Brandon, the Magician's
IDEA FOR A NEW METHOD TO DO THE "STRETCHING OR ELASTIC STICKS."
The effect you probably know, so I shall eliminate it and proceed to the secret.
Two curved sticks are used as in the old method. They are the SAME size. One is white, the other black.
The black one is as real as it looks; but the white one is faked in the following way: It is painted black 1/4 of the way up (on one side only) and Mr. Lane tells me that he's going to illustrate this, so when you buy the book you will see the picture.
It will now be observed that when the two are together one can be shown smaller; a great improvement over the old style, as they could not actually be shown smaller side by side.
The "sticks" are really made of metal, or some other thin material, and if you still have time, I'll be only too glad to give you my
METHOD OF PRESENTATION
The sticks are picked up from the table with fake side AWAY from audience (make yourself two miniature ones and follow the routine with them as you read) and shown as in the OLD method side by side when one looks smaller than the other because of the optical illusion. (See illustrations.)
NOW TO FOOL THE WISE ONES!! The WHITE ONE is placed in BACK of the black one with fake side still away from audience. Turn them over and the white one will actually be SEEN to be smaller than the black one. (Now get this part clear.) They are turned over, still together, and taken apart apparently to show them again. Then they are placed together again, the fake side BETWEEN THE STICKS. The rest you have probably guessed. The sticks may be stretched to the performer's heart's content and the one finally shown to be longer than the other.
Much as I hate to admit it, there is a flaw in my method. It is not perfect, even though I believe it is much better than the old method. The flaw is this: The sticks cannot be shown on both sides at the finish. With a smaller set one could have the fake made of black tin so it could be palmed off of the white one at the finish; or, in the act of stretching, it would be easy to palm the piece off. The general audience is so familiar with the effect that this is not necessary (don't you think so?) as they take it for granted that the one side is the same as the other. Then again, psychologically there have been so many moves they will be under the impression that they have seen ALL sides.
I value this idea very much, and only through my friendship for Frank Lane would I consent to appear here tonight and give it to you boys.
You're all right Arthur, old kid--you know folks, when we asked Arthur to appear here tonight, he didn't think he was good enough, but I guess he proved himself that he was wrong. He's too modest. That's probably why he isn't married. But, girls, he's willing to listen to reason--ME?--I'm married. I've LOST my reason--So merrily on we go.
And now a swell trick by a swell fellow. You all met him at the Batavia Convention. Never was on a convention show, but I expect he'll be on them all, once he shows his stuff, he's a college man, but as he says himself, ignorance is no excuse. He's outlived it, and if there's any one smarter than this lad, show him to me... George, some music, please, and SMART MUSIC... it's
JAKE STAFFORD, FROM BOSTON