Hugard the Great - Jean Hugard Testimonial, Barbizon Plaza Playhouse, April 28, 1945

WELCOME TO T H E

MAGIC T.A ISLE

Tlie Society of American Magicians reserves a regular table at lunch time daily for its members and friends at the famous Plantation Room of tbe Hotel Dixie. Visiting magicians are always assured of a hearty welcome and fine food in friendly company at tbe Magic Table.

HOTEL

OOWl DIXIE

4 3 r d St., West of Broadway, New York City

O 03 H •c y c a -i > j •s8 bo 2 Z |S 2 -J 3 a z

1 P

isx

5 o

in (J

JI

Jt&L,

daud:

JEAN

HUGARD,

THE

MAGICIAN

WHO

NEVER DID A M E A N

TRICK'

Man& ^kcut Meeti "I

Yes,—there's more than meets the eye in the making of a truly great magician like JEAN HUGARD. A born talent was developed, years were devoted to practice and study, and still more years to actual performance. And there's more than meets the eye in the truly fine clothes offered at BARNEY'S. The best woolens obtainable are tailored and fitted in a fashion worthy of their fine quality. Here, too, the lessons of years of experience combined with BARNEY'S tremendous buying power make for miracle values. If you know both of them . . . and most magicians do . . . you'll appreciate why BARNEY'S is as well-known in its field as JEAN HUGARD is in his. BARNEY'S stands as high in the estimation of men who know and care about the clothes they wear—as JEAN HUGARD does in the respect and love of all magicians. And if you don't know both of them—for the sake of either your magical or sartorial pleasure . . . it's time you got acquainted!

Our V e r y Best Wishes to T h e Master

Blanche

and Sigurd

Nathan

Page

Three

MY MASTER. TEACHER, FRIEND.

If

I

can

receive

HUGARD'S MAGIC for

the

I'll

be

next

my

copy

of

MONTHLY

twenty - five years,

satisfied. — George

Starke

Photo by Irving

Jean

H

Desfor

ugard

When the Art of Mis-direction Is presented to perfection . . . That's Jean . . . When illusions, plain or fancy, Reach the realms of necro-mancy, That's Jean . . . When the noblest of patricians Is the Master of Magicians, That's Jean . . . When the Magis of the Nation Thrill to presti-digit-ation, And when skill'd ma-nip-u-lation, Is combined with pre-sen-ta-tion, In the latest card lo-ca-tion, By the Prince of Cnl-ti-va-tion, That's Jean . . . GERALD L. K A U F M A N ,

1945

THE LIFE AND CAREER DF By "DORNY"

T'S a long way to Australia. but not too far for tlie Goddess of Magic to find worshippers, anil one of her most devoted and conscientious admirers is Jean Hugard. Jean was born December 4. 1872 in Toowoomba, Queensland, Dominion of Australia, one of a family of eight children. He has had a wonderful and diversified career and some ot the details may not be amis-, in this article. lie got his first impression of magic from watching a performance by Hazelmeyer in his home town. Acquainted further with magic by reading Prof. Hoffmann's translation of RobertHoudin's "Les Secrets dc la Prestidigitation et Magie," which he still maintains is the best book of all on the subject. Later on he discovered and studied Hoffmann's "Modern Magic." This added still more to lu\ store of magic lore. Unlike most magicians who have had to Servian apprenticeship to learn the art, Jean is self taught. However, lie will admit that his first participation in magic was the pulling of the string in the rising card trick as performed by an elder brother. Jean's first ambition in life was to be a banker, and at the age of 21 had worked his way up to become manager of the Burketown bank. S< •using the possibilities of big business in the meat packing industry, he left the bank and entered on a new career as a packer in 1894, only to come a cropper a year later when his company's steamship was lost with all hands and its precious cargo of Australian beef. It was during this period in North Queensland that Jean's hearing became affected due to an abscess forming in his ear as a result of swimming too often and diving too deep. No doctor being available within several hundred miles, his hearing became very much impaired, so much so. in fact, that later when attention was available, it was too late. Turning to his original love, magic, Jean in 1896 commenced his career as a magician, featuring his now famous Chinese act which he presented as a silent act in pantomine. He carried from five to fifteen assistants, some twelve or thirteen tons of baggage including at

I

Page

Eight

least a half dozen large illusions. He opened his show in evening dress with card manipulations anil small magic; then escapes, and finished the first half with his own version of the sensational "Bullet Catching Trick." The entire second half of the show was given over to his remarkable Chinese magic, wherein he appeared as Ching Sung Loo and brought the evening to a smashing climax with four or five brilliant illusions. This was the show with which he toured throughout Australia and New Zealand from top to bottom until he was as well known "down under" as Kellar and Thurston were here in the States. In 1915 he started on an extended tour of the Fiji Islands, Samoa, Honolulu and in 1916 he arrived in San Francisco with the intention of playing across the States, then on to England, Europe and back through the Orient to Australia. He played the American vaudeville circuits for two years, starring on the Keith, Loew and Proctor times. He had entered San Francisco with a magnificently dressed show that ran a full two and a half hours, but due to the limitations of vaudeville had to trim his act to twenty-five minutes, during which time he offered a profusion of Chinese magic and illusions. His impersonation of a Chinese Mandarin was so perfect, that had he not been billed as "Jean Hugard and his Modern Miracles" it is doubtful if any audience would have realized his English parentage. During the following ten years, from 1919 to 1929, lie leased a theatre at Luna Park, and was one of the big feature shows at Coney Island, then America's playground. During the winter months he went on the road with his full evening's show, featuring his sensational "Bullet Catching Trick," reference to which you will find in other acticles in this program—together with the "Chinese Water Fountains," one of the most beautiful of all illusions; "The Floating Ball;" "The Birth of the Pearl," a brilliant production of a girl from a huge oyster shell; "The Chinese Linking Rings" and a presentation of "Black Art." His presentation of illusions was remarkably clever and he got the maximum effect out of all

J E M HUGARI1 of them. His settings were beautiful and his showmanship was without a flaw. His favorite illusion has always been the Chinese Rings, and his pet hobby is sleight of hand. He has one little stunt that we. had never seen anyone else do—until he described it in one of his books recently— He shows the tips of all his fingers empty, then makes a move in the air and ha eight thimbles. This is the neatest and finest version of this well-known effect that has ever been done! In 1919, in the midst of his plans for a continuation of his world's tour, the stock market crashed, the bank in which he had his life's savings closed and Jean, in company with thousands of others, was forced to start life anew. Not a very cheerful outlook for a man who had almost reached his 60th birthday. Never daunted by adversity, Jean turned his sleight of hand talents to teaching and writing, to the great benefit of all of us here in the audience tonight. Jean's love for card tricks lead him to tempt fate with a couple of card manuscripts, "Ten Card Feats" and "The Automatic Deck and Opening Routine." These were issued privately in 1932 and 1933, and the response to them was encouraging. Jean then issued the first of his now famous "Card Manipulations" books and, with the first and second books in the series, he was "in." Max Holden, who had just retired from the vaudeville stages of Europe and America and had opened his Magic Shop in New York, was so impressed by the brilliant array of sound magic in Jean's manuscripts that he made arrangements to publish Jean's books and market them. Jean having found a patron for his literary efforts, now settled down to become one of Magic's leading authors and under the aegis of Max Holden wrote authoritatively on every branch of sleight of hand. Today Jean is America's favorite author of magic books. Only a couple of years ago, Harper & Brothers, one of the leading publishers in the country, published his "Modern Magic Manual" which is the finest book for amateurs since Prof. Hoffmann's time. This book is now in its fifth edi3

m

•A

.A.

Hi ]

•P

+ Jean

v

H u g a r d , as a y o u n g

y

„ v'lA „ man.

tion, which is an eloquent testimonial to its greatness. For Carl Jones, Jean edited and wrote two masterpieces ol magic literature, "Greater Magic" and "Expert Card Technique;" for A1 Baker he edited "Ways and Means," for The Fleming Book Company he has just translated Camille Gaultier's famous book of sleight of hand, "Magic Without Apparatus" (La Prestidigitation sans Appareils") which is not only the first English translation but promises to be one of the really great books to enter the American magic market in many years. On his own, he is currently engaged with Frederick Braue in publishing "Hugard's Modern Miracle Series" of books, four of which have appeared to date. Two years ago Jean founded and launched one of the finest of today's magic periodicals, "Hugard's MAGIC Monthly." Now, once again, tonight you will have the pleasure of seeing Jean Hugard give one of his remarkable performances, which incidentally will mark his final performance as a trouper. And, as one trouper to another, I'll guarantee you will enjoy a treat in magic and its presentation such as you have seldom witnessed.

DOUDIN, H O F F M M N , HUGARD Jean

Hugard's

hands have

baffled

millions.

A Triumvirate of Names to Conjure With By J O H N J . CRIMMINS, Jr.

• •THEN WW

one reviews the long list of magic

published

books

in the past seventy-seven years, the

works of three writers stand out preeminently in the

field.

These three are Robert-Houdin,

H o f f m a n n and Jean H u g a r d . the

literature

of

conjuring

Professor

Their contributions to are

unquestionably

During

the next forty years he continued

with

his

writings, supplementing the renaissance in the teaching

of

practical

magic

so well

begun

by

Robert-

Houdin. Today,

Jean

Hugard

is

carrying

on

where

his

the

illustrious predecessors left off, publishing year after

most comprehensive and authoritative of all, a n d the

year the latest and best of sleight-of-hand instruction

wide acclaim won by their successive efforts is respon-

for the modern magician.

sible to a great extent for the steady growth a n d in-

pleteness and

creasing popularity of sleight-of-hand and

ment laid down by Robert-Houdin.

we know it today.

magic as

Taken collectively, their books are

student,

veritable grammars of conjuring, for they really teach

almost

the rudiments

art

through

of

sleights,

the art, from preparation,

the bare patter,

essentials

routine

and

presentation. is indebted for the first great book on practical conjuring.

the works of unbroken

of c o n j u r i n g ,

His books parallel in com-

the same conscientious these

three

To

writers offer

string of competent the sum

treat-

the serious

essays on

total of all

their

an the

books

providing the finest magical literature possible to obtain.

I t is to Robert-Houdin that the entire magic world

pattern

In

fact, no magic library

can be

considered

adequate without a complete collection of their combined works.

His "Les Secrets de la Prestidigitation et de

Possibly a word or two about J e a n H u g a r d , w h o m

la M a g i e " published in 1868 inaugurated the era of

we are honoring tonight, m i g h t not be amiss at this

teaching magic as an art, and even to this day this

point, for he is recognized as one of the best informed

book is considered one of the finest works ever written

authorities on legerdemain in the world today.

on the subject. A short time later, Professor H o f f m a n n

1932, when

performed the same service for the English speaking

won acclaim to his current translation of

world when his famous book, " M o d e r n

" M a g i c W i t h o u t A p p a r a t u s " , M r . H u g a r d has written

Magic"

was

his first manuscript

published in L o n d o n in 1876. This m o n u m e n t a l vol-

some

ume of encyclopedic proportions, covering both

branch of the M a g i c Art.

the

thirty

scholarly

works

on

"Ten

Card

Since Feats"

Gaultier's

practically

every

Space does not permit m e

artistic and technical side of magic, probably has had

to mention all the H u g a r d books here, b u t you will

the greatest

find them listed in M r . Leo R u l l m a n ' s article in this

sale of any

single book

on

conjuring.

Page

Eleven

The Parent Assembly. No. 1, Society of American Magicians, extends hearty greetings to Jean Hugard, Archivist of the Assembly— a loyal compeer and highly esteemed good friend who has won world-wide fame and respect not only as a truly great practicing magician but as an outstanding authority on the technique and practice of the Mystic Art.

program.

I n addition

to these published

works, he

Devant's style and is unequalled today by any of his

has also written m a n y articles for the various magical

contemporaries.

periodicals and is now currently engaged in publish-

correct and complete in every detail.

Each

trick's

description

is

concise,

His vast knowl-

ing his " M o d e r n Miracles" series, as well as his own

edge of stage-craft, his love of subject, his mastery

magazine, Hugard's M A G I C

of sleights, his understanding

Monthly".

I a m convinced that no other living magician has

of

the psychology

of

cause, effect and delivery—all coupled with his m a n y

contributed so greatly to the advancement of sleight-

years as a performer, makes his c o n j u r i n g books veri-

of-hand and magic in general as has Jean

table masterpieces of magic literature.

Hugard.

Every student would do well to study his text books

By

now

you

probably

can

guess

that

I

am

a

carefully, for they are the nearest thing to personal

H u g a r d fan.

instruction that are available today.

ever, for I have read widely of the literature of m a g i c

T r u e it is that

in recent years many have written expertly on subject — such Goldston,

Keen,

men

as

Hull,

Sachs,

Willmann,

Roterbcrg,

Waller,

the

Fischer, Gaultier,

I a m , without any reservation whatso-

and have found few w h o could equal h i m as a writer or teacher. associated

It with

has been my pleasure to have been Mr.

Hugard

in

the

publication

of

D ' H o t e l , D e v a n t , Maskelyne, Gibson, Tarbell, Lang-

some of his earlier works and I can assure you that

Neil, H i l l i a r d , H a t t o n and Plate and many others all

knowing him has been one of the greatest joys I have

have their niche in Magic's H a l l of Fame.

Each very

found in magic.

T o know him is to admire him for

definitely has made some noteworthy contribution to

he is first a gentleman, then a magician of rare ac-

the advancement of our art, but to Jean H u g a r d still

complishments and last, but not least, a true scholar.

remains

the honor of

issuing, year after

year,

the

N o better advise can be given to anyone interested in

finest instruction to be found on the subject of magic.

magic than

H u g a r d s gift of really teaching the fine points of a

assure you, there is a romance about his writings that

to say " S t u d y

magic trick or sleight is reminiscent of H o u d i n ' s and

makes magic a glowing and exciting adventure.

o

o 0 t o -J o 15 O 00 (j 5

Jean

c u t s t h e c a k e o n his 7 0 t h b i r t h d a y

before

200

magicians.

Hugard's Books '.

I

can

We, members of the

International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 26, New York, N. Y. Join in sending the best wishes to our friend and brother member

JEAN HUGARD JOSEPH L. BARNETT ALEXANDER BLUME DR. BRANDE WALTER W. COLEMAN JEROME DERR S. L. DREILINGER REUBEN R. GOMES AL D. GREENFIELD W. T. GENSHEIMER CONRAD H. HADEN ED. D. HALLOCK WILLIAM S. HALL HAROLD A. KUSIKOFF BOB KARLEBACH DR. H. B. KAYTON AL MINDER DR. C. MILLER JOHN P. MAHER PAUL MORRIS JERRY MILLET BOB NOVAK

DOUGLAS OXNER JERRY PRIOR ARTHUR PUNNAR STUART ROBSON RALPH W. READ FRANK ROBERTS HARRY ROSENBLUM CLAUDE SLOAT ARTHUR R. STORM LOUIS TANNEN JACK TROPP HAROLD P. WHITE DR. A. WEISS In Service

CAPT. WILLARD S. SMITH SOL STEIN LT. W. K. SCHOONMAKER SEYMORE SOLOMON

THE H U GA H D WIIIVIIEH SHIIW

Music Hall - Lansdale

Monday, December 15 ONE NIGHT ONLY

By DE WILFRED

The

Modern

HUGARD'S MODERN MIRACLES

Illusionist

•

A M probably one of the few people in the U n i t e d

I

States today, w h o can recall the original Wonder

Show.

resplendent

with

A

full

two

elaborate

hour

stage

Presenting a Progrura of the most Original and sensational Novelties placed before the public. A COMPANY OF STAR ARTISTS

Hugard

performance,

settings,

beautiful

SEE the Wonderful Illusions—

costumes and tons of magical equipment. T h i r t y years ago I was appearing on

the

The Birth of the Pearl The Firing Squad The Golden Ball

Fuller

Vaudeville Circuit in New Z e a l a n d , and J e a n H u g a r d and C o m p a n y opened in the same city.

All For the First Time Here

T h e organization was compact and everything from the colorful posters, the " H u g a r d

Herald,''

SEE "A Night iu Pekin"-

a news-

A Gorgeous Spectacular Display. Real Chinese Scenery and Costumes.

paper type of handbill which was mailed to everyone in

town, to the show

magical

style.

Every

itself, was presented piece of apparatus,

in

true

from

HEAR The Australian Concert Party.

the

smallest trick, to the biggest illusion, was carried out to the minutest degree of perfection. good

magic,

and

the

Hugard

This constitutes

Show

was

in

If

every

You Mi,*

sense of the word, good magic. H u g a r d appeared immaculate in white tie and

tails.

W i t h his long chestnut hair, one might get the

impression that he was a musical composer or conit not been for the spectacular

that went with this.

G i a n t playing cards carried out Mr.

held the audience spellbound with his card

m nipulating.

His color changes and

palming

works of art, presented with such smooth

Program

used

were

aided. was

assisted

from the audience.

by

the

Pearl."

The

Winter

of

1919

production

"Birth

of a beautiful

of

'The

young

lady

Another outstanding illusion was Hugards

traditional

Screen, from

displayed his tal-

in this section

was the colorful

of the " L e v i t a t i o n . " of

committee

T h e feature illusion

from a giant shell.

T h u m b T i e ; here M r .

Then Hugard

Reserved 36c

Pennsylvania,

of the programme

lowed in order.

Hugard

in

fectly routined.

assurance

that the cards themselves appeared to be acting unNext came the ever popular

It

setting

in white, black and red velvet, decked the stage. Hugard

You 7/ Regret

General Admission 26c

T h e show opened with a fifteen m i n u t e card routine.

ductor, had

Thin

Prices for the Million

"The

These included a splendid rendition

Kellar

Rice bowls,

version

M a n y other startling effects fol-

Flower

which floating

Growth."

came lighted

The

Wonder

Chinese

lanterns.

ball, Chinese linking rings, fire

ents as an escapeologist, with an expert presentation

eating, expert paper tearing, and a unique presenta-

of the Straight Jacket Escape, performed in full view.

tion of the Twentieth Century.

Hugard setting.

offered

his feature illusion

in a

military

This was his famous Bullet C a t c h i n g Effect.

W i t h o u t a single false move or apparent misdirection of any sort, the secretly marked bullets, still hot and bearing the marks from the gun barrels, were caught on a velvet cloth held in front and over his heart.

A

tion

closed

with

Chinese

T h e entire produc-

garlands

spurting out from all directions.

A

and

strcameis

fitting

climax to

a memorable evening. Special

honors arc also due

the artists w h o

peared in support to M r . H u g a r d . Errington,

whose

charming

ap-

First, Miss M y r a

personality

graced

the

flawless performance m a d e possible only by the per-

stage as principal assistant.

fect co-ordination of expert backstage assistance. This

ton was an accomplished musician a n d singer.

was the trick that the audience always remembered.

presented a elever musical novelty interlude, featur-

I toured New Zealand again, a year later, and they

ing musical

were still discussing the H u g a r d Bullet Catch.

Horley, the comedienne, M a d a m e

The

second half of the programme was

perhaps

juggler.

Sixty

capacity

in

pantomime

music: Hugard

the and

to

title,

the "A

tricks and

illusions

accompaniment Night

in

assistants, bedecked

of

Pckin." in

done

Oriental Here

Chinese

Mr. robes,

xylophone.

Also

Miss

She Ruby

Carroll, the very

accomplished pianist and M r . Clive Clivalli, a skilled

one of the finest magical spectacles I have ever seen. minutes of Chinese

coins and

I n a d d i t i o n , Miss Erring-

M r . Clivalli also m a n a g e d backstage; in this he

was

largely

responsible

for

a

smooth

r u n n i n g performance. I n all, the H u g a r d

Show was a great show, pre-

sented by a master showman.

H u g a r d gave his m a g i c

presented a rapid series of bewildering surprises. O n e

to the world, as those w h o were fortunate enough to

effect followed

witness his performance will always remember.

another, beautifully

timed

and

per-

EAN HUGARD The printed word is inadequate to express the sentiment I feel for Jean Hugard, and the gratitude I know the world of magic generally owes to such a distinguished gentleman, scholar and magician. Hardly a day passes that his name does not come up for attention among the magicians visiting New York. His word on card sleights and flourishes, or the proper presentation of a trick, time and again climaxes the differences and discussions that invariably arise whenever card men meet. True it is that Jean is seldom here to hear the many complimentary things said about him, but his books are quoted freely for his printed words of encouragement and warning offer much sound advice and is so quoted and accepted by all. For Jean has done more than any other living magician to teach the tenets of his art to the thousands so avidly seeking them. Ever the gentleman, he is always glad to offer his advice when it is requested, and delights in helping those who are perplexed with the intricacies of a sleight by personally instructing them. His font of knowledge and magic lore seems boundless, and he will trace the variations of a sleight or trick back to forgotten days, pointing out the refinements that have been made en route to bring it up to its present standard of excellence. Many times I've watched him correct errors in the intricate moves of a sleight, moves that have been passed along inaccurately from one writer to another. A case in point is his description of the "Hermann Pass" which he explains correctly for the first time in many years in his book, "More Card Manipulation No. 1." Not only does the amateur reap rich rewards from his instruction, but even such renowned experts as Victor Farelli have bowed to Jean's knowledge on more than one occasion. Recently, Mr. Farelli paid us a visit and expressed the desire to meet Mr. Hugard, whereupon Jean happened to drop in. Just to listen to these two men talk about sleights and tricks was an education in itself. In the course of the conversation, Mr. Farelli happened to remark that for

a c j i c

adter

over 20 years he had never been able to understand the workings of a certain shuffle which Prof. Hoffmann had credited to Charlier. He said he had tried it time and time again, only to come to the conclusion that it was impossible to do it; not only that but he had never met a magician who could either do it, or enlighten him in any way. Jean smilingly preferred the information that he knew the shuffle quite well, and that it was not entirely Prof. Hoffmann's fault, although his description was rather inadequate, but was mostly the faulty interpretation given it by the reader. Mr. Farelli expressing immediate interest, Jean offered to do it for him. I supplied the cards, for, as you can imagine, I was just as interested in seeing this "impossible shuffle" as was our visitor. Jean took the pack, turned to the page in "More Magic" describing it, and proceeded to do it with speed and dispatch. In ten minutes' time, Mr. Farelli was gleefully false shuffling the pack, a la Charlier, and remarking that the sea voyage to New York was well worth the trouble just to find someone who could teach him this one shuffle. That's Jean Hugard, master cf magic in all its ramifications! It is this remarkable font of knowledge so generously tapped by Jean when writing his books that makes them such outstanding lessons in sleight-of-hand. Whatever one' wishes to learn will be found in his books, for they are truly equal to personal instruction. We have recommended them for years and will continue to do so with the same enthusiasm and confidence that lead us to first publish so many of Jean's works. Nearly all of his books are still available, many of them having gone into several printings. We will be glad to recommend the proper ones for you, if you will but drop us a line. Some are more advanced than others, and they cover every phase of the art with a clarity unequalled by any other writer. Whether it's cards, coins, balls, bills, silks, close-up or general magic you prefer—Jean has written the instruction you want! . . . MAX HOLDEN

HOLDEN S MAGIC SHOPS Remember

. . . When

you

until

the

best

in a manic

book

. . . Ask

for

n Hugard

book!

220 WEST 12.vn STREET, NEW YORK 120 BOYI.STON STREET, BOSTON, MASS. 117 SOUTH BROAD STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA. TIIK I.UIGKST, MOST KLAHOHATE, UP-TO-DATE MAGIC SHOPS IN AMEBICA! e

Sixteen

Hugard

and

Company

presenting

The

"Fairy

Fountains,"

Luna

Park

1919.

TUNG PIN SOD'S HEEDLLEETIONS OF .IEAIV HUGARD

E

By L A W R E N C E ARCURI

1LSEWHERE cians.

" J e a n H u g a r d has always been a gentleman in the

in these pages will be f o u n d stories

on Jean H u g a r d by his pupils and

fellow-magi-

Feeling that this collection of stories would

full sense of the word on and off-stage," Wheatley.

"He

showed

utmost

continued

consideration

for

not be complete without some comment from a m a n

everyone with w h o m he came in contact. M a n y needy

who actually worked with h i m , we called u p o n

his

show-people have known

best

Pin

given countless benefit performances for m a n y chari-

known

ex-assistant,

A1

Wheatley

(Tung

his generosity a n d

ties."

Soo). " T h e r e isn't a book big e n o u g h , " he said,

"that

As

to

his

work,

Wheatley

could hold a full expression of my feeling of grati-

perfectionist, no detail

tude, respect and admiration

to escape his notice.

for the m a n w h o has

done so m u c h for me and for magic.

He gave m e m y

not

find

the

slippers

for h i m ,

in his regular street shoes.

I

always found

him

inspiration.

As a showman

to be generous a constant source

and

writer

of

and of

magical

Sword

Box Illusion

Jean too

as

a

small

O n one occasion Wheatley could

Chinese

wear on the stage.

to all his assistants and

considers

ever having been

start when I was 18 and d u r i n g all the years I worked kind

he has

Jean had

he was

refused

supposed

to let h i m

T h e swords used in

to be kept highly

at all times and m a n y an hour was p u t

to

go on the

polished in by his

assistants keeping them so.

literature he has no peer." Next to the late W a r n e r O l a n d , Wheatley regards

Speaking of this illusion, Wheatley cited it as an

Jean as the finest Chinese impersonator he ever saw.

example of how scrupulously Jean has always guarded

I n fact it was Jean w h o influenced h i m to specialize

against exposure in magic.

in

show

Chinese

Tung

Magic

and

under

his

stage

name

Pin Soo, he has become widely known.

this he gives m u c h credit to his old magic

of For

Master.

I n any newspaper interview he has ever h a d , Wheat-

in L u n a

When

he had

Park, unlike some of his

his own

contempo-

raries playing side-show exhibits, J e a n never relaxed his

ideals

regarding

exposure.

While

others

audiences the privilege of coming back-stage

ley has always m a d e it a point to pay his respects

fee)

to Jean.

Jean bitterly condemned this practice.

to see the

inner

workings

of

the

gave (for a

sword-box,

It is impossible to praise Jean too highly. A l o n g with all other magicians, I extend my heartfelt good wishes and hopes for his continued success and happiness. FRED BRAUE

P a

/; f

E i g h I ccn

Stage

On

another

occasion,

Wheatley

committee of three came witness

the

tells

u p from

Bullet-Catching

setting

"A

how

a

the audience

to

Trick.

of

for

Jean

did

not

know that one of the men was a reporter for a local newspaper w h o was on the prowl for a story.

Each

Night

in

Peliin"

show.

equipment froze and before it thawed out, the entire company

had

the devil's own

time

taking

care

of

called

"Pearl

of

the

himself.

An

the situation. The

Oyster-Shell

Illusion

O r i e n t " was an effect created by Jean

of the men was given a gun and directed to shoot

oyster-shell,

at Jean's chest.

have been holding a beautiful girl.

the

trigger,

When

the

the signal was given to pull

reporter,

curious

bullet was genuine, pointed

to

know

if

the

previously

shown

empty,

turns

out

to

W h e t h e r or not

Wheatley ever assisted in the holding, he did not say.

the gun at the ceiling.

" I n Black A r t M a g i c Jean was o u t s t a n d i n g , " con-

After the performance, he sneaked back to the the-

tinued Wheatley, " a n d silhouetted against the black

atre, obtained a ladder and m a d e a search for the

background

bullet-hole in the ceiling.

costume.

it and this resulted

He succeeded

the

Hugard

ever-resourceful

had

finding

in some glowing notices in the

paper about Jean's performance. selves,

in

anticipated

(Just between our-

and

the

quick-witted

reporter's

Mr.

intentions.

Magicians will understand what he had done about it.) Wheatley went on to tell of some of the brilliant stage illusions that were used by Jean.

T h e Water-

Fountain Illusion was particularly noteworthy. Streams of water were m a d e to come from everywhere.

Jean

he made

a striking

figure

in

his

white

As a matter of fact, his wardrobe on a n d

off-stage was always in perfect taste." With

his linking

rings, Wheatley

was " o u t of this w o r l d . " manner

in

which

Jean

feels that

Jean

He mentioned the unusual would

dispose

of

the

rings

by throwing and hooking them on to a clothes-tree quite a distance away.

1'his had somewhat the aspect

of juggling, demonstrating again the performer's versatility. As a final word of tribute, T u n g Pin Soo said that

would touch a glass, for instance, and a jet of water

in all the time he worked

for J e a n , he could

would j u m p six feet in the air.

recall

there

his wand

through

come from from most agree. New

the stream and

the wand.

someone's

touched.

The

unusual

T h e n he would pass

It

would

head—from

any

effects achieved as anyone

who

the water would come from place

were has

that

beautiful

seen

them

shoes, Jean

England of

Winter, the

time

however. in

Boston

Wheatley when

the

was

any

is an eloquent

not

heckling

testimonial

As we took our leave of T u n g Pin Soo, w h o h a d

will

his very

tells

where

to how Jean kept his audiences interested at all times. been

water

instance

from an audience which

and

This feature could not stand the rigors of a

amusingly

any

most

gracious

deep

and

regret over

cooperative, the

fact

he

that

expressed he

would

not be able to participate in the H u g a r d Testimonial Show

because

he will

be

performing

thousands

of

miles away on a U S O over-seas tour. Page

Nineteen

Society of American Magicians-Assembly 17 SPRINGFIELD, VALLEY

MASSACHUSETTS CONJURERS

100 PERCENT—PAY TRIBUTE TO

JEAN

HUGARD i

Walter J. Atkinson Albert A . Brodeur Harris M . Boutwell Dr. Irving R. Calkins Jack A . Callings Harold A. Chamberlin Albert L. Clarke Francis E. Colson L. Raymond C o x Alphonse L. Deleporte George J. Ellsworth Dr. John J. Fitzgibbon Laurence H. Fortier Charles A . Frazer Dr. Emile T. Gagnon U. F. Grant Charles D. Holden Elwood B. Hovey Harold W . Howatt Dr. John Jorczak Joseph A . Karson Mark J. Keaney Robert Kervick Edward J. Kumisca Eugene H . Leger

t

Roland H. Lemoine William D. Littlefield Joseph A . Maynard Thomas F. M e e Carl A . Miller Dr. Milton S. Monyek Mrs. Rhoda Monyek Dr. Roberta E. Neill James L. O r r Lewis E. Page Dr. Mendel Poliak Sidney H . Radner Alfred E. Rapisarda Mrs. Anita Rose Donald W . Rose Ronald J. Sawyer George F. Senecal Edward E. Shear Anne C . Skura Joseph O . Thibodeau Norman H. Todd Hugh M . Tomb Herbert E. W a r d Mrs. Madonna Whithill William Whithill

A TRIBUTE TO

JEAN HUGARD By DR. HENRY RIDGELY EVANS

• N

this " T r i b u t e

I

to Jean

I

Hugard"

wish

to

press my appreciation of his endeavors in the of

modern

avidity, and literary

magic. regard

point

I

have

them

read

highly, not

of view but

from

with

only from

the standpoint

their value to the art of magic. done so m u c h

his books

ex-

field

Few writers

to place up-to-date conjuring

scientific basis as has Jean H u g a r d .

a of

have on

a

M u c h has been

written about natural magic a n d sleight-of-hand that is comparatively

worthless a n d

ephemeral,

but

not

by Jean H u g a r d ; his works are destined to live long after him.

ton, Blackstonc, G o l d i n and D a n t e — t o mention only a few.

I trust that d u r i n g his

Thurston

ton, who was the first thaumaturge of note to break away

from

the

old

traditions

and

inaugurate

renaissance in magic, so to speak, something different cessors.

from

a

quite

the classical technique of his prede-

Blackstonc

and

Dante,

in

particular,

have

followed in his footsteps and are keeping magic very m u c h alive today, and are drawing crowds to their spectacular entertainments.

His clarity of style and facility of expres-

sion are indeed noteworthy.

M y acquaintance with K e l l a r and

was of an intimate character, particularly with Thurs-

M a g i c is an art that began before the b u i l d i n g of the Pyramids and the Sphinx of E g y p t ; for Egypt is

retirement from active participation in the arena of

the "cradle of m a g i c . "

prestidigitation

ancient land were closely associated with necromancy,

that

he will

not

lay down

his

for good, but give us m a n y more works similar those which

he has already

published.

No

pen to

in all its phases, as I have endeavored to portray in

library

my " T h e O l d and the New M a g i c , " which has for

of magic is complete without his books. Jean

Hugard

is not

only

a

writer

its on

T h e religious beliefs of that

feats

of

frontispiece

a

picture

of

the

almost

perfectly

preserved gateway to the ruins of K a r n a k a n d other

prestidigitation, but he is also a practical performer,

temples

having toured the Far East with a magic show of his

modern tourists.

Yes, think of magic and you think

own, featuring many fine sleight-of-hand

of Egypt.

Freemasonry

illusions. the

tricks

and

Consequently he is well fitted to follow in

footsteps

Angelo Lewis

of

such

authors

as

Robcrt-Houdin,

(Professor H o f f m a n n ) , J o h n

Milliard,

of

Mizraim, Even

which

arc in

the

admiration

its higher

of

degrees

portrays some of the mysticism and occult philosophy of the cult of Isis and Osiris.

T h e last stand of the

hierophants was in the island of Philac in the u p p e r

A d r i a n Plate, D a v i d D e v a n t , W i l l Goldston, Gaultier,

Nile, ere the suppression

Stanyon, etc.

reign of Theodosius of Byzantium d u r i n g the Chris-

Hugard's contemporaries have been Kellar, Thurs-

of

their mysteries

in

the

tian regime in Egypt. Page

Twetlty-O

ne

(Bsi&L (jJiAhGA,

j^^B

JJQcm (KuqaAjcL DELL

O'DELL

and C H A R L E S

CARRER

Sincerej Congratulations to one who gloriously contributed to tbe Art of Magic INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF MAGICIANS EUGENE BERNSTEIN, President A. REN CLARK, 1st V. P. HAROLD R. RICE, Secretary

DR. ZINA BENNETT, 2nd V. P. HAZEL M. KROCK, Treasurer

Original photo of Hugard's Escape Act.

New Zealand and Australia 1910.

ANECDOTES I'HUM IIIIW \ UN II Ell By J E A N

1 T O U A S K M E t o r e l a t e my m o s t t h r i l l i n g c x p c r i 1 e n c e in t h e y e a r s I d e v o t e d to t h e p e r f o r m a n c e of m a g i c . N a t u r a l l y , in m y m a n y t o u r s in a n d a r o u n d Australia, N e w Z e a l a n d a n d the S o u t h Seas, t h e r e w e r e v a r i o u s a d v e n t u r e s by sea a n d l a n d , by fires, w r e c k s a n d floods, s e v e r a l r a i l w a y w r e c k s a n d c o a c h i n g a c c i d e n t s , b u t t h e s e w e r e s u c h as m i g h t h a p p e n to a n y o n e e n g a g e d in c o n s t a n t t r a v e l l i n g , n o m a t t e r w h a t his o c c u p a t i o n . O n e i n c i d e n t , b r o u g h t a b o u t solely by m y v o c a t i o n as a m a g i c i a n , w h i c h c a n b e said to c o m e u n d e r t h e h e a d i n g — t h r i l l i n g — h a p p e n e d a t t h e first p r e s e n t a t i o n of m y v a r i a t i o n of t h e b u l l e t - c a t c h i n g trick o n t h e o p e n i n g n i g h t of m y s e c o n d t o u r of N e w Z e a l a n d a t W e l l i n g t o n . I n o r d e r to m a k e t h e trick as s e n s a t i o n a l as possible I h a d fixed it so t h a t , i n s t e a d of t h e old m u z z l e l o a d i n g g u n s as u s e d by all o t h e r m a g i c i a n s u p to t h a t d a t e , t h e m o d e r n h i g h p o w e r e d rifles w e r e t o be u s e d a n d a s q u a d of f o u r r i f l e m e n , w h o w e r e to b r i n g t h e i r o w n rifles, w a s a r r a n g e d t h r o u g h t h e c a p t a i n of t h e local rifle c l u b . M y a d v a n c e a g e n t h a d d o n e a good job, he h a d secured the p a t r o n a g e of t h e G o v e r n o r of t h e D o m i n i o n f o r t h e o p e n i n g

HUGARD

n i g h t a n d h a d filled t h e n e w s p a p e r s w i t h a c c o u n t s of t h e i n v u l n e r a b l e m a g i c i a n .

sensational

All w e n t well w i t h t h e s h o w u p t o t h e b u l l e t catching feat which was to form the g r a n d climax. First a s h o r t i n t r o d u c t i o n w a s g i v e n w i t h s o m e f a c t s a b o u t t h e p o w e r of t h e m o d e r n rifle, t h e n t h e c a p t a i n of t h e rifle c l u b m a r c h e d his f o u r m e n o n t o t h e s t a g e a n d a c o m m i t t e e of l o c a l e x p e r t s w a s i n v i t e d to c o m e f o r w a r d to s u p e r i n t e n d t h e w h o l e o p e r a t i o n a n d r e m a i n on t h e s t a g e t h r o u g h o u t . A p a c k e t of c a r t r i d g e s , p r o v i d e d by t h e c a p t a i n , w a s o p e n e d b y the committeemen and four were chosen. T h e y were m a r k e d , b o t h t h e b u l l e t s a n d t h e cases, o n e b e i n g m a r k e d by t h e G o v e r n o r h i m s e l f . T h e b u l l e t s w e r e t h e n d i p p e d i n t o p o w d e r e d c h a l k a n d t h e rifles w e r e l o a d e d w i t h t h e m u n d e r t h e closest s u p e r v i s i o n of t h e committee and the riflemen, who, I should e m p h a size, w e r e c o m p l e t e s t r a n g e r s t o m e . T h e s q u a d t h e n m a r c h e d down f r o m the stage to a p l a t f o r m erected in t h e m i d d l e of t h e o r c h e s t r a stalls w h e r e t h e y r e m a i n e d in f u l l v i e w of t h e a u d i e n c e t h r o u g h o u t . P o s t i n g t h e c o m m i t t e e - m e n well t o o n e side of t h e s t a g e , I took u p m y p o s i t i o n m i d - s t a g e a n d h e l d

GREETINGS

JEAN

HUGARD

or your invaluable contributions to the Art of Magic as performer and author, magicians the world over will be ever in your debt.

Samuel L.

Dreilbiger

Eastern Metal Spinning Co., Inc., 465 G r e e n w i c h Street, N e w Y o r k 13, N e w Y o r k

a g a i n s t m y c h e s t a little s q u a r e of b l a c k v e l v e t o n t h e m i d d l e of w h i c h w a s s e w n a small r e d h e a r t . T h e s p o t l i g h t w a s t h e n t h r o w n o n m e a n d all o t h e r l i g h t s t u r n e d off. A f t e r a slight p a u s e , c a l c u l a t e d to i n c r e a s e t h e t e n s i o n , I g a v e t h e o r d e r " R e a d y — A i m — F i r e ! " T h e rifles r o a r e d , f o u r w h i t e s p o t s a p p e a r e d on the black velvet target a n d four bullets d r o p p e d onto the stage at my feet. So f a r , so g o o d , b u t I h a d r e c e i v e d a q u i t e u n e x p e c t e d shock. I w a s really s h o t a n d l o o k i n g d o w n a t m y c h e s t u n d e r c o v e r of m y little v e l v e t s q u a r e , I s a w s e v e r a l spots of b l o o d o n m y s h i r t f r o n t . H o w ever, the p r o c e d u r e went right on. T h e lights were put on, the committee-men picked up the bullets, identified their marks and certified they were hot a n d b o r e t h e g r o o v e s c a u s e d by t h e i r p a s s a g e t h r o u g h t h e rifle b a r r e l s . T h e r i f l e m e n w e r e o r d e r e d b a c k to t h e s t a g e , u n l o a d e d t h e i r e m p t y c a r t r i d g e cases a n d t h e m a r k s o n t h e s e w e r e also i d e n t i f i e d . So f a r as t h e a u d i e n c e w a s c o n c e r n e d , t h e trick w a s a c o m p l e t e success a n d , I c a n t r u t h f u l l y say, c a u s e d a sensation. H o w e v e r , I had gone a step too far a n d h a d f o o l i s h l y t a k e n a g r e a t risk. I f o u n d e m b e d d e d in m y c h e s t t h r e e p e l l e t s of s h o t . L u c k i l y t h e y w e r e v e r y small a n d h a d d o n e little m o r e t h a n p u n c t u r e t h e skin, t h e loose v e l v e t flap of m y little t a r g e t a n d t h e stiff f r o n t o n m y d r e s s s h i r t h a d r e t a r d e d them otherwise there might have been some surgical w o r k n e c e s s a r y to d i s l o d g e t h e m . As it w a s my assistant m a n a g e d to extract t h e m with a s h a r p penknife. W h a t h a d h a p p e n e d w a s t h a t o n e of t h e r i f l e m e n h a d a d d e d a little u n r e h e a r s e d t o u c h of his o w n b y d r o p p i n g s o m e p e l l e t s of s h o t i n t o t h e b a r r e l of his rifle a f t e r t h e l i g h t s h a d b e e n p u t o u t . H e a i m e d well b u t h e n e v e r got t h e s a t i s f a c t i o n of k n o w i n g t h a t he h a d s h o t t h e m a g i c i a n . A f t e r t h a t e x p e r i e n c e , I d e c i d e d t h a t o n e c a n g o t o o f a r in t h e s e a r c h f o r the sensational a n d the spot light was dispensed with. N o t o n l y w e r e all l i g h t s k e p t f u l l y o n t h r o u g h o u t s u b s e q u e n t p r e s e n t a t i o n s of t h e trick b u t a n a s s i s t a n t always accompanied the riflemen from the stage and r e m a i n e d b e s i d e t h e m u n t i l t h e rifles w e r e a c t u a l l y fired. S o , a l t h o u g h I h a v e b e e n s h o t a t o n inn u m e r a b l e occasions, t h a t was the only time I was actually shot.

FROM

CANDLELIGHT

TO

KILOWATTS

I n o n e of m y first t o u r s in A u s t r a l i a in t h e e a r l y y e a r s of t h e n i n e t e e n h u n d r e d s it h a p p e n e d t h a t m y s h o w w a s b o o k e d f o r C h r i s t m a s d a t e s a t a l a r g e inl a n d t o w n in N e w S o u t h W a l e s . T h e o n l y c o n n e c t i o n w a s by a l o n g a n d v e r y slow j o u r n e y o v e r a single track railway along which my advance agent could find n o p l a c e s to p l a y w i t h a n y r e a s o n a b l e h o p e of a p r o f i t . F a c e d w i t h t h e necessity of e i t h e r l a y i n g t h e s h o w off f o r f o u r n i g h t s or a r r i v i n g in t h e b i g t o w n s e v e r a l d a y s a h e a d of t i m e , w h i c h g e n e r a l l y c r e a t e s a b a d i m p r e s s i o n , I w i r e d m y a g e n t to fix any places that had any means for staging o u r show. T h e first v i l l a g e w e s t o p p e d a t h a d n o h a l l of a n y

Mrs. Carroll, pianist for the Hugard show.

kind, the only place available being the school a n d this h a d n o m e a n s of l i g h t i n g of a n y k i n d . By r a i d i n g t h e local s t o r e k e e p e r ' s stock of c a n d l e s a n d m a k i n g r e f l e c t o r s of c a n s by c u t t i n g t h e m in half we m a n a g e d a g a l a x y of i l l u m i n a t i o n t h a t s u r p r i s e d t h e v i l l a g e r s a l m o s t a s m u c h as t h e m a g i c we gave them. T h e s e c o n d s t o p w: s a t a s o m e w h a t l a r g e r t o w n which boasted a small hall with a b a r e p l a t f o r m a n d w a s l i g h t e d by k e r o s e n e l a m p s . H e r e a g a i n , b y c u t t i n g l a r g e k e r o s e n e tins in h a l f , r e f l e c t o r s w e r e o b t a i n e d which provided quite a brilliant lighting. S t o p n u m b e r t h r e e f o u n d us a t a p l a c e w i t h a hall of w h i c h t h e t o w n s f o l k w e r e v e r y p r o u d . T h e y h a d j u s t installed a n a c e t y l e n e l i g h t i n g p l a n t f o r it. A c e t y l e n e w a s a t t h a t t i m e t r y i n g to c o m p e t e w i t h r e g u l a r coal gas f o r i l l u m i n a t i n g p u r p o s e s a n d t h e l i g h t w a s v e r y g o o d b u t we w e r e b o t h e r e d by s e v e r a l b l a c k o u t s . S o m e m o n t h s l a t e r I r e a d a n a c c o u n t of a terrible pccident at this very place. T h e c a r e t a k e r i n v e s t i g a t i n g a leak in t h e g e n e r a t o r s t u p i d l y s t r u c k a m a t c h . T h e r e s u l t i n g e x p l o s i o n b l e w h i m to a t o m s — l i t e r a l l y to a t o m s — n o t e v e n a s h r e d of c l o t h i n g of t h e u n f o r t u n a t e m a n w a s e v e r f o u n d . T h e f o u r t h n i g h t f o u n d us in c l o v e r , a r e g u l a r h a l l w i t h a s t a g e a n d p r o s c e n i u m a n d gas l i g h t i n g a n d , on arrival at Invcrell, the location for o u r C h r i s t m a s d a t e s , w e w e r e b a c k in t h e 2 0 t h c e n t u r y . There was an u p to d a t e theater, complete with stage, s c e n e r y , d r e s s i n g r o o m s a n d electric light. I t h i n k t h e e x p e r i e n c e of h a v i n g s h o w n , in five c o n s e c u t i v e n i g h t s , u n d e r c o n d i t i o n s of l i g h t i n g r a n g i n g f r o m

W E SALUTE I I A \ III UAltD a great friend of magic a n d magicians, for his lifetime of u n s w e r v i n g devotion to the highest tenets of our art. W e salute him, also, for his m a n y a n d i m p o r t a n t contributions to the literature of magic, the latest of w h i c h is his s u p e r b translation of

MAGIC

WITHOUT B v CAMILLE GAULTIER,

APPARATUS LL.D.

This first edition in English (just published) is, as was the original French edition (according to Leo Rullman, who knows a thing or two about magical literature), "the greatest work on pure sleight-of-hand in any language." This book on card, coin, billiard ball, and thimble magic, explains in detail the choicest sleights, tricks, and manipulative routines of the great masters of legerdemain—Robert-Houdin, Thurston, Houdini. de Biere, Warren Keane, Leipzig, Downs, Allan Shaw, and scores of others. Translated by Jean H u g a r d , edited by Paul Fleming, illustrated by Donna Allen with drawings posed by Frederick Braue. Beautifully set in Baskerville type, printed on Warren's Olde Style White Wove paper, handsomely bound in blue Bancroft buckram with gold-stamping on front cover and spine; 544 (xvi + 528) pages, size 6'/t by 9 l / t inches, 226 line drawings. Price, $7.50. A 5-page Paul Fleming review of M A G I C W I T H O U T A P P A R A T U S (Review No. 86) will be sent free upon postal request.

Some JEAN HUGARD Books on Magic $4.00

CARD M A N I P U L A T I O N S COIN

MAGIC

ENCYCLOPEDIA

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5.00

EXPERT CARD T E C H N I Q U E GREATER MAGIC MODERN

5.00

(written chiefly by Jean H u g a r d )

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MAGIC M A N U A L

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M O R E CARD M A N I P U L A T I O N S

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FROM OUR EXCEEDINGLY LARGE STOCK OF BOOKS O N MAGIC (THE LARGE S T , W E B E L I E V E , I N T H E W O R L D ) , W E C A N S U P P L Y BY R E T U R N M A I L A N Y W O R T H W H I L E BOOK O N T H E S U B J E C T T H A T IS C U R R E N T L Y AVAILABLE.

FLEMING

BOOK

(Walker Fleming,

BERKELEY HEIGHTS

COMPANY

Owner-Manager)

NEW JERSEY

S h a k e s p e a r e ' s t i m e to t h e p r e s e n t is u n i q u e , a n d w h a t w a s p e r h a p s a l m o s t a s r e m a r k a b l e , t h o s e f o u r little p l a c e s n o t o n l y p a i d t h e e x p e n s e s of t h e rail t r i p b u t s h o w e d a p r o f i t a s well. A n o t h e r e x p e r i e n c e w i t h l i g h t i n g a r r a n g e m e n t s is still v i v i d . I t h a p p e n e d a t o n e of t h e s u g a r p l a n t a tions outside H o n o l u l u . T h e s e p l a n t a t i o n s have amusem e n t h a l l s w h i c h t h e y a r e g l a d to give r e n t f r e e t o travelling shows ( T h i s was over twenty-five years a g o — c o n d i t i o n s m a y h a v e a l t e r e d s i n c e ) . M o s t of t h e m h a v e t h e i r o w n e l e c t r i c p l a n t s so t h a t t h e l i g h t i n g is all o n e c o u l d d e s i r e b u t e v e n e l e c t r i c i t y fails a t times. A t o n e of t h e s e halls in d o i n g t h e p a s s i n g of t h r e e c a r d s f r o m t e n h e l d in o n e s p e c t a t o r ' s h a n d i n t o t e n h e l d by a n o t h e r s p e c t a t o r , I h a d got to t h e s t a g e of h a v i n g secretly p a s s e d t h e t h r e e c a r d s f r o m o n e p a c k e t to t h e o t h e r a n d t h e s e c o n d spect a t o r w a s o n t h e p o i n t of w r a p p i n g his t e n in h!s h a n d k e r c h i e f w h e n — o u t w e n t t h e lights. A f t e r a m i n u t e or two they c a m e on again, but t h e r e w a s n o t h i n g f o r m e to d o b u t s t a r t all o v e r . Again the same point was reached a n d a g a i n — b l a c k o u t . Believe it o r n o t this h a p p e n e d a t h i r d time but I ' m an obstinate m a n , and a fourth time I p r o c e e d e d with the trick a n d this time the fates w e r e w i t h m e , t h e l i g h t s s t a y e d o n a n d t h e trick w a s finished s u c c e s s f u l l y . T h e c u r i o u s t h i n g is t h a t if t h e r e h a d b e e n a m a n a t t h e s w i t c h h e c o u l d not h a v e t u r n e d o u t t h e l i g h t s so p r e c i s e l y a t t h e s a m e p o i n t , t h r e e t i m e s in a r o w , as a c t u a l l y h a p p e n e d by a c c i d e n t . A TIGHT

T h e p h r a s e " r o l l e d t h e m in t h e a i s l e s " is o f t e n used b u t r a r e l y j u s t i f i e d by t h e a c t u a l results. O n c e o n l y h a v e I seen r e s u l t s t h a t j u s t i f i e d its use. O w i n g to t h e e x i g e n c i e s of t h e r a i l s e r v i c e in s o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d , on o n e o c c a s i o n I h a d t o b r i n g t h e s h o w i n t o a t o w n t h e e v e n i n g b e f o r e it w a s t o o p e n . O n a r r i v a l we f o u n d t h a t a m a g i c i a n w a s s h o w i n g t h a t v e r y n i g h t a n d so, t a k i n g t h e u s u a l b u s m a n ' s h o l i d a y , w e w e n t to see his s h o w . W h i l e n o t a first-class p e r f o r m e r t h e " P r o f e s s o r , " as h e c a l l e d h i m s e l f , p u t u p a n a m u s i n g s h o w a n d all w e n t well till h e r e a c h e d his " G r a n d C l i m a x — T h e V a n i s h i n g L a d y . " This w a s his v e r s i o n of d e K o l t a ' s f a m o u s illusion a n d all the preliminaries were carried t h r o u g h correctly. T h e n e w s p a p e r w a s set o n t h e s t a g e , a c h a i r p l a c e d o n it, a l a d y i n t r o d u c e d a n d s e a t e d o n t h e c h a i r a n d a silk c o v e r i n g d r a p e d o v e r h e r . T h e n t h e P r o f e s s o r magniloquently declaimed the marvel that was about to h a p p e n — t h e l a d y would vanish into thin air! H e w h i s k e d t h e silk a w a y a n d — t h e r e w a s a series of s c r e a m s a n d w e s a w t h e u n f o r t u n a t e girl half w a y d o w n t h r o u g h t h e t r a p ! T h e P r o f e s s o r a n d his m a l e a s s i s t a n t t u g g e d a t t h e visible half a n d e v i d e n t l y , f r o m t h e e x p r e s s i o n of t h e girl's f a c e , a n a s s i s t a n t down below was pulling her nether extremities b u t they couldn't b u d g e her. M e a n t i m e a goodly portion of t h e a u d i e n c e r e a l l y a n d t r u l y rolled in t h e aisles, convulsed with laughter. had

RECORD

T h a t d a y ' s w o r k still f o r m s a v i v i d r e c o l l e c t i o n a n d m o r e p a r t i c u l a r l y b e c a u s c a f t e r t h e twentieth performance a n enthusiastic a m a t e u r rushed back stage a n d , without introducing himself, patted m e on the back and exclaimed, " V e r y good show! Very good. B u t w h y d o n ' t you p u t m o r e p e p i n t o i t ? " — H e h a s since b e c o m e a p r o f e s s i o n a l m a g i c i a n h i m s e l f , a n d m y v e r y good f r i e n d , a n d w e h a v e h a d m a n y a l a u g h o v e r his well m e a n t p e p talk. BLACK

MAGIC

OF

THE

ABORIGINES

I n m y first c o n t a c t s w i t h A m e r i c a n s , b a c k in I was astonished

SQUEEZE

It was several m i n u t e s before some one p r e s e n c e of m i n d to l o w e r t h e c u r t a i n .

A

I n t h e g o o d old d a y s , B . T . ( B e f o r e T a l k i e s ) L u n a Park, C o n e y Island, h a d a really national r e p u t a t i o n as " T h e P e o p l e ' s P l a y g r o u n d . " The r e p u t a t i o n b u i l t u p by T h o m p s o n a n d D u n d y w a s m a i n t a i n e d a n d e v e n e n h a n c e d in t h e e a r l y t w e n t i e s . A visit t o L u n a P a r k w a s a must i t e m o n t h e p r o g r a m of a n y visitor to N e w Y o r k , a n d to h a v e a c o n c e s s i o n in t h e P a r k was a very profitable business, p a r t i c u l a r l y on S a t u r days a n d Sundays. T h e biggest crowd I saw d u r i n g m y e l e v e n y e a r s of l e a s i n g a t h e a t e r in t h e P a r k w a s o n J u l y 4, 1920. D u r i n g t h a t d a y a n d n i g h t my s h o w p l a y e d t o 1 1 , 8 8 4 p e o p l e , a n d t h a t still s t a n d s a s a r e c o r d . S u c h a r e s u l t w a s possible o n l y b e c a u s e the t h e a t e r , since destroyed, was a large one. It w a s b u i l t by T h o m p s o n a n d D u n d y w h o u s e d it t o rehearse their shows for the H i p p o d r o m e a n d , as in t h e H i p p o d r o m e , it h a d a v e r y l a r g e s t a g e a n d t h e m a i n c u r t a i n w a s p u l l e d u p i n s t e a d of d o w n .

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the Miss Millie Clare, Comedienne with the Hugard show. Page

Twenty-Seven

Heartiest Congratulations and 'Best Wishes for a long, happy life to our National Treasurer

Jean Hugard The Society of oslfuerican o)Cagicians National

Council

Best Wishes to the

Grand Old Man of Magic

D R . B E N . B.

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