Search found 838 matches
- April 22nd, 2016, 11:12 am
- Forum: Close-Up Magic
- Topic: Marlo's Convincing Control
- Replies: 39
- Views: 13862
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...
- February 1st, 2016, 3:14 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: 274: To His Credit with John Lovick & Seth Kramer
- Replies: 11
- Views: 5258
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.
Carr's story probes and prods the crux of the matter.
- January 31st, 2016, 2:43 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: 274: To His Credit with John Lovick & Seth Kramer
- Replies: 11
- Views: 5258
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...
- January 24th, 2016, 6:56 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Jim Patton Has Died
- Replies: 15
- Views: 7835
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...
- January 4th, 2016, 7:29 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: 270: Apollo Robbins on the Other Side of the Record
- Replies: 84
- Views: 21240
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 ...
- January 2nd, 2016, 9:02 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: 270: Apollo Robbins on the Other Side of the Record
- Replies: 84
- Views: 21240
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...
- December 24th, 2015, 7:20 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: The Witch of Lime Street: Another Houdini Film Development
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2826
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)
Houdini: TOM HARDY (with short curly hair)
- December 24th, 2015, 7:07 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: The Witch of Lime Street: Another Houdini Film Development
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2826
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...
- November 25th, 2015, 12:43 pm
- Forum: Reference Room
- Topic: Source for this peek
- Replies: 16
- Views: 12630
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 ...
- November 25th, 2015, 11:50 am
- Forum: Reference Room
- Topic: Source for this peek
- Replies: 16
- Views: 12630
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).
- November 18th, 2015, 2:15 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Barrie Richardson
- Replies: 10
- Views: 4836
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...
- October 5th, 2015, 7:22 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Max Maven is okay
- Replies: 11
- Views: 4706
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...
Onward…and upward...
- July 7th, 2015, 1:35 pm
- Forum: General
- Topic: Charlie Frye's Favourite Magicians
- Replies: 15
- Views: 10759
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...
- April 11th, 2015, 2:20 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Father Cyprian - RIP
- Replies: 12
- Views: 5218
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 ...
- April 8th, 2015, 1:20 am
- Forum: General
- Topic: Don England
- Replies: 11
- Views: 5975
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...
- April 1st, 2015, 6:20 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: And the nominees are ...
- Replies: 13
- Views: 5258
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...
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...
- February 7th, 2015, 5:52 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Solomon's Secret Subtleties
- Replies: 6
- Views: 3493
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...
- February 5th, 2015, 4:00 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Half Half Man ... Your Thoughts?
- Replies: 105
- Views: 26382
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 ...
- January 15th, 2015, 12:13 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: NPH exposes thin sawing
- Replies: 60
- Views: 16027
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...
- January 7th, 2015, 12:47 pm
- Forum: Light From the Lamp
- Topic: Reviewers and Objectivity
- Replies: 20
- Views: 15408
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...
- December 23rd, 2014, 12:33 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: The Heck with Reviews....
- Replies: 50
- Views: 17606
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...
- December 18th, 2014, 12:12 pm
- Forum: General
- Topic: Cannibal Cards bibliography: request for help
- Replies: 26
- Views: 12696
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...
- December 18th, 2014, 12:09 pm
- Forum: General
- Topic: Cannibal Cards bibliography: request for help
- Replies: 26
- Views: 12696
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,...
- December 6th, 2014, 12:56 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: The Illusionists Reviews
- Replies: 41
- Views: 15548
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--...
- November 8th, 2014, 9:27 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Bad Writing
- Replies: 23
- Views: 8147
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.
- September 16th, 2014, 7:07 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Phil Willmarth has passed
- Replies: 12
- Views: 3871
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...
- July 12th, 2014, 6:03 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Impressions of IBM/SAM 2014
- Replies: 34
- Views: 13017
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...
- July 7th, 2014, 5:33 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Impressions of IBM/SAM 2014
- Replies: 34
- Views: 13017
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.
Your well-chosen words are informative, entertaining, relevant, fair, and balanced.
Thanks for such remarkable reporting.
- July 7th, 2014, 5:28 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Ron Wohl passes at the age of 77
- Replies: 12
- Views: 4415
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 ...
- June 10th, 2014, 12:01 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Simon Lovell has Fallen Ill
- Replies: 14
- Views: 9979
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.
He has so far proven to be a sturdy survivor.
Speedy recovery, my friend.
- April 4th, 2014, 4:42 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Ricky Jay on The Tonight Show March 31
- Replies: 53
- Views: 27341
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...
- April 4th, 2014, 1:57 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Ricky Jay on The Tonight Show March 31
- Replies: 53
- Views: 27341
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 ...
- April 4th, 2014, 12:04 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Ricky Jay on The Tonight Show March 31
- Replies: 53
- Views: 27341
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...
- April 1st, 2014, 2:24 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Ricky Jay on The Tonight Show March 31
- Replies: 53
- Views: 27341
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...
- March 24th, 2014, 5:51 pm
- Forum: Close-Up Magic
- Topic: D'Amico Change technical question
- Replies: 17
- Views: 6266
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...
- March 24th, 2014, 5:44 pm
- Forum: General
- Topic: Book writing methodology
- Replies: 19
- Views: 7536
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 ...
- March 24th, 2014, 12:20 pm
- Forum: General
- Topic: Book writing methodology
- Replies: 19
- Views: 7536
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...
- March 24th, 2014, 11:58 am
- Forum: Close-Up Magic
- Topic: D'Amico Change technical question
- Replies: 17
- Views: 6266
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...
- February 19th, 2014, 1:10 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Jeff Busby Passes Away
- Replies: 138
- Views: 41265
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...