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seadog93 Inner circle 3200 Posts |
OK, what do you all think I should get first?
The Dr. Q book, or Nelson's encyclopedia of mentalism? Also, would anyone review Nelson's Pseudo hypnosis book?
"Love is the magician who pulls man out of his own hat" - Ben Hecht
"Love says 'I am everything.' Wisdom says 'I am nothing'. Between the two, my life flows." -Nisargadatta Maharaj Seadog=C-Dawg=C.ou.rtn.ey Kol.b |
David Alexander Special user 623 Posts |
What are you looking to get out of these books?
Performing material? Historical perspective? |
seadog93 Inner circle 3200 Posts |
Performing material. I love the historical perspective to be sure, but hoping to use some or all of the information.
"Love is the magician who pulls man out of his own hat" - Ben Hecht
"Love says 'I am everything.' Wisdom says 'I am nothing'. Between the two, my life flows." -Nisargadatta Maharaj Seadog=C-Dawg=C.ou.rtn.ey Kol.b |
Tom Jorgenson Inner circle LOOSE ANGLES, CALIFORNIA 4451 Posts |
I don't think the Dr Q book has much currently practical performance material in it...more an expose of the old methods in its vintage context. Tho the secrets and methods are classic,you probably know them all by now.
We dance an invisible dance to music they cannot hear.
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David Alexander Special user 623 Posts |
I agree.
Alexander worked in a time that is far different from today. He worked large audiences in a theatrical setting which permitted a different kind of work. His work was also quite strong, answering questions that would get a performer into trouble today. As an historical record it is interesting but there are better sources of practical performing material today. Indeed, Alexander himself would be amazed at the breadth and depth of information readily available to today's performer of mentalism. |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
I disagree. The Dr Q stuff is very strong, and still kills today. And the methods work under today's conditions. It needs nerve, but that is all.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
David Alexander Special user 623 Posts |
Tony, could you be more specific. Which effects in the Dr. Q book are you referencing? What is your experience with them?
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seadog93 Inner circle 3200 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-03-28 18:13, David Alexander wrote: Yes please. I'm very interested. I saw a post of your on the Dr. Q hypnotic show and was very interested. I've just requested The encyclopedia of stage hypnosis through interlibrary loan to see it. I went ahead and ordered Nelson's encyclopedia, but The Dr. Q book still looks very interesting and I think I will get it at some point.
"Love is the magician who pulls man out of his own hat" - Ben Hecht
"Love says 'I am everything.' Wisdom says 'I am nothing'. Between the two, my life flows." -Nisargadatta Maharaj Seadog=C-Dawg=C.ou.rtn.ey Kol.b |
David Alexander Special user 623 Posts |
The "Dr.Q Hypnosis Act" was written for the Thayer Magic Studio by Ormond McGill in the late 1940s. I saw John Calvert perform it when I was a kid and it was extremely strong...but it was John Calvert doing it which was the main factor. Thayer used to sell it for a dollar or two.
Kirk Kirkham did it from time to time as did Johnny Aladdin. I've done a variation of it for years. It requires massive self-confidence and audience management skills. It isn't for everyone because it can go bad very easily. |
seadog93 Inner circle 3200 Posts |
I've seen John Calvert do just a few pseudo hypnosis bits and they were amazing. Very strong.
How did you go about learning it? Is there a good way to start small, or do you just need to get in front of an audience and keep trying until you get it right?
"Love is the magician who pulls man out of his own hat" - Ben Hecht
"Love says 'I am everything.' Wisdom says 'I am nothing'. Between the two, my life flows." -Nisargadatta Maharaj Seadog=C-Dawg=C.ou.rtn.ey Kol.b |
bdekolta Inner circle Texas 1636 Posts |
Seadog the key in David's post and yours is John Calvert. I would look to him and see what can potentially be done while at the same time knowing that few of us will have his presence or confidence.
As far as learning just start small and work your way up. It is difficult to practice and as David said it can go bad very easily and I will add very quickly. |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
The Dr Q routine I am referring to is the one described in Ormond McGill's Encyclopedia. It requires balls to do it, but it is not difficult. I used it in the Irish Magic Championships a number of years ago, when I had forgotten my act. It was strong enough to win. I have occasionally had one or two volunteers not play along, but never more than that. The act has never failed.
Most of my adult work is as a hypnotist, and it is not an appropriate addition to a hypnosis show. But whenever I am asked to do a mentalism show a version of Dr Q always features. By now I have my own routine, which has diverged from Dr Q, but it is still based on the very same principles. The best way to approach it is to just thoroughly familiarise yourself with the routine, then go out and do it, as if you had been doing it for years. Confidence is all you need, and it will work.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
David Alexander Special user 623 Posts |
Tony,
We were posting at cross purposes. The "Dr Q" hyp routine has nothing to do with the Dr Q book and Claude Alexander which was what I thought you were referencing. Ormond wrote the Dr Q routine for Thayer in the late 1940s and later reprinted it in his monumental book. It is very strong and works but, as we've both said, it requires massive confidence and the ability to give clear and forceful instructions to the audience volunteers. |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Sorry, David. My mistake.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
seadog93 Inner circle 3200 Posts |
Hey guys,
This is only semi on topic; but does anyone know if John Calvert has a website? Edit: of course I find as soon as I finish posting. If anyone wanted to know it's http://www.johncalvertmagic.com/
"Love is the magician who pulls man out of his own hat" - Ben Hecht
"Love says 'I am everything.' Wisdom says 'I am nothing'. Between the two, my life flows." -Nisargadatta Maharaj Seadog=C-Dawg=C.ou.rtn.ey Kol.b |
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