Editor's Note: Karrell's material
remains just as timely now as it did when he
first created it. We've reprinted a fun effect
from his book "Comedy A La Card" published by
Magic Inc., and reprinted with permission here.
We've also reprinted a bio on Karrell for those
of you who may not know him. He remains one
of the most beloved and gifted performers in
our craft.
Karrell Fox first came to the
attention of the magic world as a red-headed
kid being funny at Abbott's magic affairs and
around Detroit. The red hair darkened to an
attractive auburn, the child grew into a man,
and the man turned out to be someone very funny,
indeed. Karrell Fox today is considered to be
one of the leading comedy magic acts in the
world.
He was born on January 30,
1928. He nursed his way through the crash of
`29 and toddled his way through the Depression.
As a child, his parents operated a small restaurant
in E. Rainelle, W. Va. (then population, 905).
A guest departed without paying a bill, but
left behind a few small tricks. With these,
Karrell launched into magic.
It has been his vocation ever
since. He appeared on the "Ed Sullivan Show"
at age 18. He also, at that time, co-owned a
magic shop in Detroit. He had his own TV show
in Detroit "Famo and His Magic Carpet" in 1949,
which made him tops in the club date field of
Detroit, Cleveland, Toledo, etc.
In 1959 he toured Europe with
a U.S.O. troupe for three months. In 1960 he
did a commercial movie for AC Spark Plugs, playing
the part of a magician. His wife Lynn, whom
he married in 1956, performed as a dancer in
the same movie. That same year, he designed,
wrote and sold to the Ford Motor Company the
complete idea for a traveling advertising show
called "The Magic World of Ford." It toured
for three months with three units in various
parts of the United States. It provided work
for a number of magicians and utilized many
magic tricks.
Karrell is a continual favorite
performer at conventions, especially at the
IBM, where he has lectured continuously for
27 years. He is a past president of that organization
and the recipient of many awards in this industry.
******************** Op-Trick-Al
Illusion ********************
Although based on an ancient
optical puzzle, this gag will get you many modern
laughs. It begins with the performer freely
forcing the Deuce of diamonds on some gullible
but interested spectator. With bravado announce
that you will find the spectator's card.
Running through the deck (or
walking, if it's a hot day), remove a card and
place it face down on the table. "This is the
selected card" you say.
"You goofed," spectator says.
"My card was a Deuce. This one's an Ace."
"Oops" you say. "I guess I
did goof. However, if I cause the other spot
to appear on the card while you're holding it,
is it still a good trick?"
"Yes," says the spectator.
"OK" you say. "Hold the card
horizontally and SLOWLY move it in toward your
face. Now do you see two spots?" you ask.
"Yes," says the spectator.
"You're fantastic."
And there you have it. A trick
that never fails to amuse.
***************** WORDS FOR
WIZARDS *****************
When the professional finds
that his act is being copied, he will know that
he has arrived. Imitators may be able to copy
the motions and the patter, but they cannot
capture the personality of the originator. A
dwarf may don the role of a giant ... but, he
remains a dwarf.
