The Genii Forum

Jack Shalom

Wow. Impressive.

Jack Shalom

Is Silverman's bio still considered the best? I'm looking to dive into one soon. Thanks.

Jack Shalom

I suspect any Albert Brooks magic will be as successful as his ventriloquism act:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_me-D6SJK0

Jack Shalom

Jon, certainly an option, but that's still a lot of attention on the double, and now it's not even shaded by the rest of the pack's border. Not sure that that mitigates any perceived double lift problem.

Jack Shalom

Wow thanks for that film. Really well done. Here's an article on the filmmaker, Scott Jacobs:
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2021/11/ ... he-people/

Jack Shalom

But I was thinking of a plan
To dye one's whiskers green,
And always use so large a fan
That it could not be seen.
Lewis Carroll, The White Knight's Song

Jack Shalom

Re instant stooging: it does seem like there are ambiguous areas. Consider these two scenarios, how would you judge them with regard to instant stooging 1) For example, if I ask a spec to think of a card s/he sees in a reversed fan and there's only one visible, is s/he an instant stooge? I'm not sur...

Jack Shalom

Bringing up this thread sort of ties-in with the mic debate and the problem with magic apps and electronic means to accomplish magic ends. They may not know the details, but the moment the audience suspects digital wizardry, the game is over. Credit goes to the software and electronic engineering. ...

Jack Shalom

Dave wrote: "Additionally, having found that the modus operandi is merely an audio version of trick photography, " Dave, I know it's somewhat a matter of taste, but I disagree with that characterization of the method. It's trick photography if the tv audience experiences something differen...

Jack Shalom

In this case, not a tv special effect, anymore than a dancing hank is. Yes, close up you probably see (and hear) how it's done. But it's a stage effect.

Jack Shalom

"The woman acted like a genuine volunteer. The man did not. He dutifully rose from his seat like someone nominated for an award. His obedience was similar to that of a trained dog." With television spectators, they are frequently briefed beforehand by staff that they will be going on. Noth...

Jack Shalom

My conclusion: Both spectators were instant-stooged. This allows her to say that there was no preshow work and no stooges involved. Looks like an Al Baker idea to me (p. 57, Mental Magic), although used in a more clever way. No instant stooges, but I suspect one of the spectators was a bit puzzled....

Jack Shalom

Brad Jeffers wrote:
Tom Frame wrote: Mike Close is aware of the method
Is that always the case?
Is it a prerequisite that in order to perform on the show you must reveal your methods to Mike Close?

Yes.

Jack Shalom

This disclaimer is on the video:

"In this routine, Emily does not touch the cards. She abides by the rules of the show as it is forbidden to use stooges, instant stooges and partake in any preshow work. The named playing card and position are a genuine free choice."

Jack Shalom

Because she asked the participants at the top to not react strongly, I thought it was going to be some kind of dual reality effect. But even taking that into effect, without pre-show and without stooging, I got nothing. It was very clean--unless there was something that was cut out from the presenta...

Jack Shalom

Great find, Brad.

I always thought that Expert's claim to fame is that it was the first American card trick book that really went into detail about teaching card sleights. But this 52 Wonders seems to be quite detailed too (though no illustrations).

Jack Shalom

Congratulations, Mark!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvPU-cvaKCM

Jack Shalom

Jack Shalom wrote:I'm not a huge fan of coin magic, but I like the fluidity of this magician a lot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOuKLmcodnQ

I didn't mention the name, but that was Ponta the Smith. Pretty impressive, I think.

Jack Shalom

Bill, is there any way to talk about these original ideas without giving away the actual stack? Say, for example, if you discovered that the diamonds all happen to be at prime numbered positions, it would seem fair to be able to publish that without compromising the stack itself. Then those who do k...

Jack Shalom

Colin McCloud has some very clever uses of it for mentalism. Check it out on the Alakazam Unlimited subscription--$7 a month or so.

Jack Shalom

At a senior center I once made the mistake of doing a card effect, and used the premise (though not the effect) of Barrie Richardson's "Do You Want To Continue?" The script has the performer teasing the participant with something like, "Are you sure you'd like to continue....this tric...

Jack Shalom

Yep, here in Brooklyn we told it as Ian describes, where the guy practices the whole day, and everyone he meets from the grocery store clerk to the taxi man to the stage door attendant quizzes him. Part of the fun of the joke (for the joke teller, not necessarily the listener!) is in how long the jo...

Jack Shalom

I'd be curious if Chris has any other examples of this happening. It would strengthen his case if he could show that this was not just an ad hoc kind of justification.

Jack Shalom

In Chris Wasshuber's latest newsletter, he repeats his contention that the S W Erdnase reverse was a double fake out on Gallaway's part. That is, he wanted to throw people off by having them think they solved the mystery by reversing the name. Just curious if there are any extant examples of this su...

Jack Shalom

Great thread, and a fascinating principle. My question is: is there a version of the trick that doesn't reveal its self-working nature as soon as the specs are at home and try it out for themselves, and realize it always works if you just follow the directions? Otherwise, it's just a principle and n...

Jack Shalom

Thanks, David, for taking the time to explain your views on the movie. Much appreciated.

Jack Shalom

I know it was basically talking heads, but I found it fascinating. It seemed organized by topic, with each interviewee giving his view on the basic themes.

I especially liked the section on Revelation(s) and the Annotated Erdnase, as that history was new to me.

Jack Shalom

Thanks for posting this, Mr. Ben

What did you find about the film that was objectionable?

Jack Shalom

Right now, it looks like it's open just on weekends from 12-5pm.
If I get a chance I'll take a look when it's open.

Jack Shalom

The silent basketball:
https://devineso.com/products/silent-basketball

Jack Shalom

https://kennesawco.com/products/kennesaw-conceal-carry-quilted-vest

Maybe? One of the photos there makes clear what I'm talking about.

Jack Shalom

Oh, so sorry to hear this. Greg was a very kind contributor to the MC when it was at its best, offering all kinds of good advice. His mentalism books were full of practical effects with high impact. It is sad to hear about this.

Jack Shalom

I guess this is heresy, but All Backs always looked to me, even before I knew much about card magic, exactly what it is--a bunch of face to face cards in different configurations. It never seemed magical to me at all.

Jack Shalom

Thanks to everybody who entered. And the winners are:
https://jackshalom.net/2023/12/05/9th-a ... t-winners/
Happy holidays, all

Jack Shalom

Last call, deadline Saturday 11:59pm PT

https://jackshalom.net/2023/11/23/ninth ... ic-contest

Jack Shalom

It's a lousy world right now. Maybe our ninth annual magic contest can cheer up folks here a bit. Here are the details:

https://jackshalom.net/2023/11/23/ninth ... c-contest/

Jack Shalom

Steinmeyer is sold. Rest are available.

Jack Shalom

Hmm--not sure why those description links in the OP are not clickable. These should work: https://www.tannens.com/products/sams-magic-of-sam-schwartz https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/magic-book-reviews/the-lost-notebooks-of-john-northern-hilliarda/ https://www.miraclefactory.net/product/essential/ ...

Jack Shalom

Okay Geniis...you get first crack at these great magic books. First come, first serve. Prices in parentheses are the original retail prices, the price following is your price including free shipping. Only order from CONUS please. If interested, please PM. Buy more than one book and get $10 off your ...

Jack Shalom

Hmm...James Harto wrote up his two person code called The Chandra Mindreading Act. You can find it here:

https://www.lybrary.com/james-s-harto-m-543557.html

I'm no linguistic scholar, but it doesn't read much like Erdnase to me.

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