Editor's note : This rare and unpublished photograph was given to me several years ago by Frank Ducrot.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…
With spring making a belated appearance in New York we are trying to find a substitute for sulphur and molasses in a valiant effort to miss the nauseous effects of grandmother's favorite old remedy while warding off the sleepiness and indolence that always comes with the thinning of our blood after a long winter. It may be little or no excuse to the readers who live the year around in sunny climes, but if their imagination can normally reach the heights that it does in some of the effects we have received lately, it shouldn't be difficult to picture (mentally,…
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…