Magic As a Hobby
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Magic As a Hobby
At an antique shop in New Hampshire, I picked up a book, "Magic As a Hobby," by Bruce Elliott (1948). Has anyone heard of this book? Bruce Elliott was the editor of The Phoenix. The introduction to the book is by Orson Welles.
There's some great material in there. Not the same old beginner stuff that I expected. For example a cool trick for vanishing a coin from under a pile of sand.
There's some great material in there. Not the same old beginner stuff that I expected. For example a cool trick for vanishing a coin from under a pile of sand.
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Re: Magic As a Hobby
This is one of the classic library books I had access to in 1950, don't remember much from it but it was along the side of Henry Hay's book, the three Hoffman books, Illustrated Magic by Fischer (my favorite because it had a lot of pictures). There was also a cupola others I don't remember the name. Some lucky libraries had Greater Magic and the Tarbells. Good find.
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Re: Magic As a Hobby
All of Bruce Elliott's books are great -- basically compilations of material from The Phoenix.
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Re: Magic As a Hobby
Bob Farmer wrote:All of Bruce Elliott's books are great -- basically compilations of material from The Phoenix.
Bob -- which issue of The Phoenix has the stuff about jailbait? <G>
[and yes, the same Bruce Elliott wrote One is a Lonely Number. Also some Shadow novels, and science fiction.]
- Richard Kaufman
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Re: Magic As a Hobby
It's a great book, but I've always preferred his "Classic Secrets Of Magic"
http://www.amazon.com/Classic-secrets-m ... B0007FDVVI
This is an amazing book.
http://www.amazon.com/Classic-secrets-m ... B0007FDVVI
This is an amazing book.
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- Dustin Stinett
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Re: Magic As a Hobby
Which is why Classic Secrets... was the first "Book of the Month":
http://www.geniimagazine.com/forums/ubb ... Post148385
http://www.geniimagazine.com/forums/ubb ... Post148385
Re: Magic As a Hobby
Bill Mullins' post above clearly illustrates why I enjoy his contributions. There is always something to learn. Thanks for the enlightenment and good laugh, Bill.
Jim
Jim
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Re: Magic As a Hobby
Bill:
See "Strip Tease," Phoenix #124, pp.497-498.
See "Strip Tease," Phoenix #124, pp.497-498.
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Re: Magic As a Hobby
Bill:
Also check out the editorial in that issue and the suggestions about high class lingerie.
Also check out the editorial in that issue and the suggestions about high class lingerie.
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Re: Magic As a Hobby
Thanks, Bob. Now I have a legit excuse for the black lace panties my wife keeps finding.
Some of the mystery fiction blogs have given Elliott's "One is a Lonely Number" quite good reviews. It's available as a ebook, and a sample is here.
Some of the mystery fiction blogs have given Elliott's "One is a Lonely Number" quite good reviews. It's available as a ebook, and a sample is here.
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Re: Magic As a Hobby
Has Genii ever done a piece about Elliott?
- Richard Kaufman
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Re: Magic As a Hobby
No.
I did speak with his daughter Judy decades ago, but she really didn't remember much about him. I think he died when she was still quite young. I may be misremembering.
All you have to do is read his "Back Room" columns on the back page of each issue of The Phoenix and you'll get to know him really well.
I did speak with his daughter Judy decades ago, but she really didn't remember much about him. I think he died when she was still quite young. I may be misremembering.
All you have to do is read his "Back Room" columns on the back page of each issue of The Phoenix and you'll get to know him really well.
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Re: Magic As a Hobby
Richard Kaufman wrote:I did speak with his daughter Judy decades ago, but she really didn't remember much about him. I think he died when she was still quite young. I may be misremembering.
She was born in 1942 and he died in 1973.
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Re: Magic As a Hobby
I get the impression that family life in the Elliott household wasn't all that great, particularly after Bruce crawled into a bottle. Judy may be intentionally not remembering her father, or maybe there wasn't that much good to remember.
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Re: Magic As a Hobby
A book just of Elliot's "Back Room" would be great. The Phoenix,
without Elliot, was just not the same, and his Back Room was as
special and entertaining as the material contributions in the
main.
Ken B.
without Elliot, was just not the same, and his Back Room was as
special and entertaining as the material contributions in the
main.
Ken B.
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Re: Magic As a Hobby
In the Appendix is this now sad line:
"There is a magic store somewhere near you no matter where you live."
"There is a magic store somewhere near you no matter where you live."
Re: Magic As a Hobby
P.T.Widdle wrote:In the Appendix is this now sad line:
"There is a magic store somewhere near you no matter where you live."
Which can now be replaced with this brilliant lines:
"There are now thousands of magic retailers on the internet. You can browse through their catalogues at your leisure, without feeling pressurised to buy something. If you decide to buy, anything can be shipped anywhere in the world in a matter of days. If it's not suitable, you can just return it. Also, there are now dozens of brilliant forums where you can discuss ideas, tricks, presentations and more with the very best magicians all around the world and when you get to know them, many even 'session' over skype, or in google hangouts so you can get advice from people you never would have heard of, let alone met. Isn't the internet marvellous."
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Re: Magic As a Hobby
Discount stores sell DVDs of public domain TV shows. My son and I just watched "Flash Gordon and the Planet of Death," which is also on youtube. The episode was written by Bruce Elliot.