Hugard's D E V O T E D
SOLELY
MAGIC T O T H EINTERESTS
O F M A G I C
Monthly A N D M A G I C I A N S
J U N E , 1954
VOL. xn, No. i
40 CENTS
ATOMIC RADIO VANISH By DICK RICHARDS as told to ABRIL LAMARQUE LIP ON BOTH SIDES OF TOP
Details of Effect and Presentation on Page 150
HINGE TO TRAY IN
PROMT ONLV
4-" H MAGNETS
CLOTH
HINGES
FLAT CONSTRUCTION VI&W (FRONT)
Figure 1— This is the view seen by the audience: the tray, the radio and the foulard. The foulard should be of colorful material with a flowery design so that it conceals the collapsible rectangular shape inside. Since the black art principle is involved, extreme contrast will enhance the effect. The side vertical parts of the radio facing out should be covered with black chiffon velvet as well as the inside of the radio. The entire top of the tray is also covered with the same
material. Make certain that the nap of the velvet falls in the right direction so that it isn't visible from the audience's view, which is the front of the tray. In other words, when the radio is folded flat against the top of the trap, the nap should all be in one direction. The base of the tray can be thin plywood or even tempered masonite. Install three small alnico magnets on the base of the tray (under the chiffon velvet) to hold the metal parts of the radio in place when it collapses on top of the tray. Build a bevel, or ledge, of about
%6 inch thickness around the edge of the tray. This is also covered with velvet and acts as a cover to the radio when it folds on the tray. Two small lips bend downward on the ends of the top piece of the radio and act as a catch to the vertical sides preventing them from collapsing prematurely. Figure 2— This illustrates the component pieces of the radio. The hinges can be made from mystic tape or bookbinder's cloth tape. Although you may follow the sizes shown in the sketch, I recommend that before making a finished model, you make one out of stiff cardboard. This will tell you whether the size indicated here is large enough for your needs. Figure 3— In this sketch, one is able to visualize the action taking place under the foulard. As the reader will note, when the tray is tilted downward (under cover of foulard) the radio collapses into a flat position and becomes invisible on top of tray. The gimmick inside the foulard is nothing more than a rectangle made of wood, wire, or plastic held together in the ends in such a way that it collapses or folds up easily. 145