Jinx Navigator Podcast — Episode 8: Issue #8

Issue #8 of The Jinx is a varied one — a mathematically clever card effect, two contributions from Dr. Duncanson, a borrowed bill in nested envelopes, and Annemann's own opinionated reading list for magicians. The editorial is packed: a victory lap, a moving tribute, and Annemann publicly setting the record straight on not one but two separate grievances.

Effects Covered

[1:07] An Improvement à la Carte — Theodore Annemann A helper names any card, then makes a series of apparently free choices as the deck is dealt and sorted — and somehow lands on the exact card they named at the start. Annemann offers a second, cleaner handling using a written prediction and a face-down borrowed deck. The method involves a stack and Magician's Choice, and Jay is candid about which version he'd actually want to perform.

[3:14] The Astral Shirt Again — Dr. L. E. Duncanson A stage version of the shirt-removal effect from Issue #6, this time with the performer stepping into a small cabinet, wrists genuinely tied by a rope held by helpers on either side. He goes in wearing white, a colored shirt is handed in, and he steps out wearing it. Jay notes that "almost immediately" may have meant something different in 1935 — and proposes an elaborate Zoolander-themed solution that he seems genuinely tempted to perform.

[6:25] Thought Raise — Dr. L. E. Duncanson A helper writes a word, a number, and a drawing on a slate, shows it to the audience, erases everything, and returns to their seat — and the performer reproduces all three exactly. The method involves some household chemicals and a prepared slate, and Annemann cheerfully notes that a mentalist had been selling the same principle for ten dollars, despite it having been published in a book back in 1907.

[8:07] The Jinx Five-Foot Shelf of Magic — Theodore Annemann Annemann's personal reading list for magicians — not trick books, but what he considers genuine textbooks covering every principle a working performer needs. He singles out Stanyan's Magic and Tarbell's Course as essential above all else. Jay notes there's a comment on the site linking to a video about an updated version of the list.

[9:07] Transient Money — E. D. Wolf A borrowed, initialed bill vanishes and reappears inside the smallest of three nested envelopes, each sealed and initialed by a different helper and in plain view the whole time. The method requires a single small prop that fits on your thumb. Jay has some thoughts on tightening the handling — and strongly suggests a flash bill vanish for theatrical effect.

[11:06] Editorial — Theodore Annemann Annemann opens with a tongue-in-cheek celebration of the Jinx running on schedule, complete with an imaginary parade involving flash paper and a fishbowl. He follows with a moving update on John Northern Hilliard's unfinished book, addresses an unauthorized endorsement that used his name without permission, and formally gives everyone blanket permission to steal from the Jinx — on the grounds that readers will figure out where it came from anyway.

[12:27] Outro Links and a preview of Issue #9 — featuring Annemann's classic pseudo-psychometry, an effect that has well and truly stood the test of time.

Links

Read every article in every issue: jinxnavigator.com

Jinx Navigator Podcast — Episode 7: Issue #7

Issue #7 of The Jinx is a strong one — a clean card transposition, a clever two-person code system, a prediction that disappears from the deck, and a classic bill-in-lemon with some real teeth to it. Annemann also pays tribute to a giant of the magic world and goes on a rant that's just as relevant today as it was in 1935.

Effects Covered

[0:57] The ELM Card Change — E. Leslie May A chosen card and a card initialed by the performer swap places — the helper's card ends up in the performer's pocket, the performer's card turns up in the middle of the deck. Works with any borrowed deck, no switches, no special cards, and the moves you'll learn along the way are worth adding to your repertoire regardless.

[2:04] Question of the Month — Theodore Annemann Rather than a finished effect, Annemann throws down a challenge: he has the production figured out for a card-through-tambourine routine, but not the vanish — and he's offering a 10-issue subscription to any reader who can solve it. If you're listening in 1935, now's your chance.

[3:21] A Practical Card Code — Orville Wayne Meyer A complete verbal coding system for a two-person mind reading act, where suit and value are hidden inside what sounds like perfectly natural conversation. Annemann closes with a clever tip: force a pre-agreed card at the end and name it without a single word spoken between you — a nice way to throw off anyone listening too carefully.

[4:55] The New Nightmare — Theodore Annemann A card is freely stopped at, and a prediction written beforehand names it exactly — but the twist is that the predicted card has also vanished from the deck and turned up as the card the prediction was written on. Works with a borrowed deck, requires a simple self-made gimmick, and almost no sleight of hand.

[6:23] The Lemon and the Dollar — Conrad Bush A borrowed, signed bill vanishes and reappears rolled up inside a lemon that's been in a helper's pocket the whole time — serial number matches, torn corner fits. Annemann adds an editor's note pushing back on one aspect of Bush's handling and offers an alternative vanish method.

[7:56] Editorial — Theodore Annemann Annemann opens with a warm tribute to John Northern Hilliard, a press agent and business rep for some of the era's greatest magicians. He then pivots to a rant about magicians who over-explain everything — a critique that, as Jay notes, lands just as hard today as it did in 1935. He closes with a tease for Issue #8 and the controversial list he's been sitting on for two years.

[9:05] Outro Links and a preview of Issue #8 — featuring Annemann's Five Foot Shelf of Magic, which has a modern equivalent available.

Links

• Read every article in every issue: jinxnavigator.com
• Full details on all effects: Issue #7 at jinxnavigator.com

Next episode: Issue #8 — featuring Annemann's Five Foot Shelf of Magic.

In this episode, Jay browses Issue #6 of The Jinx (1934–1941), the legendary newsletter for magicians and mentalists. This issue is heavy on Theodore Annemann, with contributions from Russell T. Wise and a peek at the editorial page.

Effects Covered

[0:00] Intro Jay introduces the show and the episode's focus: Issue #6 of The Jinx.

[0:45] Impromptu Frame Ups — Theodore Annemann Annemann explores using "instant stooges" — audience members who don't know they're confederates until the moment they're needed. Includes a card-calling effect, a watch-setting routine, and slate work. Jay notes the term "frame up" seems to have died out by the mid-1900s.

[2:48] The Astral Shirt — Theodore Annemann A classic gag elevated into a solid piece of close-up theater. With hands tied and never leaving sight for long, the performer removes his shirt while still wearing his jacket, tie, and vest — all examinable. Annemann's framing: solid through solid.

[4:25] The Card That Isn't — Russell T. Wise A two-card transposition using a force, a double lift, and a short card. Jay recommends making the two cards visually distinct for clarity — and makes a convincing case for why.

[6:00] Two Mind Reading Publicity Effects — Theodore Annemann The first mention of what we'd now call a center tear in The Jinx — though it isn't named as such. Includes a newspaper-chunk variation and a living-and-dead presentation using burned slips.

[7:55] Editorial Annemann name-drops Dai Vernon, Count Orloff, Russell Swan, Tommy Martin, and others. He floats the idea of publishing twice a month (spoiler: he goes weekly instead, starting at Issue #61), and closes with a short essay arguing that effect is supreme over method.

[8:17] Outro Links and a preview of Issue #7 — featuring Orville Wayne Meyer's "A Practical Card Code."

Links

• Read every article in every issue: jinxnavigator.com
• Full details on all effects: Issue #6 at jinxnavigator.com

Next episode: Issue #7 — featuring Orville Wayne Meyer's "A Practical Card Code."