Back, and it seems away back, The Jinx advocated a “silent system” of combating
exposers. Then later we added to this by talking of a method for getting the
publishers and editors on our side. That was a system for combating exposures.
Together the orderly process of each would be by far a more decided move upon
the part of some existing magical organization and against the one thing which
seems to raise tirade after tirade without a thing being done other than that yet
attempted. As citizens we accept now as in the past governmental experiments
both good and bad with either the statement that it’s “crazy” or “at least we’re
trying”. But when the office door has been locked, and the man hies himself to a
magic shop or club, he grows apoplectic over the news of an exposure but does
nothing, even in trial, in his enthusiasm over a seemingly more paramount issue,
“What’s new ? Have you seen this one ?”
The weapon of silence was brought forcibly to our attention lately when, during
broadcasts regarding present worldly turmoil, it was mentioned that back in
1917, Congressman Lindbergh, the flying Colonel’s father, made a decided
stand against U.S. participation in the conflict of that time. Patriotism being
what it is and was, Mr. Lindbergh found himself completely ignored, both in
action and speech. As if someone had looked over our shoulder, the announcer
relating this by-gone occurrence used the term of “silent treatment” (we thought
of it several years ago after a flagrant bit of secret mongering and then watched
the “cocky” bum get much acclaim and attention ad nauseum when he showed
up at a meeting.) The announcer continued that complete and sudden “oblivion”
plus a personal “blackout” by his friends contributed much to a “breaking” of
the gentleman politically.
So – and I now feel my theory vindicated – if a “blackout” of six feet in all
directions be applied to magicians who paddle their toes first, then feet, ankles
and what have you in the water of disgression, we contend that it will hurt where
pain counts. For professional magicians, up to 99 1/2 %, ( a little less pure than
Ivory soap) have few social acquaintances outside of the amateurs of magic.
Should they lose those contacts — tough going.
He’s on the wire ? It’s too bad but you’re all tied up. He should have let you
know sooner. He’s in the club room ? Speaking to you ? “Hello, you’re looking
well, excuse me for a moment, I must talk to George about a trick.” Beside you
at a meeting, “What ? A new pass ? Wait a minute. Later. This fellow up here is
rather interesting.” A party ? “It’s nice to see you again. Wait. Hold that trick for
a minute. I’ll get Harry. He’d hate to miss it.” “Oh, hello. I got tied up with George.
He’s got a marvellous bottom deal while the deck is in someone else’s hands.
We’ll have to get together real soon.”
Do YOU think that YOU could be very happy and contended for long should
you louse up the true magical ethics and have the friends and kow-tow gentry
that a professional loves leave you flat on your misguided efforts for cheap (but
too expensive for the price) publicity ?
In the same mail : “a constant reader of the Jinx since it started, and I must say
it never has been representative of such poor material as of late. Unless the sheet
shows a marked improvement in the oncoming weekly issues, I will certainly stop
buying it, as it is a damned poor investment as it now stands.” (signed) John
McCormick. — “but please keep the Jinx coming to me no matter how often you
decide to publish it. I have always found the ideas especially valuable for they
have the professional viewpoint in effect and contain gemlike details which are
appreciated by active performers who have sold their amateur contentedness
for the purse of a profession. Your tricks are learned quickly between shows.
Keep them coming. —- (signed) Chris Charlton. — “and there are few of your
publications Mr. Pesquera doesn’t have. Congratulations for the change to a
weekly. Mr. Pesquera’s only regret, when he learns about it, will be that you did
not change to a daily ! But we still have hopes. (signed) Raquel A. Perdomo,
Sec. to Mr. Pesquera, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Those two letters and postal
were in the same mail. We had two quick beers.
Within 6 months three movies have emphasized magic. Idiot’s Delight began
the cycle with a blatant expose of verbal code telepathy including a gin-sodden
receptress. Miracles For Sale, an awfully weak adaptation – but a fast and not so
hard to take rewrite of Rawson’s book Death From A Top Hat lauded the aims
of a magician and played down any direct exposes. The dressing room episode
with radio gimmick was almost too fast for us to catch. It could have been left
out but the director obviously was pointing his scenes with a bit of “inside” stuff
and among a great many he slipped a little this time. It might have been worse.
(Aside thanks to someone for the magic mag display rack featuring Genii – but
with our “big hand” picture too snooty for words. Or should Bill Larsen do
the bowing ?) — Eternally Yours elevates magic to “A” pictures although the
magus is personally a stinker rather. Most movies keep magic in side shows or
as “openers” on a vaude bill. When Loretta Young can be a magician’s eternal
soul mate it’s our humble opinion that magic as an art has arrived. I suppose,
though, that many a wand’s wife watches Charles Boyer and wonders what has
got her husband but hasn’t (thank goodness !) got Boyer. Done wrong (again?)
the S.A.M. lodged the usual complaint, and not entirely without cause for the
expose of Hardeen’s Hellzapoppin (N.Y.) nicety wasn’t cricket – but we ask
again why the venerable society doesn’t try to plug the hole rather than eternally
bale the boat.
9 Lines to go. It might not be amiss to bring up the scoop that
an eastern magic “association” is hot in a formulative state. The idealogy of the
old time magician will be combined with the necessary showmanship of today.
Sub rosa talk upon aims portend a group to become quite well known through
press contacts and eagerness for publicity frowned upon by the other clans. Well
— we got the tip first hand and if it’s for magic, we’re for it. All for wand, and
wand for all !
