MAGIC ROADSHOW
ISSUE# 100   April 28th, 2009
Rick Carruth / editor, publisher   (C)2009 All rights reserved worldwide

Street Magic's #1 free newsletter for magicians, street performers, restaurant workers, close-up artists, and mentalists, with subscribers in over seventy countries worldwide.

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Hello Friends ..


I REALLY excited about this issue. Aside from the parade of great links sent in by my highly informed readers, a couple of intelligent articles, a few links I've discovered on my own, and  an ever-expanding assortment of free classic eBooks, this friends, is my 100th ISSUE.. I've been looking forward to this moment for a long while.

THANK YOU to all you guys and ladies who have supported me through 100 issues. I'm not going to bore you with small talk, there's enough of that in the first article..  

Comments and suggestions ??  EMAIL ME  

And one quick note.. I still have links and resources on file that many of you have sent to be shared with Magic Roadshow readers. If you haven't seen your suggestion in print, fear not.. I'm still working on it..


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In This Issue
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- A Lesson Learned - Just one of those personal things I publish once every 100 Issues..  

- More From Paul - On the way to Brazil

- A Recommendation from the editor  

- More Slydini Videos

- Head Off - Video

- Cell Phone Illusion - Video

- Pin-Up Playing Cards - resource

- Magi~que 2009!
   
- Abbeville Opera House - A very magical production..

- Magic Plus - magician's community

- The Card Mechanic - Great Resource

- Fun-Webs - video games

- Street Magic Widget

- Sam the Bellhop - video

- High Five - effect

- The Encyclopedia of Card Tricks - download

- SOC-TV - 24 Hour a Day Magic on TV

- Metamorphosis - effect

- Download links for..
 
.: Expert at the Card Table
.: Easy Mentalism
.: Bobo's Modern Coin Magic

- Plus a couple of my eBooks...


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" Being a magician can make you money.. Being a performer can make you rich."    
  Rick Carruth


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.: A Lesson Learned -  


At times I seriously doubted if I would make it to issue #100, as life continually seemed to break in line. During the past several years,  I've been able to measure major events in my life by the issue I was working on at the time. But through it all, regardless of the circumstances, I found a way to publish the next issue.

I've amazed myself at times, turning out issue after issue, especially when I questioned why I spent precious time working on an issue that folks may or may not read. Several times I've seriously considered sending out an email saying " That's all folks..", but then I'll receive an uplifting email from a faithful reader in Singapore, Sidney, São Paulo, or San Francisco, reminding me 'why' I do this.  

In 1979 I was a young police officer, son of a police officer, grandson of a police officer. Trying to fill a need, and make a little money, I became a distributor for the largest alarm manufacturer in the world, started a security system company, and begin installing systems in homes and businesses. Alarm equipment was in the midst of a major change-over, from relay type control panels to digital control panels. Another new improvement in alarm technology was the advent of wireless technology, allowing installers like myself to easily install a system in a location perviously considered too difficult to 'hard wire'. ( physically run wires through walls to all doors and windows )

In addition to wireless technology, digital communicators, which sent a signal via a telephone line to a central alarm company indicating that the alarm had been activated, were now easily installed in residential settings. Also, 'panic buttons', which were nothing more than small devices similar to a garage door opener that sent a wireless signal to the alarm panel, activating the digital communicator and sending a signal to the alarm monitoring company, were coming into general use.  

These panic buttons were marketed and sold to business owners as a way to signal for help during a robbery. They were also sold to homeowners who were told that in the event of a break-in they could push a panic button, in the form of a pendant that could be worn around the neck or kept handy on a bed side table, to notify police of an emergency.  

One day (while actually installing a panic alarm for a business owner) it occurred to me that the elderly could represent a segment of the population that could really benefit from these wireless pendants and a digital communicator, enabling them to signal for help in the event of an emergency.  No one, and I mean NO ONE, was marketing this use for panic buttons and wireless technology. I knew that if I had an elderly parent, and  I was concerned about them being alone, that paying 25 bucks a month monitoring fees for a wireless pendant and a digital communicator to enable them to signal for, and receive, help during an emergency would be a tremendous relief to me. ( I did find out later that a guy in Germany had the same idea earlier, but his systems were 'hard wired' and not wireless, making them much less portable than mine..)

I was Right.  

I formulated a business plan, determined how I was going to market my alarms, and business took off. For three years I marketed a half-gazillion panic alarms as medical alert alarms for the elderly.

At that moment in my life, twenty-eight years ago, I would literally walk away from making eighty to a hundred dollars an hour, plus residual income, to spend the afternoon fishing. I recall days when I figured the three or four bass I caught cost me about a hundred dollars each.  I had all the work I could handle, a small army of off-duty police officers to help me install the systems, and by paying them a hundred dollars per referral, I had the absolute BEST referral system a business could have..

But... I was young - and I was dumb. Success was SO EASY I actually though I could make lightning strike any where, at any time. All I had to do was make a little effort, right?      

Wrong..

So, after three years, ignoring ALL wisdom, I sold my company to a group of smart guys who saw a future I couldn't conceive. They had money, I was attracted to money, life had become very complicated for me on a personal level, and after a brief period as a 'consultant'.. I was gone.  

My reasoning was.. take the money, come up with another bright idea, use the money to fund research and development, and become quite the little entrepreneur.  

Wrong again..  

Do you remember the commercial with the catch-phrase " Help, I've fallen and I can't get up", from a company called LifeCall and later Life Alert.?  I have to tell you - I was sick the first time I saw it on TV. Over a two year period, it became what USA Today called, "the best-remembered (and most-parodied) commercial phrase of the past 25 years."...   And it made a group of 'smart guys' a whole lot of money. Still does.. to this day.  They took an idea I pioneered 9 years earlier and followed it through to a successful conclusion. They thought 'long term results'.. and I don't have a clue what I was thinking..  

Now, you guys know something about me that not even my best friends know. I don't talk about it because there's not much to talk about at this point. Bottom line.. I had an opportunity to achieve financial security and I blew it.  

I've learned the hard way that good things come to those who have the patience to take an opportunity and follow it through. You can take this little story and apply it to whatever you want, magic included. If you haven't made it to the top, hang in there. Haven't found that job or occupation or booking you really want, don't give up.    

Life is fixing to take another great big turn for me.  So guys, please keep me in your thoughts. In return, I promise not to let the MAGIC ROADSHOW suffer the same fate as some of my past projects. Somewhere deep inside I know there's a purpose in all this, and I know that in due time It'll be revealed. At this point in my life, I've realized it's much more profitable to give freely than to think greedy.      

Maybe I'm still dumb, but maybe not quite as much...    
         
Rick Carruth

( Thank You  D.. )

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.: More from Paul -  


I am writing this on my way to Brazil for some performances.

I had a very interesting flight down with a funny story. I flew from our home in Moncton to Toronto and then had a ten-hour flight to Brazil, and then a nine-hour wait at the airport to catch another flight to where I was to pick up the ship in Fortuleza, Brazil. I always take my Chaplin cane with me, as I don’t want it to break in my luggage. So when I get to Toronto airport I make it just in time to the check in to see a huge line up of people getting ready to board the plane. One of the advantages of flying, and something I fully recommend to everybody, is to get all of the airline cards you can. These are cards you use to build up air points and develop status on a plane. When you get to Gold status, as I am, you are allowed extra baggage allowance, your luggage always come off first and quite often you can get upgrades if you are lucky. Another good thing about these cards is that you don’t have to wait in lines; you can board with the first class and elite passengers. So up I go, with can in hand and my gold travel card. The person looks at me with my cane and takes my ticket away handing me another saying, "I think you’ll find this seat more comfortable." It wasn’t until I got on the flight that I realized they upgraded me to first class. What a difference that makes on a very long flight. By the time I landed in Brazil I was well rested and didn’t mind having to wait nine hours until my next flight.

If you are going to get in to the cruise industry you will be traveling a lot, so I do suggest joining the airline award club. It doesn’t cost anything and most airlines have them, and many share. For example, I have a Star Alliance card, which includes Air Canada, United, Air New Zealand and so on. I have a One World card, which includes AA, Quantas, and British Airways etc. You also build up points to travel for free. In May, my wife and I are flying to New Zealand for a month’s holiday and we were able to do it using our point’s card.

This ship is incredible; it’s actually my favorite ship to work on. Not only is the service and food on here the best in the cruise industry, but also the theater is fantastic and just the perfect size for my show. I am excited to bring my show back to this line. I was here in December and it went over very well.  

What makes my show different from many others? I didn’t want to present just another magic show - and actually do not bill it as such. I wanted mine to be an experience from start to finish. With most acts, the cruise director comes on stage, introduces the act and they start. At the end the cruise director comes on and takes the act off. In my case, the show starts as the people enter the room. It’s the small things that make a difference and make people feel like they have seen a real ‘show’, rather than a cabaret act. There are several ways I try to do this. The first is to have my own pre-show music. You just never know what they are going to play for pre-show music as people enter the theater. I started using my own, which ties in with my Chaplin show and gets the audience in to a mood that I want. I actually find this very important. Then, the theater goes dark and a very short animation video starts that I had made which is extremely different. Again, it really ties in with my entire show and without knowing it, the audiences are drawn in and the experience has started. At this stage nobody knows what to expect from the show or what it is about, so as well as laughing at the film on the screen, I am playing with their emotions by not giving anything away yet. Finally, after the video finishes, there is an offstage announcement introducing me and out I come. My show is divided in to two sections. The first, I call the opening where I come out and do a little comedy and one magic trick to establish myself and get the audience to know me. The patter has taken years to develop so I have it where they can laugh - but still not know what’s about to happen. I like to keep them wanting more and wondering where the show will go. Then we come to what I call the main part of my show, my Chaplin act. A single spot lights hits me and in front of the audience I apply my make up and become Charlie Chaplin. I stand and introduce myself as Chaplin followed by a very short montage on screen.

There is now a costume change offstage while the film is playing and I re-enter, completely dressed as Chaplin and do my entire show as Charlie. The finale is my own version of "Snow in China" type routine that again, uses video but is all tied in to Chaplin - there is nothing ordinary about my version and it’s a great way to finish as I turn around and walk in to the movie screen.

It has taken over twenty years to put the one-man show together and I am very proud of it. I learned from my theatrical experience that it has to be more than just a ‘show’ - it has to be theater. I try to evoke as many emotions as I can, ranging from pathos to laughter. This is, after all what Chaplin was about - not just kicking people up the bottom.  

By combining original magic routines I am able to hopefully get across what I want with my audience and take them to a different level.

The reason why I am telling you how I put my show together, is that I have had quite a few emails from magicians asking about cruise ships and how they can stand out. You must remember, as I’ve said before, that on ships, people have seen it all. You can’t come out and do standard magic - you have to present it in a way that makes you different and unique. You don’t want people to walk out of the theater saying, that magician did the trick with the sword and the snow and the banana that I saw on the last ship. It’s way more than the tricks and way more than the magic. To me, the real magic is the theater and the experience people have when they walk out. Perhaps you evoke them with a story, or it’s in a song - something that triggers something inside them so they will remember YOU - not the tricks. This can certainly apply to a comedy magician as well as an illusionist.

I remember seeing Nick Lewin do a wonderful tribute on a cruise ship to Billy McComb the day Billy passed away. Nick did his Gypsy thread routine but talked about Billy and it was incredibly touching. That was something I saw was extremely poetic and really heart felt - that also came across to the audience.  

When you see magicians all do the same old story about the first time they saw snow etc. and it has no meaning to them, then it comes across as false and the audience don’t care. Their impression is simply, this guy made paper confetti come from his hands! Try and find whom you are and make your magic mean something.  

This can also apply to close-up magic and almost all other forms of magic. Try and bring people in to your performance. I guarantee that if you do this, you’ll find people start to care more about you and your performance and will relate to more bookings. If you are just like every other magician in your town then you won’t stand out. You want them to actually want to book YOU, not because of your tricks. They can probably get a dozen local magicians who do the same tricks, but it’s YOU they must want to book and pay the higher fee to.

I must say, I am very pleased to report that two people so far who have purchased my book have emailed me to say they read my book, took my ideas and advice and sent off their promotional packages to agents and cruise lines. BOTH have had very successful results, which will mean they can finally fulfill their dreams of performing on a ship. This is without a doubt, the best review that I could ever get for my cruise book. The fact that I played some part in helping these two magicians get closer to their dream goals makes me feel the entire project was worth it.  

http://www.paulromhany.com/products.html

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.: Speaking of Paul ......  A personal recommendation

I owe Paul much.. He consistently and reliably makes sure I have a professional article available for the 'next issue'. Now, I'm going to do something for Paul, actually, I'm going to do something for ALL of you, Paul included. You may have noticed my quote at the beginning of this article.." Being a magician can make you money.. Being a performer can make you rich." Well...  Paul Romhany and comedy writer Hal Spear have combined to publish a new book titled "Extreme Magic MakeOver" that can help you cross the line  between magician and performer..    

EXTREME MAGIC MAKEOVER will supply you with brand new, funny, original, COMPLETE ROUTINES for some of magic’s most popular and widely performed effects. This book contains scripts for the comedy magician who wants to combine stand-up with magic. The scripts are written by Hal Spear - professional comedy script writer to the stars.

-Torn and Restored Newspaper - three different routines
-Bowl-A-Rama by Kevin James - two comedy routines for this amazing effect - no longer just an -opening routine
-Six card Repeat and Six Bill Repeat - three routines
-Snowstorm in China - two different routines that are original
-Mental Epic - three very different comedy routines
-Half-Dyed Hank - three original routines (note: these routines are for white/red hankies and different than the black/red in CSI:The Case of the Half-Died Hanky)
-Professors Nightmare - two versions including an adult version for the comedy club performer.

Book 7" x 10" - 82 pages priced at only $29.95

"This book is a wonderful addition to any comedy magicians library. Created by a magician and also a fine comedian it gets to the heart of thinking, writing and performing strong material. Highly recommended." - -Nick Lewin, Las Vegas

Personally, I am ordering my copy shortly, and am really looking forward to reading the complete comedy routines.. a rare inclusion in today's market. Most magicians show you the effect, hurry through the tutorial, and leave you struggling to develop an entertaining routine. Not Paul and Hal...  

Read more and/or order from  http://extrememagicmakeover.com

(ALSO - be sure to join Paul's newsletter because each month you will go in a draw to win one of his many effects on the market for magicians.)


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.: More Slydini Videos


Due to the interest in the Slydini link in the last Magic Roadshow, I decided to publish two more videos in the Magic Bullets blog. To quote from the blog..  

"Slydini was born Quintino Marucci in 1901. Long considered a 'magician's magician', Tony Slydini was a master of misdirection. Dai Vernon is reported to have told Dick Cavett that the only magician in the world who could fool him was 'Slydini'.. "

Pay particular attention to how slow and deliberate Slydini works. Watching him work, one would exclude the possibility that a sleight would, or could, occur. You know 'something' is going to happen, but not right now. Then, suddenly, the effect is over and you're REALLY wanting him to do it again, which isn't going to happen. Instead, Slydini is going to make you think he's going to give you a second chance to catch him, but he's going to do something entirely different, something again unexpected.  I could write a book on the subtleties involved in a Slydini routine...  

http://streetmagic.info/2009/04/more-slydini-videos.html


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.: Head Off Illusion


Remember when Cyril did the 'head drop' effect on Totally Hidden Extreme Magic? Since, it's been performed by an assortment of performers, to differing degrees of success. I've posted one of the very best performances to one of my blogs -  "Card Tricks and Magical Mysteries".  I wish it had been recorded in a 'real world' situation, but it does succeed in showing the possibilities.  

Oh the joy of youth.. Unless you're a teenager or a very slim adult you will never be able to duplicate this  
feat. I can see myself trying to look cool as I perform this effect.. looking more like two oversized lovers, under cover, entertaining themselves on a water bed..  
   

http://rickcarruth.blogspot.com/2009/03/head-drop-illusion.html


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.: Cell Phone Illusion


Here's an interesting little illusion, using a cell phone and a mirror. It's a very popular video right now on YouTube, and if you haven't seen it, I think you'll enjoy it. Do me a favor though.. when you're watching the video, refrain from reading the viewer comments until you've had an opportunity to watch the video, maybe more than once, and contemplate what you're seeing..  

http://etricks.info/2009/04/video-illusion-using-cellphone.html

( Thanks to J.Sampson for the link! )


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.: Pin-up Playing Cards


Artsy Time has gone to a lot of trouble to publish a large collection of vintage pin-up playing cards to the web. . Long before the rise of mass visual media and mass circulation magazines like PEOPLE, beautiful women, usually models and movie stars, allowed their faces to grace calendars and playing cards as a means of increasing their popularity.

I've personally previewed each and every card to assure it's suitability for viewing by a general audience. ;-)
Although considered a little 'risque' in their time, they are tame by today's standards. Just a nice collection of great art work by an assortment of artists trying to make a living.  

Classic....  

http://artsytime.com/pin-up-playing-cards//


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.: It's Magi~que 2009!


My buddy, Barron Stringfellow, sponsors and organizes the annual Magi~que event in Kansas

We know it is early, but folks have requested we give ample notice for this event!  If you could fit it into your newsletters and billboards, we'd appreciate it!  as always, this is a free event!  
Thanks!! Barron Stringfellow
 
It's Magi~que 2009!

http://www.divshare.com/direct/7023154-f12.pdf


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.: Abbeville Opera House - A very magical production..


The historic Abbeville Opera House, situated in beautiful Abbeville SC, is preparing to celebrate its one hundredth birthday.  Twice the recipient of the South Carolina Governors Travel Award  for Tourism and serving each season as the Official State Theatre of South Carolina, the Abbeville Opera House attracts over 17,000 theatre patrons to their wonderful array of shows and productions.  

What does all this have to do with magic?  Well, a couple of things actually.

The executive director of the opera is Michael Genevie. I have run into Michael at magic lectures and at the annual South Carolina Association of Magicians (SCAM) on numerous occasions. As a fan of great magic, just as most of us, Michael usually has at least one surprise yearly for magic afectianos.  

The technical director of the opera is our long-time friend Henry Pettit. Henry always makes space available to the Magic Roadshow at the SCAM convention and contributes resources to the Roadshow. Many of you have enjoyed resources provided by Henry, without knowing the source..  

And THIS year, Michael, Henry, and the rest of the governors and directors have made special arraignments with Michael Ammar to present a very special two week (possibly three) performance featuring Michael's magic on a big stage.  Performances are scheduled for June 5, 6, 12 & 13, with Saturday matinees June 6 and 13 @ 3pm..  I encourage you to go to either of the links below and make plans to attend this VERY SPECIAL event.  My wife and I will be there and I hope you will too.        

http://www.theabbevilleoperahouse.com/shows.htm
http://www.theabbevilleoperahouse.com/index.htm


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.: Magic Plus


If you haven't been to my new site, Magic Plus, a site for magicians who want to mingle, go soon.. not right now. Finish this issue first. Then go..

http://magicplus.ning.com


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.: The Card Mechanic - Great Resource


Thanks to BillyTopHat, one of the Roadshow's faithful readers, I've been introduced to a really informative site titled The Card Mechanic. I think the Card Mechanic was once primarily a blog, but has now been transformed into an interactive website that allows readers to become contributors and publishers.  

Regardless of your participation, the site owner, Steven Warren, has done an excellent job creating and publishing videos to the site. There is a wide array of video tutorials covering both the basic and more complex card basics, sleights, cuts, flourishes, shuffles, and actual effects, including the Ambitious Card Routine. To quote from their site:    

"At The Card Mechanic, we strive to provide tutorials or lessons in magic in the form of videos and other documentation. We will strive to learn about magic in the way that best suits the student. We are willing to help anyone who would like to perform magic perform to the best of their ability."  

The following are all good effects with explanations. The explanation for the Ambitious Card Routine alone is 15 minutes long..

1  The Upsidedown Card Revelation  
2  A Card to Pocket Routine    
3  The 2 Card Switch  
4  An Ambitious Card Routine
5  The Jokers Find It Trick  
6  BLUSH Trick    
7  Childproof!

Sleight videos are:

1  Mucking Cards
2  The Gambler's Cop    
3  Bottom Palm  
4  One Handed Top Palm  
5  Top Palm  
6  The Turnover Pass    
7  The Classic Pass  
8  Overhand Shuffle Control    
9  The Cull    
10  The Convincing Control  
11  The In-jog Control    
12  The Touch Force    
13  The Riffle Force  
14  The Slipcut Force    
15  The Classic Force    
16  Getting a Break    
17  The Double Lift  

Cuts and Shuffles:

1  Up the Ladder    
2  Over and Under False Cut    
3  Swing with a Double Undercut    
4  The Trinary Cut    
5  Blind Table Riffle  
6  The Zarrow Shuffle    
7  The Double Undercut    
8  The Erdnase Mod False Cut    
9  The Charlier Cut    
10  The Swing Cut  

Plus a FLOURISHES and a CARD MECHANICS BASICS section with even more videos..


http://www.thecardmechanic.com/


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.: Fun-Webs


Join my friends Theo Rabke and Tyler Stark at their newly designed website, Fun-Web.com .  I've been to their very professionally designed site and played  'Stress Relief Paintball' over and over when I SHOULD be working on this issue. So, if you get this issue late, it's Theo and Tylers fault! ( There's much more than Stress Relief Paintball at Fun-Webs, but this happens to be my favorite..)  

Support the future of young game developers by visiting their site at...

http://www.fun-webs.com/home-mainmenu-1.html


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.: Street Magic Widget


Want to install an informative Street Magic widget in your blog, website, or iGoogle website? Simon over at  FreeMagicTricks4u.com has created a video to make setting up your widget simple. Watch the less-than-two-minute video and see how easy it can be..

If you're a regular reader of the Magic Roadshow, then you know how often I publish videos from  FreeMagicTricks4U..  

http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Install-Street-Magic-Widget-105201482#src=rss

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.: Sam the Bellhop - video


I'm sure many of you have seen Bill Malone performing 'Sam the Bellhop'. Regardless, you need to see it again. This has remained among my favorite videos like... forever. I love to watch Bill fling cards all over the place, all while mostly looking at the audience and not the deck.

Most of us know that a pre-arranged deck is used, but there is still a considerable amount of mystery. I'm going to leave it to you to research the 'how' of this effect and see if you can mystify just as Bill does throughout the routine.  

The complex part, for most magicians, is how he 'gets back on track' after letting the audience cut the deck. See if you can figure it out... then immediately email me and let me know  ;-)

Thanks Elaine !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GErpOl3KG_w


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.: High Five
   R.Carruth


This is one of my 'personal' effects, with a special tip of the hat to Annemann, and I shouldn't tell ANYONE this secret, for any amount. But here goes..

Have a spectator take a deck of cards and shuffle until his hearts content. Then, have him spread the deck, face down, on the table. Ask him to very carefully, taking his time, pick one card from the face down pack and keep it's value hidden from everyone, including himself.  

Now, produce five identical envelopes. The type of envelopes used, ideally, should be the type that normally come with gift cards or Hallmark cards, as these are usually about equal in height and length. You can use normal business envelopes if you can't readily locate the Hallmark type. Just make sure you can't see through the envelopes.  

Fan the envelopes and ask the spectator to select any one. Then, have the spectator secretly look at his card, place it inside the envelope, and seal it.  

Now, ask the spectator to push four indifferent cards from the deck. You now take a card, put it in an envelope, seal it, and repeat until all the cards are fairly sealed in envelopes.  

Hand the five envelopes to the spectator, ask him to inspect each envelope to make sure there are no markings whatsoever on any of the envelopes. Ask him to thoroughly mix and then stack the envelopes, one upon the other, to form a stack of five.  

Once done, you will pick up each envelope, hold it to your forehead, and sit it to one side until all five envelopes have been 'mentally scanned'. At the right moment, you will pick from among the five envelopes the ONE containing the spectators card...


Secret:      
Quite simple actually. Watch the spectator carefully as they put their selected card in the envelope. If they put the card inside the envelope laying on it's side, you put your four cards in the envelope standing up... and vice versa. With the right envelopes, it's easy to tell by feel which envelope contains the one 'odd' card when it's placed to your forehead...  

Be creative. That's the key to a great performance. For instance, you can give the spectator a pen or Sharpie and ask them to write the name of a deceased pet on the face of the card. As you hold the cards to your forehead, channel the pet to help you find the card. Or, ask them to write the name of a deceased President.  

Start with six envelopes, five white and one blue. Tell the spectator what you're going to do, then hand the spectator the blue envelope to put their card in.  A  little comic relief...

( From the Roadshow Archives.. First published in Issue #53 of the Magic Roadshow )

R.Carruth

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.: The Encyclopedia of Card Tricks
Compiled by Glenn Gravatt - Revised and Expanded by Jean Hugard  

Jean Hugard, like Erdnase, compiled a body of works that to this day secures his name among the most influential of all magicians. Born John Gerard Rodney Boyce in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, Hugard knew his path, and set out around the world performing under various names. Before settling in Brooklyn NY, Hugard performed as Oscar Kellmann, Chin Sun Loo, Ching Ling Foo, and Jean Hugarde.  

Aside from being a premier cardsman, Hugard was known for his bullet catch routine called "The Great Rifle Feat". He was the first to perform it with modern ammunition.  

After moving to the United States in 1915, Hugard both owned and performed in a magic theater in Luna Park (at Coney Island) from 1919 to 1929.  

Jean Hugard eventually settled into writing and publishing, editing more than 30 books on magic.  Hugard also published Hugard's Magic Monthly from June 1943 to April 1965.  Remembered for its quality and quantity of the very best tricks of the day, HMM contained more than 1,500 tricks and sleights among it's  245 issues.  

Eventually, Hugard lost his sight following operations for the removal of cataracts, yet continued to contribute to the world of magic.  

The Encyclopedia of Card Tricks is one of the true classic publications of magic. Edited by Jean Hugard and  John J. Crimmins, who was primarily the illustrator, The Encyclopedia of Card Tricks is still available today through magic shops and on Amazon. As faithful readers of the Magic Roadshow, I'm providing a link to the eBook that you can bookmark. No download is needed... just click and read..    

http://mymind.home.att.net/CardTricks/cover.html


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.: SOC-TV - 24 Hour a Day Magic on TV  


Would you like to watch magic on TV 24 hours a day? How about I furnish you with a link to take you to a site with streaming video of magic performances 24/7..  

To quote from SOC-TV..

"SOC-TV : INDEPENDENT MAGICIANS NETWORK - Broadcasting from the magic capital of the world. Colon Michigan home of the worlds best kept secrets. Magicians gather hidden away in the amish cornfields that surround the most magical place on earth!"

SOC is actually a community of magicians and magic. You can chat, video chat, and participate in the forum on the Street Of Cards website.. I suggest you simply go on over and explore the web site and video site for yourself. A picture speaks a thousand words...


http://www.Mogulus.com/streetofcards  ( 24 hour magic video channel )

http://streetofcards.com/newsite/index.html  (website)


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.: Metamorphosis
Richard McGriff


I have tried for years to put this on paper. I don’t know if anyone else has come up with this idea using Two effects combined into one 'Mini-Illusion.' I call it the 'Metamorphosis’ and/or the 'Ascension of Jesus Christ into Heaven.'

It can be used either way that suits the situation. Straight Magic or Christian Ministry.

It uses the penny & dime trick and the Magic Box that ends up with the dime in the Match Box with rubber bands encircling it, & when it is Opened, they find another metal box with Rubber bands around it, & when It is Opened, it has a Little Red Bag with another Rubber Band around The top of it. INSIDE the Red Bag is their ‘Own-Self-Marked’ Dime.

The Effect and Explanation ::  

You borrow a dime, Have the spectator mark the HEAD side of the dime with a Sharpie Pen, I suggest that they draw a moustache On the President, or mark it in some other way on the HEAD side. (this is because the dime of my Dime&Penny is tail side up) If yours is the Other side, use it as the ‘Marked-Side..,.etc.. DON’T make a Deal out of It & will be O.K. Just work around it, and I usually hold the dime myself, and the reason for that is that it is So small & I don’t want them to DROP it. I then, after they have Marked It & written down the DATE of The Dime on a Piece of Paper, Napkin.,.etc. for future reference,  place the dime in ‘classic palm’ position Into my right-hand.  

I have the Other dime, of the dime&penny trick, ‘classic-palmed’ in my left hand, back of The hand UP. The right hand is Palm Up, with their marked dime, face up & showing to them. I then just do The ‘switch’ to the left hand, by turning the right hand over the left hand and turning the left hand up and the Right hand, palm down. ALL it looks like is that you have shown BOTH sides of the dime, Heads & then Tails.
 
I then, go into my right hand pants or coat pocket and put their ‘Marked’ dime into the ‘Slide’ for the Matchbox With the Rubber Bands around it, with the Metal Box with Flap, with Rubber Bands around it, and Inside of IT Is the Red Bag with the Rubber Band around the top of IT !! I then, take it out of my pocket, but not before I Remove the ‘slide’ from it, after placing their Marked Dime into It. That makes the Dime go into the Match Box, into the Metal Box & into the Red BAG.
 
Wheww, lots of writing, but the EFFECT is WELL worth it !!

I then say, "I want to ADD my two-cents into this Illusion. So I reach into my Right-hand pocket and remove The Penny that goes with the Dime&Penny trick, PLUS another Regular Penny. I Sandwich the dime between The regular penny, not the ‘shell’ penny first, that way, the pennies LOOK the Same in my hands. I then, put The pennies into THEIR hands like they should go, but I OVERLAP them, in the Correct way to do the Dime&Penny trick. I use the ‘Patter’ of Houdini & Bess doing the Metamorphosis’Illusion but in Miniature. The Added Penny is a ‘Police’ officer that put the ‘handcuffs’ onto Harry Houdini..,.etc.

The Christian Witness of this Illusion is that Jesus Christ is represented by the Dime & He Was Our Marked Savior, for Our Sins. He went to the Cross willingly for Us, between TWO thieves, represented by the ‘two-pennies.’ The Matchbox is Held above their hands & pretty near their face, to Represent ‘Heaven.’ With Your other hand.  

Or the ‘Trunk’ of Houdini & Bess’ Metamorphis Illusion. You have them, Close their hand, with the Dime of the Dime&Penny trick meshed into the penny, as they close their hand tightly. Pull your Finger out and say, ‘But NOT my finger, too" Usually gets a Big Laugh at this point. The REST is just Pure SHOWMANSHIP. You DO the magic words, if it is straight magic, or if you are doing Christian Witness Ministry. You say the words, "JESUS LOVES US ‘And Jesus Died on the Cross, was buried and on the third day, Arose to ‘Heaven." They OPEN their hand, and the Dime, representing Jesus, is GONE, the Only thing Left is the ‘two-cents’ or thieves that you Added, and you IMMEDIATELY take them back, but very slowly Let them see without a DOUBT that the Dime HAS VANISHED, from their hand. Show BOTH SIDES of the Pennies. You then, Tap the edges of the Pennies on the table, or counter to show that they are solid and put them into your Pocket. (Don’t Forget later, that one of the Pennies, goes to the DIME&PENNY trick)  

Hand them the Matchbox with the Rubber Bands around it and let them OPEN it by taking OFF the Rubber Bands,.,.etc. Keep them going, into The Metal Box with the Rubber Bands around it and then into the RED BAG. WHEN they OPEN the RED BAG & VERIFY their Marking & DATE of the DIME, You will get Plenty of APPLAUSE & W O W ' s


Richard McGriff
(aka. Blinky the MagiClown)


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.: Free eBooks for New Subscribers


Erdnase'  "Expert at the Card Table"
http://www.divshare.com/direct/6004719-c1a.pdf

JP Jacquard's  "Easy Mentalism"
http://www.divshare.com/direct/6004724-23c.pdf

Hugard's  "Encyclopedia of Card Tricks"
http://www.divshare.com/direct/6004872-3e0.pdf

Bobo's  "Modern Coin Magic" - A classic
http://streetmagicsecrets.info/bobo.htm



* Here's a couple of my ebooks , I normally sell them on another site, but I'm going to give everyone a chance to get them free for only a short while...


Rick Carruth's 'Hypnosis Mania'
http://www.divshare.com/direct/4523985-60f.pdf

Rick Carruth's 'Body Language Magic'
http://www.divshare.com/direct/5192312-1e8.pdf


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I encourage you to share your favorite links, videos, and resources with other magicians from around the world. If you know of a site that has a free ebook or a wide assortment of magic related material, let me know. I'm sure all the other readers will appreciate it..

Please email me at the link below with your resource, link, article, or suggestion..

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Email me..
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May my next issue find you well..


Rick Carruth / Editor

Senior Professor - Camelard College of Conjuring of Chemmis, Egypt
http://www.camelardcollege.org/


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