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MField2000 Special user Hastings, East Sussex, England 590 Posts |
Steve Beam is an enigma. He obviously loves serious hard-core card work, judging from his books on false shuffles and material in The Trapdoor, and his British Aisles notes.
But he has made an industry out of his seven volume (and presumably growing) semi-Automatic Card Tricks series. What gives? Could it be that arthritis has ravaged his rapidly aging body, exacerbated by the notoriously unpredictable North Carolina trade winds? Is it his unrequited love affair with Marty Kane? The effects of having a life-size pin-up of Raj Madhok on his wall? Who is to say? I can only tell you two things. Steve Beam is a creative, effective magician who has discovered the joys of exploring card magic which does not depend upon sleight-of-hand for its effectiveness, and loves sharing this with his readers. And Steve is a funny performer and writer who could have made his living in magic if he weren't so concerned about things like supporting his family. And third (OK, three things), Steve can't drive a car safely in England (or Jamaica, presumably) or Japan, or anyplace where they drive on the wrong side of the road. Steve likes to drive on the wrong side of the road, but in the US, that means moving over to the left, and in England (and those other places) the left side is the right side, or, er ... That has nothing to do with anything, but I'm writing this and I can do what I want. Well, you get the idea. or you don't. The rumor is that Beam gave up writing, illustrating and publishing The Trapdoor because he got carpal tunnel syndrome from all those illustrations of coins, which he used to complain about endlessly. Others suppose he gave it up when Ken Simmons refused to publish further issues of Onyx -- Steve's (ineffective) form of protest. I say, be grateful for what you received. Welcome, Steve. Matt Field |
Trois Special user Myrtle Beach 594 Posts |
Steve is da man, in da clown's clothing ? What does that mean ? I don't know, but catch his lecture if ya can. If you are a card worker you will appreciate his knowledge and ability. Some of his material helped me earn a living for the past 20 years, so that must make him about 80 now. Maybe he should do a video ? No keep it in print so it stays underground ! Glad to see you on here Steve. Sorry about the clown bit. But the clown shoes are good misdirection. Trois
Not clever enough to come up with something orginal, or did I.
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Steve Beam V.I.P. 169 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-03-25 06:57, MField2000 wrote: Matt, I love the title of this thread, "Semi-arthritomatic" magic. It's right in line with the topic. Marty (who says it's unrequited?) and poster-boy Raj join Doug Canning and Mick Ayres in making me look like I have a personality. They do everything except press the keys on this end. As for driving on the wrong side of the road, I remember my first time over in the UK. In London, many of the streets have "Look Right" written on them as there was never anything particularly interesting on the right. I was busy wondering why one would write that on a street as I stepped into the path of an oncoming car. I'm embarrassed to say that it still didn't dawn on me - not for a minute or so. I was too busy doing the same thing I was yelling - neither of which should be repeated here. As for other magic magazines, I would never say anything bad about any of them. However, when they stopped publishing on a regular basis, they took away one of my regular features in The Trapdoor - "promoting" them. I had no choice but to close the Door. Matt, give my best to Lewis Jones. He is a wonderful friend and England's gift to semi-auto magicians. |
Steve Beam V.I.P. 169 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-03-25 08:05, Trois wrote: You know what they say about a man who wears big shoes... he has big feet. I'm glad I could help generate some $$ for you for the last 20 years Trois. Did I mention that these clown shoes are expensive and that I take PayPal? |
Trois Special user Myrtle Beach 594 Posts |
Steve I also remember your effect of spinning the card (chosen One)out of the deck and then catching it between the half-ves. Is that a word ? Anyway I do it but not sure if it is like your method. Is it written up anywhere ? I can't remember if you called it "Helicopter" or not, but that is the effect. I need some material for the next 20 years...I wish !! Trois
Not clever enough to come up with something orginal, or did I.
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Steve Beam V.I.P. 169 Posts |
Trois, I'm afraid that was from a previous life when I had dozens of card-spinning, deck-catching effects. The only "plot" I was working on at the time was the classic "Lose and Locate." And when the audience tired of those (usually early in the set) I would use similar sleights/flourishes to locate various fours-of-a-kind. No real reason, but then I didn't need one back then.
Regarding the "Helicopter," that was the title I gave to Harry Levine's wonderful full-deck, pasteboard flapping false cut in "The Trapdoor." The only cards that spin out during that cut are unintentional. |
alondon Regular user 186 Posts |
Your books are great!
thank you for your time on the forum. Do you know where I can find Jazz Aces. there is a version on ETMCM, but I was looking for this in print. Thank you. |
Steve Beam V.I.P. 169 Posts |
Alondon,
Thanks for the support. Jazz Aces was published in Peter Kane's "Another Card Session with Peter Kane." There have been numerous variations published sense. Best, Steve |
alondon Regular user 186 Posts |
Your books are great!
thank you for your time on the forum. Do you know where I can find Jazz Aces. there is a version on ETMCM, but I was looking for this in print. Thank you. |
KOTAH Inner circle 2289 Posts |
Hello Steve, good to see you. Hope all is well. And yes, your SACT volumes are the best!
KOTAH aka Ron Dayton |
Steve Beam V.I.P. 169 Posts |
Many thanks Kotah,
And be sure to check out Ron Dayton's "Crescent City Rooftops" from that same source - It's great. Glad "both of you" are well! Best, Steve |
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