Nazi tactics are out of order in many ways, but it cannot be denied that they do
right well by their magicians. The National Chamber of Theatres has decreed
against exposing, and definitely forbids magi from explaining their artifices
publicly. Sometime ago they were stopped from stage exposing, and now they
are stopped from any printed exposures. Would like that we had a law like that
over here. The Nazi edict sort of makes up for the other decree which forbids
magi using any “eatables” in their acts, such as milk, eggs, etc., because a waste
of food is not permissible under the government’s four year plan of economic
self-sufficiency. Over here, the societies say “If you expose, we’ll expel you !” So
the members do it just the same, and get away with it, which proves impotency
somewhere. Over there, if the food or expose edict is ignored, the transgressor
simply doesn’t work anymore. That’s putting teeth where they belong — and
using them.
Anthropology Dept : Can you use a bat in your home ? The Jinx now offers
an exclusive service headed by Neil Burgess, of points North, South, East and
West. Live bats can be supplied for the nominal sum of $2 each, with a guarantee
of healthiness and cleanliness. It’s an opportunity for one to keep his wife from
cleaning out the magic den or closet. Insure privacy for your mysteries !
Glen Pope is now doing the bar trick, Chinese Sticks, and Bird-cage Vanish at
New York’s Hollywood Restaurant, the change of programs being necessary
because of his hold-over. But isn’t that outside lobby picture an exact copy
(except for the name) of a sketch drawn and used by Keith Clark 12 years ago?
— Jacob Steisel, attorney for Simon & Schuster and Royal Heath, recently
instituted action against a John Brown, who wrote a booklet on Easy Number
Tricks, and infringed in part on Heath’s Mathemagic book. ‘Twas settled out of
court, with damages, and Royal now gets credit for his items. — A downtown
New York magic shop has for an outside ballyhoo, a fellow walking up and
down with a tray hung in front of him made to represent a magic table top.
On the table is a wand, handkerchief, etc., while the board hanging from his
back carries the “come and get it” advertisement. — One children’s magus has
developed a technique of his own. His shows are generally around 5 P.M., too
early to get anything to eat, and by the time he gets home it’s too late. When
asked what he needs for the performance, he says “Oh, just an egg, A GLASS OF
MILK, AND SOME CRACKERS !” — Howard Brooks, at London’s Mayfair
Restaurant, has changed his tag line from “The Magical Chatterbox” to “The
Magical Chatterer.” He must have read the 1937 Summer Extra of The Jinx. —
Research Dept. – Letters at hand say that the Proskauer statement in Jinx #32
does not coincide with the clipping reproduced in #34. We quite agree !
Re the Cups and Balls series we are starting in this number, we can only say that
such a procedure has been recommended by many who have seen and read the
complete manuscript. The Stanyon instructions are considered, by those who
3
should know, as the most lucid and thorough of them all, and, being out of print
for a number of years, we hope we’re being of service with information of value.
In the mail : “Some time ago, as you may remember, I wrote you on Rhine’s
tests at Duke University on Extra-Sensory Perception, wondering if it couldn’t
be faked nicely. In one of the Jinx recently you solved the problem when you
mentioned calling Ireland’s attention to your effect “Extra-Sensory Perception”
in issue #10. Thanks a lot for calling my negligent attention to this fine effect.”
Mention of Ireland brings up the dainty poem sent by Frances Vandevier (the
company part of Ireland Magic Co.) :
“Two black kittens sit at the top
Of Annemann’s magazine;
Their paws are velvet, soft, and smooth,
And their eyes of tenderest green.
The mail pops into the Annemann box,
Theodore reads, and stomps with rage;
Feline eyes glow fire; out shoot sharp claws;
Oh ! Those are CATS at the top of the page.”
Isn’t that cute ? However, the Jinx isn’t a magazine; it’s a “service sheet” — I
don’t stomp; I “glower” (stomping takes energy) — and lastly, I think Laurie
should put Frances to work writing patter for some of his swell tricks. She’s
being wasted as a mere “Co.”
Dante (Harry Jansen) wrote a letter from London to Tom Worthington, of
Baltimore, that he might consider coming over here with his show. Shades of
David Bamberg ! Do we again have to go through the agony of watching a
great performance, only to see it quickly fold and hide itself away because of
conditions over here ? He wound up by saying “Should the vote of the various
fraternities become heavy enough, and the call sufficiently urgent, then it is
possible that I would undertake the task, but I should dislike to be a self styled
king and have to fight to prove my rights to it. WHICH I COULD EASILY DO.”
(Caps are mine. Ed.)
The Indian Magician, India’s only magic magazine, is still popping in monthly
with the weirdest of contents. The June number explained how one could
apparently cut off the lower eye lid and replace it a moment later ! It sounds
like a Joe Ovette creation after a though night. — Wallace Lee has published
in manuscript form the first written instructions for the very, very funny double-
talk business for which he seems better known than his magic. He calls the
procedure “X – Jargon.” — Max Holden ransacked Chinese banking houses
to get a supply of the Chinese coins for his customers who are using VOODOO
from Jinx #32.
4
I just finished reading the galley proofs of Keith Clark’s Cigarette Encyclopedia.
It undoubtedly is the best ever produced, and has covered the subject in a most
original and thorough manner.
Magic fans in the baseball world could form quite a large club of their own.
There are at least thirty rabid amateur magi in the major leagues alone. I didn’t
realize what a good audience could be like until Granny Carrel, of N.Y. popped
into the place on July 23 with Larry French, Tuck Stainback, and five others
of the Chicago Cubs and newsmen, not to forget the case of beer McMurtry
lugged along. They’re sorry now, though, because Dr Jacob Daley went to town
with poker deals and ruined their faith in nightly penny ante sessions. However,
next day French pitched the Giants down 10 to 5. The tricks must have been
stimulating.