The Genii Forum

Anthony Vinson, I did not know that's how Garrison Keillor sets his fee!

Hey, guys and gals, as the author of the first biography of Charles Ponzi, the legendary swindler in Boston over a six-month period 1920-1921, I was naturally intrigued at a story hitting the internet today about a swindler in North Carolina who seems to have made off with $600 million from a millio...

Hey, Jonathan, not so fast! Did you check the prices on copies of Jay's book that have recently been SOLD? One went for $21.50 and others have gone for $60-$80 or thereabouts. An autographed copy did get $150. And, hmmm, I see the Magic Castle Library unloaded a copy for $100. Who knew the librarian...

You know they're all available on a CD ROM, including the New Phoenix, and it's searchable.? If you see something you like, you can print out the pages.

Matt, whaddayamean "Rube Goldberg?" I've been doing it that way for years even though I have to spend ten, twelve hour getting the rubber band in the precise place.

Hey, guys, there's a difference between spam (such as magicians getting emails pitching Viagra, diet pills, and the like) and magicians getting one pitch for a product they might actually be interested in. I'm willing to be none of you received an email from VanDoren before and certainly won't get a...

As Richard Kaufman told the young man above, you don't sound like a magician either!

Thanks for the notice here. I usually don't know it's available online until the print issue arrives days later. Looks good although I find (re the Malini feature) that it's even harder to find a cigar to float these days than a cigarette. Looking for something similar. A banana? Too heavy. A pen? T...

I tossed $15 toward Vanishing, Inc., and last week downloaded Williamson's 90-minute lecture to some group...funny, informative, his story about Vernon practicing a top change is hysterical...great salt/thumbtiip routine, just a few effects but great listening/watching all the way through. Oh, but h...

There have been numerous Genii articles about the seance -- about Edward Saint pleading, "Harry, manifest yourself. Shoot the gun, ring the bell, unlock the slates,do something" -- but Ask Alexander turns up nothing when the search terms are "sleeping with Bess."

Hi, Idan. Why take the deck out of the refrigerator. It's a good idea to never turn your back on the audience -- very obvious that you are "doing something." Effect would be better, in my humble opinion, if you first came up with the wrong card and stuck it on the dart board and angrily th...

Hi, and welcome to the forum from just another magic-maker. And do not apologize for your English. If we Americans could speak even a bit of another language, we'd be quite happy. Not sure why you see "mistakes" in the routine or are confused by it. The magicians evidently puts four kings ...

Hi, Don...Around 1946-47-48, I and a couple of other teenagers (we were 16-17, maybe younger) hung out at Will Lindhorst's magic shop every Saturday afternoon. One of the gang was Harley Day, who's now in Pensacola and a member of the IBM Ring 287 there. I think I might have been the youngest member...

Pretty sure she says Henry Houdini, not Howard Houdini. And I dunno whether he's doing a French Drop or Retention of Vision vanish or whatever with that coin, but I've certainly seen it done a lot better. Luckily, he says he's a writer, not a magician.

Here's the link for the book test.

http://www.oprah.com/own-oprahs-next-ch ... prah-Video

Hi, Brad et al., Youtube has several videos of the mongoose boxes made by various kids...search "mongoose cage joke" and I'll bet anyone handy with a box and a spring rat-trap could build one. Not sure it's funnier than petting Rocky Raccoon and then tossing it toward the spectator a la Wi...

Maybe it's a coincidence, but when I logged on to this page, an ad for the Upton rising cards was in the lower right-hand corner under the Vortex ad. Clicking on it brought me to a pic and description. Looks good.

Not all magic societies require an audition. For most, a sincere interest is enough to earn a membership card.

Frank, just another thought. Picked up 3 Budweiser caps at dinner a minute ago (yes, I drove home okay -- only two of them were mine) and they are red with silver printing and say "Budweiser (in large script)Flavor Lock Crown (in smaller type)." You know, some bottlers change designs every...

On second thought, just mailing address needed. Just watched the video and see what you need. Looks magnet involved, but whatever, stay tuned.

On second thought, just mailing address needed. Just watched the video and see what you need. Looks magnet involved, but whatever, stay tuned.

Hmm, I see the problem now. Am assuming you've checked out some local bars with no luck and don't want to buy six-packs and invite your friends over. I work near a bar/restaurant and will see what I can come up with for you during the week. Will have to check whether Bud has different cap than Bud L...

What the heck kind of beer do they sell in Southern California anyway?

After my highschool (Beaumont) in St. Louis let out each day and during the summer months, I clerked at a cigar store/gift shop/magazine stand in the lobby of the Title Guarantee building. Among the dozens of magazines we got in each week (including Sexology, anyone remember that?) were Variety and ...

After my highschool (Beaumont) in St. Louis let out each day and during the summer months, I clerked at a cigar store/gift shop/magazine stand in the lobby of the Title Guarantee building. Among the dozens of magazines we got in each week (including Sexology, anyone remember that?) were Variety and ...