Neckfright

One of the classics in rope magic is more or less called The Hangman’s
Noose. Two lengths of rope around the neck and tied tightly in front are
apparently pulled through and shown perfectly solid and fair, the loops
being just large enough to snugly encircle the neck. With two ropes the
principle was that of the ancient Grandmother’s Necklace. A somewhat
similar (and called a great improvement because but one rope was used)
effect came out later but it required the bight of the rope being placed
against the front of the neck, the ends apparently crossed behind, and the
knotting down when the ends again again at the front.

This trick still is a standard effect of many rope enthusiasts. This version
will bring the presentation up to date by eliminating the bad features of
both the foregoing. A single piece of rope is shown and hung around the
neck. The ends are tied in a solid knot and when ready it is removed with
one gesture and the single loop seen just large enough for the neck. The
knot in front is genuine.

There should be no difficulty in the reader’s arranging this clever idea
for instant use in his winter act. Two pieces of rope of the same length
are used. Onto each end of one piece sew a snap-fastener, as in the famed
Tarbell rope trick, or use a set of the special rope gimmicks as sold by
dealers. Do not use the type of gimmick that screws together. Fix the other
length of rope in the same way. Paint the prepared ends white. Now snap
one piece of rope to the other and you have apparently one single length
of rope. Thus prepared, the rope may be used over and over as there is no
preparation nor renewals of any kind necessary.

The performer takes the rope out of his pocket, pulls on it a bit as he
patters.
Tho not in the spot of “weakest resistance”, he puts it around in the back
of his neck and pulls it (but gently) back and forth a few times as the two
ends hang down in front. He proceeds to tie the knots, but not too tightly.
A little slack must be left. As the tying is finished, the loose ends are
one in each hand. The right hand transfers its end to the left hand but in
doing so snaps the ends together and this is covered in the left hand which
apparently holds the loose ends.

The right hand reaches up, and with thumb underneath and fingers on top
of the knots gives the rope a quick pull – a hard pull. The right travels all
the way down to the knee with the rope now held by that hand only. It is
now displayed with both hands holding a loose end and then balled up
and dropped back into the pocket as performer says he can easily explain
how such an event happened. He describes, using his now free hands, how
the rope was tied around the neck, pulled, and pulled, and how the neck
continued to get smaller and smaller. Finally there was but one thing left
— the Adam’s Apple. Things were simple then for it was only necessary to
lift the rope over the Apple and it was free.

The performer continues that a lot of people don’t think that’s a lie, but
it is. In regards to the knots that you tie into the rope when you have
it around your neck, (and here you take out a duplicate rope from the
pocket, untie the knots as you are talking) the first one you tie like this, the
next one like this, and when no one is looking you place this end thru here,
this end thru here, and look ! There’s KNOTTING to it. The rope then is
tossed out. This last bit is the old figure 8 knot so many times in magic
books. It makes a nice display vanishing knot and serves a purpose here.