In the U.S.A. today there exists a feud between an association (ASCAP) of music composers and publishers and another association (BMI) of broadcasting company sponsored independents in the song writing field. At this writing the latter group has the edge on the "air" while the former has the edge on music of popular fancy. Herbert Hood, for long an associate of N.Y. music publishers, (and longer silent associate of our best masters of subtlety) is on the side of ASCAP. Without taking a part we like this argument mentioning magic. Mr. Hood says that the best composers are with ASCAP…
It is to be regretted that the Servais LeRoy show on June 6th, and to which we looked forward with printed words and thrilled soul, did become a fiasco of the first water. We were about to try and forget it, because of sentimentality, until contact with a number of the newer magi changed our view. That many of the younger generation dug up $2.20 for an unrehearsed performance of what undoubtedly was the ultimate in bad magic and worse stage deportment by a slew of nincompoops who didn't know enough to leave quietly after the first so-called act is…
Without Mr. Rudolph Reimer's aid I never would have dared write about Henry Hardin. Rudy cut his magical eye-teeth on Professor Parson's ideas and was the foil for Hardin subtleties over a long period of time. I regret not having a dozen more pages, though, because the Henry Hardin effects as advertised could well be made into a book by itself. There are 43 of them listed in his Memorandum, and there are at least 20 more known ideas not listed. This issue publishes a picture of the man who contributed plenty to our art, and, to our knowledge, it's…
The May Sphinx is a "must" issue if only for Jack Trepel's telephone book test. It completely bewildered us a year and a half ago when we saw Jack and Mrs. Trepel do it. Our heaviest guns had been trained upon the objective of getting permission to run it but we were "blitzkrieged" with a stockholder's certificate. We hope the fellow who sent us the very same principle in a Reader's Digest book trick three months ago doesn't worry any more. We conveniently lost it because Mr. Trepel was the originator, and, at that time, we still had hopes (and…
On May 24th we contacted, by telegrams, six of the Sphinx stockholders, "Please quote price on your interest in Sphinx. Will remit immediately if not out of proportion to value." We made that offer backed with $4000.00 cash on deposit in the Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank, Grand Central Branch, N.Y.C. As agent for the purpose of its present owners, and with full control of those funds for that intent, we asked for, and expected replies. At 9:30 A.M. May 28th, two replies were at hand. Mr. Arnold Belais, by postal, "Thanx for the telegram, but I'm not interested. What's the…
Of course, we don't like it, but our sense of humor must have its way. Mrs. White, columning for Brunel in the London World's Fair during his recent illness, reported "Howard de Courcey's little lot that was exposed to the world" in a paper which "caused something of a sensation among magicians for telegrams poured in here that day and letters each post since." We quote : "There were two photographs of Howard de Courcey accompanying an article title, "His 'Bags' of Tricks." In the article was stated : "This is how the back of ---, the conjuror, appears. Nicely…
Some of the members have felt rather keenly our "kiddie-kar" aspersion in the last issue. We have been told (as though we didn't know) that there are a number in the S.A.M. National Council who are trying seriously to help magic and the society. Our remark should have been pointed more directly at those few who make too obvious their unfairness of mind when matters are pertaining to general welfare of the members as a whole. We cannot plumb the reason why an "official organ" should charge $25 per page for society news (M.U.M.). That the same publication charges the…
Notice! The Will Rock 'so called' Thurston show plays ONE day, April 30th, at Keith's Flushing Theatre, Flushing, Long Island. Matinee and evening performances of this one of two hour illusion shows left will find many magicians helping out at the box office. Russell Swann is opening now for two weeks at the Beverly Hills Country Club, Kentucky. The Swann-Langdon romance has been mentioned several times of late by Winchell who has now made public their one month separation to see if it really is love. Then, if absence makes the heart grow fonder, it is reported that they will…
Comment received about the Walsh Assorted Cards effect in Jinx #90 make us feel good. For the first time, it seems, the actual thumb positions for the various diminishing fans with ordinary cards have been illustrated. It has made the effect practical for many who couldn't quite get it before. Our previous comments regarding the Will Rock so-called Thurston show were based upon information from creditable correspondents. We saw his performance at Keith's Flushing, Long Island theatre versus a double feature program with somewhat prejudiced eyes. We were pleasantly surprised to see the illusions presented with perfect timing and quite…
We didn't have room enough, last week, to explain that we gave up plans for a daily Jinx some time ago because expenses plus labor versus returns appeared to be a draw match. So, to salve our own hurt ambitions, we've done the next best thing by offering you a Daley Jinx. On the air over WOR and Mutual Broadcasting System stations at 8:30 P.M. on Saturday nights, is Who Knows?, the latest effort to dramatize true occult happenings and experiences. Hereward Carrington is furnishing the material for the scripts which leave you dangling for a possible solution. The best,…