One of these starlit nights I’m going to get up in front of an assembled bunch of magical membership card bearing people and request that those willing to give up their business connections and all sources of income for the profession of magic and allied arts and what it may bring them to stand. On that night there will occur a sit-down strike the like of which has never been seen. That is, insofar as adherence to the chairs is concerned.
Some of us will stand, but quickly and sincerely. We have nothing to give up. Magic IS our business. And I contend that the people who depend upon a profession for their sole income ARE THE ONLY ONES who have the right, by the grace of the God overseeing self-preservation, to vote on questions pertaining to the uplifting, welfare, and general betterment of that profession.
There are many evils among us who wander in the maze of theatricalism. We have our Judas but, for the most part, they sell a birthright because they have to eat, and those few just haven’t got what it takes. Still, that’s OUR problem. WE would handle it quickly and cleanly. Any surgeon can understand that. I think, and I’m sincere, that 99% of the amateurs and semi-professionals would like it that way. They don’t want to be harsh and cruel. Their love for magic is sincere. It’s an association of friends or a hobby to them. I believe they would like to give up their privilege of voting in regards to professional problems and enjoy doing and talking tricks as they do now.
We come to the point where an application blank to ANY society or brotherhood should definitely place the would be member in or out of the voting class. Thus, to recommend an applicant, the co-signers will automatically become a lot more careful than at present. The result ? Just as congenial times as we all have now. Everybody will go to meetings. Everybody will vote on matters to which he has contributed and to which he is subject. BUT, and it’s a plenty big BUT, on the questions of ethics, on the questions of press relationships, on the questions pertaining to expulsion for conduct unbecoming a member, the professionals SHOULD hold full sway, and such proceedings held at, say, quarterly meetings away from those of general membership. Such a procedure would in no way affect the meetings and gatherings as now held. The findings would be read at the next following general meeting, and you know how dull such readings are. The members not encompassed would survive painlessly through the ordeal and possibly say, “tch-tch,” but pass the amputation (if any) off as having been taken care of in a thorough and just manner. And no doubt be damned glad they didn’t have to be bothered with it or take a stand against a friend — generally, a friendly acquaintance who could do tricks will, but still wasn’t of the type for social recognition. And, considering that point, why shouldn’t we, of his level, be the ones to judge his depredations ? In the 16 years I’ve been in magic, as a profession, I’ve seen too many of the “interested in magic” people watch, applaud, and steal the tricks of those at whom afterwords they would sneer and deprecate for lack of so-called “class.”
So, rounding out the fiftieth issue of the Jinx, completing 352 pages of what I consider of value to professional entertainers, and those who want to be as good as professionals (sometimes they’re a damned sight better. Ed.), I offer the beginning of a solution to many of the trials which beset our organizations. In our social lives let the personalities fall where they may. In the problems of bread and butter let the classes separate and deal with them as is their destiny.
Those friends who intend binding the Jinx at this point are to be reminded that pages 213 and 214 should be checked. Our printer double-lifted us at the time. Also remove the Index pages from Jinx #16 and 27. The complete Index in much better J.G. Thompsonian form is being published at this time. It is cross-indexed and referenced to the limit, produced to be placed in front of the fifty numbers and accompanying Extra editions.
Thanks to Tom Bowyer we give you: –;:!()&%…..,,,,,,”’______”””””///////()- -..,,!!! It can’t possibly be enough but so many have told us of our mistakes in spelling (eeeeettttttaaaaoooooiiiiinnnnnllllllmmmmmmmbbbbbbzzzzz) and punctuation. The least we can do is supply you with the requisites for doctoring up your copies. Just clip them and put them where you consider them needed. Extra letters and marks may be had for a stamp.
We wrote last month of Ted Arnold’s passing on September 17th. Those who knew him, always marveled at the special trunk (and I mean trunk) he carried wherever he went. Built in trays and compartments contained the finest of magical equipment. Hand tooled leather containers held cups and balls, chamois skin pouches protected gimmicks specially built upon the advice of those magically elite who confided in Ted only because they knew how ardently he loved and guarded secrets for their purpose. Ted’s mother wrote a man in New York that it was her son’s final wish he should have that trunk as last Ted left it. That man is one whom many think aloof, hard to know, and death on amateurs, I mean the ones who don’t revere in magical knowledge as did Ted. That man is Dai Vernon. Ted should be awfully happy knowing Dai has it. I know no one who cherishes a good trick more.
Even if not 100% to this listener, wasn’t the Magician’s I have Known air program on Oct. 27th better for magical good will than explanations of tricks? Plenty back patting should go to person responsible for the Houdini week of charity shows idea. Same can lift magic annually into national limelight with oodles of newspace via Halloween tie-up. Smart sorcerers can knock off half a column with pictures in all local papers where they couldn’t do it any other way. It’s a “natural.” The NBC program featured Jim (Palmer House) Sherman who passed an egg from hank to hat and finally produced a bunny for the guests. Bill Thompson, using a nom de mike spelling like one of my typographical (?) errors, was attempted high-spot with new twist on Olsen-Johnson straight-jacket gag. With a “one-minute” catch line he punctuated program with efforts to escape from chains, ropes, cuffs and mailbag, announcer periodically removing one part of restraints to make it easier. Puzzle dept. What happened to Chester Morris and John Mulholland ? NBC advance press releases built up their cutting in from Hollywood and N.Y.C. Instead they were cut out. From “an inaccessible spot in Florida” wire was read from Madame Houdini, as was also one from not so inaccessible Hardeen, now doing nightly stint in N.Y. revue Hellz a Poppin. It was a great night for Houdini and Jim Sherman and magic. The Halloween night (NBC – 9 P.M. EST) broadcast announced should be another good one. It must make some of the boys feel like a subimago for not possessing originality enough to engineer air and press breaks, their only chance of getting phizz in papers being to expose something, something they don’t do themselves.
Al Meiners, who has marketed several gimmicks of a mechanical nature for Magi, has hit a lulu with his cigarette making gadget. With 40 cigs to a bag for a nickel and no waste, it beats previous devices and looks like a clean up for him next year at World’s Fair time. — Mogul, master of the folded message took count for robbery of his car. That is, up to nine. The slickers left behind one thing. A complete file of The Jinx. Question is still open as to whether or not they were really slickers. — That man of magic billed as Pierre Cartier and playing in vicinity of N.Y. looks a lot like Keith Clark and does the same tricks, too. — Douglas Geoffrey, back from tour of India, is new manager of Gen Grant’s magic shop. Mohammed Doug demonstrates while Gen master minds. — Frank Lane pays some of his bills with muchly repaired dollar bills. Then he wonders how people in magic know one of his main tricks. — Style flash via N.Y. Daily Mirror : “Magician Paul Duke at Rockerfeller Gardens, in green cheviot suit, grey checked shirt, green tie.” GABBATHA!
