* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine
* www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #58
Date: Sunday 28th January 2001
Editor: Alan Watson
www.magician.co.nz
e-mail alan@watson.co.nz
================================
Hi here is the latest news
================================

1. Editors Message
2. Performing for the 2001 Presidential Inaugural Dinner
3. Opening for veteran crooner Bobby Rydell
4. 'Best Trick' published in the Linking Ring in 2000
5. Might be of interest to some of you "down-under"
6. About the VIS-ESCAPE
7. "Electric Deck" and "Playing Cards" discussion
8. Fred Catiller passed-away
9. Bernard's stock the original "Electric Deck"
10. Free websites for magicians
11. Chinese New Year
12. Two new internet sites designed to help entertainers
13. "Magician of the Millennium" and the "Magician of the Year"
14. "The Disappearing Girl"
15. The Orchante Saga #14
16. Diarise these events
17. MagicNZ e-zine archives
18. Subscription Management

-------------------------------------
1. Editors Message
-------------------------------------
Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One

Don't miss next week's issue of the MagicNZ e-zine as Peter Marucci has
contributed another article:  Pick A Card, Any Card.

Had the opportunity of viewing a video of Hans Klok (Dutch magician) in
action. He certainly has a fantastic future ahead of him - David
Copperfield watch out! <g>

Enjoyed watching Leo Ward perform his manipulation act in the Variety
Showcase at Sky City Casino in Auckland. Leo is now resident here in
Auckland, New Zealand (originally from England) and specialises in
cruise ships and trade show functions.

Paul Gordon has a few (slightly scratched) books of his at half price.
'Nocturnal Creations' & 'Protean Card Magic'. He has a secure credit
card order form at: www.thebestinmagic.com

Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line:
alan@watson.co.nz

----------------------------------
2. Performing for the 2001 Presidential Inaugural Dinner
----------------------------------
Message from Alicia (US)

Daryl and I were delighted to be asked to be a part of the team
performing for the 2001 Presidential Inaugural Candlelight Dinner. The
magic team had been arranged and organized by David Sandy and what a
fantastic job he did. Despite the magnitude of the event, David had
organized things with such military precision that we, the performers,
had nothing more to worry about than giving our very best performances
as magicians. And we did.

The group consisted of myself - Alicia, Daryl, David Sandy, Michael
Finney, Giovanni, Paul Gertner, Charles Greene III, Steve Bedwell, Dan
Garrett, Patrick Martin, Michael Ammar, Glenn Falkenstein and Frances
Willard, Darwin Ortiz, Tom Burgoon, Steve Zuckerman, Todd Lamanske,
Jimmy Miller, Marc Desouza, John Shyrock, Eric Henning, Don Wiberg,
Roger Miller, Alain Nu and Jim Cherry.

Most of us flew to Washington D.C. last Wednesday in preparation for the
dinner on Thursday. We had great fun socializing with "the guys" that
evening and sharing stories before the big day.

On Thursday we met for photos and a "briefing" in the hotel lobby and
were then escorted by coach to each of the three venues. A total of 6000
people were attending the functions! Daryl and I were both assigned the
Washington Hilton, which had 2300 dinner guests. Rumour has it that they
were paying between $25,000 and $1,000,000 per table! Bo Derek and Wayne
Newton were the stage hosts for the event, which also included singers
from Broadway and a classical pianist.

After clearing security (we had all had our records checked out before
the event too!) our group performed at the tables throughout the
dinner - to great reactions. At first glance, I felt like a speck
amongst so many folks in their dazzling attire. That was until I
approached my first table was reminded why I love American audiences so
much - whatever their political beliefs! Hailing from England, I am
accustomed to a much more sceptical audience that needs to be "won over"
before they can really enjoy the magic. American audiences seem to greet
us, as magicians, with open arms.

After my first table I was whisked by a waiter to another table who had
witnessed the magic happening across the room and wanted to see a little
closer. I launched into a sequence of tricks using money, only to be
informed, somewhat conspiratorially, by a young man at the table that
the gentleman who had just signed the $100 bill was actually from the
Treasury Department! They certainly seemed to be watching their money
very closely - let's hope they look after ours as thoroughly.

One thing that struck Daryl was how effective magic is at transcending
social, racial and cultural barriers. It was only a few months earlier
that we were completing our New Millennium World Tour of more than 240
cities in 25 different countries. Whilst touring, we had the pleasure of
performing magic for some of the native people in Vanuatu, a small
island in the South Pacific. Their uninhibited reactions included
screams, gasps of amazement and loud shrieks of laughter. For these
"uncultured" natives their reactions seemed normal and natural because
the magic affected them on a gut level.

And as Daryl says "A few months later I'm performing at the Presidential
Inaugural Candlelight Dinner, with the guests dressed in the finest
clothes and the most expensive jewellery money could buy. I found myself
surrounded by well over 2,000 of the richest, most influential and most
"cultured" people in the country. While performing the exact same
effects with the exact same patter and presentations that I had
performed for the natives in Vanuatu, I'm delighted to say that I
received the exact same reactions! Although on one hand, it seemed out
of place for these powerful, dignified and "cultured" people to be
screaming, gasping and laughing out loud, on the other hand, they were
perfectly honest and natural reactions.

I suppose it only goes to show you that when the external influences are
stripped away, regardless of sex, age, race, religion, education,
financial or social standing etc., we all put our pants on one leg at a
time and we, as humans, are more alike than different."

Later, as an excited hush descended on the room in preparation for the
arrival of the President Elect, a lady I had been entertaining passed me
the turquoise blue box from her place setting. She told me she would
like me to have it as a "thank you" for the magic I had brought to her
evening. Inside was a Tiffany & Co. crystal candleholder, engraved with
the inaugural seal. It's now sitting in my crystal cabinet in Las Vegas
and each time I look at it, it reminds me how proud I am to have been a
part of this historical event. When I performed my first professional
show almost 15 years ago in England, I could not have believed I would
one day be entertaining at a function for the President of The United
States. What an honour. Thank you David Sandy.
 http://www.Daryl.net

-------------------------------------
3. Opening for veteran crooner Bobby Rydell
-------------------------------------
Message from Susan Garfield (Lewin) (US)

Nick is on the road and is currently on the Crystal Symphony headed
towards Guam. He will be at the new Suncoast Hotel (owned and operated
by the Orleans) in Las Vegas February 23, 24 and 25 opening for veteran
crooner Bobby Rydell. He also is appearing on a few episodes of "Masters
Of Illusions" for PAX-TV that was produced by Gay Blackstone.

----------------------------------
4. 'Best Trick' published in the Linking Ring in 2000
----------------------------------
Message from Tony Griffith (UK)

I have just been advised that my PSEUDO PSYCHOMETRY routine which was
published in the British Ring Parade, January 2000 of the Linking Ring
has won the award of 'Best Trick' published in the Linking Ring for the
year 2000.

-------------------------------------
5. Might be of interest to some of you "down-under"
-------------------------------------
Message from Bev Bergeron (US)

This might be of interest to some of you "down-under" and circus
friends.

This past Saturday, January 17, 2001, Don Arthur, my wife and I attended
the presentation of the 2001 Circus Ring of Fame Induction and the
unveiling of the inductees' plaques (on the sidewalk). The ceremony is
conducted at St. Armands Circle (on Long Boat Keys Island), Sarasota,
Florida. Over 200 people braved 30 degrees F. with strong winds coming
off the Gulf of Mexico to witness the presentation and listen to a
thirty-minute concert of circus music by the Sarasota Circus Concert
Band directed by Charles "Chuck" Schlarbaum.

My wife and I were guests of Don Arthur who was a guest of one of the
inductees' family members the son of Terrell Jacobs. Terrell won fame
with RB and B&B Circus back in 1940 when he put over 50 lions and tigers
through their paces. Also honoured were Harold Ronk who more or less
started the singing ringmaster; Rex Williams, a master circus and
elephant man and the one who will be of most interest to the
Australians...The Ashton Family.

The Ashton family started in the circus business a hundred years plus in
Australia. In the 1940s seven of the troupe toured the U. S. working a
few circuses then being booked for three months into the world famous
Latin Quarters in New York City. Those three months turned into nine
before the group moved on to other venues. They grew world famous with
their "Risley" act, an act where the human body is juggled about by a
partner's feet. Some of the Ashton lived in the Sarasota area with one
of the young ones who were tossed about for fifteen years of his young
life now performing as a singer with his own band.

The entire event was done with class. John Herriott was the master of
ceremonies and made it all work.

-------------------------------------
6. About the VIS-ESCAPE
-------------------------------------
Message from Bev Bergeron (US)

Colin Bierton asked about the VIS-ESCAPE, where a long piece of
cardboard is attached with a "split pin" into an envelope. The cardboard
is quickly removed by "magic." I must have sold several thousands of
these during the 1950s. A few years ago I did see a very old description
of the effect either in a magic book or magic catalogue (I have a large
collection of both). I remember seeing it because of my interested in
the trick, but I can't tell you where. It was in print in the 1920s or
30s. The "split pin" had to be invented before the trick could have been
performed.

The history of the ELECTRIC DECK by Reinhard is most interesting. We've
all used the thing as a comedy bit, but it is interesting that Reinhard
suggested that it be used with a deck switch and not let the audience in
on the strings - funny but I put together a sleight of hand act for a
young man two years ago and that is what I got him to do. He has been
fooling a lot of magicians.

The HARMONICA "PLAYING CARD" yes, is a very old gag. I stole it in the
1940s from Carl Ballantine. Lucky for me I got to pay him back last
September by telling him of my gag with a rubber chicken. Problem for
him and me - it is very hard to find a good rubber chicken like we used
to know. The new ones are plastic - too hard.

Tommy Orchard was commenting about his doing the RECORD PANTOMIME act.
You can't mention records to the young crowd - they don't know what they
are. I know - walked into a music store and asked for a "record of ....
The clerk just looked at me and asked what was a record - true. Anyway,
the act must go back to the first making of a recorded song. I was doing
bits with recorded music with my sisters in the early1940s.

Jerry Lewis was doing a record pantomime act in 1946/7 when he met Dean
Martin. I worked with about fifteen different such acts in the late
'40s. I stopped doing it and this is the truth - it was too easy for me
to do. I felt that I was cheating on talent - I was using someone else's
talent. When I was in the service in1950 a young black man, Uncle
Willie, performed with his tie and a small stuffed horse to the music of
"Mule Train." Also seeing him at that time was a comic by the name of
Jerry Van Dyke (later made it big on TV in the States). Jerry "borrowed"
the routine.

I'm thinking I'll borrow it back and perform it once again. Just
received an Email from a friend who told me of the death of the musician
who wrote a very funny song in the mid-40s- it was called "Open the Door
Richard." I remember working to mime with that record back a long time
ago. You know something - we were better back then. Tommy mentioned that
he wanted to put all the songs on tape. Now that reminds me that one of
the funny parts of a record pantomime act was having the record slow
down and then speed up.

My Golf Act that I put together in 1957 used a "record" as my
instructions - it really was a tape recorder. But I had a" click" in the
"record" which made the voice repeat the command. I had a golf ball in
my hand and the instruction said, "Put the ball on the tee...(click) put
the ball on the tee...(click) put the ball on the tee (lot of noise as if
fixing the needle on the record) how address..." The ball would jump back
into my hands each time and I would repeat the movements three times. Of
course, when I was asked to address the ball ---you're ahead of me, I
took out a pin and wrote on the ball. Sad, but true.

-------------------------------------
7. "Electric Deck" and "Playing Cards" discussion
-------------------------------------
Message from Clive Court (Canada)

I'm following the "Electric Deck" and "Playing Cards" discussion with
much interested as I used both these items during my tours in NZ and
Australia (62-66).

My earliest efforts at the Electric Deck must have been one I strung
together in England. It was not very reliable. Later, I must have
purchased a professional version from Davenports in London. Eventually,
it became an integrated feature of my act because it acted as a
background to six-to-eight consecutive gags about "my early life on the
ranch." I would casually be playing with the cards while relating my
story changing about half way through to the "waterfall" then I would
deliver the final punch line.. (laugh)...the "waterfall" froze! (bigger
laugh)...shrug and throw-away (applause).

I thought it could be interesting to collect together the various lines
people have used with the Playing Card gag. It was usually used as very
quick throw-away. I would be working a card effect...put one to the
mouth (Blow notes) ...that's a playing card... (Toss it). Or it was done
in between other effects as a quickie gag to pick up the pace.

Then it would be a slightly larger harmonica built into a whole deck.
Open the deck... play a few notes...put them back in cover and
pocket..."just an ordinary deck of playing cards!" Another line was "The
doctor said he had a young lady in to see him because she'd swallowed a
mouth organ....really? Must have been Our Monica.

The only gag I have used in recent years along these lines that still
fits with my Western theme is an MC bit where I walk on stage playing a
Western theme on the harmonica (e.g. Streets of Laredo) using great
style with the handwork at mouth level then just as the audience is
`convinced' the music stops abruptly and your hands drop away from the
mouth....revealing, of course, no harmonica. "I only wish I could do
it!" I've never tried it but perhaps you could just have a deck of cards
ready to fan (lead into an effect) or produce the classic "Cards from
Mouth" as a finish.

I would be interested to hear other variations on this. I was also
interested to read Orchante's comments on his mime act. Mime acts were
quite popular in Australia and New Zealand at that time. I particularly
recall a young Australian by the name of Kerry Hammer. Don Linden was my
agent. He and his sister did an excellent job for me. I recall one time,
Don was driving me over the Auckland Harbour bridge and his sister comes
through on the radio asking if I can fit in another show between 9 and
11am that night? I was consistently doing five to six shows a day (more
at weekends) during that 1964-65 Christmas season.

I had never seen so many office parties. I haven't heard Don's name in
many years. Does anyone have any information? I was fascinated by the
number of shows he could do on a busy night working with his car radio
and an advance crew. While he was doing one show, his assistants would
be setting up his next location. As soon as he was on his way to that
gig, his crew from the venue he was leaving would move to the location
one ahead of the next gig. I guess you would call it a leap-frogging
technique ...or the one-ahead principle! Those were great times. I have
fond memories. Especially, when the entertainers met at the same
restaurant (can't remember where) to eat in the small wee hours and
relax after a hard night's day.

-------------------------------------
8. Fred Catiller passed-away
-------------------------------------
Message from Tom Prior

I am saddened to report that Fred Catiller passed-away at his home on
Thursday, January 18 after a 5-month battle with cancer.

He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

-------------------------------------
9. Bernard's stock the original "Electric Deck"
-------------------------------------
Message from Kristina (Aust)

For anyone who is interested, Bernard's still stock the original
"Electric Deck".

For more details, contact Kristina at Bernard's!

BERNARD'S MAGIC SHOP
(Australia's Oldest Magic Shop!)
211 Elizabeth Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Phone: + 61 3 9670 9270
Fax: + 61 3 9600 4545
info@bernardsmagic.com.au
http://www.bernardsmagic.com.au

-------------------------------------
10. Free websites for magicians
-------------------------------------
Free websites for magicians at:
http://www.partydirectory.com

-------------------------------------
11. Chinese New Year
-------------------------------------
Message from Paul Romhany (NZ)

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Happy New Year to you all ... it's the Chinese New Year Celebrations and
you are all invited!

In Chinese tradition, lanterns light the way to a successful and happy
New Year. Join in the fun as Albert Park is transformed into a glowing
wonderland with hundreds of lanterns in all shapes and sizes. Welcome in
the Year of the Snake and enjoy three fun nights of music and dance,
tasty Chinese food, traditional craft stalls and demonstrations, and
much more.

From Friday 9th February to Sunday 11th February. 5pm to 10.30pm at
Albert Park in Auckland.

Charlie Chaplin will be there all three nights mingling with everybody.
(He'll do anything to join in a party!)

-------------------------------------
12. Two new internet sites designed to help entertainers
-------------------------------------
Message from Chad Currin

Fun 101 is proud to announce the launchings of two new internet sites
designed to help entertainers market themselves and make more money!
Sound good? Read on because for a short time many of our services are
FREE!

http://www.iNetTalent.com - iNetTalent.com gives customers a simpler and
more convenient way to find competent entertainers in their vicinity.

The site is simple to use, easy to navigate, quick to load, and very
informative. The website's utility goes way beyond the telephone book's
"name and number" entries. It provides act name, contact name, address,
phone number, photos, email address, website links, consumer reviews and
more. Best of all entertainers can get a free premium profile for a
limited time! Magicians, Clowns, Ventriloquists, Jugglers, Bands, DJ's,
Public Speakers, Game Show Hosts, Actors/Actresses, Models,
Spokespersons, Party Planners, Event Coordinators, Entertainment
Agencies and so much more! Get listed TODAY! (Remember it's FREE for a
limited time - don't miss this opportunity)

http://www.magicandjokeshop.com - Everyone knows getting started in
e-commerce isn't exactly child's play. It takes a lot of time, a lot of
money, and an unknown amount of patience to set up shop. It doesn't have
to be that way! magicandjokeshop.com can provide you with your own
website, inventory, products, e-commerce solutions and fulfilment! You
have the choice of marketing your website full-time or part-time,
without all of the problems associated with e-commerce. And the best
part? You'll be smiling just as wide as your customers will. E-commerce
really can be child's play!

Why should you open your own store?
If you're an entertainer, an enthusiast, or simply somebody who likes to
make other people smile, then magicandjokeshop.com can help you turn
your passions into profit. The best time to get started in e-commerce is
now! We can wave our magic wand and get your store set up quickly!

Come by and check us out today!
I hope that these new sites will provide you with lots of great
opportunities for promoting yourself and making more money!

-------------------------------------
13. "Magician of the Millennium" and the "Magician of the Year"
-------------------------------------
Message from Ted White (AR)

I send you the following information to publish:
Cometa Mágico organized from November to January a contest to elect the
"Magician of the Millennium" and the "Magician of the Year". 

We received 1583 votes and the winners were:
"Magician of the Millennium" David Copperfield
"Magician of the Year" Joaquín Ayala

The results: http://www.cometamagico.com.ar. Happiness to the winners!!

----------------------------------
15. "The Disappearing Girl"
----------------------------------
Message from Reilly G (US)

David Willis (dir.) is accepting submissions for The Disappearing Girl
Trick, a 35mm short about a junior TV producer who goes undercover to
discover magicians' secrets.

Prod. Angela Taylor.

Shoot starts Feb. 3. Meals provided. There is no pay.

Breakdown-Males and females: to play upscale audience at the world
famous Magic Castle, extras. Send pix & resume by Feb. 1 to DGT, 2219 W.
Olive Ave., #100-16, Burbank, CA 91506.

----------------------------------
15. The Orchante Saga #14
----------------------------------
Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi)

The Early Sixties
1960 - the first six months - I'm sixteen (666?- oh, you devil, you) and
on a steep learning curve. Trying to swallow a sword, practising sleight
of hand, ventriloquism, and miming, sneaking into the shed to practice -
without instructions - fire-eating (using the 2-stroke lawnmower fuel
mix - yuck!) Hypnotising anybody I could lay my hands - or eyes on -
(including myself - preparation for the bed of nails, among other
things) and reading anything to do with magic, hypnotism, psychology and
yoga techniques.

The New Zealand Society of Magicians club in Auckland - it's the first
time I've met a group of other magicians, as up to then, I've been a
self-taught 'lone wolf' non-conformist and a law unto myself. I felt
rather out of place for a while - everybody's magical knowledge was far
more advanced than mine. Having being brought up in 'the back of beyond'
(Raupunga), I just didn't know about, or have access to, the huge range
of Magic literature, dealers, or the lectures available to the 'city
boys'.

If I were just starting out, I would procure everything that the late
DAI VERNON has ever written, said, or had filmed! Applying his teachings
with the same diligence as you would a University degree, you WILL BE a
'master magician' - not just someone who does tricks and puzzles!

JOE BROWN'S NATIONWIDE SEARCH FOR STARS - TALENT QUEST - £1000 FIRST
PRIZE - I didn't win - a singer (Joe Nathan) did - they always do. I've
never heard of a magician/novelty act winning a major talent quest -
promoters love them, as they add variety and interest to an otherwise
boring programme! If eventually you decide to become a full time
professional, more than likely you will have the personal satisfaction,
years later, to still be performing when most of the 'flash in the pan',
so-called 'singing stars' have long gone (digging a ditch somewhere) and
you will have earned a damn sight more than a £1000! (circa N.Z$3000).
Phew! I've wanted to say that lot, for years! My pal Sal, in Las Vegas,
could get me five times that, for a five minute stint on Television,
anywhere in the world, all expenses paid! Shame I couldn't make that
sort of money EVERY five minutes -that would take a miracle - not magic!

After the Talent Quest finished, the Joe Brown organisation picked the
'best of the best', and put a show on the road - the SEARCH FOR STARS
GRAND NEW ZEALAND TOUR. It ran from July 5th to August 9th 1960. From
Invercargill to Whangarei, to packed houses. (The promoters must have
made a small fortune). It was a punishing schedule, but what an
experience;.- finding out how things should be done, discovering WHAT
NOT TO DO - ON AND OFF STAGE! Theatre craft - stage deportment -
entrances and exits -how to speak, not just to the people in the front
rows, but also those in the back, and up in the circles. So much to
learn - I came home a much wiser person.

For young magicians out there, who may be reading this - performing your
magic well is not enough. In my library of magic books I have two about
Stagecraft. There is a trilogy written by Dariel Fitzkee; - the first is
'SHOWMANSHIP FOR MAGICIANS' - although published in 1943, the principles
and conventions there-in are as true today as they were then. The other
is; - 'MAGIC AND SHOWMANSHIP - a Handbook for Conjurors', published 1969
by Henning Nelms. Read these, put their principles into practice, and
your magic (or any other type of entertainment) will benefit enormously.

When the Search for Stars tour finished, I was left high and dry, so for
the remaining 4 months of 1960, I got a job at the local newspaper in
Papakura,- (doing Weddings, 21sts, etc,. just wasn't enough to live on),
but I sure gained valuable knowledge about advertising, lay-outs, and
publicity Also met the diminutive 'rookie' news reporter, Wendy - she
was like a pixie, and weighed practically nothing. The reason I mention
Wendy, is because a few months later, in 1961, I started doing the bed
of nails, and came up with the 'great idea' of having a razor-sharp blad
e, set in a vice, under my neck while laying on the nails!

Wendy would walk sideways up my body, until she was standing right on my
throat. Because she weighed so little, I could still breathe. Very
dangerous though - the slightest movement of my head or neck -
and .....................! Works on the same principle as walking up the 'ladder of
swords'- keep your feet flat, DON'T SLIDE - you'll be okay, but, the
most infinitesimal movement sideways- and 'HELLO, HOPPY'
Next week, the 'swinging (tricky) sixties' continues!

-------------------------------------
16. Diarise these events
-------------------------------------
The 26th NZ Magician's Convention will be held at the Waipuna Hotel and
Conference Centre, Mt Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand from Thursday 27
December 2001, and concluding with a New Year's Eve Celebration on
Monday 31 December 2001

-------------------------------------
17. MagicNZ e-zine archives
-------------------------------------
Back issues of the MagicNZ e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html

Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain
access.
User Name: ezine
Password: newzealand

When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are
coded. Eg 001nov0699.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number,
then the date (nov06) and the last next two numbers the year (99)

If you want to print copies of MagicNZ e-zine go to:
www.watson.co.nz/ezine-archive

-------------------------------------
18. Subscription Management
-------------------------------------
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Neither MagicNZ or Alan Watson can vouch for the accuracy or
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(c) Copyright 2001 Alan Watson