.com Advertisements for magic tricks
Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies with playing cards like to proclaim
Price $60.00   that the method doesn’t use rough-
and-smooth prepared cards. That
REVIEW BY PAYNE proclamation has become so
common that it’s something of a joke
The card box is a utility prop that is probably as old as card among smart workers. Recently, a
magic itself. As old and distinguished as its lineage is, it is a prop disclaimer has also begun to appear
that is rarely seen or used these days. Perhaps it is viewed as an saying the mechanism doesn’t use
outdated and antiquated device that, due to its anomalous nature, double-stick tape. MC Sandwich
immediately draws undo attention. This is sad, because it is a doesn’t use double-stick tape, or
marvelous device that, when used properly, can accomplish the rough-and-smooth. Sadly, it would be considerably improved if

62 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

it did. prop and watch this DVD to discover how to give it a better (or
MC Sandwich uses another old-as-the-hills mechanism, different) presentation. If you think you have seen all the tips and
updated with modern parts (which to be fair are amazingly light know all the secrets to floating a bill, you are wrong. There are
and thin), to hide/vanish a playing card. This allows you to perform both methods and effects here that are new, novel, and among the
Bill Goldman’s Monkey in the Middle sandwich effect using a most puzzling I’ve ever seen. Can you toss a playing card or credit
“different method.” Note that I did not write “a better method,” card towards your spectators, have it spin towards them, stop in
or a “less expensive method.” Those who know Goldman’s effect mid-air, and continue spinning while you pass a hoop around it?
(Darwin Ortiz uses it to end his Ambitious Card) will appreciate Goni demonstrates this.
that this is a very strong effect. If you’re not sure, a quick search On the video, Goni teaches his set-up for floating a bill and the
of the Internet will provide video clips to see MC Sandwich. It’s handling for many variations. I guarantee that a couple of them
visually impressive. will raise your eyebrows and make you go “hmmm.” Imagine
The problem is that the new technology used here is in no visibly floating a wad of tissue paper in the air, and slowly bringing
meaningful way better. The special “something” that makes the a lighter towards it. Now imagine that the paper explodes in a ball
trick work protrudes from the surface of the cards, and can be of fire and immediately transforms into a crumpled bill that is still
felt as you run your fingers across their faces, so you probably floating in mid-air. This effect looks great.
wouldn’t put the cards into someone’s hands unless you feel like Besides the basic instructions, there are plenty of tips and sug-
you are really in control. And unlike rough-and-smooth, there is gestions. Goni discusses audience management, backlighting,
a tiny (about a playing card’s thickness) space between the cards clothing considerations, working outdoors, hook-ups, anchors,
that would not be there with rough-and-smooth. Additionally, and more. You are bound to discover some great suggestions you
while ambient room noise will almost certainly cover it (because can use in your performance, even if you do not switch over to the
laymen probably won’t associate the sound with playing cards), floating gimmick included in this package. Oh, and about that.
you can hear an audible click as the mechanism works (even over It is a little larger and longer than many others of this ilk. You
the sound of the TV across the room and the other person who is can still secure it to your clothes, but you may have to wear a
also typing as you write your review). jacket to cover the bulk. Some of Goni’s methods involve having
The gaff is fun to play around with, but after doing so, I can the gimmick secured someplace other than on your person, which
think of no effect that can be done with these cards that can’t be brings me to the potential snag. The most puzzling and magical
done with double-stick tape or rough-and-smooth cards. The only effects here require secret preparation. That is, you have to pre-set
advantage of this gaff, that I can see, is that when you handle the the gimmick in a room without your spectators seeing you do so.
cards people who know about rough-and-smooth and double-stick In addition, many of those same methods and set-ups have serious
tape won’t see the tells associated with those methods. Since real audience movement limitations.
audiences don’t see those things anyway, I can’t imagine why I The spinning and floating credit card looks fantastic on film,
would choose this method over those. but will work only if you, the spectators, and the set gimmick
I do a sleight-of-hand version of this effect (a variant of David are all in specific locations. The illusion of floating (and possibly
Regal’s Primate). It’s not a difficult trick to do without gaffs. your gimmick) could be destroyed if one of your spectators moves
Adding the gaff used by Mr. Goldman makes the trick impossibly around. Goni sets this up and explains it well in his living room
clean and eliminates even the minor technical demands imposed with no one around but the camera operator. Can you demand
by Primate. I can’t recommend taking this trick backwards in conditions like that for your performances? Like many of the new
method, especially when it costs $35. wave of magic effects from the past couple of years, this effect
looks stunning from the particular camera shot. Getting it set up
and working for live people may be a whole different ball game.
Defiance DVD and Props The clear, clean video instructions are well-shot and profession-
By Mariano Goni ally edited, but in this case the fine camera work only serves to
Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies stress the fact that you are watching, well, camera work. That
Price $40 is, the trick looks great from one specific angle and distance.
There may be times, places, and settings where you can make
REVIEW BY JIM KLEEFELD your floating look as good as it does on this disc. But real-world
workers will find the physical requirements very limiting. Bottom
Mariano Goni is a clever and deep line: If you are into ITR work or want to seriously study close-up
thinker. He has released several floating techniques, this is well worth your consideration. If you
notable products that demonstrate are looking for a true miracle you can take anywhere, this isn’t it.
creativity and effort. Defiance
should add to his reputation and Cakes and Adders Trick
might enhance your ability to float or By Ricky McLead and Gary Dunn
levitate any number of small objects. Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies
You will have to work a bit for it, though. Price $33.50 poker size/$41.70 jumbo cards
Basically, you are getting a familiar but
improved gimmick and some seriously REVIEW BY DAVID GOODSELL
helpful lessons in its application. This version of the
miniature floating gimmick is adjustable, repairable, and refill- This clever and effective children’s routine had its origination
able. It has variable tension, can be used to float heavier objects in a Fred Kaps card trick. Mr. Dunn witnessed the great Mr. Kaps
further distances and is mountable on objects, walls, tables, perform it at a lecture and saw the potential for the routine that he,
clothing, and more. If you have a favorite floating effect that uses and his pal “Tricky” Ricky, have been performing for some time.
a bill, a cigarette, or a playing card, you will want to examine this The full routine, with necessary gimmicked cards, is released

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 63

 through World Magic Shop. It is ideal for Paul Harris. What could go wrong? Mr. Fiedler’s classic concept
a child’s birthday party show. has been artistically re-rendered by the talented Mr. Wong and
The performer says that for his fifth produced by the ever prolific Mr. Harris. At long last the props
birthday he had a big cake with five make sense.
candles on it, and he shows the faces of The large die has been replaced by a parcel – a plain white
five colorful (poker-size) cards, each box covered with labels and postage. This is opened to find a nice
with a colorful birthday candle on it – red-and-yellow, striped gift box inside. The gift box is opened to
except the last one. It has a picture of a reveal a deck of cards, a length of rope, or whatever bit of magic
snake. With suitable fun, the snake card is you wish to introduce next. In the classic Gozinta fashion, after
disposed of and the performer recalls his the trick is over, the prop is put into the parcel box, which is then
fourth birthday, when he had a cake with placed into the gift box, which is then put back into your case.
four candles. But one is that pesky snake A day after receiving this for review I tried it out in a free show
card again. This continues until only one we do here in Seattle every month. I used it to introduce David
card is left, and it turns out to have, not a candle, and not a snake, Regal’s Mindball, which fits nicely inside the box with plenty of
but a picture of a birthday cake. room to spare. As I put the ball back into the box, I didn’t say
In the DVD routine “Tricky” Ricky concludes by pointing out anything to draw attention to the fact that the boxes were going
that the birthday cake does not have any candles on it. He just back together in the reverse order. When I ended up with the gift
happens to have a package (a can) of candles. When he opens it, box now on the outside of the parcel box it had arrived in, it got
out pops three spring snakes! Yes, there is all the standard fun a marvelous “what the heck?” reaction from the crowd, with one
with the kids, for Ricky is a seasoned performer. kid actually crying out, “Wait, that was on the outside!”
The trick is a good one, and with each reappearance of the I really like this trick. I don’t know about you, but for me there
pesky snake card, unknown to the performer, of course, the kids are far more patter and storyline possibilities with a parcel and a
go nuts pointing at the snake. Please note that the snake can does gift box then there are with a large cardboard die. I was far more
not come with the trick. What you do receive are the well-made attracted and excited by this configuration of the props than I had
cards, and the instructional DVD. Cakes and Adders packs small, ever been with the original version.
plays big, as they say, and is a fun addition for a small-fry show. The boxes are well designed. The red-and-yellow striping
of the gift box perfectly camouflages the size discrepancy that
Lubor’s Gift Trick happens when it becomes the outside box. The parcel provides
By Lubor Fiedler you with the perfect justification for introducing the box in the
Available from: PaulHarrisPresents.com first place. You just received this new item in the mail. What could
Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies   be more perfect than that? Yes, the boxes are still made out of
Price $99.95 cardboard. But it’s quality material that has been laminated, so
it should stand up for years of careful use. If you’re one of those
REVIEW BY PAYNE performers who are rough on their props or haphazardly throw
things in your case during your show, buy a spare.
I am pretty sure that nearly everyone You get a DVD with the care and handling of the prop as well
who is reading this review has a set of as a couple of routine suggestions. But I’m sure with this logical
Gozinta Boxes somewhere in their collec- adaptation of these boxes you won’t have any difficulty coming up
tion of magic props. I’m also pretty sure with new and novel routines of your own.
that while some of you might use them
from time to time, most probably don’t. I iConic DVD and props
know I toyed with them for a while before By Shin Lim
relegating them to the bottom drawer of Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies
my Cabinet of Disused Curiosities. We all Price $80.00
marveled at the topological cleverness of
these impossible little plastic boxes, but REVIEW BY MARC DESOUZA
try as we might, we could never come up
with a suitable presentation, let alone a logical justification for Welcome back to arts and crafts time
introducing the prop into our performances. For most of us, it with Shin Lim. In this not inexpensive
simply remained a curious and out of place puzzle. package, you receive a DVD, two very
This became even more problematic when the boxes were realistic iPhone 5s (one plastic, one metal),
made into an oversized die and the box it came in. There simply and a variety of bits and pieces you will
was no reason for such an object to exist in the real world. Thus use to create the gimmicks for the six main
its introduction alone raised suspicion. Even the kicker ending of effects and the bonus effects described
having the die change into an even more incongruous box of tea within. There is extensive DIY work
at the end couldn’t provide this prop with the logical justification required and you will need to purchase
that so many of us look for these days when contemplating adding additional materials, including more fake
a routine to our programs. iPhones, if you wish to perform all of the
But for those of you who loved the idea of this trick and who effects.
searched in vain for all these years for a suitable version to put Most of the effects are very visual and some of them are very
into your act, seek no more. The presentational problem has at good. You can make the Apple logo move around on the surface
long last been solved. Lubor’s Gift is a magical gift to us all. It’s a of the phone without touching it or cause the camera on the phone
fantastic collaboration between Lubor Fiedler, Andrew Wong, and to vanish from one end and reappear on the other. You can take a

64 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

bite out of the side of the phone and make it visibly reappear, in the silver or gold iPhone 5. There are some
the manner of the Quarter Bite trick popularized by David Blaine extra things provided that will required a
many years ago. bit of DIY to get into working condition
Borrow an iPhone and “accidently” drop it on the ground. You so that you can actually accomplish the
show the cracked screen; you then shake the phone and it visibly effect. On the DVD, which has the same
restores. Cause a phone to vanish or change into another object. rambling, freeform style of teaching that
All of this and more are possible with this product. we have come to know from Shin Lim, he
Again, it will take considerable time, effort, and more money to goes through the arts and crafts required
construct these gimmicks. Shin Lim teaches you all of the details to create the gimmicks and then explains
of construction and some of the handlings in his usual rambling how to use them.
style (which drives me nuts, if you hadn’t already guessed that by From a technical standpoint, the DVD
now – hasn’t this guy ever heard of a script?). The video is shot is just okay. I really dislike the TV screen
on his now familiar “set,” but thankfully this time, Shin provides he has to his side that we are supposed to look at for close-up
more detailed close-ups of the construction. views of some of the work. The close-up shot is just not close-up
There are some terrific ideas here, but it seems like some of enough. Otherwise, the video and audio are just fine and serve the
these effects are not quite finished. You will need to do additional purpose. I think that if he actually scripted the explanations, they
R&D, as well as tweaking the handlings and performances. If you could be done in half the time.
are willing to put in the time, effort, and thinking, you could have My big beef is with the trailer. He does the effect in the trailer
some great magic that will baffle and entertain your audiences. with an iPhone that is actually working and he changes screens
before the transformation to a clear iPhone. This is simply not
Shock Twist Trick possible, and is an out and out cheat. Lim has been called on this
By Gary Jones before; if he continues to create trailers showing unworkable con-
Price: $20.00 ditions, I will no longer purchase or review his products.
Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies Concerning the performance teaching portions, the one thing
this hinges on is switching out the borrowed phone for the gaffed
REVIEW BY DAVID GOODSELL set-up. Lim’s switches are not very good. I don’t think any of
them would pass scrutiny in most performance situations. If you
The performer shows four cards of the can come up with a good switch and a good method of reproduc-
same value, but of differing suits. Pointing ing the borrowed phone or restoring it, you would have a killer
to the top one, he asks if the spectators effect. If you are willing to commit to finding ways to overcome
would like to see it turn over. A bit of those issues, I would recommend this to you, because it is a good
humorous byplay follows, then magically, starting point with a cool prop. It is just not finished yet.
one by one, the cards do, indeed, turn face
down. The final card is placed face up on Deflect Trick
the face-down packet. The other three By Sulkor
cards magically turn face up! Finally, the Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies
performer shows that the cards, which Price $35.00
have been clearly seen to have blue backs,
now have four different colored backs! REVIEW BY NORMAN BECK
This is a strong trick and very enter-
taining. The DVD shows a real-time presentation as well as full In Deflect we have another one-trick
instructions. Jones is also very thorough with his coverage of the DVD. This one comes with enough
Elmsley count, explaining how it can have further applications, parts to construct ten gaffs, plus a card
as well. Credit is given to a Derek Dingle effect from the 1980s. box that you must put together. I am
The DVD runs only ten minutes, but that is all you will need for getting tired of tricks that you must put
a great, walk-around packet effect. You receive the DVD instruc- together. I think that if you sell me a
tions and necessary cards, a couple of which are special. This will trick, I should be able to take it out of the
be twenty dollars well spent. box and start working on learning it. In
the case of Deflect, you can’t do that. You
iClear DVD and Props are not even given a deck of cards with the
By Shin Lim DVD, only the card box. I would also point out that
Distributed by Shin Lim in order to do this effect you must be careful and save the plastic
Price $49.95 wrapper that Bicycle cards come in.
I don’t understand the thinking behind this product. If you sell
REVIEW BY MARC DESOUZA me a trick that can’t be done with the props you provide, and you
expect me to go out and buy a specific brand of cards to match
Shin Lim has worked our fingers to the bone with playing your gimmick, and I have to assemble the product, and I have to
cards and smoke. Now he tackles iPhones. In this simple, clear be careful and keep the plastic covering of the deck, you might
effect (ouch), he borrows an iPhone, places it on the spectator’s charge me less than $35.
hand, and turns it into a clear iPhone. Variations to the basic effect The instructional DVD has no instructional audio, only music
are also explained. This is good visual magic, but with a price and subtitles. I also felt short-changed by the lack of instruction.
to pay. First, the clear iPhone looks beautiful and is a compel- I am the sort that likes to see actual real-time, live performances
ling prop that people will want to look at. It is available to match of tricks.

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 65

 So what is the actual effect? You write something on the side no expense in your efforts to entertain them.
of the card box on the plastic wrapper, and it visibly changes You receive twenty-two cards, one gimmick, a rubber band, a
with a shake of the box. The actual change can be one of your template for the gift box, and a bilingual (English\French) set of
making. You could write “Four of Spades” on the side and after instructions. Refills for this effect are available for $9 and contain
a little shake, it will read something else. Speaking as a regular forty replacement cards, making the trick pennies to do. This is a
worker, I would never put a trick in my pocket that requires that small price to pay for the gift of holiday magic it bestows.
I maintain the integrity of the plastic covering that is designed to
be thrown away when you open the deck. But then again, I would The Carbonaro Effect TV Show
never use Ring Flight or invisible thread. I don’t like things that By truTV
break at inopportune times. Available via app for Android and iOS devices
From viewing the short video on the DVD, the trick appears
to work. But I will never know, because they didn’t send every- REVIEW BY W.S. DUNCAN
thing that is needed to perform it. I think for $35 they should. The
change of the writing looks fine, but I am not happy about the rest I recently watched the 2012 documentary Deceptive Practice:
of it. There are better ways to spend your money. The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay on Netflix. In it a reporter
describes the time Mr. Jay performed for her the classic Malini
Gift of the Magi Trick effect of producing a large block of ice. They had been together
By David Acer for many hours, with Mr. Jay never leaving her side, before the
Available from: www.MarchanddeTrucs.com block of ice appeared on the table where they were having lunch.
Price $25.00 – refills $9.00 The profound impossibility of the effect made her weep. I mention
this, because I kept thinking back to that while watching the pro-
REVIEW BY PAYNE motional video recently sent to us from truTV of their new show
The Carbonaro Effect.
Christmas, it seems, comes a little The show (full episodes of which can be seen online at www.
early this year, or perhaps a tad late. truTV.com) is a hidden camera show like Punk’d or Scare Tactics.
Either way, if you’re a restaurant worker However, there is one major difference: it doesn’t suck. Most
or do a lot of strolling gigs for the hidden camera shows trade on making people look foolish, and
holidays you’ll want to pick up this gem. seem pretty mean-spirited. If that’s been your assessment of the
A stack of almost business card size genre, I’d encourage you to give The Carbonaro Effect a chance.
cards (2¼ by 3¼ inches) are brought out. Thanks largely to the affable host/performer Michael Carbonaro,
Each card bears the image of a Christmas instead of feeling embarrassed (Punk’d) or frightened (Scare
(or if you’re working a corporate party, Tactics), the folks who appear on this show are presented with
“holiday”) tree. It is pointed out that said puzzling wonders that leave them smiling and reassessing their
tree is bereft of presents. The magician hands a helpful spectator world.
a pen (or she can use her own) and has her initial the star of the The methods are akin to those used by David Blaine or Criss
uppermost tree card. This card is then pulled from the rubber- Angel, in which standard effects like Card to Wallet are extended
banded stack and placed face down on the spectator’s hand. The with the sort of mechanisms used when you control the stage. For
helper is then told to close her eyes and imagine the morning of example, in one segment, Michael is working behind the counter
the secular, nondenominational, winter-solstice holiday of his at a postal service and he produces a bowling ball from a small,
choice and all the presents she wishes to receive on that special flat package, much to the astonishment of the person who handed
day. The sound of sleigh bells ringing is heard. The spectator then him the box. In another he’s behind the register at a grocery store;
opens her eyes, turns over the card, and, to her surprise, finds the when he checks the carton of eggs a customer hands him to scan,
once-barren tree now sports a vast array of gaily wrapped gifts, he finds one of the eggs cracked – by the baby chick hatching
or at least the boxes they came in. The magician then takes the from it.
card from the spectator and magically plucks a box from it. This The doorman at a hotel is left wondering what sort of dimen-
is handed to the spectator to open. Inside she can find a trinket, sional rift he sidestepped when Michael accidentally locks himself
a piece of candy, or a small remuneration. The memento and the in the trunk of his car, and then a few moments later walks out of
initialed card are then presented to the spectator to retain as a the hotel behind him, explaining that he had a spare key in his
keepsake. The magician continues on his appointed rounds secure room. But the most puzzling might be the one in which a woman
in the knowledge that he has successfully spread another quotient checking into her hotel find that the picture she handed to the nice
of holiday cheer. young man behind the counter belongs to a gentleman she’s never
Yes, it is yet another version of the classic Out to Lunch met, who turns out to be standing behind her in line with her ID
principle; this routine was first released in David Acer’s most in his wallet.
recent book More Power to You. If you have that volume, you In a world where folks frequently cite “reality TV” as
have everything you need to do this trick, except for the cards. evidence of the downfall of Western Civilization, it’s nice to see
If you have the book, Mr. Acer was kind enough to provide you that someone is using the tools of our craft, and of the medium,
with a template to have the cards printed up. But who has the time to create wonder, puzzlement, and delight. Visit the website, or
or inclination to do that? Besides, the artwork on these cards is a download the app for your phone or tablet, and see some moments
lot nicer than the illustrations that came with the book. Plus these of amazement that will make you smile. Highly recommended. 
cards are a lot nicer than anything you could print up on your
computer or have a local print shop produce, at this price point. If you wish to have your product reviewed, please
The cards are printed in full color on heavy, glossy cardstock, send it to: Bill Duncan, P.O. Box 50562,
which should leave the spectators with the feeling that you spare Bellevue, WA 98015-0562

66 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

 Treasures from
the Salon de M agie
By Ken Kloster m an

The effect of apparently cutting off a bird’s head and restoring

it was performed by priest-magicians in the time of the pharaohs.
Some historians have argued that the transposition of the heads
of two birds was in fact the first magic trick ever to be described
in a written record, even before the Cups and Balls. By medieval
IMRO FOX PIGEON COFFERS times it was included in a number of descriptions of performers at
courts and fairs.
Instead of simply presenting it as a straightforward decapita-
tion and restoration of two birds, Fox played the trick as a comedy
of errors. He is credited with originating the idea of mixing up the
removed heads of a black bird and white bird after their “removal,”
and then showing that the heads had been replaced on the wrong
bird. Fox, of course, righted the situation, and, to the delight and
guffaws of his audiences, ended the trick with each bird alive and
well and sporting the properly feathered skull.

Imro Fox was credited with popularizing the role of a true

comedy magician. Whereas jokes had always been secondary to
magic before Fox’s arrival on the scene, the style he originated is
said to have opened the door for a completely new form of magical
performance: the one-man comedy act.
A stocky, bald German with a thick, dark mustache, Fox was
born Isidor Fuchs in Bromberg, Germany, on May 21, 1862. He
came to the United States in 1874 and learned to be a chef – or
at least a cook. His magical career began in 1880 in Washing- The coffers Fox used to perform much of the trick’s dirty work
ton, D.C. Stories differ on how he entered show business with his were likely built by Martinka and Company of New York City
comedy magic act, but the most often repeated one is that while at the end of the nineteenth century. Resembling soup tureens
serving as the chef at the Hotel Lawrence, a traveling vaudeville meant for use at a formal dinner, the eight-sided ovals measure
troupe discovered he performed magic and asked him to take the ten inches long, five inches across, and about seven and a half
place of a magician in the troupe who went off on an alcoholic inches high. Each cover has a small opening that contains a fake
binge. Reluctantly, Fox agreed, although he had never been on bird’s head. Similar coffers were sold by several firms, including
stage before. Davenport’s of London, and were used by various performers.
With fear and trembling, Fox, wearing an ill-fitting suit, made In the Le Roy, Talma, and Bosco version of this trick, a rooster
his first appearance on stage with a deep bow and broke the and a duck had their heads exchanged in a sketch titled, “Bosco’s
ice by the following allusion to his very bald pate: “Ladies and Ludicrous Mishap.” Chefalo did the same. In modern times, David
gentlemen, why is my head like Heaven?...You give up? Good! Copperfield revived the Le Roy trick, exchanging the head of his
Because there is no parting there.” Amid the shouts of laughter pet duck Webster with that of a rooster. The duck trick was one of
occasioned by this conundrum, Fox began his card tricks and the the features of Copperfield’s show for several years.
rest is history. After Fox, the props shown here were owned successively by
Tricks with animals suited Fox’s performing style. The op- Dick Richards and Charles “The Great” Dagmar, and then came
portunities to carry on witty banter provided by unpredictable to the Salon de Magie by way of Alston Cockrell of Jacksonville,
menageries were countless. Thus the Pigeon Coffer trick was an Florida, who was known as Mars the Magician. 
outstanding performance piece for him.

68 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014

OUR ADVERTISERS INSIDE STRAIGHT
BY NORMAN BECK
A House of Fire 4
STEAK (HOUSE) – VERY RARE
B. Happie Entertainment 3
Burgoon Magic 9 For years I have heard the adage that the key to a success-
ful business is “location, location, location.” I don’t believe it.
George Parker 48 A couple of weeks ago, we went to Buffalo Gap, Texas. Buffalo
Hermetic Press 43 Gap is a little southwest of Abilene, and due east of You Can’t
Jim Kleefeld 45 Get There From Here. It is, in fact, smack dab in the middle
of nowhere. The reason for going there was the wine and food
Joe Mogar - Magic Stars 69 summit put on by the Perini Steak House of Buffalo Gap.
John C.Stanfield 69 I want to put this in perspective: Buffalo Gap is a town of 467;
they draw over five hundred people to this event and every year it
Kardwell International, Inc. 3 sells out in less than thirty minutes. Why? You can buy food and
LaRock's Fun & Magic Outlet 72 wine in lots of places. Why would you go to the end of the earth
and spend hundreds of dollars to eat? You would only ask that
Magic Summit 7 question if you haven’t met Tom and Lisa Perini and their staff. If
MiX16 Apps by Gregor Krasevec 67 you met them, you would understand.
The formula on paper is simple: provide a great product and
Nielsen Magic 3 perfect service at a fair price in an atmosphere that you can’t get
S.A.M. Convention 2015 2 anywhere else. The fact that you are in the middle of no place is
okay. People will find you and pay you for whatever it is you have
S.A.M. Life Membership 71 for sale.
S.A.M Twitter 9 In 1995, The New York Times selected the Perini Steak House
Show-Biz Services 9 mesquite smoked peppered beef tenderloin as the mail-order gift
of the year. Think about that for a minute. The best gift in the
The Magic Bakery 33 entire United States came from a small town that, until now, you
T. Myers 48 had never heard of. On September 11, 2001, Mr. Perini was in
Washington, D.C., to cater the congressional picnic at the White
Tony Cabral 67 House. In 2009 Saveur listed the Perini Steak House as one of the
twenty-four reasons to love Texas.
I got a taste (pardon the pun) of how the Perinis do business
while attending the summit this year. I passed out from the heat,
and they took care of me and drove me back to my car. I wrote
a letter thanking them for their kindness, hospitality, and food.
I thought we were done. They had done something nice for me;
I sent a letter thanking them in return. So we are done, right?
Wrong. I got a return thank-you letter in the mail (thanking me
CLOSEOUT SALE for my letter) along with a gift card entitling me to stay at the
ranch house some weekend. Will I use it? Yes. What did it cost
them? Nothing. What did they gain? A customer for life. You
www.johncstanfield.com can’t do any better than that.
When you fall below a customer’s expectation, you lose them.
When you meet a customer’s expectation, you are among the
norm. When you exceed a customer’s expectation, you own them.
I was talking to Bill Malone the other day. He was booked to do
one forty-five-minute close-up show and the client asked him to
do two. Did Bill argue? Of course not. Bill did two shows. Let’s
say you are booked for a walk-around magic gig from 6 to 9 p.m.
You work from 6-9, but another magician working with you starts
at 5:45 and stays until 9:30 so the people who got to the event late
can see some magic. Next year, if they need to book talent, they
will remember who put in the extra effort. I go one step past that
in what I call the “by the way” approach. I mention to the client
(in an offhanded manner) that some people came late and I stayed
and performed for them as well. I only make the comment if it
can be done in a graceful manner. The end result is that the extra
step goes a long way in helping you be remembered.
Google the Perini Steak House and you’ll see what I am
talking about. Should you ever go there, tell them the magician
sent you; they will know who you’re talking about. (P.S. Order
the rib eye.) 

July 2014 - M-U-M Magazine 69

 The Dean's Diary
By George Schindler
a sword through their necks or get them In Las Vegas we had convinced a
involved with a Kovari Head Twister. And Spanish-language station to do several
then there is always the final vanish of the segments. We got Hope Anderson to do
TV reporter behind a six-foot silk. her Pom-Pom Sticks routine in Spanish,
We have gotten TV studio press on which aired around the world to people
CONVENTIONS IN JULY early morning shows (usually at 6 or 7 not anywhere near our theater. I remember
a.m.) by promising them a priest who does a crew in Florida showing up early in the
For many years, I have had the fun of the Three Shell Game (Father Cyprian) or morning before anything was open. We
providing PR for our convention when we an interview with the incoming president allowed them to pan around the room
had show tickets to sell to the public. The telling them how great their city is for a looking for tables that were not covered.
work part is setting up and getting press convention. I always adlib by pushing a They wanted to see some magic. Luckily
releases out to the various newspaper and cigarette into the reporter’s ear and out of Bev Bergeron was with me, and he offered
magazine calendar listings, which is done his mouth - gross but funny. Most of the the reporter a chance to “levitate” him.
a month before we get to town. Two weeks dealers are more than accommodating. I Bev lay down on his back on the floor and
later we try to contact radio people to set remember Fukai asking a confused Rita I covered him with a tablecloth while he
up interviews, and we always promise Rudner (in his Japanese accent), “What’s secretly rolled over onto his stomach. I
to do magic on the radio. At the very the matter; don’t you understand English?” directed the reporter to make some magical
last minute, the day before the conven- gestures; the camera focused on his rise
tion, faxes, emails, and phone calls to TV off the floor. Under the cloth Bev did a
assignment desks are in order. And then few push-ups. It is an old clown bit, but we
we wait to see who, if anyone, shows up. didn’t expose it. He carefully descended
When the news people get there, the real before we were caught.
fun begins. Sometimes two or more show I shouldn’t tell you about the radio
up at the same time and we need to escort show in Louisville when, instead of a
them personally. Nina takes one crew and I few minutes, WFPL gave us a full hour.
take the other. The best place to meet them Bruce Kalver, David Garrard, and I were
is in the dealer’s room, which is full of doing great until I got an urgent message
color, magic, and camaraderie. When we from my prostate gland. There is a short
finally get some air time that evening or segment of that great interview during
the following morning, we hope they read which only two of the three magicians are
the handout about our shows during the speaking. Our film library has a composite
week. News photographers generally take film (#1367) of some of the fun clips we’ve
the same photos: Losander floating a table collected over the years. Perhaps you are in
or Harry Allen opening a flaming wallet. one of them. 
The TV people have fun when we make
them “assistants.” We can always push Harry Allen and his wallet

70 M-U-M Magazine - July 2014