Wonderful magic once again. I particularly enjoyed Santanelli’s Secret because I love unusual mystical props used in card magic; as long as they make sense, however. Your routine makes sense...is pretty...and is magical. ♥ PG
Thanks Paul. There is a description of Ovette's original routine, The Buddha Whispers, in The Encyclopedia of Card Tricks but unfortunately it omits the presentation which is what makes it such an interesting trick.
Thanks for the info re the original. It's a lovely routine and your use of the S deck is clever. Btw, I used to dem S decks some 35 years ago and recently posted my high-energy dem on Facebook and YouTube. It was fun revisiting it. ♥
That's great. I like the spelling idea. I bought my first deck as a kid from Johnny Neptune. Didn't realise it was Johnny Neptune at the time. Didn't find out until years later that he had demmed that deck his entire life, along with the Spooky Pencil which is another terrific dem. The instructions you got with the deck was the lovely photo illustrated booklet that International published. A few years after that I met Mark Lewis who had a stand inside Ripley's Odditorium in Blackpool. Great demonstrator. And ensured sales by putting the deck in the spectator's hand and having him riffle it back and forth to prove he could change the cards and do the trick. Very nice sales touch. In 1978, I too demmed Svengalis on Blackpool's Golden Mile. It was at the Paul Daniels Magic Exhibition. Me and magic pal John Brown were recruited by Paul Stone to man the Daniels merch stand for the holidays. My dem was based on what I'd seen Mark Lewis do. The exhibition featured lots of props that Daniels had used in his TV shows. We even had Paul Daniels Jnr drumming up crowds outside with a guillotine. Was a fun time.
What wonderful stories and memories. I think it was Ken Brooke who showed me the Svengali deck in the early 70s. My earliest magic memories go back to the late 60s when my parents to me to the magic departments at Hamley's, Gamley's, Gamages and Harrods. I fondly remember the Inzani Henley props. I joined The Sussex Magic Circle in 1976. I met Stanley Watson, Ron Bishop, Francis Haxton, Lewis Ganson, Will Ayling, John Young and Peter Warlock there. Very happy memories. ♥
The initial release of the 'Fred' effect by Joe Riding, was called 'The Golden Key'.
Instead of a name being written on the freely thought of card, it showed an embossed Golden Key. These were produced for Joe by Paul Scott, with an embossing machine supplied by my good friend, Keith Bennett. Upon visiting Keith recently and knowing that I was a close friend of Joe's, Keith kindly gave me a pristine, original Golden Key pack - that he'd recently uncovered. It's manufactured using a pack of red-backed Bicycles - Bridge size (coincidentally, my preferred cards)!
As an aside, 'Fred' has been a regular effect that I've used in my act, over the past 44 years. Words alone cannot explain the value that I place upon this brilliant trick.
However, the Golden Key was not initially released as being just a named card effect. It was a lead in to two different presentations - for either sex. For the females, as a lead-in to a fortune telling - using the cards and a pre-prepared, written fortune. For the males, it was a lead-in for a routine to join the Playboy Club - with a further effect using a chosen girl prediction. This is outlined within Phil's superb blog, outlining the career of one of the UK's most underrated, creative Magicians.
I still miss Joe. He remains one of the biggest influences in my life - and as my act has always primarily consisted of Joe's material, I always strive to 'do him proud' - every time that I perform.
Good to hear from you Barry. I remember seeing Joe perform the Golden Key. He always had very commercial material. It is a good idea, perhaps forgotten now. I remember Paul Scott too. He produced an edition of my Count Dracula packet trick that I described in Cardopolis recently.
Just joined and really enjoyed the newsletter. Great stuff... Thank you!
Wonderful magic once again. I particularly enjoyed Santanelli’s Secret because I love unusual mystical props used in card magic; as long as they make sense, however. Your routine makes sense...is pretty...and is magical. ♥ PG
Thanks Paul. There is a description of Ovette's original routine, The Buddha Whispers, in The Encyclopedia of Card Tricks but unfortunately it omits the presentation which is what makes it such an interesting trick.
Thanks for the info re the original. It's a lovely routine and your use of the S deck is clever. Btw, I used to dem S decks some 35 years ago and recently posted my high-energy dem on Facebook and YouTube. It was fun revisiting it. ♥
It still amazes me that more than a hundred years since the deck was invented, it's still the best magic dem there is.
If interested, here's how I did it. A bit rusty now but you might enjoy it.
https://youtu.be/lCI_jOK51fg
That's great. I like the spelling idea. I bought my first deck as a kid from Johnny Neptune. Didn't realise it was Johnny Neptune at the time. Didn't find out until years later that he had demmed that deck his entire life, along with the Spooky Pencil which is another terrific dem. The instructions you got with the deck was the lovely photo illustrated booklet that International published. A few years after that I met Mark Lewis who had a stand inside Ripley's Odditorium in Blackpool. Great demonstrator. And ensured sales by putting the deck in the spectator's hand and having him riffle it back and forth to prove he could change the cards and do the trick. Very nice sales touch. In 1978, I too demmed Svengalis on Blackpool's Golden Mile. It was at the Paul Daniels Magic Exhibition. Me and magic pal John Brown were recruited by Paul Stone to man the Daniels merch stand for the holidays. My dem was based on what I'd seen Mark Lewis do. The exhibition featured lots of props that Daniels had used in his TV shows. We even had Paul Daniels Jnr drumming up crowds outside with a guillotine. Was a fun time.
What wonderful stories and memories. I think it was Ken Brooke who showed me the Svengali deck in the early 70s. My earliest magic memories go back to the late 60s when my parents to me to the magic departments at Hamley's, Gamley's, Gamages and Harrods. I fondly remember the Inzani Henley props. I joined The Sussex Magic Circle in 1976. I met Stanley Watson, Ron Bishop, Francis Haxton, Lewis Ganson, Will Ayling, John Young and Peter Warlock there. Very happy memories. ♥
Love these little gems you share with us.
Thank you Bob.
many thanks for the all good tricks sending ! GREAT
thanks so much for sharing all this i have just joined but i will be staying for the long haul.
hi daivd could i ask you if its possible to get a signed card from you as i collect them many thanks Keith
Hi Keith
Email me at djbritland@gmail.com
For the Ramo Samee trick am I correct in thinking it also doesn't work if the spectator thinks of a Jack? There's only a jack in pile number 1...
Actually I’m being very stupid haha. If it’s a yes in pile one then it must be a Jack!
You are right to pick up on it though. I should have clarified that Jack has a value of 1.
I just happened to think of a Jack the first time I tried it out and confused myself :). It’s a great trick!
The initial release of the 'Fred' effect by Joe Riding, was called 'The Golden Key'.
Instead of a name being written on the freely thought of card, it showed an embossed Golden Key. These were produced for Joe by Paul Scott, with an embossing machine supplied by my good friend, Keith Bennett. Upon visiting Keith recently and knowing that I was a close friend of Joe's, Keith kindly gave me a pristine, original Golden Key pack - that he'd recently uncovered. It's manufactured using a pack of red-backed Bicycles - Bridge size (coincidentally, my preferred cards)!
As an aside, 'Fred' has been a regular effect that I've used in my act, over the past 44 years. Words alone cannot explain the value that I place upon this brilliant trick.
However, the Golden Key was not initially released as being just a named card effect. It was a lead in to two different presentations - for either sex. For the females, as a lead-in to a fortune telling - using the cards and a pre-prepared, written fortune. For the males, it was a lead-in for a routine to join the Playboy Club - with a further effect using a chosen girl prediction. This is outlined within Phil's superb blog, outlining the career of one of the UK's most underrated, creative Magicians.
I still miss Joe. He remains one of the biggest influences in my life - and as my act has always primarily consisted of Joe's material, I always strive to 'do him proud' - every time that I perform.
Good to hear from you Barry. I remember seeing Joe perform the Golden Key. He always had very commercial material. It is a good idea, perhaps forgotten now. I remember Paul Scott too. He produced an edition of my Count Dracula packet trick that I described in Cardopolis recently.