Monthly Update #15 (March 2024)
Monthly Update #15 (March 2024)
Harry Houdini's birthday, a variation of Vernon's "Twisting the Aces", and more on the Si Stebbins System.
Welcome to the March Monthly Update from Marty’s Magic Ruseletter. I’m pleased to keep this edition short and sweet, which will, hopefully, allow me to re-establish a more consistent publishing schedule for the monthly updates moving forward.
This month (or, more accurately, last month), I’m excited to share a blog post exploring the legendary Harry Houdini. Additionally, you’ll find an in-depth look at my personal handling of Dai Vernon’s “Twisting the Aces”, as well as an overview of some fundamental tricks utilising the Si Stebbins System. And, of course, I’m thrilled to showcase three remarkable videos from the ever-innovative Canadian magician Ryan Pilling.
Let’s get going!
New on MBOT!
I just realised that the acronym for my magic blog, Marty’s Bag of Tricks, is MBOT, which makes it sound robotic and futuristic. Not to be confused with MMMBop, the 1990s earworm by Hanson. 😉
Anyway, I only managed to write a single blog post in March, celebrating Harry Houdini's 150th birthday on March 24th.
In the article, I have included some photographs of two stunning antique pocket watches that once belonged to the legendary escape artist, illusionist, and magician. I love historical items like pocket watches and the personal and social histories they represent.
These timepieces offer a glimpse into the personal and professional life of one of the most iconic figures in the world of magic. Pocket watches like these not only serve as functional accessories but also carry the weight of history, representing the social customs, technological advancements, and individual stories of their bygone eras. I can only imagine the countless miraculous escapes, captivating performances, and intriguing adventures these precious artefacts may have witnessed throughout Houdini’s illustrious career.
Ruseletter Content You Might Have Missed
I published two new articles in the Ruseletter in March.
Vernonesque: Tongue Twister
In the latest issue of Vernonesque, I delve into Dai Vernon’s classic card trick “Twisting the Aces”, sharing a versatile colour change called the Tongue Change. 😜 It can be utilised in a variety of packet tricks, from sandwich routines to variations of “The Elongated Lady” by Peter Kane. To do this move justice, I really need to film a video tutorial for it, so stay tuned for that.
Additionally, my exploration of the Si Stebbins stack has turned into a more extensive project. Therefore, I’ve decided to split it into two parts. You can expect the second instalment later this month (April). I also plan to share some unpublished routines with the system from my personal notebooks.
Three Videos Worth Watching
This month, the Ruseletter is thrilled to feature three videos from Canadian wizard Ryan Pilling. Known for his innovative approach and dedication to his craft, Ryan offers a unique glimpse into the evolution of his material, sharing content even in its early developmental stages (see the Pancake Production Box as a good example of this). As a self-proclaimed “magician in progress”, Ryan’s willingness to be vulnerable and transparent with his creative process is both refreshing and inspiring.
Importantly, he also demonstrates a remarkable talent for teaching and instruction, a skill that sets him apart from many professional performers. I highly recommend you subscribe to his weekly newsletter to stay up-to-date on his latest creative explorations and insights—this is a learning opportunity no aspiring magician will want to miss.
Note: You need to register on Ryan’s website to access some of his video tutorials and magic articles. However, doing so costs nothing and is simply a way for Ryan to better protect the secrets of magic from the general public.
Pancake Production Box
This clever close-up production box, inspired by Robert Harbin, is a practical way to begin a sponge ball routine (or produce any small item used in your act). The best thing about it is that you can create it yourself out of standard craft supplies in a few minutes.
Once you’ve watched the performance, you can then learn how to make your own Pancake Production Box.
Spot 7, The Hard Way Performance
In this video, you can watch a highly entertaining performance of Bob Wagner’s “Spot 7, The Hard Way” trick. If you’re interested in learning how to do it yourself, you can find it in Bob’s Master Notebook of Magic (1992). The book includes a diverse array of content spanning gambling techniques, parlour performances, stage illusions, and card magic. It even delves into the realm of the occult!
If you don’t like making your own props, you can buy the flat die from Magikraft. However, I think I prefer the proportions of Ryan’s prop. Here’s another wonderful performance, with a slightly different handling, from the late Martin Lewis.
Lost in Print: Tissue Vanish
In this edition of Lost in Print, Ryan's regular video series exploring the hidden gems of magic periodicals, you will learn a cool paper napkin vanish that doesn’t require a thumb tip.
The “one-degree” changes Ryan made to the basic handling elevate the trick, making it more deceptive, especially for social media performances.
I will definitely use it when I’m out and about at coffee shops, cafés and restaurants that have the right kind of paper napkin. It might even be worth buying some to keep in a pocket or experimenting with paper handkerchiefs, the type meant for noses. My kids carry these around because, well, kids are super snotty! They’re also an everyday item (pocket tissues, not kids) that wouldn’t seem out of place in your pocket or bag. Perfect as a prop for a piece of impromptu magic.
This effect reminds me of Karrel Fox’s “Napkin Vanish”, a signature trick of bar magic master Tom Mullica. While the end result is similar, the method differs slightly. In fact, you could potentially use this as a follow-up to “Tissue Magic”. Mullica teaches Karrel’s paper napkin vanish in his instructional video Expert Impromptu Magic Made Easy.
That’s all for another update. See you at the end of April for the next monthly update.
Yours Magically,
Marty