The Genii Forum

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?

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

Matt Field

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.

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.

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.

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.

What's the history on loopers?

I believe Now U C It is credited by Meir to Jeff Stewart?

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.

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

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?

The paul diamond item extends and retracts.

Sleeves rolled up?

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.