OCTOBER 2016

PENGUIN MAGIC

A CREEPY
TRICK FROM
STEVE SPILL
JUST IN TIME
FOR HALLOW
A MENTAL MIRACLE
FROM HARLAN'S
BRAINBOX

JOHN
CAREY IS
STABBING
CARDS.
AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

MISTIE
KNIGHT
...force yourself to
get out of your
comfort zone. 55
 recently started a touring

We magic workshop series called

Experience. As the host, Brent
Braun spent about 14 days last month
touring with Michael Ammar, and from
everything I hear it was a blast. Traveling
from city to city, Brent and Michael had
hours to talk, swap stories, think up cool
ideas, and learn from one another. Man,
how I wish I could have listened in.
It reminded me of exactly why we
started Penguin Magic Monthly: To
share the priceless wisdom, passion,
experiences, stories and jokes that form
the true spirit of magic.
Who wouldn't love to go on a road-
trip with their favorite magician? Who
wouldn't want to hear their crazy stories
and lessons learned? Well, now you can-
sort of. While you're reading this month's
articles, picture yourself in the passenger
seat on a road-trip with the author. Who
knows, you may get so into it you start
peeing in bottles just so you don't have to
stop.

Acar Altinsel
Founder
 OCTOBER 2016

WHAT'S INSIDE
,
ÿ
MASTERING THE CLASSICS COVER FEATURE
Kyle and Mistie Knight
Egyptian Pocket Effect
By Nathan Kranzo WRITERS
Nathan Kranzo
Dan Harlan
John Carey
6 ONE FROM CAREY
Hof Stabber
Kevin Reylek

By John Carey EDITORS

Acar Altinsel
Jenna Martin
Erik Ostresh
8 A CREEPY TRICK
Bad Luck
Kevin Reylek
Brijit Spencer
By Steve Spill
ART DIRECTOR
Brijit Spencer

PERFORMING TO THE FIVE SENSES

11 By Kayla Drescher
PHOTOGRAPHY
Brijit Spencer
James Maxwell

CONTRIBUTORS
12 CARD CLUB
A Clear Blue Choice
Kayla Drescher
Steve Spill
Carl Andrews
By Kevin Reylek Will Houstoun
Andy

YOU WIN SOME,

14 YOU LOSE SOME.
By Carl Andrews

16 MISITE KNIGHT
An Interview
By Nathan Kranzo

20 TOP TEN
Dr. Houstoun's Favorite Books
By Will Houston

24 THE LOOK OF LOVE

By Andy

28 HARLAN'S BRAINBOX
The Seventh Slip
By Dan Harlan

31 GAGS AND GIMMICKS

Airhorn Sneeze
By Nathan Kranzo

3
EGYPTIAN
POCKET
BY NATHAN KRANZO

Here
is a fun handling of the old card by touch alone. You touch the first
"Egyptian Pocket Effect" persons hand and then immediately
popularized by Alexander reach into your own pocket and pull out
Herrmann based on an effect of Robert the top card. Ask them to name the
Houdins called "Clairvoyance du selection and reveal it. For the 2nd card
Toucher". You can find the Robert you hand them the deck ask that THEY
Houdin effect in the book Secrets Of pocket the deck, making sure to help
Conjuring And Magic. them as you do so the deck ends up
Have cards shuffled and then have with the top card away from their body.
three cards chosen. Control all three to You now tell the person whose pocket
the top using your favorite you are using to touch the 2nd persons
method. Shuffle the cards without hand and they will be able to find the
disturbing the top stock. Or if you wish card if they QUICKLY REACH IN
just palm off the selections, have the AND PULL OUT ANY CARD. They
cards shuffled and add the palmed cards will of course pull out the card that is
back on top when the deck is returned. easiest to pull out; the one on top...IF
Just make sure you know what order the they miss and pull out another card that
cards are in and which person each card is NOT the selection, simply do as
corresponds to. This will be important Alexander Herrmann did and say, "You
later. You now empty your breast pocket weren't quick enough. You must do it
completely. Ask them to reach in and like this!" Then reach in and withdraw
verify your pocket is empty. Now hand the correct card quickly (fig.2).
them the cards and tell them to place Now you pull the deck out of their
the shuffled deck in your pocket (fig.l). pocket and at the same time leave the
You announce that if you touch the top card, the 3rd selection, in their
hand of the person who chose each card pocket.
you will pick up the "vibrations" of each For the final card you tell them they
person and be able to quickly find the
4
can now shuffle and pull out any card and then produce it from his pocket
and it should be the final selection. using a card index as a finale. It occurred
Let them try and fail. Tell them this is to me that you could "limit" the
very odd, but it always works. You then selection by using a bank deck and have
realize that you forgot to have the a card selected from that bank. Then
vibrations transferred. later using a much smaller index it
Now ask the 3rd person to touch the would be an easy matter to produce the
hand of the person whose pocket you card. Having ANY card named and
loaded. Having once again transferred producing it is quite a finale.
the vibrations you ask them to simply Both Houdin and Hartz had
reach into their pocket revealing the sequences in their effects where several
previous loaded card for the final cards were plucked from the pocket
revelation. That's it! (from a spectator's pocket in the later
Additional Thoughts: You may want case). The cards were produced one at a
to try another added touch that is often time as the cards were named.
associated with the Egyptian The Hartz Pocket Picking effect was
Pocket. This is actually the original idea basically a multiple selection effect. The
of Houdin's opening effect. The cards were selected by up to a dozen
spectator names a number and the people while the deck was not even in
selection is found by withdrawing cards his hands. The deck was returned and
from the pocket one at a time until that placed into the pocket. People would
number is arrived upon. Let's say they then name their chosen cards and Hartz
name the number 7. It's an easy matter would pluck them one at a time from
to pull out the bottom 6 cards one at a the pocket using his index, which was
time, then the TOP one to reveal the 7th very clever enabling him to extract the
card - their card! named cards quickly.
In the original Alexander Herrmann
effect he would often have a card named
5
 I've always loved the classic card stab effect where the
ONE deck is wrapped in a cocktail napkin and the selection is
located with a pocket knife. There are some lovely
FROM solutions in print. Here's my take on this old chestnut,
where our friend the Hofzinser spread cull once again
CAREY proves its versatility.

BY JOHN CAREY

Have
a card selected, signed, and automatic. Place this packet into left
controlled to fifth from the top. hand dealing grip. Comment on how
Use whatever you are the spectator stabbed the deck with the
comfortable with here. Ilike to use a cards in hand.
simple jog shuffle control, but the Casually spread the packet you are
options are myriad. Hand the deck to holding in the hands and sight and
your helper and have them wrap the Hofzinser Cull the fifth card (selection)
deck completely with the napkin in under the spread (fig.6-7). As you do
view (fig. 1). this, ask them approximately how many
Be sure they tuck in the napkin under cards do they think you are holding?
the ends of the deck and keep it face Square up the packet, secretly sending
down (fig.2). the selection to the bottom (fig.8).
Hand them a pocket knife and ask Slide out the bottom card and table it
them to carefully stab the blade into the face down. Build up and remind your
wrapped deck (fig.3). audience what has taken place, how the
Take back the package and table it. spectator wrapped the deck in a napkin
Bring the hands over the package and and freely stabbed the knife into it. All
tear away the top layer of napkin, that remains for you to do is to ask for
exposing the deck and knife inside the name of their selection and then
(fig.5). dramatically turn over the card on the
Bring the right hand over the deck table to reveal that they have unerringly
and take away all the cards above the located their signed card.
blade of the knife (fig.5). This is
}C"fbBER2016'
 A CREEPY TRICK

BY STEVE SPILL

is the time to start working one side usually has a pattern printed

Now on your Halloween routines, on the inside. The "busier" the pattern
Here is Steves modern take on the better. Try to avoid geometric
the Spirit Slates, complete with his shapes or straight lines. You may need
creepy patter.* two of these bags to complete the setup.
You'll also need some blood-red paint.
Effect: A piece of broken mirror is You will make a piece of "wrapping
shown and placed back inside its ornate paper" that will enclose the mirror
wrapping paper. After a spooky story, (fig.2). It is about three inches wider
the mirror is removed and a bloody than double the width of the mirror. So
message is now on its surface. if the mirror is five inches wide, the
paper should be 13 inches wide. Its
Required: One piece of sturdy card length is a few inches longer than the
stock, cut with jagged edges to look like mirror. You will fold and crease this into
a piece of broken mirror that is covered a package that will hold the mirror. The
with silver Mylar on one side. This gives first fold, along its length, is about two
the appearance of being a mirror (fig. and a half inches (and the piece that is
1). A matching Mylar-only piece is cut made will be called the 'flap" later). The
to the identical shape. Also needed is second fold is the remaining space
some heavy decorative paper. It should folded in half (see fig. A on next page).
have a pattern on both sides, though it The cardboard mirror has the printed
doesn't need to be the same pattern, message; we'll callthat Mirror A. Mirror
Steve uses the paper from a large gift A has a plain backing. Steve uses the
bag. The kind with a clear "window" on raw cardboard. A dull black paper is
 :

OCTOBER 201<

another option, but it should stand out *Steve's patter is based on an oldghost story
that he heard Boris Karlofftell on an album
when shown against the decorative
Steve had as a child. It has stayed with him
paper. Mirror B is the Mylar-only piece, all these years. You can find the album,
which is backed with a piece of the Tales of the Frightened, and the original
decorative paper. What must be story, Mirror of Death, on Amazon
showing is the pattern that will be on
the inside of the folded package (fig.3).
Mirror A has a message printed in "I knew a gorgeous young blonde
"dripping blood" on its mirrored named Debbie. It happened on her
surface. In our example, it reads "GO birthday. She was putting on some
TO HELL" (fig.4). Mirror B is left clean, lipstick, admiring herself in her hand
mirror, but she put it aside carelessly. It
Setup: Place Mirror A message side slipped off the dresser and smashed
up, onto the center section of the onto the floor. I've got a shard of that
envelope. Place Mirror B mirror side glass right here."
up, onto A, aligning them perfectly. Remove the envelope from your case
They should appear to be a single holding it in your left hand, fingers
mirror. Fold the large free half of the behind and the thumb on top of the
envelope over the mirror(s), then close flap, holding the package secure (fig.5).
the flap over all. The flap side of the The right hand takes hold of the
envelope is the "top." Place this package envelope from below as the left hand
into your case ready to perform. folds the flap back and under the
envelope (fig.6.) The left thumb re-grips
Performance: Begin, "Did you ever the package from the top holding the
break a mirror and spend the day mirror(s) in place as the right and drops
wondering what awful thing might away, allowing the front of the envelope
happen to you? It is bad luck to break a to fall forward exposing the mirror
mirror because the gods in it are (fig.7).
protecting you from harm. When you The right hand takes the mirrors as
break your mirror you're darkening the one and shows it as the story continues
provision of your providers ... and (fig.8). Continue speaking for several
anything is liable to happen. beats so that the audience has time to
take in the fact that the mirror has no hideous, ghastly smile. Shrieking, she
writing on it, but do not point this out; hurled herself through the window and
that just foreshadows the effect. fell six stories to the cement courtyard
You now return the mirror to the below. You see the package was a
envelope, but you replace it so the back birthday gift from hell. Sure, Debbie
of the mirror is outward (fig.9). Using saw only herself in the mirror, but take a
the right hand bring up look for yourself. There's
the lower half of the a message written here
envelope, take hold of it in dripping sticky blood."
from the bottom so the With the right hand,
left hand can fold the hold the package from
flap back up and over, below so the left hand
closing the package. can fold the flap back
Hold onto it so it remains and behind it as before.
MIRROR(S) The left thumb takes
continue the tale: M hold of the mirror(s) as
"About an hour later 1 the right hand moves
the doorbell rang, it was away so the front of the
the UPS guy with a large envelope can fall away.
package. Debbie signed rrhe right hand takes
for it, propped it up hold of the mirror(s),
against the table and thumb in front, fingers
ripped it open. As the wrapping paper behind. The right thumb pulls down on
fell aside, miraculously there were two Mirror A as the right fingers apply slight
Debbies in the room, one standing away upward pressure toward the left thumb,
from the table and the other smiling keeping Mirror B in place (fig. 10-
back in the reflection in the full length exposed view). This is like separating a
mirror. But, Debbie screamed! double card. The left thumb applies
"The face in the mirror was a twisted enough pressure to allow Mirror A to
satanic thing. A grotesque caricature of move away but maintains its hold on
the beautiful face before it. She stepped Mirror B which stays locked against the
back, the face in the mirror receded, envelope.
She kept moving back until her feet As the right hand moves up to display
were halted by the window sill behind the message on Mirror A, the left hand
her. (with the envelope and Mirror B
"Whirling, she saw the face again in sufficiently camouflaged with its
the crystal clear panes of glass in the matching pattern back) drops to your
window. It was the same grotesque, side (fig. 11).
PERFORMING
TO THE FIVE ,
SENSES
BY KAYLA DRESCHER

better is your experience telling time!?!

Here
is an interesting way to
look at designing new routines Translate this to magic, for example,
and effects: The Five Senses with the "Salt shaker Through Table"
chart. Jinsop Lee, a multi-series effect. The original routine is quite
designer, speaks of designing to the five visual and even has noise when the salt
senses. Check out his TED Talk for shaker is slammed through the solid
more on his ideas. table. Instead, lets start with the salt
So think about this: a clock has the shaker open so the spectator can smell
function of telling time. You see the the salt. Instead of the magician sitting
hands, the round clock body, and the and catching the salt shaker, what if the
numbers. You hear the tick-tock magician is standing and the spectator
sporadically throughout the day. A catches the shaker? Isaw David Oliver
simple clock stimulates two senses. perform this version and automatically
So what if you could hit the other rated it high on the "touch" sense. The
three senses? The clock could spray a spectator sees the salt shaker in the
new scent for every hour, making the napkin, smells the salt, hears the shaker
morning smell like the beach and the go through the table, and then
evening smell of a summer s'more- CATCHES the salt shaker! WOW!
making party (I really love s'mores). So Inow challenge you to take one of
The smell of that backyard fire then your favorite routines and make it
causes you to even taste the toasted appeal to many of the five senses. But
marshmallow between the chocolate please remember: Keep the sensations
and graham cracker goodness. I can pleasurable. Your garlic breath shouldn't
taste one just typing this! But now, that stimulate the smell sense. Use Lee's
once simple clock has created a whole chart to rate your routine. Have fun!
new experience! WOW! How much
 i
PENGUIN MAGIC MONTHLY

BY KEVIN REYLEK

PLAYING CARDS
FIFTY-TWO
Mill SIZE

Kolozsi is the artist behind the Choice brand of playing cards. He

Ben recently teamed up with Penguin for production of his Blue Choice deck,
and answered some questions for us about the creation process.

Q: Jhe first decks under your Choice label were original designs, why did you
decide to go with a tribute deck this time around?
A: Iwas sitting and thinking about how we can no longer purchase Stud cards and
figured it would be sweet to do a mashup for kicks.

Q: How did you approach this project compared to your past decks?
A: The idea was just a little tribute and was suppose to be nothing more. The
feedback Igot was incredible and Istarted to make minor changes to the design in
order to clear it of any copyright issues.

Q: Did this design present any unexpected challenges?

A: The biggest challenge for this was convincing USPCC that my design was
different enough from Studs to print. Initially they said no and it took some
talking.

Q; What can we expect for your future designs and the Choice brand?
A: Ihave no idea yet, still thinking on it.
12
 ÿ
:
OCTOBER 2016

CHOICE 3
>i
o

Q: You're well-known on Instagram for creating your #fakedecks - how do you

decide which brands to emulatefor those designs ?
A: The fakes idea is pretty old and I've just been doing my best to fit it into the
magic and card communities using brands and companies that Ilike and grew up
with.

Q: In addition to being a designer, you also make tools/accessories such as deck

trainers and other items made from metal and plastic. How do you fit so much
creation into your schedule?
A: Iwas taught to find a niche within art and Ipicked magic and cards because it
is something Ialways enjoyed. It is not hard to sacrifice days to a project when you
are enjoying every second of it.

Q: What is your most essential item when creating art aside from the expected
computer and art supplies?
A: Family, friends, and support is key. Past that, loving what you do is extremely
important. It makes sacrifice bearable and keeps your motivation high.

Thanks to Ben for taking the time to talk about the decks! The Blue Choice decks
were printed in a limited run of 2,000 decks, which are available exclusively at
Penguin Magic.
13
PENGUIN MAGIC MONTHLY

the name, you owe it to yourself to look

him up. I stepped on the torn packet
kicked it back behind me onstage and
said, "How else?"
Be sure to catch Carl's LIVE Lecture,
The audience went wild! The cast of
airing Sunday, October 30th!
the show who hadbeen watching me all
Subscribe at PenguinMagic.com
month, thought Idid that on purpose
and that it was brilliant as a comedy
piece. While Iwas happy to escape with
YOU WIN my dignity intact, maybe improved, I
did not perform the "Torn and Restored
SOME, Newspaper" again for several years.
As far as my favorite experience, and

YOU LOSE there have been many in over 35 years

of performing for a living, is my Halle

SOME. Berry story. Iwas performing table-side

at a resort restaurant on Maui. Its at a
beautiful outdoor cafe next to the
BY CARL ANDREWS swimming pool with the beach in the
background. This gig gave me the
Many times I have been asked the opportunity to perform for many
question, "What are your best and worst celebrities. One night Iam entertaining
performance stories?" Well the worst, I Halle Berry, an all time favorite actress
can think of a couple; one with a ring mine> and her guest at their table. I
and one with a newspaper. Today Iwill choose to perform my version of the
talk about the newspaper and leave the Michael Close Frog Prince , that Icall
ring for another time (perhaps my "You Dont Know Jack". Toward the end
Penguin lecture). Back in the 70s Iwas of the routine a card that has vanished
performing in a variety show at a ends UP h1 an impossible location. As I
cabaret theatre in downtown ask her to °Pen the box she says> "If that
Indianapolis. The show ran for the card is in there, I'm going to jump naked
month of May and featured some into that pool". Well of course Iknow
terrific singers, dancers, and other the card is in fact already there so you
variety acts including me with 2 spots in can imagine my trying to hide the
the show. In one of my spots Idid the excitement from my face. She finds the
Gene Anderson "Torn and Restored card ls fact inside the box and is
Newspaper", always a crowd pleaser stunned! Iwatch with a huge smile as
with great reactions. This one night as she gets UP from the table and starts
the newspaper restoration was walking toward the pool. The shawl on
happening, Ihad the worst feeling in her shoulder is removed, flung around
my stomach as Iheard the sound of and tossed aside as Halle continues
paper ripping. It was the torn packet toward the pool. After a few more steps,
coming loose and falling to the ground. sbe laugbs and runs back to the table.
I thought quickly and channeled my bad a good laugh and she tipped
inner Carl Ballantine. If you don't know me $100. 1love my job!

14
 HALLOWEEN
PLAYING CARDS

_
 PENGUIN MAGIC MONTHLY

AN INTERVIEW WITH

BY NATHAN KRANZO

Mistie Knight has traveled

Il usionist
to over 75 different countries
alongside her husband, Kyle
Knight, showcasing one of a kind
illusions and performing their own
unique style of magic. The duo has
recently headlined in Las Vegas, at the
famed Magic Castle in Hollywood, and
at The House of Magic at Studio City
Resort in Macau, China. On television,
Mistie & Kyle recently appeared on the
hit show, "Penn & Teller: Fool Us" on
the CW network, on BBC Ones "Now
You See It", and were grand-prize
winners on SyFy's magic competition
mow "Wizard Wars ."
Together, Kyle & Mistie perform
magic with a bold modern style and a
touch of irreverence, allowing their
audience to get up close and involved in
ways they've never seen before.

4HMi
 OCTOBER 2016

When did you first get involved in a representation of who Kyle and Iare
magic? My husband, Kyle introduced in life, still individuals, but partners to
me to magic many years ago when we the end. (You can see a performance
first met. Ihad never seen a magician video on our website!)
perform live, but Ido remember being
fascinated watching David Copperfields What was your favorite gig ever?
specials on TV. Iwas no stranger to the Last year we headlined with a full
stage and Ihad been performing on my 70-minute show at a casino here in Las
own playing the piano and as a Vegas, and that was a pretty special
keyboardist in a band, but Iloved how show for us. There is a definite a sense of
magic allows you to connect with the accomplishment that you feel when you
audience in a completely different way! see your face on a Las Vegas billboard,
and the best part was having so many
And when did you and Kyle first friends and family in the audience
start performing together ? Our very supporting us. A close second would be
first performance together was 14 years the contract that we're working right
ago. It was 8 months after we'd met and now. All summer we're headlining in
Iwas visiting Kyle in Las Vegas, and he the Walt Disney Theatre on Disney
got a last minute gig offer. I started Cruise Line. We're getting paid to travel
rehearsing all of the illusions, and when the world, seeing some amazing places,
Iwas standing inside of an illusion and and each week we fly back to Las Vegas
if you could see my toes you couldn't see between our shows on Disney, which
my head because Iwas too petite! That allows us to perform in variety shows
was the moment Iknew he was serious here as well.
about me - when he took a saw to the
prop and started cutting the face whole Worst gig ever? Not long ago we did a
lower. That 3 -week gig was extended to charity event for foster children. The
3 months and the rest is history! stage was outdoors with open space all
around, so we closed our show with an
What is your favorite magic piece to illusion that was surround-able. .. so we
perform? My favorite piece to perform thought! The stage was elevated and the
is something we call "Nothing's large group of kids were all standing
Impossible." We use magic with a right up against it, looking directly up at
wooden puzzle board where Itell the us. Apparently one kid saw a glimpse of
story of how each of us came to be my costume through an open space
where we are now in life, and how we from underneath the illusion. He yells
came to be together. Its an inspirational out "She's not gone, Isee her!" and kid
message about taking risks and mob mentality set in, and the entire
following your heart, even when the group of kids starts chanting
world tells you not to, and what Ilove "CHEATER! CHEATER! CHEATER!"
most this routine is that everything Isay Ihad no idea what they were yelling
is true. It's not some fake story used to about and everyone else around was so
evoke emotion, and the audience can confused because it looked perfect to
see that. We are giving them a real look them. It's actually pretty funny looking
into who we are personally, and it's also back on it now!

17
PENGUIN MAGIC MONTHLY

Did you always want to be in show Brag about something awesome you
business? I've been drawn to the stage did recently: One of the biggest
for as far back as I can remember, accomplishments in our magic career
playing the piano and performing in was creating an original magic effect
plays ever since I was a child. There that fooled Penn & Teller and won us
weren't a lot of performance the $10,000 grand prize on SyFy
opportunities where I was from in Channel's "Wizard Wars." The TV show
Mississippi, but when Iwas in high aired last year, and it was one of the
school I first competed in the Miss most challenging experiences of our
America Organization and represented career. Magicians are tasked to create
my hometown. 70% of the competition magic with totally random objects, and
scoring is from talent and interview, so we have very limited time to put the
it gave me the chance to perform, to routines together. It basically came
have numerous public speaking down to Kyle and Ibrainstorming and
opportunities, and to develop my stage testing multiple ideas as quickly as we
presence. I competed once more in could, and then Idid all the writing and
2006 after moving to Nevada, where I structuring the routines, while he built
was named Miss Las Vegas, and overall the actual props and worked out the
Ihad a fantastic experience with the methods. We were really proud of how
MAO. It helped me earn thousands of we were able to handle ourselves under
dollars in scholarships and greatly such intense pressure, and in our
contributed to my love for performing. performances we wanted to make sure
that both of us were recognized
How has your act evolved over the individually as magicians. It was
years ? For the first 5 or 6 years of especially fun for me to put Kyle in the
performing with Kyle, Iwas very much box while Idid the escape!
in the role of a traditional assistant, but We only had ONE chance to rehearse
over the last several years we've really our winning routine onstage before
been trying to showcase each of us filming, but all the hard work paid off.
equally. From the beginning of the We were the only team to win the $10K
show, our audience hears me speak and grand prize all season, and Wizard Wars
sees me present the magic, as well judge Penn Jillette said that we won
performing my own solo effects. We because they were all "scratching their
truly are partners and the balance of heads over that damn egg". After the
power is shared between us, and we show when we taking our microphones
believe it makes our show stronger as a off, Teller asked if he could have a guess
whole. Iam very fortunate to have a as the method and he guessed wrong!
partner that is so supportive, and
encourages me to pursue my own magic One thing you've learned you can
as well! share with someone wanting to see the
world with magic? One of the key
Favorite Magicians? Penn & Teller things I've learned is how important it is
are my favorites for sure, as well as to force your s_elf_to _ get out of your
David Copperfield and Mac King. comfort zone and be versatile. For many
years we had gotten comfortable only

18
 OCTOBER 2016

booking our full illusion show that and successfully complete 400 shows in
required larger theaters, a full tech team Macau. That experience will be
and complex lighting. It would have beneficial throughout our career!
been easy to continue only booking this Overall, don't sell yourself short and
show, but we recognized that we be willing to be versatile and push
shouldn't limit ourselves, and we began yourself to try new things, and more
intentionally performing in smaller opportunities all over the world will
lounges to become more comfortable become available to you as a performer.
having a self-contained show, with We actually just finished recording an
different kinds of magic for different interview on this very topic for the
kinds of venues, and this has lead to so Magic Master Summit, an online magic
many other show opportunities for us. convention. Look for it online beginning
Our show has taken us to 77 different July 18th, and you can find the details
countries, and being able to modify it on our website.
for the demographic has also proven to
be invaluable. For years all of our shows What's your ultimate goal with your
had relied heavily on speaking, so at magic? I always strive to be the best
first it was a challenge for us when we entertainer that Ican, first and foremost.
were booked to perform for There is so much more to being a good
international audiences that didn't magician than just the magic effects
speak English. For one contract our themselves. It's about connecting with
audience was mostly from Spain, so I your audience on a personal level, and
began learning Spanish and translated giving it your all onstage in every single
throughout the show. We also created show. Our specific goals are just to
more magic that was purely visual and continue doing what we love,
added a magic & music duet featuring performing for people all over the world
me on the piano. Making these changes in as many different kinds of venues as
helped us be successful for this contract, we can!
and get booked for another contract in
South America as well. What's nextfor you? We're appearing
Another example of how we were regularly on Disney Cruise Line this
able to make our show fit the year through September, followed by
demographic and venue was earlier this more shows in Las Vegas and an
year at The House of Magic in Macau, international magic festival. From Oct
China. We definitely had to push 5-8 we'll performing and lecturing at
ourselves to come up with new, "The Workshop REVIVAL" with lots of
nonverbal material that would be right other fantastic magicians in Missouri.
for the mostly Chinese speaking In 2017 we'll be appearing in various
audience, and because our theater was theaters in California touring with "It's
an intimate venue with no front curtain, Magic," and next summer we'll to be
that presented a whole new set of back in Europe performing on Disney
challenges in choosing material. and Celebrity cruises.
However, we learned not to be afraid to
try something new and different for us
and were able to rise to the occasion
19
BYWILLHOUSTOUN

EXTRAORDINARY
BELIEFS
BY PETER LAMONT
(2013)

When Peter talks about

magic Ihave one of two
THE MAGIC MAN responses. Either Iagree
MODERN MAGIC EXAMINER with him, and admire
BY PROFESSOR BY CHRIS KENNER the fact that he is clearer
HOFFMANN AND HOMER LIWAG in his argument than I
(1876) (1991-1992) am; or Idisagree with
him, before he
This book was the main Chris Kenner and convinces me that he is
subject of my PhD. If Homer Liwag should be correct and Ineed to
you are a magician who familiar names to sleight change my position. All
enjoys magic societies, of hand magicians or of his books are worth
magic magazines, magic flourishers but, this reading but
literature, or any of the magazine is less well Extraordinary Beliefs, in
other accoutrements of known. Just four issues which he examines why
amateur magic, they, were produced but, the people believe
and therefore the world magic, particularly with extraordinary things,
of magic that you enjoy, coins, is stunning. My focuses on a
can be traced directly three favourite coin subject that is hugely
back to Hoffmanns effects all started life as important if you want to
work. .. And the book variations of items know what magic is,
contains some published by Homer and what conjurer
wonderful tricks. and Chris. wouldn't?
THE NOTEBOOK
BYWILLHOUSTOUN MAGIC 1400'S-1950'S
(2009) BY JIM STEINMEYER,
MIKE CAVENEYAND
This is the first historical RICKY JAY
project Iundertook, (2009)
based on a facsimile, "A RICH CABINET OF
transcription, and Eminently affordable MAGICAL
annotation of a card and readily available CURIOSITIES"
magicians notebook, through Amazon and IN THE MAGIC
dating from about 1800. other mainstream CIRCULAR
The majority of magic retailers, this book offers BY EDWIN A DAWES
literature from the a great overview of the (1972-PRESENT)
period was written to be spectacular artwork that
sold to the public, so has been generated for Edwin A. Dawes has
reading about what magicians and the done more high-quality
magicians were actually stories it tells. Written magic research than
doing, rather than what by three experts, and perhaps any other
they were teaching the featuring images from magician. Whilst not
public, really opened my the best collections in even close to his entire
eyes to the quality of the world, it is a book output, his "Rich
magic at the time -lots of not to be missed If you Cabinet" series, now on
the tricks and moves have the first printing its 453rd instalment, is
could be published there is even a hidden perhaps the most
today and nobody easter egg, but the only significant historical
would realise how old clue Iwill give to help work in all of magic
they are! you find it is Kalanag. .. literature.
Make sure to catch Will's
lecture, Sunday, October 9th.

$ „l(t„

Jorge Luis
THE MANUAL OF
BORGES

TIPS FOR TRICYCLISTS

BY PROFESSOR
HOFFMANN (1888)

It is easy to forget that

the historical characters
COLLECTED FICTIONS THE MANUAL OF we know and revere
BY JORGE LUIS DARKNESS were real people with
BORGES (1998) BY ENRIQUE DE normal (or not so
HERIZ (2011) normal) lives and
Whilst not a magician, interests. One way to
Borges does more The strap-line for The remember is to find
magical things than Manual of Darkness is: books they wrote on
anyone else Ihave yet to "A novel steeped in the other subjects. For
come across. His stories History of Magic," and example, Professor
contain so much for the for once this is true. Too Hoffmanns seminal
conjurer, in terms of many fictionalised Tips for Tricyclists, an A
ideas, plots, and magicians are under- to Z of advice for the
structures that I researched and irritate prospective tricycle
think every magician more than they delight. rider. Nuggets it
should read at least little This is a book about contains include: "Never
of his work. "Magic is magic, written by a run over an only child,
the crown or nightmare master storyteller and parents don t like it.
of the law of cause and that alone should be When they have more
effect, not its enough to recommend children, they are less
contradiction." - Borges it. particular."
 "...[Dawes']
"Rich Cabinet"
series, now on
TO REACH THE CLOUDS
its 453rd
BY PHILIPPE PETIT (2002) instalment, is
CREATIVITY: THE PERFECT
CRIME perhaps the
BY PHILIPPE PETIT (2014)
most significant
A lot of time is spent by
magicians telling the world and
historical work
each other that they are artists,
but Iam not sure Ihave ever
in all of magic
seen a truly transcendent magic
performance. Philippe Petit s
literature."
high wire walk between the
Twin Towers was such a
performance, and you can read
the story of that adventure,
as well as his thoughts on
creativity, in his books. Another
performer of an allied art who
achieves similar depth is juggler
Michael Moschen. At FISM
2016, in Rimini, Michael gave a
lecture, but only about 50
magicians turned up. In his talk
he commented: "The basic
standard is that my work must
be for any person of any age in
any culture at any time in
history." Perhaps, if we set our
standards even half as high as
his basic level, we could one day
have other people think that
magic is an art, rather than
weakly insisting that it is
ourselves, and convincing no
one.
 was created by some psychologist back
Imagine:
I'm out getting a late-night
meal with a group of friends. Its a in the day. It's probably bull, but Iguess
pretty low-key affair. There are it got popular because there was some
maybe 8 of us. A few different 1950s dating show called The Look of
conversations are going on. I'm just Love where people were paired up, in
screwing around on my phone waiting part, based on a similar type of matching
for my loaded potato skins. One of my pictures thing. It was apparently a big
friends, who also does magic, is trying deal because it was like the first dating
to make a move on one of the girls there show ever and it was maybe a little
that he just met that night. scandalous at the time. Do you want to
"Did you ever do the soulmate test?" try it?"
he asks. "Sure," she says.
"I don't think so," she says. "What's "Okay," he says. "Think of any object
that?" in the world. Something in your home.
"My grandfather told me about it," he Something in your school. Something
begins. "Apparently, it was big in the at work. Or just anything out in the
50s. Guys would carry a picture in their world at all. Got one?"
wallets of a random object. Then, when "Uhmm.... okay... a basketball."
they'd meet a girlthey'd ask her to name "Really? Now... okay... wait. Uhm...
any object in the world. The closer the just for the sake of... of... getting a clear
girl got to the object, the better suited mental picture, Iwant you to imagine
they were for each other. Supposedly, it the basketball is a particular color. It

24
 OCTOBER 2016

doesn't have to be a bunch of my most practical routines in

basketball- color. there. Borrowed deck stuff, impromptu
What color is it?" stuff, because Ifigured that would be
"Green" she says. what people wanted: things they could
"A green basketball." perform a lot. After talking with some
He sits there quietly magic friends, Idecided that the only
for a moment, criteria Iwould use is what gets me the
nonplussed. mean...
"I best reactions. You guys have more than
I've asked maybe 50 enough resources for hyper-practical
girls to do this and routines, if that's what you need. Buy
none of them even John Bannon's books and you'll be set
said anything sports for life. Hell, buy Easy To Master Card
related in any way. Miracles and you'll have more than
Much less a ball. Much enough routines to do entertaining
less a basketball. This magic. We're not lacking in practical
is just.... And green! I magic effects.
mean, Ionly made it Ithink there is something of a dearth
green so it could be of breathtaking magic effects. Effects
definitive and not ever that really rattle spectators in a personal
just be a lucky guess. I and overwhelming way. You can't
never thought it perform these effects one after another
would actually work. for someone. It's just too much. It would
Oh... sorry," he says, stopping his be like if you did some staggeringly
rambling. romantic gesture every night for your
He reaches into his wallet and pulls wife. The first few nights she would be
out an envelope that says "Soulmate swooning, but then it just becomes
Test" on it. He rips off the end and standard. Much better to just be a low-
dumps out a photo onto the table: A key romantic guy on a day-to-day basis,
photo of a green basketball. and then do something over-the-top
every few months. You'll get more
credit.
METHOD Here is, I think, why magicians
sometimes seem to neglect or overlook
Look, I'm not saying telling people the need for powerful effects in their
which hand holds a coin is a bad trick. I repertoire. Let's say you're 12 and you
have dozens of types of interesting little start seriously pursuing magic. You
moments in my repertoire. Ilove those have all these ideas in your head for the
things. But, sometimes you don't want type of bold effects you want to do. Tra
to make someone scratch their head, going to make a dozen roses appear "I'm
you want to make them drop their jaw. going to levitate in front of the school."
You want to make their heart skip a Tra going to make Tony disappear." Your
beat. brain, at this point in time, is mostly
When Iwas originally going through layperson-brain. So, the effects you
my unpublished effects for inclusion in want to do are big and powerful. But as
The Jerx book, Ithought Iwould put a you grow in magic, you grow your

25

I
PENGUIN MAGIC MONTHLY

magician brain, and your magician technique. And, while any trick using
brain knows that everything is fake and only one of those layers might be easy to
is more interested in the process of unravel, together they present a fairly
fakery than the outcome of the fakery. impenetrable mystery. The spectator
Its just as interesting to fake doing doesn't know to break up the trick into
something dull as it is to fake doing the component parts. She just sees the
something spectacular, because the end result, so it's very deceptive. You
process is often very similar. know the elements of the trick. You
This goes back to the audience- know that you need to get a real photo
centric approach to magic. You need to printed mid-trick, you know you need
fall out of love with methods and back to have someone else to send it to the
in love with effects, like you were when printer, and you know you need a way
you first started magic. Especially now to load it into an envelope in a wallet.
that you have the knowledge to pull off Spectators don't break down tricks like
some harder-hitting effects. this.
Quit stalling! The method? On top of the deceptive methodology,
Okay, this is an effect Ilove, but it it's couched in a kind of gentle
didn't make the book because it requires presentation that doesn't encourage
a couple things not everyone is going to someone to "debunk" you. It's not "I was
have access to. The first is the Polaroid graced with the power to predict the
Zip printer. The second thing you need future. Earlier today Iput a photo in my
is me, hanging out with you, pretending wallet...." They'll fight that presentation.
to play Candy Crush, but secretly Here, you let them choose the narrative.
listening in on the conversation and Maybe it's just a crazy coincidence.
sending a picture to the printer that's in Maybe there is some kind of connection
your lap. (The printer, if it's not clear, is between you two. Or, maybe it was just
the size of a cell phone.) Or, if not me, a cool magic trick.
some other competent person you trust. Even if you don't use this effect, you
Your confidant listens in, does a can still reference the old TV show, The
google image search for whatever is Look of Love, in a drawing duplication
named, sends that picture to the printer presentation or somethingMikeMhaH
Maybe 30 seconds after the object is They really did used to pair people up
named, a perfectly-palmable photo of it on that show based on similarities in
is being silently printed right into your random drawings and things like that.
hand and you just load it into your Okay, no, that's not true. No such show
card-to-wallet wallet. And, yes, you can ever existed, but you can picture it can't
add any color to any object in the world you? Young people being put through
and google images will have a picture of the paces and subjected to tests and
it. Brown rose, yellow dolphin, green games to be paired off on innocent
stapler: you can't stump it, so don't 1950s dates? "Calgon presents, The Look
worry about that. of Love, with your host, Bud Collyer
This effect has multiple layers of [orchestra swells]"
deception: the secret use of a non¬
standard technology, a secret
accomplice, and the card-to-wallet
26
 )ectator doe
to break up
ck into the
ment parts.
sees the en
It, so it's vei
eceptive."

POSTSCRIPT 2. This one also requires a secret

helper, but they don't have to do much.
Icould probably write a book just on You ask your friend to get your photo
effects I've used that little printer for. I printer from upstairs. While she's gone
won't because that would make a dull you take a picture of your friend Dave.
book, but here are two more quick When your accomplice returns, she
ideas. hands you the printer and you print out
the photo of Dave. Then you burn it or
1. Want to do the above effect in the cut it up (you can't tear the photo really)
context of your stage show or your ABC and restore it.
hour long special? You could rig the This is how it's done: your friend goes
printer up inside your jacket so it hangs to the other room to get the printer. You
down and the photo falls right into your take a picture of Dave and immediately
CTW wallet. Imagine, any person or send it to the printer. Once it prints out,
item named, you reach into your pocket she places the photo under the printer,
with empty hands and remove your and that's where it is when she hands it
wallet, remove a sealed envelope from to you. Dave gets the sense that he's
your wallet, and inside is a picture of watching you print out a one-of-a-kind
that person or thing. Your offstage photo of a moment that just occurred
assistant just needs to send the photo to and then destroying it, but you have a
the printer. Easy. duplicate to swap in as the restored
This is one of those ideas that no one photo.
will do because I'm giving it away for
free, if Ihad packaged the printer with a
CTW wallet and sold it for $750 it
would be used in every Magic Castle
parlor performance until California
falls off into the sea.
PENGUIN MAGIC MONTHLY

HARLAN'S BRAINBOX

THE SEVENTH
BY DAN HARLAN

no secret I'm a fan of recreational perform it, but Istill find it, as Isaid...

It'smathematics. While sensible fascinating. In my previous writings

humans keep their math far from here, I've given you some workable,
their fun, Ioften combine the two, entertaining ideas. This is not one of
concealing clever computation behind those.
engaging entertainment. Over time, Although the secret is pretty darn
I've amassed a file of fascinating (at cool, there are just too many problems
least to me) mathematical oddities that to overcome to make it interesting to
may someday be incorporated into fun most audiences. First, its math. That's
performances. However, not all challenging enough, but the math is
mathematicaltricks are easily translated also not disguised in any way. The core
into art, no matter how clever they may process relies upon multiple spectators
be. So, in the spirit of fairness, Imust adding numbers together eight times. ..
warn you... the idea I'm about to and if any participant makes any error,
describe is "rough." I doubt I'll ever the effect will not work. Also, the whole
 OCTOBER 2016

process is a tedious repetition which practical while still being impressive.

ultimately requires ALL numbers Let's say person "A" writes "38."
generated to be added correctly to Then, have "A" pass the pen to "B"
match your magical "guess." If your who also writes a number from 1-99.
spectators make it all the way to the end Let's say "B" writes "82." Now, "B"
(and nothing goes wrong), its probably passes the pen to "C" and things get
a head-scratcher, but its unlikely there interesting... so pay attention. Have
will be any requests for you to repeat it. "C" write the SUM of the previous two
Okay, if you've made it this far, I'llbet numbers on his slip. In this case, that's
you want to know, "What is this "120." Then, "C" passes the pen to "A"
fascinating mathematical trick no-one who folds his first slip and tosses it into
will ever do?" Well, it's a recursive the glass. Now, "A" takes a new slip and
procedure beginning with two random writes the sum of the current previous
numbers and ending in a total that can two numbers. In this case, the sum of
be determined simply by looking at "82" and "120" which is "202." Then,
only one of the terms. Think "Fibonacci "A" passes the pen to "B" who folds his
Series," only starting with random slip and tosses it into the glass before
numbers. It's best to explain with an writing the sum of the previous two
example. You'll need three helpers, a numbers on another slip. In this case,
standard sheet of paper, a pen (or he writes "322." This round-robin
pencil, marker, crayon), and a glass or continues with each successive person
other small container. It's also nice to adding the previous two numbers until
have a calculator around, but pretty a total of ten slips have been made,
much everybody does. Before going folded, and tossed into the glass.
any further, I must mention how In this example, the sequence of
important it is to have ONE pen. It's numbers looks like this: 38 82 120
important. You'll be using it to keep 202 322 524 846 1370 2216 3586
track of the procedure, as misdirection, You don't see any of these numbers as
and ultimately to get rid of evidence. they are written, but your job, Oh-
Resist the temptation to involve more Great- Sneaky- One, is to steal and look
than one writing instrument. Now, let's at the seventh slip... in this case, "846."
begin the routine. This IS the secret. The seventh slip tells
First, tear the sheet of paper into you the total of the remaining nine
twelve roughly identical pieces. Begin numbers. All you have to do is add a
by tearing it in half horizontally, zero to the end of it... making "8460"
squaring those two pieces together and in this example. Go ahead, check it. I'll
tearing again in the same direction, wait. It doesn't matter what two
squaring all four strips, and tearing numbers you start with. If you follow
them in thirds. Lay the twelve pieces the procedure, the seventh term (out of
out on the table. Give the pen to person ten) will always be one-tenth the sum
"A" and ask him to take a slip of paper of the remaining nine. It's a quirk. A
and secretly write any number from 1 fascinating quirk. Of course, to make it
to 99 on it. Technically, ANY number magical, you have to sneak out the
may be used, but (due to the math seventh slip and look at it without
involved) the 1-99 range makes it more anybody knowing, OR it's just a

29
PENGUIN MAGIC MONTHLY

demonstration of lightning calculation Pick up either one of the blank slips and
(which is where this idea originated). write any number on it without letting
You'll know it's time to steal the anyone see it. In fact, if you do this
seventh slip because there will be only right, no-one will ever see it. You're
three slips out of twelve remaining on creating a "dummy slip." Fold it to look
the table. Slip number seven and eight similar to the hidden slip in your hand.
are being shown to the person writing Then, using the hand holding the pen,
slip number nine. As slip number nine pinch this "dummy slip" between your
is being written, hold the glass up a bit thumb, index, and middle fingers
(with your non-dominant hand) and (completely concealing it for a moment)
look into it, while saying, "That's almost as you apparently place it on the table.
enough. Let's do one more." Keep the Actually, you drop the hidden slip on
glass held high and pick up one of the the table instead. The switch is
three remaining blank slips from the complete. Casually, pocket the pen and
table (with your dominant hand) and the concealed "dummy slip."
offer it to the person who is folding up Now, look inquisitively at one of your
slip number seven. By this time, participants and say, "Before you total
everyone should understand the up the numbers, I'mjust curious, what's
rotation of the process. As they take the your favorite color?" ...or anything
blank slip, keep your hand extended for you'd like to ask. Regardless of their
their folded slip. When they give it to answer, say, "Well, then this is a little
you, act like you toss it in the glass with off," as you pick up the switched- in slip
the others, but actually hold it back (masquerading as your guess), open it,
with your thumb in a relaxed and look at it. That's right, just look at it.
fingerpalm. Immediately transfer the Take your time and remember it. In our
glass into the fingerpalming hand to example, it says, "846." Once you know
trap the slip on the outside of the glass. what it says, tear it up and throw it
Keep the glass and hidden slip in away! Ha, Ha! Take that, evidence.
your dominant hand. Get the pen with Now, openly write the number you're
your other hand as the last three slips remembering and add a zero to the end
are folded and dropped into the glass. of it. Write it reallybig, with confidence,
Set the glass down and immediately so everyone can see, and announce,
transfer the pen to the hand with the "THIS is the total of all the numbers in
hidden slip to make it look more the glass." Leave your "guess" right
natural. At this point, there are nine there on the table, with the pen. Walk
slips in the glass instead of ten, but no- away. Go into the other room. Get
one will be able to tell the difference. yourself another beverage, and wait.
There are also two blank slips remaining Wait for it. When you hear someone
on the table. In a moment, you will use say, "No way!" Walk back into the room
both of these slips to secretly get a good casually sipping your drink, pleased
look at the one hidden in your hand. you have impressed your most
Announce that you will attempt to discerning guests.
determine the total of all the numbers If (after 5 or 10 minutes) you don't
on the slips in the glass without looking hear anything, quietly slip out the back
at any of them. This is a true statement. and go for a long walk.

30
 OCTOBER 2016

is great for any audience, but is especially

This fantastic for kids. The gag is when Iblow my

nose it sounds like an air horn. I've used this
for years and it's very simple. Iwalk over to my case
and reach in pulling out a large handkerchief. Inow
lean over the case and blow my nose over the case. My
left hand holds the handkerchief over my face as my
right hand (hidden from view) hits the air horn. You
can have the horn either inside the case or behind it.
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