Karrell Fox - Comedy A La Card

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Copyright © 2012 by Magic, Inc.


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Provenance
1st edition 1960, Magic, Inc.
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to two of Detroit's finest card men:
MILTON KORT - whose unlimited knowledge forced him to take away my "one way
deck" and "forced" me to "force".
AND
BOB UNGEWITTER - who taught me my first "good" card trick.
CONTENTS
"HUM-BUG" PREDICTION .............................................................................................. 9
CARD IN THE TURBAN...................................................................................................11
LOST AND FOUND ......................................................................................................... 12
C-THRU CARD................................................................................................................. 13
SPOTZ............................................................................................................................... 14
OP-TRICK-AL ILLUSION ............................................................................................... 15
HOCUS-FOCUS ............................................................................................................... 16
2 OR 3 FROM 5 & 10......................................................................................................17
CARDICIAN BLENDO ..................................................................................................... 18
KOMICAL CARDS............................................................................................................20
A "MARXED" CARD ........................................................................................................20
THE "BLUSHING" KING ................................................................................................20
IT'S A "SCORCHER" ...................................................................................................... 21
I C U C BLINDFOLD ....................................................................................................... 21
CARD QUAD-6AGLETS.................................................................................................. 22
THE MAGICIAN'S HELPING HAND ............................................................................. 22
THIS WORKS - AS A RULE .......................................................................................... 23
IT'S DONE WITH MIRRORS .........................................................................................24
THE WINNAH .................................................................................................................. 25
YACKIT-YAK-YOKS ........................................................................................................26
THE CONSTANT JUMPER .............................................................................................. 27
THE TWITCHING MUSCLE............................................................................................28
JASON'S FAVORITE .......................................................................................................29
CARD IN WALLET SURPRISE.......................................................................................30
ABSENT MINDED FINISH............................................................................................. 31
ABOUT THE AUTHOR..................................................................................................... 32

6
Forward.... Karrell Fox straight ahead.
Caution.....Watch out for people lying in the aisles.
This is the shortest route to funny entertainment.
Welcome, travelers. I have just completed this "Road to Karrell Fox" and a
delightful trip it is. This is the stuff from which entertainers are made.
Written by a fine performer and a very creative guy, this is not mere hanky
panky, but sock, commercial material, which properly used, can only add up
to sheer, funny entertainment.
To entertain, one must have the right tools, the most important of which is
good material and this book has it. Someone once said (and he shall remain
nameless), (mainly because I've forgotten his name!), that if you get one trick
from a book, then you've had your money's worth. But if you don't get six or
seven tricks from this book which you will use, then you're off your rocker
and that goes for your mother, too, Mr. Whistler, or whatever your name is.
Come to think of it, he's the guy who said: "If you get one trick from a book
then you've had your money's worth." And he was off his rocker when he said
it.
It is wonderful that the Foxy one is willing to share these gems, which I
would like to have all for myself so I could call them my own, which I will do
anyway. Below is a petition, which I am starting, to get Karrell Fox to write
another book quick, as I need material like this. Just sign your name below
my name and tear out and mail this forward to Jay and Frances Marshall and
before long they should be up to their ears in forwards, which can only mean
one thing -- progress.
We, the undersigned, hereby request that Karrell Fox write another book,
immediately.
Chicago, Illinois November, 1960

7
Before we start.....
Card Magic, like most other forms of magic or entertainment in general, always seems to
be better received if it is delivered with a little humor. The material that follows was
written to help you add a few laughs to your card tricks.
Don't get me wrong. I love to watch all of the "beautiful moves" in card magic. However, I
think we sometimes get so involved in "sleights", that we lose sight of the fact that our
main reason for doing tricks is to entertain!
I sincerely hope this book helps you to reach that objective.
Kornfidentially yours,

Detroit, Michigan
November 1960

8
"HUM-BUG" PREDICTION
For this showy little mystery, take a piece of rather heavy paper, cut it and fold it as
shown. On one side of this paper, glue a small miniature card. (If you wish to do this
impromptu, you can just write the name of the card. I have mine already prepared,
however, and use the miniature card). On the other side draw a picture of a bug ala
illustration.

Have a card selected (to match your prediction) and return it to the deck. The deck is
then ribbon-spread upon the table. Remove a card with your right hand and with your
left hand start to turn over the cards in the familiar (but seldom seen) turnover flourish.
Stop halfway and place the "bug card" on the crown of cards.

If you take the single card you removed earlier and place it in back of the "bug card", by
see-sawing back and forth, the little "bug card" will travel the "crest of the wave". (Can
you think of a better description?) As I do this, I explain that "this weird little bug is quite
a magician, providing that I hum for him as he works. In fact, you might call him a
"hum-bug"!

9
"This bug has been known to find selected cards. Let's allow him to look them all over."
(Complete the flourish, allowing the "bug card" to drop on the table at the end of the
spread." "Hmmm! I guess he missed it this time. By the way, what was your card? Oh, the
Ace of Diamonds? I don't see how he missed that one. It was right under his nose all the
time!"
Turn over the "bug card" and there's your finish.

10
CARD IN THE TURBAN
Announcing a mystery of the Far East, the magician dons a large turban. He has a card
selected. "I knew what card you were going to select even before you took it, but it's a
secret I 'kept under my hat'," remarks the magician, as he removes the turban and
reaches inside it. The look of triumph on our hero's face turns to one of dismay as he
realizes that there is no card inside the turban. "I don't understand. The card was
supposed to be inside the turban. What was it? The King of Hearts? Let me check the
lining."

As he says this, the turban in his hands unfolds completely and it is seen to be a large
replica of the selected card, three feet wide by five feet long. "How's that for a big finish!"
he quips.
Most large department stores (and even some magic shops) sell a large beach towel that
has printed on it a huge playing card. One of these towels is folded to resemble a turban,
as shown in the illustration and the rest is obvious.
This effect was part of the lecture I gave at the MAES Convention in Asbury Park, N.J.
Dick Dubois of New York was present and he had a TV show that night in New York, so
he borrowed the towel and used it on the show. He later reported that it went very well
and was an excellent television trick.

11
LOST AND FOUND
The M.F.F. (magic finger flipper) searches the deck trying to find a card which some
patient soul has removed, remembered and returned. Removing a card, it is shown to be
(f'rinstance) the six of clubs. However, that's not the one that was selected.
We'll call that chance number 1" chortles the M.F.F. "and place it on this little easel." (So
far, you have controlled their card
to the top, double lifted, shown the wrong card, replaced it on the deck, removed the top
card and placed it on an open match book cover, back outwards, as shown in the sketch.
Catch up yet? OK. Then back to the presentation.)

"Let me try again". (Turn over any other card). "Wrong? Well, will you give me a little
hint? Like, the name of your card? The three of hearts? Well, that's easel-y found!"
(By now you have squared up the deck and riffled it near the top of the card on the
matchbook.) The riffling will create a little breeze which will knock the card on the
matchbook face up on the table in front of the spectator, thus bringing your trick to an
unexpected climax. Any questions?

12
C-THRU CARD
About 10 years ago I found myself in the back of a Greyhound Bux, enroute from Toledo
to Detroit, sitting next to Clare Cummings (Milky of T.V.) discussing magic. We were
talking about what to do when a spectator says: "Why don't you tell me how just one of
your tricks is done."
Clare came up with the following clever suggestion: Take any card and cut a hole in it.
(About the size of a quarter will do). Have this card at the bottom of the deck. Then when
the spectator queries as above, say: "OK, I'll show you a trick you can see right thru." You
then force the gimmicked card on him and duck!
I took Clare's idea, added a little "window trimming" and have been using it ever since.
To make my gimmick, I took two cards and cut a square window in each one. I then put a
piece of thin plastic between them and glued the whole works together. Of course the
plastic is clear.
Try it - it's cute!
P.S. This isn't the only trick I do that gives my spectators a "pane"!

13
SPOTZ
A card is selected that just happens to be the four of hearts. It is slowly pushed into the
center of the squared up deck. You explain that when you tap the top of the deck, the
selected card will jump from the center of the deck to the bottom. You turn over the deck
only to have your magic (?) greeted by hisses, jeers, and boos because the five of hearts is
the bottom card.
Undaunted, you remove the five, holding it between your forefinger and thumb, and ask,
rather apologetically, "How many spots did your card have on it? Four? Well, that's all
that this one has," you proudly announce as you remove your thumb and forefinger from
the corner, allowing them to see merely the ghostly outline of "the spot that got away."
The gimmick takes only a few minutes to make. Take a razor blade, and the five of hearts,
and very neatly cut out the "pip" in the lower left hand corner (don't throw this pip away.
Save it, as some day you may think of a trick to use it for.)
On the bottom of the deck place a ten of hearts, and on top of this your gimmicked card.
On top of the deck is the four of hearts waiting patiently to be forced and subsequently
returned to the center.
Tap the deck, turn the deck face up (this can be done slowly, as the five on the bottom
looks quite normal, thanks to the ten underneath. Turn the deck face down again and put
your right forefinger and thumb over the "hole" in the five and remove it (placing the
deck aside). When they say "four" slowly remove your forefinger from the corner,
allowing them to see (or not to see) the missing spot.
P.S. If your wife bothers you as you're cutting the card with the razor blade, just say to
her, "Please, would 'Gillette' me alone!"

14
OP-TRICK-AL ILLUSION
Although based on an ancient optical puzzle, this gag will get you many modern laughs.
It begins with the performer freely forcing the deuce of diamonds on some gullible but
interested spectator, With bravado (or alone if you do a single) announce that you will
find his card.

Running thru the deck (or walking, if it's a hot day) you remove a card and place it face
down on the table. "This is the selected card" sez you. "You goofed" sez he, "my card was
a deuce. This one is an ace!" "Ooops" sez you, "I guess I did. However, if I cause the other
spot to appear on the card while you're holding it, is it still a good trick?" "I'll say" sez he.
"OK" sez you. "Hold the card horizontally and slowly move it in towards your face (see
illustration). Now do you see two spots?" sez you. "Yes" sez he. "You're fantastic."
And there you have it. A trick that never fails to amuse, sez me!

15
HOCUS-FOCUS
Maybe the fact that photography is one of the world's most popular hobbies is what
makes this effect so well received in my close up routines. It's one of my own real
favorites and I hope you'll give it a try. I use it in restaurants and at banquets.
Before you start the trick (and unknown to your audience) make a rough sketch of a
playing card on your napkin (cloth or paper), with a pencil. This can be done quite easily
and unobtrusively as your napkin rests on your knees.
Place the napkin (drawing side down) on the table. Take out your trusty deck of cards
and entice someone to watch the trick. Having found the victim, freely force him to take
the card that matches whatever card you've drawn on your napkin. Then say: "I'm going
to take a picture of your brain in order to find out what card you selected. This napkin
will be the film, and this empty tea cup will do as the camera."

Roll up the napkin and drop it into the tea cup, being careful not to let them see the
drawing on the other side). "First, we aim the camera at your head." Hold the teacup in
your left hand and peep thru the handle, using it as a finger. (See sketch).
In your right hand is a small piece of flashpaper and a lit cigarette. Touch off the
flashpaper, saying: "Hold it!" and then ask them to name their card. Remove the napkin
and show the image of their card.
P.S. "Develop" your own patter!

16
2 OR 3 FROM 5 & 10
Due to the insistence of my son (Karlin, age 3 1/2), I spend a great deal of time at dime
store toy counters. While he is making his single choice from the 35 to 40 items he
usually gathers, I often let my eyes and mind have a free reign in thinking up magical bits
and gags with any of the toys that are there.

Here's a trio of "gag props" I bought on our last visit. As the spectator is examining the
deck, I hand him a small toy Pick Axe remarking: "PICK any card you like!" Or, a small
toy shovel, remarking, "You may SHOVEL (shuffle) them if you wish!" Or a toy egg
beater with the remark: "MIX them, thoroughly!" So try 'em if it's smiles you want. I just
reread the first part of this and have come to the conclusion that I'm sure happy Karlin
drags (?) me to that toy counter!

17
CARDICIAN BLENDO
So named as an incentive to cause Eddie Mario to learn to shuffle silks.
"Would you select a card? Thank you. And now to find what your card was I need merely
to look at my magic handkerchief. (Remove first silk from breast pocket) and here is a
painting of your selected card, the ten of diamonds, right? Oh, it isn't? (Act disappointed).
Well, then, it must be this one, the four of clubs! (Remove second silk from breast
pocket). No? Well, surely this was it, the ace of spades? (Remove last silk). It isn't either?
Then I give up. What was it? Oh, the jack of clubs! Well, why didn't you say so?" (as the
line is spoken you "blendo" the three card silks into a large, brightly colored, jack of clubs
silk).
You need three 18" card silks and one 24" card silk. (Since this was written the necessary
silks have been put on the market and are available from your dealer). I have worked out
a simplified method of Blendo that requires no double silks and lends itself to
presentation while seated at a table.

To prepare: Take the 24" silk and fasten a two inch loop of cat gut to one of the top
corners. To the opposite top corner fast-end one of the 18" card silks. Fold the two
bottom corners of the 24" silk up to the top corners. Keep folding the silk in half until you
have a strip about two inches wide. Starting at the end with the cat gut loop on it, roll the
24" silk into a tight roll. The cat gut loop can now be bent down and fastened around the
rolled silk to hold it securely.
In setting up, push this silk roll into your breast or handkerchief pocket, and then the
attached silk on top of it, followed by the other two card silks.

To perform: allow the spectator to select any card from the deck (as long as it matches
the 24" silk). Card is returned and deck placed aside. Remove the top silk from pocket
and display it. You're wrong, so place it in left hand. Repeat these moves with the second

18
silk, adding it to the one in the left hand. Now comes the steal. Place your right hand on
your breast pocket. The left hand (containing the two silks) reaches into the breast
pocket and pulls out the third silk.

As the rolled silk comes out of the pocket, your right hand curls around it and conceals it
from view. This silk can now be displayed, and then added to the others in left hand,
allowing the roll to hang down into the left hand, as shown. To blend the silks your right
hand approaches the left, right thumb goes into the cat gut loop, and rolled bundle is
taken in right hand. The three small silks are grabbed by the bottom corners with left
hand and accordion folded into left hand as both hands come together. If you separate
your hands, the 24" silk will open up. (Small silks are hidden in the left hand as shown
above, magician's view.)

Above sketch gives magician's view as the 24" silk opens up. Show the 24" silk on both
sides, "flick" 1 it, then drape it over the left hand. The right hand then takes the 24" and
the three small ones (grabbing them thru the large silk) and places them into your side
coat pocket.

1 If you don't know how to "flick" a silk, write and ask Sid Lorraine. He's a "silk flicker"
from way back!

19
KOMICAL CARDS
The following three gag cards are items I've had lots of fun with. They're all simple to
make up. The first one is called:

A "MARXED" CARD 2
"I've been accused of using 'marked' cards before, but actually only one card in the deck
has 'Marx' on it, and that's this one." The 'punny' man turns over a card, and on the back
of it is pasted a picture of 'Groucho' Marx!

THE "BLUSHING" KING


Magi asks lady spectator to remove one card without looking at it and hold it close to her
chest so no one can see it. Magi says: "You selected the King of Hearts, but you shouldn't
have held him so close. Look, he's blushing!" (The King of Hearts you force, and he has
had his face reddened beforehand with the aid of red ink or watercolor.)

2One of the publishers of this book, Jay Marshall, wishes to thank the editor of "The New Phoenix", Jay
Marshall, for permission to include this bit, which was first reported in its pages in a column by Jay
Marshall! The editor of the New Phoenix is now Don Tanner. Jay Marshall.

20
IT'S A "SCORCHER"
Card is selected and returned. "To find your card, I shall use a well known scientific
principle. The card you selected was out of the deck for a while. Therefore, it is colder
than the others. Everyone knows that when a cold object becomes warm, it expands (just
say this with authority and you'll never be questioned. I haven't.) So, if we square up the
deck like this and wave a lit match underneath it, your selected card will expand and
jump out of the deck. (Hold lit match under deck, then blow match out). Hmmm, seems
like something has gone wrong. Let's check. (Magi runs thru deck and removes a
duplicate of the forced card, with its edges all burned, which has been there all the time).
No wonder, I held the match too close - look!" (Displays burnt card).

I C U C BLINDFOLD
Magician has a card selected and shuffled into the deck. Offering to find the card under
the handicap of not being able to see, he removes a black velvet blindfold and places it
over his eyes. After several unsuccessful attempts at locating the card, he asks for the
name of it.
"Oh, the three of diamonds? Well, I could see that all the time and so can you." He
removes the blindfold and turns it over, allowing the spectator to see three large
diamond pips fastened to it!

The blindfold could be made of white cloth with the three pips painted on. However, my
gracious and talented mother-in-law made mine of velvet with rhinestone pips. So force
the three of diamonds, add a little "acting" and you have an audience-tested
"giggle-getter".

21
CARD QUAD-6AGLETS
The following are four semi-humorous methods of bringing about the revelation of a
selected card, which is of course what counts with the spectator. He doesn't care whether
you use the "Scarne, Vernon, Mario, double diagonal, sideways, triple reverse, slap shift",
or a Svengali Deck, as long as you name his card! I could have called this my "Tour de
Force" because each item depends on your first forcing a card and then revealing it. Let's
call the first one:

THE MAGICIAN'S HELPING HAND


Buy one of those plastic back scratchers in the dime store. (What would we do without
dime stores?) (Publisher's note: You would buy something from a poor dealer!!) I mean
the kind that is shaped like a small hand with a long handle attached, which, incidentally,
you cut off.

Glue a miniature card in the palm of the hand and you're all set. Patter along like this: "In
order to find your card, I need some one to give me a hand. On second thought, never
mind. Someone did, and here it is (display the hand, only don't let them see the palm).
This was given to me by an old girl friend. She was a doll! We place the hand on the deck
and ask you to concentrate on your card; (now turn to someone else and say:) have you
ever read minds? Well, nevertheless I want you to pretend for just a moment that you're
a Gypsy fortune teller. Read the palm and see if you can't name this gentleman's card."
(They turn over the hand and there's your climax.)

22
THIS WORKS - AS A RULE
Find yourself a small five or six inch ruler. On the back of the ruler print in ink or merely
write it on a small strip of paper and glue it on if the ruler is plastic (mine is) the name of
the card you intend to force. OK?
Here goes the presentation. (Remove ruler, holding it so they don't see the back, please).
"We shall find your card by the highly scientific process of numerical palm equation,
which I hope you thoroughly understand; because with me it's all a little hazy.
"We use this small 'Queen Mary'. I call it that because it's a ruler! (Don't wait for laughs
on this line as it will slow the trick down - severely!) Hold out your hand please, while I
measure. Let's see, your forefinger is approximately 3 inches long, mm, and your little
finger is 2 1/2", OK, and the span of the four fingers is about 4 1/2" - fine - and the
distance from your wrist to the outermost tip is 6" - excellent. By making these
calculations, I can now tell you the card you selected. Do you know how? It's simple. I
just turn over the ruler. (Do so)"

23
IT'S DONE WITH MIRRORS
This was worked out way back in my magic shop days with an out-of-town customer. We
were discussing card tricks and girls, which in those days I liked in that order, and this
item was the result of that conversation. Unfortunately, I don't remember his name, so
after this book is published, I may get a "nasty" letter from him and we can be friends
again.

To prepare, take a small mirror (of the kind a lady has in her handbag, five and ten again,
unless you can talk your wife out of one. By the way, why do wives have so many
handbags? I've carried the same wallet for nine years!) and glue it to the face of a
duplicate queen of hearts.
Have this gimmicked queen on the bottom of the deck and the regular queen of hearts on
top.
Pick some charming onlooker and force the regular queen on her. Have it replaced.
Remove the gimmicked card, look at its face and exclaim:
"I see you have selected a queen, and I might add it's a very beautiful queen. See if you
don't agree." Hand her the card and when she sees her face on it, not only will she be
mystified, but also "blushingly flattered."

24
THE WINNAH
By this time the dime store is probably closed. So, go all the way downtown and walk up
several flights (usually) to your favorite magic dealer. Walk in, look at all the pretty
apparatus and when the dealer asks: "Would you like a substitution trunk" drop a dime
on the counter and say: "Nope, I want an S.S. Adams Liar's Medal."
After he gives it to you, he will probably start talking about the new tricks from England.
Then as he turns to the showcase to get one, quietly slip out the door and go home! (Only
kidding, dealers. Remember, I was one of you and the above was typical of some of my
customers.)
Now that you're home, remove the pin from the medal's ribbon and slip a piece of scotch
tape thru the loop. To this tape, fasten a card, then put the whole works in your breast
pocket.
Got someone to watch this? OK. Force a duplicate of the card on the medal on him and
have it returned.
"I shall find your card, sir, never fear, for I am very good at this sort of thing. As a matter
of fact, I won a medal at our last convention for this trick."
"Here it is." (Pull out the medal only, and let it hang over the top of your pocket. The card
which remains inside will keep the medal from falling).
"Your card, sir, was the four of clubs. It wasn't? Gee, this is embarrassing specially after I
showed you my medal. Guess I'll send the medal back to them."
(Drag it out exposing the card hanging on to it). "Oh, was that your card? Well, fine. All's
well that ends well."

25
YACKIT-YAK-YOKS
Magician has a card selected (Ace of Spades) and returned to the deck, which is placed
aside as he reminisces: "I used to do a mental act with two beautiful girl assistants. One's
name was Kate and the other's name was Edith, but I fired one cause I figured I couldn't
have my Kate and Edith, too! So, poor Kate got the gate. This left Edith.
Her full name was Edith Steffenklacker, but people used to laugh when they heard her
name, so she had it changed to Sam Steffenklacker! Boy, she was really beautiful. She
was the toast of two continents, Africa and Greenland!
Anyway, in this mental act I blew a whistle and a trapeze came down from the ceiling.
And there on the trapeze hung Edith, suspended by her teeth! I would have cards
selected as I just did, and Edith would name the card, and then bite the trapeze bar to
keep from falling.
All went well, until one night while playing the "Copacabana" in Stiles, Missouri, some
lady in the audience grabbed not one card but three! Well, needless to say this was too
much for Edith to say and still be able to hold on to the trapeze. So she started to fall to
the stage. (Have pianist play softly "Hearts and Flowers") She took one last 'bite' at the
trapeze bar and then fell to the stage with a sickening thud! It was horrible. Two days
later we pried these off the trapeze bar (display the wind up Yakkity Yak Teeth which you
have removed from your pocket and are holding as in sketch to keep them from talking.)

This is all that was left of Edith Steffenklacker. However, since I managed to save the
part that talks, I still occasionally do the old mental routine. Now, sir (to man who
selected card) if you will concentrate on your card, we'll see if Edith can name it for us.
"Edith, this gentleman selected a card. Was it a red card? (if the teeth are held as in the
sketch and you lower forefinger a bit, the teeth will start chattering. When you raise your
forefinger back to its former position, the teeth will stop chattering. With each question,
allow the teeth to chatter a bit and then stop).
"Edith says 'no, it was a black card. Is she right? That's fine, Edith. Now tell me, was it a
club or a spade? (teeth chatter and stop). She says it was a spade. Is that right? All right,
Edith, now we know it was a spade. Tell me, how many spots were on the gentleman's
card? (this time allow the teeth to chatter until they run completely down. As they chatter
you listen intently, as though you were keeping track of the number of clicks. After the
teeth are run down, you say:) Edith says one! The ace of spades! Right. And there you
have it. The tooth, the whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth!

26
THE CONSTANT JUMPER
Here's a gag that not only will get you laughs in your act, but will also keep your waist
line in shape. With this gag, the heavier you are, the more laughs you'll get. (In my case,
it's very funny!)
The whole mess begins with the performer having a card selected, returned, controlled
and eventually ending up at the inevitable position, on top. The deck is held in the left
hand as shown. Deck is facing audience. Right thumb and forefinger raises back card
outward and places bottom edge on left middle finger.

Right forefinger then taps this card in the center, causing it to "bow" inwards as shown. If
you push upwards with your left middle finger, the top of the card will roll off of your left
thumb and jump up in the air. Before you let it jump, ask the spectator to name their
card and it will jump out of the deck.
Let the card jump up and fall on the floor. Look at the card on the floor, and as you stoop
to pick it up, your right hand sets the next card to jump (just as before). As you straighten
up, let the second card "jump" and fall on the floor. Look a little disgusted and stoop to
pick it up (resetting the next card again). As you straighten up let the next one jump.
This jumping, resetting, stooping, picking up and jumping again routine is continued as
long as it gets laughs.

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THE TWITCHING MUSCLE
In my humble opinion, one of the best trick decks to ever hit the market is Dr. Frank
Taylor's "Peek" deck. This deck may be freely shown and shuffled, and yet any card that
is "peeked" at by a spectator is instantly known by the magician. The following is my
presentation for this deck.
"I'd like to talk to you about twitches. Now a twitch is something that we all have. Some
people's twitches are more pronounced than others. Incidentally, in case you're confused,
a "twitch" is an involuntary reaction of a muscular spasm.
First we must find, scientifically, the location of your own personal twitching muscle.
Would you smile, please. Umm, ah, there it is. Right above your lip on the left hand side.
Now we'll try an experiment with your twitching muscle.

Would you peek at a card please? Now don't forget it. (As soon as they peek, you know
the card). Turn the deck face up toward you and continue) I'm going to name several
cards. If I should happen to name your card among them, don't you say a word to let me
know. You won't have to, because your twitching muscle will twitch at the exact moment
your card is named.
Here we go! (As each card is named look first at card and then stare at the spectator's
face. Don't let them see the faces of the cards. After naming several cards, name the card
they selected. As you do, point immediately at their "twitching muscle" and say: "Aha,
you twitched! Was that it? The six of hearts? Now, let's do it again and this time try not to
twitch. (Repeat the trick). You're an excellent twitcher. Would you like to do the trick
yourself? Okay. First you hold the deck and let me "peek" at a card (be sure to turn the
deck end for end so they won't see the gimmick). Now, I'll show you where my twitch is.
It's right here, over my right eye. Just name some cards at random. And if you name
mine, you'll see me twitch!"
Now comes the kicker. If you do this right, it kills 'em. After they name several cards, you
make a very exaggerated grimace, at the same time jerking your head. Then say, "Well, I
told you that my twitch was easy to spot!"

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JASON'S FAVORITE
The following trick was evolved at the 1958 IBM-SAM Convention in Buffalo, New York.
My pal, George Jason and I were backstage setting up some props for the evening show.
On stage the originality contest was going on. George suggested that we reach into the
prop case and take something out, and that whatever it was, we should work out a trick
with it and enter it in the contest just for fun.
The two items he drew out of the case were a Jumbo card and a deck of miniature cards.
And the following is the trick we thought up, and have been using ever since.
Magician calls two spectators on stage to assist him. They each select a card. The deck is
divided in half and one half is placed into each of the side coat pockets. The magician
states that he shall locate the selected cards "by sense of touch", but that first he needs a
little hint. For instance, he says, turning to a spectator on the left, "Was your card a big
card or a little card?" A big one? Fine!"

Turning to other spectator: "And yours, sir, was it large or small? It was a small one?
Well, then, they shouldn't be too hard to find. I would say that the big card was the ace of
spades (he removes the Jumbo card, the ace of spades, from his left coat pocket), and the
small one was the two of diamonds." (He removes the miniature size two of diamonds
from his right coat pocket).
By the way, we did enter the trick in the contest, and I have a beautiful trophy in my
basement to prove it!

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CARD IN WALLET SURPRISE
This is probably the most audience-tested effect in the entire book. I featured it in
fourteen European countries on a U.S.O. tour last year. They all liked it and I hope you
do, too.

A card is selected and returned to the deck. The magician removes his wallet and asks the
name of the selected card. He removes this card from his wallet. Offering to repeat the
trick, he has another card selected and returned. After the card is named, he again
removes the wallet and confidently reaches in its folds for the card. He fumbles around in
the wallet for a while but no card is forthcoming.
He turns the wallet end for end and nervously takes a peek into the other end and asks
(now obviously embarrassed) "What did you say the name of the card was? The seven of
clubs? Well, I'm sorry, but that one seems to be missing!"
The wallet he's been holding (in a folded condition until now) unfolds completely down
to the floor, displaying many window or plastic envelopes all filled with different cards.
I bought three of the plastic wallets in the dime store that have the thin plastic credit card
holders (each strip of holders is about two feet long). I discarded two of the wallets after
first cutting off the pass case strips. I then fastened these two strips together and glued
them to the strip in the third wallet. This gave me one wallet with six feet of card holders
in it.
All of these holders are filled with playing cards (two in each pocket, back to back). When
the pass cases are all folded, I placed a duplicate of the card I would later force for the
first part of the trick on top of them before folding up the wallet.

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ABSENT MINDED FINISH
This is a little gag piece of business that reads pretty thin. However, all I ask is that you
try it a couple of times and I'm sure you'll be as happy with it as I have been for the last
ten years.
You've just finished your final card trick. The deck and its case are lying on the table. Pick
up the case in your left hand and hold it as in the sketch. Let the fingertips of the left
hand rest on the table. Pick up the deck in your right hand, tap it on the table to square it
up, then raise the flap on the case with your left forefinger and shove the deck
underneath the case.
Then close case flap with your right fingers and place card case into your coat pocket.
You do these moves as you are thanking people for watching. Get up to leave, then notice
the deck still lying on the table. Register surprise and remove case, looking at it and
remarking "Gee, there must be a trap door in this thing." Then put deck in case and
return it to pocket.
That's it. Just try it once - you'll see.

31
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Karrell Fox first came to the attention of the magic world as a fat red headed kid being
funny at the Abbott magic affairs and around Detroit. The red hair darkened to an
attractive auburn, the child grew into a man, and the man turned out to be someone very
funny, indeed. Karrell Fox today is conceded to be one of the leading comedy magic acts
in the world.
He was born on January 30, 1928, nursed his way thru the crash of '29, and toddled his
way thru the depression. As a child, his parents operated a small restaurant in E. Rainelle,
W. Va. (population, 905). A guest departed without paying a bill, but left behind a few
small tricks. With these, Karrell launched into magic.
It has been his vocation ever since. It helped him during two years in the army, got him a
job in a magic shop, gave him his own TV Show in Detroit ("Famo and His Magic Carpet",
1949), made him tops in the wide club date field of Detroit, Cleveland, Toledo, etc.
Karrell has been making greater strides with each passing year. In 1959 he toured Europe
with a U.S.O. troupe for three months. In 1960 he did a commercial movie for AC Spark
Plugs, playing the part of a magician. His wife performed as a dancer (her premarriage
profession).
Also this year he designed, wrote, and sold to the Ford Motor Company the complete
idea for a travelling advertising show calked "The Magic World of Ford". It toured for
three months with three units in various parts of the United States and will resume again
next summer. It provided work for a number of magicians and utilized many magic
tricks.
As one of Detroit's leading acts, Karrell does many shows for the auto industry; is already
booked for the Auto Show there in 1961.
His first book for magicians, "Kornfidentially Yours" is still in print and available where
you purchased this one.
Mrs. Fox is the former Lynn Vos, married September 22, 1956. Their son is Karlin Scott
Fox, born July 24, 1957, his name being a contraction of that of his parents.
Never content unless he is busy on all fronts, Karrell is now considering opening a magic
shop in down town Detroit with his good friend, Roy Kissell, illustrator of this book. We
are sure such news would delight magicians everywhere.

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