| How do magicians go about it when they desire to | | | | However, should a magician decide to add a |
| cause something to appear mysteriously? To perform | | | | production or appearance number to his program, |
| magical creation? To accomplish apparently miraculous | | | | usually through search he finds some type of trick that |
| production? At present, there are three general | | | | supplies the desired general effect. The specific trick |
| expedients. The most common solution of the problem | | | | selected usually determines the object with which the |
| is a laborious and tedious search. Catalogues are | | | | effect is accomplished. Then, the object to be used |
| thoroughly shifted. Textbooks on magic are thumbed | | | | established, if he desires to tie it into a unified routine, |
| from cover to cover. The performances of other | | | | he shapes and warps and changes matters until he |
| magicians are eagerly scouted. And the magic shops | | | | meets his requirements as nearly as possible. |
| are visited again and again. | | | | The somewhat more exacting magician will usually |
| Of course, the deliberate decision to add an effect of | | | | adopt the second method. Here, he will decide to add |
| a definite nature is not the usualway the average | | | | some type of production or mysterious appearance. |
| magician adds to his routine or repertoire. The usual | | | | Before embarking upon his search, he will determine |
| trick is added by the run-of-the-mill magical enthusiast | | | | the object or objects with which he wishes to |
| simply because something in the number appeals to | | | | accomplish the effect. Then, as before, he will make |
| him. It might be the appearance of the apparatus. Or | | | | the search. But this investigation is not so general. |
| the apparent profundity of the method, the deceptive | | | | Specifically, he knows what he wants to cause to |
| feature. Or the comedy potentialities. Or any of a | | | | appear. His hunt is limited to tricks in which the desired |
| number of other factors. I'm convinced this is not the | | | | object is used. If he fails in his search, or if the tricks he |
| correct way to add program material. It seems far | | | | finds do not seem satisfactory to him, usually he will |
| better to me to add material from the viewpoint of its | | | | decide upon a second object to take the place of the |
| importance in adding entertainment value to the | | | | first choice. Then he makes the search all over again. |
| performer's routine. | | | | |