Gonzo "hands empty" move

Discuss the tricks and sleights which appear in Genii.
P.T.Widdle
Posts: 694
Joined: April 30th, 2008, 1:51 pm
Location: New York City

Gonzo "hands empty" move

Postby P.T.Widdle » April 30th, 2015, 8:56 am

For those who own the Gonzo holdout, the move to show your hands empty (front and back, sleeves rolled up), reminded me of an old Magic Ian gimmick where you could produce and vanish a coin, and show hands empty front and back (with the gimmick still in play). The Gonzo move seems similar except with Magic Ian's gimmick, your hands were held vertical in front of the spectator.

Regardless of gimmick, this type of move would seem to have a history extending further than Magic Ian. Does it?

User avatar
Matthew Field
Posts: 2846
Joined: January 18th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Slydini
Location: Hastings, England, UK

Re: Gonzo "hands empty" move

Postby Matthew Field » April 30th, 2015, 10:38 am

Are you talking about Fickle Nickle? Doug Henning performed that one on TV.

Matt Field

P.T.Widdle
Posts: 694
Joined: April 30th, 2008, 1:51 pm
Location: New York City

Re: Gonzo "hands empty" move

Postby P.T.Widdle » April 30th, 2015, 10:57 am

I don't think so, although I don't know the method to Fickle Nickel. For the Magic Ian prop you were supposed to show both hands empty simultaneously front and back. Your hands were up and in front of your face.

User avatar
Travis
Posts: 559
Joined: March 13th, 2008, 8:02 pm
Favorite Magician: Charles Morritt
Location: Destin, FL
Contact:

Re: Gonzo "hands empty" move

Postby Travis » April 30th, 2015, 11:05 am

P.T., it sounds as if you're describing the Now-U-C-It gimmick marketed by Meir Yedid, though I don't recall any involvement by Magic Ian.

P.T.Widdle
Posts: 694
Joined: April 30th, 2008, 1:51 pm
Location: New York City

Re: Gonzo "hands empty" move

Postby P.T.Widdle » April 30th, 2015, 11:13 am

It's hard for me to describe it without giving away the method. I bought it from Magic Ian at a magic conference back in the 80s. Regardless, I was just curious as to the history of that type of move - where you can show both hands empty while a gimmick stays in play.

P.T.Widdle
Posts: 694
Joined: April 30th, 2008, 1:51 pm
Location: New York City

Re: Gonzo "hands empty" move

Postby P.T.Widdle » April 30th, 2015, 3:42 pm

Travis wrote:P.T., it sounds as if you're describing the Now-U-C-It gimmick marketed by Meir Yedid, though I don't recall any involvement by Magic Ian.


Yep, that's the same trick as Magic Ian. Wonder if he got credit.

Jonathan Townsend
Posts: 8704
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Westchester, NY
Contact:

Re: Gonzo "hands empty" move

Postby Jonathan Townsend » April 30th, 2015, 3:50 pm

What's the history on loopers?
Mundus vult decipi -per Caleb Carr's story Killing Time

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27047
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Gonzo "hands empty" move

Postby Richard Kaufman » April 30th, 2015, 5:45 pm

I believe Now U C It is credited by Meir to Jeff Stewart?
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

User avatar
Fredrick
Posts: 72
Joined: February 20th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Eugene Burger
Location: Kitsap Peninsula

Re: Gonzo "hands empty" move

Postby Fredrick » April 30th, 2015, 8:48 pm

The gimmick was a Ed Mellon Jim Swoger creation. I purchased one as a kid in the late 60's from Swoger's House of Enchantment. Swoger made it look like a miracle - thus the name, Miracle Money. I believe Meir credits them.
"Try to find the humanity in the magic..." ~ Michael Moschen
The Jinx Companion

Curtis Kam
Posts: 582
Joined: January 18th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Waikiki
Contact:

Re: Gonzo "hands empty" move

Postby Curtis Kam » May 1st, 2015, 6:02 am

P.T., perhaps you're thinking about the same thing I thought of when I saw Gonzo--the "Phantom At the Fingertips" gimmick? It's well described here: http://www.martinbreese.com/trickpages/fingertips.htm

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27047
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Gonzo "hands empty" move

Postby Richard Kaufman » May 1st, 2015, 11:26 am

I think the big thing about Gonzo is that you can do it with your sleeves rolled up, and it extends and retracts. Does the Breese item do that?
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

Jonathan Townsend
Posts: 8704
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Westchester, NY
Contact:

Re: Gonzo "hands empty" move

Postby Jonathan Townsend » May 1st, 2015, 11:41 am

The paul diamond item extends and retracts.
Mundus vult decipi -per Caleb Carr's story Killing Time

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27047
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Gonzo "hands empty" move

Postby Richard Kaufman » May 1st, 2015, 1:48 pm

Sleeves rolled up?
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

Jonathan Townsend
Posts: 8704
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Westchester, NY
Contact:

Re: Gonzo "hands empty" move

Postby Jonathan Townsend » May 1st, 2015, 2:08 pm

Richard Kaufman wrote:Sleeves rolled up?


The Phantom rig was okay with sleeves turned up one or two turns - not short sleeved. IIRC it seemed to have just under a foot practical range. The rig was stiff across the shoulders - preferring a smooth arc across the back which made it less than useful to me.
Mundus vult decipi -per Caleb Carr's story Killing Time


Return to “Magicana”