History of Professor's Nightmare

Discuss the historical aspects of magic, including memories, or favorite stories.
Geno Munari
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History of Professor's Nightmare

Postby Geno Munari » February 10th, 2002, 6:21 pm

Does anyone know the history of the Professor's Nightmare and where it has been published?

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Sean Piper
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Re: History of Professor's Nightmare

Postby Sean Piper » February 10th, 2002, 8:06 pm

Jim Sisti did a piece on the Professor's Nightmare as part of his 'Talk About Magic' series over at AllMagic.com.

Some very interesting historical credits are included. I believe you can download it from the above mentioned site.

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Re: History of Professor's Nightmare

Postby Richard Kaufman » February 10th, 2002, 8:34 pm

The Professor's Nightmare was invented by Bob Carver. The handling we all know today as the standard one is by our own Al Cohen. There is no question about its paternity.
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Re: History of Professor's Nightmare

Postby Geno Munari » February 10th, 2002, 9:05 pm

Thanks. Jim Sisti covers it well in All Magic Guide

[ February 10, 2002: Message edited by: Geno Munari ]

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Pete Biro
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Re: History of Professor's Nightmare

Postby Pete Biro » February 12th, 2002, 6:34 pm

I wish I had a copy... but Lyle Laughlin, Carlyle--stage name, had a very similar rope item long before, but what we know of today as The Professor's Nightmare is definitely Carver's.

IMHO the best Display/stretch was Roger Sylwester's in an early Heirophant.

The strongest handling is Whit Haydn's Mongolian Pop Knots, with a Ken Brooke release by Bob Ostin right up there.
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Re: History of Professor's Nightmare

Postby Paul Green » February 12th, 2002, 8:08 pm

Hi Pete,

Of course, you meant to say the Pat "Conway Rope Trick" as sold by Ken Brooke. It has been used by such luminaries as Bruce Cervon.

The first time I used the Conway handling, the magicians in the crowd audibly gasped. The lay-people in the audience lifted me on their shouldars and pronounced me as some new diety.

Well worth researching this handling to add to your knowledge base.

Regards,

Paul Green

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Pete Biro
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Re: History of Professor's Nightmare

Postby Pete Biro » February 12th, 2002, 8:22 pm

Sir Green... yassir thr Conway 'tis, I stand adjusted..BTW your hat is in mail today.

When I worked the Tannen Jubilee (pre-Spina) I did the Conway rpe trick. At the finish I threw the rope into the audience.

After the show Del Cartier and Sam Schwartz came into my dressing room and aksed me to settle a bet.

They wanted to know how I switched the rope so I could toss a non-examinable rope into the audience.

I told them NO SWITCH... I just figured that if one or two guys out of the 1,500 saw the 'work' it would fool the "H" out of the rest. It sure nailed my two NY feiends... :D :D :D
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Re: History of Professor's Nightmare

Postby Pete Biro » February 12th, 2002, 8:24 pm

sorry about typos, still recovering from hand surgery, hand in splint another 6 weeks... argh and so many moves to learn.
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Re: History of Professor's Nightmare

Postby Luis » February 15th, 2002, 5:21 pm

Does anybody knw where the Pat "Conway Rope Trick" is published?

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Pete Biro
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Re: History of Professor's Nightmare

Postby Pete Biro » February 15th, 2002, 5:35 pm

Conway Rope was marketed by Ken Brooke, Joe Stevens (joe@stevensmagic.com) should have it.
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Re: History of Professor's Nightmare

Postby Guest » February 16th, 2002, 9:56 am

Is the Conway stretch the same one used by Slydini, as published in "The Magical World of Slydini?" I've been performing the Slydini version for 20 years; humans love it, and magicians do a double-take at the stretch.

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Re: History of Professor's Nightmare

Postby Jon Elion » February 16th, 2002, 1:12 pm

I checked with Joe Stevens -- he doesn't carry the "Conway Rope Trick" -- anyone else have an idea where to get this?

[ February 16, 2002: Message edited by: Jon Elion ]

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Re: History of Professor's Nightmare

Postby Pete Biro » February 16th, 2002, 5:57 pm

Not familiar with Slydini stretch... the big difference in Conway is how you show that you have but ONE LONG ROPE AT FINISH.

a variant, with my original start was to be marketed when Ken died... clled The Nemo Rope Trick.

Check back here in a weeek, maybe I'll market it.
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Re: History of Professor's Nightmare

Postby Guest » February 16th, 2002, 7:02 pm

The Slydini version begins with a single piece of rope (on the heels of cut and restored). This is cut into three equal pieces, which then become unequal. The kicker is when they are stretched back to equal length. Instead of all six ends being gathered together, the unequal ropes hang openly in the left hand. The right hand gathers three ends without bringing them near the other three, and yet the pieces are still stretched to equivalency. That's what throws magicians. For the finish, the ropes become unequal again.

The only weakness in the Slydini routine is that because it starts with one piece, spectators commonly demand that the three pieces be restored into one at the end. If the Conway routine lets me answer that demand without undue grief, I'm way interested.

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Re: History of Professor's Nightmare

Postby Paul Green » February 16th, 2002, 7:31 pm

Hi Ralph and all the others,

The Conway routine is just that. After the unequal ropes have been equalized, they are tied together, and finally restored into one long piece.

If I am not mistaken, I think Doug Henning also did this routine.

If we ever cross paths, I would be happy to show it to you (if you cannot find it elsewhere).

Regards,

Paul Green

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Pete Biro
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Re: History of Professor's Nightmare

Postby Pete Biro » February 16th, 2002, 11:10 pm

Whit Haydn's "Mongolian Pop Knots" is incredibly strong and does just that... finishing with one long rope... his method is simple, and like all of his stuff well thought out and diabolical.

My Nemo starts with one long rope and you get two helpers and try to cut three equal pieces so each get same size rope... my cut is more natural than Slydini's (humble here) and the Conway finish is different, than Whit's, and very strong.
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Re: History of Professor's Nightmare

Postby Guest » February 17th, 2002, 1:53 am

And the Haydn routine is published where?

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Pete Biro
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Re: History of Professor's Nightmare

Postby Pete Biro » February 17th, 2002, 8:43 am

haydn's is sold, check joe@stevensmagic.com
or whit's website chefanton.com
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