The main thing that appeals to our somewhat jaded sense of mystery is that the Invisible Pull effect in this issue is the only such type of gimmick that will work even after the elastic breaks!

Certainly no slight was intended in issue #81 when we talked about being conversant with only two lady magi in this country today and heralded the coming of a Miss Blanche from the other side. The word “professional” should have been inserted and that would have saved us from criticism for not mentioning Roberta and Marion Byron. The sisters in magic have shown their veritable production in this country and on the other side of the water. For some years now the perfectly staged act has been recognised as a “standard” one among magicians. And when we remember that night under canvas in Batavia, N.Y. when the I.B.M. convention lights went out, we feel a bit ashamed for not thinking of Roberta and Marion Byron when talking of professionals. No trouper of the old school could have taken the situation so well in stride.

We don’t like it any better than do the English, for the rather palpable “lifting” of Peter Warlock’s four pane glass penetration by Jim Sherman (National Magic Co.) isn’t strictly ethical kosher. However, there isn’t much one can do about such things except see that the action gets publicity and credit falls where it is due. Our grimace comes when we realize that most of these commercial pirates couldn’t invent a practical and saleable trick of their own that could stand inspection at a blind men’s home on a cloudy night. — It’s one thing, and bad enough, that too many amateurs spend time and money building up tricks to ape successful professionals instead of using that time and money in an effort to create something fitting their own personality, but when a dealer just picks up a trick belonging to someone else, gives it a new title, like “Soft Glass“, and profits with no thanks to the inventor, it makes those “stink bomb” novelties smell like Shalamar.

Regardless of what the magicians say, we’d like to see the Fitzkee International Magic Show keep its nose above water and come East. The theatrical trade journals did right well by it and they don’t pull many punches. It can’t play on Broadway (even Thurston lost plenty trying to crash the street) but there are plenty spots within a nickel carfare distance where the magical melange might carry weight. — One of those Hollywood articles hit us between tricks lately and suggested that which is to follow. It’s a composite magician we’re building!

look like Dante

hair Blackstone

eyes Paul Rosini

nose Frakson

mouth James Stewart

diction Fred Keating

chin John Booth

physique Hardeen

technique Cardini

poise Thurston

showmanship Houdini

mechanic Cyril Yettmah

brains Al Baker and Servais LeRoy

class Russell Swann

camaraderie Gwynne

temperament me!

Harlan Tarbell is slated for the Brooklyn, N.Y. Academy of Music on Saturday, March 30th at 8:15 P.M. The localites could do a lot worse than see how much entertainment a man can put into a mystery show. — A N.Y. columnist publicized Richard Himber recently. He boosted the maestro with a bromide about Dick’s efforts to polish up his amateur standing in magic only himself on the bill with Cardini. The baton wielder, whose name is currently flashing via a wobbly electric sign over Broadway (well, it’s Broadway, isn’t it? Ed.) does magic as an interlude between his radio wired numbers from the better places. Himber probably is the world’s worst magician. He has been ignored in the city’s noted emporiums of mystical ware. Mr. Himber may be renowned for his orchestra but as a magician he is what the American people call “wacky.” To date this sheet’s mentor has not seen nor met the man who walks like a magician without a trap but that he was trying to tell the dealer from whom he was attempting to browbeat a secret how it could be done better before he bought it. We followed him one night, back to the St. Moritz, and Mr. Himber went to town in an attempt to do the stunt he had bought just an hour and a half before. In short, Mr. Himber may be sincere in his desire to do magic good but he doesn’t act it.

Mail box magic: (From Walter Gibson) “Here’s an idea I ran across by accident. Hold a card case with its flap down, that is, the flap of the flap down. Somebody puts a card into the case, face down. You close the flap OVER the card, not UNDER, as you hold the case, and it leaves the card outside the flap. Without turning the case over snap a rubber band around it each way. Now take case in left hand, flap flap-down. As you raise it simply press the sides. It squeezes, and as you lift the case vertically, an opening comes on your side (flap-flap side). If you’re in the right light, and practice for the right angle, you’ll spot the pip of the card at the index corner, down at the bottom of the case. It should be really effective while wearing a see-down blindfold. It’s the old Argamasilla stuff, but with a card apparently concealed securely inside a case.

My idea would be to ignore the x-ray angle and name the card mentally after the peek. Then open the case downward and shake the card out.

Walter Gibson won The Sphinx Amateur medal award for 1939 via his production box trick in the December issue. We present here an exclusive portrayal of Mr. Gibson happily playing the part of a “one man magical convention.” Gabbatha!