Magic

/Vela a n d O fU ^ in a l

T R I C K SW I T H

WATCHESb

SAMUEL BERLAND

200 ILLUSTRATIONS Aea* TRICKS fou * SLEIGHTS

Hew ROUTINES Neu* TRICKS WITH WRIST WATCHES

BOOK DESIGN

AND MAKEUP

IN THE SHOP

OF SAMUEL BERLAND

ART CONSULTANT

COVER DESIGN, ETC.

THOMAS LIBONATI

Biblioteca Fundacin Juan March (Madrid)

X - b o o B a r

V T o>

T R I C K SH I T H

W A T C H E SA/ecu a n d n ic fin a l j^ e c ti

044,

S a m u e l e ftla n d

/ u t lu v i - D nvetvtosi

e fo jcv u n e si

Published by

522 South Dearborn Street

Chicago, Illinois


Copyright 1942

By Samuel Berland

All Rights Reserved

No Part of This Book, Text or Illustrations

May be Produced Without Permission

of the Publisher

2


To My Wife Lena

and my two sons

Theodore, age 13

and

Lawrence, age 9


FOREWORD

All lovers of magic know what to expect when Sam Berland writes a book. It is my pleasure to know him, not only as a friend and gentleman, but as a magician and inventor of unique effects.

Here is his most recent effort and one which should prove a classic in magic. One that has been the demand. "Tricks with Watches", where no special apparatus are required, and most effects can be performed with but the aid of simple sleights. It plainly explains each trick and is lavishly illustrated, showing the method of working step by step.

This book of choice effects, is a thorough, practical treatment of sleights, equipment, suggestions, plus carefully worked out routines. Every effect has been tested, and I'm sure many could be sold singly for more than the price of this volume. I know of no finer collection of tricks and routines with watches that has ever been assembled within two covers.

I have seen the development of each effect from its first inception, to the final completion, and the hours spent with Sam in reviewing each effect, have been happy ones-

The ample material contained here should give you choice magical routines for immediate use in your programme.

Therefore this is one book that should be owned by everyone who is interested in magic.

J^ltosnGA. JlibatuUi

4


Berland s Tricks w ith W atches

C O N T E N T S

Foreword............. .......... ........................ .... ................................... 4

Chapter One

SLEIGHTS

Watch Vanish ala Zano_________ ___________ ________ ______ 8

New French Drop Variation__________ ____ __________________ 8

Two Watch Vanish............................................................. ...... ..... 9

Thumb Palm With One Watch. ..____ _________ _____________ 10

Thumb Palm With Two Watches...............................................10

Berman Deceptive Vanish.......*.................................................... 11

New Take-A-Way Vanish............. ........... .......... .......... ..............12

New "Swing" Sleight..................................... .............. ..... ..........13

Daring Double Vanish........................................ .................. ...... 13

Simple "Back-Palming" Watch................................ .............. ..... 15

Sleights therewith............ .............................................................. 15

Watch Sleight ala Card Vanish.............. ................................ IB

Watch Passes Thru Knee...................................... ...... i..........-16Watch thru Elbow Appears in Palm...........................................17

Misers Dream......................... ..............................-.... ..... ...............17

Chapter Two

GENERAL EFFECTS

Production from Time Magazine.................................................19

Repeat Appearing Watch on Chain........................................... 20

Catching a Hatful of Watches with an Alarm Clock Finish.....21

Watch Goes Boogie Woogie........................................................ 22

The Watch Takes Leave................ ............ ..... ..... ....................... 23

Silk and Watch Transposition................................... ...................24

Come Again Watch............. ........................................................ 24

Watches to the Pocket.............................................................. ..... 26

Watch and Cigarette Surprise.................................................... 27

Watch, Napkin and Cigarette.....................................................28

The Daffy Watches..........................................................................29

5


Berlands Tricks w ith W atches

The Watch Makers Dream............................................................ 30

Watches at the Fingertips............................................................ 32

The Elongated Watch Chain........................................................ 37

Humorous Diminishing Watch.......................................................38

Watch, Billiard Ball and Dollar Bill.............................................39

The Billiard Ball Watch................................................................41

Another Case for Sherlock Holmes.............................................42

Fun on Borrowed Time..................................................................43

Added Suggestions for the Sandwich Watch............... ............45

The Hold-Up................................................................................... 46

Unique Restoration..........................................................................48

Finale Appearing Watch and Chain.................... ...................... 50

Visible Appearance of Three Watches on Chains............... .....51

Time Marches on............ ............................................................... 52

Time Magazine Loading Device.................................................52

Chapter Three

TRICKS WITH WRIST WATCHES

Humorous Watch Stem..................................................................54

The Restored Strap..................................................._....................54

Is Your Strap Long Enough?.................................................... ....55

Watch and Chain to Wrist Watch...............................................56

The Crushed Wrist Watch............................................................ 57

Chapter Four

VARIOUS WATCH VANISHES

Paper Cornucopia...................... ........... ........................................60

Vanishing Watch Pull, spring top..........................._.......... ........ ..60

Loop Watch ...................................................................................60

Devil Handkerchief......................... ............... ...............................61

Changing Bag ......... ..................................................................... 61

Hooked W atch ............................................................................... 63

Paper Bag Vanisher.............. ,........... ............ ............. ...................63

Watch Bag ..................................................................................... 63

6


B erland s T ricks with W atches

W ATCH VANISH A LA ZANOSome years ago it was my good fortune to make the acquaint

ance of a truly great sleight-of-hand man of the old school. His name was Zano.

What impressed me most in his work was the natural way he had of palming objects. There were no cramped palms, stiff looking fingers, or undue attention given to the hands at all.

Here you have the secret of perfect misdirection. Do not make your hands appear skillful, only be skillful in their use, and cover up their skill by holding them as natural as possible both before, during, and after a sleight.

The following is my impression of how Zano would vanish a Watch.

To Perform:

Watch is held between first finger and thumb of right hand, with the stem pointing toward the left, Fig. 1; the hand should be tilted slightly toward the body.

The left hand approaches to remove watch, fingers placed in front and thumb in back of watch as Fig. 2.

While screened by the left hand, the right thumb is raised just enough to allow the watch to drop backward into the palm, Fig- 3.

The left hand now moves away as though containing the watch, Fig. 4, and your attention is focused on the left hand, the right hand remaining just where it is, just turning it ever so slightly toward the body.

The left hand is opened and shown empty . . . the right hand reaches under left elbow or knee, and produces the watch.

This is the simplest sleight in magic, and the most natural. One that you can do immediately.

NEW FRENCH DROP VARIATIONThe French Drop is the most widely known sleight in magic.

Hardly an old book on magic ever passed it by.

While this new variation looks like the old French Drop in effect, it is exceedingly easier to do, for we have an advantage here that other objects do not have . . . a good gripping contact the stem-

To Perform:

Grasp the stem of watch between the middle fingers of the right hand, thumb at opposite end, Fig. 1.

8


Berland s T ricks with W atches

The thumb of left is inserted under the right thumb, and left fingers held in readiness to close around the watch, Fig. 2.

Left fingers completely cover front of watch, and while thus screened, the right hand pivots away, carrying the watch away easily and simply, thus clearing the grasp of the left hand, Fig. 3 rear view, (shown still holding onto the right thumb).

The closed left hand now moves away from the right as though containing the watch. Left is opened . . . watch has vanished.

TWO WATCH VANISHBased on the New French Variation

Vanishing two watches is not at all difficult when using the New French Drop Variation as a basic support.

Vanish the first watch as explained in the previous sleight. Now take the second watch in the right hand, holding it between the thumb and first finger, Fig- 1.

The left hand is cupped in a loose fist, both hands held as Fig. 2.Push the watch into the left hand, the first finger being out

stretched, and held in the left fist, resting on stem, Fig. 3.

The left fingers curl upward, and the watch is allowed to rest on the fingertips, Fig. 4.

The first finger is still held by the left thumb, and using it as a hinge the hands are brought together, while thus screened the right thumb reaches over and pulls the watch into the right hand allowing watch to rest on top of other watch. The transfer takes but a moment, and hands move apart the moment watch has been taken into the right, Fig. 5.

The left hand releases right first finger, and moves away apparently with the second watch. Hand is opened and shown empty.

First watch can be produced from elbow, and second watch at knee. Other possibilities are optional with the performer.

9



THUMB PALM WITH ONE W ATCHWere you to ask which palm is the most important in all watch

magic, the answer would be . . the thumb palm.

This is really a utility sleight, and as it forms the basis for several effects in the book, you should master its performance.

Its many advantages lie in the naturalness of execution, absence of rigidity of the fingers, and palm. Ample illustrations are provided. Practice with the article in hand.

Practice This First:

Allow watch to lay across the fingers, rather at an angle, with the stem pointing toward the first fingertip, Fig. 1.

Hand should be held natural, neither stretch the fingers nor the palm.

Close fingers bringing them under the thumb, this carries the watch under the control of the thumb, Fig. 2.

Fingers straighten out, and the watch is left gripped at the root of the thumb. Hold hand natural, fingers slightly curved, hand relaxed. Fig. 3.

Practice the above until you have it down perfect.

The Complete Sleight:

Watch held in position as Fig. 1, using both hands as Fig- 4.

The left hand remains immobile, while the right hand moves toward the left, bringing the back of hand toward the audience. While thus screened the actual thumb-palm action takes place. The fingers of left rest on the outside of right hand, Fig. 5.

The right hand is slowly withdrawn, fingers slightly separated but not held stiff, and as the right hand withdraws, the left hand closes over the supposed watch and turns with its back to the audience, as Fig. 6.

Two watches can be palmed with but little extra inconvenience; in the one move, if you wish.

THUMB PALM WITH TWO WATCHESFor those wanting to vanish two watches in separate actions,

the thumb palm is practical and not difficult.

First vanish a watch as previously explained. The empty left hand picks up the second watch, transferring it to the right hand,

10


Borland's Tricks w ith W atches

as Fig. 1.

The watch is brought across the fingers, by the right thumb, Fig. 2-

The right hand approaches the left to place watch in the left as you did previously, and as soon as screened by the back of the right hand, the right fingers close, pushing the second watch on top of the other, Fig. 3, and while the fingers hold both watches in place, the thumb opens, allowing both watches to be pressed at the root of the thumb.

The thumb now closes over the stems of both watches, the fingers straighten out, and the left hand moves away as though containing the watch. Hand is opened and second watch has vanished.

BERMAN DECEPTIVE VANISHSam Berman, of Chicago, is an acknowledged expert on billiard

ball manipulation. Those who have witnessed his "Tramp Act" concede him a true artist. In his billiard ball routine, he does a bit of business with the last ball that is very puzzling.

I have his permission to include this effect, as it adapts itself very easily for performance with a watch.

To Perform:

Watch is apparently placed in the left hand, but really thumbpalmed in the right hand, as Fig. 1. Note that the left hand is held with its back to the audience.

The left hand now opens, still with its back to the audience, fingers separated, simulating an empty hand, and the right hand begins to reach toward the knee; while the right hand is thus occupied, the left hand drops to the side, and the right hand now produces the palmed watch behind the knee.

Once again the watch is placed in the left. Note I say placed, for this time you really place the watch in the left, being careful to simulate the real placement as the false move made previously.

The watch is gripped in the left thumb-palm as Fig. 3. The left hand is now opened as you did before, with its back to audience, fingers separated, as Fig. 2, and as the right hand begins to reach toward the knee, the left hand is lowered to the side, and the

11


Borland s Tricks w ith W atches

watch is dropped in the coat pocket.

Meanwhile the right hand pretends to find the watch at the knee, partly closing the hand as though you have it. Bring the hand up to the ear as though listening to it tick; now shake the hand as though watch has stopped. Open the hand and show it empty, and look surprised.

NEW "TAKE-A-WAY" VANISHThe watch is held in the right hand, with the stem held between

the first finger and thumb. The second finger is held alongside the watch, Fig. 1-

The left hand is held alongside, slightly cupped, thumb held apart from the fingers, with its back to audience. Fig. 1A.

The third finger now is placed on the back of watch, thus you have sides of watch firmly held between the second and third finger, Fig. 2.

The left hand now moves toward the right hand with the intention of "taking" the watch away from the right. Soon as watch is covered by the left, the thumb and first finger of right release hold of stem, and the second and third finger with the watch held between them are bent into the palm thus concealing watch in the right, Fig. 3. Note that the left thumb and first finger hold onto the outstretched first finger of the right. Fig. 4, audience view.

All that remains now is merely to move the left hand away, and slowly open it and reveal watch has vanished.

Optional Acquitment:

With the watch held in its present position, between the middle fingers of the right hand, you are in position to execute an easy acquitment-

Left hand held with its back to audience, now while the left hand turns with its palm toward the audience, the right hand at the same moment is placed behind the left hand, and hand held as Fig. 5, with watch concealed out of sight; thus audience gets view of both palms, Fig. 5a how watch is held behind the left.

Watch is produced from back of hand with the aid of the thumb.

12


Borland's Tricks with W atches

NEW "SWING" SLEIGHTLest you think that magic has gone "Boogie Woogie let me

explain that the sleight was not inspired by jitterbugs, as it really gets its name from its vanishing action.

Effect:Performer is seen holding a watch between thumb and first

finger of his right hand. The left hand removes the watch. A moment later the left hand is opened and it is seen empty . . . and the watch is seen to have re-appeared between first finger and thumb of right.

The "Sw ing" Action:

Grasp the stem of watch, (the winding key) between first finger and thumb of right, dial toward audience. You will find that if you relax the pressure of the fingers, the watch stem acting as a pivot, and your finger and thumb as guides, will cause the watch to "swing" down out of sight into the palm. As soon as watch is concealed in the palm, the first finger and thumb again apply pressure on the stem of watch, holding it secure-

Now for the Complete Sleight:

Grasp the stem of watch between first finger and thumb as previously explained, Fig. 1.

The left hand is placed in front of watch as though to remove it.

Fig. 2.While thus concealed, the watch is allowed to swing into palm,

Fig. 3. The left hand pretends to close firmly around the watch and is moved away as though containing the watch.

The right hand is now turned palm down, Fig. 4.

All attention is on the left hand, which now opens showing it empty, and at the same moment, the pressure is released from the stem which will cause it to "swing" out in view, thus making its novel appearance. Fig. 5.

Herewith is offered the most novel departure in watch vanishes to date- Especially designed for those who are on the alert for that something different, we guarantee this effect to be radically new and bound to be startling to both magicians and laymen alike.

13


Berland s T ricks w ith W atches

In effect we have the vanish of two watches. They vanish one at a time, and after each vanish both hands are shown empty!

The basic principle on which the effect depends is that marvelous magic-aidWiztax.

Two watches prepared with a strip of Wiztax on the back of

each.

To Perform:

A watch is held in the right hand, and apparently placed in the left, really thumb-palming watch in the right. Fig. 1.

The left turns with its back to the audience, and the right hand presses palmed watch to the back of left, where due to the Wiztax it adheres in place, Fig. 2. Still screened by the right, the left turns over again and the right hand is removed, thus having the appearance as Fig. 1.

Now the left hand is opened and shown empty; the right also is shown empty. The watch has vanished and both hands are seen emptypretty convincing.

The right hand picks up the second watch and for a moment places it between thumb and first finger of left, Fig. 3.

The right hand now takes the watch and again apparently places it in the left, again thumb-palming watch in the right, Fig. 1.

The right hand is placed in front of the left, and while thus screened, the left hand turns over, and the palmed watch is pressed to the watch already there, Fig. 4. The left hand is again turned over with its back to audience, and the right hand removed.

Thus both watches are now stuck to the back of the left hand. The left hand is opened and shown empty, and the right hand also is shown palm to audience, so they see both hands at the same time.

Now the right hand is placed behind the left and the top watch is removed and produced from the back of hand. The watch is placed in the left palm as Fig. 5. The thumb is placed on top of watch while the fingers dislodge the watch from back of hand, concealing it in the fingers as Fig. 6 back view.

The right hand is removed with the concealed watch, and hand reaches behind knee and produces the second watch. The Wiztax will peel off watch when rolled and easily disposed of, thus leaving watches unprepared for any following effect-

14


Berland s Trioles w ith W atches

A SIMPLE "BACK PALMING" WATCH and Sleights Therewith

A book on tricks with watches would be incomplete without the inclusion of this old popular sleight, that started two men on the road to fame and fortune, Howard Thurston and T. Nelson Downs.

Strange that the same sleight should be the means of their success, yet one used it as a basis for card manipulation and the other for coins.

I can readily understand why no one as yet has tackled backpalming with watches, as two factors must be overcomeviz: slippery sidesno gripping surface, and secondly, the size being too large for gripping between the first and little fingers.

Herewith is presented one solution to the problem which I hope will be the stimulus for the origination of other and no doubt more perfect methods for the accomplishment of this old classic.

Two important points are in favor of this simple idea; a good non-slippable gripping surface, and ease of handling.

The Method:

Procure a IV2 inch bathroom stopper, and with the aid of a razor blade cut off the upper part of it- The part in which the ring is imbedded, and make it as flat as possible.

Remove the back of the watch, and the works, and cement the stopper to the inside of watch, and you will have what appears as Fig. 1, Page 16. The tapering sides of stopper adapts itself easily for gripping between the first and little finger, making it easy to maneuver from the front to back and vice versa.

To Perform the Sleight:

The watch is gripped in front with the thumb and the two middle fingers on the back, resting on the ledge. Fig. 2 shows hand turned to show position of the fingers, watch actually is held facing audience.

The thumb now pivots the watch backward, digging the tips of the middle fingers on the inside wall of stopper.

The sides of stopper are gripped between the first and little finger, and the two middle fingers are removed from inside the stopper and curl inward the palm, Fig. 3. The thumb helps pivot the watch during this action, and the middle fingers now straighten out, with the watch safely concealed behind the hand, as Fig. 4 rear view.

The transfer of the watch to the back of the hand should be executed with a movement of the hand as though tossing the watch into space to conceal the movements of the fingers and the revolving of the watch to the back of the hand. The production of the watch is merely the reversal of the foregoing-

Caution:

Don't get the idea that just because the watch is adapted to the back hand palm that it will work itself. A little practice will be required to train the fingers in holding this object, but the effects it makes possible are worth the effort.

15


Suggestions: Watch Sleight (ala card vanish)

Watch held in the right hand in position for sleight. The left hand is extended and held with its back to the audience. The fingers holding the watch are partly placed into the open left hand, Fig. 5, and while thus screened from view, the watch is back palmed, Fig. 6. The right hand is removed with palm toward audience, so the obvious conclusion is that the watch is secure in the left hand. Fig. 7.

The left hand pretends to crush the watch away to "nothing", and opens palm toward audience showing it empty, and at the same moment the right hand is placed behind the left arm, and while thus shielded by the arm the watch is brought to front of hand, and it is produced at the fingertips.

n B erland s Triclcs w ith W atches

Watch Passes Thru the Knee

This is as pretty a sleight as you have ever seen in magic. The effect is that the watch is pushed into the right knee and the left hand takes it out of the left knee. Now the left hand pushes watch into left knee and the right hand produces it at right knee-

For the accomplishment of the above effect, two back-palming watches are necessary. The duplicate watch is easily obtained from the left coat pocket, during some move when the right side of body is toward audience. The duplicate watch is backpalmed and held with the palm to the audience, loosely, at the side.

The watch held in the right is apparently pushed into the trouser, really being back-palmed, Fig. 8, and the left hand working in unison causes the watch to come in front of hand so that the illusion is perfect for the passing of the watch thru both knees.

16


Borlands T ricks w ith W atches

Now backpalm the watch in the right hand and produce the one in the left to reverse the effect.

Watch Passed into Elbow Appears in the Palm:The method is exactly as the above, only for variation you

cause it to pass from the elbow in to the hand, then it vanishes from the hand and it appears at the elbow. Fig. 9.

Misers Dream:

One of the oldest effects in magic is the apparent production of articles from the air and dropping them into a hat. T. Nelson Downs, the King of Coins, was associated with the catching of money from the air, thus the title "Miser's Dream".

Well, now you can have a "watchmaker's dream", and "catch" a hatful of watches from the air.

The only requirements are a number of watches, and the Back Palming Watch- Either load the watches into the hat after showing it empty, or have the load already in the hat covered with a piece of black velvet.

Stand with left side to audience, hat held in left, and the "Watch" in the right. Pretend to place watch in hat, and as soon as hidden by the hat, the watch is backpalmed and hand is withdrawn apparently empty; open palm to audience, but the watch really clipped between the first and little finger, on back of hand.

The hand gropes in space, then makes a grab for the watch producing it at the fingers and thumb, then proceed to "place" this in the hat, again backpalming it and produce another, continuing the production, and walking off, finally turning hat over and showing a hatful of watches.

Another Method:

Have a duplicate hat off stage loaded with watches and a nest of alarm clocks. Now when you start the trick you show the hat empty, and proceed to "catch" a hatful of watches, finally walking off stage catching the watches as rapidly as possible. The moment you get off stage, you switch hats, and walk back on stage carrying the loaded hat. You now proceed to catch a few more", passing watch thru crown of hat, etc. Finally turn hat over revealing you really have a "hatfull".

17


l E I E U L

E F F E C T S


Berland s Tricks icitli W atches

PRODUCTION FROM "TIME" MAGAZINEEffect:

Performer enters reading a "Time" magazine. He shows the cover on both sides, then tears it from the magazine, discarding the rest. He shapes the cover into a cornucopia. Seems that one thing "Time" magazine has plenty of is "time", for when cornucopia is turned over, out comes a bunch of watches.

Requirements:

About half a dozen watches; small paper bag; length of thread and piece of adhesive tape, or gummed paper.

Preparation:

Watches placed in paper bag, and tied with thread, allowing about four or five inches of thread.

Attach thread with the aid of adhesive tape to upper left hand corner of front cover, now fold magazine in half, with the front cover on the outside, and place the load in the fold, Fig. 1.

Either walk on reading magazine, or carry in the coat pocket, or place on table or chair.

To Perform:

Open magazine front to audience, load concealed behind Fig. 2. The right hand grasps the front cover, and lifts it showing front and back, hand is kept open so they see it empty. Also note the position of the left hand near top corner of magazine. Fig. 3.

The right hand is now placed right where the tape holding the load is hanging from, and proceeds to tear the page- Tear slowly, Fig. 4.

When you have torn about half way down, you swing your hands over, lowering the right and raising the left, this will swing the load from the back of the magazine right behind the cover, Fig. 5. Now complete tearing the cover, and discard rest of the magazine on floor. Still holding onto the corner with the right hand the left hand forms cover in shape of conucopia, around the load. The right hand now reaches inside, tears thread off mouth of bag, turns conucopia over, and allows watches to fall out onto a tray.

19


B erland s Tricks with Watches

"REPEAT" APPEARING W ATCH ON CHAINMagician removes his watch and chain from pocket. Openly

the watch is removed from end of chain. Watch is tossed into space and it vanishes, only to appear a a moment later back on the end of chain. Again watch is removed and vanishes from the hand only to re-appear once again on the end of chain.

Requirements:

One regular watch and one hooked watch- One chain.Watches are attached to both ends of chain as Fig. 1. Place

the hooked watch in lower right vest pocket, the other watch in upper left pocket.

To perform:Left hand reaches for chain at upper pocket, the right hand tak

ing out the watch from the right vest pocket. Left hand conceals the presence of the second watch, Fig. 2.

The right hand takes hold of the watch, and with the aid of the left hand unhooks watch from swivel, Fig. 3. The right hand now places this empty end of chain over the first finger of left, the thumb keeping it in place, Fig. 4.

The right hand holding the watch now makes a tossing movement, thumb palming the watch as you do so, waving hand toward the chain, at the same moment you release the watch from the left hand, holding on to the end of chain, thus appearing as though vanished, watch re-appears on end of chain. Fig. 5.

The right hand now grasps the watch on chain, the left letting go of chain, and makes a pretense of removing the watch, Fig. 6, left hand is now brought near the right, and under cover of both hands the watch on end of chain is concealed in the left hand, and hands are separated, exposing the watch in the right, as though you removed it from chain, Fig. 7.

You again place empty end of chain as Fig. 4 on right first finger. The right holding the watch, now makes a downward and upward swing of the right hand, and with the upward swing you brush against your clothing and watch will hook on clothes, but hold your hand closed as though it contained watch. Now pretend to toss watch toward chain, releasing watch from hand, and showing the right hand empty as the same moment.


Berlands Tricks with W atchcs

CATCHING A HATFUL OF WATCHES With An Alarm Clock Finish

Performer borrows a hat, and shows it to be empty. He removes his watch from end of chain and openly tosses it into the hat. Another watch is seen to appear in his hand, it too is dropped into the hat. Again and again watches are caught and all tossed into the hat. Soon it begins to appear as though performer has caught a hatful of watches.

Reaching in hat to "count" the number of watches he now has, he brings forth a ringing alarm clock! and not a single watch is to be seen-

Requirements:One watch prepared with short piece of catgut, knotted at the

end, Fig. 1. Catgut should be just long enough to be retained between the fingers, Fig. 2.

The short length of catgut when held between the fingers acts as a hinge on which the watch swings.

A turn of the wrist with a guick outward movement aided with the right thumb brings the watch from its concealed position in view of audience as Fig. 3, as though "caught" at the finger tips. Removal of the thumb will naturally cause watch to swing back to its former position out of sight, in palm.

Place this watch on end of watch chain, in pocket.One ordinary alarm clock. Wind up alarm, keeping it open,

and turn alarm hand several hours ahead of the time you will work the trick. To cause alarm to ring all you need do is turn alarm knob around until it rings, which takes but a moment.

Conceal alarm clock in any favorite place, behind chair, table, servante, etc. You may use the "Time" magazine method of loading alarm clock in hat, or conceal clock in coat.

To Perform:Borrow hat, show it empty, and load clock in hat. Remove

watch from chain, gripping catgut between first and second finger as previously explained. Pretend to toss watch in hat, which is held in the left hand. Watch needless to say appears to go in hat really swinging out of sight in palm.

Reach in the air and catch" another watch, and toss in hat. Continue catching watches until apparently 7 or 8 watches are caught.

Reach inside of hat with the right hand, pretending to count the watches, really turning alarm hand around until it sets off alarm bringing it out of hat ringing. Turn hat upside down and show it empty. Watch may remain between your fingers or held concealed behind alarm clock.

21


Borland's Tricks w ith W atches

WATCH GOES BOOGIE WOOGIEWhy do people roar when they see someone get hit with a pie

in the movies?

To laugh at another person's misfortune is human nature, especially when they know that its only make-believe.

In this efiect a borrowed watch (either regular or wrist) is the basis for some good comedy.

Effect:

Performer borrows a watch and after a cursory examination, listens to it tick, and deciding it has run down somewhat, he proceeds to "wind" it with the result that the noise sounds like you are jacking up a car. Soon he finds that the winding seems to get quite hard as though he is overwinding it, suddenly there is a loud report as though the watch has exploded, and they see you are holding the mainspring in your hand!

After a bit of suspense, however, the performer replaces the mainspring in the watch and returns it to the owner quite unharmed-

Requirements:

A Noisy Watch Winder; a Bingo Shooting Device; Small coiled Clockspring.

The Noisy Watch Winder and Bingo Shooting Device are obtainable in most magic shops.

Attach the Bingo shooter to one side of the Noisy Winder. Wind up the spring and place it in the open end of the Winder. Fig. 10, page 62 shows the complete preparation. Put a catch on the Bingo to keep it from shooting the cap off until you are ready.

To Perform:

Conceal the device in the right hand, and proceed to borrow a watch with the left. Hold the watch to the ear as though listening to it "tick. Pretend to wind it, remarking that it must be "run down" somewhat, and as you pretend to find the winding getting too tight you begin using the "Noisy" winder and the noise it makes is enough to make the owner of the watch squirm, and the audience howl.

After a moment's use of the Winder, you release the catch from the "Bingo shooter but hold it down with your left thumb while the right hand grasps the spring ready to remove it. Release the Bingo, and bring out the spring. The illusion is perfect, as though the entire watch is shot to pieces- (During the entire "business the watch itself is well hidden in the left hand, to carry out the illusion of ruining the watch.)

Hold the watch in the left hand and the spring in the right and offer it to the owner, who of course will refuse to take it. Explain you will fit the spring into the watch by magic means. Place watch on table.

Using either a cornucopia, or watch pull vanisher, you place the spring and winder in the vanishing device, thus getting rid of them; pick up watch, see if it is O. K. and return it to the owner.

22


Beri and s Tricks w ith W atches

THE WATCH TAKES LEAVEPerformer removes his watch and chain from pocket. They are

seen to be ordinary in every respect. The left hand is shown empty, and the watch and chain is lowered onto the open palm. The hand closes over the watch and chain.

The right hand reaches under elbow and produces the watch. Left hand opens at the same moment and the chain is seen to be empty! How did the watch leave the end of chain?

Preparation:1 watch and chain with any kind of charm on end of it.Tie watch to swivel with a piece of white thread, Fig. 1.

To Perform:Exhibit watch and chain, swinging it around to convey the

absence of any preparation.Grasp the watch with the fingers and thumb of right, holding

onto other end with the left, the charm end hanging several inches out of the hand, Fig. 2. While thus held the right fingers pull on watch, thus breaking thread.

Right hand is now lowered coiling chain onto the left palm, with the watch being placed on top of chain, Fig. 3. Show the right hand empty and bring it on top of left, thumbpalming the watch, Fig. 4, and at the same moment closing the left hand and turning it over with back of hand to audience, Fig. 5 rear view.

The right hand now reaches under elbow and produces the watch, and at the same moment the left hand swings the charm end of chain over fist as it turns over with open palm to audience showing it empty, Fig. 6.

Suggestion: You can add greatly to the effect if you place a strip of Wiztax on the back of watch previous to performing the effect. Perform the effect as outlined until you have the watch thumbpalmed as Fig. 5, with this difference: that you have watch thumbpalmed with the back instead of the front. Now you bring the right hand against the back of the left, and press watch to back of hand. While still screened by the right hand the left hand turns over, and opens allowing chain to be shown as Fig. 6- and you also turn over the right and show it empty, therefore watch has completely vanished. Now reach behind left, pull watch off and using the sleeve as a cover-up, you produce watch at elbow.


Berland s Tricks with W atches

SILK AND WATCH TRANSPOSITIONEffect:

Performer shows his trouser pocket to be empty, and places a watch in pocket. A silk handkerchief is now taken between both hands and it is seen to change to the watch. Reaching in the pocket, the missing silk is found.

Requirements:

One regular watch; one hooked watch (with needle point on back); two silk handkerchiefs.

One silk rolled compact, and placed in the upper right trouser pocket as Fig. 1.

Second watch prepared with a strip of "Wiztax" across its back and placed in left coat pocket.

Duplicate silk is prepared with a strip of "Wiztax" on one corner. Tape should overlap both sides of corner. Place this silk in the left coat pocket, also partly hanging out of pocket.

To Perform:

Pull out right trouser pocket and show it empty, and in replacing pocket, you pull the silk down to the bottom of pocket- Show the watch (hooked) and place in the right trouser pocket, hooking it in the upper part of pocket, Fig. 2.

Reach in coat pocket for silk, secretly obtaining the watch in the hand. Fig. 3.

Roll up silk as compact and tight as possible and when end of silk is reached the Wiztax tape will prevent it from unrolling, Fig.4. Press ball-like rolled silk to back of watch, Fig. 5, where it will be concealed . . . exhibiting watch as Fig. 6 with silk concealed. Show right hand empty, reach in trouser pocket and bring out the silk, pulling pocket out and showing it empty-

Effect:

Performer shows a watch and chain. He now drapes a handkerchief over all, concealing both watch and chain from view. Suddenly the handkerchief is allowed to fall to floor, revealing a bare chain . . . watch has vanished. Reaching behind knee the watch is discovered.

Once again handkerchief is draped over chain. The loose

24


Bcrlands Tricks with W atches

watch held in the hand is tossed into the air, and it vanishes; at the same moment handkerchief falls to the floor revealing watch has re-appeared on end of chain.

Requirements:

One regular watch; One hooked watch; One chain; a length of black thread.

Preparation:

Put end of thread thru hole in swivel of chain and tie securely. Now pass thread thru the swivel itself, continue and put thread thru ring of watch, finally tying thread to ring on end of chain. Length of thread when tied should be same length as chain.

Tie the hooked watch to swivel end of chain with a piece of white thread- Fig. 1 shows the complete preparation.

To Perform:

Hold chain in left hand, the threaded watch concealed as Fig. 2. The right hand now takes a corner of handkerchief, placing it between thumb and first finger of left thus concealing full length of chain and watch. While pretending to drape handkerchief etc., the fingers of right holding onto hooked watch behind handkerchief, break thread pulling watch into the fist concealing it.

The left thumb releases hold of handkerchief, which flutters to floor, and the right hand reaches behind knee and produces watch.

Once again handkerchief is placed between thumb of left, and just before doing so keep the handkerchief well spread and covering the left. While thus concealed for a moment you allow the threaded watch to drop out of hand to end of chain. Handkerchief now held between first finger and thumb as you did previously.

Taking the hooked watch you make a downward and upward motion of the hand catching watch on clothing. Make a tossing motion toward handkerchief, at the same moment allow handkerchief to drop to floor, and show the right hand empty. To all appearances the watch has re-appeared on end of chain.

25



WATCHES TO THE POCKETEffect:

Performer counts out four watches. Trouser pocket is pulled out and shown to be empty- Performer commands a watch to disappear from his hand and appear in pocket; placing hand in pocket he brings out a watch. Again a watch is commanded to appear in pocket, and a watch brought out.

Now only two watches are shown to remain in the hand, and pocket shown empty. Another watch is asked to leave the hand, hand shown empty, reaching in pocket and producing watch. Finally only one watch is left, this too vanishes and finds its way to the trouser pocket.

To Perform:

Show the watches one at a time counting them as you do so, finally stacking them in the left hand, all stems pointing up, Fig. 1. Now the right hand pulls the pocket out showing it empty; replace pocket. The right hand is placed on the watches, supposedly to restack them, and the right thumb is placed between the second and third watch, Fig. 2, gripping the front two watches by the stems between the thumb of right, Fig. 3.

Right hand withdraws with the palmed watches, holding the left hand cupped around the remaining watches, will prevent the two watches from being missed.

The right hand gives a few tugs at the left coat sleeve, remarking that as everyone knows, magicians cause things to vanish up- sleeve, you will go one better . . have a watch go up-sleeve across the chest and into the pocket, and as you say "pocket", the right hand reaches in pocket, and brings out a watch (leaving one watch behind in pocket). Place the watch you have produced on table.

Command another watch to pass up-sleeve . . . again tugging at the left sleeve . . . carelessly showing right hand empty, and reach in pocket bringing out the second watch.

Open the left hand revealing two watches, which you show separately. Both watches are now held in the right hand, making sure the top watch lays with its stem in position for thumbpalm, Fig. 4, bottom watch pointing other direction. Pretend to place both watches in the left hand, thumbpalming the top watch, and allowing the bottom watch to drop into the left hand, Fig. 5. Close

26


Borlands T ricks w ith W atches

the left hand partly, just allowing a glimpse of the watch to be seen.

Give the left coat sleeve a tug with the right hand . . . repeat the formula again . . . reaching in pocket and bringing out the palmed watch. Open left showing it contains but one watch. Use any other pass or The Berman Watch Deception for this last watch vanish.

* * *

W ATCH AND CIGARETTE SURPRISEAn adaptation of an effect first explained by the author some

years ago in his book Exclusive Trix.

Effect:

Performer lights up a cigarette. Now he looks at his watch to see if it is "going" (you can use a comedy watch winder" here)- Watch is placed in the left hand, "I can still hear it going" (holding hand to ear), left is opened showing it empty . . . fact is its gone!

Having no further use for the cigarette, it too is placed in the left hand. When opened cigarette too has vanished. Left is shown empty, and formed in a fist. Suddenly they see the lit cigarette rise out of the closed hand. Cigarette is removed, a few puffs taken, and again placed in the left. Hand is opened, it conta ns the watch instead of cigarette. The lit cigarette is produced at the elbow.

To Perform:

Light up cigarette, and bring out the watch. (The Watch Winder is a standard item sold in most magic shops and is good for a laugh). Pretend to place watch in the left hand, really thumbpalming it in the right, Fig. 1. Open left hand, showing watch has vanished.

The left hand is formed in a loose fist, and held with its back to audience. The cigarette is pushed into fist, lit end first, and removed as Fig. 2. Again the cigarette is placed into the fist, but this time end of cigarette is clipped between the middle fingers, Fig. 3, and right hand is removed with the cigarette. Left hand

27


Berland s Tricks loitli W atches

dience view and Fig. 5 rear view. The left hand is opened and shown empty. The open left hand is held near the right, and hands come close together and under cover of the right, the cigarette is dropped into the left, which forms in a fist, and the left thumb pushes cigarette upward thus appearing to rise out of the fist.

The right hand goes for the cigarette and in doing so rests palm against back of left, thus pushing the thumbpalmed watch held in the right between the thumb of the left, Fig- 6. The left hand with the thumbpalmed watch is held with its back to audience as Fig. 7 (rear view); take a puff on cigarette and place in top of left hand, again palming it out between the middle fingers. Open left hand revealing the watch. Reach under elbow and produce cigarette.

* * *

WATCH, NAPKIN AND CIGARETTEPerformer lights up a cigarette. He now takes a paper napkin

and drapes it over the left hand, pushing center of napkin down into fist, thus forming a "well-like" depression.

The lit cigarette is pushed info the center of napkin. Now performer takes his watch and likewise pushes it down into center of napkin.

The napkin is now slowly opened and it is found to be completely empty! Both cigarette and watch having vanished.

The napkin is rolled up and tossed into audience. Reaching under his elbow, he produces the watch, and under his vest he finds the missing lit cigarette!

Requirements:

A watch; Paper napkin; Thumb tip; Cigarette "tank",, a standard device used for re-production of a lit cigarette.

Preparation:"Tank" loaded with a lit cigarette, pinned under vest. Watch

in vest pocket, thumb tip on the right thumb.

To Perform:Spread napkin on the left hand, and push center down as Fig-

1; push thumb inside, secretly leaving the thumb tip. Take a few puffs of cigarette (should be about a third smoked) and push it into center of napkin, really going into the thumb tip. Pack cigarette well so fire will be extinguished, withdrawing thumb tip on thumb with the loaded cigarette.

Casually show the right hand empty. Now right hand reaches in vest pocket for watch, leaving the thumb tip behind and bringing out the watch. Exhibit watch and push it into center of napkin, bending the ring down, leaving the stem exposed, continue pushing watch down, clipping stem between middle fingers as Fig. 2 (somewhat exaggerated). Turn napkin more to audience, and remove the right hand with the concealed watch, Fig. 3 as seen by audience. Fig. 4. How watch is held, note how the second, third, and fourth fingers are curled inward, as though pointing to napkin.

28


Berlands Tricks with W atches

The right hand now grasps corner of napkin so that watch is held underneath Fig. 5 and napkin is opened, still keeping watch concealed, finally holding napkin between both hands as Fig. 6.

Ball up the napkin and toss it aside. Pretend to look around legs and finally reach under arm and produce the watch. Place watch in left hand, and reach under vest with right hand, pulling cigarette out of tank and show to audience. Take a few puffs, etc.

THE DAFFY WATCHESHere is a humorous routine with watches that has novelty and

surprise. The audience is kept in a continual mixup as to how many watches you really have. They see one, then two, then none at all, now they see three, then it's four, and you finish with five of them!

Requirements:

Five watches-Four of them in the right trouser pocket, one of them in the

vest pocket.

To Perform: with patter.

"I would like to show you a watch that I always carry around to tell me the time" (watch taken from the vest pocket and shown).

"While there is nothing strange about this watch (pretend to place in the left, really thumbpalming it in the right) I have another one like it here in the pocket (reach in pocket and bring out the palmed watch) this is the exact duplicate of the watch I have here in the left hand" (open left showing it empty and look perplexed).

"That's pretty strange; let's see, I placed a watch in the left (suit action to the word and this time really place watch in the hand, simulating the real move to the previous false one). Then I reached into the pocket and took out an exact duplicate of the watch I had placed in the left hand" (open left showing watch and holding up both watches) you see I WAS right, I HAVE two watches."

29



The two watches are shown as Fig. 1, stems facing toward front, lying across fingers. Now, apparently place both watches in the left, really thumbpalming them both, by closing fingers, thus bringing watches into crotch of thumb, Fig. 2. Thumb presses stems together holding them thumbpalmed, and the fingers are removed Fig. 3 how watches appear after they are thumbpalmed. Try thisit is not at all as difficult as it sounds.

"Now, I will let you in on a little secret, I really carry three watches (place right hand in trouser pocket, leaving one of them behind and bringing one out) this one and the other two in my left hand, (open left hand showing it empty, and stand there without saying anything for a moment as though you are stuck).

"Say, this has got me daffy, let's start all over again. Here is the watch I originally had, I placed it in the left hand (really place it) then I reached in the pocket (really take two watches, concealing one of them in the palm and showing one as Fig. 4) and showed you I really had two watches (open left and show watch is really there, and one they see visible in the right) you see I was telling the truth. Then I placed both watches in the left hand (really placing both watches you have in the right hand into the left, which closes over the three watches).

"Now I have two watches in the left hand, and I have another watch in the pocket (place right hand in pocket, and again palm one and the other held visible as Fig. 4).

"Let's see now, I have two watches in the left hand, and this one makes three watches, (put both hands together, mixing watches of both hands, then open hands and begin counting). Now to prove that there is no fooling around, I'll count them for you and prove that I really carry around three watches, (count the five watches).

"Now how do you like that?"

THE W ATCH MAKERS DREAMThe Plot:

Pieces of clock spring, cogs, case, etc. lay scattered on a jeweler's tray, evidently a watch left to be repaired . . . and the watch maker asleep . . . this is what he dreams.

He gathers the pieces and drops them into a paper cornucopia . . . when paper is unfolded . . . watch is found fully restored!

The watch maker is happy. What an easy way to repair a watch! Now to give it the final touch . . . he picks up a "polishing cloth", with which he shines up the watch, allowing it to drop into a hat. Cloth is shaken out, shown empty, again a-watch appears

30



in cloth and is allowed to drop in a hat. This continues, to the watch maker's amazement, until he seems to have produced five watches in the hat. He is full of glee. He can now return the one watch to the owner and still have five watches for himself! But alas, his hopes are short lived, for when he turns the hat overit is empty.

He lights a cigarette to console himself, for now even the customer's watch is gone . . . he flicks the ashes on the empty tray . . . and in a flash the pieces of broken watch, spring, etc. have reappeared back on the trayproving 'twas only a dream.

Requirements:1. Trick cornucopia (as explained under various watch van

ishes.)

2. Polishing cloththis is an imitation chamois cloth sold for polishing woodwork, etc. Dept, stores, auto accessories, or dime stores. About 10x14 in size.

3. Shallow traynot too large first get the size of flash paper obtainable, then get the tray.

4. Two of each of clock springs, wheels, etc.

5. Piece of flash paper, size to fit the tray.

Preparation:

Sew a thread on polishing cloth about center of narrow width near the edge, thread should reach down half way. Tie a watch to end of thread. Fig. 2.

Place duplicate set of pieces of watch on tray, cover with flash paper, needless to say the real bottom of tray should be the same color of the flash paper you are using. Now on top of the flash paper place other set of pieces of watch. Fig. 1.

To Perform:Obtain watch in the right hand and keep it concealed. Relate

story of the sleepy watchmaker, pointing to the pieces of watch on tray. Pick up paper and form into a cornucopia, showing it empty, while held in the left hand. Pretend to straighten paper and secretly drop watch inside of cone.

Now pick up pieces of watch and drop in cone, of course they

31


Borland s Tricks icith W atches

go in the secret pocket. When all pieces have been dropped inside, slowly open paper revealing the restored watch, and paper empty. Put paper aside.

Pick up "polishing cloth" (concealing the presence of the watch inside of it) open cloth and pretend to place first watch in cloth, really thumbpalming it and open folds of cloth revealing what appears to be the original watch.

Place hand with palmed watch in pocket to get some "polishing powder" (you may have a shaker of some kind to carry out the idea, leaving behind the palmed watch and bringing out the shaker). Pretend to shake powder on cloth and place shaker on table. Hold cloth with thread end downward, in the right hand, and left hand outstretched several inches below, and allow watch to drop into the waiting hand, Fig. 4; hat should be near you, look at watch and drop it into the hat.

Now hold cloth as Fig. 5, twisting cloth around showing both sides of it, now drop corners AB and pick up CD (with watch concealed of course Fig. 6) straighten cloth as Fig. 2. Fold cloth in half, Fig. 3, pretend to feel something in it, move hand over to lower end, and holding cloth again as Fig. 4 with left hand underneath, allow watch to slide into the hand. Again look surprised, and shrug shoulders and drop watch in hat. Repeat this "production" of watches several times. On the third time allow the trick to fail, do not succeed in getting a watch. Try again and on the fourth attempt you get another one, this adds interest to the trick. Finally fold cloth and put aside, counting gleefully the watches you have now in the hat. Turn hat over, revealing it empty.

Light a cigarette, take a few puffs, and look mournful that now you haven't even the broken watch . . . pointing at empty tray, touch the flash paper, and the pieces will seem to have appeared by real magicbefore their very eyes.

(Note: For those not wanting to use a cigarette to touch off the flashpaper, merely use a match and pretend to look in empty tray touching the paper off).

* * *

WATCHES AT THE FINGER TIPSEffect:

A complete routine that starts with the production of a watch from a page of a "Time" magazine, then a vanish and reproduction of the watch in a cornucopia.

Watches now begin to appear at the finger tips, and as they are produced they are dropped into an empty hat. During the routine watches vanish, change and multiply.

Finally performer picks up his hat and as he walks off stage he continues catching watches in rapid succession and placing them in the hat as fast as he can pluck them from the air.

Requirements:

6 regular watches.

32


Berland s Trioles w ith W atches

1 hooked watch.

1 watch prepared with short piece of catgut as explained under "Catching a Hatful of Watches," with an alarm clock finish.

1 miniature watch about one-fourth the regular size.

1 magazine page prepared with a secret pocket known as a "Cornucopia (look under various watch vanishes).

Small snap fasteners.

Preparation:

Solder the male part of snap fastener to the top of watch stem (Fig. 1.) Five watches are prepared in the same manner. The other part of snap is sewn to a strip of binding, which in turn is sewn to inside of coat. You now have a perfect "Watch Holder." Merely push the top of watch having the male part of stem into the part of snap sewn in binding, and watch will be held secure until wanted, when a slight pull on watch will release it. Three watches are arranged on each side of coat (Fig. 2). Watches should hang about an inch above edge of coat.

Place a strip of wiztax on the back of one of these watches, and stick the miniature watch to tape.

Now for the proper disposition of the watches on the snap holders.

Three of the watches are placed on the left side. On the right side the first watch is ordinary, but the second watch has the miniature on the back, and the third watch has the catgut grip (Fig. 6.)

Of the remaining two watches, the regular one is placed in the secret pocket of the "cornucopia," the page from the "Time" magazine. This page should be replaced in the magazine.

The hooked watch is concealed in the right hand as in Fig.3, gripped between the middle fingers, and pressed against the palm. Magazine is held in the left, and you are ready.

To Perform:

Pretend to read the "Time" magazine, thumb thru pages, etc. Pause at the prepared page as though the article interests you, finally tearing the page out, and discard the rest of magazine.

Bunch the page up in the left, transferring the watch from the right hand palm to the back of left. (Fig. 4.) Watch being clipped between first and second fingers (Fig. 5).

The right hand is curled around the rolled up paper, and then is brought up rather guickly as though you are trying to pluck something from the paper, but nothing happens the first time.

Once again right hand is placed around paper, but this time watch is gripped between middle fingers of the right hand, and when hand again comes up a watch is seen to have appeared in the hand.

The paper is now unrolled and formed into a cone, after showing it empty on both sides, and is held in the left hand. The right hand holds the watch, body is held slightly with left side to the audience.

33


Berland s Tricks with, W atches

The right hand makes a downward sweep of the hand, and on the upward swing "hooks" the watch on the clothing. The hand is brought up closed as though holding the watch, making a tossing motion toward the cornucopia, opening hand and showing it empty.

The cornucopia is now tilted and the watch from the concealed pocket is allowed to drop out on the open palm of the right.

The hat is now shown empty with the right hand, and then openly drops the watch inside. While the left hand crushes the paper and tosses it aside, the right hand obtains the hooked watch, concealing it in the palm.

Body is held with right side to the audience, and the right hand is outstretched ready to "catch" the palmed watch, and the left hand is lowered to the side, middle two fingers reach under edge of coat and grasp watch as in Fig. 7, pulling watch off in the hand as Fig. 8. The fingers press watch into palm, where the hand, held somewhat cupped, conceals the watch (Fig. 9).

The right hand meanwhile has produced the palmed watch. The left hand is raised, with its back to audience, and the recently produced watch held in the right hand is transferred to the left, where it is gripped between the first finger and thumb

(Fig. 10). The right is shown empty, and then removes the visible watch held in the left and openly places it in the hat. Hand removed from hat is carefully shown to be empty.

Right hand is lowered to the side, and the body is held slightly turned with left side to audience. The left hand is extended and while producing the concealed watch, the right hand secretly obtains watch from holder as previously described.

The right hand grasps the recently produced watch from the left hand between the first finger and thumb, and the left is shown empty.

The left hand is held with palm up, and slightly cupped, the fingers toward audience. The right hand is placed over the left and while thus screened by the back of the right, the concealed watch is dropped to the base of the left fingers, where it is hidden from view of audience. The watch held in view between fingers and thumb of right is transferred to the fingers and thumb of left (Fig. 11). The right hand is now shown empty. Thus the above manipulation has enabled you to show first the left and now the right hand to be empty, except for the visible watch.

The right hand now removes the watch from the left, and as the hand moves away holding the watch in view, you give it all your attention, and the left hand now produces the concealed watch, so when you look at the left and see a watch you are surprised. You now have a watch in each hand.

The left hand places the watch in the hat, and the right hand apparently places the watch in the left, really doing the thumbpalm, leaving the watch concealed in the right, and the left

34



hand moves away as though containing the watch. Left hand is opened and shown empty, and drops to the side, while the right hand reaches under right foot and re-produces the watch, the left hand secretly obtains a watch from the holder.

The watch held in the right is dropped into the hat, and body is turned slightly to the right. Now the left hand plucks a watch in space, while the right hand held at the side secretly obtains the second watch from holder, having the miniature watch on back.

The watch held in left is dropped into the hat, and the right hand now produces the concealed watch. Watch is held in full view, both hands shown empty. Watch is allowed to lie on the fingers, and the fingertips pry the miniature watch off the tape.

Apparently place the watch into the left hand, but thumbpalm the regular watch, allowing the miniature to drop into the left (Fig. 12), which closes over it. Open the left hand, revealing the miniature watch, and then drop it into the hat. Right hand reaches under left elbow and produces palmed watch.

Note: This is a good spot to work the Watch and Cigarette

Surprise . . . or the Watch and Napkin Cigarette.

Now the left hand secretly obtains the last watch from holder. The watch held in the right hand is placed in the left, where the stem is grasped between first finger and thumb. Fig. 13 shows the concealed watch and position of visible watch. The middle fingers curl inward, grasping side of watch (Fig. 14). Left side is held to audience. The right hand is held at the side and obtains the last watch (with the "catgut grip") while the left hand produces the second watch, as Fig. 15 as seen by audience.

Both watches in the left hand are now placed in the hat, and then picks up the hat.

The right hand meanwhile produces the concealed watch, making sure that the "catgut grip" is held between the first and second finger.

The left hand tilts the hat to show you really have produced a number of watches. The right hand pretends to drop watch into the hat, watch of course only swings out of sight into the palm, as you have control of it because of the catgut held between the fingers. Reach in the air with the right, and as the hand swings outward, tossing the watch toward the first finger, the thumb assists in bringing watch in view, thus apparently producing watch at the finger and thumb (full working of this is explained under Catching a Hatful of Watches, etc.).

Continue "catching" watches and placing them in the hat, and as you walk off you gradually increase the tempo, until it seems to be endless.

Suggestion: The smoking of a cigarette during the first part of routine adds to the effect considerably, also by all means try to have music, as this should for the most part be done

35


B erland s Tricks w ith W atches

silent, as patter would tend to slow up the pace. Work in a sure, smooth tempo, not too fast that they don't know what you are doing, yet not too slow that would cause them to yawn.



THE ELONGATED W ATCH CHAIN"A Chain for a Fat M an"

The Elongating Watch Chain owes its inspiration to that fine performer, Milbourne Christopher, whose "Stretching Rope" is truly a classic in Magic.

Performer removes watch and chain from pocket, and allows someone to pull on the chain to prove it solid and not made of lastex. He now relates a story about a fat man who was faced with the problem of buying new watch chains every time he added inches to his girth.

He finally solved the problem by purchasing a magic chain that kept stretching as he grew and grew and . . . grew.

While performer is telling the latter half of the story the chain is seen to grow many yards long.

Requirements:

A "long" chain either made up of several lengths of watch chain, or else getting a chain used by the ladies in costume jewelry, and then making a regular length watch chain from it to match.

2 knife charms, .or other trinkets, and of course a regular watch chain to match the "long" chain, with a watch attached to swivel.

Preparation:

Attach one of the charm trinkets permanently to end of "long" watch chain, and then place it upsleeve, allowing the trinket end of chain to hang near the edge of sleeve. The rest of chain is placed in the inside breast pocket (Fig. 1).

With the aid of a piece of white thread tie the other trinket to the end of regular watch chain, and place the watch and chain in vest pocket.

To Perform:

Remove the watch and chain from pocket, grasping the trinket end of chain, not the charm itself but the end of the chain. Approach someone with the request to pull gently on the chain to prove it not made of rubber.

As you are returning to platform the chain is held in the right hand, and the left hand secretly breaks thread and drops it in

37



the left coat pocket. The right hand of course conceals the absence of the missing charm by holding end of chain well in the hand.

The chain is transferred to the left hand, while you are telling this story, and stand with left side to audience. The right hand forces the knife charm to drop in the hand, the fingers assisting in this operation (Fig. 2).

The watch and chain is now transferred back to the right hand and the left hand reaches into the palm and brings the trinket attached to the "long" chain between the first and second finger.

The right palm is held facing upward as Fig. 4 and the real end of the regular chain is kept coiled in the palm. Fig. 3 is how hand appears to the audience. Notice the perfect illusion.

All that remains now is to pull on the charm trinket, and the chain will begin to stretch, becoming longer and longer. When the end of the "long" chain is reached the two ends of chain are held together as Fig. 5, thus completing the illusion.

HUMOROUS DIMINISHING WATCHA regular size watch is shown, and both hands are seen

empty. The watch is placed in the left hand, when opened a moment later watch is found to have diminished to one-fourth its original size. Again it changes, this time to a twenty-five cent piece, then back again to the full size watch.

Requirements:

1 regular watch.

1 miniature size watch (size of a quarter . . . use a toy watch), a 25c piece and a strip of Wiztax.

Preparation:

Apply strip of Wiztax to miniature watch, and press 25c piece to other side of tape as Fig. 1, thus you have a watch on one side and the quarter on the other. Place another strip of Wiztax on the back of the regular size watch, and press coin to back of the large watch as Fig. 2, Page 39.

To Perform:

Exhibit watch to audience, both hands empty."I bought this watch and it cost me a dollar, keeps very good

time too . . . yes, keeps good time but doesn't give it. I showed it to a friend of mine the other day (place watch so it laws across fingers as Fig. 3, fingertips pry watch-coin free of watch but continue holding it under the large watch as yet). He said it was a fugitive from a can opener (pretend to place watch in the left hand, really thumbpalming it and allow the watch-coin to drop in the waiting left. The back of right hand acting as a screen, see Fig. 4 (side view) close left hand over it.

"Well, he continued poking fun at my watch until I felt pretty small. In fact, even the watch did! (Open left hand with watch side to audience, Fig. 5; fingers at side conceal coin).

38



"He said that all the watch was worth was a quarter in junk (close left hand and reverse it so coin side will face front, open hand, revealing what apears to be a quarter).

"Well, I surely felt pretty low after that, so I decided to return it to the dimeer, I mean the jewelry store where I bought it. Well, let me tell you, after hearing the sales talk that the clerk gave me (place right hand in front of quarter and press it to the back of the large watch (Fig. 6), I decided that it wasn't such a bad watch at all (remove right hand, showing the large watch, show both hands empty, and hold watch at stem as

Performer is seen smoking a cigarette. He pushes it thru the empty left hand, and it emerges at other side. Again cigarette is pushed thru the first, and when hand is opened, it contains a billiard ball!

Now a few sleights are done with billiard ball, finally the ball changes into a watch! And the watch in turn transforms into a dollar bill! Quite a mixture of surprises.

Requirements: Billiard ball; watch; dollar bill.

Preparation:

Watch is fastened to back of dollar bill (Fig. 1). Now fold bill so that it is hidden behind watch (Fig. 2). Before using, place a weight on folded bill so bill be kept compressed flat.

Grip watch by the stem between middle fingers, with bill side underneath. Billiard ball rests on watch, and cigarette held between first and second finger, give the hand a natural appearance (Fig. 3).

To Perform:

Enter smoking a cigarette, take a few puffs, and casually show the left hand empty. Form the hand in a loose fist, with its back to audience, and push the cigarette thru it as Fig. 4. Now turn hand over, removing cigarette from fist as Fig. 5, open left and show it empty.

Again form the left hand in a fist, and push the cigarette thru the hand, the left thumb reaches into the right hand, grasps the ball and carry it into the left,as Fig. 6, remove cigarette as Fig. 5 and open the left hand, revealing the ball as Fig. 7.

Fig. 7).

WATCH, BILLIARD BALL AND DOLLAR BILL

39


Berlands Tricks with W atches

Place ball on right hand which is formed in a fist, right hand pretends to remove ball (Fig. 8). The left hand is held as a screen momentarily, allowing the ball to drop back in the right fist on top of watch as Fig. 9.

Left hand partly closed as though containing the ball moves away from the right hand . . . and then is opened, revealing it empty. Right hand reaches under left elbow, and fingers squeeze ball up to top of fist in which position it is revealed to audience.

Left hand is shown empty, then partly closed, just curling the fingers inward. Now both the watch and ball are placed in the left hand. The presence of the watch, needless to say, is concealed from audience, allowing the ball to be seen partly in the hand above the curled fingers. Fig. 10.

The right hand is shown empty, and fully opened is placed on top of the ball. Right hand bears down on the ball, causing it to roll into the right palm (Fig. 11). The closed left hand moves away as though holding the ball, then is opened revealing the watch.

Turn with left side to audience, and make a tossing movement with the watch, as though you are going to toss watch in the air, and using this as a cover-up the right hand drops the ball in the coat pocket. Pretend to change your mind about getting rid of the watch, showing both hands empty, and watch held at the finger-tips to prove everything to be fair.

Place watch between both palms, reversing watch, and rubbing it between the palms, thus causing the bill to unfold, and when fully opened, by the action of both palms (Fig. 12) separate hands, revealing the dollar bill, which is held at the fingertips of both hands (Fig. 13).

40


Berlands Tricks w ith W atches

THE BILLIARD BALL WATCHThe Billiard Ball Watch is really an accessory, to be used in

conjunction with some billiard sleight, trick, or routine.In working the Billiard Ball Watch as an example; you per

form several sleights with a ball, now you vanish the real ball, and re-produce the Ball-Watch. They see what appears to be the same ball. You pass your hand over the ball, and it changes to a watch.

Thus the Billiard Ball Watch can be used for the finish of the ball routine, or as the means of going from billiard ball into watch tricks.

Requirements:

A half shell as used in the Multiplying Billiard Ball Trick.

1 watch.

Wiztax tape.

Cut three strips of Wiztax and apply them on the inside of shell at three different spots (Fig. 1), allowing about three-eighths of an inch to hang over edge.

Place the shell directly on back of watch, pressing the overlapping ends of tape to watch. Watch and ball will keep together quite firmly (Fig. 2).

Place this Ball-Watch in right coat pocket. A duplicate solid ball of course will be required.

To Perform:

Produce regular billiard ball in any manner you desire. You can do the multiplying ball trick first if you wish. Do a sleight with the real ball, vanishing it and apparently reproducing it from the right coat pocket, actually leaving the real ball behind, and bringing out the Ball-Watch, holding it well in the hand with the thumb and fingers around it, thus concealing the rim of watch (Fig. 3). The stem should be held between the middle fingers.

Make a show of placing the ball in the left hand (Fig. 4). apparently placing in the left, hand now turns back to audience as though containing ball (Fig. 5), actually Ball-Watch is still held in the right with stem between fingers. Fig. 6 rear view.

Open the left hand, showing it empty, and the right hand reaches under elbow, and turning hand to audience appears as Fig. 3, as though you are producing watch at elbow.

41



The "ball" is now really placed in the left, which closes over it. The right is now held a moment in front of left, and the ball is reversed so that the watch side will face audience (Fig. 7). Remove the right, revealing the transformation.

You are now ready to do a few watch effects, by merely switching this Ball-Watch for a regular watch.

ANOTHER CASE FOR SHERLOCK HOLMESPerformer exhibits a blue silk handkerchief, which he says

will represent "The Blue Phantom," who was wanted by the police for several crimes. However had mysteriously vanished, leaving no clue of his whereabouts; While magician is telling this tale the handkerchief is rolled between his hands and it vanishes.

"This was a case for Scotland Yard," whereupon magician removes his watch and chain from pocket. "The chain represents Scotland Yard and the watch Sherlock Holmes, who is delegated to solve this case.

"The detective, working alone as always, leaves Scotland Yard." The watch is removed from chain, leaving the bare chain hanging in the left, and the watch is held in the right.

"The famous detective wastes no time in finding a clue to the 'Blue Phantom,' and he too vanishes from sight." Watch has vanished from his hand.

In that instant the blue silk appears on the end of the chain, and the watch is tied to end of silk!

"And as you see, Holmes found the hideout of the 'Blue Phantom' and brought him to Scotland Yard, and another case was

solved."

Requirements:

1 watch chain.

Two watches, one of them a "hooked" watch.

Two blue silks.

Any method of vanishing a handkerchief.

Preparation:

One blue silk placed in outside coat, or breast pocket."Hooked" watch is placed on regular end of chain, and on the

opposite end of chain, tie the duplicate silk, and to the end of silk tie the other watch. Fig. 1, Page 43.

Now roll the watch up in the silk, making it as tight as possible, and place a very small band around it only once (Fig. 2).

Thus prepared, place chain on your person, the end of chain with hooked watch is placed in the right lower pocket, and the watch with rolled silk is placed in the upper left vest pocket.

To Perform:

Patter about the "Blue Phantom," exhibiting the blue silk, and secretly obtain the vanishing pull, and cause the silk to vanish Now reach in vest for chain, the left hand grasping the

42


Berlcmd s Tricks w ith W atches

rolled up silk well in the hand to conceal its presence. Fig. 3.

Remove the "hooked" watch from chain, and place the empty end of chain between the first finger and thumb of left as Fig. 4.

Make a tossing motion of the hooked watch held in the right and hook it on the clothing. Hold hand closed as though containing the watch, now make a tossing motion toward the left hand, and at the same moment that you open the left hand, you release the silk and watch end of chain held in right, but retain the empty end of chain, thus you have switched the bare end of chain for the loaded end, causing the silk and watch to appear on the end of chain.

Do not shake the chain at all, merely release the loaded end. It has enough weight to drop and cause silk to unroll, as the small band will pop off of its own accord. Fig. 5.

FUN ON BORROWED TIMEPerformer reminds the audience of the days when women used

to carry their valuables, such as rings, keys, change, etc., tied in a corner of their handkerchiefs. That was before they decided to carry around luggage cases, containing everything but a complete change of wardrobe, that they laughingly call "bags."

To illustrate what he means, he requests the loan of a man's watch. He now ties the borrowed watch in a corner of a handkerchief. He speaks feelingly of those "carefree" days, and being too carefree with the handkerchief as he swings it about, it strikes hard against a door, or the floor with a resounding smack. You can hear the crystal smashed and heaven knows what else.

Performer looks crestfallen as though it really were accidental. He unties the knot to gaze at the gory mess. Sure enough the pieces of crystal, spring sticking out, etc., looks pretty bad. He of course is sorry about the whole thing, wraps the pieces in handkerchief and offers it back to the owner, who no doubt refuses to take it in that condition.

Magician reminds himself of a magic bag that he recently inherited from a famous wizard that guarantees to restore almost anything. He places the handkerchief, with its contents, in the bag, and says a magic word. He reaches inside, removes the handkerchief and unties it. What should he find but an onion!

43


Berlands T ricks w ith W atches

Realizing how the owner of the watch must feel, he offers to give him his own watch in trade, bringing out an extra large size watch the size almost of an alarm clock! He puts it to his ear: "I don't know whether I hear the clock ticking or my knees shaking."

The "large" watch doesn't seem to be going, so performer decides to investigate. Opening the watch he reaches inside and brings out the borrowed watch in perfect order, which he returns to the owner.

Requirements:

Extra large watch known as the "Sandwich Watch." It is padded inside to eliminate noise.

Changing bag.

A smashed watch, spring, pieces, etc.

Two handkerchiefs, 18-inch dark colored silk, green, blue, etc.

Preparation:

Tie broken pieces of watch in a corner of one of the silks (Fig. 1, Page 45). Fold this corner inward (Fig. 2) and remaining corner fold over this as Fig. 3. You will find that you can hold handkerchief by the topmost corner now and handkerchief will appear innocent in appearance. Place on table.

Tie an onion in a corner of the duplicate handkerchief and place in secret side of the Changing Bag.

Put a piece of pencil across lid of "Sandwich Watch" to keep it open and place in the left coat pocket.

To Perform:

Pick up handkerchief by the corner with left hand, and request the loan of a watch. Lay center of handkerchief on left palm, receiving watch with the right.

Place watch in corner of handkerchief (Fig. 4) and tie a knot over it, leaving it in view. The right hand meanwhile reaches in folds of handkerchief and gets hold of the other knot, as Fig.5. The "A" knot has the borrowed watch in it, the B" knot is the smashed watch. Now you boldly bring up the "B" knot right up thru the left hand, leaving the "A" knot held concealed in the hand as Fig. 6.

You approach someone with the request to tie a second knot, and while thus engaged in looking for a likely person, the fingers of left hand are inserted in the A knot and loosen it. This is not as difficult as it seems. While the person is helping tie the second knot, you of course hold onto the handkerchief as Fig. 7.

By this time you have untied the A knot and the watch is held free of it and hidden by the handkerchief. The right hand now draws the handkerchief away from the left hand, and the left with the concealed watch drops to the side. Stand with the right side to audience, swinging the handkerchief around by the corner, and the left hand drops the borrowed watch inside of the "Sandwich Watch."

Swing the handkerchief so it hits some hard surface with a

44


Berland s T ricks w ith W atches

resounding smack, make it appear accidental, play up the part but don't exaggerate. Open out handkerchief and show the damage done. Do not allow too close a scrutiny of the watch to the owner as he may see the hoax. Re-wrap pieces in handkerchief and place in the Changing Bag. Switch for the onion silk, turn bag inside out and show it empty. Unwrap handkerchief and show the onion. Play up comedy a moment or two, finally bringing out the "Sandwich Watch.'' Open watch and reach inside, bringing out the borrowed watch, which you return and thank the owner.

Added suggestions for the use of the

"SANDWICH W ATCH"This is a jumbo-size watch about the size of an alarm clock,

made hollow and has a hinged lid. Its original use is for the performer to take watch out of pocket, look at it and mention he is hungry, open watch and remove a sandwich from its interior. However, its uses are many. Here are a few suggestions.

Production From a Borrowed Handkerchief (a la Glass of Water)

Preparation:

Hook watch on a pin on the right side of vest.

To Perform:

Borrow a handkerchief, and hold a corner in the right hand, allowing handkerchief to drape over back of hand. Left hand is held near opening of coat, the handkerchief being used as a screen. The left hand reaches in left vest pocket, "to get a magic coin." Not succeeding in finding any, the left hand reaches on the right side of vest, grasps the large watch, and the right hand transfers the handkerchief over the left hand, thus covering the watch. The left hand is moved out of the way, while the right

Magic

Documents

Transcript of Magic