One thing that is very apparent these days is that Jean Hugard is thinning down the margin and may become the world of magic’s most prolific writer. Burling Hull has advertised for years that his number of text books was the greatest. There comes a time, etc., etc., etc. — In The Nation for Jan 6, and by Franz Hoellering, ’tis written — “The illusion his voice creates over the radio is destroyed by the demonstration of its mechanics, and by the bad acting of Mr. Bergen.” The man meant the exposure of Charley McCarthey’s inner parts as per the movie C—- Mc——, Detective. It doesn’t affect magic much, but seeing as Edgar is a member of the S.A.M. he may as well take criticism from a sheet devoted to magicians. There isn’t a person in the business who can write the material Bergen does, but to the ones who knew him a few years ago, when Charlie had short pants, the Bergen finesse is slipping on lip technique in favor of dialogue, and he suffers when depicted on the screen. But he has his million in buckeroos (200,000 pounds to our British friends) and The Jinx has just nosed pass the 115,000 issue mark since the beginning. We should criticise ? New York – Russell Swann followed Dwight Fiske into the Waldorf Sert Room and is there now as this is read. Not as riske in material but entertaining no less. Val Valdane, a newcomer in name and face, is doing an “on the house” act in the Village Barn. You’re right, it’s the bar trick. Robert Rhinehart, erstwhile Variety reporter, graces the Ziegfield Frolics (erstwhile Paradise Cafe) for two minutes during intermission with quickies of magic.
The Dragon – we should have mentioned it before, but things go so fast. Vernon Lux has published this mag of 16 pages for eight years ending December. For the International Society of Junior Magicians the paper, (address is Vernon Lux, Mt. Morris, Ill.) devoted to “The Advancement of Magic”, has garnered a lot of good material for those who want variety. May it all continue for that motto. — Robert Tothill’s contribution for this issue shows what one can do with little pieces picked up from here and there. Suddenly you have a house of tricks ! — Abril Lamarque took that Stewart James trick Sefalaljia from Jinx #69 and made of it a “traveling salesman and farmer’s daughter” epic. The cabinet is a farmhouse. Two floors show when the door is opened. The salesman (a doll) goes to bed downstairs. The daughter (another doll) sleeps upstairs. Write your own ticket.
It annoys us no little to read constantly (English journals reach us regularly via some route or other) that the British magi poke fun at the war. Blackouts to them make material for gags, and, despite the lack of petrol, they keep up their magic meetings at hours to get them home before “lights out”. We get upset because over here it would be lese majeste to “crack” a joke at England’s situation. Over there they take it in stride.
Cedric Richardson is doing card tricks (I hope) in French quarters. It was only a few months ago when he came down the gangplank and we shook hands. It was only a few months ago when he turned down my homemade chile con carne as a muddy American dish. I wish I could print all of the news in the English journals that reach me. You’d appreciate the way professional entertainers are laughing themselves along.
In Canada there’s a weekly mag like our Collier’s and England’s Everybodies. Its name is MacLeans and for the Jan 1st issue the front cover depicted a magician pulling 1940 cards from a top hat. The magician was Johnny Giordmaine in technicolor glory. He promptly bought a thousand copies and still is autographing them for his four thousand friends. — Bill Sachs, who edits the Magic column in the Billboard mentioned Ruth Hathaway (now Mrs. J. Jarvis Owensby) last week, talked of her bust up with her former husband, recalled that they once were one of the best known magic teams a few years back, lined her accident and subsequent recovery, and wound up with “—gradually improving, altho she is very lonesome.” Where’s Jarvis ?
Rupert (Danton) Howard suddenly appeared in N.Y.C. this past week minus Dante, who, according to reports, has bought a ranch on the west coast. We couldn’t get any news of the big show before this page had to go to the printer. You can rest assured, though, that a thorn in Danton’s side is the fact that Cecil Lyle bought the late Horace Goldin’s entire production and will be exhibiting it before Danton can get to England with the return of the Dante evening of mystery. — Memories : When Herman Weber had a production box decorated appropriately and called The Swastika Dove Box; when the Sphinx had full page ads for Thom McAn shoes, Insurance, and even a Travel Bureau; when Betty Jane Kolar was the pride and joy of the Chief of Police as the youngest and most prolific gal magus.
Musing through the scrapbook we found notes of a sweet little idea that Stewart James had years ago. It was merely a small black-headed pin and a case that formerly contained pen points. the spectator puts the pin in the case and hands it to the performer closed. Without looking at it, the latter holds it to his forehead and divines which way the pin is pointing. By touch you know which is the top of the case for there’s a ridge around the cover. Raise the case to head so the cover touches forehead. Do it quickly and tilt the case as it reaches head. If the point of pin is at the top of case you will distinctly hear the pin roll back and forth repeatedly. When the head of the pin is at top this movement is practically non-existent. Don’t shake it, just raise it quickly and be sure to tilt it. You can also use the oldie about the philosopher who said it’s very hard to tell about a pin as it is headed in one direction and pointed in the other.
And here’s another one to worry your friends and enemies with. Abril Lamarque is conversing with you and lights a cigarette. Then he keeps shaking the match but it doesn’t go out, and after this keeps up for a half minute he puts it into his pocket, not dropping a stitch of the talk while it all happens. The gag is one of those small three inch tubular flashlights from the five and ten cent store. When it is turned on in the hand and kept in motion as if trying to shake it out the illusion is perfect. The value of the stunt is in doing it unconcernedly.
The S.A.M. Annual Heckscher Theatre show is shaping up and the tickets are going fast as usual. Sam Margulies is the impresario and Feb. 24th is the day to double x mark in your date book. — Al Baker’s new book should be in all hands around convention time this year. Carl “Greater Magic” Jones will publish this work and the contents will run well over 100 of the Baker magic that several generations have found too subtle to be “caught”.
