I thought I would post some thoughts about the One Two One Rope Trick Featured by Johnny Giordmaine as mentioned by Dick Oslund in another topic in this section. He seems to express that the trick is a "sleeper" and I believe he has added ingenuity to the actual trick as sold by U.F. Grant and Repro Magic a defunct company in England.

I purchased the trick after seeing a totally different routine presented at a magic convention by a magician. I no longer remember the performer, but the trick was funny and puzzling as he presented it, going from a two ropes, to three ends, to 4 ends, and finally to a single rope.

The effect: Two ropes are shown, they are pulled through the hand and immediately change into one long rope, which is tugged on. A single loose knot is tied in the center of the rope. When the ends of the rope are pulled, THREE knots instead of one are seen in the rope! The same rope is used over and over again.

After purchasing both version, and going over the trick as presented in the instructions, I seen the trick as that goes against the rules of a good trick. That being a good trick should have a beginning, a middle, and an end. This has no beginning, and then end has much to be desired in my opinion. The ending is not as exciting as the cut and restored rope, actually cutting a rope in half and magically joining them to one whole rope. The Repro Magic version was to simply place the two rope behind the performer's neck and pull the rope out creating a single long rope. It ended there (?) even weaker then the Grant version.

Dick Oslund also mention that there is addition by Bob Cervas, this seems to me to be nothing more then a repeat of the trick with the rope by not using the so called mechanical ropes. It is basically the same trick being show again. This ending requires a switch of the rope in play to another non-mechanical set.

I have not doubt that Dick Oslund has entertained hundreds with this trick, as it sounds like he worked long and hard to create a routine that did that in his shows. Just goes to show that even seemingly weak tricks can be entertaining giants in the right hands. Also proves the saying, there are no bad tricks just bad performers.

I am hoping that Dick Oslund will share his thoughts on what the effect is, that is why I typed the effect as described in the instruction sheets. I would be interested to read his thoughts as to what he sees are the magical moments in this trick. I see none actually, but of course I know the secret working, that may have influenced my view on the total effect.

Until Dick Oslund publishes his routine and handling, purchasing this trick would be a waste of time and resources for most magicians, in my opinion. Some people, including myself get excited about tracing down and buying a trick, when a famous performer mentions how good a trick is, and then the purchaser becomes disappointed in what he receives.

DICK OSLUND "DEFENDS" (!!!) THE Gen Grant "ONE-TWO-ONE" ROPE TRICK!!! hee hee hee~!

As noted (above "somewhere")In 1970, I needed a quick, visual, trick to open an educational lecture to be delivered to schools in the Dakotas, Nebraska,& Montana under the auspices of North Dakota State University Division of Independent Study. This division booked achool assemblies in those states.

When using magic tricks to illustrate a verbal point in an educational lecture, a sales presentation or "pitch" at a trade show, or a "gospel lesson" in a Sunday School, the lecturer, salesman, or preacher is using magic tricks as a visual aid to simply illustrate a point, NOT to entertain. The presenter is not doing a SHOW. If the audience happens to be entertained, OK, but, that's not the real purpose of the lecturer, salesman, or preacher.

When I was serving in the Navy (in the days of "wooden ships and iron men", --and, now, we're all rusty.)at the Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA, a Rear Admiral walked in to the Personnel Office, and asked for me by name. (I was the Ordnance Officer's Yeoman, in an office 5 miles away.) He asked the Personnel Officer (a Chief Warrant Yeoman)to transfer me to the Armed Forces Staff College, where the Admiral was the Commandant. The Personnel Officer said, "Yes sir!" I moved the next day! I was stationed at the Armed Forces Staff College for my last two years in the USN. The AFSC was a "school" for Colonels, Captains, Commanders, and Lieutenant Colonels of all four Military Services. The AFSC had a VISUAL AIDS DEPARTMENT which "made" visual aids for the course. Here's my point"

On the wall ("bulkhead" in Naval parlance!) in vis. aids. was a large "picture". It showed a man on a platform. The man was pulling a rabbit from a hat with one hand, and juggling 5 balls with the other hand. He was balancing a baton on his nose. Simultaneously, he was sittinn on a unicycle, which was "balanced" on a huge ball. In the front row, facing the platform, could be seen two men who were watching the man on the platform. One man is saying to the other: "He is GREAT! --BUT, What are we learning?"

Now, scroll up and read my second paragraph again! Are you back? OK...

I stopped in at Abbott's and conferred with Neil Foster. He understood. I told him that in my lecture, I would be "making" three points, and needed a quick, simple, visual "bit" to grab the attention of a Kindergarten through Senior High School audience (ages 5 -- 18!)and simultaneously, tell them what I was going to talk about, (Remember the old preacher's recipe for a successful sermon? (Tell 'em what you're going to tell 'em, tell 'em, and then tell 'em what you told 'em!) Neil said, "Yes! Check this out!" he showed me the basic Gen Grant, "1-2-1 Rope". I said, "That's IT!"

When I hit the road, the following year, "1-2-1" was "IN". I walked on with the ropes (set), I said, "I brought along two pieces of rope. They're mnemonic devices! (That word caught the older kids' attention!) I use them to remind me that we're going to talk about TWO important things that affect your lives!" (The two pieces of rope visibly changed to one piece of rope!) "Oh! I guess I only need to talk about one thing that affect your lives. I'll just tie a knot in the rope, to remind me that I only need to talk about ONE thing." (I spread my hands, and two more knots appeared, one on each side of the first knot.) Oh! It appears that I need to talk about THREE things that affect your lives!" (I tossed the rope back in the prop case behind me, and started the lecture. I HAD THEIR ATTENTION! --and kept it for 45 minutes. I did 335 lecture programs that season, and when I left, they knew that, "Everything is Connected to Everything Else, Everything has to go someplace, and, Everyone Can Do Something!" That '1-2-1" rope did the "trick". It grabbed their attention,and showed them that we were going to have a bit of fun, as they learned somethng. I used a number of magic tricks, visual gags, and, "awful" jokes, and the school admnistrators, liked the program. (So, did the kids!)

The "1-2-1" had "done its job" so well, that I started thinking how it might fit in to my "regular" show. I've used it as an attention grabber when I need a quick, visual bit to establish myself as a magician and a fun person. So, sometimes, it opens the show. It has worked fine in the #1 spot, when needed. Most often, it starts the rope routine (knots, Professor's Nightmare and Norwegian YOYO)

As the opener, I come on, with ropes in my hand, and say, "I brought along these two pieces of rope. They are to remind me that I need to make two important announcements before I can start the program. (The two ropes instantly and visually become one rope.) I do a "take" and say, "Oh! I only need to make one announcement, and I've forgotten what it was!" (I quickly coil up the rope, and toss it into the prop case, immediately starting the color change silk.)

If it is used to start the rope routine, I do the same "mnemonic" gag, and the two change to one. I toss the rope into the case, start to talk, and then, say, "Oh! I remember! I wanted to tell you about when I joined the Boy Scouts." (I grab the rope for the rope routine. --NO ONE HAS EVER QUESTIONED THIS SIMPLE SWITCH.)

I do about a dozen tricks or routines in the 45 minute program. No routine runs more than five minutes, some run only two minutes. The show "moves"! I use several litle prop bits like 1-2-1 in between routines, to help it move.

So, the 1-2-1 wont get you booked in Las Vegas! --But, I never had any desire to go there anyway! BTW, my old pal,Gene Gordon (he was one of the founders of the IBM, and also a veteran school show magician) developed a longer routine for the 1-2-1. He called it the "Magician's Nightmare". It's two legal size sheets of instructions. --Gene got mileage out of a prop! I think it was reprinted in "Gene Gordon's Legacy" (published by David Ginn about 20 years ago). My copy was loaned out about 15 yeara ago, and it hasn't been returned, yet.

So, Bill, the 1-2-1 is not a feature item, but, it has done what I wanted it to do. I just took a simple prop,added a bit of personality and presentation, and it has earned its "keep".

Some tricks just don't have a beginning, middle,and ending. The Walsh Vanishing Cane, done as an opening "flash" trick, has no "middle"! Ditto,the dove to silk (Channing Pollocks next to closing bit)& Pat Page's bouquet production (sl***e load) etc.

I think that the RePro shop's routine, as you have described it) is YUKKY.

Oh! The Bob Cervas "addition" was not meant to be used to FOLLOW the original routine. It was "another way" to do it. I've tried it, and, it plays! I've mentioned somewhere that Karrell Fox thought that he had invented the Cervas handling.

Someone wrote up an idea somewhere, that used the 1-2-1 modified prop to do an instantaneous, visible restoration of a cut rope. You get the effect of the Bill Neff routine, without the b**y hook up. But, you can't toss the rope into the audiencc. I tried it out at a scout campfire. It killed 'em!

I do hope that this short (???) note has clarified and helped to inform. I still think that 1-2-1 is a "sleeper". It has served me well, Like a lot of tricks, it will "play" for some fellows, and not for the next guy. If I could get back the money that I've apent over the years for props that I either gave away, or tossed into the trash, I could have retired ten years sooner!

Oh! I'll PM you, Bill, with a few bits that it would be unethical to discuss in this open forum.

Thanks Dick, I see the way you are using it, it would give some purpose to an intro piece and one of those tricks that can introduce points the speaker wishes to discuss. I would consider this as a filler trick, but being it is not very strong would not use it in a magic show. It would work well in an Industrial Trade Show or as you have used it to point out that there is three important points to remember from your presentation.

That clears that up for me, as I just did not want others to rush out and buy, don't know if it is available today, and searching all over the place for it, then be disappointed upon opening the package.

This thread is fascinating for me as I have been doing the trick for over thirty years and had no idea of the original presentation.

Some history: Around 1978 or 1979, Jack McBride from New York visited Dublin, Ireland and met up with some magicians. He said he had been a professional magician in his youth and now dealt in stamps. He showed us the 121 rope trick, starting off showing a single rope with two ends, pulling out an extra end, then another so the rope had four ends. He then turned it back into a single rope, tied a knot in the middle and showed it had now three knots.

Not knowing it was a dealer item, I made up three sets and at the British Ring convention I gave one set to Eric Sharp and another to Cedric Richardson.

The following year at the British Ring convention, Cedric showed Eric and myself the routine he had come up with - for children - and it went straight into my show.

I remember performing it at Powerscourt House for one of the Slazenger family's children's parties. Old Mr Slazenger was there and he bent down to try and get a look from underneath.

It is a great trick and I know from audience reactions that adults liked it as much as the children. With Cedric's presentation it lasted about four minutes. Because it was a "quiet" trick with all the attention on the performer, I always used it after a twelve-minute Handkerchief Box routine that generated so much laughter and fun that the energy in the room was scattered all over, and I needed to re-focus the attention.

And I love Dick's presentations mentioned above.

Thanks Quentin for your input, great story, and again, it comes down to having a good routine. As sold, it only describes the mechanics, and no suggestion for patter. Thanks again for your contribution.

Notice that title says, "Featured by Johnny Giordmaine" not indication that he was the inventor or who created it.

Hello all!

I just went down into the "crypt" (Remember Davenport's Quentin?) and dug out the original (no, it's not printed on parchment!).

The mimeographed inst. sheet is titled: "1-2-1 Rope Trick Featured by Johnny Giordmaine U.F. Grant Addition and Mfg.

--so it doesn't say Grant invented it, but, he probably did.

At the bottom of the page is Don Tanners "logo" and "63" so, I believe that '63 may be the year that it "came out".

I cannot remember any magician that I've seen since I bought the prop, presenting it. I think that I paid $2.00 for it. I saw it advertised somewhere in the past year or so at $12.50~!.

Yes, I have my instructions as well, before I sold it, I took the measurements of the ropes and can make it up any time I need create the trick again. The price I paid was $1.50 as I marked the price on the instruction sheets.

Dick, remember how hard it was to get $1.50 back then. I stood on a street corner selling the Sunday newspaper for $.50 cents. Fiver hours from 5 a.m. till 1 p.m in blistering heat in the Summer and below zero in the Winter. If I was lucky I made a whole $11 after splitting the profit with my brother.

As I am digitizing my book instructions and magazines, I ran across the routine I have seen performed by a number of magicians, but never knew it was published. I guess I should read my books more closely, as I found it the book by Jeffery Buckingham, "It's Easier Then You Think", under he title The Four Ended Rope. This is the method for showing 2, 3, and 4 ends, then it all goes to back to one long rope.

This was the most entertaining presentation I have ever seen in person.

Ha!
I just noticed Bill! There is a thread just above this one, this AM, and it's all about the 1-2-1~!!!

I just shared the 1-2-1 with Race Blakhart. (He's just "starting out" in California, and is interested in ROPE! ) He is 'ecstatic' about the 1-2-1.

Looking back to your, earlier this AM post (just above).....I remember Buckingham from the 1950 IBM Convention. He did his manipulation routine. The magicians were "ecstatic"! I never saw him do the 1-2-1. I have Gene Gordon's "Magician's Nightmare" routine for 1-2-1. It's good, but, not my "thing".

Wish we lived closer together!

I used to do 1-2-1 all the time when I was working the ships. It is not meant to be a mystery of the first order, but in its place it is wonderful. It has a magical looking visual, and a unique method. The ending is a bit anticlimactic, but it is necessary to sell the first effect. A trick like this is meant to grab attention. It is perfect for an illustrative piece like Gospel magic, or trade-show magic, or health/safety/anti-drug magic. I think Dick's presentation is wonderful. It would be a great introductory piece for any speaker.

Routining is important, and most magicians neglect to see that there different types of routines for different purposes, and that they are structured differently. "Strong Magic" has an ending and structure different from a trick such as this. These routines used in the right moment show the hand of a real pro.

Some routines, like Billy McComb's Half-Dyed Hank, have a "soft" ending. The surprise registers slowly in the mind of the spectator, and this Billy allows to happen by not having an applause cue. The trick is soft because it doesn't jolt the audience into applause. It was a perfect effect for an emcee, as it all worked out of the pocket, and because the audience didn't "get" to applaud at the trick, the applause they felt should have gone to Billy was given over to the act that he immediately introduced.

The 1-2-1 Rope has a similar soft ending. The audience processes a lot of information all at once (about the first effect as well as the appearance of the knots) as the three knots are revealed. It suppresses the applause slightly, but not the impact.

Dick's routine would be perfect for an emcee to introduce an act or a speaker. I just may steal it.

Last night I made a set of 1-2-1 Ropes up, It took about 20 minutes. Next I went through the U.F. Grant instruction, still not impressed, as it is more of throw-a-way then a routine.

Next is tackling Geoffrey Buckingham's routine "Four Ended Rope".

Hi friend Whit!

Feel free to use it! I'm happy to share.

I like your comments re: "soft endings". --and, the thinking that produced those comments!

As I've noted (somewhere!) I used it as "soft opening" for my "PUZZLING ENVIRONMENT" program in 1971, The basic EFFECT was good, and it "found a place" in the act!

Gee Bill! Youse are hard to impress!! (hee hee) You're quite right! It certainly is not a "box office bit", it just fills a half minute with something "gently" magical". I like to consider it a "filler" rather than a "throwaway". It's Don Lawton's "influence" on me. Don had a great bit of philosophy: "Don't KILL time! --FILL time (with entertainment).

BTW: I don't remember where I got the idea, but, I used the PRINCIPLE to do an INSTANT VISIBLE RESTORATION, of a CUT ROPE a few years ago. It played GREAT! --the EFFECT was "somewhat" like the old Bill Neff C&R!

I have Gene Gordon's "Magician's Nightmare" manuscript, but have never used it. I'm assuming that Buckingham's routine must be somewhat similar. If you would like a copy of Gene's routine, PM me.

For a rope trick that only cost $1.50 back in the 70's, it is okay, but not in any way a show piece.

I would much rather perform the late Aldo Colombini's Knotty Knot to fill time and yet, show a very magical rope trick.

I bought the first version with normal magician's rope for $20. Now it comes with that knitted rope for $25.

I have no idea why magicians like that knitted rope. It does not look like rope, it stretches way to far, and the only place you would see knitted rope is at Grandma's knitting a sweater for Christmas presents.

At a dinner party last Saturday night, Ted Outerbridge and I did a few tricks for the assembled guests after dinner and dessert, so the audience was in a good mood. Since it was a rather sophisticated group who had never seen magic close-up, and since I was on first, I had to start with something that would quickly knock their eyes out and establish this would not be what they probably expected (Uncle Buck entertaining the kiddies).

Looking in my stash, I came across the 2-to-1 Rope effect, something I had used as a teenager doing kids parties. The prop was in excellent condition. I recall buying it at some long-ago magic convention.

I held the ropes, showing as two ropes of equal length, and said, "Magic creates illusions and right now you see me holding two ropes. But that's just an illusion because--"

WHAM--THE ROPES BECOME ONE ROPE.

"--In fact, I'm holding one rope!"

The reaction was all I had hoped for--the audience was stunned and ready for the rest of the show.

Though this trick is often credited to U.F. Grant, he didn't invent it. It was invented by Allan Lambie and first appeared in the January, 1962 issue of the Hade-E-Gram as the "Visible 2-to-1 Rope." A further routine with it by Robin Robertson appeared in the January 1964 issue of the Hade-E-Gram.

Allan Lambie was born in Scotland and moved to Canada. He died in 1964 at age 69.

I didn't use the full routine, just the instant transformation from two ropes to one. Frankly, that effect is so strong and so visible, you can't top it, so why go any further.

The show Ted and I did went very well. I performed my original effects, "Deja Voodoo," "Headhunter" and the "Bammo Card Walloper." Ted did "Gypsy Thread" and his "Time Deck." The latter will be released along with a large collection of effects in the near future.

I’m looking for Karrell fox rope routine routine on this video clip,

Https://youtu.be/NgjaJsJOd6Q?si=etGtECmcWP5oIo8L