Tops Article
ERCHIEF is an 8 page booklet outlining a funny routine to be used at boy scout functions. It consists of removing the scout's neckerchief, cutting chunks out of it and restoring it. David has deve­loped a very amusing routine and his bits of "business" should make this popular with performers who know how to work for laughs. The complete rou­tine, patter and presentation is avail­able from Abbott's, $2.30 delivered.
COMEDY LINKING RINGS is another Ginn Production. In this 22 page booklet, illustrated by Barney La Sauce, David describes moves, presentation and pat­ter for the 8 ring set of Linking Rings. Using two volunteers, the routine in­volves bits of "business" and gags with the linking and unlinking. It is de­signed for laughter and entertainment as well as combining the customary magi­cal welding of the rings. Readers look­ing for a sequence and pattern to follow will find this booklet very helpful. Available from Abbott's, $3.30 delivered.
COMEDY CARD ON BACK is an 8 page booklet supplying routine, patter and presenta­tion for a card trick designed with laughs in mind. A selected card re­turned to the deck is eventually dis­covered on the back of the young boy assistant. An old standby, as far as effect goes, David Ginn has developed an easy presentation and eliminated difficult moves. Available from Abbott's, $2.30 delivered.
References to Bud Morris' MAGIC IN THE MORRIS MANOR keep popping up in my mail. Read some fine reviews for the book by folk like Good!iffe and Bob Lund. I'd just like to mention that a second edition, printed in U.S.A., is now available and as I mentioned (when the book was in preparation), there is something for everyone within its pages: Comedy, mental ism, close-up, stage and platform trickery. Now that Marvin Roy is back in the U.S.A. and regurgitating light bulbs on the picture tube, I am sure Sam Dalai's make-it-yourself version of this light lunchery will make MAGIC IN THE MORRIS MANOR more popular than ever.
In last month's column I gave Bob Lynn's address and mentioned his new quarterly INVOCATION. I have seen two copies: No. 1 has a screaming sorcerer who vanishes amid crimson fire, smouldering incense and other witchlike equipment. This inner sanctum sort of sorcery has been devilishly planned by Charles W. Cameron. George Johnstone contributes an interesting article on Al Koran. David Douglas describes an eerie slate effect and editor Tony Raven instructs how one can create ancient parchment.
No. 2 has a weird item by Stephen Minch called "The Stigmata of Cthulhu" in which sounds of bubbling water occur, an initiate collapses and a parchment bursts into flame. There is an inter­esting outline of Ned Rutledge's life and his creations. A Danny Tong idea based on a proposed mental air flight around the world. This brief coverage should indicate the nature of the strange sort of sorcery you can expect in future issues. With the present craze for all things occult, the mat­erial should prove of great value to those who stage seances or sit-down sorcery. The price: $4.50 per year.
If you are a do-it-yourself as well as a make-it-yourself trixter, you should certainly treat yourself to a copy of Micky Hades new revised edition of THE NEW MAKE-UP OF MAGIC. This well pro­duced and well illustrated work of 132 pages is loaded with instruction and helpful tips for just about any prob­lems you may face in constructing magi­cal props or apparatus. The many chap­ters covering psychoptics, plastics, black art, etc., make this work a "must" even if you have the earlier edition.
I can't begin to describe the many sub­jects covered but let me just list a few: Magic Basics, Hiding the Load Chamber, Basic Workshop Tools, Working with Wood, Working with Metal, Working with Plastics, Novelty paint Finishes, Hinges and Supports, Your Own Suitcase Table. . .and on and on. The 22 chap­ters and over 200 illustrations provide answers to many things that face the

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