All the Nonconformists

[El Mystico]

Can anyone tell me where "All the Nonconformists" is written up? - I saw it on one of the EXCELLENT new Skinner videos.

Thanks!

[Richard Kaufman]

I looked in the Skinner book that L&L put out, but it's not in there. Pretty sure it's somewhere, though.
Will keep looking!

[Guest]

Hi Dom.

You can find it on one of his 4 videos put out by A-1.
But in my opinion the best version of the trick, belongs to Jim Swain. This is a killer! His version can be found on one of his videos.....

Daniel

[Tom Dobrowolski]

It's on volume # 3 of that series.

[Curtis Kam]

I believe the trick is credited to Martin Gardner, not that that makes things any easier. By-the-by, is there any interest in a handling wherein each of the cards is shown to have the SAME odd back? (i.e. the one blue back amongst three red backed cards--there is no shift to being the sole red back in three blue cards) all followed, of course, by the cards all turning off color, (one at a time) and then all back again.

If so, I'll publish it here, time permitting.

[Richard Kaufman]

Hey Curtis,
I'm interested! Does that count?

[David Regal]

If memory serves me, the effect was published both in IBIDEM and TRICKS YOU CAN COUNT ON. Yes, it's Gardner's.

[El Mystico]

David - you are right - thanks - I KNEW I had the thing somewhere...it is in both Ibidem (24) and Tricks You Can Count On. A fine trick - thanks for all your help, guys.I love this forum! Given it is by Gardner, it seems odd it isn't in Martin Gardner Presents...Richard?

Actually, I'd guess that dramatically, an interesting handling would involve the odd card being red for the first three, then blue for the last one....that will give me something to think about this weekend!

[Curtis Kam]

I don't know Richard, sounds like just you and me. So feel free to edit this if you feel it's not of general interest.

However, this handling of "All the Nonconformists" amuses me quite a bit:

The cards are as specified by Mr. Skinner, and, I assume, Mr. Gardner. (for this description, assume the Red suits have red backs, the black suits have blue backs)

Show the four cards face up. Have one named and maneuver it to third from the face, with its color mate fourth.

Flip over the packet, Elmsley count, injogging the last card about the width of a boarder. Perform a very slight buckle of the bottom card, allowing you to remove a double from the middle as apparently an off-color single. Turn the double face up as you remove it, leaving it face up on top of the packet. It will be the named card.

Turn down the double, deal off the single top card, and using that slight buckle, insert it second from the bottom.

Mention that the spectator might just as well have chosen the other black (or red) card. Repeat the count, double lift, and replacement second from bottom sequence.

(Relax, the hard part is over)

Elmsley count, then honestly remove the second card, turning it face up as before. Insert second from bottom.

Elmsley count, turn up the second card, then turn over and put on bottom.

Count hand-to-hand, simulating an elmsley, showing 2 reds and 2 blues.

Elmsley count, last card to bottom, showing three and one. Insert the last remaining odd-back second from bottom.

DM count, followed by a Rhumba, showing all backs the color of the formerly "odd" card.

Pick up the packet, and do Skinner's lift sequence, showing all backs now the other color.

Pause, accept applause, put the cards away. No one asks to see them.

[Philippe Noël]

Mr Kam,
I find your version of the All The Nonconformists simply great.
Thank you for having published it.

Philippe Nol

[Curtis Kam]

Thanks Philippe, pass it forward.

If you're looking for a Real challenge, try watching Michael Skinner do the trick on the Munari videotapes, and then doing the trick yourself without sounding like him. :)

I can't do the trick without hearing his voice...

[Matthew Field]

Curtis -- Fantastic! Many thanks!

Matt Field

[Craig Matsuoka]

Thanks for posting that Curtis. Ho cuz. Dats da WINNAHZ! :)

[Van]

Thanks.

Van