Question - obscure Max Maven trick

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Joe Mckay
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Question - obscure Max Maven trick

Postby Joe Mckay » September 30th, 2014, 5:41 pm

I hope Max sees this question.

But does anyone remember the name of the trick from Max Maven using alphabet cards which appeared in 'The Linking Ring'?

It involved laying out the cards in a pyramid so that they spelled out a sentence.

One of the letter cards was thrown away - and yet the cards still spelled the same sentence.

I liked the trick since it made use of an unusual psychological idea which I have never seen used in a magic trick before. Weird method.

Anyway - just want to see if anyone has any ideas what I am on about?

Thanks!

Bob Farmer
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Re: Question - obscure Max Maven trick

Postby Bob Farmer » September 30th, 2014, 6:12 pm

Joe, the trick might be, "Folded Anagram," LR, Oct. 1989, pp.80-82.

Joe Mckay
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Re: Question - obscure Max Maven trick

Postby Joe Mckay » September 30th, 2014, 6:16 pm

That rings a bell.

Cheers, Bob!

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Re: Question - obscure Max Maven trick

Postby Bob Farmer » September 30th, 2014, 7:16 pm

Incidentally, I've never considered Max Maven obscure.

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Question - obscure Max Maven trick

Postby Richard Kaufman » September 30th, 2014, 9:47 pm

I think that parts of Max are obscure.
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Dustin Stinett
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Re: Question - obscure Max Maven trick

Postby Dustin Stinett » October 1st, 2014, 12:24 am

I don't know why—perhaps because it has more of an air of mystery about it—but something tells me that Max would prefer "vague."

Max Maven
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Re: Question - obscure Max Maven trick

Postby Max Maven » October 1st, 2014, 1:20 am

While "Folded Anagram" was illustrated with letter cards arranged in a pyramid layout, the routine you seek is called "Therapy" and appeared in the October 1982 Linking Ring.

And there's nothing vague about that.

Rick Ruhl
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Re: Question - obscure Max Maven trick

Postby Rick Ruhl » October 1st, 2014, 2:51 am

When I read Max's post, I always hear his voice in my head saying the words.

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Dustin Stinett
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Re: Question - obscure Max Maven trick

Postby Dustin Stinett » October 1st, 2014, 3:09 am

Ditto.

The first time I heard Max speak, I instantly thought of Jose Ferrer (one of my all-time favorite actors). Now when I hear Jose Ferrer in a movie, I think of Max Maven.

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Re: Question - obscure Max Maven trick

Postby Bill Mullins » October 1st, 2014, 10:17 am

I saw "His Kind of Woman" (Robert Mitchum, Jane Russell, Vincent Price) not too long ago. You'd never mistake Price's voice for Max's, but there are several scenes where Price's delivery seems to be channeling Max.

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MManchester
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Re: Question - obscure Max Maven trick

Postby MManchester » October 1st, 2014, 12:01 pm

I've always thought that the Green Lantern character Sinestro was inspired by Max. Turns out that's not the case as the character first appeared in 1961 when Max was only 11.

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Joe Mckay
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Re: Question - obscure Max Maven trick

Postby Joe Mckay » October 1st, 2014, 1:25 pm

Thanks for the info, Max!

My membership to Ask Alexander has expired - so I couldn't double check the suggestion that Bob gave before.

Joe Mckay
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Re: Question - obscure Max Maven trick

Postby Joe Mckay » October 1st, 2014, 1:30 pm

Hey Max,

I had some Stewart James tidbits that I sent to Bob Farmer in the hopes he could forward it to Allan Slaight. I never heard back from Allan - so I am not sure if he ever saw the email.

Anyway - I have just sent you the same email to maxmaven@aol.com since there are a couple of things in there which may be of interest.

All the best,

Joe


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