Because I'm a firm believer in using simple looking items in magic - not the fancy painted gadgets sold by dealers, I figured out a sort of billet switch that looks innocent. (I hate the change bag) After making several boxes, a cigar box with double lid, a turn-over device, and so on, this fool-proof and very plain looking idea was evolved and built. It has proven its worth in several ways. I use a Schrafft's Candy Box, 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 and in the top, at center, is cut a small slot to take the folded billets. Immediately…
People show an unreserved interest in this effect - it looks unique. Then, too, it is in that class of "visible" card magic which enjoys a popularity with the layman. The magus shuffles a deck of cards, divides it into halves, and turns one half face up. The two halves are inter-shuffled and the deck then given to someone who further mixes the face-ups with the face-downs to his heart's content. The trickster takes back the deck and spreads it for a selection of a face-down card, for, as he says, "I otherwise would see what card you might take…
Dollar bills, (or higher if you can get them) are always of interest to an audience. This original exchange which is the last word in constant visibility can be used for any number of tricks which require substitution either for another bill, or a dummy. In the latter case we would like to go on record as never having seen a dummy bill which could be considered a "safe" counterpart. We speak, naturally, as "safe" pertains to entertainment purposes only. Pertaining to "dummies" we know of those who have torn a one inch strip from the end of a bill…
One of my currently favorite pets for a "quick turnover" which doesn't stall enough to bore the onlookers, is a tricky (to figure out) transposition of two cards. With your ordinary deck, and a strong point here is that it may be borrowed, you need but one double faced card. Let us assume it to be the Ace of Clubs on one side and the Two of Diamonds on the other. From the deck take the ordinary Ace of Clubs and put it in your right trouser pocket. On the face of the deck have your double card with the…
"Of all mysteries in the realm of magic," the performer says, "the East Indian Needle Feat is supreme." (See Jinx #1 - Ed.) He patters on "In the presentation of that oriental deception, one which must have been developed from the feat of laying on sharpened spikes, the fakir swallows from 25 to 50 needles and follows this repast with several yards of thread and a glass of water. After incantations of doubtful origin the needles and thread are up-chucked, and the sewing appliances found threaded upon that product of the spinner's art." (Note before going farther, where in hell…
Effect: The magician shows a wooden block puzzle that has a ring on it. It is given to a spectator with the request that he take off the ring, but after trying for a few minutes it is declared impossible. Putting it behind his back for a second, the performer takes off the ring and gives them both for inspection. Secret: This is one of those bare faced things which a magician can delight in doing for the tried and true puzzle addict. The fact that it is impossible to do is where the Sam Lloyd students will run into…
Night spot audiences will no doubt see this effect in performance when someone takes it up as an original twist on an old stunt. It is good for a laugh, if only because of the new object into which a dollar bill is directed. The cigarette and dollar bill has been done quite a bit, so this should prove of interest as a novel variation. The cellophane wrapping is also away from the usual envelope. Get a banana stalk which has only three bananas still attached. Choose one on which you are going to work. At the bottom of the…
During the past three years, I have often used the following as a publicity effect for newspaper offices, and many times as an impromptu stunt from homes after a performance. As will be seen, the working is far from difficult or out of the ordinary run of such tests, but the effect on the watchers and listeners is very striking. There is something about mental stunts on a telephone that makes talk and creates interest. The business of naming cards over a phone has been tossed around so much that it isn't of much value anymore, so my thoughts along…
Place the non-believer opposite to you and in the following manner proceed to convince him that a strange power is yours to command. Five or six pieces of rather heavy tissue paper (about two by three inches in size) are put in front of the subject. He is asked to pick up one and write upon it the name of someone living. He folds it once each way, puts its back on the table and takes another slip. This time he is told to write the name of a dead relative or close friend. He folds it as before, you…