The Christmas Griffin

Volume 63 No.10 December 2005

My first Presidential Contribution last month seemed to turn into a trip down memory lane which I can only hope was not too boring! The fact is that while there are few advantages in being a magician who has reached his seventies, I was persuaded by Past President Mark Thurold at the Annual Dinner Dance that some of my magical experiences down the years might make interesting reading; so here goes. The early fifties when I first became a working semi-pro on the Merseyside, South Lancashire and North Wales circuit afforded good opportunities to earn an honest crust, though the fees considered respectable then would be worse than silly today. Television was just about becoming a ‘must’ in every home but had not yet inflicted serious damage to the live entertainment business. In fact TV was doing much to help magic capture the public’s imagination, a process which,

amazingly enough, The Piddingtons’ mind-reading act had started some years earlier on radio. Needless to say I was one of the millions of viewers who were riveted to see Robert Harbin introduce his astounding Zig Zag illusion on the David Nixon Show. Other names who did so much to encourage concert secretaries to book magicians in those days included Al Koran, Channing Pollack, Tommy Cooper and David Berglas, to name but a few. As a matter of interest, David Berglas was among a number of distinguished visitors to call in to a clubnight of the Liverpool Magic Circle. (Another was Trefor Lewis, who would never fail to look in on us whenever his ship was docked in port on one of our meeting nights). At this time Berglas was, of course, at the height of his fame which was to continue for so many years, and we were all thrilled to meet him. I remember he did a number of fairly spooky tricks before dashing off to do his second house at the Liverpool Empire. The last one was the spookiest. He opened the door of the meeting room to leave , and turned to say that he had one more surprise for us before he went.With that , he stamped his foot loudly on the floor and..... ALL THE LIGHTS WENT OUT! Well, needless to say,confusion reigned in the pitch darkness in which we had all been plunged, and when light was restored our mysterious visitor was nowhere to be seen. It took us more than a moment or two to realise that, while he had so expertly misdirected our attention to watch his raised foot which he was so obviously about to stamp, a convenient elbow was poised within a hair’s breadth of the light switch! Memorable and happy days, of which more next month. Wishing you a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year Don.

EL PRESIDENTEDON GILROY

You've Got To Have A Gimmick Or Two

Challenge your friends to see if they can genuinely add ONE to 20 and make 19? They should think this quite impossible, as one added to 20 would, obviously make 21. Imply that there is no trickery involved, so when everybody has decided to “give up” you calmly take a box of matches and arrange them as

You say that X and X in Roman numerals makes 20, then add one more match placing it between the two Roman figures X and X . This changes the configuration as X is 10 and 1X is 9 which makes a grand total of 19 which is what your friends were invited to do. It’s an old ‘un but still a good ‘un.

Another Match PuzzleHere’s another match puzzle for you to fathom out and also to have some fun with your friends.Place six matches side by side in a horizontal row with a small gap of about an inch in between the matches.Challenge your spectator to move TWO matches only and subsequently leave nothing.Despite the implausible nature of the puzzle stress that it can be done.The Reveal: Take the THIRD match and place it diagonally between the first and second match to form the capital letter N.Leave the FOURTH match in its present place, next to the Letter N to form NI and lastly lay the SIXTH match at ninety degrees to the FIFTH match to form the capital letter L forming the word NILYou have only moved TWO matches but you are left with nothing – NILQuickly look for the nearest exit. Time for a quick getaway.

Derren Brown goes on tour in 2006 with the show that sold out across the country earlier this year. This is what we said then “Just as Cirque du Soleil reinvented the dying art of ‘circus’ in the 80’s Derren Brown has reinvented the dying art of the ‘mind reader’ in the 2000’s - the show was simply stunning... the whole production has been meticulously crafted from start to finish. You will take great delight in its inventiveness and originality... and the closing minutes will simply blow you away. Derren’s performance is superb, his easy manner and charm bewitching the audience from the moment he walks on stage. Very theatrical, without ever being over the top... Something Wicked will go down in magic history as a defining moment in the evolution of the genre. Do try and see this show; it boldly goes where no mortal ‘mind reading’ show has dreamt of going before.” Theatres may not yet be taking advance bookings.) www.derrenbrown.co.uk

Something Wicked This Way Comes... Again!

Following the success of Russian Roulette, Séance and Messiah, master mind manipulator Derren Brown returns this Christmas with The Heist, another one-off television special produced by Objective Productions for Channel 4. “Under the guise of a motivational seminar and a follow-up documentary, can Derren Brown persuade any of his group of responsible, middle-management businessmen and women to steal £100,000 in an armed robbery? In his most ambitious and challenging special to date, Derren illustrates how little it takes to cross into deviant behaviour and presents a master class in persuasion.” Transmission date to be announced.

Derren Brown

The Heist.

Michael Ammar and Canada’s Patrik Kuffs have just been added to the line up of talent appearing at the Blackpool Magicians’ Convention on 24th, 25th and 26th February, 2006. Michael will lecture and perform in the close-up sessions and Patrik Kuffs will perform on the ‘Mainly Mentalism’ show on the Friday evening and lecture. More names are still being added - visit www.blackpoolmagic.com for all the latest news and to register.

The December meeting saw The Dark Destroyer, Noel Massey (or was that the boxer Nigel Benn?) baffle and bemuse us with a multitude of Masseys Miraculous Miracles.Firstly he attached little wooden rods onto the buttonholes of a few members, including our esteemed President. The rods had a small string loop. Elliott, our youngest member was the first to successfully remove the rod. Notable failures were Dave Baker and President Don Gilroy.Noel then brought out some scissors and proceeded to twist them impossibly until his hands were back to back and the scissors were pointing upwards. This "Do as I do" routine was another great fooler.Don then produced a very nice horseshoe puzzle where the trapped ring needs to be removed, easy in principle but a real trial in practice.Russ then got his own back on Noel by another "do as I do" effect with glasses of water.Dave Baker (small wooden rod still attached ) then challenged Paul Hughes to a twisting glass effect.As the bar bets and gotchas ran out, Noel produced a packed of very obviously marked cards and proceeded to get Sara to predict the number on the back of the Queen of Spades.Russ Roberts, always on hand to help, asked Elliott to assist in a coin puzzle. Happily to the members still attached to a small wooden stick he failed on the first attempt, but Mr Smarty Pants bounced right back onthe second attempt with the correct method. Barry Trestain showed us all a very cheeky ring of pen effect.Noel carried on with a cut pack trick where

Next MonthTuesday 3rd January

2006

NWMC Auction

Bring your old props, books and unwanted effects, Sell them for good old hard cash and then buy someone

else's junk

the two halves of two independantly selected half cards matched, despite being two different suits! Big thanks to Noel, as ever, for holding the whole thing together

Noel is the Christmas Star at the December Meeting

The following items won’t win FISM, but can be run together to make a small and effective sequence. To properly set the scene, the only item required is an unusual & old deck of cards. The one I use is a 30-40 years old and has the 12 zodiac signs on the back, which fits in well with the statement that it belonged to a clairvoyant for many years and was given to me after his demise by his widow. You further explain that some of the clairvoyant’s influence must have passed to the deck - and you offer to show some unusual occurrences:-

STRANGE DECK 1A coincidence affect.CreditsThis is strongly based on an un-named effect by Peter Duffie published in the Winter 2002 Edition of Club 71.PresentationWhilst explaining the background to the deck, spread the deck face up to show it

consists of 52 different cards. Shuffle and/or cut the deck.Ask a spectator to help in an unusual game of cards. Proceed by showing what they are to do. Deal the top sixteen cards alternatively into two hands of 8 cards. Ask the assistant to choose one of the hands. Whichever is chosen, you pick up this pile and give it a thorough shuffle, then drop this hand on top of the other one.Ask the assistant to do what you did, i.e. deal, shuffle one hand, then drop it on other cards.As an afterthought, ask him/her to repeat the process one more time to ensure a good mix of the cards.Once completed, you pick up the 16 cards and deal out into 2 hands. Ask the assistant to choose which hand is yours. Pick up the chosen hand and re-iterate that you have both put your influence on the cards and, of course, with all the dealing and shuffling,

Strange

By

Paul

Hughes"Strange"

By Paul Hughes

the cards must be well mixed.Turn over the top card(?) to show, say, 4 of spades. Explain that each card in the deck has a “mate” – which in this case would be the 4 of clubs. Ask the assistant to spell the mate by moving one card at a time from top to bottom of their packet. Have them turn over the final “s” card to reveal the 4 of clubs – an amazing co-incidence!Finally, turn over both hands side by side to show a random mix of cards. MethodThe top 16 cards of the face down deck are made up of 8 pairs in two repeating stacks i.e. abcdefghabcdefgh. Each pair consists of mates i.e. 2x black fours, 2x red twos etc. Most cards can be used – the only requirement being that one or both of each pair can be spelt or counted in order to make either 10 or 11. This will become clearer!Use a good mix of red and black so that spreading the deck shows no obvious pattern. The initial shuffle/cuts must leave the top16 card stack in order.Amazingly, the rest is virtually self working! For each shuffle and choice of hand, the assistant has a completely free choice.After the final deal, the true situation is that there is a matching pair 3 cards down in each hand. Pick up the hand chosen for you and fan out whilst talking about “influence”, mixing etc. Get a break below the third card whilst squaring up. Do a triple turnover to show the “top card”.Until the turnover, you have no idea what the card is. The next part needs a little thought, but you have time whilst talking about mates of cards. You are looking for a method to count either ten or eleven – the target card starts third, but moving cards from top to bottom means it will be top again on “eleven”. You do have several options e.g.:-• 4C - spell “four of clubs” = 11 • 5H - count five, spell “hearts” =

11• 7C - spell “seven” then “clubs” = 10; turn over next card• 10D - count ten and turnover next card• If the mate won’t work properly e.g. queen of diamonds, use the first card i.e. “queen” + “hearts”.Careful selection of the 8 pairs will remove problems and randomly cutting a deck can provide practice.You then give instructions to assistant as to moving cards singly from top to bottom.The final part is to clean up and show the two hands consisting of random cards. After the triple turnover, you have 3 face up cards on top of 5 face down. Bear in mind that whilst the assistant is doing the spelling / counting, you have lots of time and misdirection.With cards in left hand, place right hand over packet in Biddle grip, using the right thumb, get a break under the 3 face up cards at near side and hold break with left pinkie. Then, using thumb again, get another break under top card. By sliding right hand to left edge of cards (thumb at near corner, second finger at top left corner), you can lever over the 2nd and 3rd cards using the left fingers as a fulcrum. The right hand and top card provide good cover.All that is left to do is to spread both hands face up and side by side to show no other matching pairs.MethodAfter initial shuffle – which should be thorough – you must know the top card of deck. If you don’t already have a method, end shuffling with a table riffle shuffle and in squaring up, lift deck slightly to peek bottom card, then cut it to top.The riffle down to choose card is completely fair and should be done slowly. Stop where told and open deck like a book for card to be removed. At this point, finger tips of left hand will be in contact with the top card of

right hand portion (the known key card). As assistant removes card, turn to your RIGHT “to avoid seeing card” and execute a slip cut. The turning of the body almost makes this automatic. When the chosen card is returned, it is now on top of the key card.When you later run through deck, the chosen card will be to LEFT of key card. Once you know identity, look for any matching number card with adjoining card of matching suit e.g. chosen card 4H, look for any 4 next to a heart. This might seem a long shot, but it happens 19 times out of 20! Remember you have 3 number mates, each of which has 2 adjoining cards. On the rare occasions I have “missed”, there has always been a suit card next but one and with deck fanned towards you can easily be pulled out with number card to look as if they were adjoining.Afterthoughts1. Check top and bottom cards of deck first. Occasionally these are the right combination. Bearing in mind assistant cut the deck, you now have a miracle. Play it for all it’s worth!2. If possible go for pairs of cards well away from the chosen card.3. I have recently changed “tactics” when revealing the “pair cards”. Holding the two cards one under the other I state the these cards give two options e.g. 4H & 7C could mean 4 of clubs or 7 of hearts. Show top card and ask for help. Using two cards above as example, with 4H showing ask “was it a heart”? If answer is yes then show bottom card and say “then it must be the seven”. The rationale is that the DECK is doing the work, you didn’t know the card(?).

Bowie Ponders ‘Prestige’ Thriller

Rock legend David Bowie is in talks to play inventor Nikola Tesla in “The Prestige,” a thriller from “Batman Begins” director Christopher Nolan.The cast also includes Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale and Michael Caine in a tale of rival magicians in early 20th century London. The Tesla character is based on the real-life Serbian-American who discovered the rotating magnetic field.The script, on which Nolan is working, is based on Christopher Priest’s 1996 novel and was adapted by Nolan’s brother, Jonathan, who also wrote the short story on which Nolan’s breakout movie, “Memento,” was based. The movie is scheduled to shoot in January with a budget in the $40 million range. Bowie’s screen acting credits range from 1976’s “The Man Who Fell to Earth” to 1983’s “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence,” 1996’s “Basquiat” and, most recently, 2000’s “Mr. Rice’s Secret.”

2006 Committee Meetings 14th March 2006, 13th June 2006 and

10th October 2006

“Twas the night before Christmas and Santa’s a wreck...

How to live in a world that’s politically correct?

His workers no longer would answer to “Elves” --

“Vertically challenged” they were calling themselves.

And labour conditions at the North Pole Were alleged by the union to stifle the

soul. Four reindeer had vanished, without

much propriety, Released to the wilds by the Humane

Society. And equal employment had made it quite

clear That Santa had better not use just

reindeer. So Dancer and Donner, Comet and

Cupid, Were replaced by 4 pigs, and you know

that looked stupid! The runners had been removed from his

sleigh; The ruts were termed dangerous by the

E.P.A. And people had started to call the cops When they heard sled noises on their

rooftops. Second-hand smoke from his pipe had

his workers quite frightened, His fur trimmed red suit was called

“unenlightened.” And to show you the strangeness of life’s

ebbs and flows, Rudolph was suing over unauthorized

use of his nose And had gone on the tv, in front of the

nation, Demanding millions in overdue

compensation. So, half the reindeer were gone; and his

wife, Who suddenly said she’d had enough of

this life, Joined a self-help group, packed, and left

in a whiz, Demanding from now on her title was

“Ms.” And as for the gifts, why, he’d ne’er had

a notion That making a choice could cause so

much commotion. Nothing of leather, nothing of fur,

Which meant nothing for him. And nothing for her.

Nothing that might be construed to pollute,

Nothing to aim, nothing to shoot. Nothing that clamored or made lots of

noise, Nothing for just girls, nor just for the

boys. Nothing that claimed to be gender

specific, Nothing that’s warlike or non-pacific.

No candy or sweets (they were bad for the teeth)

Nothing that seemed to embellish a truth. And fairy tales, while not yet forbidden, Were like Ken and Barbie - better off

hidden. For they raised the hackles of those

psychological Who claimed the only good gift was one

ecological. No baseball, no football - someone could

get hurt! Besides, playing sports exposed kids to

dirt. Dolls were said to be sexist, and should

be passe; And Nintendo would rot your entire brain

away. So Santa just stood there, disheveled,

A Politically

Correct Poem For

Christmas

(Magic Castle Lecturer of the Year 2002), Chris Capehart from the USA (aka The Ringmaster), Chase Curtis from the USA (18 year old winner of the coveted Gold Cups at the American IBM convention), Rick Merrill from the USA (another young star who won both the SAM and IBM close-up competitions), and Billy McComb.On the Friday afternoon a new addition will be a Star Lecture and an International Forum featuring Stan Allen, Hank Moorehouse, Billy McComb and Terry Seabrooke. 104 magic dealers from all over the world will exhibit in the Dealers Fair, which will be spread over two spacious halls, and the Sunday After Show Party will be held in both The Spanish Hall with star cabaret, and in the Theatre Bar, with close-up magic. This year everyone who registers for a Gold Card Registration (£68.00) before 31st December 2005 will receive a free DVD. Priority Registration Form: www.blackpoolmagic.com (or call Arthur Casson on 01253 393688) book early!

24th - 26th February 54th Blackpool

Convention This year featuring two International Gala Shows (the British Magical Stage Championships is taking a break). Mick Miller will compere the Saturday night and Johnny Casson the Sunday. Performers booked to date include the ever inventive Peter Marvey from Switzerland (photo), Victor Voitko from Russia, Jerome Murat from France with his sensational statue act, Billy McComb, Aaron Crow (FISM award winner), Marc & Alex (a seven person illusion act) from Germany, Men in Coats and Ken Dodd, with more names still to be announced.International close-up performers and lecturers already booked include: Martin A. Nash from Canada (known as The Charming Cheat), Jean Pierre Vallarino from France (FISM Prize Winner), Paul Green from the USA

perplexed; He just could not figure out what to do

next. He tried to be merry, tried to be gay, But you’ve got to be careful with that

word today. His sack was quite empty, limp to the

ground; Nothing fully acceptable was to be found.

Something special was needed, a gift that he might

Give to all without angering the left or the right.

A gift that would satisfy, with no indecision,

Each group of people, every religion; Every ethnicity, every hue,

Everyone, everywhere - even you. So here is that gift, it’s price beyond

worth... “May you and your loved ones enjoy

peace on earth.”

NWMC are conducting asurvey of it's current menbership to ensure we've got all your details correct. Please print or copy this page and fill in the details. This will ensure that you are always kept right up to date with all the news at North Wales.

North Wales Magic Circle ~ Cylch Hud Gogledd Cymru

Name.....................................................AKA........................................

Address.................................................................................................

...................................................................................................

...................................................................................................

...................................................................................................

Tel: ...............................................Mobile:........................................

Email: ...............................................@................................................

Membership Class

Full Senior Junior Family

Please give your completed form to Bob Scott at the next meeting or post to Bob at Robert E Scott, 3 Pendyffryn Road, Rhyl. LL18 4RU

or email: robertscottrhyl@hotmail.com

Please tick this box if you would prefer to receive your Griffin by post. If you can receive the Griffin by email or downloading from the website www.griffinmagazine.co.uk, it will help reduce our production and distribution costs however if you do not have a computer we are delighted to continue to post it to you.

Paul Zenon’s Revenge Squad

Ginger TV presents an exhilarating one-off entertainment show with a revengeful twist - Paul Zenon’s Revenge Squad, at 11pm on Friday December 23rd, on ITV1. “Revenge Squad sees trickster and mischief-maker Paul Zenon and his team of miscreants exact hugely satisfying revenge on a source of great public irritation – traffic wardens - in this one-off special. The traffic warden is a modern species that started life with the honourable intent of genuinely easing congestion in town centres. Zenon believes they have now mutated into the shock troopers of a vast money-making operation, driven by an obsession with exceeding quotas to win the monthly highest achiever holiday. In a series of secretly filmed and hilarious stunts, pranks and street tricks, punctuated with helpful ‘how to’ sections, Paul Zenon’s

Revenge Squad will strike back for the little guy in this observational, fast-moving and gritty show. Fundamentally mischievous and light-hearted in tone, the Squad seek revenge in a sharp, funny, and incisive way. They don’t get mad, they get even.”

17th - 30th December Safire star in Dick

Whittington at HunstantonSafire can be seen in Dick Whittington this Christmas at Searles Leisure Resort, Hunstanton. Stuart will be playing King Rat and Jayne Fairy Bow Bells, and together they’ll be performing their Magic Light Puppet Company and Illusion act. The Show is produced by Rollason Entertainments and runs from December 17th - 30th. Tickets: Adults £11.50, Children/Senior Citizens £10.50 Family Tickets (2 adults, 2 children) £40.00. Box Office: 01485 570083

Rentaghost the Musical with Stuart and Jayne Loughland (aka Safire) Sunday 9th April MANCHESTER Opera House 0870 4016000Tuesday 11th April SOUTHPORT Theatre 0870 607 7560For Dave Mansell: Sunday 23rd April BIRMINGHAM Alexandra Theatre 0870 6077533Sunday 7th May LIVERPOOL Empire 0870 606 3536Saturday 3rd June LLANDUDNO North Wales Theatre 01492 872000Also see www.rentaghostthemusical.com

Stuart & Jayne aka Safire must be the busiest illusionists in the country, they're

everywhere. If you get a chance drag as many people as you can to see them. They always support (and star) in our clubs productions so grab Grannie & the kids and go!

Does my bum look big in this

field?

MadCowCornerMadCowCorner

Favorite guests on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman, and Live! with Regis & Kathie Lee, Penn & Teller have made dozens of television appearances including, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Today Show and Saturday Night Live. Penn & Teller are also frequent guests on several popular television series, having appeared as Drell and Skippy in the hit ABC series Sabrina, The Teenage Witch; as attorneys Fenn & Geller on The Drew Carey Show; as well as appearances on Friends, Dharma & Greg, Babylon 5, Home Improvement and The Simpsons. Penn & Teller Get Killed, directed by Arthur Penn, saw the pair in their big screen debut. This December, Penn & Teller will appear in Walt Disney’s Fantasia 2000 in movie theatres everywhere. The 1985 PBS special, Penn & Teller Go Public, won two Emmys and the International Golden Rose. Other television projects have included the ABC special Penn & Teller’s Home Invasion, the Showtime movie Penn and Teller’s Invisible Thread, the NBC special Don’t Try This At Home, the PBS Children’s series

Behind The Scenes, and The Unpleasant World of Penn & Teller and Penn & Teller’s Phobophilia, both for Britain’s Channel 4.

The pair’s most recent and most ambitious project is their weekly, Emmy nominated variety series, Penn & Teller’s Sin City Spectacular, on the Fx Network. Taped on location in Las Vegas, the show features appearances by top movie, television and music stars, eclectic variety performers and new, never before seen Penn & Teller tricks. Penn & Teller have written two best-selling books, Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends and How To Play With Your Food. Their newest book, How To Play In Traffic, is a collection of practical jokes, miracles and anecdotes, that makes travel funnier than ever before. Penn & Teller appear as evil magicians Paine & Terrore in Steven Spielberg’s Director’s Chair, a CD-ROM by DreamWorks Interactive. The duo serve as Visiting Scholars at MIT, which is the highest honour bestowed by the school and were recently named two of the funniest people alive in Entertainment Weekly’s “50 Greatest Comedians Today” issue.

Dai Vernon , considered by most magicians as the greatest sleight of hand man who ever lived, was affectionately known as The Professor. He was a remarkable performer, inventor and teacher. He was, I am very proud to say, my teacher, advisor, and above all, my friend.He was also known as the The Only Man That Fooled Harry Houdini. Born David Frederick Wingfield Verner in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on June 11, 1894. As a child, he met and was influenced by magic legends Nate Leipzig and Max Malini, both of whom were his idols. pHe was a student at Asbury College and The Royal Military College of Canada, where he was extremely active in sports, even making the grade as the captain of the hockey team. It was during this time that he began performing magic shows,

developing his own unique style, which was obviously influenced by Malini and Leipzig. He decided to launch his magic career, and he moved to New York City.He got the nickname of “Dai” when a typo in a newspaper gave him Dai instead of David. His last name “Vernon” came from the dancer, Vernon Castle, who with his wife was a dancer in the 1920’s. While in New York, his name Vernon was carried over since most New Yorkers could not pronounce it correctly. Vernon is, without doubt, the most influential conjuror of the 20th century. Some say he was the greatest sleight of hand artist who ever lived. Those fortunate enough to know him intimately, as I did, would readily agree. When he first arrived in New York, many of the magicians there dismissed him as “just a kid doing card tricks”. Work was never crucial for Vernon, though. Being broke didn’t bother him; he believed it would come to him in due course. “If you chase fame or dollars, either will avoid you. People ask me how I get publicity. I tell them I try to avoid it. It’s not going to do me any good.. I can’t use it because I’m not in the business. I’ve never even gone into an agent’s office.” Indeed, Vernon lived that statement. Vernon, who is considered one of the most polished and skillful card experts in the world, supported himself much of the time by cutting silhouettes in Atlantic City, Miami, Chicago, and Denver. He was a remarkably-talented cutter.It was in Atlantic City that Vernon met Frances Rockefeller King, an agent who booked acts for private parties. Vernon would go to these parties to perform magic or sometimes cutting silhouettes. Once she called him in Atlantic City with a job

The Only Man Who Fooled Houdini A tribute to "The

Professor" by Steve Dacri

offer, but he declined it, preferring to cut silhouettes, go swimming, and have some fun along the Boardwalk.. Later, he found out she wanted him to entertain the Prince of Wales on Long Island. “I’ve always regretted that”, he says. “Life is a funny thing.”It was on one of his trips to Chicago that an incident occurred that would become legendary in the life of Dai Vernon and another legend, Harry Houdini. Houdini has boasted that he could not be fooled by anyone if he saw a trick performed three times in a row. In Chicago, in 1919, Dai took Harry up on the challenge. Dai did what is now known as The Ambitious Card eight times, and Harry had no idea how it was done. Dai, not one to pass up this kind of opportunity, used the tagline “The Man Who Fooled Houdini” in his advertisements during the 1920s and 1930s. Bess, Harry wife, told people that after Dai showed the trick to Harry, Harry was very upset, talking about it all night long, trying to figure it out. He couldn’t. Over the years, Vernon would see Houdini whenever he was in Chicago or New York, and they often had heated “discussions”. Dai sometimes insulted Houdini by telling him he didn’t think he was a great magician, just a great promoter. Houdini hated to hear this, and many times a shouting match would ensue.Vernon improved known tricks and created new ones. He had friendship with magicians like T. Nelson Downs, Allan Shaw, Max Malini, Nate Leipzig, Charlie Miller, and Houdini to name a few. His clinical mind was responsible for many modern classic routines adopted by numerous magicians today. He set new standards, and elevated the art of conjuring more than almost any predecessor. He is probably the greatest contributor to the art of close-up magic who ever walked the earth. However, he was a modest person blessed with indescribable charm. He was

a true gentleman and everyone loved him. It was very rare to hear Vernon say anything unkind about anybody, aside from his personal “disagreements” woth Houdini.. Even if the person deserved it, he would always find something positive to say about them. He had the rare ability to fill anyone in his company with renewed enthusiasm for magic. There was only one conjuror that he spoke of negatively, and that was Harry Houdini. He had no tolerance for poorly-performed magic. In his later years, he openly criticized bad magicians, often telling them that they should give up magic for the sake of the world.Magic was the most important thing in Vernon’s life. “If you want to be an artist,” he says, “you must devote your life to it. Chess, music, anything. After you get just so high, you realize that if you want to be truly great, you have to give up everything else -- you have to dedicate your life to your art.” It’s Vernon’s artistry of his magic that makes the experts rave. Vernon was known to take a fair trick and produce from it a masterpiece. Whatever trick he did became his own.He was against all forms of flourishes and show-offy moves. He preferred naturalness and simplicity. He liked to say that you needed to strip away all of the unnecessary moves, so that you were left with just the magic.“Some people copy,” Vernon says. “They see someone do a trick and they copy. I do my own version. It’s no good to copy because when a person creates a thing, no matter how bad it is, it’s still his own creation. He will interpret it better than any copier ever could, because someone who copies doesn’t know the reasoning, he doesn’t know what’s behind the effect. He doesn’t know what the feeling should be so he doesn’t put any feeling into it. That’ what there should be in every work of art -- feeling.”p

(At left: Vernon came to support me when I re-created Houdini’s most famous escape, the Chinese Water Torture Escape, on Hollywood Boulevard, one block away from the Magic Castle, on Houdini’s star in 1985. When I got out of the tank, he came over to me and said, “Houdini would have been proud.”)In the mid-1960s, Vernon left the East Coast for California to visit Jay Ose who had been working at the Magic Castle in Hollywood at the urging of the founders, Bill Larsen and Milt Larsen. Vernon liked it there so much he never left. He moved into an apartment building within walking distance, and spent every single evening at the Castle. Many sharp young performers followed him. He accepted few pupils, but magicians wanted to be near him to talk and see him work. His kindness and sincerity drew people as naturally as his artistry demands their respect. Dai’s friend, Garrick Spencer, gave Dai the title of “The Professor”. Dai didn’t really care for this title, but Garrick kept calling him that and it stuck. Dai’s willingness to share his expertise with others is probably what prompted the title. Dai’s student, while few, are prestigious in their own right, speaking much of Vernon’s talents as both performer and instructor: Ricky Jay, Bruce Cervon, Steve Dacri, David Roth, Michael Ammar, Michael Skinner, and Larry Jennings all studied with The Professor.Vernon lived according to habit, rising late each day and staying up long into the night. He also practiced the piano. “For a while, “ he says, “I thought I would do an act with a piano. It’s very hard to finish a magic act. A dance routine can go into a lot of high kicks

and flip-flops, but for a magician it’s hard to work out a finish. I thought to myself, ‘What a great finish. First I’ll do magic and then I’ll play the piano.’ I still think it is a good idea -- a good way to finish a magic act.”In the late 70’s, I suggested to Vernon that he should undertake a lecture tour. He didn’t believe anyone would want to see him at his advanced age. Joe Cossari, known professionally as “The King of Cards”, helped me convince Dai that people would definitely want to see him perform. One night, when I arrived at the Castle, Joe pulled me aside and said, “Come up to the library, Vernon wants to see you.” He was

very excited. I wondered what was up. I climbed up the stairas to the very top of the Castle, where the library originally was located. Dai sat me down and said, “Okay, I’m going to take your advice and do one last tour. And,, becasue this was all your idea, you can have the first two lectures.” I was ecstatic. I knew this would be a momentus event. I arranged the first two lectures - the first one in my hometown, Worcester,

Massachusetts. The second one was in Boston. They both sold out completely, as did every single lecture stop on the tour. The lectures were legendary. Dai would go on for over three hours, performing, explaining and patiently answering questions. He was in fine form, flawlessly demonstrating the cups, the rings, and endless card and coin effects. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience for all those who were lucky enough to attend.He left this earth at the age of 98, in San Diego, California in 1992.

NWMC SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOW DUE

WHAT GREAT VALUE !!North Wales Magic Circle

Subscription Rates :-Full £20.00, Senior £15.00 Family £10.00 and that's for a FULL fun

filled magical year.

Parents! Here's how to save a fortune this Christmas. . .

Happy Christmas to All Our Readers

We hope Santa Brings You Everything That You Want !!

From All at The Griffin

THE COMMITTEEPresidentDon Gilroy

25 Maes y CoedDeganwy, Conwy

LL31 9NQtel: 01492 573473President ElectPeter Hewson

Secretary & Welfare SecretaryArthur Booker

4 Bodelwyddan Avenue, Kinmel Bay, Rhyl,LL18 5BW

tel: 01745 330733Treasurer

Robert Scott3 Pendyffryn Road, Rhyl, LLI8 4RU

01745 351918Book Librarian

Eddie Hughes & Paul Hughes“Taklakot”, Craig Road, Old Colwyn,

Conway. LL29 9HNtel: 01492 516712Video Librarian

Mark Thurold8 Avon Court, Connah's QuayDeeside, Flintshire CH5 4UN

tel: 0779 353 0634Entertainments Secretary

Noel MasseyThe Stables

Brookpark Farm, Chester Road, Northop HallMold. Flintshire. CH7 6NJ

tel: 01244 812813Competition Organiser

Russell Roberts17 Maes Cynfaen, Brynford, Holywell

CH8 8LAtel: 01352 716 845

Photographer & Griffin EditorHowie Fay

"Witzend" 10 The Rowans, Broughton, Chester. CH4 0TD

tel: 01244 534894(home)tel: 01928 750 374(office)

email: editor@griffinmagazine.co.ukCommittee Members

Paul EdwardsSteven Clayton

Dave Baker

"Almost Final Thoughts""Christmas is comimg, the goose is getting fatPlease put a penny in the old magician's hat!"

"Hmmm makes ya think"

Robert (Bob) Graham Read

(1940-2005)

With great regret we report the sudden death in California of Bob Read,

comedy magician, close up performer, lecturerr, collector and magical historian. Only recently his Magical Walks of London were published to coincide with The Magic Circle Centenary Celebrations. Bob, being a Gold Star Member of the Inner Magic Circle. In September Bob celebrated his 65th birthday. Bob died of a sudden heart attack whilst holidaying with his wife Pauline. He had gone to visit his friends John Gaughan, Max Maven abd Carl Ballantine. Bob was a superb performer, a master of misdirection, an achingly funny humourist, writer and the world's top authority on the Cups & Balls. His book "The Annals of Conjuring, was published in 2001, along with humourous essays on the mysterious magic historian Arthur Watson appeared in The Spectator. hE will be sadly missed and our sincere condolences go to his wife Pauline, his partner of three decades

Taurus: (20th April~20th May)You'll be thrilled this month when Santa brings you everything you ever wanted. Sadly it's from your previous life as a dog. Enjoy the fl ea powder!

Gemini: (21st May~21st June)Security staff at your local department store won't beleive you when you say your intentions in Santa's grotto were in fact legal.

Cancer: (22nd June~22nd July)You will be disappointed this new year when your resolution to stop being rejected by the opposite sex fails miserably, only seconds into 2006

Leo: (23rd July~22nd August)Steve McQueen may be a great screen idol, but that won't stop you hating seeing Towering Bloody Inferno again on Christmas day. If he wasn't already dead, you would vow to kill him.

Virgo: (23rd August~22nd September)Starting your own religion with Christmas Day in the middle of June will fail due to lack of support.

Libra: (23rd September~23rd October)You will wake excitedly on Christmas Eve to the sound of bells outside your door, but will be disappointed when you discover it's only your Avon lady, late again.

Scorpio: (24th October~21st November)Two weeks off work for Christmas would be very welcome if you were, in fact talented enough to be employed

Sagittarius: (22nd November~21st December)Book tokens may be a great idea for Christmas but perhaps not your best choice for your friend David Blunkett!

Capricorn: (22nd December~19th January)You'll be surprised by your Phillapino friend's gift of a puppy this Christmas. Such a refreshing change from turkey!

Aquarius: (20th January~18th February)"It's the thought that counts" will get you nowhere on the 25th when your loved one discovers that's all they're getting!

Pisces: (19th February~20th March)After your works Christmas Do, the police will be amazed and not a little amused at the place you've hung your mistletoe

Aries: (21st March~19th April)This is the time to think of others less fortunate than yourself. . . . . . .and laugh you sadistic bugger!

Amazing Christmas Star Gazing

By

Mystic Arthur Booker

"Ho! Ho! Bloody Ho!"