The Bat Magazine Issues 01 - 50
The Bat Magazine Issues 01 - 50
REGULAR WORK
Well, son, I think I've about run dry. Of
course, I haven't told you everything. In faet
you have to do plenty yourself so go to work.
Eight now is your golaen opportunity. You can
work as often as you wish and work is what de- SOPHISTICATED SOFT SOAP
yelopes a polished performer. Contact your Mandroop, the Magician, (George Mc-
local Red Cross and USO units ana go with Athy) in whose hands even the best of
them whenever you can. Work will smooth out tricks become tricky, suggests the follow-
the hesitations, the lack of confidence. It ing—First you get five dollars and buy
will aid your delivery and polish your timing, Sophisticated Soft Soap from Magic Limited.
and at the same time it will be spreading Practice it, then patter to the effect that
laughter and sunshine where it is needed. It some people collect autographs, but when I
will not only do you good but bring good to was in Hollywood recently I collected lip-
those who are most deserving. Don't think of prints of the various glamour girls. For
money until you have some polish and experi- instance, this one is Ann Sheridan's. This
ence, then the first time you find others on is Lana Turner's, and here is Alice Faye's»
the bill getting paid for the work you are etc., etc. (On the last hank you have one
donating start to squawk. Then you can de- big print instead of several small ones)I
mand and merit lucrative reward. If possible As you open it out you say, "And of course,
seek out a small night spot and offer your this is Martha Raye's."
services, perhaps you can make a money deal, FROM AUSTRALIA
if not, just write it off as experience. Work
and contacts are what you need so go to it. This iim-dandy comes from Australia,
and we just change the wording a little. We
feel it only fair to mention that you split
the profit with us, say, fifty-fifty.
LOOKING AHEAD
How about another talk? Shucks we
Take a match box from your pocket, and
openly place two quarters in it. Then ask
your friends to put two quarters in it too.
haven't mentioned lots of things such as Then quickly ask him or her how much they
hecklers, but you can fina a great deal in will give you for the box. Done before they
your books. Read them and don't deliberately have time to think, many will offer a dol-
copy, adjust the material to your own person- lar.
ality. Reword the gags to fit your own style
or speech and develope your own style Of de- Editor's note. (Hmmmmmmm.)
livery. Yes, I'll be glad to talk further DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN?
with you, let's say in BAT 20 and we'll call
it COMEDY MAGIC. Theo. Bambep was with the Thurston show?
Charles A. Leedy, the Baton Juggling
He is the typ > of fellow who has to use magician, was with Al* G. Fields minstrels?
an electric shaver. He has a face only a
motor could lovel OwJ The Holdens presented their colored
shadowgraphs in vaudeville?
I've known her ever since we were the
same age. Al Baker was on the Red-Path Chatauqua?
Judging by the way you're shooting your CLIPPO was not yet invented?
mouth off, you must brush your teeth with
gunpowder. Greystoke, the Southern magieian, was
presenting his mid-nite spook show through
MAGI CARD SYSTEM now in second edition. Ohio?
This is a complete set-up deek that is sim-
plified by complete and very thorough train- W. W. Durbin had his Egyptian Hall at
ing lessons. $3.50. Ohio?
—Harry Opel
Page 62 THE BAT Nmnber In
NUMBER ELEVEN
/VENGALIX PROPHECY
Many advanced magicians have the feeling that it is
Tc present, look at a lady in the left
degrading or perhaps even not playing fair to use a trick
side of the audience, riffle the deck before
deck before an audience, This silly attitude is made even
funnier by witnessing the same men after having had a trick
her, and state that you will have her select
deck run in on them by one of the "masters". Tour editor
any card in the deck. Say that first you
has seen it done time and time again. Not only were the
will make a guess of what she will do. Take
witnesses completely puzzled but so blinded mentally that
they could offer no explanation for the miracle they had
a paper, place it on the deck as an impromptu
just seen. There is always the chance, of course, that
table, and. write, "The gentleman will take
the trick deck will fail on you and surely one should not
the of — " . Here you write the name of
depend entirely on tricked decks, but if one is seeking the
ultra in entertainment, or if he is a wise man, he will
the short duplicate. Drop the slip unfolded
consider results first and not method. Consider this ex-
into the tumbler. Riffle the cards again be-
cellent effect by Jack Vosburgh, then get out your Sven-
fore the lady and have her say stop. When
gali deck. If you don't the neophytes will be winning ac-
olaim in your stead. stopped, take out the long indifferent card
BY JACK VOSBURGH above the break and hand it to her face up,
Perhaps many readers have discarded their telling her to hold it a moment. Be careful
Svengali decks for the same reasons I had: the to tilt the deck down as you do this, to
few tricks explained in the instructions ac- hide the short duplicate above the place of
companying the deck were removal.
ineffective and obvious; so Look at a man on the right side of the
many decks were sold that audience, riffle the deck for him, and say-
the principle became eom- that presently you will
monly known among laymen; have nim select a card,
the principle of the deck that first you will write
seemed too elementary to be another guess. Place the
artistic. If so, you other slip of paper on
imight enjoy the following deck, pose in thought,
prediction effect that I and write, "The lady will
devised to prolong the use- take the — of --." Here
fulness of my own Svengali you write the name of the
deck. The same effect might have occurred to card she did take. Drop
others, but I have never seen it in this ap- the unfolded second slip
plication. into the tumbler. Now ap-
The usual deck is employed. Twenty-six proach the man, riffle
long, all different cards and twenty-six before him until stopped,
short, alL*alike cards are alternated, one riffling as before, from
short duplicate behind each long indifferent face to back, showing the
card. Riffling from face to back reveals indifferents. When stopped, take out the
only the faces of the long indifferent cards, short duplicate card below the break, and
*s the cards fall in pairs. The deck can be hand it to the man.
p
iffle-shuffled without destroying the set-up. Take the tumbler to someone in the center
Have a table, bench or chair in front of of the first row, dump the papers into his
jruur audience. On this are the cased deck of hand. Have him read the lady's message and
cards, a pencil, two small slips of paper, have her hold up her card for all to see. Have
M d a glass tumbler. (Continued on second column of next page)
Page 66 THE BAT Number ]i
SVENGALFS PROPHECY
(Continued from preceding page)
the center person read the man's paper, and
have him hold up his card.
That is all. You might care to vary the
selection, having the lady cut to a card, us-
ing the card above or below the cut, depend-
THE BAT is published by MAGIC LIMITED ing on which one is the long card. The man
at irregular intervals and at least eight could push a letter opener into the deck. Re-
times per year. Subscription price is One move th.e card below or above, depending on
Dollar per eight issues; twenty-five cents which is the short card. I usually riffle
for single copies. for the selections as.it is faster and more
All communications should be addressed open.
to THE BAT, 3915 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, (Svengali decks 85c each, postpaid.
California. State color of back and whether bridge or
standard size is desired.)
LLOYD E. JONES Editor
THERON FOX Assistant Editor
30B GOTTHER Art Editor
be shuffled, over-handed, once more. Then and shuffling, explain how the spectator is
have him turn the pack over and over several to turn one card, and while talking, spread
times so that you won't know which set of through to the 3H, and turn it over sidewise.
cards is face up. (You have turned your back This sets the deck, and also keeps the spec-
after giving him the cards.) tator from turning his own card end for end.
He spreads the cards from the left hand A patter suggestion might be built up on the
into the right hand, and at any time turns different nethods of shuffling the deck, thus
one of the face up cards face down, or one of giving a reason for insuring that the specta-
the face down cards face up, and remembers tor always overhand shuffles while the per-
its name. Then he shuffles the deck once former who is supposedly more skilled,
more. riffles. Men like Lc Paul and Eugene Bern-
stein who already have splendid reversed deck
He hands you the deck behind your back. routines can now spring a new one with a trick
You strip out the turned cards, turn them in it before the boys.
over and around, and lay them on the other
set. Now the only card turned in the pack (Stripper decks, side or end strippers
is the selected one. as desired, 85e postpaid. Please specify
Hand the deck to the spectator to dis- color of back and whether standard or bridge
cover that you have righted all but the noted cards are needed. For more of the best in
card. Stripper Tricks, get Hugard-Braue's Miraele
Methods No. 1 from Magic Limited~$1.00 post-
SUGGESTION: Beforehand have one card paid.)
turned, say the 3H. Then have the turning
ISSUED IRREGULARLY
NUM3ER TWELVE
By Jack Yosburgh
MAGICAL • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
By Everett Samuels "Dear Lloyd:
Effect: You have many times admired my routines and openly
A man's handkerchief shown unprepared expressed your praise of them. I feel certain then
that you will welcome this contribution for your BAT.
(it may be borrowed) i s draped by holding the (I dol Ed.) It is only a portion of a longer routine
center with fingertips. The handkerchief is as you well know, and being such can be expanded, or
stroked with the free hand and at length from even condensed as desired.
under i t s folds a coin is produced. This is "As in many combinations or routines, not much
placed in the pocket and the stroking re- originality can be claimed, but I am certain that to
peated. Another coin i s produced and t h i s many of the present generation of magicians there will
performance may be repeated as often the ma- be a good deal that is new to them or at least novel.
gician wishes. Finally, from under the folds It is particularly fitting I send you this since there
seems to be current a revival of interest in that use-
an egg i s produced and the handkerchief i s ful piece of deception, the Bottomless Glass. If you
placed aside. like this bit, others will follow.
The egg is carefully slid into a glass "Best wishes to you and to Magic Limited as well
tumbler and isolated by covering with a paper as, of course, the BAT.
Yours in Magic,
tube. A small s i l k handkerchief now poked Everett Samuels"
into the f i s t changes into the egg and r e -
moving the cover from the glass the s i l k is into confetti i s a beautiful effect and in-
found there instead of the egg. teresting to watch.
Performer now explains how part of t h i s Requirements:
miracle" was accomplished by forcing the A large handkerchief.
silk into a hollow egg with a hole in i t . He A hooked coin. (Mine i s a genuine dol-
cautions, however, against t h i s dangerous l a r with a needle point driven in one edge.
practice because i t is often detected by the Many, however, will prefer to use the stan-
audience. However, there i s a way out he dark hook coin.) (Hook coin 50c, obtain-
explains, for by saying a magic word, the egg able from the dealers)
and silk disintegrate and only a shower of
confetti i s l e f t . This fanning of theiegg A bottomless glass ($1.00 from Magic
(Continued on Page 80)
Page 78 TEE BAT Number 14
Knowing the men in back of this new en-
terprise, Julien J. Proskauer and Walter B.
Gibson, the thought strikes home that maybe
this is not to be intended for the fraternity
alone but for the public at large, for both
men have had their names plastered on exposes
and other material that hasn't been viewed
favorably by magicians time and time again.
THE BAT is published by MAGIC LIMITED We hope this is not the case.
at irregular intervals and at least eight Yet, if the new Conjuror's Monthly is
times per year. Subscription price is One not to be for public sale, it seems destined
Dollar per eight issues; twenty-five cents to have a long row to hoe before it will be-
per single copies. come financially stable. But again we re-
All communications should be addressed peat, knowing these men and their knowledge
to THE BAT, 4064 Thirty-Ninth Ave., Oakland of the printing game, we are certain they
2, California. know what they are doing. We once told Ted
Annemann his weekly Jinx would not click.
LLOYD E. JONES Editor We were wrong I And who among you would have
THERON FOX Assistant Editor prophesied a few years back that the Linking
30B GUNTHER Art Editor Ring would be as good and as indispensable
as it is today? Or that Genii would reach
its current amazing circulation peak? All
we can do is wish the newcomer well, and
await more news about it.
We are even afraid to prophesy about the
BAT, but as long as subscriptions continue to
roll in at $1.50 a year (eight issues $1.00)
as they are at present, we won't have time to
D T K T A W O .??? do sol And we repeat, since it seems to be
That was the answer received when we a good idea, make it two years for $3.00, and
asked our friend who is polishing our new we'll send you a dollar magie book with our
book for us about when it would be finished compliments.
and why it wasn't ready now. Don't You Skipping back to the new magic magazine
Know There's A War On? soon to appear, it has called for explana-
We told him what we thought of him and tions from Bruce Elliot, whose Phoenix now
his ilk, and the result is that we eannot loses one member. This has been satisfactor-
announce publication until next issue. How- ily done and the bird will continue to pros-
ever, that is much better than announcing per. Some have wondered about the BAT'S sit-
publication and still be waiting for books uation, sinee I run Magic Limited and Theron
six months later, as one Eastern dealer at Fox has his Sealed Mysteries and a line of
present is doing. Embarrassing not only to other material. Just a moment's thought will
nim, but to other dealers who have booked show how this is possible. Magic Limited
(orders for announced works. contacts magicians and magic dealers. Theron
We have no orders for this new book, Fox contacts mainly novelty stores and whole-
since we have not placed a price on it, told salers. Primarily, I am interested in the_
what it was about, nor set a definite date retail end, fundamentally he is occupied with
for its appearance. When the date is set, wholesaling. Certainly there is bound to be
rest assured the books will be ready by then overlapping, but the close cooperation be-
for immediate shipment and that BAT readers tween vs eliminates any possible chance for
will receive first notice of its appearance. friction. He jobs many of the items Magic
Now why all this fuss over what is really a Limited produces, and in turn we feature and
minor publication? Well, we frankly feel sell many of his Sealed Mysteries, calendars,
that our newest one will find no dissatis- etc.
fied readers, and every purchaser will get And to look ahead just a little expect
more than his money's worth. an extra page issue shortly with very inter-
In several places announcements have esting material to read even if you never do
appeared that a new magical magazine will the trieks - although many will! We've un-
shortly appear. As if there weren't enough covered something very fascinating and only
of them in the field alreadyl This one, how- about 170 years old.
ever, will be a super-stupendous production Yours,
of sixty-four pages and in two colors. Quite
amazing when you read it, but did you know we Lloyd E". Jonel
have one such monthly already? Or aren't you
as ardent a reader of Blackstone's Super HAVE YOU BOUGHT AN EXTRA WAR BOND LATELY?
Magician Comics as I am?
Number 14 THE BAT Page 79
MACICAL MELEE
(Continued from Page 77)
terial and as the poking continues to draw
this out and display remarking that the dis-
integration is proceeding well.
The egg is now shown as having changed
Limited. Mss of 26 ways to use same, $1.00 from the silk and on removing the paper cover
extra—or the two together at the special the silk is seen nestling in the glass.
price of $1.50) At this point audience interest is at
A paper tube, rolled from cardboard, or its height. The routine can well end here
even made from a magazine. but personally I have found it best to con-
Two duplicating silk handkerchiefs. One tinue. Frequently, the Egg-Bag ($1.50) fol-
of which is left in view while the other is lows supposedly using the egg just changed."
folded by turning the corners repeatedly in Or the ending described above, which is de-
until a compact bundle results. This is in- finitely more colorful, is used.
serted into a loop of thread "tacked" near The confetti filled egg rests on the
the top of the paper tube. table at the butt end of the fan. After the
A hollow egg ($1.00) "expose" has been done, showing how the hole
A matching blown egg. An egg is well in the fake egg allows the supposed change to
shaken, then a small hole is tapped in each take place, the performer says, this bit of
end and the contents blown out. The result- deception can be easily discovered, so it is
ing shell is now thoroughly washed and let best to change the egg too. He picks up the
dry. Next a quantity of confetti is tamped fan, grabbing and concealing the egg at the
in and the holes sealed with a bit of match- same time, and transfers the fan to the hand
ing paper. Personally, instead of confetti, with the visible egg, while at the same time
I use bits of white tissue and a colored he supposedly transfer the egg as well. But
tissue to match the silk used. Thus when the what happens is that the confetti egg is
egg and hank are said to disintegrate, they shoved into view and the hole-egg is palmed
really seem to do so instead of changing into and hidden by the fan. This deception is
a hodge-podge of color. made more certain by gluing a small piece of
A fan. A regular one, or if the per- of silk of suitable color to the shell of the
former knows how to handle one to get laughs confetti-filled egg in the proper position.
for himself, a Breakaway Fan ($2.50) As the audience can still see the silk, in
The Working: their minds, protruding from the "hole" they
The hooked coin is palmed. After the do not detect this change although it has
handkerchief is shown and draped, the strok- been frequently clumsily made by yours truly.
ing of it transfers the coin to the rear. The shell is squeezed and coverted to
The hands now may be casually shown empty. small bits which dribble unseen to the floor
Another- stroke or two picks up the coin and as the fanning lifts the paper prettily into
permits its production from under the folds the air. Once a good shower is produced the
of the handkerchief. hand with the fan rests against the coat
The hollow egg is in the pocket into pocket and as the body swings away from the
which the produced coins are apparently put. audience view the concealed egg is pushed
The one coin being repeatedly produced by into the pocket. The confetti completely
palming, etc., as described. Finally, the scattered and the hand empty, the performer
egg is produced and the handkerchief placed rests fan between both palms as he makes a
aside. The egg is slid carefully into the bow to draw applause but more often to
glass to give the impression it is real, and acknowledge same. This action off-handedly
also to make certain that the audience does shows both hands free of anything suspicious.
not ascertain the absence of a bottom to the
glass.
The other hand now picks up the paper
tube and with the fingers lapping over the
GAG BAG
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT—In response to the many
complimentary l e t t e r s concerning BAT 10, requests for
bundled silk the tube is displayed as "empty" additional material, and l i s t i n g s of booKs and patter
and then placed over the glass. During this sources; from now on the GAG BAG w i l l concern i t s e l f
action the fingers kick the silk out of its mainly with the needs of the magical master of cere-
restraining loop, thus permitting it to drop monies and the pattering magician. Your contributions
into the glass and to expand. This done, the %iMagic
w l l be welcomed—just postcard them to the GAG BAG,
Limited, 4064 39th Ave., Oakland 2, California
covered glass is isolated by placing it on a
stand, a chair, or a piano as the fingers of "So, you're the mastoid of ceremonies." I
the other hand curl around and retain the egg "You don't mean mastoid; mastoid is a
nestling safely in the palm. pain in the ear."
Now the silk in view is picked up and "You catch on quickly"
poked into the clenched fist. An old-time -oOo-
bit that moderns might use is the concealment "He owes his advance to SDRAU/KCAB."
in the egg of a bit of flimsy O P cobwebby ma- "That's backwards, spelled backwards."
G \C W M/^gO
Published Monthly
March 1945
NUMBER FIFTEEN
• • • • • * • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Did you ever wish to float a glass? Use
a celluloid one (10c Magic Limited) and pre- paper or magazine and place over well. Lift
pare by pricking two holes near the top rim drape to show nothing under table and in so
for the thread. If you place three holes and doing lift glass into the tubeJ Shift tube
thread you can control better and even make and then produce glass.
the glass tip. Have "glass" filled with liquid Stuff soft rope into a cigarette package.
at start, pour liquid out and float glass. If short end is pulled out it will look like
Floating finished the thread is quickly pulled a cigarette from a short distance. Remark, a
out and the glass plaeed in an empty bag. trick with - show, and then pull the length
Crush bag and toss aside. Reproduce glass of rope from the pack. This should be long
elsewhere if you wish. enough to start your routine, at least it will
Smear heavy vaseline on bottom ledge of be long enough to permit the customary rope
bottomless glass. ($1.00) Cut piece of flex- streteh. (Lambie's 50c)
ible celluloid to block the hole and palm this Parachute cord (50 feet/85e) although
in hand. Now glass can be picked up and both expensive makes an excellent substitute for
hands seem to be "empty." Polish glass with the customary soft rope of magical use. Its
silk handkerchief but in so doing push hand- silky appearance enhances many effects.
kerchief through hole in bottom. Seem sur- If your X-Ray Pack ($1.00) matches the
prised at this. Shift celluloid disk to bot- regular deck you use, why not switch, if you
tom and pick up pitcher and fill glass with have had several cards selected and have the
liquid. Glass is all right againl Be eare-
ful not to place too much liquid in glass and cards slipped back into the tricked deck. Now
force disk off. with no shorts, or longs, or crimps, or grips
for the keeness eye to detect you can locate
Make celluloid insert to fit inside the and name each card in a very mystifying man-
bottomless glass. Show and pour liquid from
same. Place in bag, remove insert, vanish as When you do the Spook Card (50c) produce
above. Find glass back in bag then proceed the card that disappears from an "impossible"
as above. location. This makes a fine mental effect
With glass in table well make tube of from a good trick.
Page 82 THE BAT Number
^ealed with waterproof adhesive. Art, him-
self, packs miniature fish, guppies I be-
.ieve they are called in the shell and the
result is eagerly passed from hand to hand
when conditions permit. You crack the egg,
)roduce the water and fish and get rid of
;he shell by sleight of hand or by openly
wiping your hands and dropping the shell.
THE BAT ia published each month by This chat also recalled an opening for a
stage
MAGIC LIMITED. The subscription price is mind for show we have had in the back of our
$1.50 per year; eight issues for $1.00; years and still think it would make
single copies are 25c each. a good curtain raiser. Haying a set of twin
girls in the immediate
Send all communications to THE BAT, easy for us but others might family it would be
4064 Thirty-Ninth Ay., Oakland 2, Calif. more and find it even easier have triplets or
to produce I
LLOYD E. JONES Editor Curtain rises on a blank stage. A flash
THERON FOX Assistant Editor and magician appears in cabinet at center. He
30B GUNTHER Art Editor walks forward takes bow and then shows cabi-
net empty. Walking forward again he sees an
attractive girl whom he places in cabinet and
conceals by drawing front curtain of same. He
walks forward only to discover the th "same
s
irl walking on stage I He rushes to cabinet,
Iraws curtain, finds it empty - then places
girl in and again draws curtain. Stepping to
We mentioned some uses for the 14 of front, two girls are seen walking outl Cabi-
spades cards in BAT 13 only to have our fav- net empty, etc., with the two only this time
orite marine, Lt. Albert S. Johnson write be- (Continued on page 84)
fore he saw the copy of a new use of his. He
uses a pair of dice, has spectator roll them
then add. tops and bottoms together. Of course
this is 14. With one die you multiply by two
* GAG BAG
In counting silks for tricks such as the
and thus can naturally work into a follow up Sympathetic Silks, Carlyle, one of the most
to Miko. (50c) SNAFU incidentally doesn't versatile of manipulative magicians uses the
use dice but reports are that it is creating following unexpected bit. He counts* "A red
as much fun as that sensation seller of last a blue, a green, an orange," then stops in
year. surprise for instead of the silk he has a
How come you eagle eyed critics who note real orange, the fruit itselfl
our errors in grammar, spelling, and printing In a manipulative act, such as one in
never wrote about our masthead being wrong which silks are produced he uses an orange
the last two issues? Tskt TskI colored hank ball. And when we personally
Journeying to San Jose to install the use this bit we intend to gaze at the small
new officers of the Mystic Thirteen and the size "orange" and make a nasty crack about a
local Magigals late in January gave us an certain state which raises them. All of
opportunity to spend several hours with Art which by-play leads Carlyle to sagely, and
Heinsen of Heinsen Metal Magic and to line up rightly conclude, "Isn't it amazing how ma-
several fine items which Magic Limited will gicians want this gimmick black, that one
have the first opportunity to introduce to flesh, when after all they are not intended
the fraternity. These will be first mention- to be seen at all, and the good magician
ed in the sheets that accompany the BAT and doesn't care whether they are painted red
since same can only be produced in the small- or studded with rhinestonesl"
est quantity we urge you not to delay order-
ing too long. As always we stand back of any "We all come from the same mould. But
item we sell and are sure that when you see a Henry is mouldier than the rest."
triek stamped HMM you will be holding the "We call him Senator, because he's not
finest metal bit that ean be produced. very representative."
Art told us an unusual feature he has "Is there a gentleman from S.F. here?
used frequently in his many years performing. The boys in the backroom want to borrow your
It struek us as so different we persuaded him corkscrew."
to- let us let you in on it. It furnishes an-
other opportunity to change over in your rou- selves"People are eertainly enjoying themselve
tonight. Shall I introduce you now^r
tine without a hitch (see Magical Melee in
BAT 14). The idea is simply this, load your let them enjoy themselves a little longer.
blown egg with live goldfishI Two or three HAVE YOU BOUGHT AN EXTRA WAR BOND LATELY?
fair size ones can be inserted and the hole
THE BAT Page 83
lumber 15
TEXT
By Charles Miller
I take out the prepared match, reaching into
the other end of his fist, and holding it by
true head. But this takes a lot of nerve and
a very passive spectator.
Inspired by seeing Max Malini do a dar- A MATCHING GAME
ing book test, I send this knowing that only Six matches are shown; and the spectator
the capable O F equally bold performer will is told to mark two of them with a pencil in
attempt it. If they do so, I am certain they any way he chooses. Then two cups are shown
will have an effect worthy of a master, and and into each cup are placed two plain matches
Malini certainly was one. In handing the book and one marked match. Both cups are shaken by
for a free selection, etc., contrive to hold the spectator to mix the matches. Then the
it in such a way that a flesh grip can be ob- performer takes one cup behind his back and
tained as with a deck of cards, and the cus- tells the man to take the other cup in a like
tomary, "Take a little peek, please." The manner. The spectator is told to take any of
details I leave to you. The idea is there; the matches from his cup and bring it front.
make the most of it. He does so and the performer from his, cup
brings forth a like match. This is repeated
with the second match; if the spectator brings
out a plain match, the performer brings out a
plain one; and if the spectator's is marked so
(Continued from page 82) is the performer's.
to find three girls walking on stage I Cabi- The feke Is used secretly in this method.
net empty, etc., and magician in an excited At first it is clipped between the right first
state closes the three in only to find as he and second fingers near the second joints of
walks front stage the entire line of forty (?) the fingers.
chorus girls walking on in a line I Magician After the first match has been marked
hastily exits and the girls go into a dance take it from the man and hand him another
routine. Needed, of course, is a set of match. While he is marking this one slip the
twins, a third girl with approximate resem-
blance - and, of course, the line of girls feke onto the tail of the first marked match.
bewigged and costumed as the first three. Then drop the gimicked match and two
The details should furnish no trouble, but to plain ones into one cup and have the spectator
me a better opening for an evening magic show do the same with his. The cups are handled
would be difficult to envisage. for the mixing in the way described in COLOR
Our good friend, Clayton Rawson, (No BLIND.
Coffin for the Corpse, etc.) is to be con- Each time the performer sees the specta-
gratulated for having his fine murder mystery tor's match he knows what to bring out. At
Death from a Top Hat, appear in the Dell ser- the end the feke is pulled off before the
ies of pocket books, ^ow only a quarter in- marked match is taken forward, and is hidden
vestment prevents you from becoming acquain- at the crotch of either the right or the left
ted with Merlini and a good story involving a thumb.
magician. You have two chances for a dramatic pre-
And that reminds us too, that Clayton's sentation. If the man's first match is mark-
trick SCRAMBLED THOUGHTWAYES marketed by us ed, bring out your marked one and say that
in 1943 is now improved. Since the same for some reason or other this is always pick-
cards used in Camera Cards (the scrambled and ones are brought out first,if
ed first. And conversely, the two plain
say that always
nude) are used in the Rawson miracle and both for no explained reason the marked match 3tays
are now available in printed instead of the behind.
original hand-worked cards, we should make a
special offer to move the few instruction
sheets left on hand. Send Magic Limited bring you the new set in the size and color
$1.50 and we will send you both dollar tricks. desired when you mention the Hallucination
Or if you have Camera Cards now, only fifty- principle.
cents will bring Scrambled Thoughtwaves with And finally, the date for our new book
the new cards as long as the instruction — shucks, we ran out of space I Will have to
sheets last. let it ride till next monthI
Also newly printed is Hallucination, the
new printing making another color available. Yours,
If you want to change over, a quarter will
Published Monthly
April 1945
NUMBER SIXTEEN
^
Page 86 THE BAT Number lg
beneficial in cases of beriberi, but they
have also the curious effect of placing any-
one who takes them in a condition in which
full consciousness is lost; the subconscious
mind is thus open to'receive telepathic com-
munications. This may sound incredible, but
there is considerable evidence that such is
the case. The first discovery was made by
Dr. Bayon in 1912. He penetrated into this
THE BAT ia published each month by difficult region and actually prepared the
MAGIC LIMITED. The subscription price is age mixture used by the savage GariJonas
$1.50 per year; eight issues for $1.00;
single eopies are 25c each.
f ndians and their medicine men. Incredible
as the stories of the mysterious yage may
Send all communications to THE BAT, sound to those acquainted with the curious
4064 Thirty-Ninth Ay., Oakland 2, Calif. poisons used in the great forests of the
Amazon, it should be remembered that the
LLOYD S. JONES Editor coea in use by the Aymara Indians for un-
THERON FOX Assistant Editor known centuries now yields the 'white snow'
30B SOOTHER Art Editor (cocaine) of science." Attention Dr. J. B.
Rhine. Are you interested, Joe Dunninger?
I'VE GOT YOUR NUMBER ($1.00) is meet-
ing enthusiastic acceptance. If you are
one of those who are waiting for others to
recommend it to you, just ask your friends
— O P ask us to quote a few letters for you.
This issue marks the end of the second The idea of giving a person a number in it-
of our "series of eight" but we hope that self isn't much but the accumulative effect
most of you who do have expiring subscrip- is tremendous, and the impression it makes
tions will consider the yearly pate and es- on a aperson is surprising even staid old-
pecially the two-year one ($3.00) which timers. Mr* Lindner has people believing he
brings you a good book with our compliments. remembers the shape of their nose, the color
No. 17 will be an overdue extra page one, of their hair, or some such silly thing, and
and one we know definitely will meet with after a score of years using the effect is
favor. convinced it cannot be beaten for mystery
And here it is at last. Our newest and publicity purposes.
book will be issued June 1st. Title—THE We doubt if any magic publication has
DIME AND PENNY. Yes, it is a dissertation ever had such a first issue aeeeptance as
on the use and handling of that clever has the new CONJUROR'S MONTHLY. It has its
poeket bit and will include the legal aspect faults and we found the editors willing to
of the trick besides some twenty-five tricks listen to our views on what is needed. Such
with the same. Now, we'll admit there is no a policy should prove beneficial and it may
particular reason for a book on the Dime and be that one of you can win one of the at-
Penny, but we believe every little pocket tractive prizes being offered by them. My
trick, or for that matter, every trick of thanks to those of you who have mentioned,
quality, should have a good instruction often flatteringly, my column in it. I hope
sheet or booklet and this will be one of it will continue to merit your favor.
ours.Naturally we expect other dealers to Looking in our crystal ball, as we do
handle and sell it too and hope it becomes quite frequently, we discover a flood of
a standard item on the dealers' lists. Its good books waiting release of stringent pub-
chief claim to fame will be the introduction lishing restrictions to bring them on the
of a new field to users of the D & P and we market. Magic Limited has several (not in-
are certain that when you know only ONE of cluding the Dime and Penny one) and if you
the new tricks in the work you will be re- knew why the gleam in our eye of late you
paid for your trouble in ordering. As usual would also go around saying, "Oh boy!"
we will endeavor to let BAT readers know the
release date first and hope to be able to But enough of that, we have orders to
offer them the new Dime and Penny book at a fill, writing to do, lessons to give, a
speeial price. convention to plan, books to list, used ma-
Our scientific scout brings up the fol- gic to price, and as Wayne Rohlf used to
lowing. We quote from a medical journal* say, "I've got to go and clean out the
"Among the little-known Carijonas (tribe of chicken coop." (too).
Yours,
Indians) of the Caqueta region of Colombia,
a curious potion is made from a plant called Lloyd a. Jone!
yage, which grows wild and in considerable
abundance in the thick and healthy forest. HAVE YOU BOUGHT AN EXTRA WAR BOND LATELIT
Preparations of yage* hare not only proved
THE BAT ?age 87
THREE ON A MATCH
This is a burned-and-restored match ef-
fect, but besides being quite magical it also
has an amusing patter theme.
A match is struck, and soon after it
flares up it is blown out. The performer says
I that many smokers will not use a match on
three persons for superstitious reasons. The
thing to do, the magician says, is to let two
people use the match on the first strike,
then to blow it out and strike it again. Here, Our friend, Edwin Tabor, tells us that
he waves the match in the air and the head when summer comes he is going to build him-
appears restored. self a square house with all windows flush,
All you need is one black-and-white but those on each side will face South. I
match and a false head to match. The feke at told him it was impossible. What do you
the start is pinched between the thumb, and think?
forefinger of the right hand and the match is
held at its center by the same hand in front
of the feke and concealing it. Remember the old trick in the Secret
The left hand then takes the match and Out in which a chalk mark penetrates a
as the right hand takes it from the left board? This is accomplished by placing a
hand it takes hold of the tail and pushes the heavy chalk mark on the finger nail and al-
tip on in the act of taking the match from though palms are unmistakably clean by clos-
the left hand. ing the fist the mark will be transferred to
the palm. Joseph Brooks makes this excel-
The match is struck on the left sole and lent old-timer even more mysterious by per-
almost immediately blown out. mitting you to select the color of the chalk
The story is told, which allows time for to penetrate I He uses colored chalk, which
the burned head to cool. by the way is softer and more usable than,
And finally the match is waved through the hard white chalk now obtainable, of four
the aid by the right hand. This action is colors, such as red, blue, yellow, and green
not violent but the hand moves evenly and and places some on each nail. Thus, it is
rather quickly back and forth across an arc very simple to accomplish the effect and al-
1 so advisable to repeat with another color.
about a foot and a half. This movement
isepves two purposes: it further cools the The marks are easily removed and personally,
w c h head, and it covers the act of the although my nails are well "chalked" I show
fingers turning the match end for end, both sides of _ the hand by the simple ex-
ing a new hold at the burned end of the pedient of bending the finger tips in when
and making the free end seem to be a the hand is turned over. Bold, but I have
stored head. never been called on it.
Page 88
THE BAT Number \t
allows the coin to be nipped and retained
21 (Continued from Page 85)
when even you will swear that the coin has
dropped into the hand. Nipped thus only the
edge can possibly be seen by the spectator,
and since the closed finger and thumb hide
thing is truly done under the nose. The
coin, let us say the half set (its larger
and easier to use) after displaying is
placed on the fingers of the right hand.
Now watch, says the magician, and he places
the left palm over the right and secretly
removes the top shell and withdraws it,
the fingers closing around it as the left
hand also closes turning the nest of coins
over. "Where is the half?" asks the magi-
cian. Either hand designated is then op-
ened to show that the spectator has guessed
right; hut, says the magician, we also have
one here, and he opens the other hand to
disclose a half there I Again the magician
says watch! and covers the right palm with most of this, the coin is practically invis-
the left. The half shell is lifted off by ible. A little practice with dropping the
the right hand, and it will be found little coin naturally then following through with
trouble to insert the base shell into the nipping it will develop a naturalness and
top half-shell and make a complete coin. Wow will make this a pet of yours. The move by
where are the halves? he asks. This time the way was first shown me by Carl Zamloch.
the performer discloses the quarter in the One word of caution that should be made
right hand and a half in the left. We won't is that in opening the hand containing the
need the half, he says and showing it on nested coins, this should be done carefully
both sides (this is a convincing move) places since the expanding palm will sometimes
it in his pocket. Again he says watchl and cause the hidden coin or coins to walk out
covers the quarter, removes his hand and of their concealment. This can be felt as
asks the spectator to guess its location. the hand is being opened and be rectified
This time the quarter is shown in the right by closing the fist again and letting the
hand and a dime has mysteriously appeared coins shift home. A more careful reopening
in the right. The quarter is dropped in the or even the insertion of the forefinger of
pocket and the dime taken. With a simple the opposite hand to hold the stack will
move, the magician vanishes it and leaves solve the problem.
the spectator a badly befuddled person.
(If you have a different presentation
To recapj a half becomes two, one half for the 21c trick, the BAT editors will be
changes to a quarter, a dime also appears glad to hear from you.)
and finally it vanishes. How, when, or
where the spectator should not have the
slightest idea. -oOo-
The expert coin manipulator might "I took her to the FHA, because I wanted
sleeve the last two coins, but being a no- to get her a loan."
vice I prefer to vanish the dime. My fa- "He's a mechanic in a candy factory. His
vorite move is one that greatly intrigued job is to tighten the nuts on the peanut
Seflor Maldo. He spent about fifteen min- brittle."
n
utes watching closely and practiced re- He has a brother with one eye, named
peatedly until he had. acquired the move to Clancy. I don't know the name of his other
his satisfaction. Maldo is a perfectionist eye
y
but when you try this once or twice you will atro-
TVhat do you think of the Japanese
cigar-
be so delighted that you will do it over and T
eities? I don t knowj I never smoke ci
over. Hold the coin with the edges touch- ettes."
ing inner sides of the thumb and first fin- "He's a very fine man. He never lets
ger. Now the hand approaches the opposite his wife cut the wood - with a dull axe."
hand and the coin apparently permitted to "She has a school-girl complexion —
drop into it. The hand close naturally over but its always coming off on my coatl"
the coin, but on reopening the hand the coin "He got that black eye kissing the bride |
has disappeared. This excellent move is ac- after the wedding ceremony. Seems the wed-
complished by permitting the coin to drop as ding was five years ago."
follows—the edge touching the finger drops "Before he was married he used to sing>
a fraction before the finger and thumb close 'Home on the TRange'. Now he warbles, 'Don t
over the space where the coin has been. This Fence me Inl "
i
Published Monthly
May 1945
M A G 1 C S a uA R E
By Lloyd E. Jones
In general the appeal of magic squares 8 1 6
lies in the charm of their mystery. Although
they have no immediate practical use they
definitely lead the student to discovering 3 5 7 Totals 15
the beautiful law and order in the science of
numbers»
Their history is obscure. The Greeks. 4 9 2
Chinese, and Tibetans used them and their in-
fluence was once tremendous. Leading minds
experimented with them and this paper con- Fig. 1
tains a remarkable one developed by one of
the most remarkable and versatile men of all
time. 17 24 1 8 15
A magic square consists of a series of
whole numbers arranged in a square so that
every column and row and the two diagonals 23 5 7 14 16
tbtai the same amount. Naturally the square
can have an odd or even number of cells and
the construction methods used for eaeh being 4 6 13 20 22
different they will be considered separately.
The square of 313 is the smallest one 10 12 19 21 3
that is capable of magic square arrangement.
*s shown it will be seen that the sum of each
°* the three vertical, the three horizontal, 11 18 25 2 9
*&a the two diagonals total 15. Also the sum
any two opposite numbers is 10; twice ttie
number* This then is what is termed a Totals 65 Fig. 2
square. (Fig. l)
(Continued on P*g© 93)
Page 90 THE BAT
9 8 57 56 41 40 25 24
Dear Sir, Fig. 1
50 63 2 15 18 31 34 47
According to your request I now send you
the arithmetical curiosity of whieh this is 16 1 64 49 4a 33 32 17
the history.
Being one day in the country at the house FRANKLIN 8 X 8 SQUARE.
of our common friend, the late learned Mr.
Logan, he showed me a folio French book fill- 200 217 232 249 8 25 40 57 72 89 104 121 136 153 168 185
ed with magic squares, wrote, if I forget not
by one Mr. Frenicle, in which he said the 58 39 26 7 250 231 218 199 186 167 154 135 122 103 90 71
author had discovered great ingenuity and 198 219 230 251 6 27 38 59 70 91 102 123 134 155 166 187
dexterity in the management of numbers; and
though several other foreigners had distin- 60 37 28 5 252 229 220 197 188 165 156 133 124 101 92 69
guished themselves in the same way, he did 201 216 233 248 9 24 41 56 73 88 105 120 137 152 169 184
not recollect that any one Englishman had
done anything of the kind remarkable. 55 42 23 10 247 234 215 202 183 170 151 138 119 106 •67 74
I said it was perhaps a mark of the good 203 214 235 246 11 22 43 54 75 86 107 118 139 150 171 182
sense of our mathematicians that they would
12 245 236 213 204 181 172 149 140 117 108 85 76
not spend their time in things that were 53 44 21
merely dlfficiles nugae, incapable of any 205 212 237 244 13 20 45 52 77 84 109 116 141 148 173 180
useful application, lie answered that many of
the arithmetical or mathematical questions 51 46 19 14 243 238 211 206 179 174 147 142 115 110 83 78
publicly proposed in England were equally 207 210 239 242 15 18 47 50 79 82 111 114 143 146 175 178
trifling and useless. Perhaps the consider-
ing and answering such questions, I replied, 49 48 17 16 241 240 209 208 177 •176 145 144 113 112 81 80
m y not be altogether useless if it produces 196 221 228 253 4 29 36 61 68 93 100 125 132 157 164 189
by practice an habitual readiness and exact-
ness in mathematical disquisitions, which 62 35 30 3 254 227 222 195 190 163 158 131 126 99 94 67
readiness may, on many occasions be of real 194 223 226 255 2 31 34 63 66 95 98 127 130 159 162 191
use. In the same way, says he, may the
making of these squares be of use. I then 64 33 32 1 256 225 224 193 192 161 160 129 128 97 96 65
confessed to him that in my younger days,
having once some leisure (which I still .think Fig. 2
FRANKLIN l 6 X l 6 SQUARE.
I might have employed more usefully) I had I carried him a square of 8 which I found
•Mused myself in making these kind of magic among my old papers, and which I will now give
squares, and, at length had acquired such a
ou with an account of its properties. (See
knack at it, that I could fill the cells of
•ay magic square of reasonable size with a fig. 1) The properties are;
series of numbers as fast as I could write 1. That every straight row (horizontal
them, disposed in such a manner that the or vertical) of 8 numbers added together,
sums of every row, horizontal, perpendicular makes 260, and half of each row, half of 260.
or diagonal, should be equal: but not being 2. That the bent row of 8 numbers as-
satisfied with these, whieh I looked on as cending and descending diagonally, viz., from
common and easy things, I had imposed, on my- 16 ascending to 10 and from 23 descending to
self more difficult taBks, and succeeded in 17 and every one of its parallel bent rows of
tki g other magic squares with a variety of 8 numbers make 260, etc., etc. And lastly the
properties, and much more curious. Be thea four corner numbers with the four middle num-
showed me several in the same book of an tm- bers make 260. So this magical square seems
common and more curious kind; but as I thought perfect in its kind, but these are not all its
ttone of them equal to some I remembered to properties, there are 5 other curious ones
have made, he desired me to let him see them; which at some time I will explain to you.
*ad tcoordingly the next time I visited hia» (Continued on next page)
Page 92 THE BAT Number
Mr. Logan then showed me an old arith- 52 descending to 54, and from 43 ascending to
metical book in quarto, wrote, I think by one 45, and every one of its parallel bent TOWB
Stifelius, which contained a square of 16 of eight numbers, makes 260. Also, the bent
which he said he should imagine to be the row from 45 to 43, descending to the left,
work of great labour; but if I forget not, and from 23 to 17, descending to the right,
it had only the common properties of making and every one of its parallel bent rows of
the same sum, viz., 2056 in every row, hor- eight numbers, makes 260. Also, the bent ro»
izontal, vertical and diagonal. Not willing from 52 to 54, descending to the right, and
to be outdone by Mr. Stifelius, even in the from 10 to 16, descending to the left, and
size of my square. I went home, and made that every one of its parallel bent rows of eight
evening the following magical square of 16 numbers, makes 260. Also, the parallel bent
(See Fig. 2) which besides having all the rows next to the above-mentioned, whieh are
properties of the foregoing square of 8, i.e. shortened to three numbers ascending and
it would make 2056 in all the same rows and three descending, etc., as from 53 to 4 as-
diagonals, had this added, that a four-square cending and from 29 to 44 descending, make,
hole being cut in a piece of paper of such with the two corner numbers, 260. Also the
size as to take in and show through it just two numbers, 14, 61, ascending, and 36, 19
16 of the little squares, when laid on the descending, with the lower four numbers sit-
greater square, the sum of the 16 numbers so uated like them, viz., 50, 1, descending, and
appearing through the hole, wherever it was 32, 47, ascending, makes 260. And, lastly,
placed on the greater square should likewise the four corner numbers, with the four middle
make 2056. This I sent to our friend the numbers, make 260.
next morning, who after some days sent it But even these are not all the properties
back in a letter with these words: of this marvelous square. Its contriver de-
"I return to thee thy astounding clared that it has five other curious ones,"
or most stupendous piece which he does not explain, but whieh the in-
of the magical square in which"... genious reader may discover if he can.
— b u t the compliment is too extravagant and
therefore, for his sake, as well as my own
I ought not to repeat it. Nor is it necessary
for I make no question but you will readily
allow the square of 16 to be the most magical-
ly magical of any magic square ever made by
any magieian.
I am etc.
B. F."
r—I
UJ
Hit. is curved so that the upper and lower edges
toueh with the numbers on the outside. At
(Continued from page 89) the same time the square is bent around back-
The next largest odd magic square is wards so that a vertical cylinder results
5X5 • Many combinations here are possible al- with the right and left columns becoming
though only one will fulfill the 3X3. square. adjacent. The forming is done on a right
Oae of the oldest and best known is this one, or
to
left hand diagonal formation. Difficult
describe this is yet easy to picture men-
(Fig. 2) tally. Keeping the first 5X5 square in mind,
Five horizontal, five vertical, and the the 1 is placed in the eenter cell of the
two corner diagonals total 65; and the sum of top row. 2 drops in place in the bottom
any two numbers equally distant geometically cell of the next row and 3 in the diagonal
from the center totals twice the center num- above. 4 then must go in the next up row and
ber 26. 5 follows in order. Here a block occurs so
the next sequence number is dropped a row and
5
6 finds its home. 7, 8, 9, 10 create no
difficulty and 11 being blocked, of course,
drops a cell permitting 12, 13, 14, 15 and
4 10 the mental picture showing 16 to be blocked
(by 11) it is dropped one. 17 to 25 follow
3 9 15
in order once the process is understood.
A more readily understood system to many
will be the one using the knight's move from
2 8 14 20 chess. This is a move straight forward two
squares and in any direction one square to
1 7 13 19 25 the right or left. Placing one in the top
center cell again and using the horizontal
cylinder idea, 2 must be written in the sec-
6 12 18 24 ond row from bottom and 3 in1 the seeond row
from the top when the knight s move is two
11 17 23 eells upward and one to the right. Bring-
ing in the vertical cylinder idea 4 must then
go in the lower left hand corner and 5 in
16 22 the middle row. 6 is blocked by one so it
\ drops below 5 and the process continues with
Fig. 3 the following square resulting. (Fig 5)
21
1 2 3 4
TEE BAT is. published each month by
MAGIC LIMITED. The subscription price is
$1.50 per year; eight issues for ll.OOj 5 6 7 |
single copies are 25c each.
Send all communications to THE BAT, Fig. 6
4064 Thirty-Ninth Ay., Oakland 2, Calif. 9 10 11 12
LLOTD E. JONES Editor
THERON FOX Assistant Editor 13 14 3£ 16
30B GUNTHER Art Editor
The simplest square can be constructed &s
shown in Fig, 6. From this square the under-
lined numbers must be changed. This is done
by substituting them for the complement of ths
number with 17. Thus, the 2 and 15 change
places, the 3 and 14, etc., and the other
'square results. (Fig. 7) Conversely, the
An English magic dealer writes complain- other numbers can be likewise treated and a
ing about American courtesy* beeause we new square results.
failed to promptly answer his letter. To him
and many others to whom we owe letters that
should have been written long ago, we have 1 IS 14 4
no apology. Like most magic dealers these
days we have had to neglect personal affairs
to keep up with the pressure of business and
sincerely hope this is generally understood,
and that fundamentally we are not discourteous
snobbish, or at all exclusive. All mail will
eventually get taken eare of, but business
comes first, development of new business sec-
ond, and personal affairs last. And as long
12
13
6
10
3
7
11
2
9
16
Fig. 7
t
as the Japanese continue to think that it is
better to die for Greater Japan than to live
in a free world, we will not complain. To The most perfect type of magie square of
celebrate YE day we bought a big War Bond, tho 4X4 is known as the Nasik. An example
knowing that it is the best thing we could do follows. Not only do the usual conditions
to hasten YJ DAT. At that time all mail will exist, but the broken diagonals also total
be answered promptly, and sincerely hope j<m 34. That is: 15, 14, 2, and 3 total 34; 10,
have all done or will do the same. 4, 7, and 13 total 34; and 1, 6, 11, and 16
The recent testimonial to Jean Hugartl also total 34. Any square that can be made
(April 27) was one In which we wholeheartedly from It of four cells will total 34, and the
concurred. It is rare in any profession to ends of any two adjacent columns likewise•
find a man as universally well-liked as Jean Finally, the four corner numbers total 34.
Eugard. Magic has definitely been bettered There are some 880 squares of this 4X4
by his unstinting efforts and scholarly ap- order hence it is impossible to list or
plication to the problem at hand. We fully completely discuss them. The student can
agree with the gentleman in the 104-page spend several pleasant hours not unproflt-
testimonial publication that he hopes for the ablv and also learn many things of direet
day when he can read the 25th Anniversary magical value with the following bibliography*.
issue of Jean Hugard's Monthly. Mfcthemagle by Royal Y. Heath,
Amusements in Mathematics by H. E.
Dadeney. I
Tour8, Magic Squares and Cubes by W. S. Andrews*
Book of Paszles by A. Frederick Collins*
HAYE TOU BOUGHT AN EXTRA WAR BOND LATELT?
Hardeen
Page 96 THE BAT Number
THEO. HflRDEEN LI
Magic lost another of its most colorful tf^nVv^JPiSdV
drown herSIn, "so r c o u l d join
figures on June 12, when Theo Hardeen, bro- j?Sties, he my husband." Her husband <jied
ther of the famous Harry Houdini, died in New ee, "but If seven months ago while she was
in the hospital giving birth to one
York City. Bora in Appleton, Wisconsin, on • 18 necessary of the children.
February 29, 1876, he was one of those rare of the na-
ODT director as-
people who celebrate a birthday only once in for less civilian Hardeen, Brother Of
four years. Houdini, Succumbs Only TWO war
NEW YORK, June 12. (AP)— That's why you mm
Hardeen was heir to the famous Houdini ier Rescued Theo Hardeen, 69, brother of the in progress.
escapes, which were willed to him with the Cruz Pool late Houdini anil sole heir to the
great illusionist's secret methods
understanding that the secrets would be des- j June 12. (AP)— of escaping from locked trunks,
troyed upon Hardeen1s death. According to [19, Of San F'ran- sealed tanks and under-water cham-
bers, died today without revealing
ning at Brookdale,
the Associated Press report, this wish of b rescued by James any of the famous tricks.
Houdini's was kept. ' lodge chef, ' The brothers were sons 6t the
nto a swimming late Eabbi M. S. Weiss of Appleton,
Wls., taking the names of Houdini
He was the son of the learned scholar, I by cramps. He
ers Hospital for and Hardeen when they began
Rev. M. S. Weiss, LL.D., Ph. D. All members stage careers as magicians.
of his family gained prominence in their re-
spective professional and business pursuits.
His boyhood was spent in Appleton, Wisconsin,
at which time the family struggled to adiust dini, but the boys were having personal
their newly-found home life in America* the differences. In order to continue with the
elders having migrated from Austria. act under more amiable circumstances, he
While still a youth at the age of 17, induced Hardeen to join him. They played
he made his debut as an artist before the clubs and schools and entertained at minor
American public in conjunction with his bro- social gatherings for small fees, picking
ther, being known then as the Brothers up a precarious livelihood which they us-
Houdini. ually had to supplement by doing odd jobs
Houdini previously had had a partner, of a wholly unmagical character.
Jack Hayman, and had been appearing on the In 1893, the brothers appeared in a
road under the billing of the Brothers Hou- sideshow at the Chicago World's Fair. Their
featured trick was the trunk substitution,
and the balance of the act although changed
from time to time always emphasized escape
feats.
Later Houdini traveled single, and
Hardeen retired from show work and followed
a commercial pursuit for five years. During
this period, his brother, Houdini, had tra-
veled the world over, gaining fame and for-
tune, and was eventually conceded to be the
greatest international drawing card ever
exploited.
The managers clamored for Houdini, but he
was unable to fulfill all the offers made to
him, so they then started to look for someone
to duplicate his performance, but were un-
successful, until one day a progressive mana-
er from Magdeburg, Germany, having heard
hat Houdini, a few years back, performed
with a brother, sent a representative to
America to engage him.
A few weeks later, the whole of Germany
was wrought up to a state of enthusiasm with
the sensational exploits of the newly ar-
arrived American, HARDEEN. Not wishing to
eonfuse the public by adopting the same name
as his older brother, Theodore Weiss coined
the name* HARDEEN, which_later became known
(Continued on page 101)
THEO. WEISS-HARDEEN HARRY WEISS-HOUDINI
As they appeared in 1893, when they called themselves the
Published Monthly
June 1945
NUMBER. EIGHTEEN
/ /1
/ ' ' temporarily.
/ / /
Two spectators are next invited to as-
sist. Once their services have been obtained
the magician produces an orange from behind
the ear of one of them and gives it to the
'man to examine if he wishes. Removing a large
needle from his pocket, the magician threads
through the orange up to their centers, two
Before we continue there is one specialty ribbons ends being given each man to hold
about the ribbons which must be noted. The while the needle is set aside. To make every-
exact centers of the two ribbons are fastened thing even more secure one end is taken from
together with a few stitches of thread. Thus, each man and a single knot is tied over the
they must be produced simultaneously; but this orange before returning the ends to the men.
is of no consequence. The stitches are neces- A silk is now tied around both ribbons on
sary for a later trick. each side of the orange, the silks used ear-
At this point in the routine the perfor- lier being used for this. A slow pass over
mer Removes from his arm the two silks ^ust the orange, a downward pull, and the orange
produced and ties them together. They are melts right through the ribbons, the silks
then loosely balled up and set inside the up- remaining where they were. The silks are
per paper cup on the table in such a way that then removed separately, also penetrating
almost all of the silks are in view. A piece the ribbons. i
of newspaper, single page size, ds now removed This effeet consists mainly of the Grand-
from the table, folded in half (Fig. 3) and mother's Necklace Principle as you well know.
then formed into a eone. The handkerchief The two silk ribbons are fastened together as
from the breast pocket is removed, given » before described. They are, under cover of
(Continued on Page 102)
18 THE BAT Page 101
is the work of a moment and froi^.the front
looks like merely the turning of a page. The
carbon surface is facing you as this is done.
Push the carbon as far as possible to the
(Continued from page 98) right and then ru% the right finger tips down
nurse, is one with no pages missing) until the left side of page "A", unfolding the one-
mi find a page near the center toward the half inch fold and. pressing it against "B".
Uek which resembles pa^e "A". j?old the mag- Thanks to the rubber cement the two surfaces
zine back at this point so it will.have a will stick. A ped carbon impression of the
fendency to open there, The fake is now in- spectator's name will be on page "A" while
•rted behind this page after spreading just the carbon is hidden from view between pages
II* faintest traee of paste along the rough "A" and "B".
left edge of page n B". This edge should be "Oh, yes. Here it is. Page — ( r e p e a t -
rmshed in as near the binding of the magazine ing the number the spectator gave you. By
L possible. Let the paste dry. A bit of the way, make sure he get3 the number right
trimming with a razor blade around the out- in the first place) — with your name on it.
side edges may now be necessary to even things No mistaking it." With these words you rip
ul3 The arrangement of pages is illustrated out the "fake pack," pages "A" and "B", which
in Fig. 4, if there are still any doubts. You easily passes for a single sheet, close the
are now ready to perform. magazine, and hand it to a spectator to hold.
You retain pages "A" and "B" which you hold
LEFT m o RIGHT with the name side facing the spectators,
calling attention to the name as you do so.
IKCO (nove
This page(s) is then burned completely (thus
TOWM0 EA destroying all the evidence of preparation),
the ashes ground up fine, and then tossed
toward the spectator holding the magazine.
fO&ITIOflS TO
Now, reiterate what has happened, build up
f /> the strong points, and get ready for the
climax when the spectator opens the magazine
and — miracles of miracles — finds HIS
PAGE FULLY RESTORED WITH HIS NAME STILL ON
ITHlll And the magazine is HIS TO KEEP.
mutt
THCO.
(Continued from page 96)
throughout every country in the civilized
Riffle through the magazine a few times, world.
finally stopping where you folded the maga- Hardeen's act followed the same pattern
zine backward (at the page which looks like as his brother, although he did not secure
page % * ) . Have a spectator write his name the great amount of public attention given
in quite large letters across the center of his brother. Houdini was a great performer,
the page with a red pencil. This causes a whose ability was given emphasis by his many
carbon impression to be made on the surface unusual publicity stunts and many contacts
of page "A" which is just behind the signed throughout the world.
page. Have the spectator also note the num- Hardeen, on the other hand, was mor« of
ber of the page he has just signed. As you a straight performer, did not issue chal-
take back th.e red pencil, absently close the lenges, expose spiritualism, or do many of
m&gazine. As you open it again and look the other stunts that constantly kept Houdi
through it for the signed page, ask for its in the public limelight.
number. This is merely by-play. Actually
*s quiekly as you can find, it, you open to Hardeen had been an active performer
page "A", grasp the carbon by reaching under right up to the time of his death. His most
it with the left thumb, and press it against recent engagement had been a featured spot
the left hand pages, the left fingers being with Olson & Johnson, whose shows enjoy such
against the front cover of the magazine. The long successful runs on Broadway.
right thumb presses against the right edge The passing of Hardeen has taken from us
of page "A", the fingers being against the 9. gentleman and magician of high esteem. He
back of the magazine. This magazine is about has always been active for the betterment of
half opened (with the cover held toward the the profession, and gave much of his time in
spectators so the audience can't see what's helping those not so well-known as himself*
going on behind) and the carbon slipped be- Magic and the show world have suffered a real
tween pages "A" and "B* as in Fig. 5. This loss*
rage THE BAT Numbei 18
can be purchased at the five and dime or s ^
tionery stores. Get one and get started. ^
get several and really work at them. One fal
you'll be glad you did.
The DIME AND PENNY BOOK is now off the
press. At last I Tricks by Jones, illustra-
tions by Gunther, printing by Fox. Truly an
all-Bat publication and when you see your
THE BAT ia published each month by copy you will know why we are so proud of it
MAGIC LIMITED. The subscription price is For a dollar you get twenty-five tricks, many
$1.50 pep year; eight issues for $1.00; of which will amaze you. ™&ke our word for
single eopies are 25c each. it, get a copy, try one or two of the tricks
Send all communications to THE BAT, we are positive you do not already know, and
4064 Thirty-Ninth Ay., Oakland 2, Calif. you will be more than satisfied. If not,
ship it back and your money will be cheerful-
LLOYD E. JONES Editor ly refunded.
THERON FOX Assistant Editor Tours
'
30B GUNTHER Art Editor
Published Monthly
July 1945 '
NUMBER NINETEEN
rearn
™ land and Los Angeles, who passed away nearly
twenty years ago, and to whom your editor and
Gerald Kosky among others are indebted for
many fine bits of magic. This effect came
into your editor's possession on Professor
Lipka's death and has since been used by him
Our printer is not only a good printer, as an advertising stunt, the cards being
but he's a good businessman as well; and, he printed as Professor Lipka used to do with
also knows his magic. Hence it wasn't much an advertisement on the reverse size. Cur-
of a surprise to me to have him dump the man- rently, the spook show artist, Francisco,
uscript for BAT 20 (Comedy Magic) back in my and Carl Zamloch are among its users.
ample lap after I had plunked it in his skin- For a brief time MAGIC LIMITED will in-
ney one. Look, my friend, sezze, you are up clude ten of these cards on request with any
to your old tricks. In the first place you order, so it will not be necessary for you to
want a magazine for next month and you give destroy your BAT to present the trick. In
me a book! Now wait a minute, he hastened to larger quantities or with an advertisement of
add before I could explain or object; first, your own on the back, prices will be quoted
you've got twice as many pages here as you on request.
should have; second, no illustrations have
been made and that alone will take weeks; be surprised when the book does appear. Cer-
third, vacations, shortage of help and all tainly, it won't be out next month, and maybe
those other excuses make it absolutely cer- it won't be out till 1946, but it will be out
tain you can't get such a thick BAT out in. and as soon as feasible. And since its really
twice the time you give us to do it in. Now BAT's baby we now commit ourselves to furnish
be reasonable, my friend, why not make a book it to you BAT subscribers on record as of BAT
out of it? 20 to receive the book at HALF the advertised
I thought the matter over, and we argued price. In other words if it is to sell for a
for a while. Of course, he won out. BAT 20 dollar, BAT readers will get their copies for
will not be the contemplated Comedy Magic is- 50c. We see no reason why this can't be done
sue as intended. Instead, it will be another and believe it best under the circumstances.
extra page number winding up lots of the odds Finally, the printer said, don't mention Com-
and ends in the files. It will have a full edy Magic as a book again until you have the
page at least of Gag Bag material which you copies in your hands. So we won't, or at
fellows seem to like, it will wind up the least try not to. And so we now polish up
Matches of Lucifer, which should take a cou- our next book. Bet its even better than the
ple of pages at least, and we'll have some DIME AND PENNY.
good magic to appeal to all; maybe a good Yours,
routine.
The Comedy Magic material will be ex-
panded and as the printer suggests, a few
changes will be made in it. Too big to handle "When a head and a book come into colli-
as a BAT, and too disconnected to run serial- sion, and one sounds hollow, is it always the
ly, we will instead publish it as a book. book?" Schopenhauer, Essay to Fame.
Just file that notice away mentally, and don't
HAVE YOU BOUGHT AN EXTRA WAR BOND LATELY?
THE BAT Page 105
t
know what card had been transferred, halted at one and push- which is plaeed face-down on the table. Show
ed aside. Turning it over it was shown to be the wandering
card because of the marks on the backl one of the aces, and place it on this little
A neighboring friend remarked to me, "Imagine Claude
packet. In the same way release another
doing a simple trick like thatl Especially after Gerald and small packet from face of deck and note and
Orla have been workingl" To which I replied, "Yes, but look remember its top card. Place it on the first
»t the impression that trick has made on the non-magical small packet, thereby burying the first aee.
spectators. To them it is amazing." And so it seemed. And
the pay-off is, that my querying friend was seen the next On it place the second ace after showing it.
evening doing Cluade's trick himselfl In the same way remove a third packet from
All of this means that a simple trick is oft-times as face of deck, noting and remembering its top
?ood as one recmirine sleight-of-hand. That the effect is card. Place it on the heap you are building,
important not the means and that many of us overlook many and a third aee on it and the balance of deck
tricks because they are too simple. And that Charles T.
Jordan has used the principle of the above mentioned trick on top of all. Remark that the four aees
in a manner that will surprise even the best informed magi-
cians. Hence, we have resurrected (so to speak) the follow-
are widely separated, and take deck face down
ing routine by the late Mr. Jordan, which has so many points in left hand, holding it from above, fingers
n its favor. Included amongst them must be its simplicity at one side edge, thumb at the other. With
and the fact that the routine is very, very little known. right hand draw forth a card at a time from
We are sure you will appreciate it.
the face, dealing these in a face-up heap.
1. THE INSEPARABLE ACES This routine As you deal the first noted card, you know
consists of a sequence possible to do at any the first ace lies next, so when going to
time with a borrowed deck. Trick No. 1 must deal the next card your right second finger
be performed first and each succeeding trick, in going under deck, presses the bottom card
though they ape all of diverse character, de- an inch to the rear, and draws forth the card
pends on something that has happened in the above it. Continue pulling forth cards till
trick before, a fact that is never indicated you come to the second spotted card, and in
to the company. To save space, the working the same manner slide the ace to the rear^
and effect will be described simultaneously. above the ace already shifted to that posi-
tion. Repeat when you come to the third
Borrowing a deck which has been shuffled, noted one. Now continue dealing till the
you run through it, apparently for the purpose final ace appears, and after dealing it,
of removing the aces. In reality you do re- draw forth the other three aces one by one.
move the first three aces as you come to them, Carefully worked the effect of their becom-
but as you run through the pack rapidly face ing adjacent is a stunner.
UP> you place all the ODD SPADES AND HEARTS AT
THE PACE OF THE PACK, ALSO ALL THE EVEN CLUBS
AND DIAMONDS, the others going to the rear. 2. THE READY RECKONER Continue dealing
from bottom of deck into face-up heap on table
(Continued on next page)
Page 108 THE BAT 20
until deck is exhausted, and the pack will and place it top of all, cutting as much as '
merely he reversed. Insert the aces of spades he likes. Then holding pack face down, he
and hearts near the top (among the eards of deals the deck in several rows, turning each
their kind, odd spades and hearts, etc.) and card face-up as it is dealt. You easily
the cluh and diamond aees near face of pack. locate the card he chose. Owing to the man-
Now fan deck slightly, so you can find the ner in which you placed the two lower por-
division between the two kinds, and cut there, tions, his cutting deck ABOUT IN CENTER
or rather, holding deck face down in left forees him to select a card from among the
hand, hold a break there. Drop from bottom of EVEN SPADES AND HEARTS, ODD CLUBS AND DIA-
pack about a quarter of deck, and beside it MONDS. And this is placed on original top
drop all the rest below the break. Onto each of pack, HIS WHOLE PACKET OF THE OTHER VA-
of these heaps place about half of the balance RIETY. In glancing over the cards dealt
of the pack. Now dovetail shuffle the two out, locate the long string that must have
packets together, and as the lower half of been his packet, and the first card dealt,
each packet consists of one kind of cards, and and the card dealt NEXT BEFORE THE FIRST OF
the upper half of another, when the shuffle HIS STRING is the selected one.
is completed, the packet will still be di-
vided into the two kinds excepting for a few 5. THE NIFTY KEY Gathering up the
cards which might be missed in the center. cards carelessly, but NOTING WHAT WILL BE
Tell anyone to cut pack into three about even THE 15TH FROM THE TOP OF DECK: when same is
portions, asking him to pocket the top por- turned face-down. Have him deal off sev-
tion, and to hand you the center one* Mere- eral from top and bottom (NOTING HOW MANY HE
ly glancing at the one he hands you, you an- DEALS FROM TOP, SO YOU llifILL KNOW LOCATION
nounce the EXACT NUMBER OF CARDS IN HIS POC- OF THE CARD THAT WAS 15TH). He buries these
KET. The only kind of cards he can have in cards in the center. Now turn your back and
his pocket are the ODD SPADES AND HEARTS AND tell him to fan the deck and to note any
EVEN CLUBS AND DIAMONDS. You need only glance card say from 12 to 20 from baek (top) of
through the center packet and count the num- pack, and to remember its name and position.
ber of that kind of cards remaining in it. Now tell him to close deck and turn it face
Subtracting your count from 26 (the entire down and cut it well below where his card
number of that kind in deck) your result is might be. You pursuade him that this cannot
bound to be the number he has cut off! help you, as no one knew the location of any
cards in the deck, and his last cut has ab-
3. TEE PAIR DETECTION While he verifies solutely LOST his card, so far as you are
our total, you secretly add the spots of concerned. But you don't let him know that
>NLY THE ODD SPADES AND EVEN CLUBS IN THE you knew the position of the cards that was
CENTER PACKET, which you still hold, as fol- 15th from the top and therefore his card
lows: Count Jack as 11, Queen 12, and ig- still stands a certain number away from it.
nore the Kings. Every time your total reaches Have him name the number his card was from
13 or over discard the thirteen and continue top and secretly subtract the number from
with the smaller numbers. Whatever your final which your spotted card stood after he dealt
answer, subtract it from thirteen and you know the cards off and tell him to deal the cards
the total of points in his packet when thir- into that number of piles, one at a time and
teen' s have been cancelled 1 Tell him to shuf- face down, and then to colleet the piles
fle his packet and to remove any pair in it he in any order. This infallibly causes the
desires, pocketing same. NOW, the only pairs card you noted to lie AT THE FACE OF THE CARD
in his packet must consist of a card of eaeh HE CHOSE and you can find it in any manner
color, either a spade and a heart, or a club you like. You see, having him choose his
and a diamond! Place the packet you hold face number between 12 and 20, provided you have
down on the table and place the other packet, had him deal off five or six cards from the
which has not been touched yet, on top of it. top of pack, bringing the 15th cards to 10
Now taking his packet, you merely add the or 9th or less, automatically causes his
spots of the black cards in it, discarding card to lie lower than yours, and provided
13's. Subtract your total from what the total he cuts below his card. If the deck is
should be and you have the denomination of dealt into the number of heaps representing
the pair. If odd they are spades and hearts, the difference of the position of his card
if even clubs and diamonds! A trial with pack and yours, his card is bound to be dealt
in hand will prove the simplicity and decep- directly onto yours.
tiveness of this.
4. DEAD EASY LOCATION Have him replace "Rationing doesn't bother him at all.
the pair and place his packet on top of the His butcher gave him ten pounds of sausage.
deck, after he has shuffled it so no one can That's a lot of baloney."
know the location of any card in it. Now Clock strikes three off-stage. M.C.
tell him to cut pack about in center, remove looks at his watch and says, "I didn't know
and note the card there, place it on the por- it was that late. When the clock strikes
tion cut off, shuffle the lower portion, so three and my watch says it is nine, I know
that you can use its bottom card as a key, its 10:30."
THE BAT Page 109
THE
Ever since W i n DeSieve (William H. Wil- and united In a common cause, freedom for
son Introduced CLIPPO to the magic fratern- all peoples.
ity some years ago, it has been a deservedly The dictators, little Caesars seeking
popular trick. Widely copied and pirated it world conquest, often attempted to separate
has been and still is being sold under many them (paper is folded and cut) but to no
names. Now whether you use Mr. Wilson's or- avail. Time and time they tried to divide
iginal material and patter or not, you are and conquer (snip, snip) with no success.
Indeed greatly Indebted to him and I am Then with the going tough in Russia,
sure at the same time you will welcome some Hitler urged Japan to attack the United
patter suggestions on what has now become States (deep snip). Remember Pearl Harbor?
a standard effect. The democracies staggered under many blows
In 1942 Magic Limited widely sold a var- (more snips) but with the aid of stalwart
iation known as Scissoring Caesars. A strip China and mighty Russia fought on. Germany
of white paper was used at one end of which soon followed Italy into defeat for the
the presence of three holes was masked by United Nations are Inseparable. Finally,
a band of red paper. At the opposite end the scientists cut the corners (V cut-,a /)
the punched bar was conoealed by a similar and produced the atomic bomb..And now we
band of blue paper. Thus, the paper was find ourselves in Tokio. We have our V for
r
ed, white, and blue and at the appropriate Victory In fact, and the dreams of the
time the the three dots and the dash were Scissoring Caesars have proved as flimsy as
shown after the paper had been cut to give paper.
a "V" for Victory.
Dr. Fred Moore who conceived the above
Although the War's end has ended its patter theme, in recent months has been us-
timeliness, the patter theme Is still in- ing the following variation. He calls it,
teresting and I am sure will furnish a "The Road to Victory".
fine variation. Greatly condensed, it runs A little trick using a newspaper. If I
as follows. can find a newspaper. He picks one up or
This strip of paper represents the two Is handed one apparently at random. Open-
great democracies, the United States and Ing it, he cuts out the column he has prev-
J*reat Britlan; bound together by a common iously prepared. Meanwhile he makes hum-
heritage and blobd ties. With the same col- orous remarks concerning the various head-
ors in their flags, red, white, and blue; lines he supposedly notices. Then states,
(next page please)
Page 112 THE BAT Number 21
An m c. gag used a half-century ago, or that masterpiece (Ed. note (?)) and query
rather, we should say, a gag used then and if they have seen the NEW Diamond Penny?
,<Lble by m.c.'s now Is this one from the Expecting a new bit of mechanical clever-
j^ file of Bert Hansen. The performer ness they will all answer, "No!" (Ed. note
ks clear across the stage, usually to -this too is an assumption) whereuDon you
the accompaniment of music and with an show them a copper and calmly turn It over
eccentric gait; to finally return to mid- to display a diamond imbedded in the other
stage. Here, he removes his gloves. One side! The gag over you hasten away ~ to
flies off-stage right! The other off-stage find another bunch of suckers. Need I men-
left1. The funny cross-stage Jaunt being not tion that the Five and Ten can furnish you
so much to draw laughs as to affix the elas- with simply elegant diamonds and that the
tic that would soon withdraw the gloves« drilling of a small Indentation will do the
rest?
If you would like to spring a good gag And now for a double dose of cracks,
on the boys at the next magic meeting or wise and otherwise.
club show try this Bathing Beauty beaut from
Everett Lyda of San Jose. Everett was inspir- Two mind-readers meet on the avenue:
ed by seeing frequent presentations of the Says one, "You're fine; how am I?"
trick (Magic Limited, #6.50, or $25.00) in Its nice to be among friends — and I
which the attractive damsel is disrobed and wish I were.
saved from exposure by the tide. Some men are born great, others achieve
You need an art calendar. One of those greatness, ~ but this guy Just grates on
attractive nude females that you find hang- you.
ing In magician's private dens to obtain Silly song title: " % Beam is Setting
the date from and are not permitted by the Broader all the Time.8
aforesaid magician's wives to be placed on Sillier song title: "My Dream is (Jetting
the walls were casual acquaintances might Butter all the Time."
see. The more voluptuous the beauty the You might think he's old, but his girl
better and If she might passably pass for friend tells me he is always In there pinch-
one that might have been swimming all the ing!
better. The idea mainly is to get one that All he does all day is hunt and drink.
is NAKED. Next cut a small piece of silk And what does he hunt? Drinks!
in the shape of a bathing suit and Judging He's in bad shape. Seems a chiropractor
from present styles, the piece won't be owed him a hundred dollars and made him take
very large. Roll up the oalendar, tuck in it out in trade!
the bit of silk and enter with the calendar He's a man of few words. — I'm married
in hand. also.
You patter, that most of your audience Next young lady is no aviator, but I am
has seen the trick in which an attractive sure you will agree, she sure knows how to
girl standing by the sea-shore is disrobed take off!
by the magician. But fortunately! she is Yes, he's quite a ventriloquist but he
saved by the tide. You partly unroll the is also the meanest one I know. He once
oalendar disclosing nothing much and roll threw his voice under an old maid's bed!
it up again as you patter. Reaching in, She's a printer'8 daughter. I sure like
you extract the piece of silk stating that that type!
you have likewise removed the charming gals He never takes a drink unless he's alone
habiliment (clothes, Webster Unabridged). — or with someone else.
»nd now you unroll the calendar as you re- Wasn't It grand the way the women helped
mark that she has been saved by the tide win the War? Half of them were working girls,
coming in Just in time. —. the other half were working men!
However, there she stands unadorned! When I was young, I never thought of do-
Shucks, you remark after everyone has had ing the things the boys1 and girls do today.
» good look, the tide was late today! —Darn it!
p
lace the calendar aside and if you don't He worked for the Eagle Laundry. But it
get a good laugh write Mr. Lyda for he seems business was bad and so he quit. No-
certainly does with his presentation! body wanted to wash eagles.
He hasn't drunk anything for days. No
A gag popular a decade ago and today tea, no coffee — poor fellow, he met with
even more appropriate since the publica- and accident and broke his saucer.
tion of a certain book on the Dime & Penny, The next little lady is a disciple of
Ihmmm. seems I have heard that mentioned Eve. Quite a business woman; tonight she
before some place) is the Diamond Penny. will use the loose-leaf system.
*ou Intrude while the group is discussing
Page 114
THE BAT Number 21
My personal problem, since the groups I entertain are usually composed of the same
Individuals, is to find ways to vary my presentation of the effects I enjoy doing. Some
years sgo while trying to find something new to use with my flap slates, I had the
pleasure of attending a performance of a West Coast entertainer by the name of Paulsen
IA. L. Paulsen of Richmond, California, Ed.). His specialty is writing backward and up-
side down. In addition he has some very entertaining tricks, one of which solved my
slate problem. (Some of Mr. Paulsen's ''tricks" will appear if future BATS, Ed.)
The effect is the appearance of writing on a set of blank slates. However, instead
of forming words, a number of straight lines ann meaningless marks appear on the slate.
The performer, after studying the result and displaying it to the audience, finally ex-
plains that he has figured out what has happened. The spirit did not have time to com-
plete the message. The slate looks like the first one shown above. The performer then
draws two straight lines, one at the top and one at the bottom of the straight lines
and a message appears1. The effect is quite surprising. It takes the audience a moment or
so to grasp the subtlety and then the response is spontaneous.
The method is simple. A few marks properly placed between straight lines will form
block letters when lines are added at the top and bottom of the straight lines. The
alphabet to accomplish this is as follows.
Published monthly by MAGIC LIMITED at To perform, prepare your slates with the
4064 - 39th Avenue, Oakland 2, California. message you Intend to produce using the marks
Subscription rate is $1.50 a year; eight and straight lines as illustrated. A little
issues *1.00; single copies 25jrf excepting practice will enable you to produoe messages
special issues so designated. without referring to the chart because once
Bend all correspondence to THE BAT, the system is mastered It will be found very
c/o Lloyd E. Jones, at address above. simple. If you do not know how to use a flap
slate, I am sure Magic Limited will furnish
LLOYD E. JONES EDITOR you a set with excellent directions for usln»
B
THERON FOX ASSISTANT EDITOR it. ($2.00, Ed.)
ROBERT aUNTHER ART EDITOR When message appears, display It and
study it for a moment before you explain what
has happened. Use a broad chalk in making the
needed lines and after a moments study the
message will become apparent to your audience
Its reception has resulted in this effect be-'
Ing given a favored spot on my programs.
October the month of witches, ghosts, and
BATS Is with us again and as in the past It is
fitting that magicians make much of the fact
that Halloween is also becoming recognized aa
National Magic Day. Were the good Dr. Ed. Saint
or petite Madame Houdinl still with us, they
would be campaigning to publicize it also as
the birthday of Harry Houdlni. This fact alone
is basis for good publicity stories.
However, magicians have gotten most favor-
able publicity on this day, at least on the
Pacific Coast, by donating their services to
orphanages, and other charitable organizations.
The benefits have been two fold, publicity for
the individual or group and a warm smug sense
of self-satisfaction and the feeling that an-
other good job has been done.
With the end of hostilities the work of "No man oan have a higher opinion or him
the entertainer who has been appearing before than I have, and I think he Is a dirty lit-
tle beast." Rudyard Kipling.
service groups, especially at hospitals has She's a watchmaker's daughter. I think
really only Just begun. And it falls to each you'll like her movements.
one of us to offer our services for such work, They're making it tough for stamp col-
particularly on National Magic Day. lectors now. The new stamps have Roosevelt's
The BAT with this issue welcomes a new picture on them, — and he always was a very
writer to Its pages Not in the sense that he hard man to lick!
is a newcomer to the field for he Is definitely He used to work in a nudist camp. Just
not, but as a newcomer to the readers of these made a bare living.
pages. GKLenn G. G-ravatt, in our humble opinion His one weakness is a liking to tickle
wrote magic's greatest book, The Encyclopedia mules. Gets quite a kick out of it.
of Self-working Card Tricks..While some may Only last week he lost control of his
like to debate that point no one can deny that car. The Flnanoe Company finally caught up
because of the appearance of that monumental with him.
work magic has greatly benefltted. Other Ency- He's only an ordinary seaman but the Fin-
clopedias have since appeared, none equalling ance Company insists on calling him Skipper.
the importance or value of the first one, and He's a bachelor. Thats a man who won't
your editor knows of at least two more which take yes for an answer.
will make their debut in 1946. He sure is a wolf. You know, one of thoee
Only space will limit the amount of Mr. guys who think the world owes him a loving.
Gravatt's material that we will print. If you At one time he used to raise chickens,
would like to see more of it why not help us in but they threatened to put him away unless
our current campaign to swell our subscription he'd stop. He was trying to cross a chioken
list and thus bring more pages to the BAT? with a parrot — so that if they got lost,
Club secretaries should write to learn of they could ask the way home!
the special rate available by blanket or quant-
ity subscription. His wife is a furniture maker. Rather
unusual I must admit, but Its the truth'.
She makes beds he Hotel Leamington.
page 117
||U» ber THE BAT
BY FRANK^CHAPMAN
The running time of this effect Is approx-
imately five minutes. Its a fast and furious
pump
will handle when shown "empty." Deck of cards is
on table or in the coat pocket.
five minutes that your audience will never for- PRESENTATION: After one or two opening tricks
get. The mystery angle Is merely an excuse for introduce deck and shuffle as you say, "A regula-
the laughs. But Its great entertainment from tion deck of 52 card." (Fan them) "As I quickly
start to finish and will win many new friends pass among you, I would like to have several cards
selected.^ (Step into audience and have four cards
"or your act. An "ace" Hollywood gag writer see- freely drawn by four spectators - males.) Keep up
ing It for the first time said, "Its not only a running fire of talk to hold Interest as cards
well entertainment, Its great theatre. That are being drawn. Such as, "Any card you like, sir.
tableau at the climax Is the funniest thing I've Just draw one, sir. Thank you. And you, sir. Will
ever seen." And it is I Even if it la "my baby" you take one please? etc." After all four have
I doubt if you'll ever find anything that will been drawn step back to stage and say, "Will those
ia your act like this rip-roaring episode.
F- you must have the ability to "play it" for gentlemen who drew cards hold them up please."
11 Its worth. You won't get the feel of it by (they do so.)"Will you all please stand so that
'e-hearsing at home. You must get it before an those in the rear can see?" (they do.) Now will
audience. Because they are the ones who really you step down in front here and place your cards
nake" the trick - not you! So stick out your back in the deck? (Meet them at the steps. Since
chin - pop it into your next show - and keep they are on their feet with all eyes on them, they
Plugging away until your audience reaction is won't stop now. They'd feel worse by sitting down
such, that you know you've GOT IT. From then on, again than by going through with it.) Now, if you
you'll swear by it. will Just step here and replace your cards where
all can see what we are doing --." (Back up
PROPS: Chlng Ling Foo Water Can - Magic Fun- steps and they follow you on stage. If first man
~ - a tin cup - small rubber ear syringe - and hesitates have him replace card right there -
» deck of cards. (Use adhesive tape to stop hole but take his wrist and pull him on stage. He'll
*n funnel. Its better than wax.) Load funnel with go - and the others will follow. Audience will
^r and place on table with empty Foo Can. Load get a big kick out of this I) Stand center stage
e with water and place behind some object, with two men on either side of you. Have cards
auch a s a s l l k o n t h e table. The tin cup should
replaced and shuffle pack. Then say, "Four cards-
ncaln
ln jj u st
t th
t h e amountt off w a t e r t hha t F
Foo C
Can freely selected and returned to a shuffled pack.
Page 120 I HE BAT
NUMBER TWENTY-7
run out! (Place hand on top and turn Can over
ly.) "Thats simple. Now the same principle apnf?
to this gentleman's head." (Get shortest spectii
to lean way over as you place can against top i
his head - tell nlm, in an undertone, that
won't run out - and then have him slowly s a i J
Publlshea monthly by IIAGXC! LIMITED at up. Have second spec, stand behind him and holf
4064 - 39th Avenue, Oakland 2, California. "You have all seen the old-fashioned pump _
Subscription rate is $1.50 a year; eight the spout on one side and the handle on the
Issues #1.00; single copies 25^ excepting Well, I am going to try and change this g n
special Issues so designated.
Send all correspondence to THE BAT, Into a nunan pump."(Previous to this patter you
c/o Lloyd E. Jones, at address above. have spec, with can on his head place his left h
on left shoulder, elbow sticking straight out
LLOYD E. JONES _ _ - - _ _ - - - EDITOR
THERON FOX ASSISTANT EDITOR right a m hanging loose at his right side.) p ^
ROBERT GUMTHER ART EDITOR his right arm up and down several times as you «
ter to this point. Then - step to his left aide
and say, "I'll have to stick a pin In your elbo»
this won't hurt you much." (Apparently take pin
from your lapel and stick it in his elbow. Then
November! The month of turkeys and Thanks- pretend to throw it away.) Say, "There! That
Lving. What have you to be thankful for this hurt - did It?" Turn to third spec, and say, "vou
sllday season? The answer is plentyl And the work the pump handle," (He steps over to the rigj,
VT too is pleased. Last month we announced the side.)"And you," to fourth man, "Catch the water.
sgular appearance in these pages of the wrlt- (Hand cup to him at same time saying in an under*
lgs of Glenn G. Gravatt. This month we shout tone, -"Hold it under his mouth." "Tien he does
r-om the house-tops that we have exclusive per- which is always a howl - quickly say, "No, No! It
Lssion to use the material from Frank Chapman's coming out here!") Point to left elbow. Have aa
3RAPB00K. Next month? Wait and see! with cup stand well to right, in front of first
During the two brief years of its life, man, so audience view is not cut off. From this
iAP'S SCHAPBOOK won a favored place in the spot he extends his arm. holding cup about two
Lves of its readers not so much because of the feet below first spec's elbow. Meanwhile, you get
ccellent material it contained but because it funnel and syringe from table. Hold funnel In
reached the philosophy that magic is fun, that left hand, syringe In right. Place syringe agalni
igic either as a business, profession, or as a spec's elbow pointing outward. Say to spec, who!
>bby could and should be something to be en- working handle (?) -"Just a little more pressure
>yed. Hence to Its pages came material that men please."(He starts to pump arm.)"A little morel"
10 enjoy magic were bound to like. When CHAP'3 (He pumps harder.) Then - squeeze syringe and a i
IRAPBOOK became work, it folded; and the BAT is stream of water apparently from the point of elbi
.ad that it can now bring you magic that you shoots well out. Immediately "follow-up" this
ull not only use - but enjoy doing. stream with the funnel - as though catching
The BAT also this month brings you the splen- the water - and at same time release water in
.d article from the SATURDAY EVENING POST con- funnel. The excitement is on! One spectator
srning Blackstone. We believe that such articles la pumping the ana. Another is holding the can
lould and can be brought to your attention in- on first spec's head. The man with the cup Is
;ead of printing a mere note that such and such trying to catch the water. And the main "victim*
magazine had a fine article. Such notes being is thoroughly dumfounded by the whole thing.
'equently printed when the material Is no longer The audience is howling at the spectacle! Dur- 1
r
ailable. V/e hope other such articles can ap- Ing this action, you slip syringe into your
sar here and our thanks to the CURTIS PUBLISHING right hip pocket - then pass funnel from your
JliPANY for making this first one possible. right to left hand as water runs out. Keeping
mouth of funnel against the elbow of course un-
til it is exhausted. When empty say, "There we
are! And, of course the quart measure is empty.
Take can from spec's head - turn it right side j
up and set spout of funnel in it. Quickly place
both on table - shake hands all around as you
pump
I of which has nothing whatever to do with the
xt trick I(Throw the entire deck off-stage let-
ng the cards fly apart in a shower.) But I had
guide your four helpers to their seats. Your
audience will still be laughing - right up to
the time the last man is seated.
The applause that follows this routine
will make you feel like a "million." But, - as
I warned you in advance - you must take ad-
have a committee up here, and -." (No need vantage of every little bit of "business" and
say any more. You'll get a big hand right there "play It" for everything it has in it! Keep
and plenty of laughs. Even the committee men smiling! Keep laughing! Enjoy the thing your<
II enjoy it.) Pick up Foo Can and say, "A quart self - and your audience will enjoy it doubly
asure,!"Display, "Into the measure I pour a cup Do it right and you can't miss. This one stunt
water." (Pour water from cup through funnel. is worth at least a twentydollar bill to any
to Foo Can. Lay cup and funnel aside.) "I am magician who plays informal club shows. Prove
re that you are all familiar with this little it yourself.
oblem in natural law - if in Inverting the mea- (Foo Can, ilagic Limited quality - $2.50 - the
re the hand is placed over the top, no water can best metal funnel - #4.50 - syringe - 5£)
MAGICIAN
NO.l
By MAURICE ZOI.OTOW
erhaps the most famous illusion of them all. Even after seeing her heartless boss pass light bulbs A neat trick if it works, but it never does;
"ght through Betty, people close their eyes when the willing lass climbs up on the buzz-saw. this is another fake by the cut-up cameraman.
Page 122
THE BAT NUMBER TWENTY-THR5
Kellar, Houdini and Thurston. Blackstone is about Whatever skepticism the readers of Super Magi- ing the bodyguard's pistol. With the understate
the last of the type. Most other contemporary cian may feel as to his powers quite evaporates when ment for which he was famous, Coolidge dryly
magicians—and there are some 20,000 of the secret Blackstone, in person, does a show in their home marked, "This man's a magician."
brotherhood, professional and amateur—are superb town and they behold in the flesh their old friend, In 1943, during a tour on the USO circuit, Bla t
technicians in their specialty, which may be cards the Super Magician, sawing a girl in two and then stone gave a show at an officers' club. One of tK* I
or linking rings or coins, but they lack that air of restoring her to bodily health. In his literary ad- onlookers was Gen. Mark Clark. In the course f
witchcraft that hovers over Blackstone's frowzy ventures, Blackstone is accompanied by his stage showing General Clark a card trick, Blackstone so
mane of silvery hair. assistant, Rhoda. Frequently, Betty Stolle, a young adroitly distracted Clark that before the gener l
Blackstone is one of the few conjurers living who girl from Raleigh, North Carolina, is mistaken for knew what was going on, all his campaign ribbon
still do a two-hour show consisting only of tricks. Rhoda by followers of Super Magician. Miss Stolle, had vanished.
He is one of the very few who still do large stage a curvaceous black-haired person, is the victim of Not long ago, Blackstone went to the bar at th
illusions—the levitation of a girl in midair or the buzz-saw bisection, and she is also shoved into a Advertising Club in New York to discuss the posa'
Hindu Rope Trick, in which a boy climbs up a rope cabinet containing sixty lighted electric bulbs in the bility of a radio program built around his pu]D
and disappears. When he retires someday, there is a Penetration Trick and the bulbs go through and magazine triumphs over international villainy
strong possibility that an American tradition as old through her body, while in the Girl Without a Blackstone can never resist doing magic. He kept a
as apple pie will pass on with him, because the Middle illusion she is hacked into three parts. Last barroom full of strangers in bewilderment for sev
younger generation of magicians are largely experts winter, in the coffee shop at the Schroeder Hotel in eral hours as he gave an impromptu magic show
in what is known as "small magic"—intimate and Milwaukee, Miss Stolle was accosted by four ex- When he finished, he gave his souvenirs.
speedy legerdemain with cards, cigarettes, billiard cited urchins who had seen the show the night Blackstone's souvenirs are not conventional auto-
balls or silks. Their performances last ten or twelve before. graphed photographs. He gives away pencils. He
minutes and are geared to small night clubs. Off "Are you Rhoda?" they inquired, without further does not hand the pencils out. He grasps the re-
the stage, they are usually prosaic, brisk, business- ceremony. cipient's coat, twists it up in an ingenious fashion
like persons. Miss Stolle is instructed to answer yes to this forces the pencil—which has a loop of cord through
For boys between the ages of seven and twelve, question. one end—into a buttonhole, and then laces the pen-
Blackstone has the same fascination that Sinatra "Yes," she said. cil through the loop of cord and yanks it all together
has for adolescent females. The disillusioned con- The boys now argued excitedly among them- tightly. These pencils are especially made to Black-
jurers from Lancaster were a striking illustration of selves. Some said she would, others maintained it stone's order by Jimmy Sanders, an amateur magi-
Oscar Wilde's theory that nature imitates art, rather was impossible. cian and stationery manufacturer of Nashville
than art imitating nature. Their interest in the su- Finally, one of the boys whipped out a Boy Scout Tennessee. On the average, it takes a stranger
pernatural powers of Blackstone's wand stemmed hunting knife. " I say I can cut her and she won't about an hour to figure out the way of releasing
from the hairbreadth adventures of Blackstone bleed," he announced with scientific detachment. himself from the pencil. Incidentally, the pencil has
printed in a forty-eight-page monthly periodical "Super Magician fixed it." this warning printed on it: "If you can't remove
called Super Magician, which has a circulation of As he came closer, Miss Stolle ran screaming from this in any other way, then you must cut the button-
480,000 and a probable reading audience of several the restaurant. hole, as it is seven years' bad luck to cut or burn
million juveniles. string or break pencil."
Though other comic-book heroes—such as Doc A Coolidge Tribute Despite a conviction around Broadway that
Savage, Superman, the Green Hornet, Batman and large-scale magic is an outmoded form of entertain-
Flash Gordon—are fictional inventions, Super Magi- TVLACKSTONE, himself, however, always man- ment—no magician has appeared in a full-length
cian is a living, breathing, three-dimensional reality. J 3 ages to hocus his way out of any such embarrass- show on Broadway for several years—Blackstone's
In the magazine, he is specified by name. "Bound ing contretemps with youthful believers. He is at all company plays nine months of the year, from Sep-
on a good-will tour," a recent issue of Super Magi- times the magician to his finger tips, even when he tember until Decoration Day, and he annually
cian commences, "Blackstone takes a trip a few changes from his Inverness cape and white tie and grosses more than $200,000. He plays the one-
thousand miles up the Amazon to the famous rubber tails into a sack suit. When he dines with friends, nighters and split weeks, the toughest phase of
city of Manaos, where this singular adventure of the he likes to startle them by reaching into the air and show business. Assisted by his brother, Pete Bouton,
jungle juggler begins." finding oranges or bananas there, or by taking a salt who manages the unseen backstage details and, so
The strip itself shows a rather lifelike likeness cellar and violently pounding it through the table to speak, pulls the strings, the company also in-
of the magician—a tall, stocky, white-headed and reaching underneath to bring it up—restored, cludes twenty-four assistants, of whom eight are
chap with clenched jaws and an air of muscular of course. In Pullman diners, he befuddles waiters women. In show business, women assistants to
confidence. by extending a fifty-cent tip, placing it in the out- magicians are known as "box jumpers," because
Unlike other comic-book valiants who employ stretched palm of the waiter, who then looks down they continually have to be disappearing in cabinets
esoteric death-ray machines, rocket-firing automo- to find it has vanished. and then leaping out of other cabinets at the oppo-
biles and other preposterous H. G. Wellsian de- During the Coolidge Administration, he did a site side of the stage. There are 189 pieces of bag-
vices, Blackstone relies entirely upon sleight of hand show at the White House. He pulled a rabbit out of gage, and the props take up a seventy-foot baggage
and hocus-pocus to outwit his enemies. In recent Andrew Mellon's pocket, stole Cal Coolidge's foun- car.
months, he has outwitted the Pirates of Twin Is- tain pen, and made away with Secretary of State Besides the mechanical paraphernalia, the show
land, Professor Nizam the Spook Maker, the insidi- Kellogg's wallet. He climaxed the show by vanish- carries a large electric organ, four pigeons, six white
ous water wizards of Central America, the Nazi spy rats, twelve ducks and about fifty rabbits. A rabbit
Malbini, and the Green Goliath. I ' l l O T O G R \IMI Y HY G E N K LESTER is given away tO a (Continued on Page 117)
Bandleader Richard Him her is given a keepsake It takes more than magic to move BIackstone\s show around the country. He needs a baggage car full oi
he'll have to keep, because it won't unfasten. equipment, and 2(assistants, including several pretty creatures known in the trade as "bo\ jumpers.
TWENTY-THREE inc. DAI
Page 123
I a florist shop in Chicago in 1881. is roughly the same type of thing that themselves. Then, as the stage
Blackstone, as a youth, wanted to be Olsen and Johnson charge $6.60 for in lights darken, he says he will make
, every evening. During children's an artist, and he studied a year at the their Broadway shows. this handkerchief come to life. He
*"? nces in the afternoon, which Art Institute. He still draws, and The Bouton Bros., as the act was places it on the floor, and then, sud-
"vertised as Bunny Matinees, when he is attracted by a face he will billed, had tough going at first. They denly, as he waves his lingers over
Ttnne presents from ten to twenty rapidly sketch it on the tablecloth or played the small towns in the Middle it, the borrowed handkerchief seems
!k 8
, 7" those who hold lucky tickets, on a napkin. When asked for an auto- West—the family time—for twenty- to jerk, to shiver and then to stand
(•hat's all I am," Blackstone re- graph, he draws a picture of himself, five dollars a week, and when bookings erect. For several minutes it slith-
",L "observed, raising his Satanic and adds the following message: "Suc- were sparse Blackstone turned his tal- ers about, viciously snaps at the
hLv/s and flourishing his fingers cess is work—hard work—plus confi- ents to reading palms in carnival shows. magician when he tries to hold it, and
«yebr0 ,, a g u y w ith a lot of rabbits, dence, and plenty of it." " I looked very good in a turban," he concludes by bobbing around to a dance
' t n e m out of a hat. That's why His father died when he was young, recalls. He also worked, during his tune. And here comes the convincer.
and at various times Blackstone was salad days, as a fake spirit medium and As the handkerchief finishes its dance,
'"kept g" in g i n t h e a t e r 8 w h i l e t h e a milkman, carpenter, plumber, fortune-teller. When times got very Blackstone seizes it, races down the
* tition is starving or playing gin- and foundry worker at the Illi- hard, they even tried the three-card stairs leading to the seats and returns
n cafes. I don't give the public nois Steel Company. monte racket. Or better still, they the handkerchief, and, again, just a few
,le-dazzle technique. I give them In 1897 he went to McVicker's cheated the cheaters. Pete would spot inches away from the eyes of the audi-
ic A rabbit out of an empty hat, a Theater and saw his first magic a monte game going on. Harry would ence, the handkerchief begins throb-
I live rabbit—that's magic to the show. It was the incomparable saunter in, flash a big roll of bills, and bing frantically, as though with a will
raee man in the street. But you Kellar, doing his rope escape, in the crooks would let him win the first of its own.
t these young magicians with their which members of the audience turn of the card. Before there could be In his Floating Electric Light Trick,
!Lble shuffles and triple palms—why, bound him tightly in a length of a second, Pete yelled, "The cops are he also descends among the audience.
flat's all empty technique, fiddle- rope, and Kellar, without going into coming!" and everybody ran in vari- First, one of the "box jumpers" has
rddle Takes another magician to ap- a cabinet, twisted his hands out of ous directions. walked onstage bearing a shaded lamp.
ciate it. Where's the enchantment? the rope, performed various feats Blackstone removes the shade and tests
£»nture their imagination with a rab- But the act caught on, and when
of legerdemain, and then deftly Harry bought from a printer a lot of the bulb. Then he unscrews it from its
't that's what I do. Woman in Co- sneaked his hands back into the socket. Lo, it is still glowing brightly.
lumbia, South Carolina, stopped me posters and placards which had been
knotted coils; when the committee ordered by a magician named Fred- He balances it on his finger tips and
in the street and said,' Blackstone, you inspected the knots, they found then removes his fingers—it floats
don't remember me, but you gave me erick the Great, he changed his name
them as tightly tied as before. to Frederick the Great and they did a eerily in the air. Just as the audience
rabbit in Indianapolis thirty years begins to murmur wisely about hidden
and I've never forgotten that mo- Blackstone was an enraptured more serious magic act. Frederick the
committee member night after Great became an unpopular name dur- wires, Blackstone commands the lighted
ment, and tonight I'm bringing my lit- bulb to follow him, and he walks
tle boy to the theater, and would you night. " I got my start tying knots ing the first World War, and one day
on Kellar," he chuckles. Unable to in Chicago he was standing in front of through the aisles with his bewitched
,ive him a rabbit, please?'" bulb, running an iron hoop all around
figure out the modus operandi of the Blackstone Hotel talking to a
Now sixty years old, Blackstone has any of Kellar's illusions, he went vaudeville booking agent about chang- it to prove there are no strings at-
been distributing hares for thirty years, to the public library and requested ing his name, and the agent pointed to tached. Your skin prickles when you
and he roughly figures he has presented a book on magic. He was given the marquee of the hotel and said, see this going on, and perhaps it is just
about 80,000 long-eared rodents during a volume entitled Hopkins' Sci- "There's your new billing—Blackstone as well for Blackstone's health that the
us career. Even before Frank Fay entific Diversions, and was im- the Great." witch-hunters of Salem have been in-
made a sensational comeback in Har- pressed by a trick labeled How to active these 250 years.
y, Blackstone proved that a man Contrary to popular misconceptions,
with a rabbit could make money. Tie a Knot in a Handkerchief and Blackstone does not employ a single Your scientific sophistication tells
Blackstone says the reason rabbits first Make it Disappear. After tearing trapdoor, a single mirror or a single you it is just a trick, but your heart
came intG general use among magicians a dozen of his mother's best linen wire in his mysteries. The wonders are beats faster all the same. You watch
was that they seldom utter any sounds handkerchiefs, he finally mastered performed by means of certain clever the audience when Blackstone saws
_iuiliMi' to human ears.
the effect. details of the equipment—no mirrors Rhoda in half, and you see dozens of
He soon discovered Professor Hoff- or wires, though—but mainly by split- people—men as well as women—clos-
"A magician loads a dog or a cat on man's Modern Magic, then—and even second timing and the misdirection ing their eyes at the crucial point. The
iis person," Blackstone points out, now—the most comprehensive vade created by the magician. sawing trick as Blackstone does it is
"and first thing you know, there'll be mecum on conjuring. Hoffman was a all in the open. A huge circular buzz
barks or meows coming out at the "Magic is really the science of mis-
British amateur magician, a noted bar- directing thought," Blackstone says. saw whirs ominously. Blackstone turns
wrong time. But a rabbit is very meek rister by profession, whose real name the power off and on with a switch.
and keeps his mouth shut. The only "That's why I'm always on the move
was Angelo Lewis. From Hoffman's when I'm on stage. I'm doing one He runs a piece of wood through the
thing is never to lift a rabbit by the volume, Blackstone learned the move- saw and shows that the saw is genuine.
ears. You have to pick it up by the thing, but I've got to make the audi-
ments of sleight of hand and the ence believe I'm doing something else. Which it is.
scruff. If you pick them up by the psychological laws of visual deception.
ears, you break a delicate membrane, Every one of my movements and the "In the Himalaya Mountains," he
He now practiced manipulations six movements of my assistants have been announces, "hypnotism is used in sur-
and they soon die." hours a day for about four years. carefully worked out to mislead the gical operations to stop the flow of
In appearance, Blackstone, because When he was seventeen, he went to audience." blood. In my next operation, I will use
of his distraught mane of hair, re- work operating a lathe at Roterberg's hypnotism, as I am about to saw a
sembles a concert pianist, possibly In one trick, a large wooden tub is
in Chicago. Roterberg was then the placed on the stage. He tilts it up- little lady in two in the same manner
Paderewski. He also looks vaguely largest manufacturer of magical equip- in which I sawed this piece of wood."
like Einstein, Mark Twain or Lloyd ward, showing it to be empty. He then
ment in the country. Whenever Harry pours ten buckets of water into the Blackstone hypnotizes Rhoda and
George. He is five feet, eleven inches turned out a hollow die or a false- then places her—the body being in full
tall, weighs 184 pounds, and wears tub, fires a pistol, and six wet ducks
bottomed box to order for a big-name emerge from the tub, shaking their view at all times—on a platform be-
horn-rimmed glasses—off stage — magician, he made an extra one for hind the saw. He removes her robe,
through which his brownish eyes peer tails. The assistants then chase the
himself. He and his brother Pete still ducks into a small wooden shed in one and her white midriff is now laid bare.
with a wickedly elfin gleam. He has manufacture all their own cabinets in The organ plays tremulously frighten-
been twice married—to magic assist- corner of the stage. Blackstone fires
an elaborately equipped carpenter shop his pistol at the shed, and an assistant ing music. Blackstone turns the power
ants both times—and twice divorced, on his 208-acre estate near Colon, on and the saw begins rotating faster
and has a ten-year-old son, Harry, Jr., yanks the shed up, showing it to be
Michigan. In near-by Branch County, empty. The assistant folds up the shed and faster. Then the platform is moved
• who attends a Midwestern military Michigan, he owns 12,000 acres of closer and closer to the saw, and finally
academy. Harry, Jr., is being groomed and the ducks have vanished. No
farmland on which he raises spearmint trapdoors either. In fact, most of the saw cuts right through the flesh.
'or a magical career, and he handles and peppermint, which he sells to Rhoda screams and slumps. Black-
the Multiplying Billiard Balls routine the civic auditoriums where he ap-
Wrigley and other chewing-gum peo- pears aren't even equipped with stone and an assistant lift her off to the
j as deftly as his father. ple. He has prospered as a magician, center of the stage. He makes a few
trapdoors.
Blackstone's head is abnormally never having missed a season in thirty- passes and slaps her face. She comes
large—he wears a size 7% hat. five years, and is said to be worth "In this duck vanish," he re- to, smiling, and makes her exit.
He was born large-headed and the more than $1,000,000. veals, "we boldly and deliberately
'steal' the ducks right in front of Whenever he plays a town, Black-
boys around 67th and Halsted in Chi- Around 1904, he and Pete got up an the noses of the audience, but no- stone for several days becomes the cen-
cago, where he grew up, nicknamed him act entitled Straight and Crooked body spots it because we distract ter of attraction for all the local
Pumpkin Head and ridiculed him at all Magic. Harry would do a trick seri- their attention to the other side of amateur magicians, who are not read-
times. This gave him an inferiority ously, and then Pete would burlesque the stage. No, you don't have to ers of Super Magician, but are pros-
j complex, and he believes it was his de- the trick. Harry might tear tissue pa- use trapdoors, just psychology." perous and respectable business and
*>re to show up his persecutors that per into tiny strips, then dip the strips professional men. In Nashville, Ten-
™t stimulated him to practice magie. To other magicians, Black-
in water and crumple up the moist pa- stone's version of The Dancing nessee, where Blackstone played a date
"j was the fourth of eight children. per into balls, open his hands, and a late December, he was the guest of
' ! . e seventh son, named Willie, never Handkerchief is his most effective
shower of confetti would dryly de- prank. It is simple, graceful, rhyth- honor at a banquet in the Hermitage
displayed any necromantic talent, de- scend. Pete would then stalk out on Hotel, given by the Magicians' Club of
8
P'te the ancient superstition, and is mic and has genuine formal
n the stage in oversize shoes and tear beauty. Blackstone asks for the Nashville. President of the club is Ed
°w a house painter in Toledo, Ohio. newspapers into pieces and pour a Jordan, who owns a movie house, but
The family is of French Huguenot loan of a gentleman's handkerchief.
bucket of dirty water on the papers He descends into the audience and mainly devotes his life to making cards
pcent, and the family name was and then say some magic words, and vanish and reappear. Vice-president is
°"ginally Boughton. Harry's father returns with the handkerchief.
big sheets of newsprint would come Playfully, he proceeds to tie a few Lt. Emmett Franklin, of the police de-
changed it to Bouton when he opened floating down all over the theater. It partment, who is a worker of miracles
knots in it, and the knots untie
THE BAT NUMBER TWENTY-THREE
124
with the cups and balls. Magicians dontist in the Crescent City and a
came from as far as Memphis to pay
homage to Blackstone, considered by
his fellow craftsmen to be the dean of
fanatical amateur magician. George
Pearce, president of the New Orleans
branch of the International Brother-
DIME AND PENNY
the profession. hood of Magicians, Ring No. 27, is Aubrey Perry dropped in tr,
In other towns, the local magicians rated one of the best amateur con-
jurers in this country, and his work ask if we knew the effect O-.j
haunted his dressing room backstage, coffee had on money? We had'tn
showed him their latest "moves" and with billiard balls is as smooth and de-
manipulations, invited him to their ceptive as a professional's. In his answer "no," and were greatly
homes for dinner. Typical visitors working life, Pearce is a commercial pleased and amused when he pro.,
backstage when Blackstone played the artist. Another member of Ring No. 27
is very noted for his version of the ceeded to demonstrate. You leav
St. Charles Theater in New Orleans a half-inch or eo of the stuff
were Seaman First Class Edward Ride- classic Four Ace Trick. This member is
out, member of the Society of Amer- Andrew J. Higgins, the dynamic ship- in the cup then show the dime ana
ican Magicians, from Boston; Seaman builder. drop It In. Next the penny ana
First Class Walter Bode, a member in Although Blackstone never tires of stir Dotn with your spoon. Thin
good standing of the Houdini Club, of attending dinners and parties and do-
Milwaukee; Seth Sharpless, '46, and ing tricks all night long and watching of course will lead to the nest
Dan Shawn, '47, two students at Tu- tricks done, his favorite pastime is ing of the coins so that when the cups contents
lane University, who were members of playing poker for mild stakes. It is a are poured on a saucer only the penny comes out1
the Dramatic Society, which was re- rather disappointing experience to play This shows you state, the strength of G. I. cof^
hearsing a student production of Mac- cards with Blackstone, the world's
beth, and they wanted Blackstone to greatest magician. I played ten and fee. It dissolves silver! This is a good gag and
tell them how to make the three twenty cent stud poker with him dur- incidentally another good trick with the Dime ain
witches disappear; Capt. Sammy Men- ing a dreary twelve-hour jump from Penny.
acker, stationed at Camp Plauchet, Chattanooga to New Orleans recently.
who asked Blackstone to help him with I won seven dollars and fifty cents. It Mr. Perry also favors us with his favorite
some misdirection for coin tricks. is one of the few times in my life I have presentation with the coins. A method so good we
ever won at poker. Blackstone is a are sorry it was not included in the book. A
In the evening after the last show, very poor poker player.
he was guest at a party given by Dr. handkerchief is spread over the open palm. On it
A. C. Broussard, the leading ortho- is placed the dime and then the penny. The corn-
ers of the handkerchief are now brought together
and the center with the coins twisted so that
their outlines clearly show. A dime duplicating
the trick coin has been meanwhile concealed by
nipping it with the fingers. The two coins in
handkerchief are now rubbed together and seem to
melt into one. The spectator is asked to choose
either one and no matter what his choice, the
dime is now shown to have penetrated the folds
of the handkerchief and to be in the hand. The
handkerchief is now opened, only the penny re-
mains and of course the unsuspecting spectator I
can have no reason to believe that he has not
witnessed a minor magical miracle.
Edwin Tabor whose magnetic experiments
Did I ever tell you about the South- we mentioned last month has a new nifty. He
ern fortune-teller? Knows all, sees all, uses a paddle, large enough to hold a coin
yo' all. on either of the two flat sides and thick
Then there was my Grandma, a real enough to conceal a magnet or sheet of magn-
pioneer. She drove the horse. Grandpa etic steel. Now supposing the penny shell is
drove her buggy. fixed with a bit of steel or the war-time
And theres my sister. She has a one- penny which is magnetic is used. In this
track mind. Trouble is theres a troop shell is placed a genuine dime. To one side
train on it! of the paddle is affixed a penny. Using the
Daffy Definition: Crap Game - Just regular paddle moves, a twist as the paddle
about the only place where a fellow can Is turned over, the paddle can be shown to
shoot first and ask afterwards. be blank on both sides, to have a penny on
My brother says, the Germans are one side and finally a penny on both sides.
complaining about having a hard bed to lie This chicanery accomplished attention is
in but he says if they will look under- directed to the penny on the table. The
neath they will find the stamp, "Made in paddle is now shown to have "no coin" on
Germany." either side. It is waved over the tabled
Speaking of my brother, he was head penny and a penny appears on one side. It
of his Fraternity at college. Some people is waved again and a penny appears on both
still think he's something of a frat head. sides! AND THE PENNY ON THE TABLE TURNS
Some night soon at the magic club INTO A DIME! To conclude, the pennies are
meeting why not ask the fellows if they withdraw^ from the paddle, the shell one
being removed with its side of the paddle
have seen the card disclosure method in down so that its shell condition cannot
which the top card Is turned over when be detected. Since only the shell penny
the cards are drop to produce the usual cannot be examined, attention can be dir-
"freely selected card." In the group, ected to the genuine coin on the table or to
there can always be found someone who the paddle as the shell coin is switched for
does it better, or differently than you. an unprepared one. As mentioned last month,
Keep on doing it your way until he gets Mr Tabor gets rid of his by dropping his hand
persistent then cut or slip a double- to his side where a strong magnet in the pant
backed card to the top of the deck and leg seam takes over and holds the coin for him.
stand back and watch the fun. It will
bring a lot of laughs.
'NUMBER TWENTY-THREE THE BAT Page 125
I)
Lloyd Jones 675,298 Arthur Heinsen 783,475 Lila Lee 792,348 395,378 Frances Fox 839,380
492,874-Astett Lyda 343,677 M Livingston 479,222 Berth Nora Lee 783,592 Arden Raggio
' pn Allen 963,269 Alice Sayio 78 492,874 Everett Lyda 343,577
,358 Percy Smock 334,689 Rub
r
hur
Leland Liv . 386,379
T)orothv Allen 796»?45 Bo 385,368 Fleete Wicker 937,367
Dwight Bentel 863,580 John %
•sFrances Fox 593,245 Stephen Jones 948,364 Everet.
*863,289 Ethel J&slby1 985,268 r Arthur Kelson 852,360 Anne Shaw 837,432 William Dwomery 836,4
Leeta Wicker 874*56 7 Paul Kinney 268,952 Luria Heinsen 2759
IN THE NOVEMBER 1 9 4 6 ISSUE OF THE SFIIIX. MR. EFFECT: Performer gives anybody or everybody
OIRALD L . KAUFMAN, THE NOTED PUZZLE EXPERT HAS A a number — a different number which may be long
TRICK TOR WHICH HE BORROWS THE COPYRIGHTED TITLE or short. At any subsequent time, whenever or
I'Ti GOT TOUR M MBS ft. H I S REASON TO R SO DO I NO HE wherever the performer meets the spectator, or if
STATES I S THAT PAUL LINDER (th* name is LIlDIItt, Mr. called on the phone, the performer can instantly
lavfnan) OR SOMEONE ELSE MU8T HATE READ HI8 (K»Uf»«n>«) give the spectator his assigned number.
trrtCT IN THE SPilll FOR DECEMBER 1 9 3 0 . MOST LIKELY As simple as this may sound, it is a very
THEY DID MR. KAUFMAN BUT SINCE TOU ADMIT TOO HATE NOT effective trick, either for magicians or the lay
ITEM READ MR. LINDNER'S TRICK, WHT BE SO SMtJO ABOUT public. It is one that has tremendous possibilit-
IT? WHT CLAIM THERE I S AN! SIMILARITY IN THE TRICKS OR ies for advertising or promotional value, and a
EFFECTS AT ALL AS A READINO WILL SHOW ANYONE SO I N - real item for the magician who has to meet the
TERESTED. HOWEVER, NOT WI3HIN0 TO ENTER INTO ANY public in other lines for a living.
»OCH C0NTR0VIR8Y. LET ME MERELY EXTEND MY THANK8.TO One such system giving the above effect has
NR. MOLHOLLAND FOR PBINTINO MR. KAUFMAN'S TRICK AND already been marketed. But this system requires
TO THE LATTER OENTLEMAN BECAU8E HE NOW ENABLES HS a deal of memory work;the writer feels that It
TO PRINT THE FOLLOWINO. can never be popular. Since the purchaser is re-
ETERY TIME A OOOD TRICK COMES ON THE MARKET, AND quired to learn a mnemonic system that must be
i f f OOt lOtK IBHBtK (SI.00) I S IN THAT CATEOORY, MAO- mastered from the ground up this marketed effect
ICIANS 8EEK TO DUPLICATE THE EFFECT. To SIMPLIFY, ADD will be found difficult for many, although any
TO, OR IMPROTE. IN MANY CASE8 A BETTER TRICK I S CREATED, layman can be defied to discover its secret and
"8UALLY ONE 1 8 NOT- BUT BEINO ETHICAL MR. FOX WHO DE»" thus magicians can be and are urged to Investigate
'LOPED HIS OWH METHOD OF DUPLICATING THE EFFECT EVEN its possibilities. This system also does not fur-
"FORE HC HAD R8AD MR. LINDNER'S MANUSCRIPT, HAS NOT nish large numbers in each case, which while not
•OSHED HI8 IN TO PRINT. INSTEAD I T HAS BEEN FILED necessary to mystify, breaks down any belief that
*W*Y UNTIL THE DAY CAME THAT IT COULD BE OFFERED A3 A a person's name has something to do with the triok.
T
*RIATION ( o r l » p r o v e « e n t ) OF AN ESTABLISHED EFFECT.
A system of assigning numbers for each letter
TO MR. KAUFMAN. THAT DAY I S HERE AND I T I S WITH such as the following would suffice.
THAT WE PRE8ENT THE FOLLOWINO WITH THE S T A T E "
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
K A
THAT WE B E L I E V E I T TO BE VA8TLY SUPERIOR TO MR.
"FMAN'S ALTHOUGH NOT EQUALLIHO MR. L I H D H E R ' 8 .
A B C D E F G H I J
K L M N O P Q R S T U turn t o page 129
U V WX Y Z please
THE BAT NUMBER TWENTY-fp,,,,
PAGE 128
RECESSED HOLES
/V
4^ BLOCK Of WOOD
mCPHONC
tz&k
The number is dialed, or requested of
All of which reminds me of a perfect trick
your Editor developed himself. It was perfectly
horrible what happened to him, but the trick Is
still "perfect" and if you want, we'll tell you
about It in the next BAT. And that leads up to
another knock-out that should come in a future
issue stemming from the above. Hold your hats
operator and the "stooge" answers as soon boys! Here we go again!
as possible. The magician gives the mouth-
piece of the phone on which his hand is
naturally resting, a scrape with his fing-
ernail, or a tap with his finger ring and
then begins his counting silently. One,
two, three four — and so on until the
number denoting the card is reached whereon
a second click or scratch would end the
count and the second count; that for suit,
begun. Diamonds, clubs, hearts, spades, the
two silently call off — and at the proper
time the magician says, "hello," or calls
the person by name, and hands the phone to
the waiting spectator.
The hand on the mouthpiece is a nat-
ural gesture. The one word spoken is all
that is required and then it is up to the
"stooge" to disclose the selected card in
as mysterious or as simple a manner as he This Bit for the Bat boys is from the facile
may wish! pen of Sid Lorraine. Nuf sed. At one time I did
Note too that at BOTH ends of the line a few kid shows in large homes. All the little
there is no possible means of detecting the bra.. - er darlings, would gather in the rumpus
method used! Your "stooge" can be at a party room and those who were not crawling between my
or away from home when you phone and he in- legs and diving into my suitcase would be seated
stantly (so it seems) names the card! in front to watch my miracles. Always interested
However, for those wanting a more cer- in audience participation especially where chil-
tain system, or those who think that simul- dren are concerned, I think you will be inter-
taneous silent counting Is difficult, which ested in a gag I used successfully.
it is not. try this! It isn't startling but it proved effective
The "stooge" on answering the phone In many ways. All kid workers, including myself
starts in repeating, "diamonds, clubs, hearts use a few silly words for the youngsters assist-
spades," over and over if necessary until he ing to repeat to make the magic work. One day,I
hears the phone click or scrape. He thus know explained to the group of rather young children
the suit. He repeats it, then begins his One, that a magic word will do wonders even when you
two, three, four, five, routine until the are not doing tricks. The secret is in knowing
second click is given whereon he repeats the the proper word — I would then explain that the
full name of the card and keeps silent until magic word was PLEASE . Whenever I'd start a
he hears a spectator's voice asking, "What is trick I'd say, "Now what Is the magic word?" And
my card please?" a chorus would shout, "PLEASE." In this way they
And if you will read the above paragraph worked during my act, those not participating in
again you will note that NOT A WORD NEED BE the trick still played a part and it did a bit
SPOKEN - AND - THE POSSIBILITY OF FAILURE IS of educating too. Many mothers have told me that
IMPOSSIBLE! What greater phone trick than thii months after the show, their youngsters would
A man and wife in a nearby town do the coax things from them by saying the maeic word.
trick a dozen times a day. It has been great "PLEASE."
publicity for them. To confuse the spectator Maybe it isn't as funny as the usual "hocus
she asks. "How many years have you been pocus" but to a youngster it seems almost as
married?" "Twelve?" "Well, then your selected silly at the time, and the parents think you're
card is the three of spades!" And do the poor very clever and also a grand pal; instead of the
spectators go around mumbling in their heel you probably are. Try it sometime and you'll
collective beards! This little off-shoot be surprised at the effect.
Dears out what Monk Watson has to say in To which your Editor won't even add -PLEASE!
his new book about a trick being too per- Of course you've heard (or did you?) about
fect, if the spectator is left with out any the radio star's young son who came home at
loop-hole to use for a solution he is not then school's end with his report card — "Well, son,"
pearly as impressed as when he has one. said the radio star, "did you get promoted?"
In other words, a non-explainable trick "No, Pop, better than that," the kid cheerfully
is not nearly as effective as one in which piped up, "I was held over for another twenty-
tne spectator is permitted to think he has six weeks!" - - — - —
a clue to its solution. "Are you psychio?" - "Yes, seer!"
PAGE 134 THE BAT NUMBER
Magic A,
by Glenn G. Gravatt by Frank Chapman
Another exceptional item from my col-
lection of original thumb-tip mysteries.
Three unprepared envelopes. Standard
A Bartl item of merit is this flow- correspondence size (they may be borrowed).
er production. You need two bouquets of Passed for examination. Spectator is re-
paper spring flowers ($1.50 each from quested to number them on face, - 1, 2, 3.
Magic Limited) tied together witn strings, Other spectators may seal them. Performer
Also used is a piece of white cloth tape stands them,(the envelopes, my frlend)face
about a half-inch wide and a foot or so out In a row on the table. They rest against
in length. This is out into three pieces three glasses each containing a 10 inch silk
and sewed in the shape of a M Y M . At the (red. yellow, blue). Silks are now removed
upper ends of the Y are affixed metal from glasses and one color Is freely chosen
clamps, each one of which will hold a The other silks are placed in side ooat poc-
closed bundle of tne spring flowers. The ket and at same time an extra large P & L
stem part of the Y is on the table , and thumb tip (65^ Magic Limited) is palmed.
the two bouquets are permitted to hang Selected silk Is tucked into the fist (act-
down behind the table and out of sight. ually into the thumb tip) - and vanished!
A plate or tray is now shown on all (Just previous to vanish, spectator is
sides proving it to be empty and is set asked to call out number on any one of the
on the table Just in front of the tape. envelopes.) Immediately, performer takes
chosen envelope - In hand without tip -
tears the entire end off - blows the
envelope open - Inserts tip and first finger
- and withdraws the colored silk! Envelope
is crumpled and dropped into coat pocket.
Other two envelopes are torn In half and
tossed aside.
Rated from the standpoint of "olean
working11 - and considering the smart effect
resulting from no preparation - this little
Item is a mighty good bet.
NURSIE
Confession It Is said Is good for there was no detective around, and I don't
the soul. May I make one? Not only will think the waiters talked, and my cohorts
It set my mind at ease but also explain and I kept quiet after the trick had failed
why - at the San Francisco Convention although we did lug the apparatus back
of the Pacific Coast Association of Mag- home and tried it on repeated other occa-
icians In 1939, I made such a poor dis- sions with varying success.
play In the prize contests. Poor Isn't It all stemmed back to a conversation
the word, embarrassing Is better, but with my good friend the late Caryl Fleming
now and here for the first time my clos- a year or so previously. He probably was
est friends will discover why I built sipping a "Gibson Girl'1 and I a bourbon and
up a marvelous effect and then failed to gingerale - or as some would have you think
produce results. - my fifth bottle of beer - when as it will
If a detective were around then he when to magical men get together thoughts
probably could have told you (or my turn to new ideas and their magical applica-
friends) that I was running around like tions.
road. But since I was responsible for the I mentioned a visit to the home of
Exploding Suitcase that frequently went Carl Zamloch, then residing In Orlnda and
off in the lobby; once in the hands of after Carl had shown me Val Evan's Rising
Jlmmle Mulr who ha o-set it himself and Card Tray and other magical miracles he
should have knowii oetter. But that is an- possessed; he said he would show me one
other story, and thanks to Bob V/eill, we that was really amazing. I took a deck of
can tell you about it some future time. cards and selected one to my liking. Carl
Or the waiters who at the time must then had me call upstairs to his daughter
have thought I was - to use the vernacular Patsy, who Immediately named the card!
-"nuts" - could have told you about the Now I should have been amazed because
queer happenings that went on behind the there was apparently no means for Patsy to
drapes of the dining room in the fash- have overhead the discussion and even if
ionable Falrmount Hotel on Nob Hill. But
PAGE 136 THE BAT NUMBER TWENTY-S| X
' faint what you do- After spectator has made a well in
hank, poke your right forefinger into it
apparently to make it depper, and at the'
»
'tis the my thtit<ka same time, engage your right thumb into
the thumb tip again. Now turn your body
toward the left, so right shoulders are
Jy Tenkai
well in the hank toward you and poke
your right thumb into it. Leave the tip
Inside, remove your right thumb and
stroke the hank downwards once. Take the
lit cigarette from your lips and drop
Preparation: it into the well (really into the tip).
Place a lighted cigarette in your Poke your right thumb into the tip to
left pants pocket. Oh! you'd better use a put out the glow and remove both thumb
"tank" (SOjf, Magic Limited) if you don't and the tip with the cigarette in it.
want to set your pocket on fire. Now fin- Now grasp the corner of the hank
ger palm a thumb tip (65^, M.L.) with the nearest you with the right hand, fin-
opening toward thumb in your left hand per gers on the outside and thumb on the In-
Fig. 1 (performer's view), and you're all side, thumb tip hidden from view per
set to mystify your audience even to the Fig. 12 (audience view). Pull the hank
"wise-guy" who knows all about the metal free from your left hand slowly — —
thumb. open your left palm and show back and
Presentation: front. Then stroke the hank upwards with
Beg, borrow, or steal a pocket hand- your your left hand per Fig. 13 (aud-
kerchief and hold it in your left hand per ience view). However, do not pull the
Fig. 2 (performer's view). Note that the hank free when you reach the upper
handkerchief 1 B merely draped over the corner, grip It between the left thumb
fore-finger of the left hand and you should and forefinger, and curl the 2nd, 3rd,
stand directly facing the audience with your and 4th fingers of the left hand in to-
left hand in front of your body. Now borrow ward palm per Fig. 14 (a.v.). Now stretch
a lit cigarette and place it between your these fingers out and hold finger between
lips. At the same time, left thumb works the 1st and 2nd fingers, palm toward audience.
thumb tip toward the finger tips as shown in See Fig. 15 (a.v.) Now swing your body
Fig. 3 (performer's view). Right hand now toward the front, directly facing the
comes toward left and nips the hank betv/een audience, and turn your left hand so palm
the 1st and 2nd fingers of the right hand faces you. WITH THE THUMB TIP STILL ON
and carries the thumb tip away behind the RIGHT THUMB, TAKE THE HANK AWAY FROM YOUR
hank. See Fig 4. (p.v.) Take a puff on the LEFT HAND BY GRIPPING THE PROTRUDING UP-
cigarette with your left hand while you PER CORNER OF THE HANK BETWEEN YOUR RIGHT
work the thumb tip onto your right thumb per 1st AND 2nd FINGERS. AT THE SAME TIME,
Figs. 5 & 6 (p.v.) Replace the lit cigar- LEAVE THE THUMB TIP IN YOUR LEFT HAND IN
ette between your-lips and spread the hank FINGER PALM POSITION. In other words, you
in front of your body, holding the two up- perform a change-over move. See Figs. 16
per corners between the thumb and fingers and 17 (performer's view).
(thumb on back, fingers in front). The tip
is hidden from view as per Fig. 7 (p.v.) Now point to your left pants pocket
Now release your left hand from the hank, as in Fig. 18 (a.v.) with your left fore-
form your left hand into a fist, and then finger, the thumb tip still palmed. See
drape the hank over It. Fig. 8 (top view). Fig 18a (a.v.). Press your left hand flat
Left hand should be directly in front of against the outside of your left pants
your body, thumb toward you, back of hand pocket - see Fig. 18b (audience view).
toward the audience. With your left hand pressed against your
pocket, slide your hand downward a few
Walk to a spectator and ask him to inches, rolling the thumb tip UP into the
push the hank into your fist, thus making palm, (see 18c) Now with your left fin-
a small well. Illustrate by doing so your- gers spread wide apart, lightly tap your
self. IN DOING SO HOWEVER, YOUR RIGHT THUMB pocket with the fingers only, keeping the
MUST COME DIRECTLY BEHIND YOUR LEFT FIST, thumb tip pressed tightly against your
UNDER YOUR LEFT THUMB - Fig. 9 (p. top view) pocket. See 18c -(a.v.) (You are appar-
- hank is removed for clarity. THEN GRASP ently feeling for something in your pock-
THE THUMB TIP THROUGH THE HANK BETWEEN THE et.)
LEFT PALM AND FINGERS AND REMOVE YOUR RIGHT
HAND LEAVING THE THUMB TIP BEHIND, per Fig. Now reverse the above move (follow
10 (performer's top view).(Handkerchief is Figs 18c, 18b, 18a). Bringing thumb tip
removed for clarity in drawing). Note that back Into finger palm position. Reach
the mouth of tip Is facing you. If you into the left pocket and remove the lit
hold your left hand directly In front of cigarette which you had in there from
the spectator at his eye level the thumb the start, and leave the thumb tip be-
tip will not be seen. Also, the .rest of hind In pocket. Return the cigarette and
the audience can clearly see that your handkerchief to their respective owners
right hand is absolutely empty. Do not make and watch the wise guy reach for your
an issue of this point however, as the aud- right hand in search for the "metal thumb.
NUMBER TWENTY-SIX THE BAT 139
PAGE I*O THE BAT NUMBER TWENTY-Six
OlVMAMf
To finish our series of three tip top In effect, the subject is permitted
tricks, I must Include this Telephone Myst- to go to the phone and call a number (ANY
ery and credit it to Win. Bowman of Seattle, number if desired) and to ask the one who
Washington. It is undoubtedly the most eff- answers the name of the card he has cho-
ective "telephone trick" to which I have sen or even WHAT HE HAS BEEN THINKING!
been subjected. And it follows naturally a- Required is a switchboard with the
long with THE Telephone Trick {January) operator cooperating. Properly cued or
and Oh Nursie, Nursie of last month. Be- warned a seeming miracle results. The
fore explaining the effect, it must be ad- performer asks the subject to pick up the
mitted that the trick may not be Mr. Bow- phone and to call the number desired -
mans1 nor may It be his method! The con- and to illustrate he himself picks up the
clusion arrives from a demonstration by phone and In placing it back contrives
Mr. Bowman in Seattle in July 1933- and the to keep the connection open. Now this can
method (I was completely fooled) was that be done in a great many ways either mech-
given me by Claude Burke who seemed to see anical or depending on the performer's
what I did not. skill. The operator having been iwarned
Admittedly, this might be the wrong listens in and so knows what to do and
thing to do, but since Mr. Bowman (one of acts accordingly. In the particular case
the Nation's best and best liked card men) mentioned after a period of time a sec-
has practically dropped magic, sold his ap- ond party came to the phone (I suspect it
paratus, and the method is not known to be was a.bellboy) and Imparted the desired
his, there should be no valid objections. information.
Also, it must be admitted that every- The trick left me speechless (quite
one cannot use the method (who can any ef- unusual eh?) but Mr. Burke with his wits
fect?) but it must be claimed that there about him was able to reason out an ex-
are a great many so situated who can. Of planation (later) while I was even then
these, there are office men, doctors, law- beyond reasoning with.
yers, apartment house residents, and hotel (next page please)
or club officials and guests.
PAGE 1 * 2 THE BAT NUMBER TWENTY-SEvCL
by Mariano Palhlnha
SUCKER
by Joseph Ovette
First, I want to say how much I Canada's Daredevil Illusionist -
liked meeting Lloyd E. Jones, the fellow the one and only Joseph Ovette - has
I had always looked up when reading the come through with what in my opinion is
Book Reviews in Tops.(Shucks, Ed.) His a HONEY of a pocket trick. It is his
immense book collection and the adven- original version of the famous Dime &
tures he must have perusing his store Penny. I like it because it gives me an
of books is enough to keep several mag- opportunity to follow-up on the fellow
icians busy. who does the original method of the trick
His BAT has always contained some with the faked coins ($1.00 - Magic Lim-
good items. (Thank you, Ed.) In view of ited). I refer to the layman - partlo-*
this and also to do my bit for his|£AT- ularly the "smart aleck" type - who likes
TERS , I'll pass on to you a good lit- to step into a group and discredit you
tle Four Ace Routine. This is the iden- whenever possible. (You know the type.)
tical one I showed Jones when first I Well, this little Item is "my meat" and
net him. that fellow's "poison." If you know what
A regular pack is used and only the I mean. As you have doubtless surmised
four aces with no additional cards. R e - from previous "Scrapbook" items I like
move the four aces and place them face to have a number of such items up my
up on the table. Now, tell your specta- sleeve for the crucial and crltlc-al mom-
tors that instead of placing the aces ent. Its a fine way to keep your reputa-
face down in the deck you will place tion against the odds - a.nd "Alls fair
them face up in a face down deck. Take In love and magic!"
the first ace and shove it into the You need a prepared dime. Really a
lengthwise pack about one-third of the dime with a small hook or "eye" soldered
way about seven or eight cards from the to its back. To this is attached a length
bottom. Place the second ace also face of round, black elastic. The other end of
up several cards about the first one elastic carries a safety-pin. Attach pin
and repeat with the third and fourth to inside of your right coat sleeve in
aces. The situation is now this:- four such a position that the elastic can be
aces separated each by a few cards are stretched under back of hand when palm is
face up in a face down deck. The center up and the dime carried on the palm, be-
pip of each ace should be showing. The tween second and third fingers and held
deck should be held In the left hand there (flat) by pressure of fingers on
palm up holding the deck on the sides elastic. Now - if fingers are opened,
with thumb opposite the fingers. The even slightly, the dime will fly up the
left Index finger straightens out the sleeve.
aoes. In working, secretly get the dime
Simultaneously, the right hand on right palm, as described, and borrow
pushes forward a batch of cards flush a penny. Hold right palm out, thumb press-
to the end of the aces. The left hand ed on the rear edge of dime, and say, "I
moves forward away from the pack taking once saw a chap do a trick (that trick)
the aces with it. The half of the deck with a borrowed penny." Immediately, and
in the right hand is placed onto the openly, drop the borrowed penny in the
left half. This looks like a natural left vest pocket. Move both arms forward,
cut. as though drawing coat sleeves above the
On flipping over the deck there wrists, and say, "Watch!" Go to pocket
are four cards face down on a face up and remove the same penny. The wise guy
deck. Remove each one of these forming will suspect a switch here. Place the
a square on the table. Leave these four penny - v e r y - carefully over the
cards face down on the table. Fan the dime. Show It there, by taking left hand
deck and show the four aces have van- away. Left fingers together now tap the
ished. Have a spectator turn over the ooins several times, and under this per-
cards on the table and he will find fect cover the dime is allowed to slip
them to be the four aoes! between right fingers and up the sleeve.
BATTERS, thats it. Take it or It now only remains to slowly lift penny
leave it; but if you do the latter, you off hand, give it a noticeable squeeze,
*111 never know what you are missing. and hand to any spectator except the
J 4 like to show it to you some time so wise guy; he'll go after it! You may
then you'd do it too. So come on up to count on it. (He may even dive for your
J-loyd's place, or as he calls it, MAGIC vest pocket - which Is empty.) Remember!
WMITED and if Urn not there he'll do Audiences are NOT with the "wise guys."
it for you. -Chap's SCRAPBOOK - Frank Chapman.
PA6E 144 THE BAT NUMBER
THE DAILY REVIEW ATLAS, MONMOtJTH, ILLINOIS
7AeCUEC COP
Almost everyone knows the triok with
the four paper wads that collect under one
of the two hats used to oover them. It has
been done with soup plates amd pellets of
bread, playing cards and magazines, and SPECTATOR
cigarettes and ooaster covers to mention a
few variations.
All of these methods are using a fine
prinoiple of magic to accomplish the triok.
Namely, the one ahead system but many of
them laok artistry and are too well known
In their usual form.
In this version using ooins, the ooins
are made to vanish and the Immediate app-
earance under the cards is beautiful. This
is absolutely impromptu magic and it is
genuine entertainment. It is one of the
tricks that people like to see you do and
your reputation is made when you success-
fully present that type of magic
Always work this on a low benoh or on
the floor. Felt or a rug covering is ad-
visable to eliminate any tell-tale sound.
As a build-up, it is best to work the
Three Card Monte. Use your ooins to ill-
ustrate the betting. "Monte" is always
well reoeived as entertainment especially
X
If it is well-done. The booklet on the MAGICIAN
triok by Tom Oaborne is recommended. I
make my routine very short. A few tosses,
then into the sucker move where they see This furnishes time to plaoe the ooins
the two black aoes (apparently). Sinoe at the oorners of a squire about sixteen
these go down on the ends, the oenter card inohes apart. Piok up^tfie cards, two In
Bust be the Queen. The money is bet on the right hand and one In the left.Explain
the queen (you are lllustrating)but the that, "If two of the ooins, those nearest
queen Jumps from under the money to be shown me are covered the other two naturally, are
•laewhere. Everyone loses and this brings exposed." This of course is only a oover
• good laugh. for the steal. As the pair of oards in right
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 147)
PAGE 146 THE BAT NUMBER TWENTV-EUuT
STEAL
•re plaoed on coin No. 1 they do so with a
slight slant and slide to the left so that
the coin is wedged between the two. Mow the
ieft card is placed over the two in the
right and the right two with ooin between
at the same instant is removed. At this point
you are saying, "Covering the ooins on the
diagonal of course exposes a different coin."
Hold the oards covering coin No. 2 and
then with the left hand slide the ooin under
the left card and take oard and ooin while
right hand discards extra oard. This oard
and the ooin under it is plaoed on ooin No. 4.
Coin No. 2 is vanished with the trouser
fold vanish and shown to have appeared with
ooin No. 4 (this you realize is coin No. 4
and No. 1 ) . Coin No. 2 after the vanish is
held palmed in the right hand. From palm it CARL BTEN
drops flat on the fingers as oard is taken
(oovering ooin) and left hand turns over the
two to show they are real and solid. V1AYING CARDS
Left now takes the oard from right with
the coin concealed beneath and places it in
i No. 4 spot. (Now three ooins there) Coin No.3
Is "passed" to left hand and right goes then
COIN WEDGED
BETWEEN THE
TWO CARDS
to Inner coat pooket for pencil. Under oover,
the ooin is dropped in sleeve and is held by
bent elbow. The penoll is used as a wand to
vanish the eoln which is now shown to have THIS IS THE
appeared under oard with_the other two.
Both hands are now empty and may be cas-
ually shown. This ends the frequent little STEAL "
ausploion that an extra ooin is being used.
Now show both sides of the oard and obtain THUMB ON TOP
ooin by dropping left hand so that coin falls
to the fingertips. Card is taken by left and
oovering ooin at fingertips is plaoed on
No. 4 spot. Explain that the last ooin is
really the most difficult to make pass
over - pretend to draw it through the
oard and vanish in left hand which ges-
tures to No. 4 spot. Card is turned over
and all four coins are shown to have ool-
leoted in the oorner. The old gag takes on new life under
the hands of Jack HoMillen. Spectator takes
(Ed. Note the cleanness of the above move a two spot of any suit and while still
Is appreciated only after experimentation. holding it performer asks spectator if he
In Mr. Sten's hands it is beautiful to see would like to see it turn into a trey. The
and indeteotlble. A little practice oan affirmative answer always given results in
likewise develope your skill making this the oard being dusted with cigarette ash
a favorite impromptu triok. The "Cheok Cop" from his Murad, or what ever brand it is
}* a gambling artifice here applied to mag- that nonchalant performers smoke and onoe
loal entertaining. With noiseless Poker the gag sinks in a hearty laugh follows.
Chips (paper) it seems to me the effeot NOW, Mr. McUlllen executes a neat top
^ be performed most anywhere without fear change and before the laughter dies the
" exposure by noise. A currently popular surprised spectator sees not the deuoe but
••
method, using oards of this old effeot is an aotual trey. Worked when in the wards,
Bai Vernon's Queen Soiree (#1.00 Magic Lia- you will have repeated requests to "do that
) in which the named card is the one tray one again," and your pleasure will be
apparently" "passes through table to equalled by those of the hospital residents.
»Ppear with the others.) They DO like laughs and this is a good one.
PAGE 148 THE BAT NUMBER TWENTY
by William Murata
This Is one method of producing the Stuff a length of rope into an empty
olaaaloal effeot alluded to in Mr. Carl cigarette package and fasten a bundle of
Sten'e feature trlok in this issue. One olosed spring flowers to the baok of the
of the finest impromptu effects, it oan pack. Hook or clip this prepared paok
be mastered without a great deal of prao- under your ooat on the left side.
tioe and is admirably suited for table Walk (or run, if you're late) on
or close-up work. stage with a "Serpent Silk" in your right
Four paper wads are used. Pieces of hand. Stand with right side to audience.
newspaper, tissue or even lumps of sugar, Tie a knot in the silk and hold with right
or other similar small objects. These are hand. While audience watches silk untie
plaoed so that they form the corners of a itself, steal the prepared paok from under
square. Each hand covers a corner, the the ooat with the left hand. Swing toward
iiftlng of one hand shows the wad to have your right and while holding the "paok" in
vanished, the lifting of the other discloses finger-palm position stroke the silk (in
it there! This is repeated, three lumps ap- the right hand) and apparently squeeze a
pear as one vanishes and finally the fourth package of cigarettes from it. Toss silk
disappears to Join its mates. aside, reach into pack for a cigarette and
To perform, we will oall the wads, pull forth Just enough to look like ca smoke.
A, B. 0, and D. An extra wad is oonoealed Then to your surprise pull forth the entire
in the left palm. The right arranges the length of rope, date at it a while - then
four visible wads thusly: change paok to flowers by releasing the bou-
quet. Look at flowers (do a double take)
and aot surprised. Toss flowers on table and
go into a Cut and Restore routine, "using
your favorite method."
(Spring flowers - $1*£Q a Douquet.)
B A
Right hand is plaoed over wad A; the left
over D. The magic word or a wiggle of the
fingers and the right steals the wad at A
as the left leaves the palmed one at D.
Again, the magic word or gesture and the
left grabs the wad at B, while the right
drops the wad it has at D. Empty right now
oovers C while the left covers the three
showing at D. The hands again lifted shows
the last vanish and the gathering of all
four wads at D. The left is used to pick "He's quite an artisT^rfThis own line
up the wads to discard them and all are What a that? Landscapes? — Ho, fire-esoapet!1
plaoed in the pocket or thrown away. Or, And remember, these quips are like the play*
while eyes are on the four on the table, of Sir James Barrie. When he was asked if
the extra wad is dropped in the lap. some of his plays were more successful than
Instead of the hands, frequently others, he confessed, "Well, some Pan out,
playing cards, small magazine spooks or and others Peter out."
pieoes of oardboard are used. The wads are "We saw a moth in her bathing suit onoe —
nipped by the fingers and oarrled over. and it fitted him nicely."
Few however, reverse the prooess which is "He's going to be a great suocess. He's in-
an interesting variation. vented a oigarette that contains all the
The left oovers the four while the vitamins."
right drops one at C. The left raises Now if they'd make one with tobacco it
showing only three (one having been nip- wouldn't be bad either.
ped) . Left moves to B and leaves its lump What happened to your New Year resolutions*
there while right pains one off at D. "He's either a tunnel worker or a comedian.
Right moves to A and leaves its wad or Both of them bore for a living."
lump while left picks up one of the two "I don't like girls, they're too biased.
remaining at D. The left, raised a fract- Bias this, and bias that until you're
ion before the right drops the extra wad busted!"
in pooket or beneath table and trlok is Gosh, I feel lousy, guess I'll go write BO**
completed. Jokes for the BAT.
PAGE 149
TTtustenq of-the
EBN vv
by B i l l Woodfield +^mBmm»—wfi Magic JL "
• by^lenn
Having read many back Issues of the BAT
I would like to congratulate you on this the
best of magic mags. Here Is an effeot I have
been using for some time - an entirely new
method of doing a very old effeet. I think It
Is far superior to any that I haveeseen. If
we let simplicity of method guide us, you to
will agree. The credit for this method should
go to Darlel Fltzkee's "Trick Brain." A Bartl (Germany) Item of value is a
Effeot: Performer introduces medium and as flesh colored spike or needle which is olipp
she (or he) retires from the room two unpre- to the first Joint of the middle finger, on
pared slates are given for inspection. Five the baok near the nail. When a cigarette Is
spectators are requested to come on the stage stuck on this spike, it oan be made to appear
to act as a committee. The performer gives or vanish simply by bending the finger. The
one slate to the first spectator and asks devloe is old and well known in America.
him to think of any four digits and write The German ohange is in the addition of
them on the slate. Three other spectators do a flesh oolored shovel shaped clamp which
the same In turn and the slate Is given to fits on the same finger near the base of it.
the fifth to total. While the figures are Its purpose is to prevent a lighted olgarettt
being added, the magician hands the second from burning the baok of the hand.
slate to the first speotator and asks him to In use, the spiked cigarette is per-
take it to the medium In the other room. THE mitted to appear by bending the finger. It Is
MEDIUM RETURNS AND SHOWS ON THE SECOND SLATE apparently taken by the other hand for it la
THAT SHE (OR HE) HAS WRITTEN THE CORRECT seen to be gone when the open palm is shown.
TOTAL AS WELL AS THE INDIVIDUAL NUMBERS QIV- A cigarette oonoealed in the other hand oan
EN BY EACH SPECTATOR. Eaoh speotator may now be openly dropped In to the oontalner
Individually oheok to verify accuracy. for the production. The move oan be repeated
Method and presentation: This effect, regard- as often as desired.
less of method, should and must be presented As used on the Continent, a holder for
In a serious manner. The working is simple. ten or so cigarettes is plaoed In the pants
It rests in the use of a nail writer. As the pooket. The spiked cigarette is produced as
spectators are writing their numbers on their the oontalner is palmed from the pooket by
slate, the performer Jots them down on the the other hand. Supposedly transferring the
slate he holds. When the four spectators are oigarette, the magician really takes one
finished, the performer passes his slate on from the holder and drops it in the reoeptaole
to the medium as explained above and the Thus, while lighted cigarettes are seemingly
numbers are then copied and added to bring produced, dummies are thrown in to the ash
the climax. Of oourse, the medium also e- oan. As oan be seen, thfre need be no ap-
rases the pencil marks so that both slates proach to the body and the usual steal from
can be examined. under the ooat is eliminated.
With a reasonable amount of showmanship Magic Limited oan supply this damp for
this can be made into a reputation builder the low prloe of 50/.
of the highest order. Regarding the "Trick
Brain," the effeot and method were doped
out as an experiment to see if it works. It
did — try this and see.
Continuation - 101. CLUBB GOES BESERK
ible and one trial will prove how easy it is.
It appears as though you have merely turned
deck over faoe up. Having done this, you now
run through pack and remove the three aces.
Have speotator try to looate the fourth ace.
Then find it, reversed, In the other half
paok.
FRANK CHAPMAN - Chap's Sorapbook.
Editor's note - the above is an excellent
use of that extremely useful device, the
double faoe card. For those Interested a
full deok of double faoed cards oan be pur-
chased for a dollar. A recommended manu-
script is Burling Hull's Double Magic, 18
tricks with double faoe cards -•#1.00. The
Mechanical Four Ace mentioned by Mr. Chapman RIP
is incidentally one of the "olassios" of
magic.
PUBLISHED MONTHLY
MAY 1946
NUMBER TWENTY-NINE
i>
FIGURE 1 FIGURE 2
PAGE 152 THE BAT NUMBER
better and to aid magic in general. Hop
to it! You are now a committee of one
to roust out thumb tip material. How
good a worker are you?
I read an interesting factual art-
icle yesterday that brought forth the
view that considering Increases in taxea
the around A0% increase in the cost of '
living, etc., a man would have to have a
Published monthly by MAGIC LIMITED at salary double that of pre-war to be much
4064 - 39th Avenue, Oakland 2, California. ahead these days. Without expanding or
Subscription rate is $1.50 a year; eight arguing about the falsity of that theme
Issues #1.00; single copies 25/ excepting it does enable me to make a point - why
special issues so designated. are so many of you getting the same fee
Send all correspondence to THE BAT, for your magic show you were in pre-war
c/o Lloyd E. Jones, at address above. days? Admittedly everything has gone up
but from what I hear many magicians don't
LLOYD E. JONES EDITOR think their services are worth any more
THERON FOX .- ASSISTANT EDITOR than they were in lets say 1942. As an
ROBERT GUNTHER ART EDITOR experiment, I boosted my own show price
60% in January. That month I lost one
show but had no trouble booking four
others — and any way you look at it that
move was a wise thing. Go thou and do
The June Issues of the magical likewise (if you haven't done so already).
magazines are usually dedicated to the Now who does tricks from the BAT?
conventions. Perhaps next month we Rest your peepers on the snapshot below
should talk about the wonders of Wash- and count the stars on the General's
ington, the chance of seeing you in St. shoulder! Yes, Its General Jonathan Wain-
Louis, the glamour of Hollywood -- or right being shown a dime and penny trick
even the advantages of taking in Magic by Art Perry of Safford, Arizona. Mr. Per-
Limited's All Day Party in July. But ry's trick appeared In BAT 23 on page 124.
Instead of doing so we intend to make
the June issue a special number. And
of all things — A Thumb Tip Special.
We have a number of excellent items
using the useful thumb decoration and
for reasons to be explained in the June
issue will get them into print. Many
of them are from Chap's Scrapbook and
once you see them together you will ap-
preciate their general excellence, nov-
elty, and practicability. Truly, this
one BAT issue will be worth a year's
subscription price. And if thats true
what would a book of hundreds of such
tricks be worth?
Such a book is now in the process
of completion. But more of that later.
If you have a pet thumb tip move, have
a trick in print that you will permit us
to use, or even know of anyone with a
different thumb tip routine, by all
means oontact us at Magic Limited. We
would like to give credit where credit
is due — an almost impossibility in
these days of magic — and will reward
you in a manner you like.
First, as usual we will extend your
BAT subscription six months for each ac- ao, you see B A T oontrlDutors noi; only
ceptable contribution and then, also do the tricks they contribute but they are
send you a brand new magic book. This also capable of holding the attention of
latter, the B.A.T. selection for July, distinguished personages with them. Have
will be first on sale at the S0CI2TY OF you such a snap that the BAT can use? Send
AMERICAN MAGICIANS Convention in Waah- them In, we'll be glad to file them for use
lngton in May. and to print them as space becomes avail-
The Judge of what material is or able. And you candid camera fiends, how
is not acceptable will be the editor of about sending in some of your aotlon maglo
this new book (more about it next month shots to the BAT. We'll treat them the
too) and his decision will be the basis as a contribution if you desire.
on which awards will, or will not be
made. Here is a chance not only to get Yours,
something of value for a little effort
but to aid the BAT, to make a good book Lloyd E. Jones
NUMBER TWENTY-NINE THE BAT PAGE 153
WUnd
GMMfCH
James L. Hawkins
PUBLISHED MONTHLY
JUNE 1946
NUMBER THIRTY
Harry Kellar
EFFECT: Two envelopes and two silks, Look to the work of the masters of our
, one red and one green, are given for close art for the correct use of many a gimmick.
* examination. Spectators are asked to seal One such - the Thumb Tip. The Master, Harry
a Bilk in each envelope. Next, the colors Kellar. Fresh in the minds of many present
of the silks are written upon the envelopes day magicians is the sparkling performance
to avoid confusion. Still, upon command, and personality of the great Harry Kellar.
the two silks change places while in the Those fortunate enough to see his Paper
hands of the audience I Tear tell me it la a fine example of the
WORKING: The inevitable gimac consists blending of a natural bit of misdirection
of a thumb-tip with a small bit of green through showmanship with an acquired
silk glued inside. ThiB is placed in any- mannerism or a natural gesture. John
convenient pocket, along with a pencil. Soarne, smoking a big cigar, continually
After the silks have been sealed in their placing and taking it from his mouth,
respective envelopes, take them back and directs you from the all important move
Juggle them around a bit, so the audience that leads to the loading into his mouth
loses track of the location of each silk. of a folded card. The same effect in the
However, you carefully remember the loca- hands of Max Malini was accomplished fol-
tion of the red silk. Go to your pocket lowing nervous flutterings of the hands
for the pencil, at the same time getting and repeated brushing back of non-ex-
the thumb-tip on the right thumb. Ap- istant hair. During one of those gestures
pear confused as to which envelope is you later would discover a card had been
which. To settle this, take envelope loaded into his mouth! Such naturalness
containing red silk in left hand and tear that your keeness la lulled is exempli-
off tne corner. Poke right thumb into fied by the following.
opening, leaving thumb tip, which should Mr. Kellar would have a strip of
be firmly held by left fingers, and pull paper examined. His hands were obviously
out the bit of green silk. Apparently empty and free of preparation. Holding
satisfied that green silk Is in that en- the strip at finger tips Just before be-
velope, poke bit of silk back into thumb ginning to tear, he would squint and not-
t*P; get thumb tip on right thumb and re- ice that his sight was not as good as it
move it from envelope. Write "Green" on could be. His spectacle case would be re-
this envelope and fold over the torn moved and his glasses plaoed on; the
corner, so as not to prematurely expose paper then torn and magically restored.
•\ the red silk. Pick up the other envelope Dumfounded spectators never seemed
ana write "Red" on it. Replace the pen- to realize that in obtaining his glasses,
cil In your pocket, also getting rid of the all important thumb tip was obtained
the thumb-tip. Place the envelopes in from the oase. The naturalness of the
the hands of two spectators. Command move eliminated all thought of trickery.
tne red to change places with the green The obvious was eliminated by misdirection
a
nd bow modestly at the result. worthy of, and practiced by a master.
PAGE 158 THE BAT NUMBER
ing a guaranteed circulation to tricks or
books published we can handle such material
much better than possible in the past. You*
correspondence on such matters will be wel
corned. If you have tricks to sell or a man
uscrlpt that needs publishing, send them I
to Magic Limited and after looking them ovsw
we can (quite often) make you an interest^
offer. 8
Published monthly by MAGIC LIMITED at
4064 - 39th Avenue, Oakland 2, California. THE PROPER WAY TO HANDLE A RABBIT
Subscription rate Is $1.50 a year; eight "Never Lift a Rabbit by Us Ears"
Issues #1.00; single copies 25f! excepting
special Issues so designated.
Send all correspondence to THE BAT,
c/o Lloyd E. Jones, at address above.
LLOYD E. JONES EDITOR
THERON POX ASSISTANT EDITOR
ROBERT O-UNTHER ART EDITOR
BllFRi
Thumb tip tricks! So many of them we
can't get them all In one Issue. So many
of them that we can't get them In two Is-
sues of extra page BATS. Although we will
devote the July BAT to thumb tip tricks
also we will still have many fine Items
left over. These, as will contributions The photo above, printed through court-
reoelved too late for this or the July Is- esy of the GLOBE MILLS is from their booklet
sue will be turned over to our researoh Rabbit Pointers. A rabbit should NEVER be
department for a thumb tip book to appear lifted by the ears and onoe lifted correctly
later this year. a hand placed under the body will hold him
That thumb tip book, rumored about most firmly. We are glad to record that in
and definitely known about by a mere se- our personal opinion an advancement has been'
lect few will be the book of the year. made In recent years of magician's methods
And we say that confidently because we of holding rabbits. The incorrect manner is
knpw of the mass of material now being seldom seen excepting in cartoons. Consider
edited, the quality of the same, the tre- it your duty to correct your offending magic-
mendous amount of work done by the com- al friends. Rabbits have feelings and nerves
piler, the excellent Job being done by and blood vessels too.
the editor and researcher, and the art
work already started. This will be Maglo
Limited*s best book to-date; thick, bound,
and a necessity for every magician. You
can be represented In It, hence the ap-
peal for material that will make the book
even better than we now know It will be.
This BAT will give you a general Idea
of the quality of material the book will
contain. It should show the versatility of
that useful magical giramlok. So many uses
and variety of means that I personally am
astonished. As with many other magical It-
ems, thought or consideration to the tricks Definition: - Master of Ceremonies - a
possible leads to new uses and discoveries. person who spends much time letting off
We of Magic Limited, believe the fraternity esteem.
at large is entitled to know them. Henoe, it "It seems to me, tight olothing never
is with pride that we let you in on this stopped a girl's circulation!"
open secret. Even with a limited effect Another drunk heckler stopper - "Leave
euoh as the Dime and Penny, it was possible him alone. A few more drlruts and t h e y ' l l
to "discover* or develope some twenty-five give him an Oscar."
usable and exoellent tricks. With the Thumb "He's a Chase and Sanborn wolf. Wants to
Tip, expect uses running into the hundreds! date every bag."
The variety will amaze you. This is the last If you are the nervous type of performer
appeal for your cooperation. or one of those addicted to dropping appa-
One BAT contributor has favored us with ratus, keep a small oil can on your table.
a large number of seleoted tricks from his Then when a mishap oocurs, pick up the
own scrapbook and repertoire. Their general offending pleoe and nonchalantly oil it.
excellence has led us to determine to pub- The result; a long laugh and more confidence
lish the material. Now, with the B.A.T. glv- in yourself.
.
NUMBER THIRTY THE BAT PAGE 1 5 9
The thumb tip Is prepared as in the A marble vanishes! I use a tiny "crys-
well- known "Elusive Handkerchief." That tal ball." Really a clear glass marble.
is a corner of silk Is glued into the Have a thumb tip on right thumb. Right
thumb tip so that it can be pulled partly here, let me say that the marble does not
out to pass for a corner of a concealed go in the tip. Remove handkerchief from
handkerchief. An eighteen Inch silk to breast pocket and hold it In this manner:
match this corner is also used. Wind this one edge stretched between both hands -
silk around your finger forming a com- balance of handkerchief hanging down.
paot ball. Tuck the loose end into an
outer fold to hold secure and fasten it
on a straight pin at left armpit. Wear
tip on left thumb.
Show hands empty and then make catch-
ing movements in the air with first the
right hand, then the left. Under cover of
last movement with the left, get tip from
thumb Into the fist. Now reach Into tip
and pull the piece of silk into view. As
you show it, draw left coat sleeve up a
little way. Do this by placing the open
right hand underneath the left sleeve,
sliding the hand quickly up the arm to the
armpit. Here the balled silk Is nipped and
and held In finger palm position. Bring
both hands together. Right thumb pushes Right fingers are on aide toward specta-
piece back Into left fist and steals the tors ; right thumb on side toward self.
tip. Hands are separated and the large Left fingers are on side toward self; left
silk stretched between them. thumb on side toward spectators. Swing
A clean and mystifying move. handkerchief around and snow both sides.
Return to original position. Lay hand-
kerchief over marble, on table, still
keeping hands in position. Back of left
hand rests on table. Two middle fingers
of left hand nip the marble between fin-
ger tips. Right hand swings over, making
a double fold of handkerchief over marble.
Right fingers let go of handkerchief and
take a fresh hold at center of cloth.
Frank Chapman Just grab a bunch between thumb and fin-
ger tips. At same time, left hand comes
Tnls effect, quite frankly, is based on out from under handkerchief with marble
tne P & L Goblin Tube. However, I feel nipped in position. Left thumb, resting
tnat It goes the original trick one better on top of marble, serves as perfect cover.
because no apparent "apparatus" is UBed. This is a neat steal. Immediately, right
IOU will require one of the extra large thumb and fingers begin to tap on table as
thumb tips, a small purse and a few gummed though tapping marble. Tip, of course, is
stickers. Have a ten or twelve Inch, responsible for the sound. Right hand Is
wnlte, silk in breast pocket. Tip in raised, with handkercnlef gripped as when
right trouser pocket. Place sticker at
one corner of silk and have it initialed tapping, while left drops to the side.
"y spectator. Pass empty purse to another Right shakes handkerchief several times
spectator. While sticker is being marked, and again taps on table. Meanwhile, left
Palm tip in right hand. Tuok silk into hand pockets the marble. Right is again
"•ght fiat - actually into tip - and get raised and left comes over. Tips of left
fip on thumb. Show right hand empty and thumb and fingers Join with those of the
immediately take purse with same hand. right. A bit.of oloth is pulled tightly
Place purse In left. If held between around ball of tip and speotator allowed
tnumb and forefinger, it will conceal the to feel that "marble" is still there. Left
G1
P as palm is shown empty. Right fingers thumb and forefinger then take hold of
open purse and left thumb and forefinger handkerchief, by a lower oorner, and snap
go lnalde. Silk is drawn from purse - it out of right hand. Show right empty.
actually from tip - and given for iden- Take handkerchief from left and show left
tification. Purse, with tip dropped Into empty. Right then tucks handkerchief back
B
ide pocket. into p'ocket - tip going to.
PAGE 160 THE BAT NUMBER THIRTY
Magigal Gloria Baylinson is here end of tube to lips - and blows. Out r>on
caught in action by Staff Photographer a long piece of red ribbon. Tube crusha*
Ben Olson at Oakland Magigal Party, and tossed aside. Empty.
May 12, 1946. Gloria haB Just produced Again - the thumb tip. This time it
chicken from Chick Pan after changing has a hole punched in the end - right at
a silk to an egg which promptly hatched the "nail", (hammer and nail will do tha
out. Bowl on table was filled with water trick.) Wad a length of ribbon into tip
and goldfish to climax a Square Circle (I use quarter inch, red ribbon. Four
production that ooncluded this act. Other feet of itl) Wear tip on left thumb.'"
Show both sides of paper - and empty
hands. Roll paper into tube. Roll it
right around thumb tip. In rolling, put
both thumbs inside tube. Then show right
hand empty once more. Take tube off left
thumb - taking tip with it. Hold tube,
upright, between right fingers and thumb-
little finger at bottom end of tube. Ease
up on grip, permitting tip to slide down
to bottom of tube. (End with hole la
down). Show left hand empty again. Now
place lower end of tube to lips - and blow
hard. (A quick puff). Out flies the rib-
bon i Left hand takes ribbon as right hand
palms tip and crushes paper. Paper tossed
on table and ribbon passed to right hand.
Placed in pocket with tip. NOW - you may
show "another trick with the ribbon". Take
it from pocket and proceed.
Suggestion: This same idea might be
applied to the color change of a tiny silk
square. I have not had ocoasion to use it
this way, but here's how: - Wear two
tips. One on right thumb contains small
red silk; one on left is empty. Get right
tip into paper tube as described, letting
it slide to bottom. Insert left thumb at
upper end of tube as though further shap-
ing it. Leave left tip in tube. Place
small white silk in this tip - and steal
performers were Mrs. Lawrence Hunter, Llla out. Then place tube to lips and blow out
Burke, Flo Wheeler, "Chick11 Alstrand, Bet- the red silk.
ty McCollum (Punch & Judy), Mrs Bob Rob-
erts, Owen Bercheleigh, and Lynn Miller.
The wheel design paper tear was by Lynn
Miller whose fluorescent rag pictures were
an artistic high spot of the show. The mere
men who also aided were Bill Alstrand, Jim-
my M.C. Muir, and Don Martin. The affair
was surprisingly well attended. by T. Page Wright
1
THE BAT PAGE 161
bottom of fist to table. Pick It up and
drop In tip with others. Steal tip out
on right thumb. Hold left fist above
table. Slowly raise fist. Meanwhile -
right hand picks up matchbox from table
and drops it in side coat pocket - at
same time doing two things. First:
leaving tip. Second: coming out with a
giant match (P&L) gripped In thumb crotch
a la cigarette palm. Left hand suddenly
Frank Chapman makes "throwing motion" toward table. Open
fist. The pieces have vanished! NOW - the
How often we hear the expression -"It's climax. Plight hand goes directly to mouth
not what he does, It's the way that he taking clg between first two fingers, and
does it." To my mind, this Is Just an- one or two puffs are taken. Cig. replaced
other way of saying - "If the routine Is between lips, fingers still holding it.
right, the trick will be bright." Proper Left hand comes up to right, other end of
routining Is tne true secret of getting giant match is nipped in left tnumb crotoh
tricks to "sparkle." The best trick in and left hand moves away (palm down - oon-
the world will be dull and uninteresting ceallng match) as right puffs clg. again.
without that "certain something" (which we Left fingers are rested on edge of table a
hear so much about) - while a mediocre ef- moment. Then another puff taken on cig;
fect may be raised to the heights of uni- left hand closed and brought to mouth;
versal popularity, Just because someone smoke blown thru fist; and - with a quick
has taken the time to work out an inter- move - the giant matoh is apparently
eating routine for it. Naturally, a dash caugnt in air. That's all. But it gets
of "personality" will add the blt-of- em!
splce that flavors the dlah. I could
very easily slip off into a discussion of
that subject alone. Personality In magic!
But we'll save It for some future time. DEPARTMENT OF
Suffice It to say, at the moment, that I
am hot one who believes that "personality"
Is a rare blessing that has been bestowed
UNEXPECTED INFORMATION
upon a chosen few. EVERYONE has It. It
Is there - if you will Just develop It. Manufacturers of playing cards paid
And therein lies the "catch." Most of us 18,200,000 in excise taxes during 1945.
are not willing to spend any time on the This total derives from a IZfi a deck levy.
developing. We figure that the same time Jim Leonard advises that his pet method
spent upon the practice of some "sleight" of painting his thumb tip is to paint with
will do more toward building our magical clear lacquer and then to blow powder on.
reputation. We are wrongi But - there I After drying the tip is dusted with a cloth.
go. Let'B get on wltn tne routine at The result, a beautiful dull finish.
hand. Don't look for a new triok. Just
study the routining. That is what has
made this little number so Interesting to
those to whom I have shown It.
Remove box of safety matches from coat
pocket. Light a cigarette, keeping It be-
tween lips. Then do the "blow out" gag; Frank Chapman
by holding match between thumb and fore-
finger of right hand, near extreme end,
third finger pressed tightly against end
of match; turn your head aside and blow
down left coat sleeve; at same time, Place cigarette paper on table. Pour
flick end of match with third finger nail. bit of loose tobacco on it. Drape bor-
Hatcn will be "snapped out." Toss match- rowed hank, over left fist. Make "well,"
fltlck on table. Light another match. Pre- In center, leaving tip from right thumb.
tend to wind hair around head of match. PJace several pinches tobacco In tip. Wad
Match'is held between fingers in same man- clg. paper on top. Steal tip out on right
ner as in previous gag. Suddenly - pull thumb. Twist hank, around "well" and hold
on the "invisible hair," at same time, so corners hang down. Shake hank, several
jp-j-cklng end as before. The burned head times; meanwhile getting rid of tip in
POPs off. Startling! Have spectator side pocket. Show hand empty - reaoh in-
weak matchstioks Into several small pie- to folds of hank. - and withdraw a cig-
ces. Meanwhile, get a tip on right thumb, arette! Hank, shown empty.
jtoow left hand empty. Pick up a piece of The cigarette is concealed in left hand
broken matchstick, with right thumb and when hank is first draped over it. In
forefinger,
ri
and drop It into closed left producing the cig, right hand goes up into
8t. Leave tip in fist. (Piece of folds - but first two fingers come out
"jatchstlck is no_t in tip, but In fist.) from under hank., at back, and steal cig.
£lck up other pieces, as before, and drop from left hand. It is then drawn from
Into tip. As last piece goes in, folds as though it were actually under
the first piece (in fist) drop from the handkerchief.
PAGE 162 THE BAT NUMBER
it's a good trick anyway.
by Prank Chapman
If you are looking for a different ef- down in tip at this time . Remove hand-
fect with your thumb tip, here is one that kerchief from breast pocket and drape it
will fill the bill. From Chap's Scrapbook over bottle. At same time tip should be
It 1B a natural for all those lovers of loosened on right thumb. Left fingers
good magic and especially those who like come away with bottle finger-palmed.
close-up magic that is not too difficult Right hand is held high, thumb held up-
to "get away with." right under handkerchief to simulate
Something should come out of a title covered bottle, and shaken so that bear-
such as tnat. But it serves a purpose. ing in tip is heard. You will be sur-
It enables the performer to add "mystic prised at the resemblance in sound. Do
glamour" to a couple of rather commonplaoe not try to dispose of bottle In left hand.
articles. Namely - a small, steel ball- Simply take corner of handkerchief, be-
bearing and a pill bottle. The bottle is tween thumb and forefinger (left), and
a tiny phial of the type used by home- suddenly whisk it off right hand. Right
opathists. (JuBt ask your druggist for a thumb, naturally, should point directly
small bottle about the size, and shape, of toward spectators - fingers wide apart.
your little finger.) The ball-bearing is Tip has been pushed well back on thumb
about the size of a roller skate bearing before handkerchief is removed. Having
or small bicycle bearing. You will need shown the right hand empty, you now reach
two of them. One goes In the small, cork- into side coat pocket for a coin or cig-
ed bottle. The other goes in an extra arette - for another trick - and leave
large thumb tip. (P & L) Wear tip on right tip. Left hand, meanwhile, tucks hand-
thumb. With thumb pressed well down, the kerchief back into breast pocket - the
Bearing is silent. With thumb eased back bottle going with it.
a
bit, the bearing can be rattled about. Patter to effect that you will make
That's the secret. the steel ball vanish from the corked bot-
Presentation: Pass bottle and bearing tle . Emphasize this as you shake "it"
ror examination. Have speotator drop the under cover of the handkerchief. However
bearing into the bottle and tightly cork something apparently "goes wrong" - and
**• Accept bottle in left hand and rattle the bottle vanishes along with the ball.
**• Don't rattle too vigorously or you You will find this to be a baffling little
V-ll knock the bottom out of the glass pocket number. Glean and easily handled.
PjUal. Take bottle In right hand and rat- Suggestion: This same idea might be ap-
tle it again. Thumb should be pressed plied to a "rattle bar" effect.
PAGE 164 THE BAT NUMBER
1
THIRTY-oj
department of more interest because o~f~"nT"""1"1"
Interest in the art of magic. In other vnt,
school has a great deal to offer the ambit '
ious amateur and he should make the most n^
his opportunities. '
Another budding Junior club is that of (
Davenport, Iowa. Here, the members sign th#
following pledge. We recommend it for the
serious consideration of all:
Published monthly by MAGHC LIMITED at I PLEDGE:
4064 - 39th Avenue, Oakland 2, California. (1) That I will try not to expose any
Subscription rate is $1.50 a year; eight Magic, regardless of whether the trick be
issues $1.00; single copies 25j? excepting large or small.
special Issues so designated. (2) That I will not tell the method of
Bend all correspondence to THE BAT, doing any trick to even my closest friends
c/o Lloyd E. Jones, at address above. or relatives.
(3) That I will practice all new tricks
LLOYD E. JONES EDITOR faithfully until I have them as nearly p e r .
THERON FOX .- ASSISTANT EDITOR feet as possible before using them in a pub,
ROBERT GUNTHER ART EDITOR lie performance.
(4) That I will not talk about gimlca
or secrets of magic in public places or
when non-magicians are present.
(5) That I will cooperate to the best
of my ability when called upon to perform
for or help with any show sponsored by the
Three cheers for Frank Chapman! If Davenport Den, International Society Junior
it were not for him and his "Scrapbook" Magicians.
this BAT issue would be long delayed. Not (6) That I will not take any magic
that Frank is responsible for the BAT ap- to school unless I need it to present a
pearing on schedule but that if it were not show at school or for a public performance
for hia material being to hand it would be immediately after school.
difficult to get this issue on the press (7) That I will not handle any other
before the St. Louis plane leaves - and Magician's properties without his permiss-
the plane not only will not wait but the ion.
printer states any further delay will pre- This is printed on the back of the mem-
vent any possibility of the BAT flying on bership card. It needs hardly to be called t<
the first of the month. your attention of the desirability of the ad-
The late appearance of the June BAT, option of many of these pledge-items not only
brought on by a printers strike prevented by amateurs but by the more advanced as well,
other material arriving in time to appear Your;*, in magic,
on these pages. Hence, having the Chapman
material, and good material it is, we use
it freely rather than even think of waiting Llo
for other contributions. But send them in.
We will use them in the book or in the BAT
or most likely in both. The slowing of our
schedule will not hinder the ultimate ap-
pearance of material.
It pleases us to note that others have
production troubles too. The DRAGON in Its
June issue makes its first appearance since
1945 (November)! Mr. Lux has also had labor
troubles but he too believes the problem is
whipped. And as you well know, some of our
biggest magazines are still fighting for reg-
ularity. All of which makes its the more am-
azing to note the record of Percy Abbott's
TOPS. To me, its one of the wonders of the In answer to a "raspberry" - sometimes
magical world. Congratulations to Percy and known as a Bronx Cheer, "Fifty people here,
Editor Howard Melson. I'll tell you the same and only one without a muffler."
in St. Louie. "The stork brought him in flying baok-
We gave a talk last month before the ward."
magic club of the local Oakland Technical "She's quite a picture — and she
High School and understand we rated front sure has the frame for it too!N
page mention for it although we have not seen "She took the prize as Miss Snap-
a copy of the school paper concerning It yet. shot of 1946. She's well-developed.11
We like to see such clubs spring up and hope ""Drop around the 4th of July and
the talk wasn't too much of a surprise to all I'll use you for punk."
concerned. We talked not so much on magic, as "Boy, the next dancer is so hot,
what schooling could do for an ambitious mag- she's bound to be tops on the Heat Par-
ician. Grammar, stage training, in fact each ade ."
school department could not only offer aid "I got here without a scratch. I
to the tyro but he in turn_ would find that Just took off my winter underwear."
THE BAT PAGE 165
In the olden days, magic-
ians used handbills, horse and
RIDE
COMING
to OGDEN buggies, give-away stunts and
Sat. and Sun. other types of sensational ad-
June 8 - 9 vertising to draw crowds. Mod-
ern magicians keep pace with
JOHN CALYERT'S LUXURY AIRLINER the trend as shown by the ad
from a Utah paper. Calvert, mag-
ician, actor, and what you will
is certainly on his toes. The
plane, parked near the road at
airports draws attention and
comment. It must do the same in
flight and also note that Cal-
verts latest picture is "plug-
ged." His interesting magic
WEST AMERICAN AIRWAYS show is currently in Utah.
DEPARTMENT OF
by Frank Chapman UNEXPECTED INFORMATION
Again we make use of a thumb tip. Or
rather two of them. Both are prepared,
with tabs of yellow silk, as in the "Elu- Prom Te Tohunga, the New Zealander's
sive Handkerchief effect. Wear a tip on magical magazine of November 1939 comes
each thumb. A red silk, balled, is car- this bit of information on how to make
ried at top of right trouser pocket. your own thumb tip. Artiole is by Harold
Show a yellow silk and roll it between Chandler.
palms. (A pencil eraser, sewed to one Cut about a 3/4th inch strip of thin
corner, will make the "roll" easier.) tin and wrap it around thumb until the
Close left fist, retaining silk in right ends meet. Sweat together at Join. Procure
hand. Right goes to pocket, leaving a small bottle of liquid solder and a
yellow silk and coming out with palmed piece of tissue paper. Wrap tissue over
red silk. The move, at this point, is ex- end of thumb and slide the tin ring over
actly as in the "Elusive Handkerchief" ex- it until you have required length of tip.
cept that the usual "sucker business" is Take a thin, flat piece of stick and slow-
eliminated. Instead, left hand comes over ly spread the liquid solder over tissue
to right and apparently places yellow silk paper and tin until you have two even
in right hand. To spectators, it will ac- coats. Leave on thumb for a while to hard-
tually appear as though you slipped yellow en a bit and then slide carefully off.
Bilk in pocket and are merely leading them Place aside and let harden thoroughly.
to believe that you still have it in your Paint with flesh colored paint.
closed right hand. The beauty of this is that by this
Left thumb is now inserted at bottom of method you have a tip that fits YOUR
right fist and piece of yellow silk drawn thumb.
from tip. Right thumb, meanwhile, is in- To which, the Editor can only add
serted at top of right fist and tip re- most interesting. If one of my New Zeal-
moved by gripping with fingers. Left fin- and friends will send me a tip made by
gers tnen draw piece of yellow silk from this method I'll be pleased to send him
this tip. Yellow tabs at top and bottom a P & L one in return. Ours may not fit
of right fist are convincing proof that him but I'll wager his won't fit me
Bilk is still present. Show left hand either! Tailor-made thumb tips! Just to
empty. With left thumb, tuck piece in at be facetious, imagine with me a group of
bottom of right fist. Steal tip. At same magicians, say your local magic club get-
time, right thumb is tucking tip pleoe in ting fitted with new tips. Thumbs up boys!
Place and getting tip back on. Right hand I'll be looking forward to receiving
\ suddenly tosses red silk Into air. As It that New Zealand tip It will have a treas-
flutters open, left hand catches it by one ured place in my collection.
corner. The red silk is then shown, on THUMB TIPS - Magic Limited has them
both sides, between outstretched hands. in best quality. Small - 50^, medium or
*ou will quickly realize that this is a large - 60^, extra large and slighlly
very startling change. longer - 65/f. Mainly P & L quality.
PAGE 166 THE BAT NUMBER JHI PTV
Grasp one corner of hank, between lrTt
and second fingers of right hand, keepin
glass out of sight behind handkerchief
Norma Banderob, oui and hold opposite corner in same manner
favorite lady sleight of , with left hand. (Fingers should hold
hand worker Is here shown.
In action. Caught during '
hank, about two inches from corners -
hands open wide - palms facing and fin-
I
her silk and cigarette gers pointed toward floor, hank, display-
routine performed before ed between hands.) Now, by crossing left
a group of Mid-west mag- hand to right side and in front of right
icians. Reports are that hand, the hank may be shown on both sides
they were impressed by Next - drop right corner of hank; at same
her work. time double glass back into rignt hand
It is expected by with second and third fingers, and point
many that Mrs Banderob with forefinger to handkerchief displayed
will be on the Magician's In left hand - about shoulder high. (First
Only Show at the P. 0. A. and second fingers of left hand are cllp_
ping hank across corner.) Approach left
M. Convention later this with right and, as hands touch, extend
month (July). fingers, with glass, into left hand -
which steals glass. As soon as glass is
stolen, move right hand down hank, in a
stroking motion. (This is a continuous
move, without hesitation, as glass is
stolen.) Stroke hank, a few times to In-
dicate "emptiness." Again grasp right
corner of hank, with right fingers, and as
you lower left hand, Insert left thumb in
to glass and hold left corner of hank, be-
twe< n thumb and fingers with glass held
behind hank, with left thumb. (Right hand
holds its corner In same manner.) Hank.
is again being displayed in front of body.
by Howard L. Warringer Now give hank, a slight toss, and drape
over rignt hand in this manner: right goes
under hank at corner being held by left,
A timely novelty, with a decided "kick1! and as hands pass glass is deposited in
Performer displays a linen handkerchief, cupped right palm by left thumb - and on
on all sides - then drapes it over right its side. Draped hand will appear per-
palm. Gradually a shape is seen to form fectly flat under hank. Tip glass to up-
under the handkerchief, and when performer right position - flatten out right hand -
removes hank, a whiskey glass le reposing and glass will be seen to "materialize"
on outstretched palm. Performer apolo- under hank. Then - grasp left hand cor-
gizes for uncovering the glass too soon, ner of hank, between first and second
and thus not giving "the bashful barten- fingers of left hand, corner inside hand,
der" an opportunity to complete his task. and pull hank, from right hand. As all
Hank, is placed over glass. Upon again eyes are centered on glass, drop left
uncovering glass - it Is now found to be hand to side and steal thumbtip, from
filled with liquid, which can be passed holder, by closing hand around It. (Close
to a spectator "on the house." mouth of tip with ball of thumb to pre-
Required: - Linen handkerchief, whiskey vent spilling as you bring hand up -
glass, extra large thumbtip (P&L), and a third and last fingers holding tip in
special thumbtip "holder." This latter is place.) Apologize for your "bartender"
made as follows: At five 'n dime buy a and drape glass again by covering It from
small, hard sponge-rubber ball of a size front - left hand passing over glass, In
which will Just plug opening of the thumb- process of draping, quickly dumps contents
tip . Run a three Inch loop of heavy cord of tip into glass. (This move can be ao-
through ball; double knot of loop will complished in a natural manner if liquid
prevent ball slipping off loop; and attach is dumped toward body as glass is draped.)
a safety pin to other end of loop. This As you finish draping glass, steal tip on
holder will hold thumbtip - filled with left thumb. Wave left hand over draped
liquid - with perfect safety. In setting- glass and remove hank with left thumD and
up for the effect, measure amount of li- forefinger. Volla! (Tip, of course, la
quid to be used by filling whiskey glass left in pocket as hank Is tucked away.)
about 2/3 fill - pour it into thumbtip -
plug tip with holder - and pin to left Build patter scheme around your friend
side of body, under coat. Have whiskey "The Bashful Bartender" who learned his
glass in right back pocket with linen trade in the speakeasy days - and since
handkerchief. Set! then has kept out of sight from force of
Reach into back pocket and grasp hank, habit. You can produce more than one
with thumb and forefinger - at same time drink if you use several tips and holders
inserting second and third fingers into and they can be carried all evening with
mouth of glass. Keep glass hidden behind safety. For a "quick trick", at the bar,
hand by bending in second and third fin- Just borrow the glass and do the liquid
gers as y )u remove hank, from pocket. production. T i k e it? YEAH, MAN!!!
LIMITED JOLT 1946 Lloyd E. Jones
STAR-TIMES
•«••»••••# _£* •"•• Tues., June 18, 1946.
MAGICIANS IN CONFERENCE HERE
PRODUCE STEAKS3READ, NYLONS
'/MARTY THE MASICIAN, PRODUCED SOME
STEAKS AND BREAD, BUT NOW HE
' MAKE THE <?UEUE DISAPPEAR1.
MAGICIAN'S
The greatest Convention in history! It CONVENTION)
seems that each successful one can lay just
•lalm to that title. But on many points the
International Brotherhood of Magician's Con-
vention at St. Louis, June 16-19 can lay a
' T H E GREAT
eood case for such honors. The greatest GLADSTONE PRODUCES
number of attendees and onlookers, the larg- STEAKS FOR HIS
WIFE, B I T ALL YOU
est number of dealers and variety of magic CAN COME UP WITH
displayed, and a large number of outstand- RABBITS!'
ing performances, notables, and variety.
Fuller details will no doubt be covered
in the magical magazines. The Sphinx, Con-
juror's, and of course the Linking Ring be-
ing represented (besides that other major
magical publication THE BAT - hear! hear!)
To them we leave the details - we've tried
only to hit the high spots and hope to give - IMPATIENT IBVIN& COULWfr
WJT FOR CONGRESS TO DO THE
you only one person's impression (unless we TRICK- H E SAWED AN O f * MAN
note dissension and record it) of a grand IN HALF, j
gathering.
Our plane arrived a scant hour before One Of 1,000 Magicians Here
the Night Before Party began. It may be that
f we were tired but we kind of agreed with the Rolls Sevens In Technicolor
newspaper reporter the next day who commented
BY HARMON NICHOLS, [with a southern twang to his chat-
on how magicians will applaud the same trick I United Press Staff Correspondent. «r. He pproduced a pair of com-
presented by a dozen performers. The first Everybody stood up and cut Isose mon cubes. b
with the theme
ith th th song: After losing my cigaret lighter
five or six performers each doing a table to "Here's to the I. B. M., and tie to a sleight-of-hander yes-
oane at the start. It also may be that we were "Here's to the members one terday, I was going to keep an eye
tired but we also thought, in fact made long and all, on this guy.
"Let the magic tie that binds He pitched them onto the floor, i
notes about it afterwards on why a profess- us. A seven.
ional would do one GOOD trick and bow off "Be ever strong and stout. Patient Teacher.
"And remember that a member, "If you don't like that," he said,
whereas the amateur would endeavor to cram "Never lets a secret out . . ."
"I. B. M.," for the information of rattling the cubes in his palm,
nls entire repretoire Into the time allotted those who just came in, stands 'for 'throw 'em out again."
nira or the time he could take from others. the International Brotherhood of Out came an eleven—green dice
Magicians. There are 1,000 of them this time.
Also, as noted above even If another has al- holding their 18th annual conven- "Or," he said, "maybe you didn't
tion at Hotel Jefferson. That means like that, either."
ready done my trick (table to cane) why can't that 2,000 hands are up to no good
in pulling nylons out of plug hats, Out rolled another seven — red
I show them my version and how I do It? We sawing innocent women in half, dice this time.
noticed also a case wherein the performer did I and driving bellhops crazy. "Maybe you're not seeing those
excellent work in sleight of hand but had to The text for today's sermon . numbers right," said Bobo.
comes from the last line of the f So he rolled out again. This time
do every trick in the book rather than blend- above song, words by Bert Kalmar up came the biggest pair of dice a
Ing the best into a choice routine. and music by Harry Ruby. Bert man ever had up his sleeve. Purple
wasn't whistlin' Dixie when he ones.
The next day, we had a brighter outlook. wrote "Never let the secret out." "You see," Bobo said, "it's easy
Technicolor Dice Naturals. once you get the hang of it."
»et up our own display and were pleased to I found that out after hearing I didn't want to get the hang of
meet ao many BAT and B.A.T. subscribers. One the song. A magician from Tex- it. I remembered the lilting tune
arkana, Ark., invited me up to his that went "and remember that a
complimented me on the January 1946 issue. room lit the hotel. He said he member never lets a secret out."
That ONE issue alone is worth ten dollars!" wanted to teach me a new game i I also remembered what Michael
you play with little square cubes. MacDougal, the self-styled world's
s swelled with pride (we think so too). An- Dice, somebody said. g?ost famous card detective, once
atner picked up BAT 10 and said that m.c. Well, he showed me all right. told me:
The master of wizardry's name "Gamblers never gamble."
numDer was ten times better than a book on | was "Bobo," a handsome rascal
•ne subject currently selling for several spelled us off when we dashed out to eat.
Liars. My, my! There were many others and Dr. Baldwin, Frank Portlllo and his minia-
" course we were pleased to note the praise ture clown dummy, Ken Kilby, Clayton V/yatt,
>r the B.A.T.(its the best buy In magic to- Fred Haltz, August Braet, 6-eorge E. Pearce,
tjay). We got a few complaints and will cor- and a great many others; customers and BAT
rect them and urge you to write if all Is readers - too many to list here.
QZ
o-k. It does take time and our growth, We had pleasant chat with Norman Cum-
nas and is presenting problems. We met mins wnose Troublewit was a bright spot on
Smith who presented all the B.A.T. 1, the show the night before and we talked long^
for the Atlanta, Georgia boys at a re- with Forrest Kuhne whose Spook Rope was a
ent
meeting. We met Wayne Rohlf and he hit on the Originality Contest and still a
MAGIC LIMITED UNCONVENTIONAL REPORT Lloyd
puzzler as far as I'm concerned. It seems a top demonstrator, and he's a hard »*•.,,....,.,
you take a single piece of rope and tie it Later, he went about helping others to
in a knot around your neck. You pull on the clean out. He sold us on Menge'3 Tricky
ends and the knot and rope come through your Tumbler ($2.75) just as he's sold hundreds
neck. One must have a detachable neck (or at Sterling's store — and thats a fact, 8o
sumpin) . V/hen Forrest repeated it, it be- help me. Wish I could sell you on this'a8
came even more puzzling - the rope stretched well. When Joe Berg did it I said, "V,rnat'a
some twenty feet before it passed through that!" (he covered it with a hank and it
the neck and remember! The ends were in view disappeared.J V/hen Vic Torsberg (a guy who
all the time! Another high spot was August relaxes by working) did it, I said, "Very
Bohlen's work with silks and rings. Unfortun- cute', (he placed it in a bag and squashed
ately, we missed the big prize winner the it. Then Karrel showed me how no replace-
Spirit Bell of Rex Pfeifer but from what we ments were needed, etc. and I promptly ord-
heard it deserved to win the Fleming Trophy. ered plenty. Its great. He sold us" also on"
the new Sterling Stick of Candy to Huts
Amateur Magician Rings Candle Tube (no ends), and Floating Cane
the .latter with which he does an excellent
bit. Prices are not to hand - but order and
Bell With Spirit Trick we'll adjust price later. Karrel shone too
Rex W. Pfeifer, government! The magicians had seen many with his King of Korn routine, panlclng
employe of Oklahoma City, de-1 "spirit bells," but Pfeifer allowed even Vic Torsberg and Gene Bernstein who
clared the spirits of tthe e dead
dea his to be passed through the audi-
audi
caused his "spirit bell" to answer ence, and it still operated, no mat- "assisted." Many of the gags,thanks to
questions yesterday at the Inter- ter who held it. Several profes- Karrel will appear in the BAT. Watch for
national B r o t h e r h o o d of Ma- sional magicians sought to buy
gician convention at the Jefferson the bell from Pfeifer after the per-
formance, and he is now consid-
them!
Hotel.
The convention decided that ering manufacturing it. Stuart Robson had nice Himber material
Pfeifer had rung the bell for pro- Pfeifer has been interested in
ducing the most original amateur magic about six years, and has on display including the new die box. We
triok of the year, and awarded devised an "escape box" and a chatted about Soft Soap ($5.00) and Flexible
him possession for 12 months of vanishing radio, both of which
the Caryl S. Fleming trophy. will "stand inspection," as the Glass (o7.50). Harry BJorklund did his triok
In presenting his act to the trade puts it, before and after a cartoons on the Magician's Only Show and dls
critical audierrce of top profes- trick.
sional and skilled amateur ma- He said he had been asked to played his books we regularly sell (#1.00
gicians, Pfeifer explained the bell do a few stunts in a school carni-
had been stolen from a temple in val in a rural area in which he each). Isley had new dragon table base ($28,
Tibet by a thief who had killed lived, and became interested in
the old monk which guarded it. magic when he was requested to
50) and of course AntlGravico. And so it
Pfeifer said it was believed the appear again and had no more went. We looked all the dealers over. Twen-
old monk's spirit caused the bell tricks. Pfeifer said that few magi- ty-eight displayed and a number of others
to tap once for affirmative an- cians ever came to his area, so he
swers, and twice for negative re- had to devise his own stunts at were "present." In Mystic Craig's we picked
plies to questions, and to count first and later "Joined the I. B. M.
to identify various cards. and big time." up his new Exploding Suitcase ($20.00) a
gag we used some years ago and still rate
Wanderlng around the magic displays we ' high in comedy. We drooled at Marshall's
wondered at the huge display of Phil Thomas feather flowers but will have to wait for
and wondered how he got all that stock into more stock (BUT we did pick up a load of
his car which he claims he did. Here Broth- them - need a new bouquet? Blooming Rose
er BATter Bill Novel was doing his Flash Cig-
ar ($1.50 from Magic Limited. In fact, , $25.00, etc.). In Tannen's we saw Electra
we have either all the material mentioned ' ($25.00) that Lou did on one of the shows
now in stock or on order and you can get , and the Great Ovette did on the headliner
them from us). Mike Tannen was showing ' bill. Clever. In Abbott's we picked up
beautiful brass and mechanical workman- | Sphyker ($62.50) the new illusion, also
ship, (trick coins, bill tubes, Glass Coins in the Glass ($25.00) - a pip. You
Penetration ($4.50), Cubio (1.00) and | show tray, place small glass on it, cover
Wonder Blocks with metal tube ($1.00)). with larger glass and cover all with cloth.
Hlya Fox! Walker Fleming was pushing his I Then, clink, clink, clink, clink! Four
Sach's Sleight of Hand, Our Magic, and i coins "pass" into tne small glass and are
Hugard-Braue's Invisible Pass. The lat- ' poured out. Marvelous! Also by same man
ter by the way became one of the gags of [• Jack Hughes - Attaboy ($12.50) a perfect
the convention. Seems no dealer could do "stop" trick using a bell-boy figure.
it and Karrel Fox among others gave his | We bought here too for you Triple Sponge
version by turning his back among long Surprise ($1.00), Line of Silks (#2.00),
and loud laughs. Yet, Fred Braue reports, and Blendo ($8.50). Better rush order'.
and I've heard the same from other sourq.es From Mlshel we placed order for his Rab-
that it was one of the high spots of man- bit Box ($10.00) - you show box empty,
ipulation at the S.A.M. Conclave. I don't draw picture and slide in box, open and
do much sleight of hand and hence have no theres a rabbit. So constructed box can
Intention to master a sleight Just to sell be left in spectator's hands! From E. J.
a book about it. But, that doesn't mean I Moore we ordered Instanto ($10.00) an
can't do 1t — I have no need for it. effect we saw demonstrated a dozen times
without "catching." Four coins vanish
The noisiest character at the Conven- and reappear on a skeleton stand. It ap-
tion — and one of the best liked, was Jack pealed to me a lot because I'm no great
Chanin who did more magic and probably sold sleight worker and this doesn't need it.
more than any other dealer (with maybe one
exception). Jack's a great guy. He has Mag- Magic Limited sold lots of Camera Cards
ic Limited products and we've sold his wax and Spook Cards of course. Had Osborne'e
(50j*0 for the card on ceiling for years. Poker Demonstration ($1.00 - July B.A T.
The King of Korn, Karrel Fox handled Ster- selection), Invisible Pass ($3.00), Mon-
ling's Display and sold out his stock by tandon'3 Cherchez la Femme (50ji?) a cute
Monday night! No wonder. He's swell, he's novelty about two sailors and an attract-
UNCONVENTIONAL REPORT Lloyd E. Jones
His work defies detection. You know his hold-
out ($6.50) is being used - but what miracles
it accomplishes! Billiard balls,, egg bag,
dyeing silk — and then a superb Linking Ring
routine! What a man! What magic! Did you ever
see a Convention audience RISE and applaud a
performer? They did JACK MILLER! That Modern
Llagic Show also had such acts as Arnold Furat,
Russ V/alsh, Nardinl and Nadyne, and Dell 0'
Dell so vou can see It was top-notch.
Jack Miller's dye tube was good, but
Baffling Ballard took no back seat with his!
Through the courtesy of the Southern
Comfort Corporation a cocktail hour was giv-
en and if it wasn't for the heat It would
ADOLPH BOLDT OSCAR A. ZAHNER
have been 100$. St. Louis was HOT! And so
(iim al ( Kairman Sfcretorj • Publicity Sou\ftiir Progral was the Ivory Room — and so was Johnny
Paul (what cups and ball!), Matt Schulein
(nifty card miracles), Bert Allerton (new
3.A.M. President), Bobo and a host of other
performers. At this Cocktail Hour we met
Larry iicGee with a transparent Oklto Coin
Box! Mel Stover claiming he had 16 cock-
tails which I don't believe. And Kelly Cal-
lahan wishing for cool Seattle.
At the Banquet an excellent meal was
served interspersed by laughs at Russell
Swann trying to eat at a special table set
MKKI.IX KIFERT IACK I.11TINCOTT
on-stage for him but heckled by all and a
I UN I ST HEI.IWIAN
II,.ul ( h.iirinaii Dealers Chairman Originalitj Cnite-t part of sundry. Hit on this bill (to me)
was George Thompson and Co. with a funny,
lve nude girl. Try and find her! Gardner's comedy act with lots of originality evid-
"ystery Key (50^0 that recalls the very ent. Earlier that day many visited the
popular red bullet that pops in because? Anheuser-Beusch Brewery - but I couldn't,
of an invisible rubber band. Works differ- I was too busy. Oh ne, only one beer dur-
ently and we liked It so much we're trying ing the whole Convention. The whole thing
to get It for the B.A.T. Also from Montan- was really dry!
don Is his Bite! (25^) - you "bite" piece
out of a glass. Danger has here been elim- During the business meet-
inated and you'll like this. And oh yes! ing the shocking news was giv-
we mustn't overlook (bet we miss lots of en of the passing of John Sny-
good items) Berland's Paper of Satan ($1.50) der, Jr. after a long illness
Sparko (§2.50), Beer Bottle-Cola »5.00) and period of suffering. This
and Coin Conception (J?1.50). This latter is ringleader of I.B.M. affairs
a must for you fellows who do a little was and will be sorely missed
sleight of hand or who don't mind working and it was evident in many
on a trick to develope a swell routine. If places that he was held In high
you could see it demonstrated you send for esteem. The accident of Elmer
yours right away. And also! Wallace's Vam- Eckam which brought the death
pire Escape ($7.50) - a neat b'ox in which of Mrs Eckam and seriously in-
a block is secured with a stake - yet the C I O A THOMPSON jured Elmer was another shock.
Stagt Director
"vampire" visibly escapes. Very good. And a sobering effect was the
Impressive candle snuffing for fifty-nine
In between visiting, seeing shows, etc. members who have been called away since
we were able to line up some nice tnlngs the last Convention. Pittsburgh was cno-
for future release. Watch Magic Limited'. 3en as the 1947 Convention city, Cincinn-
(and the BAT and B.A.T.). ati reluctlantly withdrawing but planning
Its Impossible to list or to tell you now for 1948 with competition being offer-
about everything that happened but I 'still ed by A. Coke Cecil and High Point, N C.
can pick out high spots — and there are
plenty of them. For example the comedy Jug- John Braun was elected new President
gling of Art Jennings. The show by Bobo. We and he tackles a big job well-handled by
spent couple of hours with him and the very likable( Gene Bernstein. New vice-prexles
charming Lira B, Clarence (MR.) Decker and are V/aiter Coleman and Everett Morgan.
Secretary, Dr. A. L. Baldwin a capable
Lfe, and Wayne Rohlf during which J.B. did person, and the Treasurer, dependable
ils dice routine that was Justly called one Hazel Krock. Marty old timers hated to see
• the thrills of the convention. Empty hands, Harold Rice step out as Secretary and
He rolls out two white dice. Rolls again, Harry Cecil to step out of his position
iey a w red, rolls again they are green, but this was all done gracefully.
tnen they are red and green, or red and white
a
nd so on till you get dizzy!! Empty hands - The hectic activities wound up with
and then two big cubes! Unbelievable! J.B. the Headliner Show. This started well
followed Jack Miller as presenter of out- with Ovette but died with the closing act.
standing magic. To watch Miller work you real- Outstanding in my opinion was the fight
ly begin to believe such things are possible. (Louis-Conn) prediction of John Booth
(who also gave fine talk on Magician's ~
Lloyd E. Jones UNCONVENTIONAL REPORT 4064 - 39 th Avenue, Oakland 2,C a l i f
Only Show). But it was straining credit- grand convention. All credit to a grand
ability to give so much detail. A simpler group in St. Louis, many of whom went out
prediction would not have been so obvious- of their way to make my stay pleasanter.
ly a very clever trick. Phil D'Rey with And as we bounced In the air over Texas'
his admittedly different vent act. Dell (hot air there caused air pockets - hot
0>'Dell who earlier in the Convention furn-
ished a fine m.c. Job and her rabbit pro-
air? How do you mean that Jones?) - any-
how I couldn't help but thinking what an
I
duction. Even Jarrett (the old sarcastic
critic) would have to admit that seven
Important part the Texas boys played in 1
che Convention - Ralph De Shong in his red
rabbits out of an empty box is pretty, flannels wondering why it was so hot -
pretty good - and the O'Dell Rose Bush Harry I/IcDaniels - Frank Werner with his
is a mechanical marvel. It was a pleasure comedy loaded routine - Dave Mlshe1 his act
to see Bill V/llliston work as also Chau- and magic display - and so on. Then we
det and Lu Brent. Tops was Charles Carrer thought of the show-stopping work of Paul
with unbelievable Juggling skill. Show Le Paul, another example of magic by a
closed with Blackstone who gave a flat master. Beautiful. Dr Zina Bennettk giant
presentation of the second half of his card work. It was tough for "anyone to fol-
two hour show - cards, committee work, low the great Jack killer but the Doctor
and rope release. M.C. was Don White - did and capably. His handling of those big
and I've seen better. Attendance was pasteboards was masterful and unique. Then
large and the stage handling by Vic Tors- we thought of Dr. Tarbell's short inform-
berg was the best. ative lecture. Doc Mahendra a capable m.c.
— another Texas boy too. Ernie Heldman's
Easter Bunny Illusion, so well liked It
was repeated. The smooth routine of Terry
Lynn with an off the beaten path present-
ation. The cocktails of Narda and"Nadyne.
The hyp work of Gene Bernstein. A chance
to see Arnold Furst work. He's gone way a-
head in ten years. Chats with Jullen J.
Proskauer and John Mulholland. Not togeth-
er - oh no! - seeing Lenn Gunn again after
all these years of "separation." And fin-
ally the dealer's meeting called by Har-
old Rice that led to the formation of a
dealer's organization. Phil Thomas under-
takes the huge Job with yours truly as
West Coast representative. Such an organ-
ization has long been needed. Lets hope it
CHARLES CARRERJLpHIL D'REY survives and doesn't get bogged down in
World's Greatest Juggler *^\ 77,,, Djfferenf Ventriloquist detail. Oh yes, by all means I can't over-
look the four balls and a net routine of
Wise Crowd Is As Entertaining Silent Mora! Another exhibition of MAGIC
by a master. Even Paul Rosini, appearing
As Experts At Magicians Show at the hotel couldn't equal Mora's skill.
Visitors to the annual convention cards, and Ovette causing roses to i So now we're home and back to hard work
of the International Brotherhood of appear on bouquets. - we've got a lot of new B.A.T. members and
Magicians were doing their last
trick here today—a disappearing But woe to the magician who BAT subscribers to attend to. We know we've
act "oufof tow^-foliow^glS
flli l tj - ™ **>^*»'-*^eoin overlooked many that should be mentioned In
. lied the juvenile
trade in the balcony to Don C.
this Unconventional report - praises for
The auditorium, accustomed to White, the amusing master of cere- Adolph Boldt, Oscar Zahner - and others- but
the polite hand-clapping of sym- monies.._ Of course, it turned mit. we've kept no notes. We made a few Jottings
phony-goers, rang to the applause, that the egg wasn't under his arm
whistles and shouted comments of at all and when it appeafed in his and memory is fallible. Tell us about it in
about 2,500 happy extroverts who mouth the "small fry" maintained
find coin manipulation, silk produc- an abashed silence. Pittsburgh next year - or if you wish cor-
tion and card tricks among life's
keener pleasures. One of the more baffling Individ- ner us at the P.C.A.M. Convention and tell
ual trices was John Booth's pre- us so. Or come to Magic Limited's own All
This was no ordinary audience. diction of the winner of the Louis-
All amateurs or semi-professionals, Conn fight. Day Party on July 21st and we'll make up
they knew plenty about the busi- Before the fight started, Booth, a
ness on the stage, and their com- debonair for it. I'll be seein ya1 — and once again
ments reflected that fact. mentalist, told the audi-
ence he had placed the written pre-
diction in a metal box on stage.
we clipped that
"Blackstone's doggone good with
sassy rabbit and
card manipulation," said one turn- He pointed out that if he were to
ing to a companion as the magician make his announcement public be- id many other things
w
went through a very responsive fore the fight, It would create
deck of cards. "You know," he havoc in the sport world, but he here from the Con-
continued, "he's only been doing promised to release the prediction
that sort of thing for a few years. immediately after the fight. Ring No . 1 vention program.
But did you notttce how his thumb
"Predicts" Fight Exactly. for a g ra nd A thick book full
slipped on the rope trick?"
When the fight had ended, Booth of pages and in-
Camera Fans In Action, selected two persons from the au- convention formation that
The crowd was frequently a bet- dience who opened the box and
ter show than the performers. Small read the prediction. It was: Louis Ring No. 41 you should have.
movie cameras all over the theater would knock conn out with a left A quarter mailed
Milwaukee, Wis.
to St. Louis, No. .
caught Dell O'Dell materializing hook after two minutes 19 seconds
umbrellas from apparently empty
bags; Lou Brent creating beautifully of the eighth round—exactly as the I 1 Ring should
symmetrical fans out of decks of i }}Sm ended.
bring you one.
I The next morning early and not at all Yours
bright, we caught our plane and headed home.
Its a grand way to travel especially to a Lloyd
NUMBER THIRTY-ONE THE BAT PAGE 167
BOUTOMIERE
from Chap's Scrapbook. by Frank Chapman
L
PAGE 168 THE BAT NUMBER THIRTY~0NE
fans it away in a shower. The hand con-
taining tip should be shaken as it is
being fanned to Insure the confetti fly-
ing out. Some particles will always re-
main wedged at bottom of tip, but enough
will shake out and fly about to make the
trick very effective.
Fan should cover left hand a second as
by Frank Chapman tip is gotten back on left thumb. Left
hand then shown empty . Fan taken in left
With the current revival of so many and placed in left coat pocket. Empty tip
fine, old tricks It Is surprising that we also left in same pocket. Right hand
have not seen more of that pretty little shown empty. Right then picks up square
Oriental mystery, "Wet tissue to con- of white tissue, shows It, and passes it
fetti." I recall seeing it presented, by to left hand. Left dips white tissue in
a Chinese troup, but once. Yet the effect cup of water, as before, and right steals
impressed me greatly and seemed well re- tip from right holder.
ceived by the audience. I offer you my Same moves are repeated, except that
version of the trick. Not as a stage ef- opposite hands are used. Fan finally
fect - but as a neat bit of "delicate" placed in right pocket, and second tip
mystery, suited to an Informal home pre- •disposed of, as left is shown empty. In
sentation or cocktail hour where the conclusion, I take a square of black tis-
ladles are present. Note, particularly, sue from right coat pocket and dip it in
the directness of the method, (and the cup - at same time wadding the red and
gimmick may be used to advantage in other white pieces in with it - then place It on
"tip" mysteries.) top of closed left fist. Show right empty
Two squares of tissue paper, about 4x4 and take black wad from top left fist -
inches - one red and one white. Make your apparently place it in left hand (really
own "confetti" by clipping other red and finger-palming)- and pour out peanuts.
white tissue into tiny particles. Place (Stolen from pocket.)
as much red confetti in a thumb tip as it And If that close seems a little vague
will comfortably hold. Place a similar let me add this to it. The "peanuts" - corn,
amount of white confetti in another tip. almonds or what-have-you - are carried in
The gimmicks, or holders, should be fas- the left trousers pocket. When you dip the
tened to trousers, at right and left black tissue in water - steal the nuts in
sides, Just under bottom edge of coat. the left hand. As you pour the nuts from
Attach tips to the clips so that "nail" the left hand at conclusion, get rid of the
side of tips rest against trousers. In palmed wad in the right hand. I use this
correct position, tips will be hanging little final bit to '•clean up" evidence in
Just above lower edge of coat. It is a the cup. You will always find a few specta-
simple matter to slip a thumb under coat tors who give the cup of water a careful
edge and get tip. The little holders re- look after the trick. This additional bit
tain the tips quite securely, yet permit leaves them in the dark, so to speak.
them to come away, easily, when needed.
Have white confetti-tip on right side.
Red on left. A china cup. half filled
with water, is at hand. (I usually have
this brought in to me.) In right coat
pocket is a small, paper fan. (Procur-
able at any Chinese art goods shop.)
In presenting - take red square in
right hand and dip it into cup of water.
Crumple it a bit and dip again. Crumple
Into smaller ball and dip once more. This
time, however, leave the wad of paper in
the oup and come out with fingers bunched
together, at tips, as though they held the
wet tissue ball. Shake hand several times
as if shaking off excess water. Some
water, on fingers, will fly. Meanwhile,
left thumb is stealing tip from left side.
Just push thumb right into tip, other fin-
gers on outside coat holding it steady,
and move hand straight down. Works per-
fectly. Bring hands together. Left wide
open - right with fingers together as
though holding paper wad. The "wad" is
apparently dropped into left palm. Left
hand closes at once. Right immediately
goes to right ooat pocket for the fan. At
same time, left fingers get tip into palm.
Right opens fan with flourish. Left is "Uf• ft 4»w to hroti fackil"
turned over, mouth of fist down, and con-
fetti permitted to dribble out as right Cartoon courtesy 1000 Jokes Magazine
r
PUBLISHED MONTHLY
AUGUST 1946
NUMBER THIRTY-TWO
The reasons for the t i t l e RED SILK OVER to 0 and over here and baok to
will appear later in this de- WHITE AT RIGHT B its original position. Spect-
ANGLES ator is now asked to tie the
scription.
EFFECT: The basic effect i s ends of the red silk In a knot
that two silks tied together which he obliges by doing. The
at the eenter by a spectator, hand is turned over and the
magically are separated. process repeated, with the white
REQUIREMENTS: Two silks of con- silk, attention being called in
trasting color, say red and so doing that the silks are
white, and preferably of an 18 wrapped around one another. The
Inch size. first knot should be pulled ana
METHOD: By holding the silks at made fairly tight (really to
diagonal corners and stretch- keep the silks from falling a-
Ing and twisting with a throw- part). Now the performer says
Ing motion each silk i s wound- two silks wrapped around each
up to form a rope-like length. other and tied fairly by a
The tighter the twist, the bet- CROSS "A" OVER spectator. Watch! he takes
ter the knot can be made. The "X"AND BACK AGAIN the red silk in one hand, the
ropes are now crossed at right white in the other and they
angles, the red on top of the separate and are displayed on
white. Now the right hand end all sides still knotted!
of the red silk (A) i s passed PASS WHITE SILK Besides being a pretty
under the oenter at X over the "B" UNDERNEATH effect to watch it is also a
top and back to A. The l e f t TO "O" THEN most puzzling effect. The wrap-
thumb holds i t in place. The OVER AND BACK ping being most fair and the
TO ORIGINAL
white silk end'nearest the body POSITION knot tleing above board.
IB) i s next passed underneath TURN TO PAGE 173
PAGE 170 THE BAT NUMBER THIRTY--^
1- Popular music, vocal or instrumen-
tal - anything from Jive to ballads. "Or-
chestras they love."
2-r Good comedy.
3- Magicians.
4- Shows with easy, casual audience
participation.
And what don't they like?
1- Corn.
Published monthly by MAGHC LIMITED at 2- Up-stage prima donnas either male
4064 - 39th Avenue, Oakland 2, California. or female. They like entertainers who are
Subscription rate is $1.50 a year; eight regular.
issues #1.00; single copies 25ft excepting 3- Cheap vulgarity. Certain masters
special Issues so designated. of ceremonies think that behind-the-barn
Send all correspondence to THE BAT, humor can replace quality entertainment
c/o Lloyd E. Jones, at address above. There briefly, is what surveys show
to be an accurate order of preference - ana
LLOYD E. JONES EDITOR dislikes. Many conclusions can be drawn
THERON POX ._ ASSISTANT EDITOR from the above. These, we leave for you to
ROBERT GUNTHER ART EDITOR make. Most of them shouia be obvious.
An appreciative "thank you" goes forth
stint?
The famed Book of the Month Club ex-
pects to reach a subscribing membership of
from the Belfry to PATHFINDER, the news mag-
azine. Their thorough coverage of the S.A.M.
Washington Convention is reproduced in this
issue. It took quite a lot of clipping and
pasting to get It all In, but its here! And
one million this month. This makes our B. we are sure you will not only appreciate the
A. T. small pertaters Indeed but we do not Editor's extra work In bringing to you but
draw from the nation at large, feature also the courtesy of PATHFINDER in making It
books, nor conduct such wide advertising
campaigns, and we are just as pleased with possible. Not being at the Convention per-
our basic six hundred as the B.O.M. is at sonally, we cannot give you more details. We
the million mark prospect. will however, be at the P.C.A.M. Convention
on July 26-28 and If possible issue another
The B.A.T. enrollment surpasses that "Unconventional Report" concerning it/- how
attained by either the S.A.M. or I.B.M. in did you like the one on the I.B.M. meeting?
their first years of existence and is un-
doubtedly even larger than the current P. C. Congratulations to the BAT's assistant
A. M. - but comparisons start and stop editor and his magigal wife upon the arrival
there. The B. A. T. is a service club, not of another
an organized political association and its daughter to
aim is not the diffusion of magic through this magical
magazines or conventions but by direct mall family. The
and actual equipment. Hence, we make no com- event waa
parison excepting to state our pleasure at announced by
the current enrollment and to promise that the rabbit
not only will the B. A. T. grow but its ser- making the
vice Improve as well. presentation.
Another thing the B.A.T. has brought Is
the establishment of the BAT as a major mag-
ical publication and we rate It such on the
paaia of circulation alone. Add six hundred
to any magical magazine's circulation and you
* JGflG B A G ©
accomplish something to talk about. As for Although servioe-men do not like "corn11
quality, we leave that for you alone to Judge (see above) many magicians do. After all,
but we have learned that nothing succeeds as what Is "corn"? And who dares to give a def-
well as success. Our supply of current contri- inition for it that will stand attacking?
butions testifies well to that. Sure, lots of gags are "corny" - but humor
The request for material, especially Is NEVER "oorny" WHEN IT IS APPROPRIATE.
for those items dealing with thumb tips has From the King of Korn, Karrel Fox comes
been answered with a choice lot of material. the following, and we hope he remembers to
These selections have been forwarded to the Jot more of these Items on postcards and to
Editor for checking and many will find inclu- send them to us as they occur. How about it,
sion in the new book. A supply of other mat- Kernel?
erial too has been forthcoming and we will
do our best to bring it to you ere long. "I also give imitations. My first one
will be the Four Inkspots." Magician steps
How do the service men like magic? to table, bends over and comes up with a
Surveys among Army Special Servloe Officers large handkerchief. He opens same and dis-
and Navy Welfare and Recreation men show plays four large spots of ink.
that Magic ranks thrid in popularity. Ask During a trick, magician displays a
any service man what he likes in the way deal of discomfiture. He wiggles and ltchea
of entertainment and the obvious answer is and finally unbuttons his shirt. Reaching In-
"Glrlo!" Admit that without question, then side he produced a feathered arrow. Throwing
it will be disclosed that the order of prer- it aside, he is heard to remark, "Darn these
erence is something as follows: Arrow shirtst"
NUMBER THIRTY-TWO THE BAT PAGE 1 7 1
INSIDE STUFF. The Great Frakson (right), SHOP TAIK. Back from a boat trip to
who snatches lighted cigarets out of thin Mount Vernon, Washington's home, two
air. tells Christopher how he does the trick: magicians try out a handkerchief trick.
OFF WITH HER HEAD. Phil Thomas, dealer in magic tricks, prepares to guillotine his wife,
Kay. The knife falls, but Kay keeps her head because the whole thing is only an
optical illusion. This is a new version of the old stunt of sawing a lady in half.
kf <^ M »r
by Harold Beaumont
RESTORING A ?U.
This wonderful
experiment is pro-
duced by a very
simple cause. Take
a fly, put it in a
pan of water, cover
it so as to deprive
the fly of air; now
when you perceive
it to be quite mot-
ionless, take it
out and put it on a
place exposed to
the sun, and cover
it with salt; in
two minutes It will
revive and fly away
HOCUS POCUS -1795
(Ed. note - we
_ used to do this as
SHE FLOATS IN AIR. This is an old trick but still one of the best audience-pleasers in the realm of now-you-see-it, now-you-dqn't. Pro- 8 ° o 2 u -t-i "the
fessor Sherms performed it at Constitution Hall magic show. At the climax of the trick he passes a hoop over the body of his con- e v e r " W a a i S w* -
!
federate to show that she is not suspended on wires!" Whatholds her up is a trade secret, jealously guarded by members of the art.. v e r y S i m p l e C a u s e <
PUBLISHED MONTHLY
SEPTEMBER 1946
NUMBER THIRTY -THREE
I
A Larabie Release
MIRROR.
Continued on Page 177
PAGE 176 THE BAT NUMBER THIRTY- "HREE
ly bad. This is no more tha case than Mlnv
ey Mouse is Intended to lead us to love r ~
Similarly with the sphinx, a creature half,
woman, half-lion with wings that rends itB*"
enemies. Or the Phoenix, the Dragon, the
Owl, the Corsair (a pirate), or Genii.
Shall I continue? I don't think it necess-
•!
ary. I will admit, that one reason for the
choice of the name was the eaBe with which
Published monthly by MAGIC LIMITED at play of words could be made. It has been
4064 - 39th Avenue, Oakland 2, California. done before with items bearing my name so
Subscription rate is $1.50 a year; eight presupposing such action we sorta planned
Issues #1.00; single copies 25fl excepting It. So have at it boys, if you must play
special issues so designated. we don't mind.
Send all correspondence to THE BAT, However, to the character who applied
c/o Lloyd E. Jones, at address above. the bat description to the BAT editor, I
can only say, in such cases consider the
LLOYD E. JONES EDITOR source. Personally, my removal from the
THERON FOX ._ ASSISTANT EDITOR Board of Governors of the P.O.A.M. was de-
ROBERT GUNTHER ART EDITOR liberately done so as not to have future
contacts with him. And as long as he con-
tinues, even after years of association
with Los Angelenos to spell words this way -
"Gentllmen," "Genni," and so on, I must
The interest in Milk Pitcher magic is say he is an uneducated, uncouth, shall we
currently at its height. A most useful mag- say, accident?
ical item Its uses are well covered by the Yours in magic,
new book on it by Henry Fetsch. To me how-
ever, one of the most interesting - and Ye BAT-ty Editor, Llo>& E.^Jfones
neglected details is Its history. Having
had a long chat with Jimmy Conley during
the PCAM Convention on milk pitchers, I am
now much better Informed than most magicians.
It soon became clear why those in the know
.considered certain law suits and threats of
them last year made by one of magic's "best
known characters" was nothing more than a
fit of pique and desire for publicity. The
history qf our popular pitcher is another
case of where an original idea modified be-
comes a new trick and a fertile field for
copyists and "inventors." It would make
most interesting magical reading and I hope Following the Hollywood U.S.O. Show, a
some day someone tackles the Job. My assist- part of the PCAM Convention which I had the
ance is assured. pleasure of m.c.ing, I was approached by
Every current magical Idea or trick has several asking, "Fnere did you get those
as much muddled history behind it and the Job swell gags?" The answer was, of course, the
awaiting the newly founded Dealer's Associa- BAT. See what you are missing boys?
tion is destined to be an arduous one. Such One Interpolated bit was given me back-
an association has long been needed and we stage by Tiny Talbot (he's twice the size
not only wish it well but are working in and of Tiny Granj who's no small man) its about
with It and hope it starts small and Improves the Army reject who couldn't understand why
in efficient steps. Magic Limited dislikes the dootor's rejected him. The punch being
having anyone "mad" at it and hopes the organ-i a yo-yo that the m.o. lets run up and down
ization eventually beoomes the supreme arb- a few times.
iter of quarrels among dealers. We will a- Another winner was Karrel Fox's bit of
bide by their decisions and even change our continually pulling bits of fluff from the
code of ethics if needs b'e, that now we be- collar. I had a number of pin feathers, the
lieve to be tops in its present form. pay-off resulting when m.c. remarks, "Dam
these Wing Collars!"
In Los Angeles two men spoke to me a- A point driven home by later comments
bout the bat. One was a gentleman and he was that the M.C. Issue of the BAT (No. 10)
told me that a magioal paper should not was right — the good m.c. Is not an act In
bear the name of suoh a low creature, one himself, merely a fill-in. He should be
that was night-flying, predatory, blood- brief, humorous, magically clever If needs
sucking, and hung by its tail in darkest be, and "retiring."
caverns, e t c The other person made the re-
marks personal. In both cases, the thought And to conclude with a few Patter-llnefl
seems to be that the BAT Is intended to sent in by Gerald Kosky. .
popularize the bat, only mammal capable of "He who laughs last is trying to think or
true flight — and whloh Incidentally if a dirty meaning."
we cared to defend it could be shown to "After all, a gold-digger is only a woman --
have as many good points (as scientists after all."(Or another version - "After ali>
are ourrently finding) as it has admitted- a wolf is only a man — after all." Ed.).
TIMBER THIRTY-THREE THE BAT PAGE 177
1950HIMPitcA&i
Continued from f r o n t page
ahown in the illustration. This completed,
take your model to a glass cutter and have by Jack McMillen
nim cut a mirror exactly the same size. Now
affix this midway in the Jug with a water- A card is selected and returned to
proof transparent cement such as Duco. Let the pack: (I've read that someplace be-
dry thoroughly, your pitcher is now complete fore! Ed) whereupon our wily wizard hands
and ready for use. the cards for a shuffle.
To perform: Pill the front half of the Just as the deck Is about to be re-
mirror Jug with milk. Pick up your paper turned, the magician carelessly, let us
oone or other receptacle with left hand, the say, allows the audience to perceive that
pitcher in the right and pour. As you do so, he has a card in his palm! When they have
with spout of pitcher well in cone, tilt the vociferously called attention this palmed
pitcher upwards and toward you. The milk runs card, and they will, magician exposes card
over the mirror into the rear half and stead- completely - - it Is not the selected one.
ily diminishes. Thus the pitcher can be very This also confuses the magician. He
nearly emptied. admits that he thought it was the chosen
To clean, use warm not hot or even cold card as well and seems lost on how to
soapy water and do not apply pressure either bring the trick to a conclusion for the
in cleaning or drying. Your pitcher then will selected card Is evidently lost. He re-
last for many successful performances. places the wrong card card on the shuffled
deck; gives the cards a riffle shuffle
and finishes with a cut.
The top card is turned over and it is
the selected card!
WORKING: - The chosen card is brought to
the top of the back and two cards palmed.
star has
fallen Nnrom the
macclc firmament.
,Joe Ovettte i a dead
Slgnor Joseph Ov- '
I). ette of the l.:aglcal
'Ovettea wl\Ll write
no more bobks, con-
tribute no more to
tne magazines nor
flood his friends
with interesting
poat-cards and let-
ters.
Death came a
snort time after he
had entered the hos-
p i t a l for an opera-
tion to remove his
vocal cords. Spec-
i a l i s t s had diagnos-
ed his condition as
V cancerqua and one of,
|his ladt post-cards
to a friend stated,
"I have a fifty-
Ififty chance to
Ipull tnrough. It
Ilooks like the beg-
inning of the end
V
|for Joe Ovette."
Born in Naples,
IItaly he came to
[America at an early
age with his par-
ents. He and his
three brothers were
raised in Brooklyn,
New York and his
f i r s t magic shows
were with the Kick-
apoo Medicine Show
I In 1916-19. His
s k i l l developing he
I toured the country
play the Kelth-Alb-
ee and Levey cir-
c u i t s . While on the
Pacific Coast, his
I Father's final i l l -
ness hastened his
return to the East,
]where after hla
Mother's death a i
short time later le°§
I him to confine his
!performances to the
[Eastern United Sta-
tes and Canada. Here
I he gained an envied
reputation.
THE BAT NUMBER THIRTY-THREE
Featuring such daring His favorite expression was, "There's
and spectacular magic nothing new under the Sun,H and old-timers
as the "Man they Could will renember he and I frequently fought
not Hang," and the Bull- over that point. But as years go by, one
et Catching," he ob- becomes more and more convinced that Joe was
tained wide publicity. usually right. Frequently he would tangle
His performances were with magicians who had "stolen" his tricks.
admired by old and young His proof usually being the production of
for they contained many a scrapbook item showing eltner his earlier
bits of originality not performance of the effect or his sale of
only In equipment but in the same. Admittedly, he was a great magical
presentation. creator and Inventor but he lacked the nec-
Married twice, his essary means and backing to establish and
first wife was one of popularize his tricks, many of which later
the famed DeMarco Sis- were rediscov-
ters, a circus aerial ered or un-
act. She aided In est- earthed and pop-
ablishing the reputa- ularized by oth-
tion of the Magical ers. His ambit-
Ovettes and in devel- ion was to be a
E °P i n e h l e Popular Chl- great magical
™ OVETTE nese routine for which writer and he
left a long list
n e attained a measure of fame.
His second wife, with him when he died of published
Is the former Francis Hachey, a Canadian works, all paper
girl, known as Fran or Bunny to her friends. bound and some of
There are no children. Their last appear- genuine merit. A
ance together was at the I. B. U. Convention listing of tnese
this last June where the Ovette's colorful includes:-
act opened the bill. For a period of years, "Magicians New
Ovette had lived In Canada but returned to Field," Exclusive
the United States to reestablisn his citiz- Ilagical Effects,"
enship and for the last six years resided "Advanced Magic,"
in Ebenezer, New York. "Bargain Llagic," "Book of Moses Outdone,"
His voice falling, he developed an "Eggstraordlnary Ways of Eggshlbiting with
act in pantomine. In recent months he also Eggs," "Fast Ones," "Kandle Magic," "Mir-
was tackling the mall-order magic field, He aculous Hindu Feats," "Odds and Ends in
will oe sorely missed by his many friends, Cardology,""Practical Telepathy," "Public-
especially those who knew of his clever pieces ity Miracles," "Silk Creations," "Trickery
ofl apparatus, his magical secrets, and vast Tricks," "Tricks and Illusionettes," and
store of information. "Seeing Is Believing,11 Besides these he
issued and unknown number of secrets and
tricks usually mimeographed and sold at
various prices.
A BOMBSHELL
Operated on for his malignant throat
on this last July 24th, he succumbed on
MM
August 5th at the General Hospital in
| OF ENCHANTMENT Buffalo, New York. He was buried on Aug-
ust 7tn at A m Prior in Ontario, Canada.
By one of those unexpected coincidences,
as this paper was being prepared, a vis-
BEWILDERMENT/\<4^^ itor was A. "Tony" Rossi of San Diego who
was started on his magic career by the
'ft C ^ J Glunete
Great Ovette. He regaled me with many
tales and incidents of the life of this
now past master and reported that he had
often been Introduced to friends by Ov-
M
ette as being his son. As BAT readers know,
^L MAOIC your Editor witnessed the last performance
ft^k HttPiZ£>U£x of the Ovette's and will long treasure this
memory. So long, Joe.
t t a f ^ H DAREDEVIL
MtuM
FIRSWTIME OUTO* Wi k WEmm
% AuDibNCfc
IHDIAeCMA f W **
PAGE 180 THE BAT NUMBER THIRTY-THREE
Our reprint
article tnls month
Is from the ETHYL
NEWS, a fine "house
organ publication"
that reaches many
In the motor and
fuel field. Their
courtesy in per-
mitting reprinting
is appreciated.
As for the By Walter B. Gibson, Editor
article Itself, The Conjuror's Magazine*
little need be said
about it. We deem Magic today claims fully a million adherents,
this type of mater-
ial beneficial to as a result of its immense wartime popularity
the art. Informa- The author with Joseph
UAI tuR AND professional Merlin- Upstarts in the world of wizards,
tive and also amus-
ing it Is not too
Dunmnger (right), who is
famous as a mentalist L ites — Adabblers in the hocus- however, are all for revealing the
pocus of sleight-of-hand, legerde- innermost secrets of their fascinat-
revealing.
Two errors are main, mind reading and card manip- ing profession on the theory that
apparent that we ulation — are increasing in numbers the more people who know about
think are due to as rapidly as the rabbits they pull out it, and think the)- can do magic, the
proof reading - one of their silken toppers. It is esti- better it will be for all concerned.
is the "Society of mated that fully a million Ameri- A really crack performer knows in
Amateur Magicians" - cans, of both sexes, from six to his heart it's not the principle of a
a common and at the senility, have taken to magic as a trick that counts but the dexterity
same time embarrass- hobby, a business, a profession, and with which it's performed.
ing mistake. The sec- an easy way to entertain friends. The increase in popularity of
ond is the member-
Interest in magic is increasing to magic stems directly from the war.
ship in Magigals -
this, I am sure Is the point where close-mouthed pro- Before Pearl Harbor, magic shops
nearer the thousand fessional wizards are cleaning up did a dull business indeed, profes-
total than it Is one financially through demonstrations, sional magicians were a dime a dozen
hundred thousand. club dates and theatrical bookings. who scrabbled for a few lean book-
Anyway, its a good Some of the old-timers worry, how- ings, and less than a quarter-million
boost for a deserving Dell O'Dell, regarded as the ever, that their highly secret people claimed allegiance to even
group of interested leading magician of her sex. machinations are becoming too the simpler forms of legerdemain.
magicians - our Mag- Is a favorite with children much of a public property. During the war, however, magic
igals. performers soon gained early prior-
Personally, I 'Offiaal Organ ity on USO Camp Show rosters —
was glad to at last ot Ihi Magician*
practically every unit that went
see a good likeness
overseas included at least one Aler-
of the famed Walter
B. Gibson. Admitted-
ly one of the great-
est of our magical Blackstono, shown
here performing the
authors, a great mag- "Roaring light bulb"
ical creator and one tritk, Is considered
of the most prolific to be the foremost
of our present day "heavy" magician
authors. (The Shadow,
etc.) It will prob-
ably not be reveal-
Ing too much to let
It be known that re-
prints of Gibson's
best books are eithe
now on the press or
being prepared for
reprinting. The first
of these, the BUNCO
BOOK, to retail for When Houdini the magician died, he left an odd-looking admitted he was baffled for the first time in his life. He
#2.50, will shortly safe to which he had never given anybody the combination. asked Mrs. Houdini if she had ever seen her husband open
be announced. It is It had a huge lock bolted to the outside of the door, with the safe. She remembered that he had leaned on the top of
one of the most in- cylinders and tumblers fully revealed. He had always told the safe, on his right elbow, and simply passed his left hand
formative and educ- his wife that any locksmith could see how it worked. over a flat space on the safe door.
Mrs. Houdini couldn't get the safe opened, so she sent That solved the mystery. Tn about three minutes Courtney
ational books you
for Charles Courtney of New York, internationally as fa- discovered that the pin in the top hinge was also a push
can. obtain. Magic mous in picking locks as the magician had been in getting button. He put his finger on it, the bolts inside clicked
Limited will of course out of handcuffs, leg irons, and other restraining devices. back and the door swung open. The magician had installed
have it in stock. Courtney thought it would be a cinch. a small magnet inside the hinge so that he could mystify
But after spending half a day on the job the lock wizard people even after death.
THE BAT
NUMBER THIRTY-THREE PAGE 1 8 1
SOME OF THE
HIGHLIGHTS OF ONE OF
THE EDITOR'S BUSY DAYS
lin, many of them strictly amateurs breaks loose with a grin which is perform for his buddies. After this
drafted from other walks of life. At followed by "Here, let me try it." trend became a major movement,
one time the USO had 85 magicians Another case on the mend. magic shops in coastal cities, like Bob
on tap and always performing — in At sea, and at isolated posts like Stull's in San Francisco, Bill Lar-
the Aleutians, the Ardennes Forest, the Aleutians, magic did a big job of sen's in Los Angeles and Lou Tan-
at sea, at Fort Dix, wherever serv- morale-lifting during the war. nen's in New York, overflowed with 9:00 AM
icemen and women gathered. They After the professional performers men and women in uniform. They
claim they were third in demand left for other assignments, welfare figure that most of these enthusiasts
after popular comedians and glam- and entertainment officers purchased will go along with magic, some per-
our girls. huge blocks of magical cards, coins haps taking it up as a profession,
Magicians were particularly in and apparatus, and it was a simple now that they are civilians again.
demand in veterans' hospitals — still matter for some exhibitionist GI to Tannen, in fact, reports dozens of
are, for that matter, because they 2:00 PM
can work at bedside range with
comparatively little equipment.
Military medicos recognize the
excellent therapeutic value of magic
and utilize it widely. Particularly
stubborn cases of moroseness and 4:00 PAA
V
worry have been dispelled quickly
by some agile-handed card-manipu-
lator like Jimmy Grippo, the bushy-
haired, beady-eyed Italian boxing
promoter turned magician. Grippo
chooses the most sorrowful looking
bedridden patient as the center of 4:30 PM
his exhibition, and after a few deft
coin disappearances and card selec-
tions, the frozen-faced vet usually
, acknowfao'gad' oca
•f fh» card manipulator*,
Wamonitraflng hl« "par-
(MMatfna cigaiwtto" trick _ and so to bed
Wonder who
the artist means
here? It can't
be YOUR Editor -
because he does-
n't smoke - and
Orson Wallas, Mb* acfor, put on Isn't married!
a magic act for 01 aud/«nctt dur-
ing (ha war. Htrt, an amazed sol- Next month
illtr fooks on at MfoHat t+tmlngly another fine art-
pull, a rafab/f ouf of Ms lole Is assured.
FOR MAai ONLY' (From Chap'e Scrapbook) four matches and place them In your right
Bill Larsen had the "Qulek Trick bug. hand. Get tip Into left fist. Now -
He passed this one on to me - with his place the four matches, together, Into
1- UBual apologies - and I find It "easy
Plcklna" for the boys who "know all the
tip. Steal tip out on right thumb. As
right hand leaves left, right thumb Is
answers". Give It a try! hidden behind fingers. As a result, pro-
Have a finger ring on third finger of truding ends of matches will not be seen.
hand. Tip on left thumb. Casually Turn left fist, back to spectators, and
hands empty as you toss box of safety suddenly spread fingers wide apart. Mean-
Batches on table. Have spectator remove while right thumb gets rid of tip.
PAGE 182 THE BAT NUMBER THIRTY-THREE
requests tor information from serv- moved without breaking, Blackstone volume of a forgotten .Merlin of membership of close to 100,000
icemen who want to set up magic- quickly made his getaway. bygone years. So widespread is the practice of
shops in their communities. Russell Swann is another regular Actually, tricks don't stay secret magic that there are numerous
Although there arc hundreds of at the magic shops, but he is reticent long. Practically everyone close to examples of teen-agers working
magic shops around the country, about discussing his best effects. the field eventually catches on to their way through high school and
New York and California are the "You've got to keep the public the principle behind even the most college giving club exhibitions. Also
trade centers. mystified," he says. "When they elaborate tricks. The gullible public, there is an offshoot of the magic
They each boast a half-dozen learn too much about your art they which witnesses magic shows for societies — the Magi-Ministers, t
shops which peddle anything from won't pay to see you." Swann con- enjoyment, knows in its heart that group of some 400 members of th
books on hypnotism to Chinese siders himself the master of mis- it is being deceived. cloth, of all sects, who practice
Vases and Linking Rings. They have direction. ".Misdirection," he ex- Nevertheless, every professional magic, especially in Sunday school
graduated from street level locales plains, "is letting the right hand do magician likes to have at least one as a means of attracting parishioners
to cozier offices high up in office the work, while the left hand does or two startling effects which are .Magic seems, verily, to be becom-
buildings. .Magic enthusiasts are ever the dirty work." his specialty. To obtain such effects ing a family proposition. All pluses
on the prow 1 from shop to shop Cardini, president of the Magi- he will pay magic craftsmen as high of magic are on the brink of a post-
looking for new ideas, gimmicks or cians Guild, is an occasional gratis as $500 for an exclusive trick. war boom as millions of people seek
manifestations. Amateurs are lured demonstrator at these backrooms of There are hundreds of basement forgetfulness from the fateful four
not only by the exotic display of magic. The suavest of today's per- and attic workshop lathe-workers in years of conflict.
rising cards, disappearing wands, formers, Cardini is admittedly the the country who make a good living The chances are that you « i|| r u n
and milk glasses which dissolve ace of the pasteboard manipulators. turning out patented tricks sold across a magic fan in your fraternal
through a handkerchief, but also by At the recent election of officers for through the magic shops or by mail club, or visit a magic shop out ol
the visits of professional wizards, the Guild, Julian Proskauer, a Man- order. A half dozen big houses virtu- curiosity, or perhaps witness a pro-
Tarbcll, w ho has written four of a hattan publisher, presided. He tossed ally control the wholesale market — fessional performance in the near
projected six-volume course on ballots into a top hat and a rabbit chiefly Abbott's Novelty Co., in future. If you should happen to sec
magic and holds classes in several pulled out one on which was in- Colon, Michigan. Abbott grosses a dramatic-looking individual who
cities, may usually be found slei»ht- scribed the name of the winner, and over half a million dollars yearly, "reads" your thoughts, or who
of-handing at one of the mystic president — Cardini. 1 believe this turning out hundreds of different makes ink stains evaporate from a I
deadfalls when he's in tow n. story because the rabbit told me. gimmicks, from the simple penny- handkerchief or changes the spots
"You run into some naive people into-dime trick to elaborate Orien- on a card, don't you believe it - it's
All of these professional mysti-
in this business, sometimes," he says. tal cabinets which cost in the hun- done with mirrors.
fiers put on impromptu demonstra-
"I remember one student in mv class dreds. All big shop-owners entice
tions on small platforms behind tiny
in Philadelphia who came up to me trade by introducing new effects,
curtains rigged up in a corner of the
at the end of a session, almost in which they sometimes invent them-
magic shops. The audience com-
tears. I had just demonstrated the selves. Before long, however, their
prises men still in uniform, ex-serv-
dollar in the lemon trick, in which competitors are out w ith a new-
icemen, school kids, chorus girls,
a dollar bill apparently tied in a version.
actors, writers and businessmen.
handkerchief shows up in the fruit Orson Welles, who recently en- Before the war there weren't a
after it is sliced open. 'Doc Tarbell,' joyed a lot of fanfare as a wand- score of professional magicians in
this fellow said to me, 'I'm going to w ielder who coyly cut his beauteous all categories making a living out of
stop coming to your classes. Why Rita into Hay and Worth, is a fre- their activities. Today, there are at
that lemon effect isn't magic at all quent performer. Richard Himber, least 40 busy on the club, convention
— it's just a trick!' What are you chunky bandleader, recently took and cafe circuits. Thousands of
going to do with people like that?" up magic, first as an interested hob- businessmen — bankers, lawyers, ac-
asks Tarbell, calmly pulling a knot- byist, but now as a semi-professional. countants, florists, salesmen — have
ted handkerchief through his neck. He has a few original tricks to his taken more than passing interest in
Dynamic Blackstone, white hair credit, and has a musical show in the the fascinating profession. Upwards
awry, and \\ ispy mustache .sharply works with a magical background. of 6,000 are better-than-average
drawn, drops in occasionally to in- amateurs w ho rate entry into one Jimmy Grippo, who is well-
Dunninger occasionally gives lec- known as a card manipulator,
tersperse his repertoire of presto- of the major magi societies — the
tures in mentalism. At the end of a is also noted as a hypnotist
chango with a stream of humorous International Brotherhood of .Magi-
recent session, the awed students
asides. Blackstone is recognized as cians, Society of Amateur .Magicians
clustered around .Mr. Dunninger,
the No. i heavy magician today, and the Magicians Guild.
plying him with questions. He
inheriting the revered mantle once
groped in his pocket, during the con- An odd fact about the practice of
worn by Howard Thurston. Black-
versation, looking for something. magic is that the practical kind —
stone recently toured through the
"Have you got a cigarette?" he involving cards, gimmicks and me-
South, and at almost every theater
asked a boy near him. chanical apparatus — seems to appeal
he played, he was besieged by
"Why, Mr. Dunninger," ex- mostly to men. Only about 10'', of
amateur prestidigitators who in-
claimed the disappointed lad. "I the amateurs in the country are
sisted on showing him their tricks.
thought you \ver« a tnind reader. women, and there are but a hand-
Good-natured, he kept nodding
I don't even smoke. ful of magicians in skirts, of whom
approval of their inept demonstra-
.Magicians are a clannish lot, fond Dell O'Dell is tops. Despite the natu-
tions, and, pretending to pat them
of get-togethers and self-emulation, ral gentle touch of the ladies, they
kindly on the shoulder, he quickly
but they are also extremely jealous are rarely as adept at card-palming
inserted a special long pencil
of one another. They guard their or coin passing as they are at knit-
through their buttonholes. While
so-called new effects from other ting. As might be expected, the fe-
they struggled to extricate them-
eyes which might copy them, even male interest is concentrated on the
selves from these pixyish pencils, Lou Tannen, who runs a magic
though they themselves may have West Coast, where a score of clubs shop in New York, demonstrat-
which are just too long to be re-
-ippropriated them from some musty called Magigals flower with a total ing a lighted candle tn™
PUBLISHED MONTHLY
OCTOBER 1946
NUMBER THIRTY-FOUR
ALAN BEECH
(Cont
iCr
i n u e d from f r o n t page) oar for a moment - and return to your
taole with a set Df tnen. Who will sus-
picion tnut you. have sinply taken them
from your v-st jocket? I have used this
bit of legitimate illegitimacy on a num-
ber of occasions - and nave never been
questioned. Before descrioing the trick,
let me sa,r tnis: At first glimpse you
.ay oe inclined to discount it. Pri-
MOUSE marily because of its utter siuplicity.
Pleaee don't I Believe me — it is a
TRAP SPACE FOR CARD thorougnly oractlcal and uost effective
little number for impromptu work. Fur-
thermore, it is colorful and timely,
LEGS OF Lrive it a break I Your spectators will
RABBIT oe quick to appreciate it. And you will
Keep it in your repertoire ,
Toss the four colored picks on tne
THREE PLY taole. n.emove four pay envelopes -
SANOEDTHINNER. smallest size - from your pooket and
THAN MOUSE pass them for examination. Turn aside
LTRAP while each spectator seals one pick in
3 Pt-Y" AD 1-j.ls individual envelope. Spectators, of
course, are to reuenber tne color of pick
T B A P FOR FRONT tney selected, jne spec, is tnen re-
FLASH WOOO nuested to shuffle tne four envelopes so
POWDER BRACES that even ne does not Know which envelope
&
I cont .ins which pick. The sealed, shuf-
fled envelopes are t.en passed to you.
V/////////////7/////77/////////////////////77//7/. Placing the stack to your forehead,
Tnls of course is a duplicate one, the corn- you "concentrate" a moment - tnen say
er of which is "dropped" whilp first card is "This envelope contains the red pick."
being torn, and then given to spectator to Taking one of the envelopes (any one of
hold while remaining pieces are dropped in the four) you tear oil" one corner and
the top nat.
start to shake out the pick. BUT sud-
Presentation: Force the duplicate card on denly hesitate. Tnen say, "Here! I'll
spectator. Tearing sane after it nas been do it tne nard way. I won't even look
noted and giving corner to spectator to hold at them." Immediately place all enve-
after it has been "dropped.11" Pieces are now lopes oenind your back. NOV.' -• the dirty
tossed into the hat and apparently set fire. work.
Really, the tissue cone is" lighted and you
Under your coat, at back, is a "tnumb
Bhen step back to watch. In a few seconds
tip holder." In the holder are clipped
there is a flash of flame and tne rabait ap-
pears in a cloud of smoke holding the re- four duplicate, staled envelopes - each
stored card in his paws. The card is re- containing a colored pick. You have
aoved to "see if corner fits" and is then previously -.emorized their order. I
left wltn spectator. sug-est: from top to bottom - red, yel-
low, blue, purple. The first three
This effect Is a favorite with my Can- are practically "red, white and blue."
adian audiences and appeals to both old and And last - purple. Have all envelopes
young.
flap up. Enables you to easily determine
top of stack by touch. The TOP envel-
ope (red pick) has one corner torn off
t
Father Lloyd suspects he is bet- for the area, competing with the mountain through which he
ter known to the Brotherhood the numerous; native herb- would have to travel to reach
than he is to the average St. doctors. "The trained Chinese his destination.
Louisan. doctors remained in the cities," When the priest said he
"People always grab my hand Father Lloyd said, "so anyone would continue his journey, the
upon introduction to exclaim: in our district who could read men of the household, still be-
•Oh, Father Lord, the Jesuit! would explore the herb books mused by spirits consumed at
I've heard so much about you,' " and set himself up as a doctor.
Father Lloyd saul yesterday. "The Chinese are great for THE OLD SHELL GAME, performed with waste- a wedding party that day, de-
"When I explain the name is feeling the pulse*. The herb clared they would accompany
Lloyd, the results are magical doctor will hang onto a wrist
baskets and sponges, is a trick originated by Father him.
their enthusiasm vanishes." for 10 or 15 minutes, and then Paul Lloyd, C. M , priest and member of the Interna- The strange little procession
He didn't mention that quite prescribe the appropriate herb tional Brotherhood of Magicians. Photographs accom- made its way toward the pass,
I
hearing cu
••cuinig of ms
his past activities,
activities. would set up camp in the out- tacular disappearing act the
•Wait with lively interest th« the medicine wrongly.' " one in which 5000 residents of continued their noisy progress,
Father L l o y d established lying regions, and operate the while the leader h^ld a lantern
future developments in Father dispensary during the day to the town vanished after he
Lloyd's career. himself in the rough and tum- rode through the streets on his rlose to his fare that the sen-
ble medical field when the na- minister to the community's tries might determine their ex-
Orphaned at in, when h e ills. bicycle with a bundle of mag-
mother's death followed his fa- tives began to praise his azines in its basket. act position.
w o n d r o u s "Father Lloyd's A hand-cranked, wheezing "I didn't know what would
ther's within H week, Father phonograph was used at night The mandarin had assured
Lloyd was reared by relatives pills." which they asserted Ihe populace that rumors of a happen," said Father Lloyd. "I
>n the Chicago area. He aug- would cure malaria in three to play American and Chinese had no plans. I ju?t trailed
days. records to provide music for Communist attack were
mented his salary as a boiler- groundless, hut the people were along and awaited the out-
"At first T tried to explain their audiences, with whom the come."
priests would discuss religion. skeptical. Unaware of the
their kids had worms, not ma- panic his act would create.
laria," Father Lloyd said, "but Father Lloyd had gathered up Eludes a Sentry
they preferred their own diag- No Magic in China all the magazines at his quar- As they neared the sentries'
.nosis. So I just quit trying to Magic, a hobby of Father lers lo mail to the next mission campfirc one guard quickly
i His Vocation convince them of the similarity Lloyd's since he was a child, for the benefit of those follow- scanned the group, failing to
of symptoms and administered had to be put aside in China. ing Lup serials, since finances detect the "foreigner" in the
Although doing very well jn the proper medicine." The Chinese, he learned, are middle of the party, dressed
of his somewhat strenuous did not permit more than one
As dentist, Father Lloyd ex- inclined to attribute to the subscription to a magazine for in Chinese clothing.
«upational pursuits, he deter- tracted enough teeth to fill a devil anything they cannot
mined hj s vocation lay in the the entire area. "It's just some drunken
huge jar. He regrets that no understand, which would add farmers," said the sentry, "let
"esthood, and accordingly pre- trained surgeons were ever nothing to the reputation of a The slop at the Post Offire
«nted himself to the Vincen- around to pass on his work required him to have tea with them pass—if you wake any
'.Fathers at their St. Mary's man of the cloth. t he Postmaster, and when at of our sleeping men, I'll kill
with the scalpel, since he be- 1
you!"
eminary at Perryvillc. Mo. He lieves his amputations of in- 1 could not perform the last the priest began his re-
»s ordained June 4. 1931, and fected toes, fingers and other tricks and then explain them." turn trip to the mission, he "We went through the pass,"1
'^assigned to the China mis- minor surgery would win the said Father Lloyd, "because I found the streets deserted and said Father Lloyd, "in which I
approval of a Johns Hopkins would have been violating the the shops shuttered. He hastily discovered virtually an army
h man. cthms of magicians. Magicians pedaled through the gate of the bedded down. My companions
r , ^ ' at" K Uoyd served two
I- . l a n M ssi as assistant have very high standards. town wall and overtodk the skipped nimbly like mountain*
KWh Vln v" ich
ael Poizat, He is thankful he was never None, for example, would use citizen^, laden with personal goats through the sleepers,
l»i» «>r,tian priest who confronted with an emergency a trick I might originate with- property a s t h e y hurried while I groped along cau-
to A V?s beat«:n and stabbed major operation. The Chinese, out first obtaining my permis- tiously."
who distinguish between "for- through the countryside. They
«'death g inUlhisJaseventieth year sion or giving me credit. explained that seeing Father The party arrived at the
|VmJm l«<"ese. The eign" and native medicine, also boy's home eajrly the next
have their own regulations con- "J was stranded between na- Lloyd with a bundle on his
lY1"«ntian missions were de- cerning "outside" medicine, or tive superstition and ethics. wheel had convinced them he morning, and Father Lloyd ad-
0 and some of th« prioiis surgery. When a patient dies Occasionally in the dispensary, was fleeing the Communists, ministered the last sacraments
"y the Japanese, who after an operation, the surgeon when a kid became frightened and they began the exodus. He to the stricken man, who died
out "n '. ° d l s t r i c t for hailed- is held responsible for the at the approach of the scalpel, persuaded them to return to as the priest said mass for the
0 0 ttle Tok Vo Ralders death. I'd make the knife disappear the town. household.
°"lvS H '' - Father Lloyd discounts any
C ' " d ' s c o v " the Vincentians "It is a rule not without wis- or do some little stunt to get
™ administered first aid to his confidence, but that was all thought of personal bravery
a xiLn dom," observed Father Lloyd. Communist Alarm$ connected with the incident "I
«nd
"a Vhad "> e r 5 .on^ danthem
r put them un- He and his assistants operat- I dared do. Too bad, too, be-
cause magic is one of the most The Communists were always was on the Lord's business,"
ed their own version of th*> a threat, and their capture of he said. "On the way back I
'h«m S d uhich harl carried
mobile missions which tr&vi i entertaining and cleanest en-
a priest invariably was fol- was strictly on my own busi-
De this nations highways. Trudp tertainment diversions in our
yond the enemy's grasp. country." lowed by a demand for a pre- ness — T detoured the Com-
PAGE 188
munist area, and it took me
five days."
It was a happy day when in
medical aid was available with
a grin and the suggestion:
"Perhaps it was my return and
THE BAT
here, with fellow magicians
contributing their services, to
augment the funds. OriginaUy V/orking and requirements: One of the
NUMBER THIRTY-FOUR
X
1940 he received orders for his contact with 'foreigners' that trick watches (now off market, Ed.)
sabbatical leave, and he dis- caused me to be ill."
carded his Chinese garments He is grateful to Dr. John H. Father Lloyd requested to be which enables performer to know the
and searched his own and his Golden of San Francisco, who dropped from the program in
cared for him through the long the belief he would be back in ilw UI ci u W11J, Oi.1 y-> J-\J L> i\. ilclo UCCil DC b On
fellow priests' wardrobes to ob-
tain enough clothing of the s>ege of illness, and then took China by now. tain some black and some white paper"
proper size to enable him to him to his country home for Anticipating the day he will
come to the United States for nine months for recuperation. and cut a portion of the white into
return to the missions, he has
his vacation. Joe Rosentha], Associated taken up aviation, and has 10
This fraternity house tradi- Press photographer who later sections which will pass for hour marks
hours solo time, preparing him-
tion of necessity must be fol- became noted for his memor- self for the day when planes
and stick these onto to three sheets
lowed when a Vincentian able picture of the Iwo Jima will enable him to serve in an
priest comes home. During his flag raising, had been assigned even greater area. of the black paper as in the illustra-
to photograph Father Lloyd, He is anxious to rejoin his
stay in the.missions, he wears and during those weeks became tion. You now have a modernistic clock
brother priests in China, whose
Chinese clothing and lives like a frequent visitor and close
the natives. There is no heat friend. It was with consider-
face. Also cut out three white hour
wartime record, he believes,
has added a brilliant chapter to
when the temperature drops to able'satisfaction Father Lloyd the order's history.hands and place one on each sheet, the
Father
zero, and there are wistful rec- learned later that Rosenthal Lloyd declared he ' was not
ollections of; air-conditioning, had embraced the Catholic first to read twelve o'clock, the sec-
alone in this belief, pointing
electric fans and ice when it faith. ond one o'clock, and the third two o'-
out Generalissimo Chiang-Kai-
sometimes reaches 140 degrees. War prevented Father Lloyd's
return to China, and he was clock. Fold these papers separately
/// After Return made director of the Vincen-
stated: -place a small dab of wax on the back
The average priest discovers tian ' Foreign Mission Society.
"Today, I propose to speak
at homecoming time he has He is working constantly toto you on the model for your of each and leave on table behind two
lost from 40 to 60 pounds dur- obtain funds to rebuild the
lives as officers of the Repub- or three sheets of the other papers.
. ing the bard years, and his missions destroyed by the Jap-
lic. That model is the Catholic
wardrobe presents a problem. anese, and accepts occasional
missionary priest as found in When the performer has ascertained the
Father Lloyd's return was bookings as a magician, theChina. These priests are single- hour at which the clock has been set
blighted aboard the ship when fees for which go to the mis-
hearted, constant, persevering,
he was stricken with a serious sions. undaunted by any obstacles. he turns to his table and picks up a'
illness. He answers those who During the last three years
They are the model for your
say it was fortunate American he has staged a magic show
Jives as officers." sheet of white and a sheet of black
paper and the proper folded sheeta
j'lwhich he affixes to the back by press-
j|ure. Now the usual paper tear is per-
il formed, the packet turned over and the
I clock opened out to show that the pap- («•
by
Harold Q-. Beaumont
CARD
THROUGH THE 1
Since it is the practice and intention
of the BAT to publish material of use to all
readers, we append the following to our ex-
planation of Mr. Rooklyn's excellent trick.
Many publications of necessity cannot re-
print material whenever reference is made
to them in an article but in the BAT we
deem it advisable to adopt and continue
such a policy. While endeavoring to keep
such references at a minimum we realize It
impossible to eliminate them entirely, hence
we will when feasible reprint suoh material
in the same issue.
The "Card in the Handkerchief11 is one
trick long established tHat should be known
(and used) by all magioians. It has the ad- and the weight of the pack keeps the selected
vantage of being impromptu in performance, oard in position until it is desired to dis-
mystifying, and entertaining while suitable cover It. The hand Is now gently and firmly
for close-up as well as club or larger group shaken and the oard will be seen to slowly to
presentation. By some, it is considered a emerge from the handkerchief apparently pen-
"classic" of magic. The explanation by the entratlng the handkerchief in so doing. The
way, is taken from a book the author of deck is now unwrapped and the handkerchief
which clalns origination of the trick a shown to be unharmed and all may be exam-
mere twenty years ago 1 ined. \J
Effect: A little experimentation in private
A oard is taken from a pack, noted, and will show how readily this feat can be aco-
replaced. The pack is now shuffled and then ompllahed and a few performances in publio
wrapped in a handkerchief that may be borrow- will make it a favorite of most any mag-
ed. The selected card is now aeen to slowly ician.
NUMBER THIRTY-FIVE THE BAT PAGE 193
by
JOHNNIE MURRAY If you want to have a lot of fun,
equip yourself with a Svengall, Mene Tek-
' This Is a cute stunt that the ladles el, and a Stripper pack, get a pack with
"111 like, and will probably lead them to one way backs, a slick card, a double
ask you to show them how its done. Once a- backed card, and a little dlacylon, and
galn you are the center of attraction and you are all ready to be a great card ex-
glad you oan do maglo. pert . GLENN G. GRAVATT
PAGE 194 THE BAT NUMBER THIRTY-FIVE
hand and break it Into the glass. With
the hand that now holds the gimmick you
go to your pants or coat pocket for a
New No Switch Sucker Egg handkerchief to wipe your hands on after
breaking the egg. This Is the simplest
way I know of to get rid of the gimmick
By James L. Hawkins and it looks as natural as any I can
think of off hand. If you use a table
with a trap or well, I guess you could
This Is the old silk to egg effect with drop it in if you wished to do so but
a new twist. The claim I make for my new most of the magi's want something that
Idea is no switching of hollow egg for the they can do without naving any such a
real one and no fancy steals for either table handy.
the gimmick or the egg at the finish. Even Now for those who like the idea you
though these things have been cut out of can paste a small bit of paper the same
the trick It still is the same effect in color as the silk you use on the end of
every way that the old methods were. How- the real egg s :> that when they see it
ever, my new gimmick makes it possible to they will think that It is still the
do this old classic without any special silk and not a real egg at all. Some men
skill in sleight of hand or the use of think that this bit of business adds a
holders or any such things as that. More- lot to the effect and so I mention It
over no table or any magic props of any here. I don't use it myself but I have
kind are used In my method, only the gim- seen it done and it looks O.K. If you
mick and an egg, and of course, a snail want to bother with it.
silk. To make this for your self all you need
Lets go over the effect so that you is a hollow egg of plastic that you can
know what is to be done with this gimmick. now get from any magic dealer or if you
A silk is rolled into the hands and Is have an old hollow egg at home you can use
seen to have changed to an egg. Then it if you wish. You cut it in two and
comes the sucker gag where you turn the glue in the cloth section. Tnen you get
egg around and show the silk tucked in- an egg to fit Into the large end and you
side. Yes, you show that the egg Is hol- are all set to work. Some eggs are a bit
low and you KO on to explain how the trick large and don't fit the gimmick as well
is done. Again tne silk is tucked in and as others do, so before you start you had
the egg Is turned to hide the hole from better be sure that you have at least one
view. Now you still hold the egg for all or two eggs of the right size on hand.
to see as you walk over to a glass and Tnis is no real problem however, for in
break the egg into it. It was at this the usual box of eggs that you buy at a
point tnat most magi's made their little store all but maybe one or two will fit
switch. However, there is no switch to fine.
be made in my method. The only thing is,
that you have a gimmick to get rid of at I was in Italy when this gimmick was
the finish, but it is very simple to do first made up and we tried it out on many
this as all you have to do is go to your types of audiences over there. In all
pocket for a handkerchief to wipe your cases we found this to be as good as any
hands with after you have broken the egg. method ever shown. All who saw it said it
After all what is more natural than that? was good. I am sure that all who try it
here will like it and get as much out of
Now for the new gimmick. This is a it as we did.
half of hollow egg really that has a
cloth piece between the silk and the real
egg much in tne same way a dye tube is
made. One end of the hollow egg is large
and will allow you to put a real egg part-
ly into it. The other end has a small
hole Just as all hollow eggs have for the
silk to go Into.
Both the gimmick and the egg are to-
gether in your pocket, and are ready for
use at any time In your act. When you are
ready you Just reach in and take them out
as one Item, palmed of course.
You pick up your silk and tuck it into
the small end hole and then turn the whole
thing over as you would In the old routine
and then you show the egg as you would any
egg and go on into the sucker gag which Is
always good to use.
V/hen you are ready to put in the punch
ending where you break the egg into a
glass you Just walk to the glass with the
egg held out for all to see. They never
take their eyes off of It for a single
second. As you reach the glass you Just
drop the egg out of the gimmick which you "Darling, won't you give up your career
have In a palmed position into the other for ME?" - Timothy J. DonlW
PUBLISHED MONTHLY
DECEMBER 1946
NUMBER THIRTY-SIX
er.
The right hand is shown empty, the left
forefinger is brought over and laid on the
palm, the right hand fingers closing, appar-
ently over it and the thimble Immediately.
What really happens of course, is that Just
before the left forefinger reaches the right
palm, the thimble Is quickly thumb-palmed
and the right hand closes over the left-
forefinger minus thimble. The closed right
hand is now drawn off the left forefinger to
all intents and purposes taking the thimble
with it. The thimble is now reproduced on
tip of left forefinger. Right hand Is now
opened and disclosed empty. Now comes a move
simple enough in execution, but rather diff-.
lcult to explain in print. As the onlookers
see it,-you close your right hand and turn it
back outwards as the left hand comes up and
IS 1
BAT-
points toward it. What happens however, is
that as the right hand starts to close, the
left hand comes up and past It and literally
throws the stack of three thimbles into the
right hand. If done correctly, they land with
bottom of stack toward the thumb*. The hand
closes over the stack Immediately and then Movie comedian Harold Lloyd, whose hobby is
turns back outwards almost simultaneously, as magic, removes wrist of BAT Master, Lloyd E.
the left forefinger bearing the blue thimble Jones at P. C. A. M. Convention.(Effron Photo;
NUMBER THIRTY-SIX THE BAT PAGE 1 9 9
DAILY PROVINCE, OCTOBER 28. 1946
CITY AMATEUR
I TOPS MAGICIAN
Magic Circle Audience of 600
Enthralled by Performance
There's only one name on the handling ol card routines, Char-
lips of professional and amateur lie Smith, Seattle U.S.O. organ-
magicians along the Pacific coast izer and amateur performer, rat-
from Vancouver to Los Angleses ed by professionals as tops In
today—the name of Martineau, prestidigitation, called the young PRANK CHAPMAN
from this city. magician back for his first three
Francis B. Martineau, 24-year curtain calls and an encore, There appears to be a trend toward the
old commercial artist, took up Martineau responded with a gruesome In magical entertainment. Crhaetly
what was admitted to be the brilliant performance of linking tales, voodoolsm, witchcraft and such.
worst "spot" in a two-hour dis- and unlinking Chinese rings—
play of magic by professionals adding some new effects other
Perhaps you are a devotee of this type of
and experienced amateurs at magicians in the audience said diabolic deception. I'm not! Just "one
Vancouver Magic Circle's second they had never seen before. man's opinion," of course, but I can't
annual banquet and ladies' night Coming close in popularity to quite sell myself on the idea that people
at Hotel Vancouver Saturday Martineau and Louine was Seat-
nigh* tie's Harvey Long, just dis- actually enjoy that sort of thing. And
And for thirty minutes he had charged from the U.S. army yet, Frankenstein and Dracula managed to
an audience of 600—every one of after 200 performances in the- make a "go" of it. So, after all, who am
them critical of each move — atres of war. Long was almost I, to' say? Perhaps it is even less chil-
enthralled. They brought him "stumped" by 10-year-old Qavid
back for three curtain calls, an Evans, Caulfeild, whom he called ling than having someone constantly
encore, and three more curtain o n the stage lor a new twist to thrusting a preshuffled pack Into your
calls. the old "Guillotine" effect. face with the hellish request to "Take a
It was not an easy feat. Mar- a p p earances on the
tineau's smooth act had been
other
s n o w i nc i u ded Tony Taylor, card
card." Yes, I guess this graveyard stuff
preceded by long-time profes- expert from Vancouver Magic Is open to argument after all. Let's
sional Harry Louine, Seattle, circle; Ernie Bryan, comic mani: take a look at it!
who played Vancouver 25 years pulator and escapist, from Port-
ago at the old Pantages Theatre land; girl magician, Zoe of Port-
To the accompaniment of "This Can't
on Hastings. land, and Stanley and Mrs. Be Love Because I Feel So Well". the per-
Louine, billed as "King of the Payne, Portland illusionists. former informs his audience that life is,
Coins," had lost none of his pro- c. J. Caunt and Thornton indeed, an uncertainty. He states that
fessional skill despite several p 0 ole were in charge of a corn-
years of semi-retirement. Work- m ittee of 31 who prepared the
the "grim reaper" is ever hovering near
» ing without mechanical aids, he banquet and performance, and that there is always the possibility
achieved mastery over the ap- Backstage, Vancouver's Frank of some member of the assembled company
pearances and disappearance of Martineau received congratula-
as many as eight silverdollar- t i o n 9 f r o m experts. He showed
making an unexpected "crash" into the
sized coins with one hand. t h e m s o m e o £ h i s equipment, dally papers - via the Death Notices.
After Martineau's sensational used in shows Tuesday, Thuns- Whereupon he brings forth the latest
performance of difficult flower day and Saturday in a Granville edition and turns to the aforementioned
productions, manoeuvring of street store window as well as
lighted cigarettes and precise on the banquet stage. section. This, of course, puts everybody
From the above, a portion of tne pub- in a jolly good mood and practically as-
licity resulting from the Vancouver Magic sures an early return engagement for the
Circle's successful party, it can be seen performer. Folks _sp_ love to have nice,
that the entire affair was a huge success. cheerful guests around - like the per-
Responsible for this., the direction of C. J. former. And besides, this may encourage
Caunt as Banquet Chairman assisted by Thorn- some other guest to get up and recite a
ton Poole; the latter also handling the Arr- bit of Poe's Raven - or a few morbid pas-
angements, the Entertainment in charge of sages from The Fall of the House of Usher.
Captain Charles Howard; and the Ticket Com- Really - tne thing's contagious! However,
mittee by Cliff Sacker; and the outstanding back to our experiment in horror:-
Publicity by Ben Benwell. Having turned to the Death Notices, the
A three window display in the largest performer lays the newspaper aside for a
department store led to the inclusion of a moment. He takes a packet of cigarette
sign "Sold Out" early in the week. Middle papers from his pocket - naively referlng
window was of equipment mainly from the coll- to them as "shrouds for coffin nails" -
ection of Bill Shelley and here Francis Mart- and removes three papers. He tears them
ineau stopped traffic with his demonstrations In half. Then requests one of his con-
complete with top hat and tails. The other demmed spectators to call out several odd
two windows were devoted to black and red numbers, preferably below twenty. Per-
magic respectively. former Jots them down, as called, on
Actual attendance was 561 which could separate papers - one to a slip. He has
nave topped an additional hundred if ticket spectators roll the slips into tight balls
sales had not been stopped. As a result of and lay them on the table. Taking a
tnls successful affair all Vancouver is talk- small pay envelope from his pocket, the
) ing magic. performer opens It and removes a slip of
The high praise given Francis Martineau white paper. A spectator Is permitted to
In the above clipping is mild considering he examine the slip - and write his Initials
actually received three curtain calls, an en- on one side of It with green crayon or
core AND FOUR MORE CURTAIN CALLS" Has that pencil. Envelope again snown empty and
ever been matched elsewhere? slip placed In It. Envelope sealed and
lF retained by spectator.
TOU WANT MORE LIKE THE ABOVE, SEND IT TO THE B A T . Comes the "spiel": Performer explains
PAGE 200 THE BAT NUMBER THIRTV-gu
that gangsters, killers and other such In- pocket for the envelope (yes, It is in
teresting people, are usually fatalists. same pocket with tip) Just slip your
Hence their attitude toward death - "Take rigiit thumb in to tip, nip envelope be-
a cnance. You'll get it when your number tween first two fingers, and come out
turns up." He goes on: "While I am not a with both. Tip hidden behind envelope.
superstitious person, nevertheless I have Toss envelope on table and mix the orl-L
always been Interested in things of a ginal pellets a bit, with left hand, as
superstitious nature. I like to chal- right drops to side - and removes tip
lenge superstitions and see what 'makes dumps duplicate pellets into palri, turns
them tick.' Do YOU (he suddenly turns on tip open end up, and closes fist around
some goggle-oyed spectator) believe that all.This is not as difficult as It
YOU are SAFE until YOUR number turns up? sounds. -tight hand, closed, immediate-
(If you are one of those "percentage p e r - ly comes up and left picks up pellets
formers" who dote on "laws of average" from tabl" and drops them Into right
instead of sure-fire stuff, then you fist - two at a time. As last two go in
really have something here! The party fist (actually into tip) the tip is
addressed may suffer from a heart ailment. stolen out on left thumb. At once. the
Shouting at him in this manner may result right hand is shaken and duplicate pel-
in his passing out oh the spot - in which lets rolled out on table. Do not get
case you will have achieved a startling rid of tip at this point. Instead,
climax and impressed your, audience no placr all eight fingertips on edge of
end.) He continues: "An initialed slip table, thumbs out of sight, and say, "Se-
of paper in a sealed envelope - held by lect a number, please." As this is
this gentleman. Six paper balls, bearing being done, take green pencil from left
numbers called at random. I shall mix coat pocket - leaving tip. Remove du-
them." (He places them in his closed plicate white slip from envelope and show
fist, shakes them a bit, then rolls them envelope empty. Place slip on back of
out on the table.) "Select one, please", envelope and hand to spectator. Have him
he saya to a nearby spec . "And open it." initial slip with green pencil. (The
(Spectator calls out selected number.) impression is left, in green, on the back
"Take the newspaper and count down to that of slip in false section.) Put initialed
nuruer in the death column. Remember the slip in envelope, seal and hand to spec.
deceased's name!" (Spectator obliges) "Now Have other spec, call out selected num-
let me have the sealed envelope, please," b'er and ask him to count down to name in
(Performer tears it open and shakes the death column. (fifth name, for example)
initialed slip out. There - in large and tell him to remember the name. Pro-
green letters - is a name. It proves to cede to burn the othnr pellets - gaze in
be the name of the deceased party! Ugh!! to smoke - and finally a-sk for envelope.
Will someone please turn on the radio? And Tear it o^en, across sealed end, and blow
get Benny Ck>odi..an if possible! into It to separate the false section
Well, let's explain the business: - The from real envelope. Snake the duplicate
envelope is prepared. Use a pay envelope a white (and Initialed) slip out. Crumple
small one about size of those that contain envelope and drop in side pocket as spec,
"Scrapbook" gimmicks. You will need two of verify the dead name.
them. One is left Intact. The other has If you like tuis sort of thing you'll
all three sides, at edge, clipped off. This find that this one is quite up to par.
leaves you with one piece - with flap at Personally, I prefer to sleep at night!
top. Insert this piece inside the other
envelope. First, however, a piece of green
carbon paper should be tabbed to the in-
side, back, of the real envelope. Just a
few drops of glue at the corners. A slip
of white paper, slightly shorter than the
envelope, is then inserted in envelope -
between the carbon and back of false sec-
tion. This slip bears the name of deceased
party, in green crayon. (Say, the fifth
party in colurin.) The job is completed by
wetting real flap and fastening it secure-
ly to fals-1 flap. Envelope may now be
shown "empty" and "unprepared." In other
words, you have made up an envelope very
similar to the old mind-reading "Impres-
sion" gag.
Have a duplicate white slip handy. Also
a green crayon or pencil. And a packet of
cigarette papers. Now - to the number
switch:
Six duplicate pellets, all bearing the
nunber 5 (for example) are contained in a
thumb tip. Tne tip is conc<aled in upper,
left vest pocket - held tnere by a "hol- * suRe IT'S A. G O O D TRICK N --BUT W H V Trie
der." Tip hangs lnsiie of pocket, flat
side against body. When y>u go to your TlMOTHS* J DONLlM
PUBLISHED MONTHLY ^ ^ ' ^ 5
JANUARY 1947 ^ ^ ^ " " ^
NLWBER THIRTY-SEVEN " ^ ^ - ^ " ^ * ^ ^ ^ B
byFrah\ M. Chapman
Offif tSICtS Ott tO It ISSOCIlttD fit I til Few magicians seem to realize it, but
moiams no sst HIM TO tit statist irnct. tits, the effect of a borrowed watoh, broken and
til tOO 01 fil tltl tOMKT Hdltli; til BIti II III later found in the center of a loaf of
tIKOI tltl JillOf. til tltMB 3H0III0 till IDl BBTiL, bread is almost as strong in the mind of
no 11 tus asi. 111 iita 11 tn iotr or BSIAD the public as the rabbit from the hat.
*iti ntii curmi.soM tints 111 tuci is tit asiitb Perhaps it is because the watch trick was
on, nt noil oftti it is Btctist in tsn us Pit a feature number on the programs of "old
* OOOD Bin or us on nisonnti 1110 in nrici timers" and has come to be regarded as a
01 us in iroi k 10rii rnsntitioi tut smuts classic-of-its-day. I have had speotators
'in notmisur. SICI ti irrict is ins on -
say %o me, after seeing my presentation of
THE MITCH IN THE LOAF OF BREAD* i t»9lT Qttif trr-
the watch in loaf, "I have often heard of
tct, its nstoir otenn. Bit us nti ttntor-
that trick, but this is the first time
Kllt inCltP II I.Mil 110 IIIIS Alt DOtS OOOS HtO-
I've ever seen it. It's the most wonder-
10 - FRANK M. CHAPMAN.
ful trlok I've ever seen. It must be a
difficult thing to do - like that rope
THE BAT IS fgOBD tO It I Sit 10 fMIStfl HIS trick." When they say "Like that rope
met to TOI. its mutts, sitct ML onr- trick," they tell the whole story. The
*H IS IOW SIKttttlllD riOM KtOIC It IS nttllO watch in loaf has taken on an "aura of
flit on or TOI nti orn tns ttiot no ISI it to mystery" that makes it ten tlmea as val-
its must autumn. uable to magicians. The trick is "sold"
Continued on page 203
PAGE 202 THE BAT NUMBER T H I R T Y - S E V F K ,
complete with demonstrations. Wonder how »t
will stand up to recent medical claims that
it take two hours to hypnotize a person?
And we close this issue of the
with a quote of Hilalre Belloc's:
"TOien I am dead, I hope it may be sala
"His sins were scarlet, but his booko '
were read."
JOIN THE TAB.
Published monthly by MAGIC LIMITED at Yours for good reading
4064 - 39th Avenue, Oakland 2, California.
Subscription rate is $2.00 a year; SIX
issues il.OO; single copies 25fl excepting Lloyd <EJ. J o n W
special issues so designated.
Send all correspondence to THE BAT,
c/o Lloyd E. Jones, at address above. •
LLOYD E. JONES EDITOR
THERON FOX ASSISTANT EDITOR
ROBERT GUNTHER _ „ ART EDITOR
.
H1,UBER THIRTY-SEVEN THE BAT PAGE 205
IN LOAF CONCLUDED aa superb mystery, I might go so far as to
nt].eman. Hand him the packet and Immediate- pit i t against i t s bigger brothers - the
ly return to platform.) "There you are air, lllusiona. So, don't overlook the Watch in
you will open the parcel you will find the the Loaf!
1
o h completely restored! Thank you! (he
oourse, finds nothing. Nearby spectators Two Hours to See
-111 begin laughing again.) Will you hold it A Lifetime to Remember
UP f° r gj-1 t o 8 e e ' N o » N o ^ t h e P a P er > the
watch! Please 1.(the laugh grows again) Whats
that? Nothing in the paper? Well, ah - well,
f.hat'H the first time that's ever happened.
Yf"~you'll Just see me after the show I'll
straighten everything out with you, sir.
Yes, olr. (appear to dismiss the whole affair
then start into another trick -) Say, "We*
11 go on with something else. For my next
mystery, I'd like to borrow several diamond
rings" (Said seriously, and another howl!)
Appear surprised at the laugh, then say, *
perhaps I'd better skip that one. Oh, by the
way! You say that was a valuable watch, sir?"
(he admits it was). You suddenly swing a-
round to chair - (you have palmed watch
while addressing gentleman) - piok up the
loaf of bread and thrust the watch through
the silt. This is bold -but CERTAIN. Don't
be afraid of it! The follow-up is excellent
cover for it. Lets go into more detail here:
have watch palmed in right hand - turn to
chair and place both hands on loaf - left on
top and right hand at back - don't try to
get watch in at that moment! - Just start It
In - then finish the Job as you step forward
holding bag out In both hands. Say, "All
, Right, sir. I'll give you something in ex-
i change. This is worth a lot of dough, (don't
mind the pun - they'll laugh at anything now
- tear bag off bread and toss aside). "Will
you please Just step here for a moment,
please! Come right up!" (he'll come - don't
worry.) Keep loaf in full view. Hold it with
Bllt to back, in right hand, with thumb over
silt. When spectator oomes up, place him on
your right.
And now in to the finish: Tear wax wrap-
per off and hold loaf out to spectator -
etlll keeping thumb over silt. Say, "Feel it,
freah isn't It?" He squeezes top of loaf.
Turn to table, slide tray over one "well,"
ana place loaf (on side-slit to back)over The new Virgil Show in December was con-
other well. This hides everything from spect- oludlng its California tour and destined to
ator. Say, "Do you like your slices thiok Invade eventually the East. Barring mishaps,
or thin, sir?" Whatever his reply, you out it will not return for three years. The ad-
off a big slice about two inches thick. (A- vance bookings speak well for this show now
nother laugh) Say, "And plenty of butter too, oarrylng five people and every attendee is
I'll bet!" (ohuok him under chin as you say destined to spend one of his most pleasant
evenings watching maglo.
this. More howls, especially if he is fat).
Continue to slloe loaf until you come to slit New drops brighten the show from the
- then cut directly down so knife completes opening spread of "Virgil" to the attractive
out made by slit.) Stop - and say, "I think back drop of blaok that serves well in spec-
I've hit a bone!" Lay knife aside. Piok up ial bits and finds effective use in black-art
loaf and break it at slit. Say, "Reach in- displays.
•lae and take it out." He removes his watohj Carrying its own muslo through loud-
jjreak loaf completely in half and toss on speakers, the curtains open on a dim stage
table. (Evidence is removed in event some with a bubbling oauldron and appropriately
curious person gets the loaf after the show) grouped and attired assistants. A flash, and
i 8 ^ "And there's your watch! Just as happy Virgil appears and steps down from the oauld-
f aa It ever was! Thank you!" He returns to ron. In rapid fashion he does the vanish-
B
»at - and you garner a very swell hand. ing cane (and reproduction), flowers, birds,
Note: When I speak of this trlok as the and bowl of water from foulard, a good radio
An vanish and then from a frame of paper bear-
effect on a list of the 10 greatest, I ing a top hat; silks, a blooming bush, and
of oourse; exclusive of Illusions. And finally Julie, appropriately dressed as a
for real entertainment value, as well rabbit.
CONTINUED ON PASE 209 -SECOND COUIMN
PAGE 206 THE BAT NUMBER THIRTY-S
t&.
T?DCR/C/CS
Under this heading we Intend to fre- from the table and insert it in the pack. To
quently bring you choice items from the writ- the audience it appears you have merely in-
ings of one of magic's masters, Glenn G. serted the card correctly In the deok but
Gravatt, a man whose name will be recorded in undercover of this move the "card" is reversed
history for the writing and compiling of one and the initialled side is what confronts the
of the greatest and most valuable of all mag- magician as he closes the deck. Now, a shuffle
ical books, the ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SELF-,WORKING or two or a series of cuts that will separate
CARD TRICKS. Frankly, the supply of this the cards are done and the initialled card
sort of material is practically unlimited. can then be shown to have turned over in the
The amount we offer you depends on your re- deck.
action. Do you like this type of card trick?
Old, but overlooked in the rewritten En-
cyclopedia of Card Tricks is this SELF WORK- QUEElJlE TURNS OVER
ING PREDICTION. It Is still good and very easy
to do. Use a red backed pack and a double backed
A spectator shuffles his own deck, then red card. Dab diachylon on one side of the lat-
separates It into two face up piles, one red, ter and also on the face of a Queen. Hold the
the other black. He turns the heaps over and Queen with the db behind it, an Ace in front,
selects one. Meanwhile you write a prediction and a second Ace behind. Show in a fan back
and place it where it can be read at the con- and front so that you appear to be holding
clusion of the trick. only three cards.
You never at any time touch the deck. He Close the fan and squeeze, making the
turns up the Xwo top cards of his heap. Sup- Queen adhere to the baok of an Ace. Holding
pose the pips total thirteen. He counts down the cards face down, remove the middle card
to the thirteenth card In the other heap. The (supposedly the Queen but really the db) and
predictions names this very card. place on the table. Show the two Aces back and
METHOD: It is an easy matter, while he front.
is separating the cards into two heaps, the With Aces faoe up, piok up the supposed M
red cards in one, the black ones in the other, Queen from the table and Insert It apparently™
for you to watch the first two cards dealt in- face down between the two Aces. Close fan a-
to either heap. Quickly totalling their value gain and press, making the db adhere to the
you count the cards falling in the seoond back of the Queen. Seaparate the Ace from the
heap until you spot the oard which hits the faoe of the Queen with a slight push and show
correct position. During the rest of the the three cards are faoe up. The Queen has
dealing, you busy yourself writing the name mysteriously turned over. Backs and faoes of
of this card on a slip of paper which Is the oards can then be freely shown.
folded and laid on the table.
After spectator finishes separating the
cards and has turned the two piles face down TWIN ACES
you ask him to pick one up. If he picks up
the pile whose two top cards you have used in Dab diachylon on any card's face. On It
your tally, he is asked to add the value of plaoe an Ace. Press the two together. Lay this
the two top cards. But if he picks up the double card on the table. Overlapping it,
other pile, he is told to place it in his plaoe the other Aoe of the same color. A
pocket for a moment and to turn up the two spectator removes any card from a shuffled
top cards of the other pile on the table, In pack. Show the two Aces (really three cards)
either case he finally counts down to the and plaoe them on top of the paok. Slide off
number in the proper pile and looks at the the top card (the indifferent one) and call-
card, This of course corresponds to your ing it the first Aoe, push it in the middle
prediction. of the pack. Slide the next card off and put
it on the bottom (Aoe). Have the selected
oard put on top of the paok and let spectator
give deck a complete cut. Although Aces were
TURNO supposedly separated they now oome together
with the chosen oard between them.
Dab diachylon on the face of the bottom A^.1 the above tricks using diachylon
card of the paok. Thus prepared, have a oard were explained fully in the original Encyolo-
freely chosen and plaoe it faoe down on the pedia but will be given here in brief form
faoe of the deok (on top of the prepared oard) for those who may have missed this book or
supposedly doing so to offer a rest for the for those who like to have tricks of the samefl
oard.as the speotator initials it on the baok. type together. Many who then did not appre-
Lift it off with the other oard secretly at- ciate the value of diachylon and its uses
tached and place it initialled side up on have become acquainted with it and use in
the table. their favorite routines. It enables even the
Now spread the deok with faoea toward novice to perform seemingly difficult sleight
you in a vertloal position. Piok up the "oard" of hand miracles.
PAGE 207
The current B.A.T. selection of Aqua The Emerald Mystery has likewise been widely
Stull's MENTO TEST is a natural. The lat- sold by the Mars Magic Company. In an attrac-
ter is n o w back on the market and will be wide- tive and well produced booklet is full de-
ly sold by the Stull Magic Company whereas A- tails for performing a really great triok.
oua Beado, like the Mento test has been a neg- It is not often that so much trouble is gone
lected item among magicians. As to their value to to explain a card triok, but slnoe It is
we leave it to you B.A.T. members to discover Mr. Warner Perry's favorite he goes to great
through actual use. Personally, we know that lengths to convinoe you that it oan and
our first demonstration of Aqua Beado brought should be a favorite of yours. I think he
two sales from the three spectators (the succeeds, hence its selection as part of a
third one was a B.A.T. member anyway!) and we fine February selection.
also know the value of the Mento Test through
actual use. Carry both in your pooket and you ALTERNATE SELECTION
can present them at any time. This too is our last list of alternates
THE MAGIC PENNY for with the opening of the B.A.T.'s second
year will go out a complete list of availa-
Last month's selection, the Magic Penny ble alternates to be used during the entire
has already brought repeat sales. This as year. That list should and must be filed a-
well as the two above are in stook by most way for some may have reason to refer to It
good dealers now for they are becoming ac- for alternate selections. Those not wanting
quainted with its value too. Captain Charles the dual selection of ASHES UP and EMERALD
Howard favors us with a version that he says MYSTERY for February should mail in their al-
will please Frank Chapman and those of you ternate oholce promptly. Select one item
who like good tricks for the bar, table or from the list below.
impromptu work. By means of cobbler's wax
(a shoemaker, you Americans'.) he fastens the F ALTERNATES
magnet inside a liquor bottle cap. If poss- 1. Inspired Magical Effects - Eastman. 2. The
kible.qhe gets a number of caps from the wait- Magic Penny. 3. Dainty Deceptions - Palhinha.
jper or bartender and palms his in to the lot. 4. Mento Test and Cremo! 5. Poker Demonstra-
Now taking three he arranges them behind his tion. 6. Liberty Magazine Test. 7. The Blue
Canadian Nickel or magic penny and can do a Bug. 8. Ashes Up and Joker Monte. 9. Super
real three card monte with the ooin obliging- Rope Stretch. 10. I've Got Your Number.
ly disappearing when desired. Other moves MILLION DOLLAR PUZZLE
and routines are certain to suggest themselves Johnnie Murray reports that the man in
to the uses of this novel idea. Further, the Million Dollar Puzzle didn't even have to
states the good Captain, one can even put a go into the room to save him! You see, says
few b b's under the liner of one of the opae Johnnie, he was a mind-reader! He happened
and have a usable set of rattle bars. to be Just sitting around reading the BAT
END OF JTIRST YEAR - FEBRUARY SELECTION (like mlndreaders do, with their minds else-
where) when he got the thought waves of the
The first year of the B. A.T. ends with drowning millionaire. Quick as a flash he
the February selection. This means some 6 or answered and told the old man to pull out
700 expirations. You can thus see why we have the plug and so saved his life. Johnnie also
been trying to get some of you to sign up be- says he got the million (his friend) because
fore February so we will not have a last min- he sent his name and address at the save time1.
ute swamp of reenrollments. And since the Ho hum. Hohoho hum.
Uaroh 1947 is going to be that three dftllar A guy like that oould put Dunnlnger to
selection we have been bragging about It must shame (and probably does, Johnny).
be evident that there will be no "free" mail-
Ings trusting members to enroll later! Do it
NOW! Mall in that six dollars! Your B. A. T. THE JACKpOj.
membership in 1947 will bring you even more
. enjoyment than it has in 1946, and I am sure The Jackpot! An outstanding feature of
that none of you are dissatisfied with.the the B. A. T. to which many members look for-
1946 values. Its one way you can keep in- ward to eaoh money.. Usually, it is an attrac-
flation down ~ by getting more for your mon- tive buy and this months should be no excep-
ey through the B.A.T. tion. Call this one No. 12 and for it send
February's selection will be another dual in your B. A. T. Number - and One dollar!
offering, - ASHES UP, from the Wallaoe Magio 1. BOUNCING BUBBLES - $1.00, a popular
°sShop and Emerald Mystery, by Warner Perry. effeot of last year that is still amusing
•In Ashes Up, we have a fine burnt tissue pap- and entertaining many.
er restoration effect that has graoed many 2. More Effeotive Card Tricks - 50/<f -
a professional's show. Correct material and Christianer. A good assortment.
the necessary Instructions are given that 3. Joker Monte - 50^ - a Chas. T. Jord-
should you to learn to like this effect that an masterpiece.
^8 easy to perform and delightful to watch. ALL THREE ITEMS * ONE DOLLAR * JACKPOT No.12
PAGE 2 0 8 THE BAT NUMBER THIRTY-SEVFM
The Most Elaborate Magical Production in the World AN APOLOGY ~~
THE MAGICIANS OF THE GREATER EAST BAV WOULD
LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY OF STATING THAT
AS A GROUP THEY HAO NOTHING WHAT EVER TO DN
WITH THE SH6PARO SHOW. FURTHER, THEY WOULOL I K
TO TELL THEIR FRIENDS AND THROUGH THEM THEG E J
AL PUBLIC THAT ALL MAGIC SHOWS SHOULD NOT BE
JUDGED BY ONE. ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO WAY FOR THT
GENERAL PUBLIC TO USUALLY TELL THE MERITS OF *
PERFORMANCE BEFOREHAND THEY WISH TO STATE THAT
MAGIC IS - AND CAN BE ENTERTAINING, A*O WHEN ANY
GROUP STAGES AN EVENING OF MAGIC MUCH THOUGHT
PREPARATION AND REHEARSAL HAS GONE INTO IT.
WE ARE SORRY THAT THIS SHOW WAS EVER FOISTED ON
AN UNSUSPECTING PUBLIC, BUT HOPE THAT BECAUSE
OF IT YOU AND YOU FRIENDS HAVE LEARNED THAT
SOOD ADVERTISING DOES NOT MAKE A SHOW GOOD , NOD
DOES EXPERIENCE MAKE ONE A CAPABLE PERFORMER.
on men andbooks
Merlini's second mystery (see below) I s Ooodllffe's MAOIC MONTHLY was due to ap-
The Clue of the Broken Legs. Wonder i f any pear on English newsstands on December 16th.
jnag icians will be prize winners? How about i t Abracadabra's Editor states it is strictly
Bill Woodfield? Intended for amateur Instruction and aid.
CLAYTON RAWSON, mystery editor of Ziff- ERIK BENJAMIN KATTNER (8 lbs) arrived on
Davis Publishing Company has started a series December 5th. Papa Wilbur Kattner claims he
of short-shorts in Ellery Queen's Mystery Mag- lost eight pounds awaiting Eric's arrival but
azine. Each will feature Merlini, that cele- finds it a relief now to have Mamma and the
brated magician-detective, and each will stop new son both doing well. Congratulations! Pa-
just short of the actual solution. A #100 pa Wilbur spends his spare time creating new
First prize for the best solution offers a magic for the TAB. His OFF THE BEATEN PATH is
chance for you to match wits with a master the first selection of that book club and con-
while t h i r t y of prizes of $5.00 enlarges the tains a collection of tested magic.
opportunity of winning. First story, The Clue I'LL BET YOU CAN'T
of the Tattooed Man (bet I t was the husband!)
appeared in the December issue.
Four thousand copies of the DIME AND PEN-
I'LL BE the February selection of
the TAB, had a wide sale
during the Christmas sea-
NY BOOK (by Lloyd E. Jones) are now in p r i n t ! son. Wise magicians will
Not a bad record for a specialized dollar s e l - EASY frequently refresh their
ler. CHALLENGE memories by consulting
**vJUST PUBLISHED * » TRICKS
• NO SKILL NEEDED
I'll Bet You Can't for
impromptu tricks and
New cover Jacket for MEMOIRS OF ROBERT • NO GADGETS
HOUDIN ($2.50) features story of how Houdlni Clever fun. Everyone joins in. stunts to spring on their
adopted his name . The boy Ehrlch Weiss, at But they need this book to win. friends. At all dealers
sixteen came across the book now in reprint 120 drawings. Crystal - clear or through the new book
text. $1.00 plan. A good dollar buy.
I whloh gave naglc the dignity Houdlni felt it
} needed. Later, as you may know, Houdlni turned Meet T. R. (Tom-
quite bitter and exposed the master. my) Thomson of Duned-
We misquote a Mr. Bill Targ - Everybody in, New Zealand. Well
in magic has half a mind to write book, and known down under for
does. — Moral, Join the TAB and read (JOOD his vent and radio
magical literature. work he has magical
In the rumor department we find reports correspondent friends
of two books contemplated by Carl W. Jones scattered throughout
whose GREATER MAOIC, etc. are standards at the world. He i s also
which every good publisher aims. One is a new an active playing cardl
book by Al Baker. The other is by that mod- collector and owner of|
est Indian magician P. C. Sorcar. a fine collection. A
Peter Warlock's PENTAQRAM, whose first letter from him is al-j
number was dated October, 1946 sold out with- ways welcome for it lal
in a week. Dealers have still some stock of Informative and instr-|
the November issue at 20/i a copy. The PENTA- uctlve. Did you know
GRAM la a six paged paper with an Annemann- for example, that the
Jlnx tinge. In fact, the February number will N. Z. Kiwi lays an egg|
be new material from Jinx contributors. It is weighing over a pound
now the only British magic monthly and if the although it is only a-l
nigh quality of material continues, which It bout the size of our common hen? Even Steve
should it is bound to expand. Shepard can't match that!
ABRACADABRA, the English weekly (15^ a The new edition of Al Baker's WAYS AND
copy, 12 for $1.75) now nears the thousand MEANS ($3.50) with a smaller page although
ffl
ark in American distribution. A recent issue type size remains the same is now ready. The
contained an Invisible Pass by Eric Lewis, cover too now has a better appearance. Over
over which a controversy is bound to ensue. sixty trioks, which you may think you already
Tommy Windsor tackles a magazine for de know only to read a master's explanation to
dealers named the JACKPOT- It features Wind- learn there 18 a difference.
sor products of course, discusses some deal- Bert Easley of drunk act fame takes his
er problems and gives advertising helps. Too New Jersey Cosmetologist examinations In Jan-
V&d the so-called dealer's association can't uary and after further training Intends to
•^plicate Mr. Windsor's feat and go a step open his own shop according to a clipping re-
"arther by naming "louses" and calling a spade cently received. It is also stated Bert has
* spade a spade — with details. Dealers would a textbook on entertaining children with magic
8
doing themselves a favor by obtaining a cop- on the press and will continue magic as a
or
at least try to get one and learn why hobby. From "Hare to Hair." Hmmm.
are not on the favored list. A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!
PAGE 2 1 2 TWE BAT NUMBER THIRTY SEVEN
BULLETIN NO. 41, Playing Card Collectors Ass- (Phone WI. 7-6137) NEW YORK 18, N. Y.
ociation, November, 1946.
CANADIAN MAGICAL METHODS, Vol. 1, Allan Lambie DESMONDS UTILITY NAPKIN 341
CARD FANTASIES, Edward G. Love. Hollywood's Latest Liquid-ation MARKET J
I'LL BET YOU CAN'T. Lewis Kohrs (autographed). The four corners of a white napkin are gathered into the hand. STREET \
RINGS IN YOUR FINGERS, Dariel Fltzkee A full glass of any liquid is poured into the bag shape formed.
PARLOR PUZZLERS, CARD TRICKS, BIG BAG OF Napkin is shaken out — Liquid has vanished — napkin is dry.
TRICKS, AMATEUR MAGICIAN, EYE FOOLERS, all by Well made for long use. Ready to work. Postpaid $3*50
SAN
W. H. Harper, Cpry. 1943. STULL RICE BOWLS FRANCISCO 5,
ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE, No. 37, No.38
A beautiful, polished aluminum spun set of bowls of extreme CALIF
BUT NOT TO PLAY, by Wilfred Jonson. accuracy. No fear of the water spilling until you want it. Shaped
CONVINCING COIN MAGIC, Victor Farelll. for easy handling. STULL quality Bowls. Postpaid $6.50
SLOW SLEIGHTS, (3rd ed.) E. Brian MacCarthy.
THUMBS UP!, John Kenyon STULL MAGIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
SIMPLY WIZARD, by Goodllffe
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE CRAZY, by Frances Ireland
THE BAT, DECEMBER, 1946.
THE GREAT BALSAMO, Maurice Zolotow.
THE DEAD DO NOT TALK, Jullen Proskauer.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PATTER (2nd Edition) Robert
Orben. They're
Back
by f
Roscoe Gaylord ' BEGGER M A N APE
Assistant has Harlequin holder with cig-
arette showing, between his lips. Magician
hae Bang Gun, which he makes much to do a-
"Pull-On" Rubber Masks
bout it being an Atomic Ray Gun that explodes
with a terrific bang and causes material to For PARTIES • For FUN
disintegrate. He aims at assistant's cigar- Comfortable, pliable latex "over the head" masks. They
ette Both make much of "noise" that will look REAL—even smile and move their lips. Wearer
follow, the danger, etc. until finally the can talk, smoke, eat or drink while wearing them. Great
fun for parties . . . Other grotesque numbers now in work.
magloian pulls the trigger. The curtain
drops down showing the BANG legend and the AND ONLY $2.95 EACH! Now in stock again.'
cigarette disappears from the'holder! Ass- Other styles in preparation. Place your order
istant acts pleased and surprised. Audience N O W !
laughs, and although this does riot sound like
much in print it really is terrific when pre- MAGIC LIMITED- JX*J £
sented by anyone with a flare for comedy. 4064—39th Ave., Oakland 2, Cal.
PUBLISHED MONTHLY
FEBRUARY 1947
NUMBER THIRTY-EIGHT
DOUBLE DEALING DOLLAR from other books or items from his scrap-
book '-But only PERCY ABBOTT WOULD HAVE NERVE
EBOUGH TO ADVERTISE THIS AS ORIGINAL MAGIC!
This little gag fooled me several times Why? Percy.
before Charlie Toepke let me on to the fact If I were a reader of this "Original
that it was Just a gag - a slick trick to material," I'd send it back and demand a re-
slick the suckers. Holding a dollar between fund. If I were Percy Abbott, I'd apologize
thumb and fingers so that it faces the spect- for advertising for H0NTH8 such "original"
ators with a full flat side view (upright), material ~ and for TWO AND A HALF!
the thumb of the opposite hand moves behind Tommy Windsor's JACKPOT In Its second
it as the fingers close over in a sort of a issue comments favorably on the action of
vertical tourniquet. Asks Charlie, which hand? Southern California Magic Dealers organiz-
And no matter which hand I chose I was always ing and takes pot shots at others and a
wrong! number of unfavorable actions current with
Simple secret lay in the fact that TWO the men who handle magic. He also announces
dollars were used. This beinp: concealed by the coming of a DOPE SHEET ANNUAL THE DYE
the fingers and further, not suspected by the BOX BOOK, SUCCE$$ IN MAGIC, and SIGNATURE
viewer. Opposite hand actually takes one dol- CARTOONS. Looks like a busy year for Tommy
lar away - BUT no matter which hand was point- too! Are you a DOPE? A dollar makes you one
ed to, it was the OTHER that was opened to Golden Gate Magic Company's GO-GA-MA
disclose the presence of the dollar! Being Production Box advertised In the previous
repeated several times only added to the mys- BAT is an excellent item. Having seen it
tery. in action, I can testify to its load cap-
Later, I could see the use of this acity and cleverness of concealment.
move with a shell dollar and Insert (yes, Merv Taylor's FLASH HOULETTE is wln-
they can be had - price? about ten to fift- lng lots of favorable comment mainly be-
een dollars). Perhaps the future writers cause the spectator seems to do all the
will mention that the Idea first appeared work. The quality is excellent as is all
here. Taylor Made equipment.
uiilBER THIRTY-EIGHT THE BAT PAGE 215
on men andbooks
The TAB selection for March will be by Here is another gentle-
those popular writers Sid Pleischman and Bob man we have long known in
Gunther. If you like magic such as the feat- magic but have never met.
ure trick of this issue Friends, this is Professor
or our recent PAIN IN Flat. Long a resident of San
THE DECK (since stolen Joaquin, California, in earl-
overseas), this will be ier days he was a noted Mex-
certain to furnish good ican magician and boyhood
reading and good magic companion of Senor Maldo. In
for you. It was origin- the last year several of the
ally Intended as the good Professor's tricks, not-
first TAB book, but the ably, colorful paper flowers
appearance of the BLUE have appeared on the market. PROFESSOR FIAT
BUG, by the same ingen- Jerry Arends, who does considerable
ious duo lead to the travelling for the American Box Company has
choice of that book for made a start toward becoming a second Dub-
first bonus book and the can Hlnes. In December, the first Issue of
placing of TOP SECRET on a newsy four page folder came from him
the list as our March selection. Well
W l l illus-
l termed THE KNOTHOLE. Intended to discuss
trated and in uniform size with the other the people and places he meets in his travels
books, TOP SECRET will be found to be a sel- it will also mention choice places to eat.
ect bunch of magical items of top drawer Hence, the Duncan Hines leaning. And of course
quality rating as top secret. It will be ob- since Jerry is a magician, they will not go
tainable direct or from the dealers at the unnoticed! ThJs first issue mentions Maldo
published price, one dollar. and Nina's El Charro (in Santa Barbara), Dr.
THE BLUE BUG ($1.), OFF THE BEATEN PATH Victor Trask, and Lyle Laughlln (Carlyle).
r ($1.), I'LL BET YOU CAN'T ($1.), are all now Good work! Keep it up Jerry!
Obtainable from Magic Limited or your near- The above mentioned Dr. and Carolyn
est dealer. TOP SECRETS ($1.) will be mailed (Maglgal)Trask are now established in the Can-
on March 15th. Join the TAB and keep pace with al Zone and have already had pleasant visits
these books of good magic. with Arturo Lopez and his wife.
J. B. Bobo, whose WATCH THIS ONE is sched- MAGIC IS FUN with its current fourth is-
uled for early TAB release has started his sue announces it will no longer appear on
winter tour (Jan. 6th) in Arizona. From there the newsstands. Future issues (82.00 a year)
ne is scheduled to tour Oregon and California. will be obtainable only through magic deal-
This covers his appearances till May. ers or direct. Next issue, No. 5 also brings
Among the Christmas a raise in prloe to 35/ a copy. Earlier ones
cards this past season were are still 25/.
several of more than pass- The CORNISH PIXIE, popular English war-
ing interest. The earliest time publication of Miss Vivian St. John has
came in November - the been suspended. She is now doing governmental
last on January 7th. One research which takes her about the country
from China (Joseph Herman too much to afford time for a magical maga-
Yee) bore #3600 in stamps. zine. Work though is progressing on her
Those odd ones from Sid book which has been tabbed for early TAB pub-
Lorraine, Dell O'Dell, Har- lication.
ry BJorklund, to name a Wlnchell reports a ventriloquist, Al
few were clever bits of Robinson, by name as having a novelty lush
Yuletlde Spirit. The phot- dummy and adds that with gag-writers he could
os, however received the be sensational.
closest scrutiny. Don't C. R. Tracy is slowly getting back to
you like to receive them the old-grind. His doctor though makes him
too? Such ones were those keep banker's hours which should afford more
of Thomas Palmer who stands time for his beloved books, Down's collection
in professional attire to and the entertaining of his many friends.
the right; Harold Beaumont,
Ray-Mond, the Phil Thomases, Its a safe wager to make that Dr. Clar-
, the Theron Foxes, The Ray ence Talbot will be elected new head of the
Muses, Ruth and Art Jennings, Spokane Mystic Club at its 34th annual din-
1
Professor Fiat, Charles ner and show, February 15th. He has held off-
"<*« PALMER Toepke, and R. S. Glover. ice for 33 years in succession!
ABRACADABRA has been creating a good Next month, H. Syrll Dusenberry will
a
eal of interest through its running of a discuss an Important factor of a good show
juries of INVISIBLE PASS articles. The first with us. That of tempo. It will be instruct-
being by Eric Lewis and the others following ive reading for all. Also tricks by J.B. Bobo,
"lth adaptations or variations. John Larrick, Glenn Gravatt, and others.
PAGE 218 THE BAT NUMBER THIRTY-EIGHT
CONTROLLED COINCIDENCE (IMPROMPTU) didn't I?" And again he agrees. All of which
serves to distract attention from the cuttim?
One of the choicest Items In our orig- While the above talk has been going on
inal Encyclopedia of Card Tricks was descri- you have placed, very deliberately, the top'
bed under the title of "Controlled Coinci- (cut-off) half in the right hand face down
dence." It was marketed a number of years upon the table, and upon top of it, but cross
ago by the Inventor, Victor Farelll, orig- -wise, the bottom half whioh you have been
inator of a number of effects and author of holding in your left hand. This is a rather
many practical treatises on the magic art. bare-faced bit of deception but we have done
This writer has always Included "Con- It hundreds of times and the prooedure has
trolled Coincidence" In his repertoire, but never been questioned. Placing one half on
It may be that others have objected to It top of the other serves (at least by mag-
due to the fact that It was necessary to have ician's logic) to keep track of the cut point
the entire pack prearranged. Here Is my meth- In the deck.
od of accomplishing the effect without any You are now ready to- bring the trick to
stacking or setting up of the deck. Its successful and surprising conclusion.
At the outset, the deck Is borrowed or Nothing remains but a little drama and show-
handed to a spectator who shuffles It and manship. You ask the spectator to turn over
returns It to the performer. Promising to the card on the table on which his hand is
take the cards Just as they come, and not In resting, i.e., the card you originally sel-
any way disarrange the final mixing, the mag- ected. We will assume, the Ten of Clubs.
ician fans them toward himself for Just an "I selected a card, and you cut the
Instant, then selects a card which he places deck," you tell him. "Now if the trlok is
face down on the table. a success, you will find that a strange oo-
The card which you, the magician, se- lncldence results. Before we began, I chose
lects depends upon the top and bottom cards the Ten of Clubs. Look." You turn over the
of the fanned deck. For Instance, suppose the top (cross-wise) portion of the deck and
top card of the shuffled pack Is the Ten of show that its face oard is the Ace of Cluba A
Hearts, and the bottom card the Ace of Clubs. (the original bottom card) and then turn oveij
Quickly looking for either the Ten of Clubs the top oard of the bottom half (the orig-
or the Ace of Hearts you take out the one inal top card) and show that It Is the Ten
that comes up first. of Hearts.
Some fun may be had at this point by "The one card is a CLUB, and the other
telling the spectator that he Is the magio- a TEN," you announce dramatically as you
lan and that you are the spectator, and for point out the affinity existing between then.
him to name the card you have selected and
placed face down on the table. At the same BLUE INTRUDER
time (and while talking) have him cut the The following was contained in the
deck at any point. You take the top (cut- original Encyclopedia, but was omitted
off) portion In your right hand and hold the from the printed edition. Therefore,
remaining portion (bottom) portion In your for the sake of completeness we include
left hand. Sometimes we alter the procedure It here In brief form.
at this point to the extent of slowly riff- Show a red back oard. State that before
ling the deck, and asking the spectator to the performance you placed one blue backed
Insert a nail-file or knife-blade, or even oard in the deok. Spectator is permitted now
the tip of his forefinger anywhere in the to oall out the name of any oard in the deok.
deck. We then ask him to especially note It is shown to have a blue back while the
that we out'the deck at this point and no remainder of the entire deck is red.
other. METHOD: Any blue back oard is plaoed at the
In any event, the deck is separated Into faoe of a red backed deck and its faoe is
two portions and it Is necessary here to dabbed with diachylon. When the oard is
create a slight confusion in the mind of the named, the deok is riffled until the oard la
spectator so that he forgets which is the located. Cut deck at this point and bring
top and which the bottom half. A pause of a the named oard to the faoe of the deok, on
few seconds while talking usually does the top of the prepared oard. Squeeze deok a 11*-
trick. We Impress upon him at this was a free tle, and if desired out deok a few times ana
selection and that he was in no way Influen- then spread to show that there is only one
ced. Sometimes, we separate the halves of the blue backed card in the deok, the one that
deck very slowly and holding them at arm's has Just been named.
length emphasize the faot that there are no It will be obvious that this effect
quick moves to deceive him. licates that of the BRAIN WAVE DECK, credit*
You ask the spectator to put his hand on to Dai Vernon. However, this old method Jus*
the face down card on the table, saying, "I given does not require such an elaborate ae>
haven't touohed it sinoe you first put it up and of course, leaves the deok with only
there, have I?" When he agrees, you continue, one oard short if other tricks are then dea-
"I seleoted the card before you out the deok, lred to be shown.
NUMBER THIRTY-EIGHT THE BAT PAGE 219
Although we did the best we could to- spectator, it will leave him with a profound
ward packing Aqua Beado so that It would impression and create that favorable talk
reach members safely, many arrived In a that is muchly desired. Not Just another
smashed condition. If the cork and beads are trick, this is a routine that you will find
o.k., It should be an easy matter to replace ilving up to your highest expectations.
the bottle since almost any bottle that the Furnished is all necessary material
cork will fit should suffice. The trick has needed and a neat booklet of fourteen pages
been favorably accepted by all, some even that furnishes the know how, two routines,
going so far as to carry an extra bottee and even the patter.
of liquid with them! The Hento Test, on Well! - a three dollar trick for ONE
the other hand Is one that takes a little month's selection! A subscription to a two
work to master and for one to have a liking dollar a year magazine! What more is coming
for mathematics. Once It is mastered though, or can you expect from the B.A.T.? The answer
it too will become a pocket favorite. is - PLENTY!
FEBRUARY SELECT IOH
The current selection of Ashes Up} and
Warner Perry's Emerald Mystery will appeal
THE
especially to those who do small shows,
either at home or before larger groups. Both The Jackpot! We are down to the bottom of
are good to know and to have on tap and If the stack of Dime and Pennies we bought last
not to be currently used can be filed away year and find a number of second quality ones
for future reference and use. The Emerald left. Want one? O.k., send a dollar and your
Mystery in particular has had a lot of atten- B.A.T. number and get a usable D & P (second
tion paid to it and merits your close study. quality) AND a copy of the Dime and Penny
If Mr. Perry thinks so much of it he must Book BOTH for the dollar. Call this one,
have good reasons for so thinking, and that Jackpot 12.
we leave to you to discover. If you'd rather have a Miniature Card
So with this mailing, we complete the Magic, Dainty Deceptions, or Inspired Magic
first year of the B.A.T. Almost every letter Effects instead of the D & P book, please
oontaining a renewal brings praise and com- state your preference.
mendation to the club, its plan, and the
tricks furnished. We intend (and hope) you SHORT. SHOTS
will be as well satisfied in 1947 as you have All previous B.A.T. selections are still
been in 1946, and knowing some of the good available to members, or those wishing to
things on tap, we feel certain you will be! start earlier than with the current select-
Although we did not reach our hoped for ion. In the case of the November, LESSON IN
goal of a thousand members as yet, we still ADVERTISING, a book is substituted for the
feel that is a very definite possibility. supply of advertising examples which Is now
Naturally, we will have some who will not re- exhausted.
npw for various reasons, but a few enthus- Most of the earlier JACKPOTS too, are
iastic members will replace those in the in stock, although in some cases substit-
summing up of the total membership with a ution of an item or two must be made. This
number of others. is done on a value basis, so the amount and
MARCH CHOICE A GOOD ONE assortment prevails although the listing may
For our first selection of the second vary.
year, I am proud to announce that the sel- No alternate is being offered for the
ection is - THE PROLIX SPIRIT - by Wilbur PROLIX SPIRIT since we have no item of like
Kattner. This three dollar Item hit the mark- value to offer as a substitute. However, If
et in late 1945 and we corralled it about a any desire, they may take any of the previous
year later for the B.A.T. Its price and type B.A.T. selections in its place and since
prevented it from having the WIDE use and there are now some eleven of them we will not
distribution It deserves and we in charge of list them.
the B.A.T. really believe we are doing magic A sheet containing the alternate items
a favor by seeing that It gets the B.ATT. available for substitution in 1947 will be
treatment. mailed with the PROLIX SPIRIT on March 1st.
THE PROLIX SPIRIT brings to magic and Roscoe G-aylord sends an idea of value for
nentallsm an entirely new principle that the Magic Penny. He places the gimmick in the
makes possible the production of a specific hem of a handkerchief. Places coins in middle
reply to ANY question the spectator may write and folds corners In. The penny Is thus eas-
concerning his future. The cleverness of the ily located and theres nothing to get rid of!
method Is such that your Editor, who cares Carry both with you and you're always ready.
little for mental magic waxes enthusiastic
Ov
er this system! To the user it will bring a So ends the first year. Happy Valentine's
feeling of self-satisfaction and an Increase Day. See you In March? Or haven't you renewed
in his opinion of his own ability. To the your membership YET?
PAGE 220 THE B NUMBER THIRTY-EIGHT
L
For tnose who wear r i n g s , here i s a novel
"feet u t i l i z i n g that p i e c e ' o f Jewelry. I t i s drops to the side for the beginning of the
usually tne f i r s t close-up effect done by the third pitcn, the ring is tossed Into the left
'Iter, since the ring must be removed to p r e - nand which swiftly slips It onto the finger
a!"? ? n e "talking" of coins and other small from which it was originally removed. Follow
Its Invisible flight upward as before. This
Continued on Page 223
PAGE 222 THE BAT NUMBER THIRTY-N| N F
card magic in general led me to eliminate
many tricks from my long list of "The Best",
A card trick says Bert, to hold attention and
entertain must be short and to the point. i n
volved locations or routines may interest the I
magically minded but not the public and see-
ing the effectiveness of his work I KNOW he
is right! Out the window with "Count down
five cards, etc.! " See Bert if you possibly
can, if not, take my word for it that short
Published monthly by MAGIC LIMITED at tricks with a snap finish are by far the beat
4064 - 39th Avenue, Oakland 2, California. Denis Draglnls postcards that H I have
Subscription rate Is $2.00 a year; SIX already received $10.00 worth of magic In the
Issues $1.00; single copies 25ft excepting BLUE BUG.'1 And to think that is only ONE of
special issues so designated. SIXTEEN such quality books TAB readers will
Send all correspondence to THE BAT, receive in a year of the TAB service! If y ou
c/o Lloyd E. Jones, at address above. could read the nice things received about the
LLOYD E. JONES EDITOR TAB — well, I've always been a modest fellow
THERON FOX ASSISTANT EDITOR — but guess I'll have to begin spreading the
ROBERT GUNTHER ART EDITOR comments of others because so many apparently
don't want to take my personal opinion con-
cerning its worth. TAB books will be mainly
NEW ones with reprints in the minority.
So once agaAn; Chee_rio,
In a recent Hugard's Magic Monthly,
Fred Braue requested lists of reader's five
favored card tricks. The lists are most amus-
ing, entertaining, and Instructive and they
are certain to furnish Fred with material to
comment on for months to come. Personally,
when cornered we made a list consisting of
the following, all of which we do either in
the regular club routine or on available occ-
asions .
1. Buckley's KNOCK 'EM DEAD.
2. Namreh's DIAMOND JACK.
3. Ralph Hull's NAME-O-CARD
4. Ralph Hull's NUDIST DECK CAN THIS HAPPEN HERE?
5. Four ace assembly. Hungarian Pat on Trial Magician and assistant go on
Such a list of necessity had to leave as Torturer for Japs t r i a l f o r torture. I was tor-
SINGAPORE, Jan. 31 [Reuters]— tured by one the other night,
out what I call the Salt Trick, The Brain Wave Josef Kutron, Hungarian, and three
Deck, Stewart James' Red and Black Separation, Japanese went to trial here today. but he had no assistants. Does
Out of this World and other favorites. And They are charged with having tor-
tured Singaporeans at Japanese ges- t h i s make a difference? Please
surely, I'll wager that the consensus list tapo headquarters during the occu- advise. VV2>-
will not only contain the last mentioned a- pation. Kutron is a magician.
Anxiously, Henry.
bove but the Zen's Card Trick too. But, In No, Henry I t does not. I was tortured by
listing favorite tricks those frequently per- one with l o t s of a s s i s t a n t s . There ought to
formed were considered first. be a law — but there i s n ' t . s~.
Then, on later consideration I found
several such lists (of five) that I did not Sorrowfully, i>""Lloyd
due but demanded attention such as those re- JOST ENOUGH ROOM HERE FOR A GAG FROM YOU*
quiring sleight of hand, mathematical calcul-
ation, an elaborate stack or memorization, or Didja hear about the character who sent
an especial skill. Digging back we also found h i s friends a box containing eleven white
a list I had prepared some two years ago for a mice - and a note, "Hope you have a lot of
series of class lessons in which the best card fun with these frisky twelve." - Yuk, yuk.
tricks were listed. Time has worked hard on Local paper states that a mosquito
some of them and the recent visit of Bert All- will bite a rabbit in preference to a human
erton here wrecked havoc on others. being. So then, a l l you have to do when you
Then, we pondered on the really great go on a picnic i s to be sure to have a rabbit
card tricks we have seen (and we can't do them to pull out of your hat!
!) — and THAT is a list. But being what I am, Wayne Rohlf writes that he found a spot
a none-too skilled worker with a gift of gab, where Kllroy hadn't been. Seems that Richard
-I'll stand on my original selection (Well, wouldn't open the door.
maybe I'd shove the Salt Trick In in place Wayne also says h i s g i r l went into the
of the Four ace assembly on a show down). Beauty Shop and got a snood (t) f u l l . My,
Bert Allerton, whose skill Improves with my, such women — or should I say, beauty
the years fascinated local magicians with his shops?
adroit table work. Without equal in the Nat- And as George Mayhew suggests, - when
Ion his specialized work is a drawing card that t r i c k goes wrong, just state as the
where ever he performs, although his stay at mortician did when the coffin slipped out -
the Pump Room in Chicago is seemingly without guess I ' l l have to rehearse that! - Oh oh.
end. In the card line his routine, polished Now l e t s go down to autmobile row so the)
by constant performing and his comments on can see what a couple of real wrecks look
NUMBER THIRTY-NINE THE BAT PAGE 223
and even sundry (if he's present).
RINGO
Continued fro« FRONT PAGE
Tne loaded finger is bent In to the palm
as the forefinger points to the left hand, the
entire action being natural and not forced.
The left hand is plainly empty. Now the left
,g the misdirection that allows you time to hand swings over to the right as the body
adjust the ring on the proper finger. As you shifts to the right. The loaded finger pushes
continue gazing upward looking for the ring, the roll into the left palm as that hand
bring the left hand up and stroke the chin in closes over it and point to the right In a re-
verse of the action of the right. This is a
a quizzical manner, In a moment the spectators natural move too and also serves to disclose '
will notice the ring back on the finger and the emptiness (now) of the right palm. The
there is your climax. Act as if you are as left hand is next extended as the palm wraps
surprised as they. around the roll and the thlmb is turned over
Master this and you will have a dandy to the floor. This is so that the handker-
method of vanishing almost any small article. chief (s) may be easily removed, following
To vanish a half-dollar, flip It into the air which a more normal position can be taken if
a couple of tlmea and then make the secret desired. Then comes the bills, which are un-
behind-the-back throw and palm it in the left rolled and spread to make the largest display
hand. Bring the left up with the right for and finally the palm is opened to show the
the final throw. The spectators see the right large ring which is bounced on it to prove its
hand empty and presume that the left la empty solidity. Truly an entertaining bit of magic.
also, because if the left Is held in a natur-
al position it will not be suspected. The Patter? - well, it could be like this: -
coin can be produced from a spectator's ear "My wife went shopping today, but carne home
or clothing, if desired. apparently empty handed. I asked, no purchases?
And she said, oh yes! (show hands). I bought a
dress (or some silk). Yen, I guess you spent
all my money! Oh no{ dear, I have some change!
(The bills). And, I even brought a nice present
home for you! (the ring).
With the lottery ticket set-up, you can
patter about losing your shirt (white silk) be-
cause you marked your ticket wrong (display),
and almost had to pawn your ring, etc.
l/fi'ttity With the Easter or Christmas card the
patter can blend around the gift theme with
the rln,; being a present to yourself. Other
ideas will readily suggest themselves to the
users of this novel bit of business. Try this
on your friends once or twice and you will
soon be performing it regularly on the spur
by of tne moment seemingly.
John Larrick Now with the two ring tricks above, that
Like a good trick that is practically of Mr. Larrick and llr. Bobo, the first follow-
impromptu and Just a little bit different? ing the second, you have the start of an im-
Here is a production for you that can be done promptu routine. What shall v/e do nextt
on a momenta notice, has a good mystery angle
and can be adapted for most any season. For DON'T YOU
example, by using a lottery ticket instead of CONTRADICT ME !'
the bills mentioned one can develope a patter
line about gambling and what happened. Or,
with a Valentine, or Easter Card it will fit
those seasons and It should be obvious that
other cards can be obtained and used for other
times of the year.
The magician shows his left hand empty,
then his right. Closes his lend hand into a
fist and from it produces first a silk, a
number of dollar bills and finally a large
r
lng. Needed of course are all the items, or
a
similar set of materials — and nothing
else. The ring preferably should be one of
;
nose massive ornamental rings affected by
^any magicians; often of Mexican silver with a
2vllis head or Chinese gold with a dragon,
;c
- In this is placed the dollar bills rolled
e
£ ngthwlse. This set is now pushed on to the
^ i r ^ finger of the right hand Into the ex-
1 end a silk or even two, depending on the
and quality is pushed and the magician is
to perform. Impromptu, all you'd have
to is say, "Pardon me a minute," turn your
. slip your ring off, insert bills and
handkerchief and you are ready to surprise all
PAGE 224 THE BAT
TEMPO by
H. Syril Dusenberry
An Eastern magician, who will be name-
less, writes to complain about a common fault
of magic dealers. Specifically naming two
I hate to see a magic act that drags-
yet so many amateur acts do. This leads me minor Chicago dealers he tells of their not
to say a little about TEMPO, a subject de- filling orders for a period of several weeks,
serving of much more space than can be allot- This same thing can be laid at the door of
ted to it In a publication such as the BAT. most any dealer these days but further states
Please don't confuse speed - with tempo. It our reader, why do they NOT mall out a postal
Is not necessary to be a fast worker to have card telling of the delay? One dealer had to
an act with good tempo, and by good tempo I be "Jacked up" by two letters before the mer-
mean having one trick follow another promptly chandise was shipped whereas a short note
with no waits or gaps between tricks. explaining the reason for delay would have
I have seen some magicians completely left and created a much better impression
stop the forward progress of a trick to tell with the customer. The uncertainty of obtain-
a long patter story. Patter is necessary BUT ing merchandise is one reason why we of Mag-
it should never hold back the forward action. ic Limited are specializing and eliminating
Others slow down their acts in their anxiety a general magic lime. Meanwhile, we'll con-
to show a piece of apparatus as being free of tinue to mail out cards if merchandise is
preparation. The show stops while a gadget is short and refund if too long a delay is in-
being passed around for examination. So many volved. And should we suggest that other
dealers advertise "can be passed for examina- dealers do the same?
tion." WHY? It should be assumed that every- SEDGHILL INDUSTRIES, makers of that beau-
thing is "ordinary" without having to stop tiful Hathaway Card in the Balloon - chrome
the show to prove it. I hate to hear a magi plated, riveted feet, special springs, break-
say, "I have here an ordinary glass," yet so down shaft, etc (and mahogany case) for $15.
many of them do say Just that. How much better
it is to just pick up a glass and go ahead
with the trick assuming that everyone under-
stands that it is Just a plain ordinary glass
free from trickery!
By little means such as these, so many
reports that the same outfit is available
without the case for $11. (We worked it last
night on a show and are completely sold on it
as being great magic). Later, two cheaper
models will also be marketed.
Tommy Windsor now furnishes a huge sheet
J
performers ruin their acts. Their act pro- for dealer display plugging his best seller,
ceeds In fits and starts and actually be- SMART BUSINESS ($2.00)
comes boring. Now everyone cannot adopt the SHERMS returns to the wholesale field
same tempo in performing, some work slow, with a 24 page catalog and lists.
some fast, some start slow and work up to a Herman L. Weber is marketing a four page
fast climax, and others develope a series of (Bat size) Instruction sheet labled FLIGHT
minor climaxes in their routine before they THREE which is his version of the cards from
attain what is a supposed "sock" finish. Ex- packet to packet. In this version the three
amine your act. Does It drag In spots (or selected cards actually move across and the
the whole way through?), have you a routine moves described by text and drawings are a-
and not a collection of tricks? Do you waste mong the features that make this mss. com-
time with unnecessary explanations or exam- mendable ($2.00)
inations, or have you the fault of repeating STULL MAGICTS latest wholesale list
the same trick in a different way Just to con- brings news of a revolutionary Foo Can that
fuse the audience or that one person who might empties and refills. Is filled to overflow-
know or suspect the modus operandi? Then, ing, then empties. This new Foo-Lota sells
change your tempo! Decide what you want and for $9.50.
then work for it. Watch the professional and List No. 30 of CAESAR, List No. 11 of
observe his actions with tempo in mind If Louis Tannen, Gene Gordon's first, Ireland's
you do, I am sure that you too will apply latest, D. Robbins, Walter Price, Royal Mag-
tempo to your own routine or at least smooth
out the one already present. ic Shop, and post cards from Alladln Magio
Studios and Arlane Mfg. Co., all bring news
Ed. note: In his fine book, THE PROFESS- of new products.
IONAL TOUCH, published In 1945, Monk Watson The card business of the late John Sny-
* devoted an entire chapter to the subject of der, Jr. has been taken over by Ronald Halnes
Tempo, neglected by so many magical writers. who was with Mr. Snyder for some time before
Readers are referred to this work for further he passed. This welcome news means that the
study and reminded that the BAT is always popular Snyder decks will be on dealers
eager to publish further information on any shelves again and the high quality Snyder ap-
material In its pages. Being amenable to the paratus will be available again. Our best
readers wishes and desires we would like to wishes to Mr. Halnes.
add that if you don't find what you want in If you dealers (and others) like this
these pages — ask for them, or write some column remember the more ads - the more space
material for the BAT yourself. we can use.
NUMBER THIRTY-NINE THE BAT PAGE 225
^//.AFAVAV C
RDWRICKS
DISCOVERIES BY MATHEMATICAL CALCULATION many cards from the top of the deck as are
necessary to make that pile count to ten. j^,
In our first and original Encyclopedia example, if the first card is a deuce, he must
of Card Tricks we described numerous effects, put eight cards face down on top of the deuce.
the keynote of which was the discovery by If the next face-up card is a five-
the magician of some spectator's chosen card, spot, he will add five cards from the top Of
the secret in each case being some mathema- the deck face down, and if the third card la
tical principle whereby the performer, an eight, he will require two cards face
through certain calculations, could hit upon down on top of the eight. He now adds the
the very card selected. numbers on the three face-up cards. In this
These effects were scattered in a some- instance, the total of two plus five plus
what hit and miss fashion throughout the eight is fifteen.
work, as we made no attempt at that time to He counts down from the top of the
group them altogether in one section. Here, balance of the deck, looks at the fifteenth
however, we have made a serious effort to card down and remembers it. When he does
bring together in one chapter all tricks of this, tell him to take all the cards and make
this type. a complete face down deck as it was before,
Many of these mathematical principles then to shuffle the cards as much as he
are not new. A large proportion of the in- pleases.
ventions of Charles T. Jordan, one of the You now take the deck. Run through it
greatest originators of card effects of some and find that card which was originally
years ago, were based upon mathematical cal- twentieth from the bottom, in other words,
culations. By the aid of such device, he the one you remembered before the trick
created some really marvelous effects. started. Throw it face down on the table.
The tricks described in this chapter are Ask him to name his card. Turn yours over,
new, even though the underlying mathematical and there it isl
principles may be old. All of the effects in (Note: Your key card is twentieth
the pages immediately following are of com- from the bottom when the deck is face down.)
paratively recent origin, having been brought If the reader will refer to "A Predic-
out in the past year or two. Some of them tion" which "is described in our original
furnish amazing possibilities in card magic. Encyclopedia of Card Tricks, he will find a
method of working which is ideally suited to
the above effect. If you use this method,
AUTOMATIC LOCATION OP CHOSEN CARD you proceed somewhat as follows:
Start by allowing an ordinary borrowed
An ordinary deck is used. The first deck to be shuffled by a spectator. Taking
thing is to subtly find out the name of the it back, say that you are going to take out
twentieth card from the bottom. Do any trick two cards which will be used as "prediction"
at all, say a location or spelling trick or cards. Fan the deck, faces toward yourself,
any trick where a card is selected and put and quickly count to the twentieth card from
back in the deck. You then attempt to find the bottom. Suppose it happens to be the
the chosen card. Queen of Hearts. Take any Queen and any
As you run through the deck to find the Heart from the deck and lay them face down
selected card, you also learn what the in front of the spectator without showing
twentieth card from the bottom of the deck them.
is. Finish the first trick, producing the It hardly needs to be mentioned that
chosen card, and then you are all set for the these two cards are taken from that portion
forthcoming effect. of the deck which will not disturb the key
You say: "I am going to have you put card. In other words the key card must of
your finger on any card you wish and take it course be left in its correct position. At
right out of the deck." -Do so, and repeat the conclusion of the trick, when the specta-
this until three cards have been freely se- tor announces what card he counted down to,
lected. These three should of course be taken you turn over the two "prediction" cards,
somewhere above the bottom twenty cards so and point out that the Queen shows that it
that the position of the key card will not be was a Queen, and Heart shows it to be a
altered. This is easily done by fanning out Heart, there-fore his card was the Queen of
only the top twenty five or thirty. Hearts.
The spectator turns the three cards WATCH ME CLOSELY
face up in a row, and If there are any face
cards, they are placed back in the deck and You begin by handing a large sealed
other cards drawn to be substituted for them. envelope to a spectator, also three slips
When you are ready to start, the spec- paper and a pencil. A spectator writes a
tator has three cards face up in a row. '*Ve number on each slip, then counts off the
will suppose the first card to be a deuce, numbers written. For instance, if the firs'1
the second a five-spot, and the third an number is seven, seven cards are counted on
eight. Now give the spectator the deck and the tabie. If the second number is five,
Instruct him to place on the first pile as five cards are counted onto the table, and
Continued on Page Zi0
MilVtBER THIRTY-NINE THE BAT PAGE 227
CARLSTEN
RUBBER- BANDS TO HOLD COR.NE.R.S "TO C A N E
ir 4 * V
on men andbooks
Walter B. Gibson, now in California magical humor at the prioe including the fam-
with the Blackstone Show has a new book on ous ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PATTER also by Bob Orben.
the press titled PROFESSIONAL MAGIC FOR THE The bonus book will be FOUR FULL HANDS and will
jlUATEUR MAGICIAN. To be published by Prentiss contain the scarce Four Full Hands of Card
-Hall, it is scheduled for release this Fall. Tricks and the equally rare Four Full Hands
Rufus Steele, the noted card expert is of Up to the Minute Trioks, by the great Chaa,
said to have perfected a new and novel gamb- T. Jordan. What a value!
ler's holdout. Wonder what the gamblers would
say if they could have the glasses I tried
out at Bob Stull's reoently? These olear
glass lensed spectacles enabled me to read
^ S O M E T H I N G NEW
^° May selection for the TAB will be OUT
accurately the backs of a deck of playing OF THE SPOOK CABINET, by Herman L. Weber.
cards that other examination proved unmarked. A dissertation on spook shows and a colleot-
Yea. I said clear glass lenses! lng of the choice secrets of an experienced
"~~~ The coming Magic at Your Fingertips. spook show entertainer. Material in this
new book by Hen Fetsch and Milbourne Christ- booklet has sold for as much as $5.00 a se-
opher will have thirty three tested trioks cret , and has been withdrawn from catalog
and a foreward by Sid Lorraine. The Illustra- sale so that it can be offered to TAB read-
tions too will be noteworthy, being by Walt ers .
Kaeber. Book will sell for two dollars and Thus another scoop for TAB readers and
rumor has it that it will be another TAB another high spot in our line of the best
seleotion. books in maglo for the best Informed magic-
One of the best books of the year is ians. Booklet will be mailed on May 15th.
expected to be WATCH THIS ONE! by J. B. Bobo Alternate choice, if one is desired should
now on the press for Magic Limited. Its be mailed in promptly and not delayed.
hundred and twenty-five pages are paoked Carl Ballantine is still doing five a
with the oream of oard, coin, and miscell- day at Saranac Lake. Five BOTTLES OF MILK,
aneous magic Edited by James Thompson, Jr. that is! Cheerio, Carl! How goes it otherwise?
and with a foreword by John Braun requests That's real
are coming in for it all over the Country. Southern hospital-
Bobo's many magical performances, his app- ity son! Smilingly
erances at the I. B. M. Convention and before displayed here by
many magical societies have made magicians Ann and Doo Mahen-
eager for a glimpse of this book that will dra of Texas.
explain much magic and especially the Bobo How is the T.
System of Card Control. A. 0. M. coming a-
A feature of the Souvenir Program of the long Doc? And isn't
approaching 8. A. M. Convention. May 29-31, time for more bull-
in Chicago, Illinois will be an artiole by etins? The BAT is
Martin Gardner revealing the true secret of always glad to re-
one of magic's great secrets - the identity oieve news of our
of 8. E. Erdnaee, the man responsible for the Texas friends, es-
olassio EXPERT AT THE CARD TABLE. Mr. Gardner pecially people
has located the artist who illustrated the like Ann Mahendra
book and will have him at the Convention to who Journeyed to the P.C.A.M. Convention last
autograph copies of the famous book. year and M.S. who was much in evidence at St.
The I. B. M. Convention plans are pro- Louis, during the I. B. M. affair.
gressing with expectations for a record Wonder how many of the readers of Arth-
orowd at Pittsburgh on June 16-19. ur Buokley's CARD CONTROL know the reason why
And to complete the major convention the picture in the front? Oh sure — BUT you
round-up, the P. C. A. M. baoked by the 110 know that photo is some thirty years old! The
strong Seattle Magio Ring is planning a July reason why Mr. Buokley is so attracted to it
21-25 round of entertainment for attendees. is that a perfect Mephlstopheles face can be
Here too, a thick souvenir program will be seen by reversing the picture and when in this
offered for this one will contain a roster upside-down condition blocking out all the
of the over 700 members affiliated with P. C. face but the outline to the left! Picture stems
*• M. Clubs. from the early days when Arthur Buokley call-
When TAB members reoeive their fat ed himself Mysto and is an acoident of the
package this month, they will be greeted by photographers art.
* brilliant orange and a bright blue cover. COMING NEXT MONTH! Some Funny Bunny Business
«»l8 will be the first view of PATTER PARADE by Hen Fetsch! More puzzles, gags, and good
°y Robert Orben, which will be not only tricks'. Lots of news and views. And a thank
Pleasing to the eye but to the pocket book you to our regular contributors. Keep the
*B well, for at its dollar price it will con- stuff rolling in boys( Someday we'll have
tain more material than any other book on space to use it all!
THE BAT K'UliBSR
PARADE, I * delivery and technique. check, or three (1. bills in an envelope and
AND, miscellaneous pat- ask for JACKPOT FIFTEEN. Buy one for a friend
ter on slips of the too and convince him of B.A.T. values.
tongue (and gimmicks), B. A. T. members can thank Major R. Cowan
stooges, and situation of Oklahoma City for the Wilson motto included
•UW ROBERT OBBER comedy among other "hot" in the March shipment. This "MAGIC IS AN ART
material. Truly, the THAT SOMETIMES INSTRUCTS, OFTEN AMUSES AND AL-
biggest magical dollar of this o r any year - WAYS ENTERTAINS" is by the famed Dr. A. M.
especially with printing costs what they are Wilson, Editor of the Sphinx for over a score
1 today! of years during its hey day, and suitably
To your list of alternates you can now framed will add to any magic collection. A
add this book and the ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PATTER, few are left and will be included In orders
also by Mr. Orben AND, Hen Fetsoh's best sell- and in request mailings until they are gone.
er UILK PITCHER MAGIC, the second edition of On behalf of the B. A. T., thank you!, Major
which is now in. Of course, these latter two Cowan.
nay be substltu^d for Patter Parade if you We here are always glad to receive mat-
desire. Check yourlist early and mail your erial such as the above, or programs, circul-
alternate selection (if desired) in EARLY! ars and old photos. We will place them in our
•X.II i Let this be a warning envelopes as long as they last and endeavor to
Magiciian Mlled to you! It happened to one spread them around so none will be neglected.
For His Stalling magician! It can happen to And to the Convention managers who would like
JALGAON (India), Feb. 22.- you! Warning - don't stall their publicity to reach our members, may we
A "holyy man
man" who hadhad promised - a n d ADVICE - d o n ' t b r a g suggest you send at least a thousand of each
to bring back to life a boy killed piece of literature? We will be glad to help
»y a cobra was beaten to death about something you very
to a village near here recently likely cannot accomplish. in our small way.
"cause he stalled at the last min- First TAB member to Bob Ounther is one of the first to com-
ute.
The boy had been dead several subscribe with service to ment on the excellence of THE PROLIX SPIRIT,
toys when the conjuror said he run into TAB'S SECOND YEAR our March selection. He places slips on three
»uld bring the boy back. is H. E. McFaddin of Hag- holders and simplifies the locating even more.
, Police said the crowd numbered
many thousands," and that the erstown, Maryland; the Still running high in member's favor is
Pound about the site of the ex optoralst! AQUA BEADO and the MAGIC PENNY. Douglas Fran-
wted miracle was strewn with Johnny Murray sends cis of England sends in another use which we
•"ions, as requested by the con-
juror. in a little gag ooncern- will print in a forthcoming issue. Roscoe L.
When at the last minute he ing balancing two whiskey Gaylord uses the principle in still another
™W the ceremony must be post- glasses on the neck of a way. He makes a series of tags with a magnet-
""W two days, the crowd fell
u
j»n_himand beat him to death beer bottle Glasses not ic piece of razor blade In various locations
to be nested or otherwise under the grommet (the metal and cardboard
interlocked. Solution - thats what makes it a ring). By turning his back he can receive
ga,- - is to play small tray on neck and then
8*8 any one of the series of tags and readily
Pi•laoe glasses on tray! discern the color or message that may happen
E. L. Hodges asks to be printed on the tag. ThUB an old effect
'* many half-dollars you can place on edge in receives another dressing and another var-
• oeer cap? Our guess was way o f f ! Try i t and iation is added to a good trick.
"•e. Something l i k e twelve or t h i r t e e n ! Haven't Now is the time to tell that reluctant
«nough h a l f - d o l l a r s around now to cheok but prospeot that he's missing plenty by not
Pienty
0I
of b e e r caps. Think I ' l l g e t another being a TAB member. Show him a couple of
»e now! Cheerio - - selections - and - don't forget your bonus!
PAGE 236 THE BAT NUMBER FG
For a novel presentation, why not have For fun, after producing a bunny, inform
an "egg-bag" constructed of black: material your audience that he, the bunny, is the lat-
and shaped to resemble a high silk hat? est 1947 model and oomes equipped with a spec-
Then, as a climax to your favorite rout- ial safety device designed to prevent traffic
ine, show the "egg-bag" empty and then pro- accidents — even on Hollywood Boulevard.
duoe a flat rabbit. This has been concealed (localize).
In the double side from the beginning. "This," you remark In your beet serio-
comic manner, "is the only bunny in the world
TOY BUNNY equipped with a tail-light!"
With this startling statement oonoluded,
Parents quite often, and for good reas- "you turn the bunny so that his tail faces
ons too, object to their children receiving the audience — and it lights! And then blinks
»B a gift the bunny which magically appears on and off!
in the magician's top-hat. Between you and me, the hand that sup-
The following adaptation of Jack Gwrnne's ports the bunny's posterior also oonceals a
Flip-Over Box" besides pleasing the parents, one-oell pencil flashlight that does the
stains the "live bunny" appeal which is a work for you without any elaborate prepara-
SMt for the kiddles and affords you with an tion. And if you can think of a funnier bit
Waltlonal mystery. for a rabbit production, please write and let
After the production, the bunny Is plaoed me know — L I don't]
*n the box, which, when flipped open reveals
•«at the bunny has magically ohanged to a "toy BLACK BUNNY
ounny" whloh is then presented to the "little
110
»t" of the evening. lenever seeing Jack Gwynne immaculate-
b "Toy bunny" is held in plaoe In the box ly attired I D white tails, top-hat and cane,
y small spring paper clips which can be de- there always comes to mind the question of,
'»ohed or affixed as desired. "Why must magicians always be so conventional."
This should be a bright spot on your pro- A black bunny produced for a "white top-
gram
sre
because It has mystery, oharm, and a hat" would oertainly be a welcome change. And
at appeal to the children. a surprise too? Agree?
Continued second column Page 238
PAGE 238 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-ONE
SNAP TAIL
Having the children pet the bunny's eaj>«
Published monthly by MAGIC LIMITED at for "good-luck" has always been a favorite
4064 - 39th Avenue, Oakland 2, California. with magicians in general. For laughs, I varv
Subscription rate is $2.00 a year; SIX this somewhat by having the girls pet the eat.
Issues $1.00; single copies 25e/ excepting while the boys must pet the tail. This meets
special issues so designated. with approval of the "little ladies" while
Send all correspondence to THE BAT, also providing extra ohuckles.
c/o Lloyd E. Jones, at address above. As a finale gag, I remove the bunny's
tail and move to hand it to one of the boys
LLOYD E. JONES EDITOR — when it flies back in place! This is a
THERON FOX - ASSISTANT EDITOR very funny bit of bunny business.
ROBERT aUNTHER ART EDITOR The tail is a fluffy powder puff (a
lambs wool one is usually best) attached to
a length'of elastic which is hooked to your
body like a handkerchief pull. Ample opport-
unity is afforded to secure the "fake tall"
It might be Spring but the weather sure ^'•"ing the petting of the bunny's ears. The
makes one believe its Summer. And a glance at position of the bunny covers this move while
the calendar discloses the startling fact that t' real tail is concealed by the hand hold-
the Conventions are almost here! The S. A. M. ing the bunny. When the tail is released it
one being scheduled for this May 29-31 in ''lies under the coat and at the same time the
Chicago, and if plans do not go awry, this uand brings the real tail into view. If you
will be the only Eastern one I'll be able to like "belly laughs" here is a bunny laugh
attend although I had fully intend t^ take that will prove sure fire.
in the I. B. U. gathering and know full well Another funny presentation is to powder
that that is one that certainly should not your nose with the "tall" and then allow it
be missed! Did you know they are counting on to snap back.
an enrollment of one thousand in Plttsburg!
As for the P.C.A.M. Convention in Sea- A SHORT TAIL
ttle, that is one I will definitely not miss. "Thats what Unole Remus says," is on the
Being the only one who has not missed one of lips of everyone these days due to Walt Dis-
the Conventions on the Coast yet, I'll do my ney's latest super-produotion SONG OP THE
best to retain that record. SOUTH. By combining this theme with an old
Missing attendance at any of these great "Unole Wiggly" story you come up with a top-
gatherings is to be regretted for it is by ical tale that will amuse and delight the kid-
means of these personal contacts that much dies.
pleasure and information is accrued. Lacking Many years ago, according to Uncle Remus,
that, we'll have to depend on the BAT to Brer Rabbit had a long tail and short ears
bring and to send the best in magic Just like most of the other animals in the
forest. In those days, as of now, Brer Rabbit
was always playing jokes on Brer Bear and Brer
Pox. One day, Just as Brer Bear was about to
catch Brer Rabbit, he quickly Jumped down a
GAG BAG
A Mr. Paul Algard says that it more po-
deep hole to onoe again outsmart Brer Bear.
However, this time he almost made a fatal mis-
take! Instead of staying in his hole in safe-
lite to say, "My gastronomic decldulty ad- ty, he decided to peek above the ground to »••
monishes me that I have reached the ultima- if Brer Bear had gone away.
tum of culinary deglutition conslsten with Lickety split! Right at that instant Brer
the mode of Aeolepius,* instead of -I'm full! Bear grabbed Brer Rabbit by his ears and he
"I gave my girl a hug* last night. The pulled, and pulled, and pulled. In fact, he
pressure was all mine!" pulled so hard that Brer Rabbit's ears came
"You'll get nothing out of me, said the out long and his tail beoame short! This so
Skeleton to the Ex-Lax." surprised Brer Bear that he let Brer Rabbit
"She's the kind of kid I always get. A go and ran to his home in the forest.
Shasta girl. Shasta have this and Shasta have And that boys and girls is why Brer RaD-
that!" bit now has long ears and a short tall, so
If you've ever wondered how a brown cow oan "Unole Remus," says.
eat green grass and give white milk and yell- And need we add, that if you want to il-
ow butter - consider this, how oan green lustrate this feat it shouldn't take much
soap give white sudst thought on your part to arrange a set of
"There was an old woman who lived in a shoe, short ears and a long tail. Won't the ch
Sure tough to get an apartment these days. really want to pet your rabbit then!
Isn't it?" And if you are all good children, T
"He sure keeps one ear to the ground a lot. some day soon we'll have some more funny D«JV"
He's a wrestler." ny business for you. Thank you Hen Petsoh.
1
PAGE 239 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-UNt
THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-ONE
PAGE 240
1
NUMBER FORTY-UNt THE BAi
REAM!A RDWRICKS
0 \
Find the pile your card is in, turn it
!>•• up, and deal the cards one at a
time face
up on the table, counting, and remembering
Continuing the series on card t r i c k s based
the number of your card. Keep on dealing
on mathematical p r i n c i p l e s . until you are well past your card, then
PERPLEXITY up the pile, turn it face down and place it
on top of the other pile. Now square up the
Deal off twenty cards. A person looks deck.
through them and notes a certain card, also While you are out of the room, the spec
its number from the top, as for Instance, the tator does just the above. As things stand
Three of Diamonds, eight from the top. An- now, he has mentally selected a card from a
other spectator does the same, noting, say, shuffled pack, and remembers the number hia
the Four of Spades, fifteen from the top. card stands from the top. The deck is
Each number must be between 1 and 20, elimin- squared up and left face down.
ating the top and bottom cards. You then take The magician enters and Impresses upon
the twenty cards. the spectator the fairness of the test. Hia
You turn around and rearrange them. remarks run somewhat as follows:
Then, after laying the heap on the table, "I will attempt to discover your card.
ask for the two numbers. One person says However, I do not receive a clear mental
eight, the other fifteen. Remark that these picture of the card, so I am afraid that I
total twenty-three, and that there are only must ask you to concentrate upon your card,
twenty cards in the heap. So you deal three' and banish from your mind all thoughts except |
more cards on the twentv. the thought-of card."
You now count down eight cards and turn Running through the deck, the magician
up the eighth. It is the card selected by secretly notes the bottom card and gives the
the second person, the one whose card was deck an apparent mental going over.
fifteenth from the top. Continue counting Closing up the deck, the magician lays
down until you reach fifteen. Turn up that the deck face down on the table. "I am
card. It is the one taken by the first person, sorry, but I am afraid I must ask you to work
the one whose card was originally eighth. with me a little more for I cannot get a clea:
Method: Upon receiving the twenty cards, mental picture of the card in your mind. I
count them from hand to hand out of sight, want you to do as I tell you. While I leave
dealing each card upon the card before, thus the room again, cut the deck, giving it a
reversing the order of the packet. But when square cut. Now, deal the cards out in piles,
the last card has been dealt thus, shift it and one at a time to a number corresponding
from the top back to the bottom, that is, to the number your card was from the top of
reverse the nineteen cards, but leave the the deck. Deal until the deck is exhausted,
twentieth on the bottom where it was. and then pick up the piles in any order,
Ask for the two numbers after laying the cutting the deck then as much as you like,
heap down. When they are given, if they total but always concentrate on your card and your
more than twenty, simply deal the extra amount number.
of cards from the pack. If the two numbers The magician leaves the room, and the
total less than twenty, as two and nine total- spectator, assuming his card was seventh from
ling eleven, remove that many cards from the the top of the deck, deals the deck out into
heap. In this instance remove nine. If the seven piles, a card at a time, and picks up
two numbers total exactly twenty, go ahead or assembles the piles in any order, cutting
and deal without adding or subtracting. as much as he likes.
This is the reason for the cutting of
MIRACLE CARD LOCATION the deck in halves at the beginning. Other-
wise the dealing of the piles would take too
This is a location that is dependent long.
upon an old card principle. However, the When you enter you say: "Now this is
working and presentation are somewhat original what has been done. A card was mentally
and make the effect very impressive to the selected, the pack shuffled, the card noted,
layman and magician alike. the pack again mixed, and so forth, and all
"I am going to attempt the impossible the time I was out of the room. At no time
and I would like your assistance in the have you told me the name of your card, or
demonstration. Have you a pack of cards? its location in the pack. Do you know where
it is now? No. Well, if you don't know,
You have. Well, I want you to think of a would you consider it impossible for me to
card. Don't tell me what it is. Just merely remove your card from the pack without ask-
think of it. Now in order for you to form a
clear mental image of your card so that I may
read your mind, I am going to ask you to do
ing you one question?"
"That would be genuine mindreading.
i
the following things while I am out of the Well now look, I take the pack, and without
room." asking one question, I remove a card and 1*7
"First, shuffle the deck thoroughly, it face down on the table. Now without ask-
and cut it as many times as you wish. ing one question, I state that that card I s ,
Second, divide the deck into two equal piles. your selected card, the card you thought of*
Continued bottom first column Page 24<
FORTY-ONE THE BAT PAGE 243
ITS JUNE
Illness, strikes, and an Increase in the
general work accumulation led to a delay in Another unusual JACKPOT this month and
the mailing of B. A. T. member ship oards. As as last, the stook is limited and we are
thia is written in mid-April, it is the in- fully expectant that the supply will be rapid-
tnetlon to make a speoial mailing of circul- ly exhausted. Do not delay your order. We are
ars and to inolude the oards in the envelopes closing out the general run of Jackpots and
It is not that the oards have been overlooked, will in the future make no efforts to main-
conditions have Just prevented their being tain them after the initial selling has been
mailed. Our appreciation is by no means completed. Hence, if there are back numbers
small toward those of you who have written in of JP's that you have been thinking of buy-
asking for them and in so doing stating that ing - think no more! - order now! - and we'll
they are muohly desired. Lets hope that ere
you read this your new card will be in your do our best with them. It might not also be
pooket. a bad idea to run through your back numbers
of the TRICKSTER and look at the JP's with
Some disfavor has been expressed over the idjea in mind of getting them while still
the making of PATTER PARADE a Joint B. A. T. available. If any particular item on them is
and TAB selection, but this is Intended to especially desired please state so and your
be only a one time occurrence and not be permission to substitute when necessary will
a regular practice The book is such good also be of aid. Otherwise, we will refund if
value we are oertain It will meet with gen- JP is not fillable.
eral approval and are oertain that those not JACKPOT MO. 16
wanting it will have no trouble in finding 1. ANTI-0-RAVICO - a magic "classic.11 ($1.)
an alternate list on our long list of choice 2. HYDROSTATIC COKE BOTTLE - (#1.) - a reg-
selections. ular ooke bottle prepared so that flow of
For June, the B.A.T. selection will be liquid from it oan be controlled when bottle
BUNCO CARDS (50/) and A PIECE OF THE FUTURE is Inverted with celluloid cap over mouth.
(50/), two fine pooket items of more than
temporary interest. BUNCO CARDS are a dup- With Antl-Q-ravioo, new possibilities are
lication of the Loyd Enooh's Bunco Blocks, opened up.
a ten dollar trick, made up in playing size 3. MAC'S MONTHLY, a Soottlsh maglo magazine.
oards and utilizing an interesting story con- (18/) A oopy of a recent issue to acquaint
cerning smuggling and Chinese ill-doers. To you with one of our contemporaries.
this, we will undoubtedly be able to add a ALL THREE ITEMS FOR ONE DOLLAR!
rarlation or two that have sinoe developed. This is No. 16. Send dollar bill, postal note
A PIECE OF THE FUTURE is another ohoioe item or check. And remember - promptness pays off.
oreated by Wilbur Kattner in which a selected Wilbur Pawson writes that the PROLIX
card is foretold In a novel manner. The re- SPIRIT is the greatest mental effect he has
diotion is made before the oards are given ever seen, and "it is the only one that I
for what is apparently a free selection. think worth while doing." (!)
Both the foroe, which is little known, and Johnnie Murray writes
the means of disclosure, are so off the us- that you can now show your
ual run of card trioks that we had no hesit- friends a match that burns
ancy of obtaining this for B. A. T. distrib- under water! The gag being
ution. Knowing that card trioks are "a dime a that you light the match,
dozen" and not generally preferred we did not and then hold the glass of
hesitate in this case for here the means are water over it! And say, did
more valuable than the trlok and knowledge you know that the water-
oan be more valuable than the effect oreated. proof matches developed for
In both these oases, the B. A. T. is giving use during the war are now
Its members trioks that are really "plus val- obtainable? Let them soak
U M " _ methods and principles readily adapt- in water, if you wish or
able to other trioks than those explained. Just dip in water and then
Alternate selections, as always should light! This will prove a
be mailed In promptly. surprise to those who are not acquainted with
The Benefit Performance staged by the them and also make a good follow up to the gag.
Vancouver Magic Circle on Maroh 2nd for the
Canadian Aid to China Fund netted 1600 dol- This is the little stick-
"KILEOY WAS HERE"
lars for that worthy oause. Capt. Chas. How- er now being Used by the
So was Professor El-Tab
ai> "The Mystery Man"
good Professor. Reason-
4 was Stage Manager and C. Caunt, m. o., ENTERTAINMENT FURNISHED
Performers included Cecil Ackery, Alex Boytsun ably priced, these use-
For All Occasions
^•ls Kenny, Harry Clayton, Alan Beeoh Jaok 606 Fillmore St., Phone:- 577 M
ful stickers will find a
Hand, and Francis Martineau. myriad of uses - letters, books, etc. What is
Carl Jones, noted magic book publisher yoursT
now on the staff of the new History Book So, until next month, take it easy and look
i now preparing its first distribution. out for the sunburn.
.
PAGE 244 THE BAT NUMBER
SEATTLE M A G I C I A N S MEET
RECENT LIBRARY ACQUISITIONS at
MA&IC WAND YEAR BOOK, No. 1, 1946. SWANSON'S
R. E. SWANSON MAGIC & NOVELTY CO.
MYSTERY MAGIC AND MEDICINE, Haggard, M.D.,
1933 m o y , 1st AVENUE SEATTLE 1 , WASHINGTON
STOPTOEPRESS.?
Stop the Press! Hold the phone - and all
that stuff. Change the BAT — Big news!
With the BAT already to go to press a
phone call from Seattle (what difference does
a strike make to magicians anyway?) led to
the scrapping of two pages of this issue and
their resetting. THIS ISSUE WILL GO TO EVERY
MAGICIAN ON THE PACIFIC COAST WE CAN CONTACT!
If we miss someone, just tell them to write
us and we'll forward a copy to them with our
compliments.
A review of the Blackstone Show has been
squeezed out, a cartoon is missing, and a
7\ Dealers Write:
ORLA MOODY
1923 14th N.
Seattle 2, Wash,
PAGE 248 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-TWO
andbooks
THREE DOLLARS The COUNTS OF CONJURING have scheduled a
is the price of Conference for Cincinnati fo June 19-24th and
WATCH THIS ONE' the kids deserve a lot of credit and support.
J. B. Bobo's With the affiliation of an English group the
long awaited COUNTS have now become international!
first book and And speaking of youth-
Magic Limited's ful magicians, here is a
first bound vol- likeness of Jackie Mulr. W e '
ume to bear the ve known him so long we find
TAB Imprint. it hard to think of him as
Release date has "grown-up." Jack, a High Sen-;'
been set for May lor in my own High School has
20th so you can been getting more than his
obtain your copy share of publicity lately,
without delay. what with taking top honors
Book covers 128 in a school talent try-out
pages of card, and frequent photos in the I
coin, rope and metropolitan papers due to
thimble magic of this and his performances.
the highest qual- His Father, popular m.c. Jim-;
ity, has 53 ill- mle Mulr, had better look to
ustrations and his laurels! Jack seems to
seven chapters. have the knack of getting
The Bobo System talked about (favorably) that JACK MUIR
J.B. BOBO AND HIS WIFE, LILLIAN o f Card Control many magicians lack. Youthful Magician
18 reason enough alone for every magician to King Tut(Fred Tuttle) of San Jose, still
want this book. Editing was done by James G. cruising in South American waters post cards
^Thompson, jr., the foreword by John Braun of a report on his .lourneys. No magic stores
the I. B. M. and the illustrations are by Mr. to be found and car-fare only 2ijf, but a Sun-
Bobo himself to ensure accuracy. As stated in day dinner waa #13.40!
the previous BAT, TAB CLUB members can obtain C. R. Eaton
WATCH THIS ONE! at a reduced price by substit- of Charleston,
uting it without loss of bonus possibilities Illinois is one
for the current Tab selection. In other words magician who well
by taking WATCH THIS ONE! in place of the TAB knows the advant-
selection for the month, members may have the age of good phot-
book for #2.00. Please do this promptly. os and printing to
J U L Y A S E L E C T I O N OF THE TAB WILL ~ sell his services.
DYE BOX BOOK Frequent photo-
graphies, usually
TOMMY WINDSOR In action and un-
We have a deep spot in our heart for this usual folders that
book since we were one of the first to recog- are attention get-
nize the value of the Dye Box and to date ting, mainly b e -
nave distributed nearly one thousand to B.A.T. cause of a trend
members and Magic Limited customers. Book to humor lead to
has 42 pages of text, 45 contributors and many calls for his
over 50 tricks and ideas. You'll like i t ! varied talents.
The Electric Bow Tie of Roy Hall was Just His letterhead is
too good to be kept exclusive and novelty -niB-i—nnnr urn • attention getting
chiselers have stepped In and taken it over too and shows that even In a small community
and cut the price. It will be Interesting to a smart magician can do a good publicity Job.
note if the DEALER'S ASSOCIATION will take A last minute addition to the May TAB
any steps toward protecting Mr. Hall since one selection - OUT OF THE SPOOK CABINET, by
'" the purlolners is said to have scheduled a Herman Weber, was a foreword by Arthur F.
booth for himself at the I.B.M. Convention. Bull who has made several nation-wide Spook
The new officers of the MAGIC DEALER'S Show Tours under his name, "FRANCISCO." He
ASSOCIATION are: President, Phil Thomas, Vice called our attention to three items in the
p r e s i d e n t , Joe Karson; Treasurer, Bill Holden; book that he had purchased at Individual
and Secretary, Frances Ireland. Some twenty prices several times the price of the book!
^ealers were present and the chief discussion His knowledge and belief in the quality of
centered around the new constitution and its the effects explained led to this generous
adoption and general rules and regulations. gesture. We hope that you soon will be e n -
Joying this TAB selection ($1.00) If you are
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OZZIE MALINI? not already. TAB books - Magic's best buys.
Honolulu members, please write if you know.
PAGE 250 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-TWO
REATiCA RDTOCKS
SELF WORKING CARD TRICK Having memorized the card second from '
the bottom of the pack, hold the cards facing
Ask a spectator to shuffle a pack of the spectator and slowly riffle them, explain,
cards. The entertainer then deals three ing that he is to stop you whenever he likes.
packs of six cards in any manner, face Riffle slowly so that when he stops you he
down. The spectator lifts a packet and sec- will get twelve to fifteen cards. Hand him
retly notes a card. Packet is replaced on this packet, instructing him to count them
the table. The entertainer stacks the upon the table so that you can deal yourself
three packets in one, with the chosen packet as many cards as he has by counting in unison '
in the center. with him.
The entertainer deals the cards, 1, 2, Explain that it is essential that you
3. Over these 4, 5, 6, and so on. He lifts both have the same number of cards. In
the packs one at a time and passes the cards counting, the spectator reverses his packet,
slowly before the spectator, requesting him bringing the memorized card second from the
to note the pack his card is in. He top. The counting in unison business dis-
announces this to the entertainer, who must tracts his attention from this fact, and
warn the spectator not to do so until the gives him the impression that you did not
particular six cards have all been passed touch his cards at any time.
from one hand to the other. Now tell him to do exactly as you do.
Finally the entertainer again stacks Take the top card of your packet and bury
but with the pack containing the choice on it in the center. He does the same with his
top. For a moment he turns his back to the card. Insert the bottom card of your packet
spectator. Three cards are transferred in the center. He does likewise. Ask him
from top to bottom, the third card the to memorize the top card of his packet, then
bottom card. He turns around. He stacks hand him your packet and tell him to shuffle
evenly by knocking the edge of the pack on them both together.
the table, secretly noting the bottom card. Take the shuffled cards from him on the
"What was your card?" He asks. If the pretext of checking the count. This feigned
bottom card is called, lift up the pack and anxiety about the exact number of cards en-
show it. If not, just turn up the top card. ables you to get the numerical position of
It is always the one or the other. Hence the the memorized card in the packet. Having ob-
glimpse required of the bottom card. At no tained this information, drop the cards face
other time need the entertainer see the faces down on the table and turn your attention to
of the cards. the remainder of the pack.
If asked to repeat, alter the method. Ask the spectator the year, month, and
When turning, slip the top card into the vest day of his birth while you are spreading the
pocket. If this be the choice then say, "I cards face up. Pretend to be divining some-
shall make the presentation more mysterious thing by augury as you carefully pick out
this time." Finish by producing the select- certain cards. What you are really doing is
ed card from the pocket, after showing that picking out a card to represent the spot value,
it has vanished from the deck. one to represent the suit and two or three to
total to the position of the memorized card.
Whenever possible, pick cards that have
some bearing on the birthday information and
• H place them carefully in a row. For example,
ASTROLOGICAL CARD TRICK if the spectator says he was born September
4, 1912, and you know his card, the Nine of
Effect: A spectator and the performer Spades is the seventeenth card down from the
each count the same number of cards from a top of the packet, pick out a nine for the
shuffled pack. Each buries the top and spot value of his card and a Spade, say the
bottom cards of his packet in the center, Four of Spades, for the suit. Any Ace and
and then the spectator memorizes his top card Deuce will represent the year, the Twelfth
and shuffles both his and the performer's year of the Twentieth Century.
packet together. Explain that these cards represent the
•The double packet is counted once more, day, month, and year of his birth and in
just to make sure that there has been no mis- addition they tell you what the card he mem-
count. The performer spreads the remainder orized was. It is a Spade, the Nine of
of the pack face up, asks the spectator his Spades, and by adding the spots on all the
birthday, and making a few astrogological cards you learn that the Nine of Spades is
divinations, picks out certain cards. These the seventeenth card down from the top of tb ^
cards, when interpreted, Indicate the suit, heap on the table.
value, and numerical position in the packet of Of course you have him count off seven-
the mentally chosen card. teen cards, turn the seventeenth face up, «nd
Method: Misdirection and showmanship, there is his card. Interpret the cards with
plus a knowledge of the card seconB from the all the gravity of a Seer, and you will be
bottom of the pack, are the means by which credited with having performed a marvelous
this card trick is accomplished. feat.
NUMBER FORTY-TWO THE BAT PAGE 2 5 1
GREETINGS:
(Don't get excited! I'm not the Presi- sleight of hand men in the nation and rates
dent and those days are gone forever - I hopej. high too as a teacher.
Our second year of the B.A.T. is well on Ita The Seattle Magic Ring is planning a
wa y with a healthy renewal list although new series of Instructive lectures modelled after
enrollments have slacked off considerable. those to be presented at the S.A.M. Convent-
Imagine either you or I, will have to start ion and makes it doubly Important for you to
plugging the quality of such items as the attend the P.C.A.M. Convention if you poss-
PROLIX SPIRIT, etc. E. H. W. Jenkins says of ibly can. Len Mantell as Convention Chairman
the SPIRIT that it is worth a year's subscrip- backed by the one hundred and ten members of
tion alone. He is working it with 24 quest- the Seattle group headed by Orla Moody are
Ions! And from overseas, Peter Warlock pats scheduling a program that will be followed
the B.A.T. on the back in a friendly manner through and serve to wipe out memories of the
and stating that the Borrowed Brain, one of 1946 one in Los Angeles.
our first choices rates very high with him Here's Johnnie Mur-
and Is likewise worth more than a year's ray with another swell
subscription! Ah, if only ALL magicians could Idea, and this one us-
feel that way! ing that Magic Penny a-
The July selection for the B.A.T. will galn! Its a sweet gag
be a hot one - good and fat - three Items in that you can work in on
fact! First, Is the MIRACLE STRING TRICK by someone who's seen the
Joe Berg. A trick credited with fooling some Blackstone Show (rem-
of the smartest men in magic, hence worthy of ember Marie Chaudet's
selection as a B.A.T. selection. I have seen Hoop Spin?) or by lead-
the trick presented almost impromptu and can Ing the conversation
vouch for its effectiveneea. String Is vis- around to how water
ibly and instantly restored with nothing will not spill from a
being added or taken away. A generous supply glass or bucket when it
v is furnished as well as alternate presenta- is twirled. Then, you
t tlons. Second! - the Mystic Tags - known proceed to defy gravity]
years ago as the Kolar Tag Trick, this is a First, take a
new production and makes a useful pocket match folder and tear
Item to replenish thoae you may have worn- out about four matches
out or add to your collection as a new from the back row. Then on the front matches
useful addition. And third! Just to add to glue your magnet to the back of them as shown
the total value and as a bonus we'll in- In Johnnie's illustration. Thus affixed, it
clude a SECRET by Everett Samuels. He wanted will be practically invisible.
to market this but after talking to ua de- Now sometime during the drinks, you can
cided not to and turned It over to the B.A.T. challenge your friend to do as you do. Of
for membership distribution. He calls it course his penny will drop off his folder
GIZMO and we are certain you'll find use for (or yours) and vice versa, but when you wish
It. So, for July we'll have three items,
actually totalling a dollar but really worth the penny actually sticks! Its a question of
much more than that because of our bonus item. muscle control - or perhaps gravity?
Johnnie says, the first time he tried it
Royal H. Brin suggests still another - his friend nearly paniced him by his act-
use for the Magic Penny. After performing the ions. After all, who ever heard of a magnetic
Kenard's Nu-Koln Mystery (or Penny to Dime penny?
or Nickel to Penny to Dime) have the magic
penny examined and then use it. The fact
THE
that this penny is examined and then acts as Again an outstanding buy for our JACKPOT
it does allays suspicion of the firat penny Every magician should have rope gimmicks so
used. this JP brings you TWO complete sets of them
V. I. MacCanon writes to express his enth- for ONE DOLLAR. These gimmicka, the screw
usiasm for the WATCH IN THE LOAF OF BREAD from type commonly known as the Tarbell or Caesar
the January BAT. It has a featured spot on his gimmick usually sell for one dollar a set but
new full evening show. His table is even simp- this JP brings you two sets — and, instruct-
ler than the one Mr. Chapman describes and if ions explaining the basic routine as well as
you'd like details, he'll send them to you on a pet move or two. Years ago, a price of ten
request. Just address him at Alva, Florida. dollars was charged for a similar routine -
He also likes MacAthy's Pet Business (50^) and and now, B.A.T. members can get all necessary
ioonslders it a real feature item too. It goes materials at the JP price of ONE DOLLAR. Call
'without saying, that MacCanon believes the this one Number 17. Just ask for JP No. 17 and
fl
-A.T, and the BAT to be tops. Include your check, money-order, postal note
The Pacific Coast is to have a short or dollar bill when you write. We have a good
siege of lectures by Dai Vernon. If he comes supply so can furnish as many as you wish and
your way, by all means make every effort to if you'd like a hank of good rope, we have
L 8e
e him. Dal Is admittedly one of the best Ranter's at #1.25.
PAGE 252 THE BAT NUMBER
SEATTLE M A G I C I A N S MEET
RECENT LIBRARY ACQUISITIONS at
SWANSON'S
COMPERE'S CORNER, Geo. M. Mackenzie, 1947. R. E. SWANSON MAGIC & NOVELTY CO.
TOMMY WINDSOR'S DYE BOX BOOK, Windsor, Ed: , l i t AVCNUE SEATTLE 1, WASHINGTON
A CONJURING MELANGE, Stanley Collins.
PATTER PARADE, Robert Orben.
THE POUR FULL HANDS, Chas. T. Jordan. FOR SALE
FORTUNE TELLING FOR FUN AND POPULARITY, ABBOTT SNAKE IN THE BASKET - as new.1 - « TWENTY-
Paul Showers, 1942. FIVE DOLLAR TRICK. ---EIGHTEEN-FIFTY POST PAID
PRACTICAL LESSONS IN HYPNOTISM, Dr. Wm. Wes-
ley Cook, 1943. EMILE CLIFTON
COMPLETE BOOK OF THE OCCULT AND FORTUNE TELL- 2672 SACRAMENTO STREET, SAN FRANCISCO 15, CALIF.
ING, Intro: M. C. Polnaot, 1945.
YOUR FATE IS IN YOUR HAND, Josef Ranald, 1935. W A N T E D
LEARN MAGIC, Henry Hay. 1947. Copies of the MERLINI or other stories by
FRED MAKER HOME STUDY COURSE OF VENTRILOQUISM CLAYTON RAWSON. WILL BUY OR EXCHANGE.
(bound), 1942. JOHNNIE MURRAY
TREASURE CHEST OF VENTRILOQUISM, Treasure
Chest Publications, 1938. BOYD PLACE PORTLAND 3 , MAINE
TRICKS AND ILLUSIONETTES, Great Ovette (new
ed. Robblns, 1947). F O R S A L E
AVON BOOK OF PUZZLES FOR EVERYBODY, Avon TARBELL ORIGINAL MAGIC COURSE IN TWO BINDINGS
Comics, 1947. O N E WORN — B E S T O F F E R W I L L B E A C C E P T E D
MAGIC WAND, March, 1947. LINKING RING, April ARTHUR GROSS
1947. TOPS, May, 1947. GENII, May, 1947. 642 PACIFIC ALAMEDA, CALIF.
MAO'S MONTHLY, April, 1947. HUGARD'S MONTHLY,
April, 1947. PENTAGRAM, March, 1947. W I L L S E L L
MAGIEN3 VERDEN, March, 1947. LE MAGICIEN,
April, 1947. MODERN MAGI, May, 1947. ABBOTT-HUGHES-COINS IN GLASS ON TRAY- $25.00
SPHINX, April, 1947. PHOENIX, April 11, 1947, IF INTERESTED - WRITE MAKING YOUR BEST OFFER
not dated (123?). EARL RYBOLT
ABRACADABRA, Vol. 3, Nos. 60, 61, 62, 63. 3611 MOUNTAIN VIEW AVENUE — LOS ANGELES 34, CAL.
LE JOURNAL DE LA PRESTIDIGITATION, No. 135.
TOMMY WINDSOR'S STREET FAKER ACT, 1947. Newly boxed, twice original size
(8X13^), improved instructions
MENGE'S PREVUES, Vol. 1, No. 12. GRANT'S and more attractive envelopes at
BULLETIN, Vol. 5, No. 4, 15 SEALED a dollar this is an extra fine buy.
MYSTERIES The Fifteen tricks are: 50 Im-
DECEIVER'S DIGEST Vol. 1, No. 4, promptu Card Tricks, Spell-it,
THE PRESTIDIGITATOR, Vol. 1, No. 2. =•*" '"N j . MAGIC Paper Disks, Magical Coat Stick,
T Puzzle, Diminishing Card, Three
THE SPIDER, Fulton Oursler, 1926. Card Memory, Special Age Cards,
THE MYSTERY PUZZLE BOOK, Wren and McKay, Giant Memory, Three Dot Illusion,
Magic Squares, Super Four Ace,
1933. Boomerang Illusion, Color Chang-
MAGIC MAKERS, April, 1947. JUGGLER'S BULL- , REQUIRED
ing Cards, and Vanishing Spots.
Box is printed in five colors. !'•
ETIN, April, 1947. One dollar fine gift for anyone.
THE BAT, May, 1947. THERON FOX 1024 Carolyn, San Jose, Cali.
THE BLINKING RING, Vol 5, No. 4, April, 1947.
COUNT'S CHRONICLE, Vol 1, No. 5.
THE WIZARD, Vol. 1, No. 1, April 1947.
BOOKS
LEARN MAGIC - Hay
MAGICAL MINUTES, Vancouver Magic Circle, No. ! 278 p. from a
2, 3 ^ - Vol. 1 - 1947. to z - $1.49
READER'S DIGEST, April, 1947 - reprint Conjur- WATCH THIS ONE!
or's Magazine article on Chung Ling Soo. Bobo•s new hit
NOTICE! 128 p. -$3.00
IS THIS YOUR FIRST BAT? THEN CONSIDER THIS - A
COMPERE!S CORNER -
SUBSCRIPTION COSTS YOU ONLY TWO DOLLARS A YEAR.
MacKenzle -
THAT IS LESS THAN HALF THE PRICE OF THE LARGER m.c. bits- $1.00
MAGAZINES - YET, YOU GET AS MANY TRICKS AND - ENCYCLOPEDIA OF
EXCLUSIVE FEATURES, T H E G A G B A G H A S W O H I N T E R N -
PATTER - Orben's
A T I O N A L ACCLAIM. EACH COPY IS PUNCHED FOR BIND-
first - $1.00
ING. NO OTHER MAGICAL MAGAZINE FEATURES PUZZLES,
PATTER PARADE - the
HUMOR OR BRINGS YOU SUCH A VARIETY OF NON-PART-
new hit - $1.00
ISAN NEWS. AND CHECK THE TRICKS! MAGIC BY GLENN
FOUR FULL HANDS
GRAVATT, HEN FETSCH, FRANK CHAPMAN, TO NAME A
40 card tricks
FEW - AND, if you want actual TRICKS too - ask
by Chas T. Jor-
1
dan - #1.00
about the B.A.T. (BROTHERHOOD OF AMERICAN
DYE BOX BOOK - Tom-
TRICKSTERS), SUBSCRIBE TODAY.1
M A G I C L I M I T E D - Lloyd E . Jones my Windsor- $1.
4064 - 39th Avenue, Oakland 2, Calif. 4064 - 39th Ave SACH'S SLEIGHT
Oakland 2, California OF HAND - $7.50
WHAT DO YOU NEED? WHAT HAVE YOU TO SELL? TRY A BAT AD
RATES ARE TWO DOLLARS AN INCH
LARGER SPACE RATES ON APPLICATION MAGIC LIMITED - Lloyd E. Jones
PUBLISHED MONTHLY
JULY 1947
I€
ALLERTON CONFINED THAT IT WAS IN THI
VERY SAME ROOM THAT HE ATTENDED HIS
FIRST MAGIC MEETINGL A MEETING OF
THE CHICAGO ASSEMBLY NO. 3 OF THE
S.A.M. WITH DR. HARLAN TARBELL AS
THE SPEAKER THAT NIGHT. NOW, SOME
THIRTEEN YEARS LATER HE WAS TO BE
AND EDUCATIONAL SPEAKER ON THE
SAME PROGRAM, SCHEDULED FOR THE
SAME ROOM AND WITH DR. TARBELL ON
THE SAME B I L L l
% WE MADE IT T O C H I C A G O I AND CHAIRMAN WALDO LOGAN I N T R O D U C E D
HAVING A T T E N D E D A S U P E R B C O N V E N T I O N DORNY WHO RAN ON AND OFF ARTHUR
CAN NOW S A Y , "I W O U L D N O T HAVE M I S S E D BUCKLEY, DR. MANUEL SMITH, FORREST %
IT FOR THE WORLDl" KUHNS, SENATOR CRANDALL, JOHNNY PL ATT',
THIS IS N O T AN O F F I C I A L R E P O R T - IT IS SILENT SAM, JACK GWYNNE, FRANCES o
ANOTHER OF OUR UNCONVENTIONAL ONES AND OUR IRELAND, VIC TORSBERG, HARRY
WAY OF SAYING "THANK YOU" TO A GRAND GROUP tACKSTONE, ANO JACK KODELL. THEN,
OF FELLOWS AND TO HEAP PRAISE WHERE IT IS AFTER AN INTERMISSION -TOM (?), BAYLIN
UNSTINTINGLY DESERVED. MADDEN, RAJAH TILLER, WALTER B. GIBSON, c
THE DAY BEFORE (WED. MAY 28TH) THERE WAS AL ROBERTS, PRINCE ZOMBIE, JOE PALEN,
A RUMOR TH*T THIS CONVENTION WOULD TOP 'EM AND MAL KARDO. L O T S OF M A G I C - V A R I E D -
ALL - IT DID. RUMOR WAS BASED ON THE FACT ANO WELL ACCEPTED. HIGH SPOTS WERE AN
THAT THE MORRISON HOTEL HAD BY THEN BOOKED IMPROMPTU BIT BY JACK GWYNNE, ANO THE ACTS w
481 SINGLE RESERVATIONS: MORE THAN THE TOTAL OF SILENT SAM ( B E R M A N ) , FRANCES IRELAND,
ENROLLMENT THE YEAR BEFORE.' AND THE HORSE PLAY OF SENATOR CLARKE \
THIS CROWD SWAMPED THE CHICAGO BUNCH BUT CRANDALL. tA _
THEY CAPABLY HANDLED THE ELEVEN HUNDRED REG- THURSDAY B R O U G H T T H E F I R S T OF T H E O U T - <**,
^.
ISTRATIONS WITH ONLY MINOR GRIPINGS.
THE MONTHS OF TIRING COMMITTEE WORK PAID
OFF - THE HOTEL WAS MORE THAN ADEQUATE AND
S T A N D I N G S E R I E S OF EDUCATIONAL TALKS. THE
BAT considers it a feather in his proverbial ^,
cap to have obtained permission to highlight ^<?
o
THE FACILITIES, CONSIDERING THE 500 UNEX- these talks. WATCH FOR THEM IN THE BAT-' ^
PECTED REGISTRATIONS USED TO THE BEST A D - Speakers were BERT ALLERTON, JOHNNY PAUL, "£,%*
VANTAGE . MATT SCHULEIN, and DR. HARLAN TARBELL. ^> <£,'
H E R E , A S IN O T H E R C O N V E N T I O N E V E N T S , F O R E - "%>-?
CHICAGO - THE BAT SALUTES YOU! WELL DONE/
T H O U G H T A N D P L A N N I N G WERE E V I D E N T . P R I N T E D R E S - ^
UMES WERE GIVEN A T T E N D E E S AND A NEAT FOLDER
SI STEBBHS LESLIE GUEST JOHNNY PLATT
GREGORY
FRANK * PEGGY COLE KING 9
* CHERIE
ZORITA WALDO LOGAN JEMARTHUR BUCKLEY
CLARKE CRANDALL AL BAKER GEffE BERNSTEIN
V
PAGE 254 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-T
course, the editing, publishing, and
expense — and the expected loss would have%
be borne by me — oh boy! — how glad I am
that I am not thoroughly nuts!
All of which leads up to the continuing-
struggle that the Society of American Magic-
ians is in aimed toward publishing their own
private publication. A radical change in the
views and policies of leading S.A.LJ. lights
Published monthly by MAGIC LIMITED at will have to take place before any such mag-
4064 - 39th Avenue, Oakland 2, California. azine will ever appear. I wish them well, but
Subscription rate is $2.00 a year; SIX when you can't see the woods for the trees
issues #1.00; single copies 25jtf excepting its time to being removing the deadwood, both
special issues so designated. mental and physical.
Send all correspondence to THE BAT, And this also leads up to further dis-
c/o Lloyd E. Jones, at address above. cussion on another Society - but space per-
mits no such action. Hwever, if you are all
LLOYD E. JONES'i EDITOR good little kiddies and read your magazine
THERON FOX ASSISTANT EDITOR regular, next month Uncle Lloydle will tell
ROBERT GUNTHER ART EDITOR you about how to make money writing magic
books. __rt Youj?s in magic,
Now lets try it together. Slowly! Refer few times. Left is shown empty, back and
»° the sketches if In doubt on any point. front with fingers wide apart. Left hand^_is
Charlie Miller
THE FLIGHT OF SILKS Here is a little known flourish that *i\
add sparkle to your oard production routine.
Walter the Magician Something Just a little different when it come I
(J. C. Walter) time to say or to produce that omnipotent card
Effect: The magician begins operations by mak- Card is brought to the bottom of the
ing a paper cone which is proved empty and in- pack. The illustration will tell the story
to this he places a purple silk, shoves it much better than words although a little ex-
down with his wand and gives the oone to a perience and some experimentation will un-
spectator to hold. Next a Tea Canister is doubtedly prove of use.
shown empty and a green silk placed Inside
and the canister placed on the left side
stand. A clear glass casket is displayed on
all side} placed on the right side stand and
covered with a handkerchief. Now the left
trouser pocket is shown empty and replaced.
After showing both hands empty, the perform-
er takes a red silk but pauses for a moment
to recall how things stand: purple handker-
chief in cone held by spectator. Green hand-
kerchief in canister and the glass casket as
empty as the trouser pocket. The red silk
now vanishes, the magic word being spoken Deck faces audience as right holds at
and the spectator opens the cone to show that sides so that one-third of the face oard shows
the purple silk has taken flight. Canister Is above the first finger. Right ring finger
opened to show the green silk is gone and presses upward crimp into the selected card.
replaced by the purple one. And the handker- A little pressure causes the card to spin.
chief when lifted from the casket exposes the Crimp is made outward and at the corner of
red silk has appeared therein. All is now the pack. Thumb releasing pressure which
accounted for but the green 11silk which magic- holds the card in place will permit the
ian extracts from his "empty pocket. card to vault into the air and to spin &u
Required: It files.
(a) - P & L Changing Canister Although difficult to describe it can
(b) - Crystal Casket be mastered in a short time once the knack
(c) - Hankerchlef Vanishing Wand or of the rise and spin has been acquired . At
Paper Cone Vanlsher. first, some will find it an aid to have the
(d) - Finger, or Thumb tip left hand assist the making of the necessary
(e) - Two red, two green, and two pur- bend or crimp.
ple silks.
I believe that nearly every magician
possesses the above apparatus and knows how
each one is worked, therefore it will not be by Charlie Miller
necessary for me to go Into detail regarding Shuffle the cards face down. In turning
the working of the above. I might add, how- deck over to square, a small number of cards
ever, that the green silk production is done is palmed in the right hand and attention dir-
via the "top of pocket dodge." ected to face card. Spectator is asked to im-
press this card on his mind.
Now to color change, rub right hand over
leaving all but one card on the deck. Careless-
ly allow this to project or hold the hand in
an awkward position so that the palming Is ob-
vious.
Show card on deck to have changed - and
when your attention is called to the ill-con-
cealed card still in the right, show that It
is an entirely indifferent card!
This little bit works in well with the
"wise guy" who can always be found present -
or graciously performed In a kidding manner
to see if all present are "watching you
like hawks."
Too, a good lesson can be learned from
this in relaxation. The good technician Is
relaxed even when palming a card. The tight-
ness or awkwardness which you should try to
get here is Just what exposes a lot of good
tricks to the layman. As the old saying goes,
TIMOTHY J . DONLIN "Be loose as a goose," and you'll never be
SAID T H t \AJoULD caught when trying to conceal a card man-
DIMINISH I " euver.
1
UIIUBER FORTY-THREE THE BAT PAGE 257
REATCrtRDCRIC/CS
*&.
THREE CARD DISCOVERY in this position and puts it back on the^cleck1
after turning it to normal position.
Effect: Any deck Is handed a spectator Then the left hand turns back, but this
to shuffle, turn his back, remove any card move has resulted in the covering of the
from the rest and put it in his pocket. The second of the two cards originally turned
performer takes the deck, handing it im- over on top of the deck. That card is now
mediately to a second person who shuffles. face up, second from the top, and is cut to
This person is to then cut off a bunch of the middle and glimpsed in a left thumb
cards, look at the face card of the packet riffle. Knowing the two cards left, and
and hold the whole bunch 'against his body for knowing the one reversed, the performer asks
the time being. a question regarding the color or suit of the
The performer takes the remainder of the first person's card to find out which is his.
deck and hands it to a third person for mixing. If not the reversed card, turn to the
Taking them back he fans them facing the third person and ask him to think hard and
spectator who is told to merely think of any- then name his card. Then the deck is fanned
one he sees in the packet. The deck is as- and the card found reversed. Cut the deck
sembled and the cards located. so that the card immediately under the re-
Presentation: Everything is strictly versed card is at the top. This is the re-
fair up to the third person. In fanning maining card. Hold the deck behind the back.
through this packet, the performer silently Have the man name the card he originally took
counts the number of cards In it. We will from the deck himself, and then produce it.
assume that he counts twenty-two. He also
notes the face card of the bunch and remembers
these two points. He now hands this packet
to the second spectator and tells him to SENSITIVE FINGERS
put it either on top or bottom of the bunch
I he Is holding; and cut the deck once or twice. Here is another three card discovery,
At this time the performer states that the effect of which Is very similar to that
he is desirous of having the three cards at just described in the preceding trick. The
one spot In the pack so that all three minds working, however, is different.
will come together at one point rather than A deck is shuffled and divided into
three, thus making the location easier. three heaps. A heap is given to each of
The third person is given the deck and asked three spectators who are asked to shuffle
to run through It, remove his mentally chosen their respective sets of cards. Each spec-
card and hand it to the second person. tator selects a card in the manner instructed
The first person is asked to take hla them by the magician.
card from his pocket and also give it to The cards are gathered into one pack,
the second person. Then the second person, cut, and given to the performer who holds
with the two cards, is asked to take the them face down in his left hand. He pretends
deck, locate his own card and put these two to feel the bottom card by running the finger
cards of the others, one on each side of hia, of his right hand over its face. Then he
in the deck. Then he cuts the deck several tosses the card aside. This Is repeated with
times and the performer takes it. succeeding cards until the three chosen cards
The" performer takes the deck and fans have been located. The faces of the cards
through it, face towards him. He first are never seen by the performer throughout
locates the key card he has remembered and the entire trick.
outs it to the face or the bottom. Then, Method: We will number the spectators
counting from the face towards the back of 1, 2 and 3 for convenience in explaining.
the deck, and including the bottom card, he Spectator 1 is asked to deal his cards one at
counts to the twenty-second card. This is a time, face down, to the table and continue
the number of cards he counted in the third until he wishes to stop. He then looks at
man's group. the top card of the portion on the table.
The twenty-second, twenty-third and the After this, he continues dealing the cards
twenty-fourth cards are thus the three one at a time until his cards are exhausted.
selected cards, with the second man's card While he does so, you make a mental note of:
in the middle of the three. The trick may first, the number of the selected card, and
end here, or the three are cut to the top in second, the total number of cards in the
that order. portion held by the spectator.
Snap the top of the deck and tell the The second spectator is asked to give
second man you have his card. He names it his portion one complete cut, then look at
and you show It by making a double lift and the bottom card of the pile and remember it.
turning the two cards face up on top of the The third spectator is asked to select
d
eck. The left hand now turns over so the a card from anywhere in his portion, then
Ca
rd faces the floor. The right hand hand you the rest of the cards, retaining
removes the single card from under the deck the selected card in his hands.
PAGE 258 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-THREE
hand, you appear to be holding an ordinary QBt
eh box, with an empty drawer and partially 0,
*, GM./E/V/V <t>. GJQ/kVA pen (Figure 2 ) .
As soon as you receive this portion, Ask the spectator to take a quarter fron
secretly bend down a corner of the top card. his pocket and drop it into drawer A, the V1B-|
The third spectator who is holding his lble drawer. After he does so you close the
selected card is asked to take the portion box casually, apparently pushing drawer A l n .
from spectator 1, and place it on top of his to the box ln the usual manner. However, what
card. Then he takes the portion from spec- you really do is somewhat different; you push
tator 2, and places it on top of the cards he
holds.
At this point extend your hand, hold-
ing the cards so that the crimp is not
noticeable, and have all the cards placed on
top of the cards you hold. Have the deck
cut once. Frequently tne spectator will cut
just above the crimped card. If so, good.
If not, cut the cards several times yourself,
making the last cut above the crimped card
so that it is brought to the top. The three
chosen cards are located as follows:
1. The first card you feel is the card
taken by the third spectator. Place it face
down in front of him.
2. Continue feeling and discarding
cards, counting them as you do so. Begin drawer B into the box with your right fingers
your count after you have set aside the forcing drawer A out of the box behind the
selected card of the third spectator. When left hand, which is apparently doing the clos-
you reach the number which you had remembered ing. Drawer A, containing the quarter, is
for the position of the first spectator's held concealed ln the l«ft hand, whloh you
card, you will have his card. Place it face drop to the side as you hand the box to the
down in front of him. speotator and ask him to shake It. Hearing
3. Continue discarding and counting. the nickel, he believes the quarter is still
Do not start the count over, but keep going there.
from the number just counted until you reach Put the left hand into your left coat
the number which you had remembered for the pocket, leaving drawer A and the quarter and
number of cards in the portion held by the remove the two rubber bands. Have the spect
first spectator. The next card is the second ator put the bands around the box, as in Fig- •t
spectator's card. Place it beside him, face ure 3. Then tell him to shake the box three
down. Have the three cards named, then turn times and to raise It above his head. When'
them over for the climax. he lowers It and removes the rubber bands,
He will find that his quarter has vanished
and its place taken by a nickel.
To keep your conscience clear, take two
dimes from your pants pocket and present
them to the spectator to make up the diff-
by U erence.
Royal H. Brin, Jr. You will find this change convincing and
Effect; Spectator puts a quarter Into a penny effective, as well as easy to perform. It can
matchbox. The box Is olosed and two rubber of course, be applied to any objeot small e-
bands are tightly placed around It. The spect- nough to fit in the drawer.
ator takes the box and holds It tightly In his
hand, shakes It three times and raises It "a- A GAG *
bove his head at the magician's direction.The Use, for example, the six pf clubs. Remove one of the two center
spectator then lowers the box, removes the pips—with an eraser. Keep this prepared card in your outside (breast)
rubber bands, slides open the drawer, and to coat pocket; back out, and in a horizontal position. Force the five of
his surprise the quarter has changed Into a clubs. Have card replaced, genuinely shuffle deck, and pretend to make
nlokel! Match box, rubber bands, and nlokel pass. Carry the pretense fuither by apparently palming off top card
may be thoroughly examined but will give no with right hand. Show bottom card of pack and say, "That's not youi
clue to the mystery. The magician then takes card, is it?" At same time, right hand makes move toward breast
two dimes from his pocket and gives them to pocket as though attempting to slip a card in. Riffle deck with a snap,
the spectator to make up the deficit. reach into pocket with right fingers, and produce six of clubs. Rig"'
Itethod; All the equipment you need for this thumb covers blank spot. Say, "And here's your card." Spectator will
little mystery is an ordinary penny matoh box challenge; his card was the five. "Well, this is a five-spot," you reply,
along with an extra drawer and two rubber and toss the card for inspection.
bands. Have both drawers extending from the THE ABOVE L I T T L E B I T I S FROM THREE - SIX BITS,
box as In Figure 1. Drawer B already con- by Frank M. Chapman, A SOON TO BE RELEASED TAB BOOK.
tains a nickel and the whole Is in the right L I K E ALL BOOKS I N THE TAB S E R I E S T H I S ONE W I L L ALSO M
hand coat pocket. The rubber bands are In the HAVE L O T S OF GOOD M A G I C , V A R I E T Y , AND BE A T T R A C T I V E ^
left hand coat pocket. P R I N T E O AND B O U N D . LOW I N P R I C E THE TAB I M P R I N T MEAN
Bring out the box from the right pocket, H I G H Q U A L I T Y AT B A R G A I N P R I C E S . ARE YOU A C Q U A I N T E D
with your right hand holding it and covering WITH UNIQUE MAGIC BOOK CLUB? A POST CARD TO MAGIC
drawer B which contains the nickel. Since draw- L I M I T E D W I L L BRING Y O U FULL INFORMATION A N O INCUR *
er B Is completely concealed by your right OBLIGATION. ARM TOU HISSIKO SOMStBIIG 000D II MlOl"
uilMBER FORTY-THREE THE BAT PAGE 259
-Amen
Our long dlvielon cryptarlthm last month
waa truly an appropriate one. Did you have any LOYD, (often confused with your Editor,
trouble In solving It? Monte Dernham deserves Lloyd E.) is particularly proud of his Passe
a pat on the back for working It out. Solution Bottles and rightly so. Loyd has always been
ie:- known to be a maker of professional equipment
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 built to last and his new Passe Set is far
superior to any other on the market. They
B L A O K S T O N E look like bottles, having an amber plastic
As for Klngwell Boz's trouble, the check glass finish and the routine possible with
was for $12.25. So checking back, you oan see this set has fooled men like Prakson and Can-
how simple I t a l l r e a l l y was! (Or was It?) Let tu. That little extra piece does the work.
that be a lesson to you (or him). Your dealer can get them for you - or order
At Chicago, we met famed Royal Vale Heath direct.
of MATHEMAGIC fame. We t o l d him of t h i s l i t t l e It is a real pleasure to see GOOD silk
oolumn after we had asked about the future back on the market and the CARD and PICTURE
fate of that monumental book (a new edition I s SILKS of Lou Tannen are a Joy to handle as
being considered). He pops up with a problem well as behold. The beautiful rabbit in the
that goes l i k e t h i s - hat is one every magician wants and the card
Two cars leave at the same time - one silks find many uses. Next month, we'll have
travels 40 m.p.h. the other 45 m.p.h. One a trick by HEN FETSCH using one of these best
arrives at 10.59 - the other at 1 1 . 0 1 . What buys. Theres a story too - not very pleasant,
was the distance? (Put your thinking caps on!) concerning these silks and we'll try to tell
What i s i t that one magician can stand it to you next month. Story proves that fire
on end - but i t takes a hundred men to carry? must be fought with fire and he who starts
I've seen Blackstone, V i r g i l and even the fire often gets burned.
Great Shepard do i t ! Speaking of HEN FETSCH, how'd you like
Now for a problem in addition. his Funny Bunny Business in the May BAT? I
I l l thought you did! And our especial thanks to
Hen for it. His newest book, MAGIC AT YOUR
\ FINGERTIPS is one we oan fully recommend
since we saw the rough proofs and can vouch
9 9 9 for the material that he and MILBOURNE CHRIST-
OPHER have put in It.
Erase all but three figures to arrive at a Having sold (through Magic Limited)near-
total of twenty. That's not so tough but may- ly ONE THOUSAND of Tommy Windsor's DYE BOX, 1
be next month we'll have a little different it is readily understandable why we have
set-up that'll stump you! // for a while. chosen his new DYE BOX BOOK for the July TAB
And finally, we went way back to Civil selection. Crammed full of excellent Ideas
War days to get this one. No, it wasn't taught and uses for a piece of equipment that is be-
me then - I got it from a book of those times coming a standard item on dealer's shelves It
and have placed it In dozens of autograph Is a good buy from all angles - for quantity
books. Are you brighter than the usual read- and quality, variety, usability, and inform-
er? ation.
U 0 a 0, but I 0 thee In all RAYMONDE'S ceramlo items, the one
0 0 no o, but 0 0 me with most appeal to your Editor is the Mex-
And 0 let my 0 thy 0 be ican Liquor Bottle. It looks like something
And give 0 0 for I 0 thee! to be found in the home, and not like a bit
of magical equipment dreamed up for the ooc-
Having lived a aslon. His greeting card deserves praise too.
goodly portion of my Dick Swanson, the wandering dealer from
allotted three-score Seattle returned home loaded with Ideas after
and ten, it was a attending the Chicago convention, Blackstone's
pleasure for me to Colon, Michigan home; New York, Los Angeles
learn recently the and the Bay area. New magic is short says
answer to a problem Dick, but quality Is again appearing in the
that I have hear ex- apparatus.
pounded many times
but never answered. Bob Stull, besides keeping himself busy
Perhaps you know - with daytime business is burning lights at
HOW LONG IS A PIECE 341 Market Street in San Francisco with a
OF STRING? series of midnight meetings. Lectures on
educational subjects, resume of the Dai Vern-
So with that on popular lecture, and club meetings. All
little problem for Jhese combine to make stull's a busy place
you to mull over, I Indeed.
leave you to your And TOM DETHLEFSEN post-cards, "If you
Ouch! Who put this cushion on my bed ?" mulling. think you're buoy - come see me!
PAGE 260 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-THREE
• APPETIZERS
Complimentary luncheons . . . Free beer trips to local breweries
Celebrity Nite Party Noonday Stunts
Will Be
Dinners at Famous Sea Food Mecca:
Not
• ENTREES
f IU A
Represented Much
Dealer Displays of New Effects
Staging of Contests Magic Demonstrations
JACK Reqmred
Magicians Only Show Public Show Dealer Shows Registration
Contest Award Banquet
Fee... $10
• DESSERTS ^——^-
:
Special Puget Sound and Lake Washington Scenic Trips our Great
Your QUEEN Post-Convention Trip... Victoria, Vancouver, B. C. Days in the
...She'll HEART of the
Enjoy It Pacific
Northwest <
OLYMPIC HOTEL
SEATTLE July 22x^25, Incl. SEATTLE MAGIC RING
Seattle, Wash.
PAGE 264
August should bring hot weather - so lets gests its use as follows. Immediately after
have a "hot" item for the B.A.T.! The select- doing the Kenard's Nu Koin Trick (also sold
ion will be the ATOMIC COIN of Berland. A dol- in similar versions as Penny to Dime and
lar seller this was Introduced at the S.A.M. Nickel to Penny to Dime) pass the magic penny
Chicago Convention and took our fancy. Better out for examination and then cause it to dis-
save some caps from your Fourth of July cel- appear. The fact that the second penny Is so
ebration! With Atomic Coin you'll be needing
them! thoroughly examined allays any thought of
In effect, a half dollar placed in the suapicion of the first coin used.
palm disappears with a POP! Usable as a At Chicago we heard of I. B. M. Clubs and
single effect it will work well into any S. A.M. groups that joined the B.A.T. with
coin routine, impromptu or otherwise since It material going to the President. He assigns
Is easily carried and the instructions tell material to a member who then presents the
how to close your routine with the coin which tricks at the following meeting. Hovel- idea,
apparently "atomizes." We think you'll like but what pleased me most was to learn that
ATOMIC COIN. Its new, well made, and usable. In all cases, membership had been renewed!
After months of work, our new office Is Thank you, boys.
finally finished and everything in place. We
hope this means an end of searching here and
THE
there - pushing this aside to get some space
- and so on, and that errors will be pract- Pick your own JACKPOT this month. Look
ically nil from now on. Summer too, brings over your list of ALTERNATES and pick any TWO
us extra help and the correspondence file is DOLLAR item. Its yours for ONE DOLLAR as the
rapidly being brought up to date. This cert- Jackpot No. 18. Or, pick two of the dollar
ainly brings a sigh of relief here for it is items - at the same price - ONE DOLLAR. Be
no pleasure to have to delay answering ques- sure and mention that your choice is a Jack-
tions because other things MUST be done first. pot selection - and if your B.A.T. number is
Coming up we have an effect by Edward handy, please mention it too.
Massey. It will be a good pocket or club item Some Jackpot 14's (only Z) still left!
for you and our production "experts" are Want one? Plenty of Jackpot 17's as this is
puzzling over it now. Its a question of suit- written - but don't delay. See you at Seattle?
able material as well as getting sufficient
quantity to take care of B.A.T. needs at a
reasonable price. Just thought we'd let you
know though, that some prime stuff is due to
come from this end.
At Chicago, we added Dell o'Dell and
Dr. Harlan Tarbell among others to our lists.
Might not be growing but we're more than
holding our own with quality!
If we can continue to keep extra pages
in the BAT - it also means more tricks. How
about some of your own for publication here?
If you'd like one, we'll send you your choice
of a TAB book for each trick we accept. Be
sure and let us know your selection 1 Other-
wise we'll Just take them with thanks!
Johnny Murray's contribu-
tion to the good of the order
this month is another top-
notch idea. Most everyone does
the old trick of getting a
coin from beneath a glass by
scratching the table cloth
or napkin, thus making the
coin "walk out." Now says
Johnny, how about using
your magic penny and a
magnet under the table? Catch? Then only you
the magician can make the coin perform and
the others can scratch all day without mak-
ing the penny budge!
That MAGIC PENNY seems to keep cropping
up, thus proving that you can't keep a good
trick down! This time, Royal H. Brin, Jr. DORNY - popular M.C. and hard working S.A.M.
(see his Matoh Box trick in this issue) sug- Committeeman
NUMBER FORTY- THREE THE BAT PAGE 2 6 5
Loyd-Made
on men andbooks
1 NUMBER FORTY-THREE
it*
t)
33
T£ST£D
I TRICKS*
WWMoume
one/ "Jfen '
MAGIC AT YOUR FINGER TIPS. Topflight trickery by two of
America's greatest magician-inventors Milbourne Christopher
and "Hen" Fetsch.
MAGIC AT YOUR FINGER TIPS is jam-packed with pfactical
magic. 33 Tested Tricks in a finely printed, profusely
illustrated 46 page book.
MAGIC AT YOUR FINGER TIPS features close-up conjuring,
mental magic, card feats, sorcery with silks and a wide
assortment of unusual variety magic.
MAGIC AT YOUR. FINGER TIPS offers new and delightful
wizardry for stage, intimate work, platform, night clubs
and hotels.
MAGIC AT YOUR FINGER TIPS is enlivened with Walt Kaeber's
excellent drawings. Sid Lorraine wrote the sparkling foreword.j
MAGIC AT YOUR FINGER TIPS is ready for IMMEDIATE delivery^
Price, $2.00 Postpaid.
"HEN" PETSCH
MARYLAND MAGIC STUDIO
BALTIMORE 7,
' " '
N.
M \
PAGE 268 THE BAT
MDKERCHI •Ff
THE JINX - COMPLETE FILE BOUND IN 3 VOLUMES - USED
GOOD CONOITION — — $35!^
GREATER MAGIC - HILLIARD - USED - MANY CORNERS
TURNED - OTHERWISE FINE SHAPE -
*7.5O
MY BEST - USED - EXCELLENT SHAPE -
$6.00
TARBELL VOL. 3 - USED - TWO CORNERS BENT -
OTHERWISE AS NEW -
$5.00
MAGIC, STAGE ILLUSIONS AND S C I E N T I F I C D I V E R S I O N S
- H O P K I N S , GREEN BINDING - GOLD STAMPED
EVANS - 1906 - SCARCE - $7.50
PRACTICAL MENTAL EFFECTS - ANNEMANN - USED - AS
NEW - NO WRAPPER - $5.00
MAGIC AT YOUR FINGERTIPS - C H R I S T O P H E R & FETSCH -
THE NEW HIT BY TWO OF THE BEST - $2.00
WATCH THIS ONEI - BY J. B. B O B O - OUR BEST T O -
These are a semi-textile developed exclusively for
MAGICAL PURPOSES. They cannot be harmed by rough hand-
OATE AND ONE OF THE BEST OF THE YEAR - $3-00
ling or crumpling. Carry one in your pocket and y o u are
THE BOOK WITHOUT A NAME - ANNEMANN - $2.00
always ready. Spring a n e w one at any time.
TRICKS OF A TROUPER - JACK LE DAIR - $1.50
Routine alone is worth a dollar.1 - but its free!
T. N. T. (TWELVE N E W T R I C K S ) - FABIAN, E D . - $1.25
Your choice o f 9 different cards as illustrated. All
SUBTLE PROBLEMS YOU WILL 00 - JUDAH AND BRAUN - $2.50
COURT CARDS -$1.00 - each - SPOT CARDS 7 5 *
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FOOTLIGHTS - DR. X - $3.00
MODERN MAGIC MASTER - RUDY ROXO - $1.50
THE DEAD DO NOT TALK - PROSKAUER - $2.00
SOMETHING NEW SIMPLY WIZARD - GOODLIFFE - LATE E N G L I S H WORK $2.75
LEARN MAGIC- HENRY HAY - NEW AMERICAN TEXT - $1.49
SQUIRTING TELEPHONE - Funny stuff! - will fool EXPERT MANIPULATION OF PLAYING CARDS, - GANSON
99 4 4 / 1 0 0 ' B . Desk type - $10.00 - wall A LONG NEEDED BOOK - ENGLISH - $2.50
type - #15.00 - and Dial model - $17.50. A B C OF VENTRILOQUISM - CRAGGS - HIGHLY R A T E D - $3.00
A gag to last a lifetime - perfect for the PATTERNS FOR PSYCHICS - WARLOCKS - $2.50
office or work shop. Can be used repeatedly CONVINCING COIN MAGIC - FARELLI - THE L A T E S T - $3.75 ,
without reloading the big rubber bulb. TOPS. NEO MAGIC - SHARPE - REVISED EDITION OF A BOOK
WITH SENSIBLE ADVICE - - $3.00
COIN TRAY - a new copper, thin model tray for THUMBS UP - KENYON - NEW USES FOR THUMB TIPS - $1.25
loading two coins, half-dollar size or CONJURING MELANGE - COLLINS -256 PAGES - $4.00
smaller. Natural, not a bit suspicious THE BUNCO BOOK, GIBSON - FULL OF INFORMATION $2.50
and easy to carry and use. — $3.00 CARD CONTROL, BUCKLEY - NEWEST AND BEST - $10.00
DYE BOX BOOK - TOMMY WINDSOR - SURPRISING - $1.00
COIN SAND FRAME - cute, clever, and usable. PATTER PARADE - ROBERT ORBEN - CHUCKLE CHUCKLE$I.00
Small enough to hold a half-dollar COMPERE'S CORNER - MACKENZIE - S C O T T I S H HUMOR - $1.00
and big enough to be seen. A shake, ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PATTER - ORBEN's F I R S T - $1.00
and the half disappears visibly! Good. $3.00 SMART BUSINESS - MCATHY -LAUGHS AND B U S I N E S S FOR
THE MAGICAL M . C . - TOPS $2.00
HADES FIRE BOWL - a Merv Taylor creation - APPLAUSE - SENOR M A R D O - ROUTINE TO W I N YOU
guaranteed to work! Gleaming copper, A P P L A U S E . ILLUSTRATED 32 PAGES - POPULAR $2.00
easily carried and worked - $12.50 YOU'RE ONt - WILBUR KATTNER - NEW REDUCED PRICE - .75
MILK PITCHER MAGIC - HEN F E T S C H - A FAT GOOD BOOK
A LID AND LOAD for the Hades Fire Bowl -$8.5o FOR EVERY MAGICIAN. $1.00
Makes It possible to produce bowl of EMERALD MYSTERY - WARNER PERRY . ONE &Q_O.DTRICK
fire, then clap lid on to put out MATCHES OF LUCIFER - JACK VOSBURGH - LOTS OF STUFF-.5O
flame and you have, dove, flowers, or silks. ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PUZZLES AND PASTIMES - 431 P A G E S -$2.9«
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE CRAZY - IRELAND -200 P A G E S . $3-5°
MAGIC PICTURES - a hit at Chicago - not ao CANADIAN MAGICAL METHODS - LAMBIE -6 S E L E C T I O N S -$1.00
:J
much a trick as a novelty. Blank card BE DECEIVED - Louis LAM - C A R D M A G I C "
on one side, other has six horses to MODERN LEVITATIONS - U. F. GRANT (SO YOU WANT TO
choose from. Make pick and rub wet maglo paper FLOAT A LADY?) - SIX METHODS $2.00
on oard and picture Immediately developes! PATTER IN RHYME - ELLA EYDMAN - POPULAR TRICKS - .75
Each race different! 20 cards, etc. - $1.25 FUN FARE - FlNDLER'S CHOICE GAGS - 250 OF THEMJ -
.75
MODUS OPERAND I - IN TWO PARTS -144 PAGES - $4.00
MAGIC BAROMETER - same Idea but six beautiful TESTED TRICKS BY ERIC LEWIS
females Instead of horses. Many uses. 50 KUTE KOIN TRICKS - BY U. F. GRANT - $1.00
20 cards and all material. Get one set of eaoh ELIMINATORS - TWELVE WAYS (3 E A C H ) OF ELIMINATING
of these and you'll surely reorder. - $1.25 THE P A S S , F O R C E , PALM, AND SWITCH - GOOD -
JUST It.' - IBATtS'S - BOW JO HUM A SPOOK SBOW $1.00 IT (INTERESTING T R I C K S ) - STICKLAND - •'
MAGIC LIMITED-^/£
4064—39th Avenue, Oakland 2, California
NUMBER FORTY-THREE THE BAT PAGE 2 6 9
I
Tommy Windsor's Street Faker Act
A CLEAN COMEDY " P I T C H " ACT THAT C A N BE PERFORMED I N CHURCHES A N D SCHOOLS AS WELL AS LODGES A N D
CLUBSI FULL OF LAUGHS, BUT N O T A "BLUE" G A G I N THE LOT . . . A RIOT OF F U N BUT C O N T A I N S NOTHING TO
OFFEND A N Y O N E I You sell and demonstrate " D r . Presto's M a g i c a l Medicines For Mysterious M a l a d i e s , " and when you show
them what "Princess Feather flowers Indian Elixir" will do . . . they'll think the good old days a r e here again I This four
page manuscript gives you the COMPLETE SPIEL or PATTER . . . tells exactly what tricks to use, makes suggestions about
using apparatus you a l r e a d y have, and even tells you how to p l a c e the tricks in your suitcase. This is positively the SAME
ACT as performed by Tommy Windsor at the Columbus Magi-Fest and at Abbott's Get-To-Gether . . . nothing held backl
The tricks fit the patter . . . fifteen tricks in fifteen minutes. Fix it all up before you leave home . , . walk right on a n d
do it . . . a n d you a r e a l l r e a d y to go back home. THIS IS IT . . . you'll love it . . . a n d you'll love to d o i t !
(Manuscript Only)
SEATTLE M A G I C I A N S MEET
RECENT LIBRARY ACQUISITIONS at
SWANSON'S
WATCH THIS ONE!, J.fl.Bobo. R. E. SWANSON MAGIC & NOVELTY CO.
MATHEMATICAL RECREATIONS AND ESSAYS, Ball - '•
12101/, 1st AVENUE SEATTLE 1, WASHINGTON
Coxeter, rev. ed., 1947.
MAGIC FOR MURDER, Armstrong Livingston.
CATALOG No. 9. ABBOTT MACHC NOVELTY CO. FREE
APPLAUSE, Senor Uardo. S E N D F O RO U RN E W I L L U S T R A T E D
CATALOG No. 1, TINY'S MAGIC CO. Tiny Grant. C I R C U L A R S L I S T I N G S O M E N E W
MAGIC AS A HOBBY, Nelson Enterprises. G I A N T C A R D T R I C K S A N D
THE FAKIR, Vol. 2, No. 11. A C C E S S O R I E S
ABRACADABRA, Vo. 3, Nos 64, 65, 66,67. 68. ELTON STUDIOS
PHOENIX. Nos. 124, 125, 126. 263 W. ASH AVE., BURBANK. CALIF.
WINDSOR'S DOPE SHEET, Annual 2nd 1947 issue.
PENTAGRAM, April '47. SPHINX May '47. SAN FRANCISCO'S FAVORITE MAGIC STUDIO
GENII, June '47. TOPS, June 47., MAC'S MONTHLY
WE CARRY THE
May '47. TE TOHUNGA, March-April''47.
TRIKS, May '47, K. 0. M. April-May '47. LATEST AND BEST OF ALL MAGIC EFFECTS
JUGGLER'S BULLETIN. May '47. BLINKING RING, A POST CARD WILL PLACE YOU ON OUR MAILING LIST
May "47. TANNEN'S TOP HAT TOPICS, Vol. 1 Tom Dethlefsen's
No. 9. PRESTIDIGITATOR Vol. 1, No. 4 . Golden Gate Magic Co.
COUNT'S CHRONICLE, Vol. 1, No. 6.
HUGARD'S MOHTHLY, Vol. 4, No. 12. 583 Market Street San Francisco 5, California
LES ANNALES DE L'ILLUSION, No. 17, MAGIENS
VERDEN, April '47. S O M E T H I N G S E W E V E R Y D A Y
VADE MECUM DE LA MAGIE, premiere partle En-
oyolopfedla de L'Illusion.
MODERN MAGI, Vol. 4, No. 11. MENGE'S PREVUES,
Vol. 2, No. 1, GRANT'S BULLETIN, Vol. 5,
Foley's Magic Shop
JEAN FOLEY-S.A.M., I.B.M., P.C.A.M.
No. 6. 609 UNIVERSITY BUILDING SEATTLE 1 , WASH.
Program, DECATUR DEMON'S CLUB SPRING MAGIC (Opp. Palomar Theatre)
Festival - Program, S.A.M. Chicago Con-
vention.
MAGICAL MINUTES. Vol. 1, No. 5.
THE BAT, June, '47.
STULL MAGIC MANUFACTURING C 0 . (
'A FAMOUS IAMB 19 MAGIC "ESTABLISHED 1 9 3 2 "
CONJUROR'S MAGAZINE, May, June, ' 4 7 . ORIGINATORS OF
PENTAGRAM, May, 1947. THE FISH CATCHING BOWL — THE BARREL ESCAPE
THE STULL GROWING BUSH — STULL COCKTAIL SHAKER
VENTRILOQUISTS - M . C . S . - MAGICIANS. ALL GOOD MAGIC AND BOOKS CARRIED IN STOCK
Good p a t t e r , s t o r i e s , m . o . m a t e r i a l i n my 341 MARKET STREET SAN FRANCISCO 5, CALIF.
VENTRILOQUIAL DIALOGUES - Numbers 1 - 2 - 3 - $ 1 .
each. Will not; be r e p r i n t e d . No. 4 i n p r e p a -
r a t l o n . USED MAGIC LIST f o r stamp. WANTED1 Pacific GacAt AlAociaiiati oj Afapicaud
Clock and Watch t r i c k s . Write -
TED COLTEAUX Go+tuenti&n
514 KREITZER AVENUE BLOOMINGTON, I I I .
Oakland
TAB SELECTIONS
(One d o l l a r each) IiWITES
JANUARY
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
YOU
TO
JOIN THE THE BLUE BUG V
FEBRUARY
I ' L L BET YOU CAN'T
MARCH /Vbot^s
TOP SECRETS
APRIL
PATTER PARAOE
Magic's First THE FOUR FULL HANDS \/
MAY
BOOK CLUB OUT OF THE SPOOK CABINET
JUNE
33 ROPE TIES AND CHAIN
TEN DOLLARS
RELEASES
A YEAR JULY
(16 BOOKS) THE DYE BOX BOOK
II1AGICAL CGRflmiCS
A New Departure in Magical Craftsmanship
CHINGSG
RIC€ BOIIJLS
DG LUX€
A Super Creation of Master Chinese Pottery Workers
Size 6V4 x 3 in assorted colors
Can be used with plastic disk or rubber cover
Either one supplied with order
Price boxed per set $5.00
mYSTGRious mexicAN
LIQUOR BOTTLG
DOES EVERYTHING
A LOTA DOES — PLUS
PORCELAIN HINDU CUPS In Beautiful Colors
FOR CUP AND BALL ROUTINE You will be proud to
Direct from India Size 3" x 3" own one.
In beautiful colors 6 inches high, 4 inches
Many unique features wide.
With original instructions. $3.00
Boxed
Boxed per set $4.00
RAYMONDE
AU. 3-1408
6 2 0 WEST 1 4 9 t h STREET N E W Y O R K 3 1 , N . Y
PAGE 2 7 2 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-THRPc
LOUIS TANNEN—Q«eA**Ueed
120 WEST 42nd STREET, NEW YORK 18, N. Y.
STORE HOURS: Weekdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
LOU TANNEN, the publisher of the World Famous "Tarbell Course in Magic", has now turned his talents to the manu-
facture of silks for Magicians. The same painstaking care that went into the publishing of the Tarbell Course has
been applied now to silks. The results were amazing, the colors breathtaking, the quality of the silk is so soft
and fine that it's a pleasure to handle it.
PUBLISHED MONTHLY
AUGUST 1947
NUMBER FORTY-FOUR
ot the
CONVENTION
SEATTLE JULY, 22-25
Here are the Principal Events:
Pre-Convention "Get Together" (Multnomah Hotel,
Portland, Oregon, auspices of Portland Society of
Magicians) July 21
Celebrity Nite Party July 22
The Magicians Only Show July 23
The Big Show July 24
Annual Banquet and Presentation of Awards July 25
Post-Convention "Farewell Party" July 26
When the first magical conventions were REN CLARK - NEW PRESIDENT OF THE I.B.M.
OF FORTH WORTH
held, the meetings gravitated to a three day I.B.H. CONVENTION
stand. Soon, however the boys began to arrive a report by Milbourne Christopher
a day or two earlier and it became the custom A few minutes ago I gave Phil Thomas the
to have a party for the early birds on the rope I use In my stretching trick to 'tie up
night before. That party then began to become one of his boxes. The 19th Annual Convention
a part of the regular activities and Is so of the International Brotherhood of Magicians
recognised by the major conventions. Then a was over. The 17th floor of the William Penn
few who could come earlier, did so and night Hotel, which for four days had been filled
before the night before parties were held. To with over 800 devotees of the mystic arts was
be brief, the early three day conventions now empty excepting for half a dozen tall-enders
cover at least four full days of activities, and a corps of hotel clean-up people.
or three full days plus the night before part- I arrived late this year — the morning
y and the peak seems to be reached by the P. of the third day. I missed seeing Beehrle the
C. A. M. group for In Seattle, a whole week Wizard being burned alive in front of the
of activities had been planned! City-County Building, but I did see the news-
First, was scheduled the Portland Party, paper photos and accounts of the event and I
for the night of the 21st (Portland is only met Mr. Beehrle who hadn't even a singed eye-
about 200 miles from Seattle!). Then on to brow to remind him of his toasting.
tj
ie state capltol with a visit from the Gov- I missed the wonderful acts of Okito and
ernor and a visit to the local brewery. This Silent Mora, though I heard glowing descrip-
(for Tuesday, then on to Seattle for the big tions of their wonderful work.
"ight before Party and the three days of act- The first thing that Btruck me on arrival
ivities (another brewery trip too - and Wash- was the vast amount of space given over to the
ington Is oh so dry!). The day following, a dealers and the tremendous amount of merchandise
"Ice long cruise to Victoria, Canada — but on display. The gadget that fascinated me most
8 - 1 digress, as Dai Vernon would say, was an electronic device developed by the Bea-
what did happen? con Company, with which you can start and stop
TURK TO PAOI 882, pl»»s« TURN TO PAOK £80, pitas*
PAGE 274 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-FOtip
0» w matte
* Johnnie Murray
This Is a smart little stunt to pull on
A balloon is Inflated and the inevitable the wise guy who knows it all. Formerly, I
card is selected. The Mystery Man waves his used a duplicate card but now am prepared
magic wand and chants the mystical words as with the tricked card explained below so that
he sips the magic brew (make mine Pabst). they can search the deck when I am finished
Lo and behold - the card vanishes - the without discovering the secret.
balloon bangs apart - and there at his (Magic The whole thing Is based on a bluff (A
At Your) Fingertips (space here for Editor similar trick Is in Miniature Card Magic by
to complain about the plug - which he doesn't "Hen" Fetsch with the miniature being the one
-Ed.)ls the selected card !!!! ultimately found: Ed.).
Wrong again! - A silk handkerchief ap- Performer removes a card and places it
pears Instead of the card. And to make a long face down In front of spectator without let-
story short, this silk, when opened turns out ting it be seen. He now shuffles deck well
to be a picture of the selected card— bravo! then tells spectator that no matter what card
he names - It will be the one on the table.
As he is doing this, the magician holds the
squared up pack In his hand so that the ass-
istant can see the bottom card. The magician
puts emphasis to his remarks by shaking the
deck so that the bottom card cannot fail to
be seen but does so in such a manner as not
to give the impression that he really wants
that card to be named.
Finally, the spectator catches on and
tries to trip up the boastful magician and
names the card on the bottom of the pack.
Magician meanwhile cuts deck and reverses
it In his hand. "Bets" are collected and the
spectator turns over the card on table to
find that it Is really the named card and an
examination of the pack discloses no duplic-
ates .
on men andbooks
Right after the
My, what a surprise
the Oakland Magic Circle A Hit in Oakland! Flash!!! tremendous value of last
month when two splendid
books were made TAB selections - THREE
got when they found they
had competition! Well, a W M A G I C CIRCLE" -SIX BITS, by Frank M. Chapman and
few females might take a
little of the odor away
GUARANTEES you OUTLINE OF MYSTERY, by Arthur Leroy,
comes the news that the September choice la
from some of the meetings!,SapetMreamy OE0D0MHT the latest work of another top-notch writer
Ormond McGill, back and creator of magical ideas - SENOR MARDO|
home after a long series His THE HANDS ONLY will follow the precedent
of dates reports that he set by his other books, Routined Magic and
is keeping out of mis-
Unequal* the currently popular Applause, and bring you
chief by working on a new 3-war more of the fine combinations and routines
you have grown to expect from the Senor.
manuscript he calls, "The Protection
Encyclopedia of Genuine THE HANDS ONLY will sell for one dollar
Stage Hypnotism1.1 Should Well printed and illustrated, it will follow'
be quite interesting since Ormond is well ac- the regular TAB style and be another book for
quainted with all angles of the subject. you to read, enjoy and use. Book will be dis-
The VIRGIL SHOW has disbanded for the tributed on September 15th to TAB members and
summer and is back home in Washington. Fall to others immediately afterwards. Orders are
season will open in August with a series of now being accepted.
dates beginning.In Maine. This will be the It Is good to see Irving Joslyn writing
first appearance of the big Virgil Show on for Genii once more. Tsk. tsk.
the East Coast and as reviewed In the Jan- As we go to press news of a big scoop
uary BAT (No. 3?) is well worth seeing. arrives to makes us much elated. Looking a-
J. B. Bobo calls attention to the head at Issues full with Ovette material,
fact that coin workers will find four meth- a complete act by Tom Bowyer, tricks by Ger-
ods of performing the popular "Silver and ald Kosky, V. St. John, and other leading
Copper" although only three are listed on magical lights make the BAT certain to shine A
the ad sheet and index. Readers of this in months to come. Add to that our SCOOP -
excellent book (Joe Stanley writes, It is and watch for It in the Septemoer Issue. Just
better than the advertisements say It is) goes to show what can be done by merely ask-
are finding many good things in its pages. ing. The wise magician Is a BAT reader.
The acclaim with which the volume is be- It must have been a real thrill for Len
ing greeted is leading J. B. to think Vlntus, Gene Gordon, and Don Rogers to be to-
seriously of compiling a second volume gether at the I.B.M. Convention and to note
to contain much of the good njaglc shown and the results of their hopeful workings.
given him during his travels about the nat-
ion. Meanwhile, Magic Limited is busy ship-
ping out the book.
The Vancouver Magic Circle staged a novel
QUIZ PROGRAM as part of their June meeting.
Questions produced by Thornton Poole were ask-
ed by Quizmaster Ken Hughes of the Board of
Experts; Howard, Caunt, and Shelly - all Past
Presidents of the Club and admittedly past
masters of magical knowledge. A liberal ed-
ucation was obtained by all members and it
is certain the program will be expanded In
the near future.
Attempts to hold a meeting of Magi Min-
isters at Pittsburgh were -unsuccessful but a
group Interested in church shows and religious
magic was formed, temporarily called Religious
Magic Association. Fred Chambers of Luckey,,
Ohio was elected President. Members will keep
in touch through the mails and Interested
parties can contact Mr. Chambers or Richard
Watson c/o Palace Theatre, Flint 3, Michigan.
The COUNTS OF CONJURING held a success-
ful Convention but no official report has been
received up to the time this BAT went to press
Talks by older men such as John Braun spot- CHARTS CAUSER
lighted the meeting while side trips and dem-
onstrations added to the general good feeling DELL O'DELL GRINS AT THE MAGIC LIMITED-CHICAGO
created. JOHN YARMOLA MAKES CERTAIN YOUR EDITOR'S NAME IS SEEN
UMBER FORTY-FOUR THE BAT PAGE 285
the road carries a Jumping disk. Walks in for
a room and is told by the clerk, no hotel
space available, etc. Up Jumps the disc -
clerk is Interested, Ice is broken, and room
soon is found.
2. Impromptu for your friends. Builds
friendships, acquaintances, and a local rep-
utation. Friends are your least critical aud-
ience.
3. Professional close up; which can be
divided Into ohree categories, a. Table (As
exemplified by Bert Allerton). b. Bar (As
shown by Johnny Paul), c. Parlor (While not
strictly parlor work, that of Matt Schulein
because of his congeniality and lack of dec-
orum can well be fitted in here.
To be a successful close up magician you
MUST.
1. LOVE i.IAGIC. In other words, like to
entertain and do magic — not Just love to show
FOLLOWING THE TREND SET BY RECENT CONVENTIONS THE off.
BAT HERE WITH BEGINS A SERIES OF EOUCATIONAL "LECTURES." 2. LOVE PEOPLE. Be Interested in their
THIS MATERIAL, WE ARE SURE WILL BE OF UNTOLD VALUE AND enjoyment. Be interested in their reactions and
WE ARE PROUD THAT IN THESE PAGES CAN BE FOUND SPACE TO not In the effect you are trying to put over.
PRESENT THIS MATERIAL TO YOU. ED. If necessary even submerging the effect to
This lecture, don't let that scare you! get them to enjoy themselves - and to like you.
is one of the many Important ones given at the 3. HAVE A NATURAL ADAPTABILITY. In other
recent S. A. U. Convention in Chicago. Your words, be original. Have a natural style and
Editor, from his notes, has added his Impress- adapt your effects to your own personality.
Ions to those of Mr. Allerton and hopes that 4. BE A SALESMAN. Give the public what
thus you can obtain partly what he received they want - not what you like. Entertain them
from Mr. Allerton1s excellent talk. The words instead of demonstrating your ability.
may be your Editor's but the ideas are mainly 5. HAVE A SENSE OF TIMING. This can be
Mr. Allerton, and in them lies an Important only developed fully by experience. This Is
lesson for you. one of the most important factors of success-
These conclusions, says Mr Allertnn have ful close up entertaining for one must build
ft been reached after entertaining over twenty suspense - create surprises - build laughs -
'thousand groups with close up magic in eight and not confuse.
years of professional v.-ork. Nightly, I have 6. BE A STUDENT OP PSYCHOLOGY. Learn to
listened to Individual comments and dissert- know natural reactions and be primed for the
ations on magicians and magic. While enter- unexpected. Many startling effects can be
taining I have In return been educated, or performed when a proper psychological mom-
at least led to believe that: ent occurs. Brief yourself in them.
V/hen magic is performed at a distance 7. ROUTINE YOUR PRESENTATION. The open-
most people feel that if they were only close ing should be a warm Ice-breaker. You must
up to the magician, they could see what he break dovvn the normal dislike many people
la doing and discover his methods. In other have for magicians because of poor shows
words, they are prone to give the distance they have seen or boring tricks they have
credit, instead of the magician. For that been subjected to. Get their favorable at-
reason, close up magic well done is generally tention and then hold it - which is hard be-
more effective chan other types of magic. cause the close up man is working against
Audience participation magic is always many distractions such as waiters, music,
the most effective and hardly ever is susp- dancing, kibitzers, and other annoyances.
icion attached to the assisting spectator if Every effect must sustain Interest and the
the performer shifts from one person to an- climax or concluding effect which Is as
other In doing close up work. But in other Important as the opening should be strong
types of magic, too often there is the feel- and if possible - leave them laughing.
ing that the spectator has been, or is being 8. BE A GENTLEMAN. Be gracious and
°ued, or Is a confederate of the magician. friendly, unassuming and modest. Be careful
Then too, in close up magic, the spect- of your dress and general conduct. Have pol-
ators often have the privilege of handling ished patter, and shun blue material.
ana. examining the props not possible in other 9. HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR. If you are not
types of magical work and this tends to make naturally a comedian, develope, and at least
close up magic not only more baffling but build situations with your magic that will
m produce laughs.
uch more entertaining.
Roughly speaking, there are three types 10. BE I TECHNICIAN. Last, but basically
°r close-up magic. the first requirement. Be as near a perfect-
M.
M 1. Ice breakers and friendship builders. ionist as you can. Learn to do your moves and
ten used by salesmen. One local man (says tricks automatically. Then you can project
'*$••) wears a Pop-up tie; enters store and your personality and follow through with a
U real selling Job. Then too, relaxation which
8ualiy finds buyer preoccupied. Catches his
£y8 and says, "Things are looking-up, Mr. results from lack of worry over your methods
*ucahy!" Up goes the tie - buyer grins and builds friendliness and primes you for the
wie salesman has attention. Another man on unexpected or the psychological reaction.
miMBER FORTY-FOUR THE BAT PAGE 287
BY JOHN YARMOLA
The Round Table has moved again! On June
11th, the old gang came back to it's original
location at 131 N. Dearoorn Street, which is
n o W called Drake's Restaurant. Visiting r.iag-
lci^ns an(^ their friends are always welcome.
Chicago is really loaded with magicians
at the present time and more are corning in
every week. Del Breece opened at the Club
Hollywood here on June 24th for an indefinite
stay. Del O'Dell opened at the Silver Frolics
on July 11th and as usual did her fine act
with a style that had Chicago night club pa-
trons amazed.
Chic Schoke and Bert Allerton played host
to Billie and Ren Clark at the Wizard Club
Banquet and topped off the evening with a vis-
It to Johnny Paul's Cocktail Lounge where they
were entertained by Johnny's famous cups and
balls routine.
All the boys at the Round Table attended
the I.E.II. shindig at Lloline, Illinois on July
12 and 13 and from reports all had a good time.
Chic Schoke was one of the first to get
' a copy of the big convention issue of the BAT
and the Round Table boys were quite enthused
over it. One fellow missed in the rounds of
applause was a truly deserving fellow NICK
PAUSBACH who put up the stage curtains and
decorations and also donated a very large sum
Johnny Platt, Kodell, and Bob Usedom are
among those heading from here to Seattle as
ithls is written. JOSEPH 07ETTE AS A C H I N E S E M A G I C I A N . FOR YEARS M R .
Rowland Brandwein has made up packets of OVETTE PERFORMED IN C O S T U M E A N D F O R A T I M E U S E D T H E
his photos of the convention in a 4 x 5 size NAME, LUNG TCHANG Y U E N . T H E T R I C K BELOW IS F R O M T H E
and is selling them that way or In 5 x7 or FIRST PUBLISHED BOOK OF MR. OVETTE (1916) THE MAGIC-
8 x 10 size. (See his ad in this BAT - Ed.). IAN'S If EM FIELD, AND LIKE ALL MR. OVETTE.'S MAGIC
Earl Adcock who struggled so hard getting THAT WILL NOW APPEAR IN THESE PAGES BE EDITED BY YOUR
everyone seated at the Banquet says that fault ED I TOR.
lay with the waiters - not the seating arrange-
ments. Earl is much relieved now that all the
work has been concluded and Is going around
VANISHING GOLD FISH
praising the MAN of the convention - DORNY. by Magical Ovette
(Agreed - Ed.) Several gold fish are seen swimming about
Paul Stadelman says ads on his Livestock in a fish bowl. Performer passes an unprepared
box are due to appear soon. Paul took prize handkerchief over the bowl and the fish disap-
"lth it at Chicago - Joe Berg won originality pear. By reversing the moves the fish can be
contest at Pittsburgh with It - and Johnny made to reappear.
Platt will display it at Seattle. (Supposing A shallow well on the table is made to hold
ne wins there! Ed.) a little water. A piece of rubber sheeting
to the convention. (Sorry we missed you Nick, with rubber cemented corners will work very
Ed.) well. Gold fish need only a little dampness to
A new magic club, the S. U. U. has been survive.
started by Dorny and Paul Stadelman. Really Place a hair net in the bowl and into the
unique in that so far every member is a pres- net a number of gold fish. The net, of a light
ident and all future members will be enrolled shade, will be invisible and not interfere
as presidents. The name of this newest club with the movement of the fish. Now gather the
is the 80CIETY OF UO-LY MAGICIANS (to be diff- edges of the net together and fasten with a
erentiated from the S.A.M. (Society of 'And- piece of scotch tape. Insert a fish hook here
some Magicians)?, Ed.). You really have to and rest the dulled point on the rim of the
be ugly to get in and the membership so far bowl.
consists of Dorny, Stadelman, Jack Gwynne, In performing the trick, you will find it
1
Elmer Eckam, Bill Neff, and last but not easy to lift the hook when withdrawing the
t^eaat, John Mulholland. (May I have an app- handkerchief thus causing the fish to disap-
lication? Ed.) pear. Handkerchief is laid over the shallow
[ George Coons Is doing close up magic at well and the fish will rest without harm dur-
Jne Carnival Vlub, Paul Roslni continues at ing the balance of your performance. The
Jne Bismarck, and King and Zorita are hold- reverse motion of course, will cause the fish
ing forth at Helsing'e Vodvil Lounge. Paul to reappear.
£e Paul is so busy writing his new books that If desired, the bowl can be shown empty
ne
doesn't have time to see the booking agents at first and the fish then made to appear.
PAGE 288 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-FOUR
Cfit& Surprisei V
...Lloyd E. Jones fMA&ICIANS •
UNION CARD!
Performer takes a deck of playing cards,
which may be borrowed and proceeds to shuffle
them. He then fans them and proceeds to remove SEND 2 5 * *?c COIN
six of them which he inserts in to the fanned
deck in consecutive order, placing an indiff- FOR B I O ' ^ * ' I S S U E .
erent card between them, or rather, being cer-
tain that a card goes between each. Now closing
the fan and turning the deck face down he
straightens up the six projecting cards and
t e l l s his audience to watch the six. He taps RECEIVE CIRCULAR O F
them in to the deck and a number of cards are
seen to come out from the opposite end. He OUTSTANDING-TRICKS
removes these anc; shows that there are only
five cards: one card apparently having d i s -
appeared.
The magician repeats this move, h8ving
lain the f i r s t packet before the spectator.
This packet he places before himself as he
patters away about the mysteries of cards.
Now, says the performer, it just occurs to
me that since we have FIVE cards - and that
MAKER
is the number to play poker,with, l e t s have
32.8 N.HARRIS AVE.
a l i t t l e game. Would you care to draw or COLUMBUS-4- OHIO
discard, or to stand pat? No matter what the
spectator replies and does, the magician
t e l l s him i t i s useless - for he has the
four aces - - and if desired the Joker or a Offering
deuce which could be wildl THE MAGIC FRATERNITY
This l i t t l e effect works i t s e l f - well,
almost, in shuffling, or running through * Natural
the deck to pick out a number of cards, the - AND THAT IS
magician gets the four aces together near THE WAY TO DESCRIBE THE KINGSLAND THUMB TIP. A NATURAL
the top of the deck and two or three or more - M A O E F R O M A F L E X I B L E C O M P O S I T I O N W H I C H C O N F O R M S TO THE
high cards near the center. These l a t t e r are T H U M B . S O N A T U R A L A N D L I F E - L I K E IT I S I D E A L F O R VERY
used as the alternating cards between those C L O S E - U P W O R K . C O L O R S A R E F L A T A N D N O P A I N T T O C H I P OFF,
inserted and are pushed out a.s the f i r s t six I GUARANTEE ALL EFFECTS CAN BE PERFORMED WITH THE
are tapped in. Repeating, the aces become KINGSLAND THUMB TIP INCLUDING LIGHTED CIGARETTE VANISH
the alternating cards and are pushed out to WITHOUT HARM TO TIP.
ultimately prove a surprise to the spectator.
This l i t t l e effect will prove quite a THREE SHADES- L I T E , M E D I U M , A N D D A R K - THREE
surprise to the layman as well as the brother SIZES - L A R G E , S M A L L , A N O M E D I U M - ONE DOLLAR EACH.
magi who will be surprised to find, you a long
step ahead of him. NEW!
A L S O IN T H I S W O N D E R F U L L I F E L I K E M A T E R I A L , WE HAVC
THE LAST WORD IN THE SIXTH FINGER - FOR THE SILK PRO-
SAN FRANCISCO'S FAVORITE MAGIC STUDIO DUCTION - ONE DOLLAR TWENTY-FIVE EACH.
WE CARRY THE
NEW!
LATEST ANO BEST OF ALL MAGIC EFFECTS
A L S O EXTRA LONG FINGER TIPS IN W H I T E S H A D E T O USE
A POST CARD WILL PLACE YOU ON OUR MAILING LIST WITH THE CAKE IN T H E H A T . Y O U A P P A R E N T L Y STIR T H E BATTE*
Tom Dethlefsen's IN T H E H A T W I T H T H E I N D E X F I N G E R ; S L I P W H I T E T I P O N
F I N G E R W H I C H Y O U H A V E S E C R E T L Y D R O P P E D IN T H E H A T *HEN
Golden Gate Magic Co. B O R R O W I N G S A M E ; U P O N R E M O V I N G F I N G E R IT A P P E A R S T O HAVE
S83 Market Street San Francisco 5, California BATTER O N IT. R E M O V E F I N G E R T I P UNDER COVER OF WIPING
WITH HANK.
Order Direct
UNIQUE IN THE FIELD r
°o<> PLEASE STATE SHADE AND SIZE WHEN ORDERING.
Our new catalog of MAGIC SERMONETTES for
Ministers and all Religious Workers ia now
DEALERS — 1RITE FOR PRICES AND SAMPLES —
t
ready. Compiled by T. M. Stanton. RICHARD KINGSLANO, Manager
SEATTLE M A G I C I A N S MEET
RECENT LIBRARY ACQUISITIONS at
BjUT OF THE SPOOK CABINET, Weber, bound copy. SWANSON'S
R. E. SWANSON MAGIC & NOVELTY CO.
'TRICKS OF THE TRADE, Garorge A r m s t r o n g .
FLASH MAGIC c o m p i l e r , H a r r y S t a n l e y , 1 9 4 5 . l l i o y , 1st AVENUE SEATTLE 1, WASHINGTON
ujERlCAN MAGIC JOURNAL, V o l . 1 , N o . l , J u n e , 47
VgRACADABRA, V o . 3 , N o . • a . 6 9 , 7 0 , 7 1 , 7 2 , 7 3 .
PHOENIX, No. 1 2 7 , 1 2 8 . SPHINX, J u n e , 1 9 4 7 . S.A.M. Convention Pictures available NOW!
/ have made up special packets of 15 4x5 pictures
HUGARD'S MONTHLY, J u n e , 1 9 4 7 . TOP HAT TOPICS , each to sell at $5.00 per packet.
V o l . 1 , No. 9 . LINKING RING, J u n e ' 4 7 . Packet No. 1—Pictures of the Night Before Pprty.
KODERN MAGI, J u l y Vol 4 , No. 1 2 . I n d e x f o r Packet No. 2—Pictures of the Big Show.
Vol. 4 Modern Magi. Packet No. 3—Pictures of the Dinner Show.
JU&GLER'S BULLETIN, No. 3 3 , June ' 4 7 . Remember—$5.00 per packet of 15 pictures each.
Individual pictures—5x7 —50 cents each. 8x10—$1 each.
THE BAT, J u n e , ' 4 7 . K.O.M. B u l l e t i n No.28-29.
BLINKING RING, V o l . 5 , No. 6 , June ' 4 7 . ROWLAND BRANDWEEV
LE JOURNAL DE LA PRESTIDIGITATION, No. 1 3 6 , 6702 S. CLYDE AVE. CHICAGO 47, ILLINOIS
May-June ' 4 7 .
PRESTIDIGITATOR, V o l . 1 , No. 6 , J u n e 1 9 . V o l . STULL'S "SUPER" F00 CAN
1.1 No. 7 , J u l y 1 0 . THE ONLY IMPROVEMENT ON THE F00 CAN. ITS A LOTA-
MAGICAL" MINUTES, V o l . 1 , No. 6 , J u l y ' 4 7 . IT VANISHES THE LIQUID AND IT IS STILL A FOO CAN
MAC'S MONTHLY, June ' 4 7 . GENII, J u l y ' 4 7 . , SEE THE PUZZLE CORNER IN T H I S ISSUE - BUT D O N ' T '
BE PUZZLED BY THE PRICE. IT SELLS COMPLETE - POSTPAID
LOYD'S 1 2 7 C O L L E G E A V E . • M O D E S T O , C A L I F O R N I A
PAGE 290 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-mm,
The business meeting produced a new Did you see the shows in Schontell's
President - CARO MILLER, of Oakland while window presented by Harry and Laura Beddow
DR. LYLE VALENTINE of the same city became and Dave Kelly?
the new Secretary. Surprisingly, RENO, NEVADA Just what point <«as Ernesti trying to
became choice for the Convention City and it make about producing a chicken? Did you get iA
will be interesting to aee if Reno will draw I didn't.
as many from Southern California in 1948 as Sorry we couldn't squeeze some photos 1
it did in 1937 (3, in case you are Interest- this BAT issue - time prevented it but r.ext
ed) . This new set-up will work to the Coast month will be a different story. You'll thlr,^
advantage for it will enable the nev; Pres- you're reading LIFE. — Are you kidding,
ident to produce a news bulletin for Coast Jones? Well, I could be, but I'm not!
consumption, long desired. Promised for the BAT Is the prize wlnnlm?
The final Educational Session was taken card trick of the Convention. Also, Joe Hern-
over by JOL BERG who spoke briefly on magic andez1 top notch bill routine. A fine gag by
and its presentation. A paper by FRED BRAUE Fran 0'3rlen — and I think Stan Greer will
was read by PRICE BURLINGAME commenting on let me tell you about his best one. And yr.
the recently concluded Card Trick series in ed. thunk up one too. My, hov; can you miss
Hugard's Monthly intended to show the pop- reading the BAT?
ularity of the various types of card effects. The women had plenty to do too. MARION
ORLA LIOODY concluded the discussions with an
outline on how Seattle, both individual mem-
bers and the Club as a wnole obtains book-
ings and plans a performance for pay. In all,
these talks met with favorable reception.
The last evening; was devoted to the
awarding of prizes and a dance following an
excellent banquet. Your Editor through his
notes away after AUBREY was presented with his
third trophy and FRANK MARTINEAU began run-
ning him a close second. In all, AUBREY, and
mind you, this swell kid is only !L6 took FIVE
MAJOR TROPHIES! Any one of which ranking with
the I.B.M. Caryl Fleming Award. Martineau too
was not neglected, he taking FOUR! And the
remaining dozen were split.
The entertainment consisted of MARTINEAU
presenting his full act after the rness fron the
night before had been set aright and CARO MIL-
•
LER playing the vibraharp.
So after a flutter around the Dealer's
once more, the Convention closed. That Night
as every night, the RABBIT HUTCH was packed
with convivial fellows and gals enjoying
themselves. This Convention we must conclude ORLA MOODY, Iresident, Seattle Magic Ring
was Just the reverse of Los Angeles at which and Convention leader
the shows were super and the other arrange- PERRY kept her capaple crew busy.
ments - stupor. The result was a grand time It was swell to see iiARIE MORGAN present
for all with so much to do that no one could an? to note her activity.
take all the activities in. A lot of work If you saw Johnny Platt do the Cups and
for a great many arid an apparent slip-up on Balls once in MAGIC LIMITED'S room, how many
something which no one would ever think poss- times do you think I did? Man oh man, what a
ible of Seattle, poorly planned performances. swell performance. Johnny's coming this way,
To LEN MANTELL, ORLA MOODY, and Captain L.
PERRY full praise for a grand time. We here hope our local beer Is efficacious.(Sure, I
hope you made a lot of money, but if you did- just checked the spelling - now you check the
n't you at least know full well that every meaning — get the pernt?).
conventionite enjoyed Seattle and its all Thanks too to GEORGE BOSTON for some
round friendly hospitality. See you in Reno friendly suggestions. They'll be put to work.
in 1948. George, wno deserves much praise for his aid
to KODELL, says the latter is appearing cur-
rently in Arizona. Let's hope he hits the
Coast soon.
In case any of you wonder how come JIM-
MIE MUIR didn't take top comedy honors with
all his m.c. work — his name is on that
A pat on the back to Al Hennen and How- trophy THREE TIMES already! (Mine's there
ard Stambaugh for producing the best P C.A.M. too!). Jlmmle's funny poem, THE NIGHT BEHIND
program (and roster) to-date. THE NIGHT BEFORE XMAS - or some such thing, A
Congratulations to Jlmmie Muir on his is now on records. We have them, $1.25. On f
(and Ted's of course!) 22nd Wedding Anniver- the opposite side is the SAW SONG which he dlo
sary celebrated at the Banquet. However, I on the Public Show. And if you want Muir hum-
got no thrill out of kissing Jiminie, did any or, you'll have to buy the record since his
of you other fellows? LAUGH LINES is now sold-out.
Ever see a Convention Hotel that didn't Soberest guy - John B. Lewis - yuk
get someone's reservation Mixed up?
FORTY-FOUR THE BAT PAGE 291
PAGE 2 9 2 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-FOUR
GUARANTEED MAGIC
GLYNDON'S GAROTTE - A PUZZLER - WILL LAST A L I F E -
T I M E . S I N G L E ROPE TIED A R O U N D NECK P E N E T R A T E S .
NO T R I C K T I E S - NO ROPE S W I T C H . $ 2 . 0 0
FLOATING ROOM ONLY - FOR C L O S E - U P OR SMALL G R O U P S . SO HOT.'
A SELECTED CARD MYSTERIOUSLY FLOATS ABOVE THE ' Will C U M Mora Tall.
DECK. A NOVEL PRINCIPLE AND FOOLS MAGICIANS Than Th« OUTLINE OF MYSTERY
AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC. EXCLUSIVE - $2.00 BY
TARFU! - AN AMAZING TRICK DECK. AFTER ROUTINE THE ARTHUR LEROY
SPECTATOR WILL SWEAR HE HAS SEEN FULL FACES
READY 15th - $1.00
AND BACKS OF ALL THE CARDS - YET THREE CARDS
ARE DEFINITELY FORCEDI MANY VARIATIONS - A
SUPER CREATION OF MAGIC LIMITED - NOTHING CONTENTS
ELSE CAN APPROACH TARFU IN INGENUITY! $3.00 THE SPELL OF COLOR ( S I L K S )
SPEAKING OF PINK ELEPHANTS - C H A S . T. JORDAN'S JUST IMAGINE ( C A R D S - G R E A T ! - ASK VIRGIL.)
GREAT TRICK DECK. SELECTED CARD IS SPELLED
- BACK CHANGES COLOR - ALL CARDS CHANGE SIGHT UNSEEN (WITH A B O R R O W E D P A C K )
COLOR THEN A CARD SEEN IN ONE-HALF DISAP- LIBATION ( P R O D U C T I O N OF A G I G A N T I C G L A S S O F W I N E . DO
PEARS AND IS FOUND IN THE OTHER HALF WHERE IT ANY TIME ON OPEN STAGE - COAT BUTTONED).
WAS NOT PREVIOUSLY AND IS EXAMINED. A GREAT TURNABOUT (NOVELTY CARD STUNT )
TRICK DECK AND ROUTINE - $2.00 THE RAZOR'S EDGE (RAZOR B L A D E T H R E A D I N G . SIMPLE-GREAT).
RUBBER MASKS - N E W N E O P R E N E R U B B E R M A S K S F U R N I S H LOCATION NO. l (UTILITY CARD G A G ) .
LOTS OF COMEDY POSSIBILITIES. OLD MAN, OLD UP DEVIL! (A N E W L O C A T I O N ) .
ME TOO ( Y E S , ANOTHER INVISIBLE P A S S ! ) .
WOMAN, MAJOR, APE, KING KOAL (JOHN L. L E W I S )
POP UP (THE THIMBLE APPEARS)
MINSTRELCLOWN - ONLY $1.95 E A C H .
A DECK IS BORN (DIFFERENT DECK PRODUCTION).
SPIKE THRU THE NECK - COLLAR P L A C E D O N S U B J E C T
F R O M A U D I E N C E A N D W I C K E D L O O K I N G S P I K E IS LOCATION NO. 2 (SIMPLE - BUT A FOOLER!)-
ATTENTIVE HUDDLES of the magicians gathered all day long.in lobbies >ies
and halls, everybody intent on something apparently profound or important.
int.
a1
TOM FOOLERY took place in lobbies where Magician Russell Swann and his
pretty assistant surprised visiting Shrinoff) with his magic snake-charming act.
SLY TRICKS were played at bar. where magician* planted gimmicks. Sum- INSIDE THE HUDDLE LIFE Photographer George Karger found what was
moned to answer phone. Ru^-ell Swann lilted receiver, got his face squirted. going on. Father Paul Lloyd, fellow magician, was picking a card—any card.
NUMBER FORTY-FIVE THE BAT PAGE 297
i
°EST NEW TRICK at convention was a variation of the famous old lev the supports entirely so that Helen is seemingly suspended in mid-air. Gwynne
Nation act. Its inventor, Jack Gwynne, pretends first to h)pnotize his daugh- passes a hoop completely over her body to show that there is no support. Gwynne
ter* in law Helen. Then he sti'etches her across two fcawhorses. finalh removes tells nobody how it is done and few magicians at the convention could guess.
PAGE 298 THE BAT
BY JOHN YARMOLA
FUNNI EST ACT was done by Sam Berman, as a clown who learns tricks with-
out really knowing how he does them. To his amazement a lighted candle ap- 'I TOLD YOU, YOU NEEDED MORE PRACTICE!"
pears mysteriously in his hand, followed by another and anotlierand another.
r
MllMBER FORTY-FIVE THE BAT PAGE 299
"IT'S A CHIP"
by 1
Arthur Leroy
Several varied colored poker chips are GERALD KOSKY, MAX T E R H U N E ( r e a r ) , a n d CHARLES
handed for inspection. Tne inspector selects HOWARD ( l e f t ) o f V a n c o u v e r pose f o r BAT c a m -
one. The rests he pockets. The performer turns eraman.
his back, and the selected chip is placed in-
to his hands. He states the color. There is
nothing to feel on the chip, and any color
or number of chips can be used.
The secret is merely a dab of conjuror's
wax. V/nen tne performer receives the chip
behind his back, he presses the wax on to I t .
He walks over to a wall and turns facing his
audience. While explaining what he intends to
do, he presses the chin against the wall.
Once more he turns hia Dack (as if to see how
close he is to the wall) - notes the color
and quickly turns back, steals chip off and
announces the color. The hands are closed and
held at a l l times as if tne chip Is carefully
hidden from sipht. The wax is scraped off and
performer Is ready to repeat.
Try i t . Well worked i t is a Dip as they
will searcn for a l l sorts of nicks on the
cnlp. In looking at chip, i t la necessary to
really only make a part turn.
(from Futuristic Fantasies)
IF YOU L I K E THIS KIND OF S M A R T , USABLE M A G I C YOU
ARE CERTAIN TO F I N D MUCH OF I N T E R S T FOR YOU I N M R .
LEROY'S NEW BOOK OUTLINE OF MYSTERY. JUST P U B L I S H E D BY
JOHNNY PLATT s h o w i n g t a l l c o r n g r o w s e v e r y -
MAGIC LIMITED - $1.00 - POSTPAID.
w h e r e on P . C . A . M . M a g i c i a n ' s O n l y Show.
NUMBER FORTY-FIVE THE BAT PAGE 301
Success story in three a c t s . MARVIN LEVY,, Dreams he too is a great magician and is He, and a s s i s t a n t Marion Morris are awarded
as a bum on P.C.A.M. Public Show sees transformed into one w i t h a charming Trophy at Banquet for presenting best act
poster of Thurston. a s s i s t a n t . Later, awakes to f i n d i t a l l a from D i s t r i c t Three.
dream.
AUBREY (Jimmy Crabe ) sixteen year old Los Finish of AUBREY'S card routine whlcb in- AUBREY finds one of the two r a b b i t s that
Anqeles wizard puts professionals to s^arre cludes his own version of many d i f f i c u l t appear in the paper frame. These are then
with his polished r o u t i n e s . s l e i g h t s masterfully handled. vanished in box at l e f t rear.
near ly escapes from DESMONDS near JIMMIE MUIR clowns during one of his m.c. MR. O'SO (Gerald Kosky) takes one of the few
end of c o l o r f u l magic routine presented b i t s on the PUBLIC SHOW at S e a t t l e . B i t c u r t a i n c a l l s demanded on Magician's Only
TO
"y tines at P.C.A.M. Convention. is a " b i t " of mugging during a Betty Hutton Show a t Seattle as m.c. Max Terhune stands
record. nearby.
PAGE 302 THE BAT
"Shucks!" exclaimed Professor Diablo One of the happiest "boys" In Seattle was
Mesmerini, when thinking to stump him we DESMOND when awarded a big trophy for his coin
asked how old was Ann. "My dad heard that one work. And to think - Magic Limited has his
from his grandfather, and he sprang it on me book on Coin Magic (Sleightly Gimmlcked) being
exactly forty years ago. Which reminds me," readied for publication!
he went on, "that my father,Lucifer Mesmerini, The Saturday afternoon crowds at Stull'e
spent one-sixth of all his years in complete In San Francisco have become accustomed to see-1
ignorance of the art of magic, one-twelfth as Ing some great magic and meeting great per-
an amateur conjurer, and one-seventh and five formers at these "demonstrations." Johnny PlattI
years on the stage, when I was born. I opened John Larrlck, and Poogle Alstrand have been re-'
the Hagnificient Magic Mart, here in southern cently featured and Bob always seems able to
Cafeteria, four years ago, when I was half my produce a surprise or two for the hangers on.
father's present age." Membership in the Magic Dealers, Associa- '
The question we leave for our puzzlers tlon, Inc. kas now reached 58. Soon, each mem- i
to figure out is this: How old was Diablo ber will feature the cut of the association in j
when Lucifer asked him how old was Ann? his advertising and it will pay you well as a
And what do you say are the odds against magician to patronize these men and to shun
throwing three dice to total 7 or 11 on the the non-member. Not only will the dealers be
first flop? Be thinking this over. protected, but the purchasers will know that
THE MATHEMAGICAL NUMBER in dealing with these men they are dealing
The smallest number which can be written with ethical men who are willing to readily
either as the sum of 2, 4', §, or 10 consec- right complaints.
utive odd numbers, or as the sura of 3, 5, or The 28 page catalog on MAGIC SERMONETTES
8 consecutive even numbers Is : 120 issued by Eddy Golden's MAGIC WAND Is the
- Watch carefully - smartest catalog Idea in years and has made
Odd Even Odd Even Odd Even Odd every dealer envious. A trick is given, such
as the Multiplying Billiard Balls, then a
1
59 38 27 20 15 8 3
61 40 29 22 17 10 5 suitable biblical verse Is mentioned (Luke 9:
42 31 24 19 12 7 13). Thus making this catalog of untold value
33 26 21 14 9 to magic ministers and those Interested in
church or religious work. Congratulations,
28' 23 16 11 Eddy - and Lee too, I'm sure.
25 18 13
20 15
22 17
19
QUAD CITY PICNIC A SUCCESS
21
T2U T2o" T2o" T5o" T2o" TSo" T2o" Sponsored by Davenport Ring No. 11, the
Finally: 1 x 2 x 3 x 4 x 5 = 120 Fifth Annual Picnic and Magic Jamboree was held|
If you concluded that Prof. Mesmerini on July 13 at Moline, Illinois. Forty I.B.M.
was being charged at the rate of only $5.11 members and their guests enjoyed a huge Night
per "Super" Foo Can — in consideration of Before Party at which an impromptu show m.c.'d
stocking up with 72 of 'em at a crack — by Jimmy Farney Introduced magic by Rod Hogren,
you hit it Just right. Since the price of a Chuck Hanson, Earl Schnoor (and Art Woody),
single "Super" must be free of fractions, the Organtlnl of Reading, Pa. and Gene Tarbell.
problem reduces to that of finding a 5 digit' Close-up magic was featured by guests Chic
number divisible by 72, whose second, third, Schoke and Bert Allerton from Chicago.
and fourth digits in order are 6, 7, and 9. The Picnic proper featured a show by the
That there is only one such number is readily Davenport Junior Magicians with Johnny Bob
apparent when we consider that, if divisible Kelso taking top honors on a bill that a*80
by 72, It must be divisible both by 8 and by presented Gene Beenk, Bruce Shawver, and BOD
9. Since 1,000 Is a multiple of 8, but 100 Is Lewis. The oldsters rounded out the show wltn
not, those numbers are divisible by 8, and acts by Leo Link, Walter Perkins, Harold Kel-
only those, whose last three digits form a ly, Jim Farney, and Gene Tarbell. LeWayne
multiple of 8. But we know 800 Is a multiple (Wayne Rohlf) was m.c.
of 8; then 792 must be. Thus* clearly, 2 is Activities concluded with a Feature Show
the only digit that fits into the unit's on which Leland Sangster, Roy P. Blass, John-
space. The rest is easy If we recall that on- ny Bob Kelso, Eddie Freeman, Art Sieving,
ly those numbers are divisible by 9 the gum Bert Allerton, Chuck Hanson, LePaul, Jim
of whose digits is so divisible. Adding 6, 7, Farney, and Ken Kllby performed. Jim Farney
9, and 2, we find that a 3 Is required to car- also acted as m.c. and J. Everett Christian-
ry the total to 27, the next multiple of 9, sen handled the stage. Earl Schnoor was sound
and Is therefore the only remaining digit to engineer. George Kopp handled the lights.
"fill the bill": $367.92. Altogether too
Twelve hundred Jammed in to witness
easy! that Is to say, after It's been this excellent two hour and a half show w
solved! • topped off Ring 11's best picnic to-date
NUMBER FORTY-FIVE THE BAT PAGE 303
Jack Lamonte's The handkerchief is twisted around the
ends of the pack by the performer who sudden-
CLOSE-UP CARD ly snatches the handkerchief and contents
away - leaving the selected card facing the
AND HANDKERCHIEF surprised asslttant in his or her, own hand.
We've had lots of fun with this impromptu
version which Is vexy effective and surprising
to the spectator. Try It! I use the card palm
already elucidated, but unless the reader
masters Hugard's One Hand Top Palm, your usual
method will suffice for this variation which
The clasalc Card througn the Handkerchief we call CARD SNATCH. A
effect was described In detail In BAT No. 35
and Is Indeed a favorite with many magicians.
I'm sure that BAT readers will find the fol-
lowing variations extremely effective. They DOLLAR ILLUSION
have previously appeared in print in my col- by
umn "Limelight" in CJeorge Armstrong's new Arthur Leroy
British monthly, "The Wizard" which is com- from
paring favorably in circulation with the FUTURISTIC
famous "Magic Wand." FANTASIES
The success of a close-up presentation
of the card through handkerchief effect is HERE IT IS - An opening illusion with a punch.
dependent upon a card palm which Is Impercept- The curtains rise - on the stage is seen
ible in action. First in my favor is a sleight a "three sheet" poster mounted on a 'frame. The
- the first in the first eries of Hugard's sheet is the common lithograph picturing a
Card Manipulations, namely, The One Hand Top magician performing. These can be obtained
Card Palm, which is also described in Hlll- from various sources or made up in a pinch.
iard's Greater Magic. A similar method was Two assistants enter and show the sheet
first described in the Magic Wand some years back and front. They lift it in the air and
ago. This particular palm will be found ideal hold to one side. It is away from all props.
for the above effect and this Is how I make Suddenly while it is in mid-air, from no
use of It: particular place at all the- performer comes
I have the borrowed handkerchief draped flying tnrough the paper, tearing it apart.
over the left arm and hold the deck with the All through the effect it Is possible
chosen card brought to the top, in the right to see all around the picture. How's that for
hand, in position for executing the one hand a startling opening illusion to be built for
top card palm. With the words, less than a dollar?
"Just a deck of cards,"a hand- The only props needed are the frame made
kerchief and two hands," I of light wood and the picture. A piece of
turn the cards over, casually black cloth is also needed.
showing that both palms are Naturally, in doing illusions you must
empty, then lmmledlately pass work on a stage. That means means that if you
the pack from the right to the are working an amateur show you are working In
left hand. This action permits an auditorium usually used for amateur theat-
the card on top to be imper- ricals, Most of these stages are hung in
ceptibly palmed in the right black for the reason that with black almost
hand which passes in one con- any type of set can be arranged. When you
tinuous movement to the center arrange the show you take any prop table and
of the handkerchief on the arm tack your black material on the back. The
Here, the handkerchief is audience have no reason to suspect the table
gently pinched between the as it is not a part of the trick. Now because
right thumb and first finger of the black they apparently see all the way
(the card is still concealed) while the left through the table to the back. The performer
a m Is moved up and over to the right. This is behind the table masking when the curtain
action places the handkerchief in position rises. The assistants raise the frame and
over the right palm now facing up. The hold it In front of the table about six feet
cards are now wrapped In the handkerchief In away. When the frame is in front of the table
the familiar manner which enables the chosen covering it, the magician mounts the table,
card to be shaken through. You will find this judges his distance and Jumps the six feet
method clean in execution and perfect for the clear through the paper on the frame much in
close-up performance. the manner of a circus rider. To the audience
Here is another cute twist to the effect he Just seems to appear in mid-air. This needs
which was suggested by Robert O'Connor, my careful rehearsing, but no doubt will be worth
good friend and son of the famous card manip- It. Its been tried out and it certainly gets
ulator Billy O'Connor. Instead of shaking the them.
chosen card through or having it rise up Note:If you can't Jump the six feet have
through the handkerchief, have a spectator the frame nearer the table. Have a prop or
grip the cards very tightly through the two on the table to add a reason for the tab-
handkerchief, with his fingers below and his le's presence.
thumb on top. The presence of the exposed Ed. note: And be sure an anchor the
card below the folds will not be noticed by table so it won't slip as you fly. This should
the assistant when he or she is intent on prove to be an excellent effect for a high
holding the packet firmly. school or-other similar group.
PAGE 304 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-FIVE
Guess we must have swamped Sam Berland Be sure rope is in exact center of back of
with our Atomic Coin order for it took him neck. Pull through while one hand holds ends
well into August to get them all to us and so of rope as they come around neck. Thumb and
many of you were a full two weeks late In re- fingers do lining up and rope does the rest.
ceiving yours. But by now you should all Very good!
have yours and be enjoying them. Roscoe L. Gaylord suggests a lengthening
Our October selection will be a dandy. of the Instanto effect by lengthening the
New, exclusive and a Magic Limited product. rope! Second rope up sleeve suitably prepared.
We are titling it THREE GAGS and are certain Proceed as one normally would to stretch a
that any one of them will be worth more than rope and you have a long rope with nothing to
the DOLLAR price we are placing on the pack- conceal! The cleanness of the Instanto Rope
age and offering it for sale. One is by SYL and its ease of performance should lead to
REILLY, popular magic dealer of Columbus, many variations. How about yours?
Ohio who sent it to us for B.A.T. use be- Speaking of the P.C.A.k. Convention is
lieving that B.A.T. members should share In bound to recall the fine assortment of mat-
good things. THAT gag is a honey and you'll erial we got from "Tiny" Notbohm. Like Clint
be working it continually once you have it. English — oh oh!, we forgot to mention Clint's
It's called "I'll Be Seeing Ya." It will FINE Sun and Uoon Trick when we reviewed the
bring you lots and lots of laughs and leave Convention! Sorry, Clint. What a world of
your victims very much puzzled. Only wish we laughs in it! Well, these two are short fin-
could have sprung it at the Conventions but gers or thumbs, yet do surprising things with
we couldn't at the time and besides we wanted sleight of hand! Tiny says, by all means you
to save it for B.A.T. members. Second gag Is close up workers, don't overlook the old coin
called "Reflection" and is by your Editor. fold. Impromptu, and a perfect puzzler. Then
He thinks it's very funny and It should be a he adds, when caught short or for an impromptu
card trick nifty to end all card tricks. And performance of the cups and balls, use a pipe
for No. 3, we have a lulu by Johnnie Murray cleaner for the "ball." Roll It on a pencil
Just to round out the package. So, If you and push off. The finest impromptu ball you
are looking for smart, new stunts to pull on can get, Looks o.k. and handles fine. And
your friends or tne local magi - expect to speaking of pipe cleaners, we have for you
have all your desires answered by THREE GAGS more nifties by Notbohm coming up soon!
- the B.A.T. selection for October - and it No more blanket mailing of free BAT cop-
and they, are all dandies! (Expensively pro- ies! So now is the time to nab that friend of
duced too!) yours and pin him down to a BAT subscription
Bob Gunther writes recalling the old or a B.A.T. membership. Thank you.
stunt of apparently rubbing a coin into your
elbow - dropping It, picking up with the
other hand and so on. The following says Bob,
will fool even magi who know that oldie.
Have magnet in your left sleeve at the elbow.
Rub magic penny on elbow. Now lower left arm
THE JACKpOr
apparently taking penny away in right, but Another money saving Jackpot for you.
really leaving it on elbow held by the magnet! This one is Number 20 and brings you a choice
Right, now pretends to place "penny" into the of several Items. Any TWO of the following for
left hand from which it is rubbed away into your dollar - and some of them are $2,00 sell-
nothingness. Get It? (G-ood, good, good). ers.
And of course, Johnnie Murray 1 He crops 1. AUDACITY - Dr Raymond Beebe. A
up with a new gag for you. After you and your freely chosen spectator names freely chosen
friend have had a beer or two, you casually card over the telephone.
ask, "Match for the next beer?" When he gives 2. BISECT-U- Dr. Beebe again. Single
the o.k. you hand him a match - grab your beer rope around body penetrates.
and calmly tell him, you don't gamble! Stay 3. INSTO-TRANSPO PERFECTED - Dr Beebe
away from me boys! You are now warned. also. Two selected initialled cards change
And for one more gag, Hugh Rlley showed places in spectator's hands.
us one that seems awfully old but I bit on it, 4. SLOW SLEIGHTS - book, MacCarthy.
and perhaps you will too some day. Hugh showed 5. ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PATTER - Orben.
his pack of Camel cigarettes and asked where 6. 32 UJPROMPTU CARD TRICKS - Felsman
would you go on a hot day on the desert? Over 7. POKER DEMONSTRATION - Osborne.
behind tne pyramid, under the camel, or where? 8. JACK STEPS OUT.
After several silly answer he turned pack over
and asks, why not go to the hotel? Get out 9. DIZZY DICE (Quite a puzzler).
your pack and see. 10. CHRISTOPHER CHARLES RECORD TRICK
At the P.C.A.M. Convention one cute idea Just ask for Jackpot 20 - give numbers
that we liked very much came from Joe Berg, of your selections - and if you give an al-
who suggests the use of Moore's great trick, ternate item it will enable us to fill many
INSTANTO ROPE ($2.00) for a neck penetration. an extra Jackpot and save disappointments. .
NUMBER FORTY-FIVE THE BAT PAGE 305
WINKOFITf
SIXTEEN QUALITY BOOKS
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
THE BLUE BUG
FEBRUARY LAST MINUTE NEWS FLASHES
TEN DOLLARS I'LL BET YOU CAN'T •
MARCH IT'S A GIRL AT THE BRAUE'S! EUGENIA ANN BRAUE
TOP SECRETS GREETED THE WORLD WITH A CRY ON AUGUST 15TH AT 6.55 P.M.
APR IL WEIGHT 7 LBS AND 7 O Z . MOTHER ANN, SAID FRED, DID MARV-
PATTER PARADE ELOUS, BUT I DROVE THE HOSPITAL NUTS1 EUGENIA ANN WILL
TAKE UP HER RESIDENCE A T LOA.3 L A F A Y E T T E , ALAMEDA, C A L -
JOIN T H E MAY
OUT OF THE SPOOK CABINET
IFORNIA
GOOD
SHORTLY.
NEW TO PACIFIC COAST MAGICIANS IS T H E AN-
JUNE
NOUNCED RETURN O F VIC A N D CAROLYN TRASK FROM PANAMA
33 ROPE TIES AND CHAIN
SHORTLY. DOC AND CAROLYN WILL TAKE UP THEIR NEW R E S -
RELEASES
IDENCE IN C O R V A L L I S , OREGON.
JULY
THE DYE BOX BOOK THE BAT IS GREATLY INDEBTED TO LIFE MAGAZINE FOR
AUGUST PERMISSION TO REPRINT THE PHOTOS OF THE S.A.M. CONVEN-
Magic's First TION ON THE FRONT PAGE AND PAGES 295, 296, 297 *ND 2 9 8 .
OUTLINE OF MYSTERY
BOOK CLUB THREE - SIX BITS IT G I V E S US A THRILL T O RUN THE LINE "REPRINTED BY PER-
SEPTEMBER MISSION FROM LIFE, JUNE 23. COPYRIGHT TIME INC. 1947."
THANK Y O U LIFE, ANO M I S S D O R O T H Y L. S M I T H .
MORE THE HANDS ONLY
OCTOBER
CLAYTON WYATT W R I T E S F R O M V A L L E Y F A L L S , K A N S A S
TO COMEJ TO C A L L O U R A T T E N T I O N T O AN ERROR IN F A N T A S T R I C K F R O M
and alternate MAGIC OF THE SCOTTISH THE A U G U S T I S S U E . C A R D W I L L APPEAR 31 ANO N O T 30 AS
selections 1 CONJURERS ASSOCIATION STATED BY M R . GRAVATT. HENRY BANDEROB ALSO REPORTED
MAGIC LIMITED THIS VARIANCE T O U S . THANK YOU GENTLEMEN.
M R . H Y A T T O B T A I N E D H I S P E R S O N A L V E R S I O N OF T H I S
LLOYD E. JONES
Oakland 2, California E X C E L L E N T T R I C K F R O M R A L P H H U L L IN 1 9 4 2 AND IT H A S BEEN
4064 39th Ave.
A FAVORITE OF H I S EVER SINCE.
PAGE 3 0 8 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-Flw
NEW MAGIC
POK-R-CHIP TRICK - FOUR COLORED POKER CHIPS PASS THROUGH
6 FOR $1.00
MAGICAL WORLD - P I E R C E - F I R S T S E R I E S C O M P L E T E - $4.00
A STRING. TWO METHODS . COMPLETE $2.00
HUGARD'S MONTHLY - 40 I S S U E S A L L D I F F E R E N T - $7.50 -
CARD IN CANDLE- NEAT STAND - SELECTED CARD APPEARS $4.75 SINGLE COPIES 2 0 * .
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VANISHING AND ACROBATIC CANE. QUITE A ROUTINE -
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CHAMO-COLOR DECK. DESMOND'S HIT DECK OF THE PCAM CON-
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IS ALL RED - OTHER ALL BLUE - CHANGE POSI- CURRENT - $1.00 - SINGLE COPIES 15*
TIONS AND STILL THE SAME. REPEAT. SHUFFLE - MAGICANA - 2 ISSUES - ALL PUBLISHED - 5 0 * - WT* 25*
THEN DEAL OUT - COLORS SEPARATED. PASS DECK EACH.
FOR EXAMINATION! DANDY ROUTINE AND IDEA. $2.50 MAGIC IS FUN - 5 ISSUES - $1.00 25* EACH.
EDGE RtADERS - JOE BERG'S NEW DECK THAT YOU READ FROM
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ROUTINE WITH PATTER ON POPULAR DECK. ALSO
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SUGGESTS OTHER TRICKS. VERY GOOD VALUE. .. $1.00
SUPER PREDICTION TRICKS - NELSON AND MOORE — — $5.00
MAGIC PICTURES - NEARLY EVERY SALE REPEATS; YOU'LL LIKE TIPS ON SOFT SOAP - GORDON MACDONALD — — — $1.00
THEM TOO! WET PAPER INSTANTLY DEVELOPES FADE- MASTERED AMAZEMENT - KORAN AND LAMONTE . NEW $2.25
P R O O F PICTURE ON BLANK CARD. TWO STYLES - HORSE THE DYE BOX BOOK - WINDSOR - — — — $1.00
RACE WITH 6 HORSES TO "BET" ON - FAST WAY TO OUT OF THE SPOOK CABINET - WEBER — — — — $1.0°
LOSE MONEY. OR BAROMETER - SIX LOVELY LASSIES
SPOOK SHOW IN YOUR PARLOR . LARSEN — $1.0°
TELL THE WEATHER. L07ELY THE MAN SAYS.' - 20
MASTERPIECES OF MAGIC - CRAGGS — — — $3-oOi
CARDS IN EACH SET. COMPLETE (WHICH?) -$1.25
A FAST SELLER
JUST IN STREET FAKIR ACT
MARLO IN SPADES
$3.00
MAGIC LIMITED - Lloyd E. Jones Tommy Hindsor
$1.00
• "
PUBLISHED MONTHLY
OCTOBER 19*7
NUMBER FORTY-SIX
oM
T.A.O.M. CONVENTION AS
REPORTED BY M.S. MAHENDRA
AND J. B. BOBO
With everything under the one roof of the
Texas Hotel excepting the Main Show, the T. A.
0. M. Convention was successfully staged at
Fort Worth, Texas on August 30th and 31 and
September let. Total registration was under
200 but what was lacking In crowds was made up
in ample opportunities to visit both frlenda
and the dealer displays.
Membership in the T.A.O.M. is limited to
membership in a Texas I.B.M. or S.A.M. club
but many out of state faces were In evidence.
Okito from Chicago, George Pearce from New Or-
For this I use a Coca Cola bottle.They leans, Don Rogers from Providence, R.I., Frank
can be had anywhere and their slight color and Lezama came from Mexico City, and Harry Otto
fluting help conceal the glmmicked half. The and Peggy Thomas from Kansas City.
bottle may be borrowed, or your own can be Four rooms were taken over by the dealers
used. It is better clean. who were Mysterious Howard from Houston, Del-
The bottle is tossed out to a spectator bert Dor.glas from Dallas, The Magic Den from
while a request for a half dollar Is made. Oklahoma City, and the Mezzanine Magio Shop
This in turn is tossed up from the audience. of San Antonio, Texas. All reported a good bus-
The spectator with the bottle is requested to iness.
bring It on the stage and is asked,"You have Friday night was taken over by a Night
examined this bottle and found It to be an Before Party following a meeting of the I.B.
ordinary 5 cent Coca Cola bottle? You see no M. Ring No. 15 of Fort Worth. A short magic
holes in the bottle, do you?" program was presented and then the rest of
If he answers, "No," I say, "Well, here the time devoted to dealer show room visits.
is one; pointing to the neck of the bottle. Saturday brought the STARS OF MAOUC
If he answers , "yes," and points to the neck SHOW at the Will Rogers Auditorium. M.C'd by
of bottle, I say, "No, that's an opening, I Ralph De Shong in his smooth and easy manner
mean did you find a hole?" the performance opened with Frank Werner and
The borrowed half is now held up and I his "World's Most Bewildered Maglolan's Act"
ask, "Who gave me this half dollar?" As spec- in which Frank seems to be never content to
\ tator holds up his hand and replies, I start stop adding gags. He was followed by Carol
to pocket same, but stop and add, "Oh, you Miller, Texas' Elite Ventriloquist . Third
only loaned it to me, didn't you?" This may was Frank Lezama from Mexico City where his
be old, but it is still good. act has appeared at Clro's Restaurant for
the last four years. He produced live stock
Half Is handed spectator assistant as from newspapers and other unexpected plaoes.
bottle Is taken from him. He stands to your
Continued on page 312 Continued on page Jll
PAGE 310 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-S|y
Sphinx as able to prove (which we stated in
our assumption last month) that their cir-
culation is the largest amongst magic mag-
azines and that advertisers agree that the
Sphinx is the best advertising medium. That's |
awfully nice of them Dorothy to admit it ana
I'll not question that one bit. But I grin
from one pink ear to the other when I read
your and I assume John's statement that the
Sphinx reaches more buyers of magic than any
Published monthly by MAGIC LIMITED at other medium.
4064 - 39th Avenue, Oakland 2, California. But enough of, that, there's nothing to be
Subscription rate is $1.50 a year; eight gained in debating assumptions. V7nat we are
Issues $1.00; single copies 25^ excepting looking for is the facts about the magic book
special issues so designated. publishing game and are we learning too late
Send all correspondence to THE BAT, that what we should have done is to copy
c/o Lloyd E. Jones, at address above. John Mulholland and publish books not for
LLOYD E. JONES EDITOR the magic fraternity but for the general
THERON FOX ASSISTANT EDITOR public?
ROBERT QUNTHER ART EDITOR jgjK^ Be s^ein' ys
Lloyd
1
We leave it to you to figure out what his tot- magician, for your approval. We'd like to but
al take will be (and what will be left after we can't afford him."
taxes tackle-the sum). Oh mei I understand the Government to curb in-
According to a consensus of estimates by flation is going to put Lana Turner's photo
various legitimate book publishers, a book to on the dollar bills. Thus making it easier to
return a profit must have a sale of 2,500 kiss your money good by!
copies under present conditions. That brings "Did you know that ghosts chew Spirit Gum?11
up a very interesting point which can be de- "Everyone has a good word for him. I have too
bated for hours and hours. If an efficient — I wish I could use it here."
publishing house must sell 2,500 copies to "That's a prize winning act — and I know
be in the clear, what then of a magic pub- the prize he'd like, but Harry James won't
lisher? The legitimate publisher has a wide give her up!"
field of contacts and distribution points to "Our place is so mouldy, that last week we
serve but the magic publisher has only some found three chemists in the basement - mak-
"19,000" to contact and likewise few dis- ing penicillin!"
tributing agencies in great disproportion. If true, this
STRUCK SPEECHLESS
Further, it has been said, and it's all Famed magician John Mulhol- should prove what many
too true, that if you are one who wishes to land was frequently called upon to have doubted; i.e. that
keep a trick secret, the best thing to do is give extemporaneous after-dinner
talks. To avoid embarrassing sit- Jawn has a sense of hum-
publish it. A truism which admits and also uations, he decided it would be or. Anyhow, it's a good
proves that magicians do not read books. So wise to have a stock speech in readi-
ness, which, with slight variations, story although frankly
then, this writer is coming to the conclus- would fit all occasions. , I doubt it.
ion that the game is no-t worthy of the can- "I found the system didn't always
work out," sighed Mulholland. Ever hear about the
dle. "Why not?" someone asked. two Lapps from Lapland
"Perhaps it was the subject I
To return to that "19,000" figure we selected—Quantity Production." who entered an auto race?
logically arrived at last month by adding the "That sounds like an excellent Well if you have don't
admitted, claimed, or supposed circulation of "It was," remarked Mulholland, S t o p m e , b e c a u s e I like
the big four magical journals; that says Miss rt^.T.ub:n^dayddMTga! t? listen to it. Seems
Dorothy Wolf of the Sphinx Publishing Corpor- zine. that on the first lap
ation, publishers of the Sphinx, and Inde- the first Lapp lost control of his car and
pendent Magazine for Magicians (big free ad, hit the rail and stalled. The result was,
Dorothy, which is more than the Sphinx ever that lap after lap the Lapp lapped the first
gave the BAT). Oh, yes, Dorothy says that Lapp and Lapp lapped Lapp until the last lap
19,000 figure is a ridiculous assumptlom which when the first Lapp was still on the first
we gladly admit. We well know that magicians Lapp while the other Lapp was on his last lap
-read more than one magazine so that figure due to the lapse of the first Lapp on the
cannot be true but that doesn't change my first lap. Whew' think I'll go out an lap up
theory one iota. Dorothy likewise plugs the a couple.
FORTY-SIX THE BAT PAGE
Mysterious Howard was the most unpopular
fellow at the Convention with his electric
Con tinued
TAOM
from front page
Next, Bobo with hla smooth act of punchy
package, shocking all he met. Very soon, he
was as welcome as a Texas rattler. (Same with
me. At Seattle PCAM Convention did I get them
with the Squirting Telephone! Ed.).
Tom Liberto sagely remarked that all T.
A. 0. M. Conventions should end with a Ham so
magic and pithy patter. BobPls tops whether that everyone could go home with a good taste
Olose-up or on stage. Seymour Davis as Prof- in their mojith. Sidney Ham ended the Final
essor Ignace Baderwisky stopped the show cold Show and got the biggest laugh with the Break-
with his comedy piano act. A headllner on any away Fan. Glen Connel a clever boy magician
bill Seymour really had them rolling in the being handed same was thought to have purpose-
aisles. He was followed by Russell Swann with ly fixed it from breaking but Ham had really
his night club act, The Madcap Magician pre- done so himself. This unusual twist so affected
sented in his unique style. one lady from Oklahoma she nearly had hysterics
Okito, closed the show. The gracious Theo and had to leave the room!
Bamberg, "The Royal Command Performer charmed
the audience with his deft manipulation of
silks and his oriental magic. Truly,one of
the great performers of all time he represents
a type of artistic performer nearly extinct.
Outstanding performers from all accounts were
Okito, Seymour Davis, and J. B. Bobo.
Sunday morning brought the Annual Busi-
ness meeting and a new President, Ralph De
Shong of Wichita Falls, was elected. Other
new officers are Jim Bowling of Houston, Vice
President, M. 3. Mahendra of San Antonio, Sec-
retary, and Glen Davidson of Houston, Treas-
urer. The Board of Governors chosen was Ralph
De Shong, Fort Worth IBM Ring 15} Gus Nelndorf,
Dallas SAM 13, Orville Brasher, Amarlllo IBM
Ring 34, D. G. Gallagher, Houston IBM Ring 39,
A. N. Dargan, Houston SAM 19, and E. E. Dewees,
)
San Antonio IBM Ring 18. This Board of Gov-
ernors chose Houston for the 1948 Conven-
tion.
The close-up show at 2.30 on Sunday pro-
duced superb magic by Bobo, George Pearce,
Prank Lezama, Jim Bowling, Mysterious Howard,
and Ralph De Shong. Each worked ten minutes J. B. BOBO FRANK LEZAMA CAROL MILLER
at the various tables. The color changing dice
of Bobo easily took top honors while his other
effects likewise were termed knockout. Dealers NIGHT OF NAKEBELIEVE
promptly sold out of his new book, "Watch This
One.11
The State Headllner Show in the Ballroom
Sunday evening featured many performers in-
Quick-of-Hand Mystics
cluding Harry Otto with a fast Juggling aot.
Peggy Thomas presented magic and also on the
Final Show on Monday when she performed the
Puzzle 2.500 at Show
Some of the world's best magi- appearance in F. Russell Swan's
Multiplying Candles. cians got together at Will Kogers "Madcap Magician" performance
Memorial Auditorium Saturday in an unusual manner. Swan
SHORT SHOTS ON CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS night. At last glance the structure hypnotized the animal and brought
The most interesting thing of all the was still in place. it to life by conjuring up a vis-
The 2,500 persons who nearly ion of a brunet, after a blond and
magic was the grand presentation of the Cups' 'illed the auditorium to witness red head had failed.
and Balls by Oklto. After leading all to be- he exposition of legerdemain Frank Lezama of Mexico City
lieve that it was going to be a mediocre sponsored by the Texas Associa- coughed up six ping pong balls
:ion of Magicians in convention lo get his act rolling and wound
routine, old and out of date, he showed an liere this week-end came away up by yanking a mouse and a
ultra smooth routine that the cleverest cups convinced that if the hand isn't chicken out of what naturally had
quicker than the eye, then fellows! appeared to be an empty sack.
and balls manipulators of today would view like Okito and D. J. B. Bobo are Leadoff act was presented by
with envy. They might duplicate the moves, not made like the rest of us. Frank Werner of Houston who
YES, but not the smooth handling. To me, Okito, in real life Theo Bam- warmed up the audience with his
berg, at 87 is dean of the world's "Bewildered Magician" routines
(Doc Mahendra) this was the best thing seen magicians and a former court ma- climaxed by turning an umbrella
in magic in years. gician for Queen Wilhelmina. He's into a bouquet of flowers.
a magician's magician, possibly However, it remained for a non-
Frank V/erner did a trick using a giant more appreciated by fellow crafts- magical performance to steal the
thumb tip (it will not be in the Ency. Ed.) men than by the lay audience, but major share of the applause. That
his deft finger manipulations in a was Prof. Ignatz Baderewsky
and Okito said, "I Enow a man who'd give a sleight-of-hand routine awed the (Seymour D a v i s of Oklahoma
thousand dollars to see that trick!— HE'S crowd, nevertheless. City) and his piano. He played
BLIND!" Frank Werner by the way, is a master Bobo, a native Texan from Tex- boogie-woogie and Chopin with his
arkana, who bills himself as the hands and feet and wound up
of misdirection. When he'd forget someone's "Master of Wizardry," put on the playing "Stars and Stripes For
name, he'd pretend he did not hear, lean over next best sleight-of-hand show, en- ever" through a multi-colorec
livening his act with some pitter- tablecloth. Carol Miller of Dallas
and read their badge and thus create the im- patter. Okito worked silently. was entertaining with a ventrilo
pression he had not forgotten their names! The inevitable rabbit made its qulst act.
PAGE 312 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-SIX
to show various members of the audience that
RALPH DESHONG'S HALF IN BOTTLE ROUTINE the half is in the bottle. I hold the bottom
of the bottle with right and top with the
left hand, horizontally and do a lot of rat-
Continued from front page tling around of the folding half in the bot-
left. "Will you please examine this gentle- tle . As I approach the owner of the half
man's half dollar? Do you find anything wrong dollar, I shoot the folded half out into my •••
with It? You see no holes In the half?" As left hand with a quick Jerk. Remember, the
he examines the coin you continue, "What Is borrowed half is at the bottom of the bottle
the beat test for a piece of silver money? on the right palm. You will find that you can
That's right, the teller would drop It on a now rattle this good half against the bottom
that marble counter, wouldn't he? O.K., then of the bottle so that it sounds like it was
you drop It on the floor and let's see how in the bottle by holding the bottle horizont-
it rings." ally with both hands, cupping the right palm
while talking, your left hand moves In a to give it room to rattle around. This is one
casual manner to your left side coat pocket of the best parts of the trick. You ask the
where you have the folding half. As your ass- owner of the half to hold both hands cupped
istant drops the borrowed half to the floor, under the bottle and while rattling the half
all eyes are on him and the coin. Bottle is In against the bottom of bottle let it drop into
your right hand, the folded half taken from his two hands. Next set the bottle down on
the pocket is Inserted in the bottle neck, his outstretched hands on top of the half you
Just barely in the top, as the good half hits have returned to him and tell him, "Sit there
the floor. This is perfect misdirection and and try a while to get the half back in the
gets over the one weak point in the trick - bottle. If you succeed, you too will be a mag-
the insertion of the gimmick in the bottle ician!" ^
neck. Please note that both the entering of the
Pick up the borrowed half with your folding half into the bottle and the removal
right hand as left hand holds bottle around are covered by natural actions. I never have
the neck with bottle pointing horizontally them suspect that the neck of the bottle has
to the right. Then say to the assisting spec- anything to do with the trick. The owner in-
tator, "I want you to hold this bottle with variably will turn the bottom up and examine
your left hand, just as I do." Your left it for he (like the first spectator) will
hand around the neck hides the folded half swear he actually saw the half drop out of
and his hand replacing yours does the same. the bottom of the bottle.
Your right hand, although holding the bor- This is plenty good for me and I hope
rowed half assists in the transfer of the you like it too, (Ralph, we certainly do and
bottle from you to him.
He is holding bottle by neck in his
left hand with, bottom of bottle pointing to-
are pleased that you have honored the BAT
with this fine routine. Ed.)
NOTES: I am prepared with both new and old
i
ward you as you stand to his right. Hold style half dollars and use the proper style
borrowed half with left finger tips for to match borrowed coin.
audience to see. You apparently transfer Folding coins tarnish because of the
half to right hand but palm in left which is sulfur in the rubber. Use Wright's Silver
placed on the back of assistant's shoulder. Cream to polish. When you have reassembled
Ask him to hold bottle firmly as you expect folding coin put some of this thick cream in
to slap the bottle at the count of three. the slot on top of the rubber, filling it.
You then count to three, slapping bottle This hides the slot, is easy to do, and it
on the bottom with the right palm, opening will dry a near silver color.
right hand quickly as it strikes the bottle. Check rubber before each performance
This slap causes the half to Jump from the and renew often. Clean out the slot with a
neck and appear unfolded in the body of the strong thread to remove broken particles of
bottle. rubber, etc.
You now say to your assistant, "Will you
kindly tell the audience what you see in the
bottle? He is so dumbfounded, that he fre-
quently cannot say a word, and that adds to
the interest created. Remember, he has act-
ually seen that half enter the bottom of the
bottle! You allow him to look at it rather
freely and do some rattling of the half as it
is in the bottle. Now thank him and permit
him to return to his seat as you continue to
rattle the coin In the bottle. I have a gag
that I use here saying, "At this stage of the
experiment, I always match coins with the
owner of the half dollar to see whether I get
his half, or he gets my coke bottle - (look
at him) - oh, you don't want to do that, eh?
Well, we'll try to get it out for you then!"
During this by-play you have transferred
the borrowed half from your left to your right
palm, then let the bottom of the bottle rest
on the half there. You advance to the owner
of the half dollar, stopping along the path
NUMBER FORTY-SIX THE BAT PAGE 3 1 3
y WILD ACE
by
DICK ARMBRUST
on men andbooks
magical entertainers. Included this year in the
lot for more or less long appearances are Stan
WITHOUT Kramlen with a grandstand show, Chandler Stev-
ens, Wm. Desmond, El Marteen, and believe it
MIRRORS or not, Theron Fox.
By ONE DOLLAR. Earnie Bryan, popular Portland entertain-
Christopher Charles er recently lost his Mother and of necessity
took the sad Journey required to Iowa. Trouble
November selection for TAB Book Club seems to come in lots for Earnie for a trip
members Is WITHOUT MIRRORS by Christopher to the Naval Hospital Is also on tap for treat-
Charles. A bright book on patter with a lot ment on his leg from a war accident.
of laugh material that will be found easy to August 24th Dr. Charles Feasler caught the
use. Song parodies, gags of all sorts, and a act of CURT WALTER AND CAROL at Ashippun, Wis-
routine for two makes this a book bound to consin and immediately flashed the BAT that
pleasure the searcher for the elusive chuckle. this show produced thirty minutes of the fast-
Fnether he be ra.c., magician, or other enter- est magic he had ever seen. The patter was
tainer he will find good value in this latest both humorous and clever and the team enter-
TAB book. Publication has been set for Nov- taining, Interesting, and mysterious. High
ember 15th and the book will retail at the praise indeed.
customary TAB book price, one dollar. Non- Tom Osborne was married to Frances Stock-
club members can place their order now for well on August 14th in Elkton, Maryland. They
this new patter book for delivery on that will be at home after September 15th in their
date. Philadelphia, Pa.home (5223 Cedar Avenue). Our
Editor John J. Crlmmins, Jr. of the En- best to you Tom and Frances!
cyclopedia of Thumb Tip Tricks and other out- The things that AH
standing magical works has announced the win- Magician Loses HING told your Editor at
ners in the contest for thumb tip material. His Head, That Is the PCAM Convention a-
Prizes will be awarded on the publication of bout the new TERSHAY SHOW
• the Encyclopedia In 1948. His Talking Skull were almost unbelievable.
Fist prize: J. C. Walter, Miracle Cut and Re- Joe Tershay, a professional ma- But knowing both gentle-
•fi-cian, ashek San Francisco police
stored String. yesterday to hunt for hid talking men well, we must con-
2nd prize: Milbourne Christopher, Christopher1! skull, "Bonesie," which somebody sider them true. Ah'a
stole out of his car on Nob Hill the
Pennies to Nickel. other night. enthusiasm even when dis-
3rd prize: R. C. Ritson, for the Amazing Mr. Some other magical props ware" counted makes the new
stolen too, but Tershay wasn't wor- Tershay performance one
Wu's Routine (paper tear). ried about them. He could replace
4th prize: to the late Walter Price for his them at any shop selling magicians for you to definitely
supplies.
Atomic Cigarette. But not the talking skull It was be on the watch for. It
5th prize: Dr. Howard Kayton, Birth of a Silk. given to him by a Maharaja while is modern, based on an
Tershay was touring India with a unusual theme and smart-
And it was a boy too at the home of John USO camp show during the war,
and, he said, was the only one of its ly dressed. Your reports
J. Crlmmins on August 13th! At 9.05 a.m. John kind in the world. will be appreciated.
J. Crlmmins, Hi,weighed in at 6 lbs 8 oz. He "Bonesie" answers questions' by
clacking its teeth, ont time for
will be known as "Jay" for short. Something "yes" and two time» for "no."
DARIEL FITZKEE says
more to keep you busy, eh John! Tershay asked that anyon* hear- the rumor market la con-
ing a skull talking to itself *tt in tacting magic clubs with
If you like cigars, you should have been touch with. him.
the view of appearing be-
at the Oakland Magic Circle meeting on Septem- fore them and lecturing ala Vernon.
ber 2nd. FOUR members passed out cigars! Be-
sides those mentioned previously (Braue and THE VIRGIL SHOW is in Pennsylvania and
Agnew girls) William Fleming varied the rout- our efforts ao far to get a route list has
ine by announcing Richard Scott Fleming, born been unsuccessful. Show is expected to work
on August 9th and weight 8 lbs 2 oz. Maria toward the Eastern Seaboard then down the At-
Cella Burger arrived on August 12 weighing in lantic Coast. We will do our best to keep you
at 6 lbs 3 oz and proud Pappa Marvin Burger Easterners informed.
seems willing to take all the credit. Oh no! Johnny Platt back home in Chicago after
Those stating the Circle needs new blood are his West Coast tour is scheduled to show
apparently being answered in an unexpected on one of the Convention Shows at Omaha on
fay. More to come! Well, one more anyway. September 26-28. Dorny is due to m.c. the
The Vancouver Magic Circle will be glad show. The Great Platt alao claims a first in
to send its MAGICAL MINUTES to other magic that he did his cups and balls in swimming
clubs In exchange for your bulletin (the BAT trunks while in Hollywood. Johnny was enter-
| too). Says, F. W. Benwell, Suite 106, The tained there by Joseff, Jeweler to the Stars
Huntlngton, 1915 Beach Avenue, Vancouver, B. and an old magic act playmate of our Mr. J.P.
"», Canada, "By reporting their highlights Bert Easley of drunk act fame is re-
at our meetings we can remind the fellows of ported now to have opened a magic shop in
the international character of our organiz- Phoenix, Arizona.
ation (and magic). /SPECIAL CARD TRICK ISSUE NEXT MONTH.
The Fair season always produces a crop of f GOT A CONTRIBUTION? GET IT IN NOW.
PAGE 3 1 8 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-s
SURPRISE! THE B.A.T. again the TAB imprint or selection this year. The
scoops! The November selection addition of an extra two dollars will result
for the Club will be In the inclusion of the Bobo book (Watch This
One!) as well. An excellent gift since the
RIBBON SURPRIZE! ten dollar invested returns sixteen dollars
in good magical reading, or the twelve dol-
currently advertised as the lar sum raises the total return to nineteen
"Year's Surprise Penetration" dollars. AND PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS THE LAST
and bearing a price mark of TIME THESE BOOKS WILL ALL BE AVAILABLE AT
Yes, we said $3.75! Now how can we do It? Well, THIS LOW PRICE. ON JANUARY 1st THE BONUS PLAJJ
always being on the look out for the best for WILL BE DROPPED AND THE TAB SET-UP CHANGED.
B.A.T. members we have obtained the rights to So, either for yourself, or some other act-
this trick from R. C. Buff. But since the mail- ive magician, if it's good books you want at
ing of a full size magazine and materials nec- a low price - act now! This offer will hold
1
essitate expense and problems we cannot meet at only for the balance of 1947.
the low B.A.T. price we are revising the several This is of course written before our
pages of instructions and sending you a model THREE GAGS are in your hands, but Judging
Instead. Thus, by merely plckingup a magazine from reactions by the printers and the few
and a few yards of ribbon a few minutes work who have seen them you'll consider them to
results in your having a #3.75 trick. (And to be dandies! Let's hear your reactions and
think! B.A.T. membership is only SIX DOLLARS A also suggestions.
YEAR!) For all practical purposes, we are
listing RIBBON SURPRIZE as a $2.00 trick. We
will sell the model and Instructions in the
future for $2.00 and list same on the altern-
ate B.A.T. list at that price.
In effect, RIBBON SURPRIZE consists of a Another LAlffilE LULU. Canada's crack mag-
magazine cover which is displayed on all sides ical inventor comes through with two new ones j
and a ribbon is dropped in. Assistant or per- you will like. JACKPOT 21 brings them to you f
former holds magazine in front of body while complete with all needed equipment. One is
two spectators take hold of ends. Person now SCREWY KNOT ($1.50) in which a knot tied in a
takes a step or two forward and he is in short length of rope moves up and down the
front of the ribbon, it apparently having rope! Even when held horizontally, the knot
penetrated? Magazine as well as the body hav- travels back and forth and at the conclusion
ing been both penetrated and magazine dan be the rope is thrown out for examination. The
opened and again shown if thought necessary. other effect is BILLS OF MIDAS ($1.00) an
As mentioned above, alternate selections effect similar to the well-known Tom Bowyer's
should be made on a #2.00 basis. We are sure, "Repeat Bill" trick but with a perfectly clean
however, that once you are acquainted with count that also has the bills taken from the
the full details of RIBBON SURPRIZE you will front of the pile. Real money can even be
be glad you did not let your opportunity slip used since it only takes a few minutes to rig
by to obtain It. up a duplicate set. Twenty minutes practice
And by the way, wouldn't this be a good and you have a professional trick for you show.
one for you to get your friends to start BOTH tricks, a $2.50 value, while they last -
their B.A.T. memberships with? for ONE DOLLAR. This is Jackpot 21, so order
Christmas is now Just around the corner simply by that Number.
and this is an excellent opportunity to re-
mind you that you can give a magician no fin- ALLAN LAMBIE has also favored us with a
er gift than a membership in the B.A.T. Bring- number of effects using the principle devel-
ing him a good trick or two each month and oped in our popular MAGIC PENNY, a B.AT. sel-
the BAT, the return for the six dollars In- ection of last December. Space however pre-
vested is unexcelled. As long as the member- vents our using them now so we'll Just have
ship continues large, these good values can to hold them over until next month.
be continued - so in helping the B.A.T. you Limited space also prevents a full dis-
are really helping yourself. Send in those . cussion of the COUNTS OF CONJURING'S recent
memberships now and if you wish we will send convention (July 19-25) in Cincinnati, but
a notification of your action to the new we are Indeed grateful to Paul Anton for hie
member and also a Christmas card stating when full and painstaking report. John Braun and
membership will begin. Six dollars a year can
bring some magician pleasure for the entire
twelve months of 1948.
The TAB will not be continued in 1948 on
Ronald Halnes amongst the older magicians
did their part in entertaining - and I think
also educating the boys. George Thompson was
elected President by acclamation (I think he
stuffed them Instead of the ballot box!) On
c
Its current monthly basis but be revised under
a plan to be announced later. A gift "member- the shows, George Caldwell gave a fine per-
ship" of ten dollars will bring the lucky formance and Eddy Ireton drew applause with
person the sixteen books to be issued under his silk routine.
NUMBER FORTY-SIX THE BAT PAGE 3 1 9
SEATTLE M A G I C I A N S MEET
RECENT LIBRARY ACQUISITIONS at
f| YOU'RE THE M.C., by William Roulls. SWANSON'S
N IN SPADES, t>y Edward Mario. R. E. SWANSON MAGIC & NOVELTY CO.
ON SOFT SOAP, compiled by Gordon Mao- 1 . , AVINUE $IATT
" ' ' WASHINGTON
Donald.
PROFESSIONAL MAGIC FOR AMATEURS, by Walter
B. Q-lb8on. RIGID VANISHING BIRD CAGE
THE CHALLENGE HANDCUFF ACT, Burling Hull (new STANDS ALONE - BEAUTIFUL - NO SOLDERED JOINTS
ed.) NO RIBBONS - LOOKS LIKE A BIRD CAGE
NEW AND ORIGINAL MAGIC (catalog) Jack Hughes
and Harry Stanley. SUPER $17.50 CHROME $25.00
OUTLINE OF MYSTERY (bound edition) by Arthur ONE WORD MIND READING CODE - EASY TO LEASH -
Leroy. Also regular edition. A FEW HOURS GETS THE WHOLE - $3.50
jHREE SIX BITS (bound edition) by Frank Chap-
man. Also regular edition. UNLHOKST MAGIC DEN
16 WORLD'S BEST CARD TRICKS Sterling Magic. 612 PINE STREET ST. LOUIS 1, MISSOURI
&ENII, Sept., 1947 — SPHINX, Aug., 1947.
CONJUROR'S, August, '47., TOPS, Sept. '47.
T.A.O.M. Vol. 1, No.2. LINKING RING, Aug. '47.
HU&ARD'S MONTHLY, A u g . ' 4 7 . , TRIKS, A u g . ' 4 7 . SAll FRANCISCO'S FAVORITE MAGIC STDDIO
TE TOHUNGA, M a y - J u n e , ' 4 7 . WE CARRY THE
PHOENIX, N o . 1 3 1 N o . 1 3 2 . LATEST AND BEST OF ALL MAGIC EFFECTS
THE MAGICAL DIGEST, V o l . 1 , N o . 1 , J u n e ' 4 7 . A POST CARD WILL PLACE YOU ON OUR MAILING LIST
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MINIMUM OF EQUIPMENT. EACH WITH THE SUBCLE TWISTS
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Gems o f Mental Magic
MAGIC LIMITED - Lloyd E. Jones by Brown and Cook - $6.00
PUBLISHED MONTHLY
NOVEMBER 1947
NUMBER FORTY-SEVEN
The summarization Is a result of the in- further proof of the kindliness and generos-
teresting and Instructive poll that has been ity of magicians as a class; and to those of
running for some months in HUGARD'3 MONTHLY, you who may read this in the BAT — and who
one of our finer magical publications and cast a vote, thanks a million!
should show you what audiences like best. Now as to the vote itself:
Each voter was asked to name the five The single trick which received the most
card tricks, which in his experience, he has votes was Paul Curry's OUT OF THIS WORLD, a
found that audiences like best. Naturally, great trick if there ever was one. The, single
no one Imagines that the trick receiving the effect which received the most votes — al-
most votes is automatically the best trick, though various methods of achieving this ef-
for too many factors enter into the picture fect were mentioned — was, surprisingly e-
— the skill of the performer, his present- nough, our old friend the FOUR ACE TRICK.
ation, his type of audience. Still, it was. Slightly lower In the balloting was the CARDS
felt that the vote would give a fairly good ACROSS, in which three cards pass from one
over-all picture of what audiences like In packet to another while the packets are held
card tricks, and the results have borne out by spectators.
this surmise. More Important still, the The type of trick liked best by laymen,
vote shows that America's card magicians are if the poll is any criterion, is a trick in
giving American audiences mighty good card which the cards mysteriously move from place
magic. to place. One hundred and five votes were cast
Before telling you something of the vote for this type of trick, which broke down into
I'd like to tell you of the surprising number following specific effects:
of votes which were received. We had thought Three Cards Across
that the bother of finding a postcard, list- The Four Ace Trick
Ing the five tricks, and then posting same The Twelve Cards to Pocket
would deter many from voting. On the contrary, Follow the Leader
ninety-nine percent of those who voted wrote The Card in Wallet - Sealed En-
letters, often giving their methods In detail! velope, Cigarette, etc.
Many stated they were glad to share their ex- The Card in Balloon, orange,
perience with others. Letters crowded in from Television Frame, and so on.
£11 parts of the nation, from Canada, from The Ambitious Card.
England, from Australia. All of this offering The type of trick next named most is
TURN TO PAGE 323, please
PAGE 3 2 2 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-SEVFM
And to close, a special Thank you! to
Denis Draginis, Roscoe Gaylord, Henry Banfler-
ob, John Holt, and the number of others of
you who have so kindly sent on BAT and scrap-
book material. Much of this will find use in
these pages and the rest placed away on our
ample shelves.
Don't forget to order your RABBIT CAL-
EIJDARS! The Holiday Season is HERE.
Published monthly by MAGIC LIMITED at Yours in magic,
4064 - 39th Avenue, Oakland 2, California.
Subscription rate ie $2.00 a year; SIX
issues #1.00; single copies 25jtf excepting Lloyd EV Jonesr
special issues so designated.
Send all correspondence to THE BAT,
c/o Lloyd E. Jones, at address above. OH NO!
LLOYD E. JONES
THERON FOX
EDITOR
- ASSISTANT EDITOR Six Held Here
ROBERT GUNTHER ; ART EDITOR
In Bunco Probe
S SUFRV
Looking ahead for 1948, I.IAGIC LIMITED
Teenage Soldiers
Lose $440; Four Men,
Two Women Arrested
They told police that one of the
men struck up an acquaintance with
them in a bar, and introduced them
to the "greasy strap" game. Police
(and the BAT) has some more big plans we'd said it is played with a small strap
Three teenaged soldiers, who lost or rubber band A toothpick is in-
like to discuss with you next month. Will money thai was to tako \\tem home serted in the loop at one end, and
you be reading? playing a tcoihpxk game in a local the strap is carefully wound around
tavern, furnished information which it. On rewinding, the toethpick is
Plans of course to include the TAB. today ied to the detention of four sometimes found still in the loop,
men and two women for investiga- sometimes outside of it, depending
What shall be its fate? Definitely, from tion of bunco activities. on the skill of the operator. ^
this end an end to the monthly issuance of The betting is on the location of
a book, and frequently two. But shall the the toothpick.
bonus plan be continued? And shall the THIS should be a good plug for the BUNKO BOOK
search for new material be continued? Or Funniest staged gag at the recent Sea-
should we U n i t our endeavors to an occas- ttle Convention of the P.O.A.M., was the
ional new book and an infrequent bound vol- presentation of the Linking Rings by Merv
ume of some merit? Or shall we devote our Taylor of quality apparatus fame. Merv's
entire efforts to our "monumental" work routine starts out as a regular one with
now being readied? the rings being shown separately and being
Shall the BAT be continued as a mag- passed out. The chain of three is handed
azine hoping to expand beyond its limit- out with a request to the spectator to
ing small pages (and circulation) or shall unlink them (in this case, Joe Berg). After
it return to the original plan of being1 a a move more moves, the chain of three is
house organ for Magic Limited and decrease called for and they are brought up with
in size? Should it retain all Its present spectator saying that he could not unlink
features? Revive some old ones or drop some them. The rings however, are twisted mass-
of the new ones? Should It aim its Interest es of metal! Badly bent out of shape and
toward the beginner and the amateur and looking like they had been crushed by a
continue to publish the old as well as the steam roller! A howl of laughter greeted
new or change? And what do you think of a this unusual twist. I.Ierv looks at the "mess"
plan whereby a book would be frequently run and remarks, he should have used his own
complete in an issue of the BAT? Or say, rings (Orb Eternal - plug). But, being a
some rare manuscript be dug from the Library magician, he twists and turns the tangled
files? Should we get belligerent and trip mass, and one by ones the rings come apart!
up sone of our worthy contemporaries for Truly, a novel gag - and a big laugh! Thank
errors they make - such as claiming sole you Merv!
membership for a magical publisher in the
new Dealer's Organization? From Robert^Emerico, we receive a fine
m.c. bit, since used with great success. Bob
And finally, can ITagic Limited suc- has a very fine flat rabbit (made by Stan
ceed on its scheduled plan of specializing Payne) that at first glance will pass for a
and limiting stock or should it be junked live rabbit until the form is turned edge-
entirely? wise and Its flatness can be seen. Stating
Truly, these are tough times, but that he will next produce a live rabbit, he
what are normal times? Have you ever ex- picks up a copy of LIFE, and riffles a page
perienced them? Well, these presage an or two. Now reaching inside, he proudly pulls
interesting issue; and I promise you it out the rabbit with the flat side to the aud-
will be a different one. ience and usually receives a round of applause
This issue, our Card Trick one has since thevtaing is so life-like. He now turns
at least t*70 fine tricks that deserve your it edge-wise and the applause turns to laugh-
full attention. One, Youra to Command, by ter. Glaring at the audience, he says, "Well,
Gerald Kosky; and the Pixie Card Sandwich, I told you I'd produce a LIFE rabbit — didn't
by Mise V, St. John; and it pleases us no I?" And the laughter turns to howls of joy.
end to know that more good magic by these Very effective.
two is s'till in our files.
NUMBER FORTY-SEVEN THE BAT PAGE 3 2 3
dividual ballots, we find that Milbourne
THE CARD TRICK POLL Christopher, a performer of wide experience
in the modern style of presentation, select-
CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE ed the Rising Cards, the Card Sword, Curry's
the trick, in which cards change or transform. Touch for close-up work; any trick in which
A typical example is the trlek in which you an indifferent card changes into the one
ahow a card; the spectator claims that It is chosen, and the Cards Across. It's particul-
not the chosen card; a top change is made and arly interesting to note that each of these
the proper card shown. Other feats of this Is an old trick, performed by an up-to-date
type are the Hocus Poous Card, Partagas Sell, performer. Each one too, is a ahowmanly
Super Optical Illusion, and Here, There and trick.
Everywhere. On the other side of the Atlantic, Gus
Next came tricks of coincidence, such as Southall, an English sleight of hand artist
Do as I Do, Card of the Gods, Royal Marriage, of long experience, chose these tricks after
Two-Six-Four, Triple Coincidence, and of watching other performers: The Thirty Card
course Curry's Out of This World. Anyone who Trick, Blindfold Card Stabbing, Rising Cards
has used any of these tricks knows that they Four Ace Trick, and Three Across. Here, too,
are good audience tricks. we have the old standbys.
Fourth on the list are tricks of discov- Other votes by the professionals bear
ery, in which the card is discovered within out the contention that the old tricks are
the pack Itself, or in which the interest is good tricks; and if there is anything to be
not so much in how the card Is revealed, as learned from this, it is not to despise a
In how it is found. Many of these are of the trick merely because it Is old. Walter B.
mathematical variety. These are pretty close Gibson, for Instance, Included the Card
to the puzzle in reality and they Interest Through the Handkerchief in his listing of
laymen in direct proportion to their curios- the Five Best. Many of us never use the
ity as to "How in the world did he find that trick, for, we reason, it's too old. Yet,
card!" it is not too old or hackneyed for Paul
A Show of Skill turned up fifth in the Rosini - he uses it in his Night Club Act!
poll, with tricks such as Vernon's Cutting Another worth-while feature of the poll
the Aces, The Blindfold Poker Deal, and var- has been the check-list o-f good tricks which
ious other poker deals being mentioned. The It has provided for all of us. Several nun
great public interest in card games, such as dred are named, all vouched for by some oard-
bridge and poker, no doubt creates particular worker. I'd like to name them all, but I am
interest in this type of work. sure that by now my space is growing short.
Predictions were sixth on the list. Such Those of you who wish to consult the check
tricks Included Albaka, Think-a-Card, Mira- list will find it in the last few issues of
eklll, Knock-em-dead, and other feats in Hugard's Monthly.
which the performer apparently knows the name Summing up, it would seem, on the basis
of a chosen card before the card itself is of the poll, that a;n excellent all-round pro-
chosen by the spectator. gram of card work, for close-up use, should
Humorous tricks ranked seventh. These Include:
included the Six Card Repeat, The Lie De- 1. A surprising location.
tector, The Nudist Deck, and others basically 2. A mlndreadlng or prediction trick.
amusing in presentation and effect. A good 3. A trick with the accent on humor.
thing to remember — audiences like to laugh. 4. A trick of coincidence.
If further proof were needed, consider Bert 5. A trick in which the cards change at the
Allerton's great success with this type of climax.
trick. 6. A trick in which the cards move myster-
Telepathic or Ulndreading tricks fol- iously from one place to another.
lowed with An Incomprehensible Divination, The card worker could do worse than to
the Card in the Pocket, Remembering the set up a few routines based on this layout,
Future and such tricks comprising the list- interspersing the types of tricks given, as
ing. desired, with tricks, from other categories.
The Rising Cards, a beautiful trick Such a routine would run about twelve to
which will never grow old was named next, fifteen minutes and would give variety, which
and was followed by several other categor- is always desirable.
ies with only a few votes each. These in- Routining such as this is the real secret
cluded Surprising Locations, the Diminish- of success in the presentation of card magic.
ing Cards, Novelties, and Spellers. It's Obviously, one man's meat is another man's
really interesting to note that the spell- poison; and one man's skill is not equal to
ing card trick, which is such a favorite another's; but with so many good and baffling
with magicians, is so little liked by a tricks available, there are enough to pick
layman, that It received only five votes! and choose in building a well-rounded routine
Finally thirty-six votes were cast for of card work, which can be done any time, any-
miscellaneous tricks, which It was dlffloult where, and with any deck of cards.
to place in any category, or with which I Although the poll has closed, should you
was unfamiliar. wish to add your vote, we'd be glad to receive
That then, is a summary of the vote. A It. Address FRED BRAUE, c/o Hugard's Magic
great part of its value lay in the tricks Monthly, 2634 East 19th Street, Brooklyn 29,
named by individuals, for the more exper- N. Y. and accept our thanks in advance for
ienced the performer the more likely that your kin'dness.
he would have sifted the wheat from the chaff, In closing, let me wish you good luck,
To illustrate by mentioning a few of the in- good times, and good oard tricks for aye!
PAGE 324 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-SEV&j
Presentation: Shuffle and cut the deck
YOURS TO COMMAND! in any manner desired, keeping the top thlrt,
een cards xn place. Then fan the cards and
a feature card trick, by GERALD KOSKY have any card below this top group selected
and placed on the table without its face be-
Performer has spectator freely select a
card from pack; performer looks away while
spectator shows the selected card to those
ing noted. While pattering, carelessly cut
the deck a few cards below the center and
complete the cut, thus getting the stacked
cards in the center of the deck.
1
about him. Performer, has spectator replace Hand deck to spectator and have him cut
his card and then proceeds jto shuffle the pacJt the cards near the center. He will cut among
but sees to It that the selected card becomes the thirteen stacked cards. Have him complete
the top one of the pack during this process. the cut and hand you the deck. You deal the
When this has been done, performer takes a top two cards of the deck face down onto the
card out of the middle of the deck and places table (the 1st to your left, the 2nd to your
It face u£ on top of the pack; at the same right) and state that these two cards, cut to
time he states that the card he placed on the by chance, will reveal the name of the sel-
top of the pack face up Is the card the spect- ected card.
ator freely selected. When the spectator de-
nies this, performer double lifts the two top Take the top card of the deck and using
cards as one (selected card will be face down it to turn over the 2nd cut-to card, perform
under the face up top card) and holding it In the Mexican Turnover. Use the card remaining
his right hand, turns the whole pack over in in your hand to turn over the cut-to card,
his left; showing the face card of the bottom this time legitimately.
of the pack, he asks, "Is this by chance your Point out that the two cards are from
card?" (Meanwhile, performer Inserts the two the same Bult and that one is only two cards
cards which are apparently one into the mid higher in value than the other. In other
portion of the now face up pack). When the words, one card placed between them would
spectator replies in the negative, performer make their value consecutive; hence, the
turns pack face down and hands it to selector. selected card should be that one, in this case
He tells him, "Certain cards are subject to the six of Hearts. Using the card In your
command — - may I ask what was the name of hand, turn over the selected card, again
the card you selected? The seven of Diamonds? performing the Mexican Turnover and the card
Well, that happens to be one of the cards is as you stated it would be!
that obeys commands. Let's see if it will o- Variation: If you wish, you can have the
bey your command. Hold the pack firmly In thirteen stacked cards already in the center
your right hand. Now slap the pack with your of the deck and dispose with cutting the deck
left, and at the same time command the seven before handing them to the spectator. This WJ
of Dlamond8 to turn over in the pack." Spect- you have the selected card taken well above
ator gives command and runs through the pack, the mid-section and then hand him the deck
he finds his selected card reversed to his directly to cut as before without any handling
certain amazement. of your own.
ED. NOTE: It seems to me that a simple second
The above effect Is one of my favorites deal from the top of the deck, dealing out
and I use it all the time in my Hospital Show cards one and three, then using two for the
routine for the wounded men in the wards. I Turnover, would eliminate the need of a double
always tell the spectator when he gives the use of this tricky sleight. The M. T.ls a
comuand for the card to turn over in the pack tough one to execute properly unless surface
to make believe that he is the top officer used is ideal. The routine explained though
of the company. And that line is always good is well worth the set-up and use of the little
for a big laugh. used maneuver.
THE MEXICAN MIRACLE
(a card coincidence) "YOUR CARD MIGHT BE HERE"
Effect: A deck of cards is shuffled, A QUICKIE, BY WALTER B. GIBSON
and a spectator is requested to select a The usual card is selected and deck Is
card, any card and to place it face down on cut for its replacement. Top section is re-
the table without showing its face. The deck placed but break is held. Now attention is
is then handed the spectator and he is told directed to bottom card of deck. Next top
to cut the cards. He does so, and removes card Is shown and finally deck is out app-
the two cards at the cut and also places arently any place and bottom of top half
them without showing their faces, on the is shown. In replacing, halves of deck are
table. shifted so that bottom half becomes the top.
These two cards, says the magician, will Magician says, your card is in none of
indicate the value of the selected card. The those places — but really, it is on the
two cards are turned face up and found to be top of the deck! Turn over top card and
(say) the five and seven of Hearts. This, show.
states the magician, makes the selected card A confusing little bit that can as
the six of Hearts. The selected card is turned well be used for control of the card as
over, and sure enough it is the six of Hearts!
Requisites: (1.) A deck stacked with the
thirteen cards of one suit on top of the deck.
These thirteen cards are arranged in order from
for a disclosure. The cutting obviously
being at the break which has all the time
been held. Each time a card is shown after
the replacement, the spectator is told,
*
ace to king, the ace being the top card of the "Your card might be here," etc. to final
deck. (2.) Ability to do the Mexican Turnover. disclosure.
NUMBER FORTY-SEVEN THE. BAT PAGE 3 2 5
JAMES K0L0C0TR0NIS
This is not a trick, Just a move that I
know you'll like. Coming to the spectator,
magician bends the cards as illustrated and
thus gets a peek at the top. card of the deck.
Spectator is asked to take any card and the
bend in the deck is removed during the proc-
ess. When card is to be replaced, magician
cuts the deck and1 the selected card drops on
top of the peeked card as the cut is -com-
pleted. Deck can now be shuffled since the
usual mixing will not separate the two cards
and then the selected card produced as de-
sired.
POsTR/OCS
seven as the factor, in other words, the
GALLING -ALL CARDS next multiple of nine.
TELEPHONE TEST
This Is a card effect that can be used
over the telephone, or as a room to room Ask your friend on the other end of the
mental trick. telephone to shuffle a pack of cards and to
Call a party on the phone and have him proceed as follows: He has to take a small
take his own pack, shuffle it, and then cut packet of cards from the pack, say, between
it in two equal piles. He is to select one ten anu twenty, as otherwise the trick would
of the piles and to discard the other pile. take too long.
Have him count the cards in the se- By now your friend has counted the
lected pile, he adds 2 and 3, which totals packet. For example, suppose he has taken
5, so he discards five cards. seventeen cards. He places them on the table
Tell him to think of a number between and from these seventeen, he takes one card
one and ten, and to remove that many cards to represent the figure 1, and next to it
from the selected pile and put them in his he places a small pile of 7 cards to represent
pocket. Have him count dov/n in the selected the figure 7. In case he took fifteen, he
pile and look at and remember the card at must count on the table one card for'the
the thought-of number. figure 1, and next to this single card, five
for example, if he thought of number cards for the number five. In any event, you
seven, he puts seven cards in his pocket, yourself do not know the number of cards.
and then looks at the seventh card down in After he has done so, he has a small
the selected pile. Have him hold the se- packet of cards left in his hands. *Tell him
lected pile face down in the left hand and to look at the bottom card of this packet and
then to deal them face up on at a time on to replace this small packet on the pack.
to the table, slowly and to call off the The cards on the table, in our example, the
names of the cards over the phone to you as one and the seven, are to be shuffled and
he deals them. placed on the bottom of the pack.
After he is through you name the se- Tell your friend to read the card out
lected card. You also tell him that he has to you over the telephone. After he has men-
seven cards in his pocket. tioned a number you stop him and say, "The
Here is a summary of the routine again, card you selected was the Queen of Spades."
in brief: Call a party on the phone. He Method: When the cards are being called
takes his own pack and shuffles it, then out to you, all you have to do is to count
cuts it in two nearly equal piles, selects the number of cards which are being called
one pile and discards the other. He counts and the ninth card he mentions is always the
the cards in the selected pile (22) adds the selected card. It is better showmanship to
digits together (2 plus 2 equals 4) discards let him continue to mention the cards to you
4 cards from the selected pile, thinks of a and after he has called off about twelve or
number between 1 and 10 (6), puts 6 cards in thirteen, you say, "I believe you have al-
his pocket from the selected pile, counts ready passed your card." You then mention
down in the selected remainder to the same the name of the card.
number thought of (6) and looks at and re- This trick is possible even though he
members the card at that position. He holds takes more than twenty cards. He puts down
selected pile in left hand face down, then two cards to represent two and four to re-
deals them onto table face up one at a time present four if his number is twenty-four.
slowly, and "calls all cards." These are six cards. Six from twenty-four
Method: Before you call the party to leaves a balance of eighteen cards. With
present the effect, get a pad and write thirty cards or over, the balance is twenty-
down the numbers: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, and so on seven. Thus nine, eighteen, and twenty-
up to 26. When he is calling the acrds you seven, all multiples of nine, are factors.
write the names of the cards under the It is a good idea to suggest that he has
numbers, starting in with Number One. For already passed his card because if he says
example: he has not, then you know it to be the
eighteenth or the twenty-seventh card.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 (Note by compiler): Here is a little
4C 7D 8S KC QH 9C 3S JD AC IOC QS improvement. Ask your friend at the out-
When the party has finished calling all set to cut the pack in about four equal heaps.
the cards, you check. The last card called The spectator now selects one heap and puts
was the Queen of Spades at the eleventh the other three heaps together. Now it will
Position. Deduct 11 from 18, eighteen being be almost impossible for any of the four
the factor, and the answer is 7. You recheck heaps to contain leas than ten cards and more
and tell him that the Three of Spades is the than twenty.
card he looked at, and that he has seven It may be of interest to the reader to
cards in his pocket. compare the foregoing trick w^.th one of simil-
Note; If the party calls only eight ar effect published in our original Encyclope-
cards or less, use nine as the factor. If dia of Card Tricks under the title, "Number,
he calls over eighteen cards, use twenty- Please."
PAGE 3 2 8 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-SEVEN
THE PIXIE CARD SANDWICH the top two cards and slides them UP off the
pack, first and little fingers drop to the
by sides of the two cards, middle and ring fin-
V. S t . John gers stay on top of the two cards, thus keep,
ing them in perfect alignment.
(3.) third sleight: Second deal. Left thumb
Original and exclusive to the BAT pulls back the top card so that you deal the
second card face up on the table.
An impromptu card trick, presented any-
time, any place and with any pack of cards,
no preparation. Tine taken, about three min-
utes; requisites, any pack of cards and any
table, and an audience of three or more.
Effect: Spectator shuffles his own pack
of cards, takes one card out and writes his
name on the face of the card, the magician,
who DOES NOT KNOW the selected card, cuts
the pack for the selected card to be re-
turned, then shows the bottom card, saying,
"This is not your card." Then shows the top
card, again saying, "Neither is this your
card." Magician next places the bottom and
the top card Just shown, face up on the
table, then returns them to the top of the
pack, face up, and immediately cuts them to
the middle of the pack. A second spectator is
now invited to select a card, but not to look
at it, then to place the card back into the
deck.
Addressing the second spectator, the
.magician says, "Should the Qard you sel-
ected and returned to the pack sandwich lt-
,self between the two face up cardsy that
would be a strange coincidence." The mag-
ician spreads the cards from left to right
and there between the two face up cards is
a face down one. The trick Is not completed
for the magician continues, "Should the card IS THE TALON
you selected and returned between these two
face up cards be the very same card as our This sounds like a lot of trouble and a
friend previously selected and wrote his bit involved, your own method, at first may
name on; then that would be a miracle.M Uag- appear better, but try It the "PIXIE" way
ician asks the first spectator to name his with a pack in your hands and with the help
card, then to pick up the card sandwiched of the sketches you will be able to do it
between the two face up cards. IT IS THE the first time, and after a little practice
VERY SAME CARD, not a duplicate. The trick will use no other for this particular trick.
Is absolutely as described. The selected card is now at the top of
Presentation and explanation; Spectator the pack; you have shown both bottom card
shuffles his own pack of cards, or any other and the top card (?) and have dealt them
pack, then takes a card out; at this point, face up on the table. Selected card is still
the magician hands the spectator a lead pen- on the top of the pack. A spectator is asked
cil with his right hand and then takes the to return one of the face up cards to the
pack with his left. Just hold the left hand top of the pack. No matter which of the two
out and the pack will be placed in it with- cards he returns pretend it is the wrong
out the necessity of speaking. card, the color, suit, or value is wrong;
Magician cuts the pack with his right double lift and have him place the second
hand and the selected card le returned to the card face up on top as you lmmedlatley drop
"talon" and the magician replaces the cut on the other (?) face up card on top of his.
top of the selected card. This Is brought to You now have the selected card face
the top, but before you use your own apeclal down sandwiched between the two face up
pass for this purpose, try doing it the "PIX- cards. Cut them at once to the middle of
IE" way. the pack, and the trick is done.
(1.) first sleight; When selected card ls-re- Another spectator takes any card with-
turned to the "talon" in left hand as the out looking at its face and inserts anywhere
right hand returns the cut, the left thumb in the pack. This is all "dressing" but ef-
out-Jogs the selected card (E). thumb and fective dressing and perfect misdirection.
middle finger of right hand grips the Jogged When the magician says, "Should the card you
card, left hand takes the whole pack to (W) selected and returned to the pack sandwich
and down, under Jogged card. The selected itself between the two face up cards, that
card is now on top of the pack. would be a strange coincidence," no one will
(2.) second sleight: Double-lift. Fingers believe else that it is clever manipulation
around (E), thumb around (W), pack resting on the part of the magician. But Imagine
on palm of left hand. Thumb of right hand on their surprise when it l_s the Initialed card
(S>, fingers on (N). Right thumb separates selected bv the first spectator!
NlMBER FORTY-SEVEN THE BAT PAGE 329
on men andbooks
of you know is a mimeographed publication
REGULAR bringing magical ideas and uses for the
smaller type of magic as well as uses and
DECEMBER variations of presentations on standard or
currently sold pieces of apparatus. A sam-
SELECTION ple copy will snow you ita value and by the
way, the October number is an especially good
bringing material gathered by Mr. Buff
RESENTED at the recent Abbott Get-to-gether.
First volume of what will prove to be an
BY U. F. GRANT eight volume series, MAGIC WITH SMALL APPARA-
TUS, by Dr. Jules Dhotel is now off the press.
Taking some ten years to edit and translate,
C.L.I.P.Iwill be the regular TAB selection these volumes will appear at spaced intervals.
for December and the last regular book of Vol. 1 (&5.00) (now in stock) has 320 pages
the series. The BONUS BOOK will be MIRAC- and 183 illustrations. Contents cover the
ULOUS HUNDU FEATS, by Joseph Ovette. Thus, small magic field; this volume bearing on
TAB winds up its regular existence with Matches, Animals, Rings, Wands, Candles, and
two Informative, valuable, and useful books. Balls. One hundred and seventy tricks are
It is too bad, tnat the club idea was so explained. The original French edition cov-
little supported when such fine material ered 3300 pages and would have cost here a-
Is and was produced at such reasonable cost. bout #125. This is another quality Fleming
C.L.I.P.! Is a collection of thirteen Book production.
novel ideas from the fertile brain of one of Other noted magicians besides Dal Vernon
magic's most versatile originator's, U. F. are taking a fling at magical lecturing.
Grant. One trick, "A Card To Drink," was These Include Darlel Fltzkee and Arthur Buck-
sold in recent years by Mr. Grant for the ley. Anyone Interested in Lloyd Jones? No?
same price as this little booklet. Okay, okay, okay. I only asked.
MIRACULOUS HINDU FEATS on the other Four full months after the Pittsburgh
hand is an Informative collection of the I.B.M. Convention closed I finally got my
unusual. It brings a rare manuscript of Souvenir Program! Something of a record and
spectacular material that few will want it left me none too happy. Someone slipped up
to present, but the knowledge-of which is there and weren't even courteous enought to
decldely valuable, into the hands of a postcard an explanation. Phooey to you, Doc.
larger audience. Your Editor was quite pleased to find
Both books will be attractively pro- he had been appointed a National Deputy of
duced in the usual fine TAB style. the S.A.M. Now I guess I'll have to visit
Reception of the Chester Morris article some clubs up and down the Coast. Wonder if
in the October issue of Popular Mechanics is they'll party me? My, do I lik^ good eats',
wide spread and mainly unfavorable. No reason (and magic).
for same is being advanced except the charge Rumor has it here that Dariel Fltzkee
being made of "publicity." Chief item ex- has still another new book on the press.
posed and explained in detail is the Squared This one titled, "Show Your Cards." It will
Circle. V/anna bet nothing will come of it? probably be release timed with the Fltzkee
Bert Levy, well-known West Coast booker tour.
has sold a play to noted actor, Jimmy Gleason. The Hollywood Magic Shop of the late
Play is titled WATCH CLOSELY!, uses no scen- Bert Wheeler has been sold but Dave Steward
ery and has thirteen characters. A back-stage will continue as manager of the Magic Shop.
murder mystery, the murder takes places dur- Southern California ie rife with rumors con-
ing a magic show. cerning an ABBOTT shop there and it is a toss-
Harold Rice reports that the first vol- up whether he will take over THAYER'S or not.
ume of his ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SILK MAGIC is now The Thayer shop la up for sale, owner Bill
on the press. Volume 2 and volume 3 are be- Laraen finding hie legal practice taking up
ing worked on, a total of 1800 illustrations too much of his time (and proving profitable
being used, and these will appear spaced a- too). Bill, Jr. is scheduled to return to
bout a year apart. This should be about the College and so the withdrawal of the Larsen
last word on silk magic. family from the dealer field may be an act-
C. L. Boarde's "masterpiece" a treatise uality by the time you read this. GENII, we
on billet work is ready for release in a understand will not be sold and with more tim
short time. Book will cover the billet read- time to devote to the magazine it is baund to
ing field thoroughly and be a quality pro- improve. In fact, "super" numbers are being
duction. Edition will be limited and appar- planned In the near future to take away the
ently will be distributed only through a bad impression created by the weak current
select number of dealers. issue.
We welcome the Modern Uagi to our ad- / COMPLETE BOOKS IN THE BATJ
vertising pages this month. This, as a few
PAGE 330
Maintaining our high standard of quality not passed for examination. Or, while still
In the B.A.T. selections, the December sel- behind the back, the needle could be with-
ection will be the FUTURISTIC FOURSOME ($1.00) drawn and stuck into the belt. Then cigarette
of Eddie Clever and James Thompson, Jr. These can be smoke or destroyed in full view.
four effects are Tangible Intangible, Hallu- Here is a novel presentation of that
cination, jr., Not by Chance, and Thoughts at top notch B. A. T. selection, THE PROLIX
Work. Four top-notch tricks with a mental SPIRIT WRITES. Our contributor unfortunate-
flavor and some, rightly termed postlve mir- ly left his name off the contribution and
acles. Instructions and accessories will be so cannot be correctly credited with this
furnished Just as in the original mailings Idea In which the PROLIX SPIRIT SPEAKS.
made by these two men of magical fame. Mentalist gives a preliminary lecture
Thinking of a Christmas present for about thought waves. He Introduces his lady
a magic minded friend or even for your- assistant who is to act as the medium for
self? (I do that latter myself! I'm sure the tests he is about to perform. The med-
then - of getting something I want!). ium is blindfolded — performer goes down
Then what better present than a B.A.T. into the audience and has several persons
membership? Or a BAT subscription - or whisper a question concerning his own fut-
the entire TAB series of books. Each ure in the performer's ear. Spectator
furnishes enough material, and surely then asks the medium to answer his question
ample magical pleasure for a whole year! and the medium proceeds to do so.
Let's be hearing from you! Secret: Three things are necessary. A
Now to squeeze in the tricks of ALLAN hand signal code. A blindfold that permits
LAMBIE squeezed out of our last is sue.He the medium to see foreward. And Wilbur Kat-
brings these to our attention: tner's PROLIX SPIRIT. Make a list of the
1: INVISIBLE COIN PASS - answers provided and memorize their order.
Then, all that is necessary is for the per-
Coin is seen in left hand and really former to signal the right answer to the
dropped lntd the right. Right then seems medium. The medium answers and this la ver-
to toss it back into the left - but - IT ified by the spectator repeating his quest-
JUST ISN'T THERE — the effect is perfect. ion for all to hear. In other words, Instead
Right hand then reaches into the air and of producing a written answer as In the orig-
plucks the missing coin therefrom. This inal presentation, the medium gives the an-
may be repeated as desired. swer orally. In order to get several answers,
2: PASSE PASSE COINS: Several metal coins, •the magician suggests that subsequent ques-
say five, are counted into the right hand. tions be of a different nature to test the
They are then dumped into the left where medium's powers. Only five or six should be
they disappear. Right hand is held in such answered and that will not only furnish
a natural manner that eoins seemingly could proof ample but also not exhaust answers
not possibly be concealed there. No fake for a seoond performance.
or glmmieked-coins are used and the coins
can be made to vanish one by one instead of Once again, a B.A.T. year Is soon to
in a group. To reproduce, right hand reaches close and as in the past, your early re-
out and fans coins at the finger tips. newal will be appreciated. This lessens our
3: MENTAL CIGARETTE CONTROL. Performer offers work at this end and prevents swamping by
a cigarette to anyone in the audience. This receiving renewals over a period of weeks
is marked as desired. The remaining cigar- Instead of all at once. The SIX DOLLAR fee
ettes from the pack are dumped into a hat will be maintained in '48 although changes
and shaken well. Cigarettes are handed the will be made. Read about them next month -
performer and with hands behind his back he meanwhile - can we have your renewal
discovers the marked cigarette.
B.A.T. members will readily see how
all these fine effects can be accomplished THt JACKp,
with the MAGIC PENNY material. Mr. Lambie
took a Snooty Pup and filed the Pup down to
a triangular nub which can be nipped at the
22
Our Jackpot this month brings some more;
base of the fingers, between the first and choice secrets. The first being a standard
second fingers. The metal coins of course dollar book and the other two, by the same
should be light and magnetic. Canadian mag- prominent professional, being secrets of his
icians will probably use nickels. Several that have sold at times for very high prices.
fine passes and routines can be developed All three are yours for the low Jackpot
with the idea herein given. For the Passe price, but quantity is limited - so hurry!
Coins, they can be produced singly if des- MACDOUGALL ON DICE AND CARDS ($1.00)
ired and dropped on table or in a glass to Mickey's FAVORITE ACE ROUTINE ($1.00)
Jingle. For the Cigarette Discovery a long Mickey's ORIGINAL COLOR CHANGE ROUTINE ($1.)
needle imbedded in the marked cigarette does
the work. When one cigarette Is found to All three items for ONE DOLLAR.
"ding" this is brought forth as the marked Order as Jackpot 22 - and please give B.A.T.
cigarette. It should then be disposed of and No. when ordering.
NUMBER FORTY-SEVEN THE RAT PAGE 3 3 1
SEATTLE M A G I C I A N S MEET
RECENT LIBRARY ACQUISITIONS at
SWANSON' S
GEMS OF MENTAL IIACUC, Cook, B u c k l e y . R. E. SWANSON MAGIC & NOVELTY CO.
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MATHEMATICAL PUZZLES, H a r r i e t V e n t r e s s H e a l d . RIGID VANISHING BIRD CAGE
A MAGICAL BROADSIDE, George J o h n s o n . STANDS ALONE - BEAUTIFUL - NO SOLDERED JOINTS
DOPE SHEET, Windsor, No. 1 1 , August ' 4 7
TOPS, S e p t . , O c t . , ' 4 7 . JO RIBBONS LOOKS LIKE A BIRD CAGE
SOUVENIR PROGRAM, I.B.i.I. C o n v e n t i o n , ' 4 7 SUPER $17.50 CHROME $25.00
HUGARD'S LiAGIC MONTHLY, Sept ' 4 7
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LINKING RING, S e p t . ' 4 7 . CONJUROR'S MONTHLY A FEW HOURS GETS THE WHOLE - $3.50
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PHOENIX, No. 1 3 3 , No. 1 3 4 .
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MAGICAL MINUTES, V o l . 1 , No. 8 , E x t r a e d i t o n BOOKS - LESSOKS IN GENERAL 1.AGIC
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FLEMING REVIEWS, No. 1 2 9 , 129
CONJUROR'S MAGAZINE, S e p t . ' 4 7 .
MAC'S MONTHLY, J u l - A u g - S e p t . , Vol 3 , No. 9 . "WHERE GOODFELLOWS MEET"
8. A. M. P a r e n t A s s . B u l l e t i n , V o l . 3 , No.2 ALL GOOD UAGIC AND BOOKS CARRIED IN STOCK
BLINKING RliJG, No. 7 5 , S e p t . ' 4 7 . "ESTABLISHED 1932"
K.O.M., A u g - S e p t . No. 3 0 - 3 1 . GRANT'S BULL-
ETIN, V o l . 5 , No. 9 .
DE ILLUSIONIST, No. 4 & 5 ' 4 7 .
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34 1 M A R K E T STREET SAN FRANCISCO 5, CALIF.
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I
HHAT A LIST-' THE HANDS ONLY R CBUFF Editor and Publisher
MAGIC LIMITED
LLOYD E. JONEb
Foley's Magic Shop
«64 39th Ave. Oakland 2, California 609 UNIVERSITY BUILDING SEATTLE 1. WASH.
PAGE 332 THE BAT
NEW
MAGIC TABLE SET
The Original and Only MAGIC SET Contained in a
NOTHING LIKE IT EVER BEFORE! Strathmore's sensational
success with Peter Rabbit Magic led to development of this
amazing advance in Magic Value. More and bigger tricks! More
COMBINATION
eye widening, jaw dropping deception . . . for a world of laughter
and fun. Best of all, an amazing substantial value. Here's a real Carrying Case and
CARRYING CASE that converts into its own MAGICIAN'S
TABLE. Boys and girls everywhere take the tricks along to
homes of neighbors and friends. They set it up in a few seconds
Magicians Table!
for a full dress Magic Show that lays them in the aisles. No addi-
tional props necessary! It's
all there, right in the Magic
Carrying Case.
First orders get first deliver-
ies. Compare the Tricks, the
M a t e r i a l s , the Case, the
Sund for a BIG VALUE at
$3.50 retail. See if you don't
agree it's the Biggest Magic
Buy you've ever seen
PROGRAM
OF TRICKS
The Magic Wand • Mysteri-
ous Pocketbook • The En-
chanted Ring • The Magic
Slate • Mind Reading Trick
The M u l t i p l y i n g Blocks
The Jumping Block • Radar
Vision • Topsy Turvy Cans
The Jumping Carrot •Mystic
Portraits *The Magic Trans-
formation • Sink or Swim
The Vanishing Disc • Thr
Dissolving Coin • The Van
ishing Box
PRODUCTIO
Haro
Well, well, well! Looks like we have a
"feud" on here! Ed Tabor maintaining that the-
ory is better than analysis and experimenta-
tion. While Monte Dernham believes that any
problem can be broken without too much learn-
ing of theories, remote principles, or ob-
tuse formulas. Why reduce all the fun to a Here I think is the quickest method for
system? But its only all in fun! Both "boys" producing a 36" silk, and one I have worked
admire and, appreciate the methods of each with great success. Remember the old method
other! wherein a thread is tied to the two top corn-
As for that "toughle" of Edwin Tabor's, ers of a silk, the silk folded into a small
find three integers, totalling 117, whose bundle, and placed under the waistcoat with
squares are in arithmetical progression (AP) the thread hanging down? V.'ell, on engaging
here's where Monte Dernham shoots right the thumbs inside the thread and pulling, the
back at Ed, insisting it can be cracked wide silk is literally dragged from under the vest
open without and knowledge of number theory and makes its appearance - sometimes.
or other abtruse mathematics. In my method, the silk is folded in three,
Suppose we start at the bottom of the That is over and under, first one way and then
number scale, says Monte, and look for three the other until a small buhdle results. Put
sample numbers whose squares are in AP. After this snail oundle under the left armpit with
a bit of jockeying around we soon discover the left thumb through the loop of thread. The
that the squares of 1, 5, and 7 are in AP, thread is of course attached to the top cornera
common difference 24. Now, let's see - the of the silk as in the older method.
sun of 1, 5, and 7 is 13, exactly one-ninth To produce, the hands are brought to-
of 117. So we multiply each of these numbers gether, the right thumb inserted in the loop
by 9, and obtain 9, 45, and 63 which of course and the hands stretched out and there is the
total 117. Their successive squares differ by silk - with a difference. The big point which
216, thus forming an AP. This confirms our makes this imperceptible is the fact that justt
suspicion and solves the puzzle with very before opening the hands to pull the thread
little computation. out is that the bundle is dropped from its
So then Ed Tabor bounces right back and hiding place by a slight raise of the arm and
says that that "toughle" was really easy and the bundle is really in mid air when the
he was only teasing. Now try the same with thread causes it to unfold. This is a great
Number 541 - or 529! That is, three numbers advantage over the old struggle required to
totalling 541 or 529 whose squares are in getting the silk from hiding and opened out
arithmetical progression. Ed adds, this may In a desired smooth manner. Try this your-
prove a real "toughle" if one does not know self and see ho-; advantageous this is. It
how to solve them. Do you? makes a most effective beginning for a silk
production act or routine.
Monte's Mystic Property of the Ten Dig-
its, solved, looks like this:
THE PROBLEM THE ANSWER
6 18 5 4 9 8 5 3 2
3 0 9 2 9 14 0 7 6
Arrange so that Top number Is now
one line is seven exactly seven times
times the other the bottom one.
Now, by slightly rearranging the figures
in each row, we reave
8 5 3 9 2 9 5 8 2 3
10 6 7 4 10 6 4 7
the first number and you can check
exactly eight this one for yourself!
times the second
And finally, that easy one about arr-
anging the three 9'3 to total twenty. You do
that this way:
9 plus 9 divided by .9 - easy! "Can you speed it up, Professor? The air is a bit bumpy tonight"
So that should keep you busy until
next month. Happy Holidays - and pleasant
puzzling. How ya doing? Cartoon courtesy COLLIERS
NUMBER FORTY-EIGHT THE BAT PAGE 337
I
THE "DULY DECK!
About three years ago Theron Fox came to that card Is a special one, known as a
L to the table, magician remarking that gatnering up the five remaining dllly cards
PAGE 3 3 8 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-EIGHT
i
worth the trouble and if your experiences
develope new uses and ideas, of course, we Jack of Diamonds, whereas the color being
of THE BAT will be more than pleased to black, magician would then know that the
hear from you. missing card of the sequence is the one
Those wanting the necessary cards, the previous to the KH, or, the 8 of Clubs.
six dilly cards and a double backer may Ed. note: It seems to me that by cutting
obtain a set from Magic Limited for twenty- the cards after the seven batch has been
five cents. A matching deck (Fox Lake, Car- removed, a quick glance by the performer
avan, Mohawk, Aviator, etc.) will cost bOfi at the bottom card of the deck will tell
- postpaid - and stamps are satisfactory in him all he wants to know. That is, the
payment. actual seven cards taken. The checking off
then is relatively simple and no time will
GIANT'S MEMORY be taken seeking the inltal card to check
off, and in fact, the memory expert will
no doubt present this as a mental effect
BY - A. WHITAKER and do without the cad entirely.
Effect; Performer, taking out a deck of
cards, mentions the general belief about the
COCKTAIL CUP ROUTINE
Elephant who Never Forgets, and proceeds to BY BUD SPRAKER
demonstrate that not only the Elephant ie so
gifted. Casually cutting the cards a few Performer shows a large blackboard
times, he fans them and slowly passes them with a hole in the center. He draws a pic-
from hand to hand after which he places them ture of a barrel on the board and puts a
face down on the. table and asks a spectator to real tap in the hole (This idea is credited
to Bert Douglas). A cocktail cup is placed
remove a card, to keep.it face down and to under the tap (Grant's) and liquid appar-
place same in his pocket. Performer now takes ently drawn off. This is poured in a glass
deck and after glancing through It, names the and seen to be clear. This Is repeated with
card. a second glass and wine fills the glass.
The card Is now replaced and anyone then More liquid, water, repeat wine.
takes a batch of seven cards from any place in
the deck. Balance of deck is discarded. Spect- The experienced performer will readily
ator has someone selected one of the seven see that the liquid supposedly from the
cards, he shuffles the balance and calls them barrel but really from the cup goes into a
series of glasses set for the wine and water *J
off In any manner he desires. When this Is according to your pet formula. The usual
done, performer names the seventh card. routine can now be performed and for a fin-
This latter part can also be used as a ish all is poured back into the cup and out
telephone divination. once more - this time as a glass of beer!
There is nothing new in the effect, Just This time, into a glass loaded with bromo
a simplified means of working. After all, why seltzer and a few drops of iodine. SKOAL!
go to heaps of trouble when the same result
NUMBER FORTY-EIGHT THE BAT PAGE 339
The B.A.T. hits another high spot by- LIONEL MARTELLE is proving to be the
uncovering a dandy selection to start the BAT'S best booster in Cleveland, Ohio. He
New Year of '48. January selection of this is certainly bringing new members in! An-
popular Trick Club will be the PEA CAN. We other top-notch booster is JIMMY HAWKINS
have uncovered enough of these to take care of Portland, Oregon who obliges us with
of the membership and to help a few dealers excellent material to use - and as for the
if they desire some too (and they should.) other Portland (Maine) what would I do
We well remember the fine ones made pre-war without my frequent letters from JOHNNIE
and the, pardon the word - putrid ones that MURRAY? I hope to be a better correspondent
have appeared since. One of these in part- in 1948 boys.
icular being praised to the sky as a qual- MAURICE ROOKLYN Is back in Australia
ity item - but if that dealer's product was after a successful tour in Japan. He short-
worth the dollar he asked for it, Magic Lim- ly starts on a new tour, this time to New
ited1 e is worth five. PEA CAN lists for $1. Zealand and the Provinces. In Japan he met
As most of you know, a little metal a couple of Japanese magicians, one of whom
container is shown empty and a pea and some was a skilled manipulator with cards and
other small object shown. Now no matter unlighted cigarettes. The two had a pleas-
what the spectator inserts in the tube, the ant visit although the interpreter had a
magician divines it - or, at least he does deal of trouble with words like "Gimmick!"
prove the tube contains "peaH. One of the ROSCOE L. GAYLORD writes a long letter
funniest pocket tricks (and one of the best expressing pleasure with the BAT and B.A.T.
made now) this is easily carried in the vest then adds that having left the printing bus-
pocket for impromptu showings. Three methods iness after thirty years in it, he knows
of performing are given In the printed in- full well the troubles of a publisher, but
structions that makes the PEA CAN suitable that any reader not satisfied with the BAT
for ANY audience. Even magicians with a pea has only himself to blame, because he has
can already on their shelves will want one NOT SENT HIS OWN PET IDEAS INTO THE BAT.
of these quality, precision made pieces that Sage advice Roscoe, and thank you for all
will be unobtainable once our stock is ex- the tips.
hausted. None have been made during the last
two years but we unexpectedly uncovered a Roscoe reports seeing a wall paper with
wholesalers neglected stock. Expect to re- a rabbit in hat motif in Gold's store In
ceive a fine trick - and to have LOTS of Lincoln, Nebraska and probably your local
fun with the PEA CAN. supplier could locate some for you - BUT
he adds, don't expect to get it by playing
Members are having lots of fun with the |10 dates, the paper is $7.50 a roll!
THREE GAGS mailed in October. WILLIAM A. RAT- Roscoe also adds that you can do the
CLIFFE suggests It being used as follows:- same as he and be sure that when you play
Tell your victim that you have a lot of Legion or other service clubs that they
trouble getting people to stop and watch your make a report of it in their newspaper
card tricks, but now you have a device that or magazine. Such publicity never hurt any
will hold them. Take the pins and attach them performer.
to his clothes and loop the center around one ABRACADABRA reports the English adopt-
wrist. Now do the card trick and when finished ion of the magician's round table lunch Idea.
ask him why he is still sticking around (?). Swell. Regret we are unable to publish full
He will most likely remind you in no un- reports received on INTERNATIONAL MAGIC CON*
certain terms that he wouldn't be there if
he wasn't still pinned to you! Point to
the looped wrist and as you do so lift it,
this pulls the pins off as you ask, "Who,
me?"
Or, says Bill, B.A.T. members can try
this - use the effect where the cord passes JACKPOT NO. TWENTY-THREE• Let's call
through the neck. In this case however, use this one - OVETTE ODDITIES. Cleaning our
an extra long cord or band and after you Ovette file while preparing the book, MAR-
have made the customary trick tie around your VELOUS HINDU PEATS, we uncovered a number
neck fasten a pin to the lapel of a specta- of the secrets sold In years past by Mr.
tor and repeat with the second pin and a Ovette for sums of one, two, three, and
second spectator. Place both spectators a even more dollars each. In this JACKPOT
little in front of you and to the sides as then, we will send you FIVE DOLLARS worth
you control slack with a free hand. Now re- of these secrets for ONE DOLLAR. Remember,
lease yourself from the neck tie and as an Joe had some unusual - and excellent things
extra fillip magically release the specta- and your Investment here will be both pleas-
tors from their attachments with a quick urable and profitable. Ask for JP No. 23 -
movement. and enclose a dollar bill, check, postal
note, or money-order. Please give your B.A.T.
Both of these are excellent! Thank you, number too, if accessible.
Bill!
NUMBER FORTY-EIGHT THE BAT PAGE 341
RWR/C/CS
HUMMER'S GREAT DISCOVERY asks the spectator the number counted off
and adds the digits together. For instance,
Effect: The magician says to a spec- if he counted 34, add the 3 and the 4, which
tator: "Select any ten cards from your totals seven. If he counted 17, add the 1
pack and shuffle them well. Now look at the and 7, totalling eight. If he counted 258,
top card of the ten and replace it on top. add the 2 and 5 and 8, which equals fifteen.
At this point I want you to think of any This is to take the place of using the
number from 1 to 9,487,365. Then, when my last figure, as mentioned in the first
back is turned, transfer that many cards version. The rest of the business is the
one at a time from the top to the bottom same.
of your packet. You can vary this to suit yourself,
"For instance, if you thought of 7, such as false shuffling to set the cards,
then transfer seven cards from the top to etc. The originator preferred to set them
the bottom, one at a time. If you thought behind his back because it gives the audience
of 24, transfer twenty-four, etc. In fact, something to worry about when they go home
you can rotate the ten cards in this manner and try to figure it out.
for hours, just so you remember the number Presentation, using any number of cards:
you transferred from top to bottom. This is possible by a slight variation
"and while you're at it, don't forget in the procedure. As the trick is more ef-
the card that was on top when you started. fective when eight or more cards arja used,
You have done that? Very well, hand me the we will instruct accordingly. The spectator's
cards behind my back, where I cannot see initial procedure is the same in all cases.
them." After he has looked at the top card and has
At this point the magician does the transferred a secret number, one at a time,
subtle work although he has no idea of from top to bottom, he hands you the packet.
where or what the selected card is. See Behind your back you reverse the order of
secret below. The magician now hands the the cards and secretly count them.
cards back to the spectator and says: "You The total number in the packet determines
have done everything so far. Perhaps you how many you then transfer from top to bottom.
would like to be the magician and do the For packets containing from 8 to 15 cards,
whole trick. Here is the way you do it. you transfer as many cards as the difference
"First we will take the last figure in between 15 and the number in the packet. For
the number you counted off a minute ago. example, with an 8 card packet you transfer 7
You say the number was 23? Very well, the cards, with a 9 card packet you transfer 6
last figure in 23 is 3, right? If you had cards, and with a 15 card packet, transfer
counted off 128, the last figure would have none.
been 8, for 52 it would be 2, for 7 just 7, For packets of 32 to 53 cards (including
and so forth. the Joker), you transfer the difference
"Since in this case the last figure is between 63 and the number in the packet.
a 3, I want you to transfer three cards one For example, for a 41 card packet, transfer
at a time from the top to the bottom." The 22 cards.
magician waits until this is done. "And now For packets of 16 to 31 cards, you
we'll see what kind of magician you are. transfer the difference between 31 and the
Next put the top card on the bottom, place number in the packet. For example, for a
the next one (top) here on my hand, transfer 16 card packet, transfer 15 cards; for a 29
another to the bottom, put the next one on card packet, transfer 2 cards; for a 31 card
my hand, etc. Keep doing this one on the packet, transfer none.
bottom and one on my hand business until you Your factors then are 15, 31 and 63.
have only one card left." (All the rest Otherwise there is no change in the per-
will be on the magician's hand). "And that former's procedure. You then hand the packet
last card, my friend, will be your cardj" back to the spectator and instruct him to
Method: When the cards are handed to again transfer, one at a time, the same secret
the magician behind his back, he quietly number of cards from top to bottom as he did
counts the cards from hand to hand reversing in the first place.
the order of the ten cards. After reversing This done, the spectator proceeds to
the order, he takes five cards in a bunch place the top card on the bottom of the
(don't reverse) from the top and transfers packet, giving you the next card, etc., as al-
them to the bottom of the packet. Hand the ready explained. His chosen card will be
cards to the spectator and proceed as above. the last one remaining in his hand, and you
The trick works itself. have accomplished a miracle.
Second method, using nine instead of NOTES ON THE GREAT DISCOVERY
ten cards:
In this method 9 cards are used. When The preceding trick is one that offers
the cards are handed the magician, he re- unlimited possibilities. It is capable of
verses them as in the first method, but this endless variations. It provides a back-
time he transfers six cards in a bunch to ground for different presentation and patter
the bottom instead of 5 as above. Then he schemes.
PAGE 342 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-EIGHT
In the first place, the compiler of this For this reason fifteen appears to be a bad
work in doing this trick does not like to set number to deal with.
an arbitrary number of cards. Rather he Following is a simplified version with
likes to let the audience think the number which the compiler has had some success and
does not matter, which it really doesn't. which may have been an early basis for the
Still, he likes to keep the number down around "Great Discovery." Perhaps the originator
fifteen, so he usually suggests, at the out- discarded It as being too simple to merit at-
set, that the spectator cut off about a tention.
fourth of the deck. Exactly one fourth of the A spectator shuffles his own pack, then
deck would be thirteen cards. Any number of cuts off a packet of approximately one-
cards somewhere near this amount will be a fourth the deck. He shuffles this packet if
good number to deal with. he so desires, then fans it in front of him-
Suppose the spectator does take a self and thinks of any card which he may be
packet containing thirteen cards, looks holding. He removes this card from the fan,
at the top card of the thirteen after closes the fan, and places the thought-of card
shuffling this small packet, and find the on top of the packet.
top card to be the Ace of Spades. He re- The spectator now thinks of any number,
places it on top. He then thinks of a and beginning with the top or chosen card,
number, which we will assume to be 5. While transfers that number of cards from the top to
your back is turned he transfers 5 cards one the bottom of the packet, one card at a time.
at a time from the top to the bottom of his He does this silently so that the magician
packet. will have no idea as to the number of cards
You take the packet, hold it behind you; transferred. The magician, meanwhile, has
back, and reverse all of the cards, counting his back turned to the spectator so that he
them to yourself as you do so. You ascertain can see no part of this transaction.
that there are thirteen. Thirteen subtracted When this has been done, the magician
from the factor, fifteen, equals two, so turns around and says: "Please concentrate
following the explanation in the trick just on your card and I will try to find it. I
described, you take two cards in a bunch from will ask no questions. I will not even look
the top and transfer them to the bottom of at the cards, but will place them behind my
the packet. The packet is returned to the back, and I'll try to produce your card.
spectator who again transfers his number Remember, I do not know your card, and I do
(five) from top to bottom, one at a time. not know the number of cards you transferred
The Ace of Spades is now in a position to be from the top to the bottom of the packet. And
found by the elimination routine already I will not ask you any questions."
described, that is, discarding a card al- All this seems wonderful enough. You
ternately until only one card, the Ace of place the packet behind your back, ostensibly
Spades, is left in the spectator's hand. trying to locate the chosen card. In reality,
So far, so good. But what happens if all you do is to reverse all the cards in
the spectator's packet contains exactly the packet. When you have reversed all the
fifteen cards. The inventor's instructions cards in the packet, you move one card from
tell us that for a 15 card packet, transfer the bottom to the top of the packet.
none. By experimenting we find,a slight You bring the packet out in front of
drawback here. you, saying, "I'm having just a little trouble
Suppose the spectator thinks of the finding your card. While my back is turned,
number 5. After he shuffles his 15 cards he will you transfer the same number of cards as
looks at the top card and notes that it is you did awhile ago, one at a time, from the
the Ace of Spades. He transfers 5 cards, one top to the bottom." When this has been done,
at a time, from top to bottom. Behind your turn around, and again take the cards, placing
back you transfer all the cards, counting them behind your back.
them. You find there are exactly 15, so you "Now please concentrate a little harder
do not transfer any additional cards. on your card this time,* you tell the
Now the cards are returned to the spectator. Almost immediately you bring a
spectator who again transfers his number card around from behind your back and hold
(five) one at a time from top to bottom. it out in front of you, face down. The spec-
This has the effect of placing the noted tator names his card, and you turn it over.
card, the Ace of Spades, on the bottom of the It is the one.
packet. All that is necessary is to produce the
Now the trick will work all right, top card of the packet. When you have the
that is to say, if the first card is trans- cards behind your back the first time and re-
ferred to the bottom, the second one discarded, verse them, you transfer a single card from
carded, the next transferred to the boto the bottom to the top. If this were not done
and so on, the last card remaining will be the chosen card would finally be on the face
the Ace of Spades. of the packet the last time and the spectato
However the compiler has found that quite might catch an accidental glimpse of it.
often at the point in the routine where the The number of cards in the packet, and
Ace of Spades Is on the bottom of the packet, the number of cards which the spectator
the spectator gets an accidental flash or transfers, does not affect the working of the
glimpse of the bottom card and of course trick at all. You emphasize the fact that ycu
cannot help noticing that this is his card. never see the faces of any of the cards in
He imagines then that somehow the rigmarole the packet, you don't know the card he selects
gone through always brings the chosen card to or the number he chooses, you never ask a
the bottom of the packet, so he looks upon question at any time, and you find the card
the elimination process which follows as behind your back, apparently by the sense of
superfluous and a waste of time and energy. feel.
NUMBER FORTY-EIGHT THE BAT PAGE 343
I
WILL ENJOY READING.
C.L.I.P.I THREE - SIX BITS
MARVEL AT T H E F E A T S Crhandi's East Indian Miracle
MIRACULOUS HINDU FEATS SEPTEMBER
Bar through Tongue
OF THE HINDU FAKIRS
Human Fountain HHAT A LIST-' THE HANDS ONLY
AND T H E METHODS THEY Babylonian Mystery (Power of HHAT A BARGAIN / OCTOBER
the Orient) MAGIC OF THE SCOTTISH
USE. BOOK I S PRINTED BAJE YOU YOURS?
Controlling Power CONJURERS ASSOCIATION
AND HAS BEEN REVISED ONE DOLLAR EACH
Psychic Hand
ADDED TO AND E D I T E D Piercing the Tongue SIXTEEN QUALITY BOOKS TEN DOLLARS
Human X-Ray Test
BY LLOYD E. JONES
Suspended Animation MAGIC LIMITED
A GREAT VALUE FOR Real Control of the Blood LLOYD E. JONES
4064 39th Ave. Oakland 2. California
ONE DOLLAR - With Borrowed Hair.
PAGE 344 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-EIGHT
MAGIC OF THE
SCOTTISH CONJURERS
ASSOCIATION
CONTENTS
21 Effects with Extras
SWITCH IS WHICH—John Ramsay
THE PROPHETIC DART—De Vega
LAUGHING RABBIT A SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT CARD TRICK—Fred Erbe
CALENDARS FOR 1948!
Five styles available. ADHESIVE HINT—Nelson Lyford
Fifth one (not illus- A SLOW MOTION VANISH—Frederica....
trated being Rabbit on
Magic Carpet. 15^ each EASTER EGGS—R. H. Thomson 11
- o r $10 a hundred with FOUR THIMBLE VANISH—Tom Watson 13
your imprint or message
FREE! Calendars are 4 x A SUPER COINCIDENCE—Hugh Watson 14
9 inches on sturdy board FALSE COUNT—J. B. Findlay 15
with 1943 calendar pad.
COIN STAND—Armour 15
REX O. D. FORCE—Nelson Lyford.. 16
OFF AND ON COIN TRICK—A 18
A RECORD MYSTERY—Geo. M. Mackenzie... 18
THE GREAT DIVIDE—De Vega 20
ONE HAND CARD FORCE—Oliver Mackenzie 22
FLASH! TORN PAPER ITEM—Duncan Johnstc 23
THE HOMING SILKS—Leslie May. 24
THE SIX KISSES—Armour 26
BLACK VELVeT
A RISING CARD EFFECT—J. B. Findlay: 27
A CUT AND RESTORED RIBBON—Alva Glen 28
CARD AND BOX—Leslie May 29
LECTRIC LAFF
A full size 100 watt bulb so treated
The American edition
of this valuable work
is now available.
that you get a natural brilliant light. No Book is printed - con-
gimmick to conceal and looks and handles tains 21 selected
like a regular light bulb. Can be handed tricks by members of
to a spectator while lit. the famed SCOTTISH
Light element and batteries are in- CONJURERS ASSOCIATION.
terchangeable without tools in a minute. Compilation by R. ARM-
Comes complete with pull chain socket OUR and this edition
and dangling wires. Ready to use - pull edited by Lloyd E.
LEGS Jones. Over a score of
chain - light goes on or off! Complete -
FIVE DOLLARS illustrations. A best
STRATHMORE MAGIC TABLE SET - a hit! - $3.50 buy at the very low
Fred Rlckard's HANDI-KIT - contains every- price of ONE DOLLAR.
thing you need in an emergency - ven- Card, coin, silk, and
eer box. Full size materials - - $5.00 general small magio
COPENTRO - looks like great skill - $25.00 plus an excellent ill-
usion and extras.
PAUL FOX MIRACLE GIMMICK - clever - |3.00
OUT TO LUNCH - swell pocket trick - $1.00
MAGIC WITH SMALL APPARATUS -Dhotel - $5.00
ORDER PROM YOUR FAVORITE DEALER OR
OPEN SESAME - children«s magic - $6.00
MASTERED AMAZEMENT - new - variety - $2.50
BY MAIL! DIRECT FROM THE PUBLISHER B* A
RETURN MAIL. Satisfaction is »
ALL NEW BOOKS
IN STOCK! MAGIC LIMITED - Lloyd E. Jones*™'*
OAKLAND 2 , CALIFORNIA
4064 39TH AVENUE
A COMPLETE : IN THIS ISSUE!
PUBLISHED MONTHLY
HOW TO FLOAT A
• SID
HANDKERCHIEF
FLEISCHMAN
Drawings by Ralph Bayer
But it was a curious success. Out of
There are few pieces of diablerie that the hundreds who bought it, not over two
compete with the floating handkerchief for dozen magicians bothered to master and per-
mystery, and almost none that can match its form it. It was always easy to put your
charm. But it is an effect that demands finger on these brave souls, because there
mastery. Without that, the enchantment would immediately result a flurry of sales
gradually dissolves in the obvious groping from their localities.
for thread or gimmick. More so than with Here is the exact routine I developed
most pieces of magic, all hand gestures must and use.
be smooth and graceful, and that comes only Working Conditi ona: Ho threads, may
with hard practice. be performed in bright lights with people
In this short manuscript there are five very close. Especially suitable for night
tested one-man routines that run the gamut of club work as you may be all but surrounded.
methods, and depart from the standard The Gimmick; The gimmick is very simple
routines. Some require thread and some do to malce""up"; TJen inches of spring steel,
not. None are hard to do, but neither are about three-eighths of an inch wide, is the
they easy. body of the gimmick. Whalebone may be sub-
I feel greatly indebted t~ Haskell for stituted if you cannot locate the spring
permission to summarize his excellent Acro- steel. Try your local corset shop for a stay
batic Silk, and to Arthur Bull (Francisco) of approximately those dimensions.
and Carl Sten for their interest and sug- One end is sharpened to a dull point; a
gestions. hole is drilled into the other, and this end
tapered around the hole for better clearance,
as will be explained in a moment.
A sturdy black elastic is run through
the hole. Unless you are making the gimmick
THE MILLION DOLLAR GIMMICK out of whalebone, wrap it with adhesive tape.
Bind the Joint (where the elastic enters the
This is the first appearance of this hole), again for better clearance. The gim-
I secret outside of its original manuscript mick as a whole is shown in Figure 1.
form when it was marketed with the necessary Preparation; The gimmick is up the
gimmick in 1940 and 1941. Lloyd Jones was right sleeve so that the tip reaches to
one of the first to see this effect, and at within about 1/2 an Inch of the coat cuff.
that time he predicted it would be a best The elastic should be fairly long, pinned
7/ieOtkG BAG
A little gag is running around the Humor
World at present that will make a swell m.c.
or comedy bit, and let's hope someone else *
doesn't beat us to it! As applied to the m.c
it could be worked like this: m.c. makes a
ridiculous statement. Then says, "And if
Published monthly by MAGIC LIMITED at
4064 - 39th Avenue, Oakland 2, California.
Subscription rate is $2.00 a year; SIX
that isn't true, I'll eat my hatj" The hat
turns out to be one made from a cake! The
I
issues $1.00; single copies 2&fi excepting humorist of course will attach an elastic
special Issues so designated. band to a cup cake and place a candle on
- Send all correspondence to THE BAT, top of the whole thing. Or, for better show
c - c/o Lloyd E. Jones, at address above. he'll use one of those tropical fruit bask-'
ets that you expect to see on the noggin of
LLOYD E. JONES EDITOR entertainers like Carmen Miranda. Can be very
THERON FOX ASSISTANT EDITOR funny! No? — YES! — . —•*
ROBERT 0-UNTHER ART EDITOR We attended a stag recently (Of course
I go to such things!) and the m.c. was very
SUFRY
My thanks to the many of you who have so
funny. What we liked about him most (Billy
Grant) was his ability to rattle off mater-
ial in a never ending stream without con-
sulting notes or a little black book. One
kindly sent Christmas cards this way, even at gag seemingly suggesting another. That's all
the early date this is written. Plus the in- well and good when you are working regular, as
clusion of many checks for orders and renewals. Billy does, but it does definitely show the
THANK YOU! Thanks to, for the many kind ex- advantage of thoroughly memorizing a good and
pressions of, let us say sympathy for our views complete gag routlae or two. You can find a
expressed in the last BAT, and for the sug- great many places to use them and then will
gestions so welcome and the offers of assist- never seem at a loss for material. The key
ance; mightily appreciated. gag recalling the others - and they then
THE BAT situation is not settled yet, but flow right out. Which reminds me, Rober-t
a way seems possible and our thoughts are be- Orben Is cooking something up. Not a bad
ing projected along that line. The next BAT idea to keep on the lookout for It.
will practically duplicate this one, in size "That strange expression on her face is
that is, for it will see many of our regular because she Just had some photographs taken
features back .that were squeezed out of this lately. And she's trying to look like the re-
Issue because of the Fleischman book. At the sults!"
worst, the BAT will shrink to four pages and "Many a man has been stung trying to get
retain this size, or a close approximation to a little honey."
It, and the optimum is a continuance of the A rich guy - he's got matches to burn.
present set-up. Hear about the guy who lived off the flat
Sid Fleischman's book, complete in this of the land? He was a falsie manufacturer.
Issue is one on which Sid has worked for quite
some time. It was tabbed for a TAB printing
but the limited material led Sid to offer it
as a BAT issue Instead. And while we have seen
lots of books with LESS material (and stuff
NOT near so good as this) we feel that HOW TO
FLOAT A HANDKERCHIEF will please you most in
the present form. Undoubtedly, it will lead to
a revival of Sid's excellent Million Dollar
Gimmick, and I am not the only dealer who
liked, and sold lots of them. The other de- Did any of you crack Ed Tabor's problem?
vices are clever too and will, I am sure, lead Three numbers totalling 541 (or 529) whose
you to pleasant experimentations and pleasur- squares are in arithmetical progression? Well,
able performances. Your -comments will be passed Monte Dernham did! For a total of 541, says
on to Sid, If you desire, and to those of you Monte, we get 161, 181, and 199 — right off
who have previously written expressing a lik- the BAT! Their squares differ by 6,840. The
ing for Fleischman material, let me add, we next one, totalling 529 is almost as easy. A
have some mighty Interesting stuff on tap! little more experimentation perhaps, —- but
Very unusual too, but you should know by now here it is! - 73, 193, 263. Common difference
that THE BAT, is the publication you can de- 31,920. (whew! Ed:). Monte did these by set-
pend on for quality material - and - very fre- ting up quadratic equations and analyzing the
quently, stuff off the beaten path. discriminants. Lots of fun, eh keed?
Johnnie Murray stumped me for a little
How's your New Year Resolutions? OH NO! while with this problem: - Know the answer? 4
Not already! Too bad - cheerio - and, "It seems two young men applied for a Job.
Yours in magic, The Boss looking over their applications
read the following: - Born on same day, same
hospital, same parents. Boss looked up and
says, "Twins, eh?". To this, they replied,
"NO!" - how come?
NUMBER FORTY- NINE THE BAT PAGE 347
HOW TO FLOAT A HANDKERCHIEF The left fingers take a grip on the gim-
CONTINUED F R O M FRONT PAGE mick and handkerchief, Just below the knot,
and draw the handkerchief horizontally
through the right hand, along top of the
handkerchief. The gimmick remains concealed,
Figure 4.
n.G. 1
A C R 0 B A T I C SILK
ONE MINUTE OF MAGIC
It was somewhere in the middle 1930'a This makes a neat semi-comic preface to
'that Haskell was amazing people with a white a longer trick you may be doing with a bor-
handkerchief and a piece of thread. No one rowed handkerchief, or will stand alone.
could do more with a few simple props than Conditions and effect; Practical under
Haskell, as this will testify. any conditions, except in very bright light.
Conditions; The Acrobatic Silk, using As in the Acrobatic Silk, the finest thread
a very fine thread, may be done at sur- may be used and subdued lighting is not nec-
prisingly close quarters, in the home as essary or desirable. A changing bag is used.
well as on the platform. The thread is al- The effect: A white handkerchief is borrowed,
most always in action, which prevents its and the owner gotten onto the platform. He
being seen. Yet the effect is suitable for ties a knot in one end of the handkerchief and
even the largest stage. is instructed to place it into the changing
Requirements; A thirteen inch white bag. The magician snaps his fingers, and the
silk handkerchief. A length of fine black handkerchief leaps out of the bag into his
thread a few inches longer than the perfor- hand. He returns the handkerchief to the
mer is tall. bag and asks the spectator to try. No luck --
Preparations; Tie one end of the thread and a moment later discovers that the hand-
to a vest button and the other around the kerchief is gone. For the magician, however,
center of the handkerchief. Tie a loose knot the missing handkerchief leaps out of the bag.
in the center of the handkerchief. Slipping the bag under his arm, the magician
Routine; Haskell first vanishes a white then puts the handkerchief through a couple
silk, and ostensibly reproduces it from a of anti-gravity acts and tosses it back into
pocket. Actually, he reproduces the prepared the bag. Again the spectator tries without
silk. luck, and upon taking out the handkerchief,
The silk is then tossed to the floor, finds it unprepared.
about three feat in front of the performer. Preparation: The duplicate handkerchief,
The right thumb dips over the thread (now of course, is in one pocket of the changing
between performer and silk) while the left bag. A thread somewhat longer than the
hooks under the thread, Figure 9. Take a length of the handle plus the depth of the
short step forward, extend hands slightly as bag 13 attached at one end to the handkerchief
though about to pick up silk -- but it leaps and at the other to the end of the handle.
to left hand. Routine: The routine should be more or
leas obvious. When the spectator puts hand-
kerchief in bag, draw a few feet away from
him, turn handle and get right thumb under
thread. Hold hand over bag, snap fingers
and get added distance between bag and hand.
Handkerchief jumps to fingers.
Before returning handkerchief to bag,
turn handle and drop duplicate in with bor-
rowed handkerchief. Turn hand while returning
to spectator, and he finds handkerchief gone.
Turn bag inside out. Step away again and turn
handle. Handkerchief snaps into fingers.
Put bag under right arm, handle in the
front. Make handkerchief leap from one hand
to the other a couple of times by standard
thread maneuvers. Return to empty compartment
of changing bag. Turn handle. The spectator,
FIQ. 9 having no luck, reaches into bag and withdraws
his own, unprepared handkerchief.
Now throw silk to the left of you, al-
most turning your back on it for a moment.
Thumbs get reverse positions on thread.
THE SELF-CONTAINED RISING
Left hand reaches for silk, but it leaps in- HANDKERCHIEF
to right hand instead.
Silk once again in front of you on
floor. But this time it behaves. Stooping This introduces a new thought, I believe
over it somewhat, you pass left hand a foot in a self-contained rising handkerchief. The
or two above it, snap fingers and it jumps use for it, as it now stands, is rather
to the hand. limited. Perhaps you will discover wider uses,
The variations are infinite. It would if you make it up, and I'm sure that Jonesy
require too much space to detail Haskell1s will welcome those variations for The BAT.
entire routine, and would be somewhat unfair Conditions; Not an act in itself. Best
to him as he is planning to republi3h the used as a break during a production of silks.
complete routine in the near future. Even Pause with this special silk in left hand.
though the raw method is here revealed you Right hand is held about nine inches above
will deprive yourself of a series of excel- it. WITH NO MOVEMENT OF THE HANDS, the silk
lent and ingenious moves if you fail to get rises to the upper handJ Put aside with a
a copy of his manuscript with it appears. amlle and continue with production.
PAGE THE BAT NUMBER FORTr-NINF
Preparation; Sew two blue eighteen inch No motion In
silks together at the borders, except for an the fingers or body
inch about an inch below one corner, Figure but the silk magic-
10. ally rises. Magic-
ians who are look-
OPENINQ Ing for a reel will
be very much surpris-
ed. Your audience
will find this an
Interesting, and a
truly magical In-
terlude. ....
So ends our
brief sortie in the
problem of HOW TO
FLOAT A HANDKERCHIEF.
Although other methods
seemed obvious they
have been avoided be-
cause of similarity to
known effects: - or
because of triteness.
Your variations, and
of course your Im-
Fiq. 10 provements will be
most welcomed by THE
BAT.
Obtain a small lead fishing sinker. You
will have to experiment to get one of the
right weight, l find the Dipsy swiveled
sinker, 2.% ounce, about righ>.
II
is
fun. equipment. Clifford Guest, a ventriloquist
with top-notch recommendations is coming this
way from "down under" and Les also reports
the tremenduous success both artistically and
personally of Ade and True Duval. Two grand
people - and entertainers par excellant. A
Wanna couple of Pop-Up Cigars? Nice Prof. Bob Baxter Is also playing Australia
wooden cigars, right size and shape for the currently and doing better than average.
"continuous" production of cigars. TWO for
the price of one - with instructions even New Yorkers are grieved over dosing of
« all for ONE DOLLAR! A good buy - fits in their last vaudeville theatre. How is it out
most any program - or as m.c. bit - swell! your way? Guess Television is the answer.
PAGE 352 THE BAT NUMBER FORTY-NINE
OBEDIENT SILKS
HOWARD WARRINGER
with the well-known slip square knot. Make
Prom CHAP'S SCRAPBOOK knots so that the center (red) silk will
slip off either of the end silks. Place the
Visualize this: Three eighteen inch silks ends of the string In your right hand In this
- red, blue, and orange. Performer ties them manner: one end between first and second
in a chain with the red in the center. He fingers, and other between third and little
passes them from right to left hand and, with- fingers. Got that? Keep the hand open and
out changing their position, shows both sides with the palm to the audience. It looks like
to dispel any idea of fakes (there are none). a casual display and is quite natural. (I
Calling attention to the fact that the red get this position by holding center of red
I silk looks out of place in the center, he asks silk in left hand and turning back of the
j the audience to select one of the other colors right hand toward the floor with fingers
(Which they would prefer to see in the middle spread. Insert silks in proper position.
I of the chain. The color is named. Performer Move right hand down silks until two Inches
' gathers silks in his left hand - and iramediate- of the ends protrude from top of right hand.)
I ly shakes out the string. The selected silk is Now, lower right fingers toward audience and
' now in the center; both ends tied with secure approach silks from the back of the right
JKknots 1 All moves are 1OO# natural. And the hand with the left — left fingers spread to
jtrlck is really over before the spectators catch end tips in same position as now being
pealize it has begun. Its a beaut! held by the right — and slide left along
And here is the dope: The one knot used back of right to get silks in position. (Ends
I le false. But it looks genuine and will hold will be reversed of course.) Next comes the
I Up under a lot of stress. Important move: the first one, that is. Swing
Start by tleing the silks in a strine body slightly to the left - and, at the same
Continued on Page 355
libraries 8. schools
«, years—To libraries & schools
General Federation Club Woman
Genetic Psychology Monographs
Genetics
-jrophicol Review .
1 year to Libraries
Geophysics (3)
Published monthly by MAGIC LIMITED at CheeBlp,
4064 - 39th Avenue, Oakland 2, California.
Subscription rate is $2.00 a year; SIX
i88uee SI.00; single copies 25^ excepting Lloyd,.
special i8sue8 ao designated.
Send all correspondence to THE BAT, Continuing with
c/o Lloyd E. Jones, at address above. some of the gags
gleaned from Joe Ov-
LLOYD E. JONES EDITOR ette'a Scrap Books,
THERON FOX .» ASSISTANT EDITOR now owned by Magic
ROBERT QUNTHER ART EDITOR Limited: -
At the Pittsburgh Convention (IBM) in
If*"** " 1944, reports Joe, a local magician came on
with a Vanishing Bird Cage and stated he
would offer a carton of cigarettes to any-
Issue No. 50! To us, a big moment, to one who could find where the cage would
our worthy contemporaries, a fiftieth issue go. The cage vanishes and a mad scramble
means little since they passed that mile- ensued, a dozen or so magicians rushing on
stone long ago (in most cases). But, with stage and mobbing the performer. When the
the BAT where most all the work is done rush subsided, each man was holding a bird
by hand, or for the sake of accuracy should cage! And the poor performer was pantsless!
I say, mainly by these two forefingers?, it Continuing Bird Cage gags, Joe recalls
means a great deal. A lot of work as the the one much used in which, Instead of the
Index will show. A lot of work by Theron cage disappearing, the magician's pants are
Fox who is really a bum assistant editor; stripped off. And the one, which is a really
as far as assistant editors go, but one different means of presenting this classic
to whom we owe a great deal for getting the effect: magician walks on with cage, then
BAT out on time (?) (well, usually), for stops and says - "Oh, you've seen this be-
many helpful suggestions, ana for a fre- fore? Then I won't do it!" Cage vanishes.
quent application of a blue pencil on mat- This will create a laugh besides proving
erial better left out of any magic magaz- quite puzzling to the vast majority of the
ine but that we wanted to squeeze in. Our audience. An excellent m. c. bit.
thanks to to a host of others. To Bob Gun- On the same Pittsburgh bill with Joe
ther, who has been a lousy art editor, as was LuBrent, one of the smoothest of cig-
art editors go, but yet who is responsible arette manipulators. After his close to
for the BAT headings and many an artistic a good hand. The lights went out and stayed
suggestion we have gladly adopted. Then out while a number of magicians crept about
too, I can't overlook Tim Donlin. 'Vish he'd the stage with matches and flashlights
move to Oakland so I wouldn't ALWAYS owe picking up the butts!
nim a letter. And to John Larrlck for some A cutie in Joe's opinion is one in
fine rush jobs. For magic - Sid Flelsch- which two tall glasses, say Zombie ones are
man, whose done more than his share to used. A small rubber ball is shown and
help the BAT succeed - and to 0-lenn Gravatt dropped into one glass. Ball rises out of
especially for his superb card and general glass and travels over into the other. This
magic. And so on down the line, Monte Dern- is repeated. Finally, ball rises and refuses
ham, Ed Tabor, Gerald Kosky, but in listing to pass over. Magician picks up a pair of
only a few I can't be accused of overlooking scissors and cuts thread. Joe's pay-off gag
someone I shouldn't, and I have a knack of can be modernized by your saying, "3o you
of dolny Just that. So Just check the index. read Blackstone Comics too?"
Those name8 there are fellows Interested in A gag that back fired is one credited by
the BAT. Fellows who want to see it where Joe to one, Giodlne of Minneapolis. He, taking
they think it belongs- at the TOP. And fel- a piece of chalk would make a pass with it
lows without whom, this would have been im- and then ask you which hand it was in. The
possible. BAT NO. FIFTY! Thanks a million. answer being given, he would reply, "That's
Much to my surprise I note the inclusion one for you!" - and make a chalk mark on your
of the SPHINX and GENII amongst the magazines coat! This would be continued until the spect-
that you can subscribe to through your local ator would rise in wrath. Very funny, if one
NEWSDEALER. If too lazy to send your check in has a sense of humor. At a Convention, a magi
direct, or order through your magic dealer - friend "borrowed" Giodine's coat and had h:
Just hop on down to the neighborhood drugstore show his stunt to the new coat wearer who t
or magazine shop and order your magic magazine ed dumb until a friend advised G that it was
through them. What surprises me is that CCN- his own coat he was defacing! Now, I ask you -
JURORS is not listed. What with their ad on was that nice?
the Blackstone Program, etc. - wonder how COMING! Gags by another JOE - JOE KARSON!
they overlooked this? Read the BAT for the best in magic and HUMOH
THE BAT PAGE 355
OBEDIENT SILKS - Warringer - from Front page
time, give the right hand a full twist. Close
right fingers over the twist formed In the
Bilks and release the right hand; leaving
silts in the left (ends protruding from the
top of the fist and balance of each silk
coming from opposite ends of the fist). It
appears to spectators as if you are holding
the silks in the same manner as before, but
that you simply changed hands.
Next vital move Is to complete the knot.
Call attention to the fact that silks are the
same on both sides. Approach silks under left
hand with the right — fingers spread apart
as before — and clip end tips between first
and second, and third and little, fingers as
previously explained. Approaching from body
side of silks, give right hand a half twist
toward front, wnlch will turn rear side of
silks toward the spectators. (Then call at-
tention to fact that both sides are alike).
Then: apparently let the silks fall back into
their former position, but actually, complete
the twist with the right hand as you make a
slight up and down movement with the left hand
Clamp fingers of the left hand over the twist
as you did previously, and apparently the
silks just fall back into their original pos-
itions. The knot is now completed and every-
thing appears the same as in the beginning.
You are now ready to start "selling it."
Up to this point, you have apparently
been "displaying" the silks. Now you may let
them know that you are going to do something
with them. Alternately stroke the silks on
the ends from top to bottom as you request a
choice of color. (During this stroking, pull
knot In left hand as tight as possible. BUT,
be careful that you do not pull cne of the
silks out of the hand. One will offer more
resistance than the other. THAT is the one
to pull on.) When color has been named, pat-
ter on and slip center silk off the end of
the unchosen silk. Hold these ends together
and place In the left hand. Gather balance
of the string in the left hand. (Red silk
will now be at one end of the chain.) Lo-
cate corner of the new end silk of this new
chain - take it between thumb and first fin-
ger of the right hand - and open left - let-
ting the string of silk to drop. *Tis done!
Suggestion: Let the silk, tied with the
false knot drop to the bottom of the string
as there will be less weight on it in that
position. Finish by giving the string an up-
I ward flourish with the right hand; then
.gather all the silks in the right with a
downward sweep.
While this has taken quite a bit of
I space to describe,it only takes a few moments
i to perform. Do it rapidly, but smoothly, until
j the knot has been completed. Then you can take
your time for the build-up. The detailed
sketches by R. S. Glover should make all clear
Since the above first appeared in Chap's
| Bcrapbook, Mr. Warringer has made the follow-
rflng discovery and asks that it be passed on
" to BAT readers. The silks originally used
T lade the effect 100# fool-proof but a chance
• of error existed with other silks. This he
I has corrected by inserting a short length of
I Pipe cleaner in the corners of the silks used
I This makes all types of silks V™ and adds dXS
to this perfect effect.
PAGE 356 THE BAT NUMBER FIFTY
into the bill.
The brisk competition between Bridge-
port and Springfield for the 1948 gathering
was won by Springfield.
The New Encyclopedia of Sports, by Frank
Menke gives the following oddity of more than
passing interest to magicians. A German, whose
first name is unknown, by name, Lueben wagered
Squeezed out of the last BAT, but cert- that he could turn up a shuffled pack of cards
ainly meriting space is the 11th Annual Con- i,n a certain order. He turned playing cards
vention of New England Magicians which ended ten hours a day for twenty years before he
November 24th in Boston, Massachusetts. Your accomplished this feat! (4,246,028 times!) Ana
Editor was thoroughly sold on this affair long as you would expect, he went Insane after so
before It was held because of the excellent doing. Wonder what the "laws of Chance" have
publicity, some of which came this way. What to say about such an occurrence?.Seems to me
a collection of photos! (And what stars!). it shouldn't of taken him that long] Any of
Total registration reached 550 which you desirous of attempting It? You know, the
certainly rates top billing and full credit dove-tall shuffle DOES offer some interesting
for this two day affair should be given hard possibilities. (Or, are you nuts already?)
working Herman Hanson. He, with energetic Bert Easley's new book on magic for
committees from the Boston Assembly, No. 9 ohlldren is now on the press. Bert may be
of the S.A.M. served and acted as Convention best known for his drunk routine, but he haB
Hosts. certainly given the subject much attention.
The Night Before Show was m.c'd by Ace Reports from England (via Pentagram)
Gorham and Included Dick Rice with Imperson- praise one Fred Robinson, a magician book-
ations, Roger Wheeler, The Whithills, and seller for his card table work. He is con-
Dave Malone. The latter stopped the show with sidered England's best. His pet warm-up is
a comedy monologue and pantomine bit. Art to deal second, middles, and bottoms for
Lyle also won high praise for his handling speed. May we hear more about him? Too, a
of coins, cards, and cigarettes. Dr. Lee I new text, Basic Card Technique, is soon due
Smith and Bill Gourd presented their comedy i from over yonder that will give the best
mind reading act to loud guffaws and the way for performing known sleights and on
Wills, a standard magic act closed the bill , that point alone is to be commended.
with a nice climax. Refreshments followed. Conjuror's states that reason cop'les
Saturday (Nov. 22) the dealers began have been so late Is that advertisers get
activities and contests were held. Winners material in so late. This is to be speeded
were: For presentation, Frank Clinton - •up and thus earlier delivery obtained. Ho
Georgie Price. For Manipulation, Lowell hum. We always thought that magazines and
Getz - John Hamilton. For Originality, Rev. printers had deadlines - after which NO ad-
Willard Smith - Rev. J. Wayne Haskell. vertising could be accepted.
The Saturday Night Show turned many If J. B. Bobo reads this, let it remind
away, being sold out in advance. Tommy him that the BAT is getting Jealous of his
Tucker was a grand master of ceremonies. contributions to other magazines. How about
Antonl and Company in a Chinese Flash Act some for the BAT. J. 8.?After all, our high
opened. Joe and Anne Karson displayed point last year (so say many) was another
Zombie; Charles and Madeleine RossKam an Texan's trick £Ralph DeShong's Half Routine)
act of Comedy Magic; and Silent Mora, who and you SURELY can do something to keep dear
drew a big ovation closed the first half old TAXAS in the fore.
with his beautiful Chinese Act. Hal Sayers A letter from Hungary confirms the susp-
a comedy Juggler and unicyclist opened icion that Dr. Laszlo Rothbart did commit
the second half and was followed by a suicide. Incurably ill, he took his life on
beautiful presentation of the Growing Rose September 8th. A founder of the Circle of
Bush by Frank Clinton and Company. They Hungarian Amateur Magicians, his large libra-
also featured Shooting Thru a Woman and a ry was left to Steven Forgacs, who also in-
black art finale of butterflies from tissue herited the Secretaryship of the Club. Act-
paper. Bill Williston was next with his mad l'vitles with the Circle are once again assum-
comedy and Antoni and Company closed the ing an even keel and International friend-
bill. I ships again being sought.
Sunday, while the women attended a The Knights of Magic have decided to use
fashion show, the men listens! to a 2 3/4 Hugard's Monthly as their textbook in pre-
hour lecture by master Dai Vernon. Then paring meetings and magical sessions for '48.
followed close-up demonstrations by such mas- Why doesn't your club do likewise? Or at least,
ters as Bert Allerton, Silent Mora, and Sly- take on the BAT. You'll be surprised and no
dini. Convention closed with the Banquet at end pleased when you see what results from
the Hotel Statler and produced the outstand- many minds working on the SAME trick.
ing act of the Convention: TUNG PIN S00 (Al
Wheatley and his charming wife). Harrison Having had a full book appear in the
Hoyt m.c.'d this bill which also had Antonl BAT In one issue, watoh for more outstanding
and Company doing a levitatlon and trunk es- magic ideas in these pages. COMING - a full
twenty minute magic act with patter - by TOM
cape (in two spots); the Morino Sisters, a BOWYER. (Also, more books - AND, internation-
fast tumbling-dancing trio; Lestej? Guest al magic). It pays, to read the BAT.And yes,
with a unique shadowette novelty, Slydlni we still give a six months subscription or a
with suave silk and ring sorcery, and George dollar magic book for each accepted contribu-
Jason and Al Flosso putting plenty of comedy tion.
NUMBER FIFTY THE BAT PAGE 357
REATC/IRDCRIC/CJ
CARD MYSTERY the bottom. For instance, if when he first
looked at a card, it lay third in the bunch
Effect: Any deck is shuffled by anybody. of cards, he counts three cards, one at a
While the performer is out of the room a time, from the top to the bottom of his pile.
spectator removes any number of cards from The magician now proceeds to have each
the deck and counts them. If he removes one of the spectators engaged in the trick
eighteen cards, he then makes two piles of find his own card by placing the first card
cards to represent the two digits. For ex- on the bottom, discarding the next, trans-
ample, in one pile one card, and in another ferring the next from top to bottom, dis-
pile eight cards, to make the number eighteen. carding the next, and so on, as explained in
"Note: See the trick entitled "The detail in "Hummer's Great Discovery."
Telephone Test," earlier in this chapter, for Each spectator Is finally left with but
a similar expedient). , one card in his hand, the card he looked
Prom the cards remaining (there will at originally. It is somewhat dramatic to
always be nine, but the spectator doesn't have all of the selected cards revealed at
know that) he removes any number of cards and one time. What will puzzle many is that
places these in his pocket. The rest of the while each selected card originally lay at
deck is hidden also. The other cards are some different position in its respective
covered with a handkerchief. Still the per- pile, and this position was unknown to the
former is able to tell the person the number performer, the same eliminating process left
of cards he has in his pocket. This is a the exact card in the hands of the various
stunt thay is being sold at present by the persons.
magical dealers.
In view of the descriptions of the THE MAGIC OF NINE
several preceding effects, the astute reader
will need no further explanation. By re- The following trick is based on the
ferring to "Calling All Cards," and "The mathematical oddity made possible by the
Telephone Test," together with the other curious properties of the number nine, as
effects in this chapter based on the magical explained in the half dozen or so preceding
principle of nine, he will be able to present effects. This is perhaps one of the best
this effect without benefit of a detailed of the number of clever camouflages of this
presentation. principle.
Effect: A spectator removes a number
GROUP DETECTION of" cards from a cut packet" and places them
in his pocket. He also makes a mental note
This is a variation in the presentation of a card. The conjurer divines the number
of "Hummer's Great Discovery," already ex- of cards in the pocket and discovers the noted
plained in the preceding pages, and is only card.
mentioned here because the performance of it Method: Have the pack shuffled by a
by our good friend, Gerald Kosky, attracted spectator and, turning your back, invite him
considerable attention at a magician's meeting to cut a quantity of cards, count them
where attending members who knew "Hummer*s secretly, add the digits and put aside cards
Great Discovery," were nevertheless appar- to the sum so arrived at. Thus, if he-cuts
ently mystified. twenty-three cards, he adds the two digits,
Several persons (four is about the right totaling five, so he removes five cards and
number) are each handed a small bunch of places them aside*
cards. There are ten cards in each bunch, Request him to think of any small number
but no mention is made of this fact. Each and to remove that number of cards from the
person shuffles his own bunch of cards, then packet in his hands, placing these in his
fans them, thinks of one of the cards he pocket. If he thinks of the number, seven,
•holds, and notes its position in the group, for instance, he counts off seven cards
i.e., whether it lies third, fourth, fifth, and places them in his pocket.
etc. in the fan, counting from the top of Tell him to count down to the card at
the face down packet. this same number amongst the cards remaining
The magician now goes from person to in his hands and to make a mental note of the
person, takes each bunch of cards, looks card. In this instance he counts down seven
through them for a moment, as if hunting for cards and remembers this card.
the thought-of card, then returns the cards You turn around and take the packet of
to the person who has been holding them. cards. Without glancing at their faces,
What you really do is to take five cards in slowly pass the cards one by one before the
a bunch off the top of each packet, trans- spectator's eyes, secretly counting the cards
ferring these five cards to the bottom of as you request him to note that his card is
the pile, and handing each bunch of cards still in the spread.
back in turn. There are eleven cards. Subtract
Each holder of a group of cards now this number from eighteen. If the number
counts singly a card at a time from the top were less than nine, subtract it from nine.
of_ his particular packet and places it on A remainder of seven is left. This remain-
PAGE 358 THE BAT NUMBER FIFTY
der is the number at which the noted card
may be found from the top of the packet. It
is also the number of cards the spectator
•*
THE NEUER FAILING CARD"
placed in his pocket.
Again pass the cards fanwise before the
spectator's eyes and this time sight the
BY
lower index of the spectator's card (the
seventh in this case) by turning up the lower
GERALD KOSKY
corner of the card with the left thumb.
The performer now reveals the name of Performer hands a pack of cards to the
the chosen card, and also the number of cards spectator and Instructs him to mentally think
which the spectator placed in his own pocket, of a number up to about 20. After which,
in any of the many dramatic ways he may have while the performer turns away, he, the spect-
at his command. ator is to count down from the top of the pack
to the number he mentally thought of, and look
at the card at that number - remember it, and
then replaced the counted off cards on top of
the pack and give same a number of orthodox
cuts.When this has been done, the pack of cards
Is handed the performer behind his back. Per-
former now turns and faces the spectator,
places pack on the table and tells him that he
That little problem of Johnnie Murray's has cut the cards so that the spectator's card
shouldn't have bothered you at all, for, al- is now back in its original position from the
though the boys were born on the same day, top of the pack. Spectator imparts this In-
had the same parents, etc; the weren't twins formation to the performer (number from top)
because - they were a pair from TRIPLETS - who counts down — and finds that the card is
or quads, if you like. (Say Monte, is this not there. Performer apologizes for having
another one of those problems with two or" failed, but, he states, he has a friend in the
more answers? Yuk, yuk.) pack that never falls. "What sir, is the name
of the card you looked at?" "The Three of
Am quite tickled, the Puzzle Corner Hearts?" "Oh, Never Falling Card, turn over
got a fan letter! We've heard verbally from In the pack and tell me where the Three of
several of you about this corner and also Hearts is!" Performer spreads the deck on the
received a few letters with comments. But table faces down and one card is seen to'be
now, we have a contribution from one who face up. Whatever the value of that card Is,
likes this spot! Thank you, Press Perry, and so far from the top of the pack will be your
next month we'll run your little problem selected card states the performer. Spectator
for the boys. And say, after all I «an't counts down to that position from the top of
tell how ANY of you like (or don't) this the pack and finds his selected card as so
section (or any other section) of the BAT stated.
unless you DO commit yourself. Most likely
we won't answer your letter but we do like Secret: A key card is used. This card
to get and read mall. may be creased, crimped, or made as a short
Here's a little problem that turns into card so that it may be easily cut to behind
a good trick. Can you solve it? Take four red the back, or easily found when cards are
and four black cards and so arrange them that riffled behind the back. The key card is
they come out In alternating colors when one placed 9th from the bottom of the pack that
is laid down, the second placed underneath and is face down. The pack is false shuffled and
so on. Looks easy! Lots of fun too! Try It. handed to the spectator for his count-down,
At the last B.U.M. convention (Brother- etc, as explained above and the cards also
hood of Unskillful Magicians),each of the 100 cut several times. When cards are handed you
brothers present, so Monte Dernham reports, behind your back; you cut or riffle to the
shook the hand of each of the others, at the key card and bring it to the bottom of the
same time giving the secret password, which pack then take it and insert it reversed in
it is rumored consists of the initials of the the middle of the deck. In other words, it is
official name of the organization,invariably- placed face up In the face down deck. v,'hen
pronounced as three separate letters, never spectator counts off and cancels his original
as a single word. Be that as it may, our number of cards from the top of the pack; his
puzzlers are asked to compute the total num- selected card automatically becomes the 9th
ber of handshakes. card from the top, because of the extra cards
And here is a cryptarithm which has added to the top of the pack when the key
been going the rounds lately amongst crypto- card Is cut to the bottom of the pack.
graphers and mathematicians. If no two dif- The key card used in explaining this
ferent letters represent the same digit, find effect was a nine spot. Hence, as many spots
the nine digits represented by the different there are on the card you intend to use, so
letters in the following addition: far from the bottom of the pack do you place
S E V E N this key. If your key card is a three, you
place it third from the bottom, if it Is a
S E V E N seven, you place it seventh, and so on.
Here's hoping the card "Never Falls You.
SIX (Ed: Text doesn't quite make it clear that
when cards are taken back behind back, the
T W E N T Y key Is CUT bo the bottom - so then the add-
There is only one solution, which a itional cards fall on top. A most excellent
little systematic reasoning should uncover. trick, Gerald. THANK YOU.)
NUMBER FIFTY THE BAT PAGE 359