Trick that Fooled Houdini
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Trick that Fooled Houdini
I have a bunch of books by and about Dai Vernon but I can't find the Trick that Fooled Houdini explained in any of them. Did Vernon ever include this trick in any of his writings? Thanks.
Re: Trick that Fooled Houdini
I believe it was a version of Ambitious Card using a double backer.
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Re: Trick that Fooled Houdini
There's an impromptu version in my manuscript TRIBUTE and notes on it in The Ambitious Card Omnibus.
And if memory serves there's something about it in the Vernon books that Steve Minch wrote.
Basically, a young Vernon met Houdini at a magic shop and was asked to show something to the boys. He took a card and placed it second from the top. He then turned the card over and cleanly too a single card off the top. This was repeated, I believe, seven times, as Houdini had made the claim that no card trick could fool him if he had the chance to see it three times.
I've been told that back in the day the double lift and double-backed cards were not well known to most magicians, so it would have been a potent combination.
And if memory serves there's something about it in the Vernon books that Steve Minch wrote.
Basically, a young Vernon met Houdini at a magic shop and was asked to show something to the boys. He took a card and placed it second from the top. He then turned the card over and cleanly too a single card off the top. This was repeated, I believe, seven times, as Houdini had made the claim that no card trick could fool him if he had the chance to see it three times.
I've been told that back in the day the double lift and double-backed cards were not well known to most magicians, so it would have been a potent combination.
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Re: Trick that Fooled Houdini
Though Hofzinser invented the double-backed card 150 years ago, it remained otherwise unknown to magicians until Theodore DeLand used it in two tricks, "The Two-Card Monte" in 1913, and "Inverto" in 1914.
These are, I believe, the first recorded instances of anyone in the United States publishing or marketing a trick with a double-backed card. It is unlikely that Vernon would have heard of the double-backed card were it not for DeLand's marketed tricks.
I have several versions of "The Trick that Fooled Houdini" from Larry Jennings for the upcoming books. And, should the mention of those books simply bring a chuckle to your lips, it might be of interest to know that Noah Levine is now proofreading "Mr. Jennings Takes it Easy!"
These are, I believe, the first recorded instances of anyone in the United States publishing or marketing a trick with a double-backed card. It is unlikely that Vernon would have heard of the double-backed card were it not for DeLand's marketed tricks.
I have several versions of "The Trick that Fooled Houdini" from Larry Jennings for the upcoming books. And, should the mention of those books simply bring a chuckle to your lips, it might be of interest to know that Noah Levine is now proofreading "Mr. Jennings Takes it Easy!"
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Re: Trick that Fooled Houdini
Wonderful news Richard! Put me down for a copy.
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Re: Trick that Fooled Houdini
A card placed second from the top of the deck keeps arriving on the top of the deck. A single card too, and no tilt!Originally posted by Terry Terrell:
I believe it was a version of Ambitious Card using a double backer.
Mundus vult decipi -per Caleb Carr's story Killing Time
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Re: Trick that Fooled Houdini
Daryl teaches two versions of this on his ambitious card dvd. One gaffed (tilt + double backer) and one totally gaffless version that looks exactly the same. Either can be repeated ad-infinitum.
Re: Trick that Fooled Houdini
The encounter between Houdini and Vernon is written about in detail in the book "The Magician and the Cardsharp." Houdini was apparently enraged at being fooled. I remember watching Vernon perform the trick in his Farewell Lecture and, although I was fairly new to sleight of hand at the time, I recognized the use of the double backer. I was very surprised that someone who was supposed to be as knowlegable as Houdini would have been deceived by the gaff.
Re: Trick that Fooled Houdini
Vernon's relatively brief account can be found in He Fooled Houdini: Dai Vernon - A Magical Life , Volume 4 of The Vernon Chronicles .
Go to the chapter More Memories of Harry Houdini on p. 131.
Go to the chapter More Memories of Harry Houdini on p. 131.
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Re: Trick that Fooled Houdini
Hi, RichardOriginally posted by Richard Kaufman:
Theodore DeLand used it in two tricks, "The Two-Card Monte" in 1913, and "Inverto" in 1914.
What are your sources for these two dates, please ?
- Richard Kaufman
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Re: Trick that Fooled Houdini
My source is DeLand's advertising for these items in The Sphinx, and his instruction sheets.
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Re: Trick that Fooled Houdini
Now that's an understatement! I know....don't go there. LOL!Originally posted by Richard Kaufman:
I have several versions of "The Trick that Fooled Houdini" from Larry Jennings for the upcoming books. And, should the mention of those books simply bring a chuckle to your lips....
- Richard Kaufman
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Re: Trick that Fooled Houdini
hahaha, very funny, Bill! I guess that'll remain a private joke.
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Re: Trick that Fooled Houdini
Thank you very much, Richard.