[Ring211] Fwd: FW: THE INCARNATION OF A PHANTOM
- From: RBusPs67@xxxxxxx
- To: ring211@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:24:55 -0500 (EST)
From Ken who I met on the Creativity at Sea cruise. Ken is a card guy...
Roger
____________________________________
From: kfrehm@xxxxxxxxxxx
To: kfrehm@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: 1/25/2013 1:40:10 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: FW: THE INCARNATION OF A PHANTOM
Might be of some interest to you
Ken
From: Professor Rem [mailto:4privet@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2013 10:39 AM
Subject: Fwd: THE INCARNATION OF A PHANTOM
Begin forwarded message:
From: Mel <_m.kientz@bnproducts.com_ (mailto:m.kientz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx) >
Date: January 10, 2013 10:19:47 AM EST
To: <_4privet@earthlink.net_ (mailto:4privet@xxxxxxxxxxxxx) >
Subject: THE INCARNATION OF A PHANTOM
Reply-To: <_m.kientz@bnproducts.com_ (mailto:m.kientz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx) >
_4privet@earthlink.net_ (mailto:4privet@xxxxxxxxxxxxx)
THE INCARNATION OF A PHANTOM
by Jon Racherbaumer
____________________________________
Photograph from The Sphinx magazine, August 1930.
From left to right: Cardini, Eddie McLaughlin,
Walter Scott, Tommy Downs, Al Baker, Max Holden,
Sam Horowitz and Eddie McGuire
Marlo was in his mid-twenties when he read Max Holden's enthused account
in the Sphinx magazine (July-1930). It described what would become a
historic session featuring Tommy Downs, Nate Leipzig, Cardini, Sam Horowitz,
Eddie McLaughlin, Al Baker, Eddie “Tex” McGuire, and Walter Scott (who was
being touted as "the cleverest man with a pack of cards in the world!" This
was no ordinary, run-of-the-mill session. Anyone reading Holden's account
would perk up reading this sentence: “Dai Vernon, whom I have always admired,
and Dai, to me is the greatest with cards, but I now have to pass the crown
to Scott!” Scott was apparent The Man. Besides, how could you resist a man
called The Phantom of the Card Table?
Marlo (left) read all of the accounts and he wanted to meet The Phantom.
It finally happened sometime around 1955-56 when Marlo traveled to New York
and stayed at Bill Simon's home in New Jersey. Later, he took a train to
Syracuse to visit Art Altman. During this stay, Art asked Marlo, "Would you
like to meet Walter Scott?" Marlo of course said yes and heand Altman drove
to Newport, Rhode Island to meet Scott at his music shop. Later, all three
retired to Scott's private home.
Marlo remembers: "I was impressed by the tasteful, classy surroundings of
Scott's home. Everything was neat and immaculate. As for Scott, himself, I
immediately liked him when we met in his music shop. He was gracious,
gentlemanly, and most hospitable. We made Art and I feel very welcome...even
though our visit was unexpected and unannounced. Lesser men would have
expressed displeasure."
There is always an irresistible impulse to ask an expert to demonstrate
their skills, but Marlo and Altman suppressed this urge. They remained calm
and let Scott determine the course of their time together. There was lots
of pleasant conversation, and Scott (in gentle, courtly fashion) talked
about his experiences with a traveling band. Being a musician of course had
its
ups and downs, and but he was able to supplement his income by playing
cards for money.
Needless to say, Scott finally got around to taking out the pasteboards.
Marlo was looking forward to this part. Being able to watch the Phantom in
action was (as they say) "icing on the cake." He especially appreciated
being able to see the Punch Deal and various glimpses in action. Scott did
everything exceedingly well. Altman and Marlo were not only impressed with
Scott’s Work, they were equally impressed with his manner and deportment while
doing the Work.
His body language was relaxed and ordinary. Everything was congruent to
his normal body language and he seemed like a regular card player in a
down-home game: No hints of manipulation and razzle-dazzle stuff. No tells. He
was Mister Natural. He had gray-flannel innocence. Silent but deadly. No
wonder he bowled over the brethren at Al Baker's home in the 30s. After
several hours of working out the boards, Scott's wife summoned them to dinner.
The dinner, alas, was excellent and Scott's wife was a perfect hostess. After
dinner, the card session resumed. Altman mentioned to Scott that Marlo did
the Punch Deal. Scott’s eyes brightened. He then politely asked Marlo to
demonstrate…with one condition. Scott wanted him to do it with HIS deck!
Marlo replied, "I'll try...I've never used another man's deck."
When Marlo assumed the Punch Position, the rest went well. No hookups.
Everything "felt" good. Afterwards, Scott said: "Well, you and Charlie Miller…
other than myself …are the only two persons who've been able to use my
deck and do the Punch Deal!"
Needless to say, the compliment pleased Marlo but he knew in his
heart-of-hearts that his execution was not as expert as Scott's refined
handling.
All sessions must come to an end, but this one was unforgettable. Marlo
had met an accomplished and truly remarkable virtuoso. His range of
expertise was narrow but keenly focused. Nevertheless, his execution was
unerring
and spot on. Perhaps his musical background and expert musicianship enhanced
his dexterity with the pasteboards? His sense of "when" and "how" was
indeed a harmonious formulation and perfectly pitched. In short, he knew how
to
PLAY the pasteboards, the players, and the audience. When they parted
ways, Marlo was ecstatic. He had met a Presence, not a Phantom. Scott turned
out to be the Real Deal. He lived up to the superlatives many were reluctant
to believe. Marlo and Altman, however, left Newport as True Believers.
Onward...
Story Source: _CLICK HERE_
(https://www.facebook.com/joncards/posts/4537467227081)
Also Read Web Notes:
THE PHANTOM OF THE CARD TABLE _CLICK HERE_
(http://stepanov.lk.net/magic/phantom/phantom.html)
~ MAGICIAN'S LIFE ~
James, do you find this information
completely useless and want off the mailing list?
Just send me a note to make these little emails disappear.
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Email: _m.kientz@bnproducts.com_ (mailto:m.kientz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Thursday, January 10, 2013
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