Search found 838 matches

by Jon Racherbaumer
April 22nd, 2016, 11:12 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Marlo's Convincing Control
Replies: 39
Views: 13816

Re: Marlo's Convincing Control

Since I weighed in on this topic (the provenance part) long, long ago, I'm not interested in re-litigating this aspect. That being said, I continue to be amused and bemused by the undue emphasis placed on WHO invented WHAT and WHEN rather than on HOW these techniques are EXACTLY DONE and how are the...
by Jon Racherbaumer
February 1st, 2016, 3:14 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: 274: To His Credit with John Lovick & Seth Kramer
Replies: 11
Views: 5231

Re: 274: To His Credit with John Lovick & Seth Kramer

The most authentic aspects about what's true are the untruths that surround and define it.
Carr's story probes and prods the crux of the matter.
by Jon Racherbaumer
January 31st, 2016, 2:43 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: 274: To His Credit with John Lovick & Seth Kramer
Replies: 11
Views: 5231

Re: 274: To His Credit with John Lovick & Seth Kramer

I believe that recognizing and honoring provenance is important. Taking care to acknowledge those who create and contribute material to the Published Record is NECESSARY and OBLIGATORY. In the past, I have been involved in this often complicated and hazardous process, which had mixed results…especia...
by Jon Racherbaumer
January 24th, 2016, 6:56 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Jim Patton Has Died
Replies: 15
Views: 7807

Re: Jim Patton Has Died

To repeat what I briefly posted elsewhere when hearing the sad news of Jim's passing, let us remember and praise Jim's passion for magic. It was steadfast. He also had an uncanny gift for friendship and his promotion of goodwill was consistently exceptional. We often talk about six-degrees of separa...
by Jon Racherbaumer
January 4th, 2016, 7:29 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: 270: Apollo Robbins on the Other Side of the Record
Replies: 84
Views: 21165

Re: 270: Apollo Robbins on the Other Side of the Record

In an effort to lend some perspective to this discussion can we at least agree that an idea, move, technique, or sleight is one thing, but how such things are APPLIED and USED is quite another thing…and in many case the applications are far more important. The Gilbreath Principle, for example, is a ...
by Jon Racherbaumer
January 2nd, 2016, 9:02 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: 270: Apollo Robbins on the Other Side of the Record
Replies: 84
Views: 21165

Re: 270: Apollo Robbins on the Other Side of the Record

Without jumping feet first into the Crediting Imbroglio and the contentious blood sport that it is, I agree that tons of stuff has been miscredited and incorrectly cited. (However, for the moment, using words like theft, rip-off- and other heat-seeking terms should be put aside until ALL of the evid...
by Jon Racherbaumer
December 24th, 2015, 7:20 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: The Witch of Lime Street: Another Houdini Film Development
Replies: 8
Views: 2803

Re: The Witch of Lime Street: Another Houdini Film Developme

The Witch of Lime Street: EVA GREEN from "Penny Dreadful"
Houdini: TOM HARDY (with short curly hair)
by Jon Racherbaumer
December 24th, 2015, 7:07 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: The Witch of Lime Street: Another Houdini Film Development
Replies: 8
Views: 2803

Re: The Witch of Lime Street: Another Houdini Film Developme

Leonard is right about the author's intent, which I wrote in SLANT: "The Witch of Lime Street: Séance, Seduction, and Houdini in the Spirit World (2015) is a book that seems designed to be a future movie with two strong, competing characters, along with a plot that spurts, writhes and is interm...
by Jon Racherbaumer
November 25th, 2015, 12:43 pm
Forum: Reference Room
Topic: Source for this peek
Replies: 16
Views: 12588

Re: Source for this peek

Also…. I looked through my notes on this subject, noting a reference to Marlo’s “Mirror-Peek Deck” that did not use mirrors but used instead a regular deck arranged in Stay-Stack, plus a half pass, followed by a very fine Incomplete Faro. This was published in his essay on The Roughed Stripper that ...
by Jon Racherbaumer
November 25th, 2015, 11:50 am
Forum: Reference Room
Topic: Source for this peek
Replies: 16
Views: 12588

Re: Source for this peek

There was also a deck where the backs of the cards preceding the ones behind each one had a REFLECTING SURFACE (such as Mylar).
by Jon Racherbaumer
November 18th, 2015, 2:15 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Barrie Richardson
Replies: 10
Views: 4818

Re: Barrie Richardson

At this profoundly sad moment I'm at a loss to articulate the stirring mixture of thoughts and feelings roiling in my head and heart. At the moment I find myself recklessly tumbling in the wash of heartfelt tributes and lamentations currently flooding Facebook and elsewhere. Barrie was my friend and...
by Jon Racherbaumer
October 5th, 2015, 7:22 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Max Maven is okay
Replies: 11
Views: 4691

Re: Max Maven is okay

Glad you're are A-OK, Max…and to extend a trope, when it comes to you and your work, it's less about the APPENDIX and much more about the CONTENTS, the INDEX, the ANNOTATIONS, and the subtle MARGINALIA.
Onward…and upward...
by Jon Racherbaumer
July 7th, 2015, 1:35 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Charlie Frye's Favourite Magicians
Replies: 15
Views: 10727

Re: Charlie Frye's Favourite Magicians

Not to chime in too loudly but my hasty "take" on the tricky notion of what defines a "magician" or what defines something as being "magical," I'll submit this: When a performance is deeply mysterious and other-worldly, it's magical. When a performer does something inim...
by Jon Racherbaumer
April 11th, 2015, 2:20 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Father Cyprian - RIP
Replies: 12
Views: 5202

Re: Father Cyprian - RIP

Cyp straddled several "worlds" and managed to bridge most of them. He was a priestly gift-giver of the Work and its intrinsic playfulness. His presence will be missed, particularly by those of us who were privileged to have spent lots of time with him. It's now our obligation to celebrate ...
by Jon Racherbaumer
April 8th, 2015, 1:20 am
Forum: General
Topic: Don England
Replies: 11
Views: 5949

Re: Don England

I too am saddened by Don England passing. He was an active part of the Marlo Sodality in the 70s with others such as Dave Solomon, Steve Draun, and Simon Aronson. He also collaborated with Richard Kaufman and I on the landmark book titled GAFFED TO THE HILT in 1985 and he made all the special gaffed...
by Jon Racherbaumer
April 1st, 2015, 6:20 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: And the nominees are ...
Replies: 13
Views: 5236

Re: And the nominees are ...

I'm in the same dog-paddling boat as RK: I never vote because I haven't seen any performances at the Castle, even though I know most of the nominees and I'm a Lifetime Member like Richard. I also agree with him that there should be a category called BEST VISITING MAGICIAN. Other categories :D BEST M...
by Jon Racherbaumer
February 7th, 2015, 6:00 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Dean Dill
Replies: 18
Views: 8522

Re: Dean Dill

Dean was not only good at almost everything he did, he was great at making his magic accessibly wondrous and spiritually comforting. This excellence and goodness abides. Although he has physically left us, let us remember and honor how he beautifully befriended each of us and our art at large. R.I.P...
by Jon Racherbaumer
February 7th, 2015, 5:52 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Solomon's Secret Subtleties
Replies: 6
Views: 3479

Re: Solomon's Secret Subtleties

Although I’m increasingly reluctant to indulge in effusive, energetic “log-rolling” for any of my esteemed colleagues or friends, sometimes a few choice words are warranted. During the past 40 + years Dave Solomon has dependably stimulated my thinking with his card ideas, approaches and methods. I u...
by Jon Racherbaumer
February 5th, 2015, 4:00 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Half Half Man ... Your Thoughts?
Replies: 105
Views: 26251

Re: Half Half Man ... Your Thoughts?

The word FREE still arouses interest. So does EXCLUSIVE. When I impulsively self-published THE HIEROPHANT for a mere $3 in the late 60s, very few signed up, many screamed "pretentious," sycophantic," and "pompous." It lost money and generated hate mail. All in all, it was a ...
by Jon Racherbaumer
January 15th, 2015, 12:13 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: NPH exposes thin sawing
Replies: 60
Views: 15951

Re: NPH exposes thin sawing

A NOTE ABOUT THREE P’s January 15, 2015 It’s noteworthy when certain “threads” quickly unravel and spool out. What is it about the topic of “exposure” that always hits nerves? What I don’t hear, however, are opinions regarding solutions, if there are any? In the immersive, virtual world where privac...
by Jon Racherbaumer
January 7th, 2015, 12:47 pm
Forum: Light From the Lamp
Topic: Reviewers and Objectivity
Replies: 20
Views: 15308

Re: Reviewers and Objectivity

This is a stimulating discussion. I have little to add even though I've worked both sides of "imaginary divides" between producers and consumers and those who review both players. What I tried to do in writing my later reviews was to comment on why I thought a book was GOOD and what I thou...
by Jon Racherbaumer
December 23rd, 2014, 12:33 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: The Heck with Reviews....
Replies: 50
Views: 17546

Re: The Heck with Reviews....

LOOSE RAT-TA-TAT CHAT: Perhaps we can add to Marshall McLuhan’s comment that “art is anything you can get away with” by saying that “art is anything the public willingly pays to see and enjoy?” Critics of course life to refer to the “public” as the “vulgate crowd” or the “great, unwashed rabble.” Hi...
by Jon Racherbaumer
December 18th, 2014, 12:12 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Cannibal Cards bibliography: request for help
Replies: 26
Views: 12647

Re: Cannibal Cards bibliography: request for help

Here is another list from my lists of bibliographic stuff: Ackerman, Allan: Cannibal Kings in Wednesday Nights (1994), p.28 and DVD-Download lybrary.com (2009) Ammar, Michael: Cannibal Cards in Cannibal Cards (World’s Greatest Magic),2008, DVD, L&L Publishing Britland, David/Tucker, Stephen: Onc...
by Jon Racherbaumer
December 18th, 2014, 12:09 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Cannibal Cards bibliography: request for help
Replies: 26
Views: 12647

Re: Cannibal Cards bibliography: request for help

Several years ago I started to compile ALL known versions of THE CANNIBAL CARDS to put out a gigantic book. I too shelved it. Therefore, I'm delighted that Ian is taking up the cause and its causal challenges. I can now lock the box of that project and rest east. Meanwhile, I look forward to buying,...
by Jon Racherbaumer
December 6th, 2014, 12:56 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: The Illusionists Reviews
Replies: 41
Views: 15494

Re: The Illusionists Reviews

Noting that variations of the word "cheese" (as in "cheesy") was used a lot in these reviews is not what venue-seeking magicians want to hear. Perceptions matter. PR matters. However, bright-siders may find comfort in the fact that mainstream America really, really adore cheese--...
by Jon Racherbaumer
November 8th, 2014, 9:27 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Bad Writing
Replies: 23
Views: 8119

Re: Bad Writing

Wow! Am impressed bout all this stuff bout bad righting and so on. I thought that insitius was about cities. Thanks for the in sites, y'all. I gots lots to lern.
by Jon Racherbaumer
September 16th, 2014, 7:07 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Phil Willmarth has passed
Replies: 12
Views: 3849

Re: Phil Willmarth has passed

Phil was New School with one solid foot in Old School with a dedicated fraternal spirit. Others have noted his literary input with coverage of the Chicago Scene, but let's not forget that he was among the first to usher in the ring-and-rope stuff (not finger rings)_, plus the Knot Collection materia...
by Jon Racherbaumer
July 12th, 2014, 6:03 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Impressions of IBM/SAM 2014
Replies: 34
Views: 12932

Re: Impressions of IBM/SAM 2014

ABOUT CONVENTION BLOW-BACK AND REPORTAGE Unlike conventional (pun intended) reviews of magic conventions, the spur-of-the-moment, relatively free-wheeling, and often crassly candid posts on the Forum are entertaining to read. The voices are diverse, the “spin” is refreshing, and the pure, subjective...
by Jon Racherbaumer
July 7th, 2014, 5:33 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Impressions of IBM/SAM 2014
Replies: 34
Views: 12932

Re: Impressions of IBM/SAM 2014

I concur with RK.
Your well-chosen words are informative, entertaining, relevant, fair, and balanced.
Thanks for such remarkable reporting.
by Jon Racherbaumer
July 7th, 2014, 5:28 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Ron Wohl passes at the age of 77
Replies: 12
Views: 4397

Re: Ron Wohl passes at the age of 77

Ron, although he roamed the fringes and privately hung with many notables, was a thoughtful player. His strong opinions were well earned and not lightly gained. When appropriate they were also usually well argued. I first met his "style of mind" in Ibidem magazine. Later, I personally met ...
by Jon Racherbaumer
June 10th, 2014, 12:01 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Simon Lovell has Fallen Ill
Replies: 14
Views: 9958

Re: Simon Lovell has Fallen Ill

Best wishes, always, to and for the Head Lemming.
He has so far proven to be a sturdy survivor.
Speedy recovery, my friend.
by Jon Racherbaumer
April 4th, 2014, 4:42 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Ricky Jay on The Tonight Show March 31
Replies: 53
Views: 27273

Re: Ricky Jay on The Tonight Show March 31

I also agree with Dustin. Over the years, I always considered my writings to be stimuli or trigger points or flash points or prods...so that readers could take over and let their imaginations go wild. I wanted to coax readers to think and open themselves up for discovery. My next audio in Genii puts...
by Jon Racherbaumer
April 4th, 2014, 1:57 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Ricky Jay on The Tonight Show March 31
Replies: 53
Views: 27273

Re: Ricky Jay on The Tonight Show March 31

Do lay persons like the Ten-Card Poker Deal? It depends on how much of their skin is in the game. I saw Dick Ryan draw a huge crowd at a trade show by offering (from his client) an expensive car (which was next to him in the booth) if they won the POKER GAME they were going to play. What made it so ...
by Jon Racherbaumer
April 4th, 2014, 12:04 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Ricky Jay on The Tonight Show March 31
Replies: 53
Views: 27273

Re: Ricky Jay on The Tonight Show March 31

Ever since Ricky Jay performed the presentation he did on the Tonight Show I’ve been bombarded with queries about where this trick was published, where it may be available, and so on. If this info still interests you, the handling-method is available from me or Lybrary.com. Just drop me a note at Jo...
by Jon Racherbaumer
April 1st, 2014, 2:24 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Ricky Jay on The Tonight Show March 31
Replies: 53
Views: 27273

Re: Ricky Jay on The Tonight Show March 31

The poker presentation that Ricky Jay performed on the Tonight Show is one that has been curiously overlooked. It was masterfully underplayed and its simplicity and directness was underscored, adding to its ultimate impact. Ricky Jay added a couple of nice touches, as well. The trick is based on “No...
by Jon Racherbaumer
March 24th, 2014, 5:51 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: D'Amico Change technical question
Replies: 17
Views: 6248

Re: D'Amico Change technical question

It should be pointed out that when Harry published the finesse in APOCALYPSE it was credited to Anonymous...because Harry was unsure of its provenance. Sometimes sleights back then made the rounds via a clumsy oral tradition. Much was then lost in this kind of transmission-translation. Add the pheno...
by Jon Racherbaumer
March 24th, 2014, 5:44 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Book writing methodology
Replies: 19
Views: 7511

Re: Book writing methodology

I agree with Tom regarding the order of writing text and shooting photos..when this is possible. Tom and I are attracted to the iconic rather than the textual. You must be able to handle the task if photos are done near the end. BTW, I'm working on three other books that explore aspects The Rachman ...
by Jon Racherbaumer
March 24th, 2014, 12:20 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Book writing methodology
Replies: 19
Views: 7511

Re: Book writing methodology

I love what Ernest Hemingway said about writing: “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” I wish I could claim to be a “writer” (in the refined and proper way that title should be defined), but I consider myself a “recorder” and “re-arranger” and “compiler.” S...
by Jon Racherbaumer
March 24th, 2014, 11:58 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: D'Amico Change technical question
Replies: 17
Views: 6248

Re: D'Amico Change technical question

Ah, yes…the D’Amico-type Change! Although the rambling that follows likely falls under the heading of Too-Much-Information, but when one is faced with whirling factoids and fragmentary info, what’s a researcher to do? In this regard, interested parties may want to check out my manuscript titled LIPS...
by Jon Racherbaumer
February 19th, 2014, 1:10 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Jeff Busby Passes Away
Replies: 138
Views: 41049

Re: Jeff Busby Passes Away

JEFF BUSBY’S DEPARTURE Schadenfreude becomes an unsatisfying exercise as a person nears his own death. Extinction seems to take the starch out of many things. What’s the phrase—“Revenge is a dish best served cold”? I never met Jeff Busby in person. We never interacted vis-à-vis in any manner. Nor di...

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