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by Steve Bryant
December 26th, 2001, 10:37 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Has this ever happened to you?
Replies: 16
Views: 2136

Re: Has this ever happened to you?

Now I had no idea what card he chose. I did a fan and pretended to memorize the deck in a split second. I then said confidently "Eight of Spades!" To my absolute amazement, I guessed right. However, my friend was not impressed. He said, "You looked at the cards. If you're good, then ...
by Steve Bryant
December 21st, 2001, 8:57 pm
Forum: Feature Articles
Topic: Mac King Issue.... Couldn't Put It Down!
Replies: 11
Views: 2408

Re: Mac King Issue.... Couldn't Put It Down!

For those who are thanking me, I appreciate it. I loved this issue of Genii too, but I hasten to point out what a great job Richard did. I contributed only the interview, which, thanks to Mac's great candor and stories, makes for pretty nice reading. (As Richard points out in another thread, I also ...
by Steve Bryant
December 20th, 2001, 8:44 pm
Forum: Feature Articles
Topic: Mac King Issue.... Couldn't Put It Down!
Replies: 11
Views: 2408

Re: Mac King Issue.... Couldn't Put It Down!

One of the things Mac is pretty proud of is receiving a solid A rating from Las Vegas Review Journal columnist Mike Weatherford. The paper is stingy with A's, usually giving them only to the best of the big shows, such as S&R, Blue Man Group, etc. And a few of the big guns received only an A-. C...
by Steve Bryant
December 19th, 2001, 6:54 am
Forum: General
Topic: Ricky Jay age
Replies: 63
Views: 7279

Re: Ricky Jay age

I am a big fan of Ricky Jay, and particularly of the fact that he views a magic show as a magic show, something people should buy tickets for and then come out for an evening and watch. The stage guys have always done that, but Ricky brought new respect to the closeup world. Along with most of you, ...
by Steve Bryant
December 18th, 2001, 9:15 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Twisting the Aces
Replies: 115
Views: 19448

Re: Twisting the Aces

Richard, It's all in how you perceive it. For me the Asher Twist is completely about mystery (another visual effect that is similar to me is Jennings' Look -An Illusion, which I love to do) and Twisting the Aces has never been anything but a puzzle to me. Unfortunately, I've only seen BOTH effects d...
by Steve Bryant
December 18th, 2001, 5:45 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Twisting the Aces
Replies: 115
Views: 19448

Re: Twisting the Aces

Pete, From the start, and going almost back to when Lee Asher came up with his Asher Twist, I've sensed there was something almost _political_ against the notion that a youngster could invent something better than that of the Professor. To me, the Asher Twist is way way way better than Vernon's Twis...
by Steve Bryant
December 17th, 2001, 3:47 pm
Forum: Feature Articles
Topic: Dai Vernon and the Center Deal
Replies: 21
Views: 11953

Re: Dai Vernon and the Center Deal

That was in Lance Burton's On the Road special, when Lance and co. visited The Magic Castle. It was great.
by Steve Bryant
December 16th, 2001, 7:32 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Advice
Replies: 5
Views: 1313

Re: Advice

Chris,

The typography in this book was the worst I've seen in any book ever. Mike Close said it read like a 200+ page ransom note, and he was correct. This was my least favorite book in recent memory and I think you can find many, many superior books on mentalism. Save your money.
by Steve Bryant
December 12th, 2001, 5:01 am
Forum: General
Topic: Adios to Joe Stevens' GeMiNi
Replies: 27
Views: 5744

Re: Adios to Joe Stevens' GeMiNi

Of course, this only means that eventually you will become reinterested in Microsoft as you become disenchanted with Macs . . . Alas, Bill, that will never happen. I may become disenchanted with Macs, if I can ever afford one to find out, but I won't go back to Microsoft. I'm completely happy alrea...
by Steve Bryant
December 11th, 2001, 11:24 am
Forum: General
Topic: Adios to Joe Stevens' GeMiNi
Replies: 27
Views: 5744

Re: Adios to Joe Stevens' GeMiNi

I should have added that you need a browser to access the contents of the CD. The Little Egypt Gazette was designed for the web and is in html format. The CD is for PCs only and is not Mac formatted. I am, however, becoming very interested in Macs as I grow disenchanted with Microsoft. Perhaps some ...
by Steve Bryant
December 11th, 2001, 10:55 am
Forum: General
Topic: Adios to Joe Stevens' GeMiNi
Replies: 27
Views: 5744

Re: Adios to Joe Stevens' GeMiNi

No, there is no search engine. Just a good index to the contents. However, I suggest loading all the htm pages and graphics into the same directory on your hard drive (about 8 meg). You can then use your computer's Find feature to search for any word or phrase in the directory.
by Steve Bryant
December 11th, 2001, 9:58 am
Forum: General
Topic: Adios to Joe Stevens' GeMiNi
Replies: 27
Views: 5744

Re: Adios to Joe Stevens' GeMiNi

Sorry to be slow -- I've been spending the morning archiving all of Mike Rogers' columns off Gemini. The Little Egypt Gazette was a monthly e-zine I wrote from 95-97, for 24 issues. Though I don't think they ever noticed, I was competing in my mind with MAGIC and Genii, at about 40 pages a month of ...
by Steve Bryant
December 10th, 2001, 8:01 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Adios to Joe Stevens' GeMiNi
Replies: 27
Views: 5744

Re: Adios to Joe Stevens' GeMiNi

Amen. Getting to know Pat and many of the other regulars on Gemini was a real pleasure. There were some outstanding columns as well as all the chat, and those who never joined missed something really special in magic.
by Steve Bryant
December 3rd, 2001, 12:40 pm
Forum: Feature Articles
Topic: Ideas for Future Articles
Replies: 26
Views: 3963

Re: Ideas for Future Articles

An article on Norman Gilbreath is an excellent idea, but he is an "is," not a "was," and can often be found in the Magic Castle library (in person), if any of my recent visits are an indication.
by Steve Bryant
November 20th, 2001, 9:35 am
Forum: General
Topic: December Genii Mailed on Nov.8: Have you received yours?
Replies: 60
Views: 8758

Re: December Genii Mailed on Nov.8: Have you received yours?

The Vernon issue arrived yesterday -- finally! Lovely issue. Question to Jon Racherbaumer: what tricks did you teach in that 1975 lecture?
by Steve Bryant
November 17th, 2001, 9:28 am
Forum: General
Topic: The Magic of Harry Potter
Replies: 18
Views: 2204

Re: The Magic of Harry Potter

I love the Harry Potter books and especially the magic trappings, but Harry's real appeal is that of a hero, both in life-death struggles and on the Quidditch field. You can't buy those qualities in a magic shop.
by Steve Bryant
November 12th, 2001, 8:26 pm
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: Wanted: Revelations
Replies: 5
Views: 1303

Re: Wanted: Revelations

I agree. Revelations was a disappointment. You will be vastly more entertained and enlightened by The Annotated Erdnase, by Darwin Ortiz, also published by Mike Caveney.
by Steve Bryant
November 3rd, 2001, 2:05 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Paul Harris
Replies: 12
Views: 2469

Re: Paul Harris

Chicago Opener has always struck me as a trick that appeals more to magicians than to laymen, aka real life spectators. There are hundreds and likely thousands of card tricks that have a stronger impact on a lay audience. I think the reason is that it falls outside the realm of being a trick that ca...
by Steve Bryant
October 30th, 2001, 5:41 am
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Dai Vernon
Replies: 50
Views: 14810

Re: Dai Vernon

Paul Higgins -- I hope that, among your purchases, you have acquired the video of Dai Vernon's 1974 Interview, in which he performs many of the things that he is known for, and quite well. This 2-video set is my most prized magic video and the ones I would keep over all others. There are probably ma...
by Steve Bryant
October 29th, 2001, 6:14 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Oil and Water
Replies: 39
Views: 5718

Re: Oil and Water

My long-time favorite oil and water is Danny Dew's, plus a Vernon finish. This weekend at my favorite bar I added the Kosby phase from Spectacle, which I had overlooked. Thanks to you guys for pointing this out. It's incredible. Alas, I don't have the Jennings tapes and can't follow the rest of the ...
by Steve Bryant
October 18th, 2001, 6:44 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Jay Sankey magic lecture questions
Replies: 18
Views: 3173

Re: Jay Sankey magic lecture questions

Although I didn't particularly need one for Sankey's lecture, a notebook is also handy, especially if you have a crappy memory as I do. Even though notes will be available (and it's NICE to buy stuff from the guy, as lecturers usually are paid very little and make their real money from sales), the n...
by Steve Bryant
October 16th, 2001, 11:53 am
Forum: Kaufman & Company
Topic: Don Englands "Galf to The Hilt"
Replies: 17
Views: 3517

Re: Don Englands "Galf to The Hilt"

Richard,
Any chance of a re-issue of Frank's best magic books, say a Kaufman compilation like the most recent Eugene Burger book? I just checked ABE Books, and Frank's sponge ball book is listed at $500. Weirdly, because I always admired him, the only Garcia book I own is the three-shell book.
by Steve Bryant
October 13th, 2001, 4:43 pm
Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
Topic: Did anyone notice (Sakai/Fearson)?
Replies: 22
Views: 6556

Re: Did anyone notice (Sakai/Fearson)?

Steve Fearson -- I am stumped. How do you look at the video of your box levitation? First I realize I must use IE to download the file rather than Netscape (grr, but OK), but then what kind of viewer do I need to see the video,and where do I get it? Hope you can help.
by Steve Bryant
October 11th, 2001, 12:18 pm
Forum: Light From the Lamp
Topic: Aronson's "Try the Impossible"
Replies: 31
Views: 5757

Re: Aronson's "Try the Impossible"

Yes! Jon has described the experience exactly. Re: The moment the selections are revealed to be at the positions cited by the "whisperers," there is a delicious expression that registers on faces , there is also a delicious expression on my face. I'm always thrilled to know that everything...
by Steve Bryant
October 10th, 2001, 5:59 pm
Forum: General
Topic: MAGIC Live review
Replies: 2
Views: 851

MAGIC Live review

Check Dodd's www.linkingpage.com for a link to a great review of Stan's convention by author Glen David Gold.
by Steve Bryant
October 10th, 2001, 2:46 pm
Forum: Light From the Lamp
Topic: Aronson's "Try the Impossible"
Replies: 31
Views: 5757

Re: Aronson's "Try the Impossible"

Re the following, "As the printed numbers are revealed, it is apparent to the audience that the performer, somehow, knew the outcome of the routine from the outset." that is precisely the miracle. How could you know in advance where they would cut? I continue to do this in bars, for a drin...
by Steve Bryant
October 1st, 2001, 12:02 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Eddie Fields died at age 86
Replies: 5
Views: 1668

Re: Eddie Fields died at age 86

Eddie was one of my heroes, thanks largely to Jon Racherbaumer's making him known to us. My final issue of The Little Egypt Gazette was devoted to Eddie and contains much info about him. This is online specifically at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://littleegyptmagic.com/ten97i.htm">http:/...
by Steve Bryant
September 26th, 2001, 2:12 pm
Forum: General
Topic: The Magic Castle, and Why I Need Your Help
Replies: 25
Views: 3686

Re: The Magic Castle, and Why I Need Your Help

The crack investigative reporters over at Little Egypt Magic have ferreted out the real reasons Max Maven is running for Magic Castle Board of Directors. Check Little Egypt Magic for details.
by Steve Bryant
September 23rd, 2001, 9:07 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Rising Card
Replies: 16
Views: 2237

Re: Rising Card

I didn't mean that they would be aware that the modus operandi was an elastic loop -- only that a card was set to pop up when they relaxed their grip. It just isn't magic.
by Steve Bryant
September 23rd, 2001, 7:16 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Rising Card
Replies: 16
Views: 2237

Re: Rising Card

Although elastic comes into play, the Angel Card Rise is closer in method to the Elmsley card rise than to McBride's, which uses loops. But as to the original question, I can't think of any of my friends who would be fooled by the Kundalini card rise as McBride performs it or recommends (where the s...
by Steve Bryant
September 19th, 2001, 11:05 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Carter Beats the Devil
Replies: 10
Views: 2035

Carter Beats the Devil

Glen David Gold's novel, Carter Beats the Devil, just received a glowing review in the Sept 24 issue of The New Yorker. It's one of the few bright spots in an otherwise grim issue: the cover is solid black, the typically hilarious cartoons are noticeably absent, and the writers and photographers cov...
by Steve Bryant
September 19th, 2001, 1:55 pm
Forum: Feature Articles
Topic: David Copperfield in Genii
Replies: 11
Views: 2446

Re: David Copperfield in Genii

Ten to 12 years ago, I worked with a University of Washington professor who is one of the world's leading experts on marine corrosion. Give him a hunk of metallic crud and turn a video camera on, and he can talk literally for hours about what he is looking at. But as brilliant as he is in his field,...
by Steve Bryant
September 18th, 2001, 9:20 pm
Forum: General
Topic: The Magic Castle, and Why I Need Your Help
Replies: 25
Views: 3686

Re: The Magic Castle, and Why I Need Your Help

If that last message means you can "translate
the workings of Larry Jennings into Japanese," you have my vote.
by Steve Bryant
September 18th, 2001, 6:09 pm
Forum: Feature Articles
Topic: David Copperfield in Genii
Replies: 11
Views: 2446

Re: David Copperfield in Genii

I am curious: did Chris Kenner not perform solo? I usually see him do that, and he's great, and a nice contrast to David. And if
not, is this a permanent change?
by Steve Bryant
September 18th, 2001, 11:52 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Videos I would like to see
Replies: 7
Views: 2068

Re: Videos I would like to see

Robert, Jim Ryan appears on the Tom Mullica bash video, along with many other greats.
by Steve Bryant
September 18th, 2001, 11:49 am
Forum: Feature Articles
Topic: David Copperfield in Genii
Replies: 11
Views: 2446

David Copperfield in Genii

Richard, great job on the David Copperfield article. Terrific cover, layout, etc. plus a really thrilling story. Most of us will never become a David Copperfield, but it's neat to get a look at what that might be like. (No photos of Ambre, though. Too bad!)
by Steve Bryant
September 7th, 2001, 2:53 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Lorayne
Replies: 25
Views: 4276

Re: Lorayne

I hope your riffle shuffle tome can be as complete as possible. For example, Marlo had some early riffle shuffle documents for $50 each when I was a child, and the price still seems expensive, but whatever his method was never seems to have caught on. I have always been curious, but never $50 curiou...
by Steve Bryant
September 7th, 2001, 1:12 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Mike Skinner
Replies: 35
Views: 5626

Re: Mike Skinner

Geno had also mentioned to me having 7 of Skinner's notebooks, in the past week or so. How many are there? I was fortunate to have seen Mike work only in his "prime," first at the Magic Castle and later in lectures in Seattle and St. Louis. As I recall, most of what was in the lectures was...
by Steve Bryant
September 3rd, 2001, 11:16 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Mike Skinner
Replies: 35
Views: 5626

Re: Mike Skinner

If someone could catalog the 200 effects that Mike did that week, and be able to describe them all, THAT would be quite a book and an incredible tribute.
by Steve Bryant
August 29th, 2001, 4:31 pm
Forum: General
Topic: BLAINE BLUR, STIR, WHIR
Replies: 6
Views: 1721

Re: BLAINE BLUR, STIR, WHIR

I'm still confused as to why he dissed Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, or for that matter even paired them, as they split long ago. The Sixth Sense was first rate, and the physical things Demi had to go through for G.I. Jane would, I would think, have impressed Blaine. I'm convinced that it's all an ac...

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