HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: presto@chopin.udel.edu (Jason Y Nocks)
Subject: Re: On the Pass video by Richard Kaufman
Organization: University of Delaware
Date: Mon, 7 Sep 1992 22:09:57 GMT

$39.95? Where did you get the tape from? I might be interested in purchasing
a copy. I haven't seen this tape advertised, but after the good review...
Maybe. I also saw an interesting way of accomplishing a similar effect at a
lecture this past weekend at the 50th Annual M. A. E. S. Convention (see my 
separate posting later this evening). If you would like to know the
alternate handling discussed at the lecture, send me some email and I'll
describe it in email. I'm still not sure of the netiquette about posting
methods. Well, thanks for the recommendation. Also, I have Bill Tarr's book
and am not sure what is meant by backwords.
Magically,
-Jason
(Presto)
-- 
| presto@brahms.udel.edu       | A senior E.E. at the U of D with a side order
| presto@freezer.cns.udel.edu  | of stage and close-up magic. The views
| nocks@snow-white.ee.udel.edu | expressed are exclusively my own (etc).
From: wjf@controls.ccd.harris.com (Bill Figie)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Re: How does he fly
Date: 10 Sep 92 11:52:03 GMT
Organization: Harris Controls
Originator: wjf@rs2


I just wanted to add a thought about the "stooge" that
Copperfield uses in his act.  First off she is quite pretty and
lends something to the show.  Unfortunately, she uses the same
name for each show and the name Bambi is too unique to forget.  I
probably wouldn't have caught it if she had a different name. 
THey should have had one name for the live shows and a different
name for the TV shows.  I bet a lot of people that watched both
were really disapointed to see him use the same girl.  Now that
makes you question plants for every trick he does.  They also ran
the same gag with the binoculars at the live show and his TV show.
Eventhough it was a plant, it was still a wonderful illusion,
very well done.  It was really smooth and if you open your mind
for a second, you can really believe he *can* fly.

My main purpose for writing is to point up two things my wife
pointed out to me about Bambi.  First off, the girl he would have
to select would have to be kind of petite for him to carry her
and do all the stuff he does.  Secondly, what would happen if the
girl he selected, if she wasn't a plant, started freaking out
when he had her 20 feet in the air.  And thirdly, think of the
kind of liability he could have is for some reason she fell.  I
only wish I hadn't known that she was plant but we suspected it
even before confirming it from the TV show because of the above
reasons.

Finally, why doesn't Copperfield release his old TV shows on
video tape.  I know I would love to see again his old shows and
the shows back 10 to 12 years ago before I really started to
appreciate his magic.  Perhaps if someone out there knows him
they could tell him about this market.  

		"Roller coaster" Bill Figie
From: dhesi@cirrus.com (Rahul Dhesi)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Re: How does he fly
Date: 11 Sep 92 22:41:57 GMT
Organization: Cirrus Logic Inc.

In <92255.154951HCM100@psuvm.psu.edu> HCM100@psuvm.psu.edu writes:

   If a magician can use a stooge to make an effect appear  MORE
   ENTERTAININGand MORE MAGICAL, then by *all means* he/she should.
   And without hesitation.

   Lying to an audience is not immoral when you are playing the role of
   an entertainer.  If you need to use some sork of gimmick to produce
   an effect, and the impact of the effect would be lessened by the
   audience suspecting such a device, than  LIE YOU SOCKS OFF.

Time for a repost.  Let the flames commence.

Date:    Wed, 15 Apr 92 00:26:10 GMT
From:    dhesi@cirrus.com (Rahul Dhesi)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: accomplices ethical?

It seems to me that there is something unethical about using plants
(accomplices in the audience).  It's similar to using a camera trick on a
televised magic show.

Copperfield's trick of falling over the Niagara Falls could not have
worked except through the narrow camera angle -- so I call it a camera
trick.  So also (I suspect) were the tricks of the disappearing train and
the disappearing airplane.  Now we have a plant helping in the "Flying"
trick.

Is this the state of magic today?

Date:    Thu, 16 Apr 92 20:01:16 GMT
From:    dhesi@cirrus.com (Rahul Dhesi)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Re: accomplices ethical?

Consider some situations.

1.   Magician shows you his hands empty.  Later you discover that they
weren't, but you were fooled.  This is magic.

2.   Magician shows you a box with a million dollars in bills, and
invites bank manager to certify that this is real money.  Later you
discover that alleged bank manager was an accomplice, and alleged money
was flash paper.  This is not magic.

3.   Magician selects three volunteers from audience to think of a
number.  Then he guesses what numbers they thought of.  If the volunteers
are not accomplices, this is magic.

4.   Magician selects three volunteers from audience to think of a
number.  You a suitably amazed, but later discover that the three alleged
volunteers were all plants.  This is not magic.

What is the difference between magic and cheating?  It is this.
Sometimes you are asked to take something on faith without having the
chance of confirming it yourself, or seeing some other member of the
audience confirm it.  If what you were asked to accept on faith turns out
to be untrue, you were cheated and it was not magic.
-- 
Rahul Dhesi <dhesi@cirrus.com>
also: dhesi@rahul.net
From: van@teal.csn.org (Claude W. Van Horn)
Subject: Re: Torn/restored newspaper -- also, "how does DC do the tricks"
Organization: Colorado SuperNet, Inc.
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 22:47:44 GMT

Ron asked about the best guide to the newspaper tear.

Well Ron, I think the absolutely best newspaper tear around is the Gene
Anderson Instant torn and restored newspaper.  I have done this effect for
many years, and it is the best of all of them.  You could probably order it
at any well-stocked magic shop around.

It has clear pictures, lots or the psychology behind the moves, and it is
astounding to perform.  This is your *best* starting point.

Van the Adequate, Magician

From: halw@hpwrce.mayfield.hp.com (Hal Work)
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1992 05:16:19 GMT
Subject: What are SAM and IBM
Organization: the HP Mtn.View Resp. Cntr.
Newsgroups: alt.magic

Would someone please post information about S.A.M. and I.B.M.  I know that
these are magician organizations but I know nothing else about them.  Thanks,
Hal
Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: mgq@inel.gov (Michael G McKellar)
Subject: Re: How does he fly
Organization: Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 92 17:51:24 GMT

>In article <1992Sep9.200055.14969@kodak.kodak.com> batten@kodak.kodak.com (James Batten) writes:
>>Relax already. Wether DC uses a 'stooge' or not is a moot issue. She does not
>>create the illusion of flying, he does that nicely all by himself prior to
>>her direct involvement. All she does is add to the entertainment.. perhaps
>>add a bit of (romance?).


Using a stooge bothers me.  DC uses the stooge to make the audience
think "Hey, he is not using wires or else she could see them."
I don't mind using stooges for jokes like the binocular thing, but
whether he implicitly says so or not, DC uses the stooge to make
the flying illusion appear to be greater than it is.  BTW I really 
like DC usually and I really liked his flying (very natural and had a
realistic appearance) but I don't like being decieved by the use
of stooges.  When I do magic, I don't lie about my illusions, when
I'm using trick cards, I don't say they are normal, (I usually say
nothing).

Mike McKellar (mgq@inel.gov)
========== long legal disclaimer follows, press n to skip ===========

Neither the United States Government or the Idaho National Engineering
Laboratory or any of their employees, makes any warranty, whatsoever,
implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility regarding any
information, disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe
privately owned rights.  No specific reference constitutes or implies
endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States
Government or the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory.  The views and
opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the
United States Government or the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory,
and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
From: joji@twics.co.jp
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Re: Torn/restored newspaper -- also, "how does DC do the tricks"
Date: 11 Sep 92 12:10:41 GMT
Organization: TWICS, Tokyo, Japan

Blabber mouth.
I suppose you're going to tell us how he made the Statue of 
Liberty disappear too.  Well guess what buddy, I don't want 
to know.  I am hereby leaving this newsgroup.  Find me on
David Lichtman's MAGIC! BBS, or CompuServe, Magician's Section (14)
in the Science forum.  Sayonara.
Joji Matsuo@twics.co.jp
If this note sounds offensive, think of what I'm like in my 
e-mail--No wait! Got a better idea.  Imagine what I'm like 
in person.
P.S.
Remember his graffitti trick?  For a real bad time, select Alt.magic.
From: rvs@parst1.UUCP (Roelof van Suilichem)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Re: What is diachylon?  Thanx for the help!!
Keywords: card magic
Date: 9 Sep 92 09:06:28 GMT
Organization: Paradigm Systems Technology

Thanx to all the people who replied with help on diachylon, and also for
the welcome and the advice on self-working tricks.

Yes, I realise that one should not rely too much on gimmicks.  I have my
first small show as a part of our family festival at the end of September.
I am definitely going to use one gimmick; the coin slide helps create
spectacular coin presentations.  On the balance side, I will use a
humorous card telepathy routine which depends 99.9% on presentation; that
should be good experience.

And yes, I am not at all comfortable with the idea of performing in front
of 80+ people, even though (and maybe because) I know them well.

Keep well,
/*------------------------------------------------*\
| Roelof J. van Suilichem | Email: rvs@parst1.uucp |
|-------------------------| Snail: P. O. Box 75026 |
|                         |        Lynnwood Ridge  |
|                         |        0040            |
|                         |        South Africa    |
\*------------------------------------------------*/
Xref: sparky alt.magic:831 ba.general:3721
From: myee@Apple.COM (Michael Yee)
Newsgroups: alt.magic,apple.general,ba.general
Subject: Penn & Teller PBS Show
Date: 13 Sep 92 00:43:09 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA


Did anyone catch or tape the Penn & Teller PBS show/special on Wednesday
night?  If you could send/post a summary.  I would greatly appreciate it.
If you have a tape and live in the South Bay area, even better.

Many thanks,

=Mike

-- 
Michael K. Yee	<myee@apple.com>
A/UX Desktop Engineering 
"The Earth does not belong to man.  Man belongs to the Earth."  -Chief Seattle
From: cf542@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Julio Richard Laredo)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Houdini wannabees
Date: 7 Sep 1992 15:40:52 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)
NNTP-Posting-Host: slc5.ins.cwru.edu


I have straitjackets available.  JuRonCo, PO Box 5992, Peoria,
IL  61601
-- 
Have straitjacket, might travel.
From: jti01@duts.ccc.amdahl.com (Jeff Isozaki)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Re: How does he fly
Date: 10 Sep 92 16:56:40 GMT
Reply-To: jti01@DUTS.ccc.amdahl.com (Jeff Isozaki)
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA

In article <1992Sep10.115203.12396@ccd.harris.com> wjf@controls.ccd.harris.com (Bill Figie) writes:
>
> I just wanted to add a thought about the "stooge" that Copperfield uses
> in his act. First off she is quite pretty and lends something to the
> show. Unfortunately, she uses the same name for each show and the name
> Bambi is too unique to forget. I probably wouldn't have caught it if
> she had a different name.    <bunch of other stuff deleted>

  Copperfield had the same "plant" in the show that I saw but her name
  as "Wednesday" (which by coincidence was the day of the week I saw
  the show).  Did anyone else get a different name than "Bambi or
  "Wednesday"?  BTW: The male "plant" was named, "Enos" and Copperfield
  made some risque comments that it sounded like Pen*s and/or An*s.
  When he asked if he had a nickname, the guy said, "yes, DICK!".


  Jeff Isozaki (jti01@duts.ccc.amdahl.com)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: ahuang@happy.PRPA.Philips.COM (Andrew Shao-Chun Huang)
Subject: magic in Palo Alto/Stanford area?
Organization: Philips Research Palo Alto
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1992 19:32:34 GMT

Hi,

I've been doing magic for about 1 1/2 years now (I'm currently an applicant
to the Pittsburgh ring of IBM.)  The thing is, I'm on a 6 month
internship in Palo Alto CA and I haven't been able to locate a SAM chapter
or IBM ring in this area.  If there's someone in the Palo Alto vincinity
who does magic and is interested in getting together to hang out, please
let me know.  I don't have a car so I can only get around the Palo Alto
area.

Some of my favorites: three card monte, four card monte, now you
see it now you don't coin trick, and melting rubberband.

Cheers

-Andrew

(415) 354-0312 (day)		ahuang@prpa.philips.com
(415) 493-7278 (evening)
From: blake@acsu.buffalo.edu (Brian C. Blake)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: NYCAN 1992 - Binghamton, NY
Date: 14 Sep 92 13:41:46 GMT
Organization: State University of New York at Buffalo/Comp Sci


The title says it all...

This year, NYCAN (New York/Canadian Conclave of Magicians) will be held in
Binghamton, NY on October 8, 9, and 10.

This is a yearly 3-day convention that brings some pretty big names, has great
evening shows (stage), various close-up lecture, bunches of dealers, and
is an all-around good time for all.

I know that this year one of the heavy hitters is David Roth, author of
Expert Coin Magic and many other coin books.  It should promise to be a great
convention.

For all of those who would like more information about NYCAN (probably
people in the Western New York, Northern Pennsylvania, or other area that wants
to go to Binghamton) please send me mail and I'll mass mail the info.  I don't
have all the info compiled at this time...because if I did, I'd post it!

If a lot of people respond via mail or via this board, I'll just post the
details to this board.

Well, hope some people have interest!
Brian Blake
Internet address: blake@acsu.buffalo.edu
From: norm@strobe.ATC.Olivetti.Com (Norm Carpenter x3055)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Feather Magic
Date: 15 Sep 92 15:38:55 GMT

Request for pointer to a source of feather magic (books, magic shops, catalogues
etc.).  It fits in with my Medicine Man role, but I can't remember ever seeing
a trick using feathers.  Have you?

Norm

*******************************************************************************
norm@oliveb.OLIVETTI.COM

                 "Watch this space." -- Acme Advertising
Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: ted@sangabriel.desktalk.com (Ted Eggers)
Subject: Dai Vernon passed away
Followup-To: alt.magic
Organization: DeskTalk Systems Inc.
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 17:18:23 GMT

Dai Vernon passed away last week. There was a nice obit in the LA Times. 
Magic has lost another one of its giants.

Ted Eggers
ted@desktalk.com
Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: tom@rs1.tcs.tulane.edu (Tom Gerace)
Subject: Re: Torn/restored newspaper -- also, "how does DC do the tricks"
Organization: Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 20:12:40 GMT
Nntp-Posting-Host-[nntpd-24652]: rs1.tcs.tulane.edu

In article <1992Sep8.143108.27419@advtech.uswest.com> ron@eatdust.uswest.com (Ron Schweikert) writes:
>
>One quick question.  I've been looking for a publication for the torn and
>restored newspaper effect.  It seems straightforward enough (I've played 
>with ways to do it), but would like some different insights.  I'm most
>interested in a version where 3-5 pages of a newspaper are thumbed through,
>and then "restored" after tearing.  There must be an easier prep for the
>effect than what I'm doing.  It is either too clumsy (require perhaps just
>more practice) or there's a better way.  Insights would be appreciated.
>

You should get "Gene Anderson's Torn and Restored Newspaper".  In my
estimation, Gene's method is far superior to the many others that I 
pursued while looking for a method.

Yes, it requires a bit of setup, but the effect is great.  You page
through 5 sheets of newspaper, tear it all up, then the pieces are
restored in a flash, which ALWAYS gets a big applause!  I have used
the Torn and Restored Newspaper to close my stage/platform shows for
about 7 years now because it is such a strong effect, and it gets
great applause, which is what I want to leave the stage with.

Again, the setup will put you off a bit, but the time spent is
well worth it.

Gene used to be in our IBM Ring 178 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (when
I lived there).  He's a chemist or engineer with Dow Chemical, and
was in BR for a number of years.  He's back in Michigan, again, and
I read about him in the trade magazines every now and then.

Tom Gerace                         tom@rs1.tcs.tulane.edu
President, IBM Ring 27
---and---
Manager, Consultants Bureau        (504) 865-5631
Tulane Computing Services
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA   USA

Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: tenney@netcom.com (Glenn S. Tenney)
Subject: Re: magic in Palo Alto/Stanford area?
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 92 05:47:50 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Distribution: usa

SAM #94 meets the second Monday of each month in Palo Alto.
Now if only I can remember where I put a recent newsletter
to get the correct meeting place!  Well, it's not near my computer,
so I'll have to remember to post the meeting place tomorrow :-)

-- 
Glenn Tenney AA6ER
voice: (415) 574-3420 fax: (415) 574-0546
tenney@netcom.com
From: cf542@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Julio Richard Laredo)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Re: Torn/restored newspaper -- also, "how does DC do the tricks"
Date: 12 Sep 1992 04:28:34 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)
NNTP-Posting-Host: hela.ins.cwru.edu


The secret the Statue of Liberty disappearing was spilled in an
issue of the National Inquirer.  Now, then, when Andre Kohl
did it, THAT blew me away.

-- 
Have straitjacket, might travel.
From: peterw@spider.co.uk (Peter Woodhouse)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Re: How does he fly
Date: 11 Sep 92 16:49:42 GMT
Organization: Spider Systems Limited, Edinburgh, UK

In article <1992Sep9.200055.14969@kodak.kodak.com> batten@kodak.kodak.com (James Batten) writes:
>Relax already. Wether DC uses a 'stooge' or not is a moot issue. She does not
>create the illusion of flying, he does that nicely all by himself prior to
>her direct involvement. All she does is add to the entertainment.. perhaps
>add a bit of (romance?).
>
>  I can't speak for any one else on the net, but when I watch a magician I do
>it to be entertained, the same if I had gone to a movie. When I see someones
>head blown off in The Terminator I know its not for real, and I am smart 
>enough to know that about a magicians performance as well. If I see a dollar
>floating in the air and I am amazed my it, then on reflection I realize how
>it was done and feel that it was a lousy way to do it I would still give the
>magician a great deal of credit.. If on the other hand I realized what great

I agree in what you are syaing for the people who have some interest in
*performing* magic.  However speaking for the people who are still sort
of baffled how the trick is done, I disagree.  If you know the person in the
audience is a 'stooge', it is no longer magic, but a trick.....  yes I know
that the magic feats you are refering to are illusions.  So you have to look at
the trick from both point of views ie. someone who has a reasonable idea of
how it is done (interested in presentation) and someone else who is 
interested in the "magic" in the trick.

Pete

-- 
Spider Software                                 E-mail:  peterw@spider.co.uk
Spider Park, Stanwell Street                    Phone :  +44 31 555 5166
Edinburgh, Scotland
Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: batten@kodak.kodak.com (James Batten)
Subject: Re: What are SAM and IBM
Organization: Eastman Kodak Company
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 92 03:32:01 GMT

In article <13190004@hpwrce.mayfield.hp.com> halw@hpwrce.mayfield.hp.com (Hal Work) writes:
>Would someone please post information about S.A.M. and I.B.M.  I know that
>these are magician organizations but I know nothing else about them.  Thanks,
>Hal

The SAM is the Society of American Magicians, while the IBM is the International
 Brotherhood of Magicians.

  Some one, maybe me should think about a FAQ list for this group, and this
would be the start of it.. at least IF I'm the one who does it. (this has
been bantered around before.

  There are SAM Assemblies and IBM Rings close to or in most major cities. The
general format is a monthly meeting where folks show off their latest toys or
talents, bring in lectures, sponser conventions. Some even do good will
gestures such as perform regular shows for hospitals and the like. It's just
basically a great way for people of a like interest to get together.

  It's impossible to say which is the best. It seems that one will always be
made up of those who are mostly in it as a hobby while the other is geared
more for the person who is a bit more professional. BUT, that is not always
the case, and it seems to vary from town to town as to which is what.

  Each also has it's own monthly magazine. The IBM has the Linking Ring while
the SAM has MUM (Magic Unity Might)

  Also, each group tends to take on the personality of the people involved.
You might go to one and find the friendliest people who are most willing to
help any one who has a genuin interest, while the next might have folks in
it who are just their to try and out do every one else. I have to say that the
latter is IMHO the exception and not the rule, some people may differ on me
with that.

   I don't have the info in front of me, but in a few days I'll be glad to
post the address's of both organizations in case any one would care to write
for information. I have talked to the folks at the headquarters of both
organizations about doing just that in the past and they would love to hear
from any interested parties. Perhaps some of you University guys could even
start your own chapters...

later -jim batten

Newsgroups: alt.magic