The Cutting Edge: A Half Century of U.S. Fighter Aircraft R&D
03 Cutting in Half - James P. Riser
Transcript of 03 Cutting in Half - James P. Riser
lusion Plans Courtesy ofCUTTING
This is the third in a series of eight illusion plans contributedto Genii by James P. Riser. They were originally sold thruRiser Custom Magic. We appreciate this contribution as weknow many of our readers like to build their own illusions.Next month, "Surrounded Levitation".
EFFECT: The magician shows alarge stainless steel blade and a bladeguide. He now either selects a girlfrom the audience or uses his ownassistant. The girl reclines on thetable as the blade guide is fitted overher stomach. The magician pro-ceeds to force the blade into theguide and thus through the girl! Thetable with the severed girl is slowlyrevolved showing the blade throughthe girl from all angles. The blade iswithdrawn and the blade guide is re-moved. The girl (restored, of course)
then gets up from the table.
METHOD: This illusion is ac-complished by a special blade and acleverly designed blade guide. Thestainless steel blade has two partswhich slide up as the stationaryblade with the cut-out section goesdown around the girl. This sta-tionary blade shows through bothsides of the blade guide. Since theblade is seen to either side of the girl,it appears that it has penetrated her.
The sliding Masonite panels on theblade guide allow the guide to fitmost girls without exposing the cut-out section of the blade. A smalltowel can be placed over the girl'stummy to cushion the weight of thesliding blades if desired. The tops ofthe sliding blades are hidden by thetwo stationary sheets of stainlesssteel hanging in the top half of theframe.
The legs on the table unscrew fortransporting and the table folds inhalf to make it- easier to handle.
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—460— GENII, The Conjurors' Magazine
James P. Riser Custom MagicIN HALF
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