Fredrick Turner

Reflections

Magic

  • Make Procedure Interesting

    That was a phrase that was once spoken by Max Maven in a lecture I attended years ago. I don’t remember when exactly but it’s always stayed with me. I believe that the full comment was “the secret to mentalism is to make procedure interesting.” It’s not just mentalism but magic too. I reflect on Continue reading

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  • “Hole In One” Theory

    Since 1947, Abbott’s Magic has offered a parlor effect called “Hole in One.” Background, description, and a whimsical performance video is available on Martin’s Magic Collection. The trick is one of those you don’t see much anymore as a parlor performance with lots of props has gone out of fashion and replaced with material that Continue reading

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  • Occam’s Razor

    One of the reasons I have decided on my self imposed fast on purchasing magic is that the vast majority of material being produced fits into Sturgeon’s Revelation: “Ninety percent of everything is crud.” Most magic producers and by association, the magic buying public, believe that their audiences are idiots. While some may actually be Continue reading

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  • Revisiting: True Astonishment

    I expect that there will be many Revisits in 2026 as I’ve declared this to be a “no-buy” year and that the majority of new releases are crap that’s pushed into production to try to satisfy the demand of a market jonesing for the endorphins of clicking “buy now.” January has been focused on revisiting Continue reading

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  • Genii Renewal

    I received my annual email from Genii that my subscription was expiring this month. I’ve been a subscriber for close to thirty years and a reader for many more years. When I lived in Western Pennsylvania, I would visit my favorite magic shop and the latest Genii was a regular purchase. Since moving west, I’ve Continue reading

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  • Book Notes: Comedy, Character & Control

    This is not my typical magic book to read as I have always struggled with the idea of a comedy magician. (Aside: I also have a struggle with magicians who bill themselves as motivational speakers but that’s best left for another day.) I believe that magic is inherently funny – weird and unusual things happen Continue reading

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  • The Disclaimer

    Last week Tom Dobrowolski announced to subscribers and Genii forum readers that the monthly magazine, The Disclaimer, is coming to an end. The Disclaimer has lasted a little four and a half years with an almost perfect on time record. Each issue had three close-up effects from a group of high quality magicians: Tom, Curtis Continue reading

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