Can anyone suggest any passages, poems, or speeches that can be used for the mismade flag? I am performing a month of veteran's shows and need to tie this in some how.

Thank You.

I have one for a kids show.
It is in this older thread on the Café.
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=54

Have you seen the routine used by Bill Pitts for the American Legion?

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

No, I have not seen any performances. These shows are for retirees, there would surely be no kids.

Odd you would say that! In the last 31 years, I have watched him perform it at magic conventions. Neither of us were retired.

Yours is for retirees. I would expect to see kids there. (grandchildren)

With almost any patter it is a great routine for all ages.

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

Trust me, there will be no kids. lol. I work in Branson and there are no kids this time of year. Anyhow, I wasn't referring to your post, I was talking about the one above you.

Posted: Oct 5, 2009 4:14pm
Does anyone have contact information for Mr. Pitts?

For something like a Veteran's Day performance, I would recommend doing a straight routine changing red, white, and blue silks into a flag without the mismade component. The occasion just seems to demand a serious presentation rather than a comedy presentation. The effect is just as magical without the mismade component, and perhaps more respectful and appropriate. Think of it this way: If Betsy Ross and any of the Founding Fathers were in the audience, would you really want to do the mismade flag? I do Ed Mishell's Fanorama where a deck is fanned red, white and blue and then a double fan of the stars and stripes is made. Do you think Fanorama would be improved if we added a feature where a bunch of blue cards fell out and a mismade double-fan was made?

Although the flag colors red, white and blue originally had apparently no special significance, as applied to the Great Seal of the United States, they do have a special significance which I think would appropriately apply to the flag as well. In a speech about the Great Seal of the United States, Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, stated: ""The colors... are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice." Although Thompson was speaking specifically about the Great Seal, I think one can infer that the reference to the significance of the colors applies just as legitimately to the flag.

Just because you _can_ inject humor into magic doesn't mean that you _should_ at every opportunity. There is a time and place for comedy, but not on Veteran's Day. I wouldn't object to the mismade flag at a Blue and Gold Banquet. But I think people who put their lives on the line in defense of our country would appreciate a more respectful approach.

----- Amado "Sonny" Narvaez

Red for the blood of patriots

White for the purity of intention

Blue for the faithfullness of the citizens and forebearers to the principles of freedom.

-------At leaqst it worked for me until Abu Grabe

White for truth (and the knuckles of taxpayers)

Red for the budget

Blue for language used to describe elected officials!

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

I just thought of a good premise that could work for seniors. You patter could be describing Betsy Ross who made the flag, was a little forgetful. She sewed up the pieces and after packing it all up in a bundle, she discovered she forgot one of the colors.
Sure enough, she checked her work and the flag had no blue.
She added the blue, but in her confusion she found she sewed the colors in the wrong place.
One more try, and finally she got it straightened away with the right combination.

The last few days of news certainly make this patter timely! LOL!