43 entries from March 2011
A trick a day for a year
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
MARCH 22
ERDNASE ACES
'The Feints & Temps of Harry Riser' by Ed Brown (Page 52)
This is a great cut-to-the-aces routine presented as a gambling demonstration. What makes it especially interesting for magicians is the fact that most of the moves involved come direct from 'The Expert At The Card Table'.
Plus, if you'd prefer to produce the aces pretty much instantly, Harry offers an alternate "quick version".
A trick a day for a year
Saturday, March 26, 2011
MARCH 21
JO-ANNE THE OUT OF LUCK DUCK
'Kid Stuff Five' by Frances Marshall (Page 65)
If you're a kid show performer who owns a Card Duck (and I'm talking to you Nicholas Johnson) you may have thought it was restricted to just tricks with cards. Perhaps by name, but not by nature.
This is a great little routine, from way back in 1975, that sees Jo-Anne grabbing bunches of balloons, popping balloons with her beak, and generally causing trouble that the kids will find hilarious.
The Flicking Fingers
Saturday, March 26, 2011
This is a sampler for their full stage show from May last year. It is in German, but extremely entertaining even if you don't understand the language.
A trick a day for a year
Thursday, March 24, 2011
MARCH 20
CHING LING FOO'S PAPER TRICK
'Houdini's Escapes and Magic' by Walter B Gibson (Page 154)
This old effect, where torn strips of paper are restored after being put into a bowl of water, could easily play to any audience today, but the sneaky method could be adapted as a Snowstorm in China.
Actually, re-reading this effect, I think the Foo effect is more mystifying than the Snowstorm...
A trick a day for a year
Thursday, March 24, 2011
MARCH 19
HYPNO MAGNETISM
'Scarne's Magic Tricks' by John Scarne (Page 153)
The tip of a cane is placed on the horizontally opened palm of the performer. It is held at the other end by a spectator. The cane cannot be lifted by the spectator, except by the will of the performer, no matter how much force he applies.
These sort of effects enjoyed popularity many years ago, but with the rise of 'mentalism' I could imagine these could again play very well given the right presentation.
A trick a day for a year
Thursday, March 24, 2011
MARCH 18
PSYCHIC SORTING
'13 Steps to Mentalism' by Corinda (Page 45)
There are many ways to mark cards, but this method has to be one of the more ingenious ones.
Without tipping it, because I really think you should read it, you could read these cards blindfolded. Interesting possibilities, especially for any vision-impaired or blind magicians.
Weird You Tube Discoveries - Condom Magic
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Is this the first magic themed Google?
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Celebrating Harry Houdini's 137th Birthday