We think periodically about the science of magical trick and book reviewing.
It hit at our front door recently when we were offered a page in a magic mag
and might have become looked upon as a savant of high magical order. And
so it was turned down, not only because our time seems limited since we got
the weekly unleashed, but because we know our limits as well as likes and
dislikes. There are seven classes of magic, according to the Robert Houdin
school, and each is a branch of the art which justly demands almost complete
concentration to the exclusion of the other six, that is, if one attempts to become
professionally proficient. That was the basic reason for our attempt, a year ago,
to have a review board of seven and record each month, the trick, or book, the
originator, or author, and the price. Then would follow a notation of the “yes” or
“no” decisions, the only factor being “Is the book or item, in the information or
practicality, worth the price ?”
Our idea was gently laughed at by what seemed at the time contemps magazines,
and it fell by the wayside simply because dealers couldn’t see letting 7 in on
the “dope” rather than 1. Now we all like and do certain types of tricks. I lean
heavily towards mental effects and non-sleight card tricks. Ade Duval is looked
upon as a handkerchief addict. Houdini went for escapes. Dr. Jacob Daley is
immediately connected with cards, as is John Scarne, Charley Miller, and
Jim Grigsby. Dr. Joseph Fries isn’t natural without a new effect in rope tricks.
Another person likes apparatus magic, another pocket magic, another strictly
impromptu magic a la Malini. Give each one of the above named a new book
and if that book were to leave out tricks of any division one or more of the
reviewers would see “nothing much in it”. A magician judges a book by what
he can get out of it “to do”, and “to do” means the type of trick he leans towards
and puts in his act.
Because I’ve been irked twice lately when I saw reviews of “not so hot” attitudes
regarding tricks on the market that, in capable hands of those who feel at home
with those types of tricks were immediate hits at the shows where they were
performed, I have written these lines. In both cases I knew personally the
reviewers and am acquainted with the fact that they never perform the type
of trick they commented upon to its detriment. It could be made into a policy
of a magic mag to receive books and items for review whereupon the editor
dishes them out to different reviewers for comment. These reviewers would
each represent one of the seven types. A “yes” or “no” immediately would have
weight. For one, I’d certainly rather take Tommy McNeil’s comment on a lock
trick instead of John Mulholland’s. And I’d rather take Johnny’s comment on
a close-up coin routine instead of Tom’s.
6
Dariel Fitzkee has gathered together a number of west coast acts and is placing
them on tour in key cities of California. They opened in Oakland on the 10th
and 11th last to good houses. With good adverts and 24 sheets scattered around
it should keep on clicking. Steve Shepard was supposed to be planning such a
show but, like my horse, sort of got left at the post. This idea shouldn’t be such
a bad thing for the East. Sam Margulies, make a note.
The Dunninger program, which we promised for this issue was crowded out
until next week. The Stewart James spirit cabinet act for one man has a couple
of the smartest dodges seen in many a mad moon. Incidentally Stewart has told
us that our supposition re the source of Took Best Book Test which we made
comment upon, was his own head and not any back file — which was where we
located the basic “missing page” effect for the Whim of Tituba. We apologize.
R.M. Jamison writes “Here is an accidental discovery. For those who do
“slick” card work, as locators, the slickest, slipperiest card that can be used
is a new Ivory finished card in a deck of either Air Cushion or Linen finished”.
— The Horace Goldin show has been purchased in entirety by Cecil Lyle. It
might be interesting to those who want to make “money” with magic that his
probated will left about $3000 in pre-war American money. Which reminds of
an old copy book saying “It don’t make much difference what we make. When we
make a little we have a little and nothing left, and when we make more we have
more and nothing left.”
Bill Stickland, a Londonite, has been getting good results from an adaptation of
Cecil Lyle’s famous paper hat trick wherein pieces are torn and restored to show
the article. Glen Pope has made fine use of it as a closer when his gal assistant
exits. Stickland doesn’t make a hat — He makes a gas mask which he puts on
and wears ! — At Dante’s farewell party we tried our best to find out what
“SIM-SALA-BIM” (the title name of his full evening show) meant. He wouldn’t
divulge. After diving into Jean Hugard’s voluminous files regarding magi for
many years it was discovered that they are the first three words of the chorus of
an old Danish drinking song. Jansen (Dante) is of Danish extraction.
Jack Gwynne will open at N.Y.’s Loew’s State Theatre on Dec. 6 so take
heed. — And “Think-a-Drink Hoffman” still is with The Streets of Paris show,
an example of what perfect staging and background can do with a magic act.
— Irony item is that the ship sunk by a mine from under Nicola with a total loss
of his show, could have been saved. The shore battery saw the ship approaching
the Singapore harbor minefield. The Captain phoned his fire commander, who
said he had to get his orders from the port war station. Official inquiry showed
that there was no “initiative” left to a shore battery to fire a warning shot in an
emergency. The battery was intended for defense of the port, the fire commander
said, not to halt ships entering the mine field.