"Bank Night" Info

[Guest]

I'm researching the "Bank Night" effect. Can someone out there give me a brief history of the plot and suggest sources for routines and variations on the basic theme/plot?

[Guest]

I can't help on the history question, but a few references to versions of it pop into mind. If you have access to back issues of SYZYGY, there was at least one (and probably more than that) published in there using the performer's paycheck that was quite nice (I can try to find the reference tomorrow--my binder of those back issues is buried in the trunk of my car at the moment).

There are also a few, including a really unique one by Ted Karmilovich, in the various volumes of Bascom Jones's Compleat Magick.

Max Maven has a nice twist on it on one of his VideoMind videos (I think it's the opening effect on the stage video, but I'm not certain).

Jim Steinmeyer just printed a Bruce Bernstein version, based on some ideas by Barrie Richardson, in the September issue of "that other magic magazine" ;o)

Hope this helps,
Andy

[Guest]

Needless to say there is Larry Becker's twist on the gag "Casino Royale"... though a very fun, entertaining piece I find it a bit "propish" for my taste. Ironically, the variation of the bit I do (Poison Monte) incorporates the jingles of every major game show that ever aired I think... so much for looking "real" vs. as a neat trick/ puzzle.

I have used Ted Lesley's twist on the bit... I think it's entitled "Pay Blaze" in the book PARAMIRACLES. This plays very well but, I have to shared a little secret as to how I used it and why.

You see, I live a rather "cursed" existence and one year, found myself showing up in a town within a month of Kreskin. Well, his pay-check location stunt seemed to grab people's attention. I was forced to earn my check in much the same manner... the rest is history...

[Two people I learned the hard way to never follow... good old George and Carl Balentine... ;) ]

[Guest]

Dear Muscarella. The effect called in America "Bank Nigth" and "Just chance" in England is an invention, of the many,many,many ones had the scottish Tom Sellers. A professor by profession and above all, a very prolific inventor and writer of magic of this siecle. I own eleven booklets by him, but I know he has much more.
The plot it's very interesting and commercial. Ther are hundreds of versions. In the sixties and seventies was a very popular trick, a few of them are:

.-"The art of close up magic" Volume I. Pat Sprake: Return of Fenix bird.

.- Karrel Fox has a simple variation in one on his little booklets.(sorry I don't remenber which)

.- Lewis Ganson version is in "Unconventional magic" (A very good one), which is the basis of Norman Rhodes version described in "The art of close up magic" Volume II.

.-Jensen sells a version of this trick.

.-I remenber having read a lot of time ago a trick of this kind using coins instead of paper money. maybe from Jules Lenier?

.- Peter Warlock in the book of his magic has a version not using money. He uses silks.

.- In "Himber wallet book" by Lorrayne there are several versions. Combination of Just chance and Himber wallet it's classic.

[Guest]

Jules Lenier published a pamphlet called "Jules Lenier Looks At The Classics - Bank Night" in 1979. Jules traces it back to a 1935 Tom Sellers book "Novel Necromancy" but acknowledges that he is not a magic historian and it may be older than that.

Jules' pamphlet includes eight different variations on Bank Night. I think H&R carries the Magical Wonders reprint of the booklet.

[Guest]

Great leads! Thanks to all who have responded so far. Keep 'em coming!

Steve Muscarella