The main thing that appeals to our somewhat jaded sense of mystery is that the Invisible Pull effect in this issue is the only such type of gimmick that will work even after the elastic breaks! Certainly no slight was intended in issue #81 when we talked about being conversant with only two lady magi in this country today and heralded the coming of a Miss Blanche from the other side. The word "professional" should have been inserted and that would have saved us from criticism for not mentioning Roberta and Marion Byron. The sisters in magic have shown their…
Editor's note : This rare and unpublished photograph was given to me several years ago by Frank Ducrot. It was taken in the rear of Houdini's home at 278 West 113th Street, New York City, on the occasion of one of Downs' few trips east after his retirement. The exact date is doubtful but evidently it was 1924 or 1925. The Jinx would like this issue to be something of a memorial issue to four great men of magic. The material has been searched for over a period of two years and we trust that it will not be found…
Prediction while being chased: If that Winston Freer levitation is practical for anyone but himself it will be the "headless woman" mystery trick of 1940, to be seen on every sideshow platform, to be copied right and left by pirate builders, and about the middle of the season to be exposed in several of the mechanic magazines if not the Sunday supplements. The Playbill, N.Y.C. theatre program weekly, has been carrying a full page Nash automobile ad with a large leader - "You'll Feel like Houdini when you do it !" The intimation is that when you're in a Nash…
One pony of Gin One pony of Scotch Whiskey One-half egg One pony of lime juice One-half teaspoonful powdered sugar Ice, shake, (but well !) ((sometimes the drink starts shaking you, so hang on !)), strain into a small bar glass. (Note by Annemann, an old rainmaker; Keep your umbrella handy.)
Ropes in the air, especially with hindu boys aclimbing, are anathema to magicians. It is with gusto that we reproduce from LIFE magazine the true explanation, or, at least, one of them. --- For nearly forty years The Sphinx has been a lodestone for magicians. It has seen them come and go, especially those aspirants to the throne (?) of president in one society or another. We are in that era again, and I don't mean the S.A.M. --- There's no late news on Chester Morris' mishap. In his latest pic a machine gun went off a bit too close…
The "black cat" mystery subscription card that was sent around the country during the month (you didn't have to sign or mark. Just stroke the cat's back and whisper your name and address in its ear, and mail) kept not a few magi busy looking for the "key." We got cards back that had been soaked, heated to a burning point, crumpled into balls, trimmed, and even tinted blue. So far we are 100% on check-offs and so far no one has found anything definitely wrong. We said in the accompanying circular that we had a cat with a crystal…