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Glenn Godsey Special user 737 Posts |
In an essay in the Conjuror periodical, Don Alan told a story about his wife. She and Don were watching someone do an elaborate and lengthy cups and balls routine in the 1950's. As the little balls moved magically from here to there, Don nudged his wife and said, "Isn't that beautiful?"
She replied, "So what?" And, according to Don, that's where the modern Chop Cup routine was germinated. Later, I discussed this in person with Don Alan. He said that he started considering the final loads as the whole point of a cup routine and he based his whole legendary act on that premise; the fez, the giant nut, and especially the Chop Cup. He said that he considered the little ball part to be a throwaway that didn't fool anyone, but served to lead them down the garden path to the shock and awe of the final loads...which fooled everyone. I have been meaning to add this to the final load thread for some time and I decided that it is important enough to be a new thread. Don Alan was the innovator who moved close-up magic from "doing little tricks" to being real theater...the first close-up table magician on the Tonight Show. Johnny Carson loved Alan's act with a passion. Best regards, Glenn Godsey |
graywolf Special user South carolina 631 Posts |
I thought Goshman was the first with the salt shaker routine..Cordially,Howard
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Glenn Godsey Special user 737 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-05-20 17:51, graywolf wrote: Goshman was a close second on the Tonight Show. Goshman told me he had problems there because the air conditioning was too cold for his hands, but I didn't see any problems. What a fabulous performer Goshman was! I feel blessed that I saw him live in the mid 60's when he was in his prime. I recently got the International Magic DVD of Goshman performing in 1985 and he was still fabulous, even though he had bad arthritis in his hands. Best regards, Glenn Godsey |
gpshealy New user 3 Posts |
Well, I am not sure whether I should put it here or make a new post, but I've been wondering about this for a while, and it seems like a relatively basic question that could be easily answered. The fact that this brought up chop cups seems like it would be a perfect time to ask. I am not exactly sure how strict the forum is with revealing commonly known secrets, so I'll try to err on the side of caution.
My chop cup balls are particularlly strongly attached. To get them to "appear" I have to slam the cups down VERY hard. Is there a way to reduce the attraction they have to other props that I use during the course of my chop cup routine? |
Dave V Inner circle Las Vegas, NV 4824 Posts |
What brand are they? Other balls are available. Knowing which cup would help in selecting the right ball. It'll take some experimentation to get the right combination. Jake at http://www.rnt2.com has balls that are "adjustable" and Frank Starsini makes felt balls in two different styles for different kinds of cups.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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graywolf Special user South carolina 631 Posts |
Yes Goshman was great my wife once got to sit a the table while he MAGISHED for her..Cordially,Howard
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JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
Yes, I enjoy, even now, both acts (Goshman and Don Alan) very much. You just don't get tired watching them over and over again. Great performers.
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Per the comment of "so what" regarding effects with the small balls, I can say in my experience that I have had powerful reactions with small balls even before the final loads.
Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
James me bucko... I know... the whole of the routine, if sold properly has stood the test of time. If the leading sequences with the small balls didn't work, nobody would do them.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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gpshealy New user 3 Posts |
Thanks a lot Dave. That really is a fantastic site. I am going to get them as soon as I get some money. THanks again.
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Josh Riel Inner circle of hell 1995 Posts |
I think the balls can make for some good magic. Of course you could make the final loads seem trite and boring if you didn't sell it.
I would imagine if you produced 30 final loads, you might make it pretty tired, and if you spent 30 minutes making little balls jump about the same could happen. Make a good interesting routine, remove the dregs, little balls and big will all make for a good memorable routine.
Magic is doing improbable things with odd items that, under normal circumstances, would be unnessecary and quite often undesirable.
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Michael Bilkis Special user 728 Posts |
I heard Don Alan say that his cups & Balls routine was performed with "three cups," only they were introduced singly during three different parts of his act. ie: Chop Cup, Benson Bowl and Malini's Revenge 9Ithink that is wahoat the finally was called) I am typeing this from wrk and can't check the reference. The final loads: tennis ball, large ball bearing and even larger nut, respectively.
I also saw Goshman perform a few years prior to his death. It too was the performance of a life time. Both of these men were true master. Michael |
Glenn Godsey Special user 737 Posts |
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On 2007-05-22 12:08, Pete Biro wrote: Pete, it was Don Alan's opinion, not mine. But, I see his point. Best regards, Glenn Godsey |
Glenn Godsey Special user 737 Posts |
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On 2007-05-22 12:08, Pete Biro wrote: I forgot to add: magicians keep doing a lot of things that don't work. Change bags, for instance...they looked out-dated and stopped fooling anyone before the Thurston era...but magicians still use them. Best regards, Glenn Godsey |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Don still did a lot of byplay with just one small ball. Also, if you do it right and have a reason a changing bag works fine.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Glenn Godsey Special user 737 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-05-22 21:40, Pete Biro wrote: Yes, Don did a lot of byplay with the small ball. I was just relaying what he told me...that it was byplay leading up to what he considered the real magic. You are right about the change bag...if you had some patter about peculiar Victorian objects, that would be a reason to use it. BTW, Pete, do you have any more good stories about Goshman? I remember one you told before...I would like to hear more about that very fascinating man. Best regards, Glenn Godsey |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
I will never forget the first time I saw Al Goshman. It was the TAOM convention in 1977. I was waiting for an elevator, and Al Goshman stepped off. He had is trousers open so he could arrange his shirttail.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Fred Kaps and I were in a restaurant at a covention. Goshman walked up and Kaps said, "Albert... have you eaten?" Gosh pointed at food on his shirt and said, "Can't you tell?"
Goshman asked me if I was going to a particular FISM in Europe and I told him I was. He asked me if I could take a suitcase over for him. I said OK...when I got it from him it weight almost nothing... it was STUFFED FULL of sponge balls. At the conventions he would sell all his leftovers to dealers INCLUDING the suitcases. I was MCing the final night's show at the IBM Convention in Hawaii. My opening line was something like, "It's nice to be here and to see all the colorful shirts that used to be white and Goshman's." Irving Tannen, sitting in the front row laughed so hard he fell out of his seat. Sadly, one time Albert entered the close up competition at the WMS and got a HORRIBLE women sitting next to him. Her bad reactions and attitude overshadowed his performance and he died a thousand deaths and didn't win a thing. An anomoly for sure. Just before he died Albert told me, "If I had my life to live over again, I wouldn't be cheap. I'm leaving Millions...." Over and out.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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