Jinx Navigator

Jinx Navigator
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The Jinx is packed with brilliant ideas for mystery performers—but finding what still works (and how to use it today) takes time. The Jinx Navigator Podcast does that work for you. Each episode explores a classic issue or source from magic and mentalism, uncovering standout effects, theory, and creative thinking—and then reimagining them for modern performers and audiences. This isn’t about preserving history for nostalgia’s sake; it’s about extracting usable ideas and turning them into practical, contemporary presentations. If you care about strong material, thoughtful performance, and making classic magic feel alive again, this podcast is for you.

Episodes

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 010: Issue #10, Extra-Sensory Perception and More

    Jinx Navigator Podcast — Episode 10: Issue #10 Issue #10 of The Jinx opens with Annemann on his soapbox about impromptu magic — and Jay gets on one of his own — before delivering a signed card on a ribbon, a startling deck production, a masterclass in cigarette vanish presentation, and a one-person picture-duplication effect that Annemann vouches for with characteristic honesty. A strong issue from start to finish. Effects Covered [0:52] Editorial — Theodore Annemann Annemann makes the case that working professionals who can't perform on the spot are failing at showmanship, pointing to Harry Blackstone and John Mulholland as performers who built their public reputations largely on impromptu work. Jay weighs in with his own take on the "I'm not a performing monkey" crowd. The editorial also covers news from the New York scene, U.F. Grant's new newsletter The Trickster, and a firm no to advertising in the Jinx — because, as Annemann puts it, he's selling usable information, not ads. [4:30] 20th Century Cards — Theodore Annemann A helper signs their chosen card and punches a hole in it with a ticket punch, making it unmistakably theirs — then it vanishes from the deck and reappears threaded onto a ribbon between two other cards, everything examinable. The method uses one prepared card and a lead-based adhesive that Annemann called Diachylon, for which Jay suggests magician's wax as a perfectly reasonable modern substitute. [6:07] Surprise!! — J. G. Thompson Jr. A full deck of cards is produced from nowhere by plunging a bare hand straight through a tambourine — the hand goes in empty, comes out the other side holding a fanned deck, faces out toward the audience. The method centers on a wire gimmick illustrated in the original article, and Jay suggests the gimmick itself is worth studying even if tambourines aren't exactly standard equipment anymore. [8:02] The Henry E. Dixie Cigarette Vanish — Henry E. Dixie A cigarette is lit, smoked, pushed into a closed fist, and vanishes — performed entirely without words, unhurried, and utterly natural. Annemann's point isn't really the method, which uses a standard piece of apparatus working magicians will recognize immediately — it's that what made this remarkable was Dixie's presentation, and he uses it as a broader argument that performers spend too much time chasing new methods and not enough time on what actually happens in front of an audience. [10:27] Extra Sensory Perception — Theodore Annemann Thirty-two cards bearing hand-drawn sketches are shuffled and distributed, helpers concentrate on their top card, and the performer reproduces the drawings on a slate from across the room — leaving everything with the audience at the end. Annemann is upfront that Julius Zansig's two-person act was the gold standard for this kind of work, but calls his single-performer version as clean as anything he knows of. Jay has performed this one recently and left notes in the comments at jinxnavigator.com.

    13 min

  2. APR 6

    Episode 009: Issue #9, The Modernized Reading and More

    Jinx Navigator Podcast — Episode 9: Issue #9 Issue #9 of The Jinx features one of the most widely used envelope techniques in mentalism, a mathematically driven counting effect dressed up in Depression-era politics, and the effect Annemann himself called one of the greatest one-man psychic pieces available — and it's hard to argue with him. The editorial is lively too, with convention news, a rare unprompted book recommendation, and a very satisfying mathematical footnote. Effects Covered [0:51] The Modernized Reading — Theodore Annemann A method for secretly reading the contents of a sealed envelope while it's still being held by the person who sealed it — using a prepared envelope, one piece of ordinary office supplies, and a natural-feeling moment of staging that arouses no suspicion. Annemann traces the idea back to 1924 and notes this is the cleanest version he knows. Jay points out it's almost certainly the precursor to Alan Shaxson's famous envelope work, and adds some tips of his own in the comments at jinxnavigator.com. [2:41] The Renovated Sphinx Card Trick — Eddie Clever Three helpers each initial a freely chosen card, all three go into a hat, and from there the cards travel back and forth between the hat and the deck in ways that shouldn't be possible. Two specially prepared cards do the heavy lifting — one a familiar gimmick many card workers already own, the other a small but clever alteration to a single index. The sleights involved are minimal enough that Jay prefers to call them moves. [4:08] A Matter of Policy — Theodore Annemann A mathematical counting effect built around a 1935 political joke — twenty oversized cards representing Republican and Democratic employees get counted off every tenth one, and every single Republican ends up out of a job. No sleight of hand, just a very old principle in a topical wrapper. Jay notes the method works regardless of what's on the cards, so the presentation is wide open for updating. [6:20] Pseudo Psychometry — Theodore Annemann A dozen helpers seal personal objects inside envelopes while the performer's back is turned — and then the performer opens them one by one, sometimes describing the owner in detail, sometimes walking directly into the audience to return the object without asking anyone to identify themselves. The method requires nothing but the envelopes and a system simple enough to hold in your head while performing. Annemann called it one of the greatest one-man psychic effects available, and Jay wholeheartedly agrees. [8:07] Editorial — Theodore Annemann Annemann reports on a busy convention season and notes the Jinx now has 859 readers as of May 2, 1935. He defends his five-foot shelf list from the volume of argumentative mail it generated, announces a new Jinx Extra — a 16-page special edition twice a year for $1 — and revisits the unauthorized endorsement controversy from Issue #8 now that he's actually bought and examined the trick. He closes with a mathematical curiosity from Royal V. Heath: 84 is the only number between zero and 4,800,000,000 spelled with ten completely different letters — which Annemann notes makes the Jinx's uniqueness official. [10:19] Outro Links and a preview of Issue #10 — featuring Annemann's Extra Sensory Perception, a mind-reading effect that Jay calls one of his personal favorites.

    11 min

  3. MAR 30

    Episode 008: Issue #8, The Five Foot Shelf of Magic and More

    Jinx Navigator Podcast — Episode 8: Issue #8 Issue #8 of The Jinx is a varied one — a mathematically clever card effect, two contributions from Dr. Duncanson, a borrowed bill in nested envelopes, and Annemann's own opinionated reading list for magicians. The editorial is packed: a victory lap, a moving tribute, and Annemann publicly setting the record straight on not one but two separate grievances. Effects Covered [1:07] An Improvement à la Carte — Theodore Annemann A helper names any card, then makes a series of apparently free choices as the deck is dealt and sorted — and somehow lands on the exact card they named at the start. Annemann offers a second, cleaner handling using a written prediction and a face-down borrowed deck. The method involves a stack and Magician's Choice, and Jay is candid about which version he'd actually want to perform. [3:14] The Astral Shirt Again — Dr. L. E. Duncanson A stage version of the shirt-removal effect from Issue #6, this time with the performer stepping into a small cabinet, wrists genuinely tied by a rope held by helpers on either side. He goes in wearing white, a colored shirt is handed in, and he steps out wearing it. Jay notes that "almost immediately" may have meant something different in 1935 — and proposes an elaborate Zoolander-themed solution that he seems genuinely tempted to perform. [6:25] Thought Raise — Dr. L. E. Duncanson A helper writes a word, a number, and a drawing on a slate, shows it to the audience, erases everything, and returns to their seat — and the performer reproduces all three exactly. The method involves some household chemicals and a prepared slate, and Annemann cheerfully notes that a mentalist had been selling the same principle for ten dollars, despite it having been published in a book back in 1907. [8:07] The Jinx Five-Foot Shelf of Magic — Theodore Annemann Annemann's personal reading list for magicians — not trick books, but what he considers genuine textbooks covering every principle a working performer needs. He singles out Stanyan's Magic and Tarbell's Course as essential above all else. Jay notes there's a comment on the site linking to a video about an updated version of the list. [9:07] Transient Money — E. D. Wolf A borrowed, initialed bill vanishes and reappears inside the smallest of three nested envelopes, each sealed and initialed by a different helper and in plain view the whole time. The method requires a single small prop that fits on your thumb. Jay has some thoughts on tightening the handling — and strongly suggests a flash bill vanish for theatrical effect. [11:06] Editorial — Theodore Annemann Annemann opens with a tongue-in-cheek celebration of the Jinx running on schedule, complete with an imaginary parade involving flash paper and a fishbowl. He follows with a moving update on John Northern Hilliard's unfinished book, addresses an unauthorized endorsement that used his name without permission, and formally gives everyone blanket permission to steal from the Jinx — on the grounds that readers will figure out where it came from anyway. [12:27] Outro Links and a preview of Issue #9 — featuring Annemann's classic pseudo-psychometry, an effect that has well and truly stood the test of time. Links Read every article in every issue: jinxnavigator.com

    13 min

  4. MAR 23

    Episode 007: Issue #7, A Practical Card Code and More

    Jinx Navigator Podcast — Episode 7: Issue #7 Issue #7 of The Jinx is a strong one — a clean card transposition, a clever two-person code system, a prediction that disappears from the deck, and a classic bill-in-lemon with some real teeth to it. Annemann also pays tribute to a giant of the magic world and goes on a rant that's just as relevant today as it was in 1935. Effects Covered [0:57] The ELM Card Change — E. Leslie May A chosen card and a card initialed by the performer swap places — the helper's card ends up in the performer's pocket, the performer's card turns up in the middle of the deck. Works with any borrowed deck, no switches, no special cards, and the moves you'll learn along the way are worth adding to your repertoire regardless. [2:04] Question of the Month — Theodore Annemann Rather than a finished effect, Annemann throws down a challenge: he has the production figured out for a card-through-tambourine routine, but not the vanish — and he's offering a 10-issue subscription to any reader who can solve it. If you're listening in 1935, now's your chance. [3:21] A Practical Card Code — Orville Wayne Meyer A complete verbal coding system for a two-person mind reading act, where suit and value are hidden inside what sounds like perfectly natural conversation. Annemann closes with a clever tip: force a pre-agreed card at the end and name it without a single word spoken between you — a nice way to throw off anyone listening too carefully. [4:55] The New Nightmare — Theodore Annemann A card is freely stopped at, and a prediction written beforehand names it exactly — but the twist is that the predicted card has also vanished from the deck and turned up as the card the prediction was written on. Works with a borrowed deck, requires a simple self-made gimmick, and almost no sleight of hand. [6:23] The Lemon and the Dollar — Conrad Bush A borrowed, signed bill vanishes and reappears rolled up inside a lemon that's been in a helper's pocket the whole time — serial number matches, torn corner fits. Annemann adds an editor's note pushing back on one aspect of Bush's handling and offers an alternative vanish method. [7:56] Editorial — Theodore Annemann Annemann opens with a warm tribute to John Northern Hilliard, a press agent and business rep for some of the era's greatest magicians. He then pivots to a rant about magicians who over-explain everything — a critique that, as Jay notes, lands just as hard today as it did in 1935. He closes with a tease for Issue #8 and the controversial list he's been sitting on for two years. [9:05] Outro Links and a preview of Issue #8 — featuring Annemann's Five Foot Shelf of Magic, which has a modern equivalent available. Links Read every article in every issue: jinxnavigator.com Full details on all effects: Issue #7 at jinxnavigator.com Next episode: Issue #8 — featuring Annemann's Five Foot Shelf of Magic.

    10 min

  5. MAR 11

    Episode 006: Issue #6, The Astral Shirt and More

    In this episode, Jay browses Issue #6 of The Jinx (1934–1941), the legendary newsletter for magicians and mentalists. This issue is heavy on Theodore Annemann, with contributions from Russell T. Wise and a peek at the editorial page. Effects Covered [0:00] Intro Jay introduces the show and the episode's focus: Issue #6 of The Jinx. [0:45] Impromptu Frame Ups — Theodore Annemann Annemann explores using "instant stooges" — audience members who don't know they're confederates until the moment they're needed. Includes a card-calling effect, a watch-setting routine, and slate work. Jay notes the term "frame up" seems to have died out by the mid-1900s. [2:48] The Astral Shirt — Theodore Annemann A classic gag elevated into a solid piece of close-up theater. With hands tied and never leaving sight for long, the performer removes his shirt while still wearing his jacket, tie, and vest — all examinable. Annemann's framing: solid through solid. [4:25] The Card That Isn't — Russell T. Wise A two-card transposition using a force, a double lift, and a short card. Jay recommends making the two cards visually distinct for clarity — and makes a convincing case for why. [6:00] Two Mind Reading Publicity Effects — Theodore Annemann The first mention of what we'd now call a center tear in The Jinx — though it isn't named as such. Includes a newspaper-chunk variation and a living-and-dead presentation using burned slips. [7:55] Editorial Annemann name-drops Dai Vernon, Count Orloff, Russell Swan, Tommy Martin, and others. He floats the idea of publishing twice a month (spoiler: he goes weekly instead, starting at Issue #61), and closes with a short essay arguing that effect is supreme over method. [8:17] Outro Links and a preview of Issue #7 — featuring Orville Wayne Meyer's "A Practical Card Code." Links Read every article in every issue: jinxnavigator.com Full details on all effects: Issue #6 at jinxnavigator.com Next episode: Issue #7 — featuring Orville Wayne Meyer's "A Practical Card Code."

    9 min

  6. MAR 3

    Episode 005, Issue #5: The Lie Detective and More

    In this issue Jay talks about Annemann’s “Red and Blue Back Color Change,” a two-card back-swap, discusses L. E. Duncanson’s “With Sight Unseen,” a hands-tied, blindfolded identification routine requiring a homemade gimmick that Jay doubts can accomplish all claimed feats. He covers two solutions to a prior issue’s “lie calling” challenge: Charles Nyquist’s stacked-deck approach dependent on a clean dovetail shuffle and Stuart Robson’s “The Lie Detective” with constraints on when the lie occurs. Annemann’s “A Question and the Answer” uses slips, a switch, and a gimmick for answering written questions, and Nat Scherzer suggests using used envelopes as a novel forcing/prediction prop. Annemann’s editorial includes performance notes, industry news, and a quote on secrets reducing income-earning value. 00:00 Welcome and Mission 00:37 Issue 5 Overview 00:58 Red and Blue Change 03:00 With Sight Unseen 05:03 Solution Something Work On 06:33 The Lie Detective 07:17 Question and Answer 08:40 Neat Publicity Trick 10:09 Annemann Editorial 11:07 Wrap Up and Next

    11 min

  7. FEB 23

    Episode 004: The Jinx #4 — The Master of the Message, and More

    In this issue we review Annemann’s “The Master of the Message,” an impromptu thought-reading effect. We summarize Martin Sunshine’s “Cigarette Perception,” where a blindfolded performer identifies cigarette brands, and suggests the method could be repurposed beyond smoking. Jay discusses Orville Wayne Meyer’s “Card Box Sympathy,” which uses a P&L Metal Card Box, but says the written handling seems inconsistent and asks listeners with the prop to test it. Jay explains Calvin Cole’s “One of Those Things,” a calculator-age-and-change revelation based on a simple math principle, with Annemann’s note that personal details like age increase interest and could be paired with numerology. He covers Vincent Dalban’s “Something to Work On,” a plot with no method where the performer detects when a helper lies while calling out dealt cards. Finally, he summarizes Stuart Robson’s “The Twentieth Century Newspaper Test,” using page-number corners and classified ads to reveal an ad’s contents. Jay invites listeners to view the full issue for free at JinxNavigator.com, share feedback, and teases Issue #5 and its “With Sight Unseen” effect. 00:00 Episode 004 Kickoff: What The Jinx Navigator Podcast Is About 00:36 Issue #4 Table of Contents + Annemann’s Editorial Highlights 02:18 Effect #1: The Master of the Message (Impromptu Thought Reading) 04:26 Effect #2: Cigarette Perception (A Smell Test Without Smelling) 06:09 Effect #3: Card Box Sympathy — Pricey Prop, Questionable Method 08:44 Effect #4: One of Those Things (Age + Pocket Change Calculator Reveal) 10:19 Something to Work On: A Great Plot… With No Method (Yet) 11:31 Final Effect: Twentieth Century Newspaper Test (Classifieds Mindreading) 13:10 Wrap-Up, Where to Read Issue #4, and Tease for Issue #5

    13 min

  8. FEB 16

    Issue #3 (A Card in Transit, A Real Psychic Card Test, Dead or Alive, and the Bending Swizzle Stick)

    Jinx Navigator Podcast: Jay Jennings reviews issue number three of The Jinx, a roughly 90-year-old newsletter for magicians and mentalists, to see which ideas still hold up and how they might be tweaked for modern use. Aside from the editorial, Jay covers four items from the issue: Les Gilbert’s “A Card in Transit,” where a spectator-initialed card vanishes from the deck and appears in the performer’s pocket using sleight of hand and a gimmick card; Annemann’s “A Real Psychic Card Test,” a simple thought-transmission drawing match using chalkboards (or business cards) and misdirection through distance/time; Annemann’s “Dead or Alive,” a living/dead name test using five cards and a prepared envelope, which Jay finds workable but dislikes as a presentation outside séance contexts and discusses envelope sizing/handling considerations; and Annemann’s “The Bending Swizzle Stick,” a gag based on the rubber pencil illusion involving glass stirring sticks and a final apparent permanent bend. The episode ends with mention of a poem Annemann received from the Great Lester at an IBM convention and a brief note about Lester as a ventriloquist and mentor to Edgar Bergen. Jay invites listeners to read full instructions and articles on jinxnavigator.com, share feedback, and return for issue #4 featuring “Cigarette Perception.” 00:00 Welcome to Jinx Navigator: What this podcast is about 00:39 Issue #3 overview + editorial setup (and name-pronunciation warning) 01:30 Editorial highlights: circulation, rival newsletters, and working pros 03:20 Who's working where: venues, acts, and close-up advice 04:00 Effect 1 — 'A Card in Transit' (Les Gilbert): signed card to pocket 05:40 Effect 2 — 'A Real Psychic Card Test' (Ted Annemann): chalkboard mind-reading 06:44 Routine — 'Dead or Alive' test: envelope handling + presentation rant 10:11 Gag/bit — 'The Bending Swizzle Stick': rubber-pencil illusion with glass 12:00 Closing poem from The Great Lester + wrap-up and next issue teaser

    14 min

  9. FEB 9

    Episode 2: Aces, Finders, and Book Tests from The Jinx #2

    Join Jay as he dives into the second issue of The Jinx (1934-1941), the legendary magic newsletter that shaped modern mystery performance. This episode breaks down five effects from Issue #2, exploring which tricks still work today. In This Episode: We explore five effects from The Jinx #2, including Ted Annemann's "The Devil's Four Aces" (a visual four-ace assembly), Orville Wayne Meyer's "The Finders" (a behind-the-back card location with a killer kicker ending), and "Your Card" (a clever effect using Si Stebbin's technique that's been fooling people since 1898). Jay admits defeat trying to decode Annemann's "Synthetic Sympathy" and calls for help from card workers who can make sense of the confusing instructions. The episode wraps with "The Demon-Yogi-Goblin Book Test," Annemann's tongue-in-cheek title for a book test method that's surprisingly versatile. Contents: 00:00 Introduction to the Jinx Navigator Podcast 00:39 Sponsor Message: FlashCake 01:12 Exploring Issue Number Two 02:21 The Devil's Four Aces by Ted Annemann 04:21 The Finders by Orville Wayne Meyer 05:52 Synthetic Sympathy by Ted Annemann ( -- help wanted!) 07:46 Your Card by Orville Wayne Meyer 09:05 The Demon Yogi Goblin Book Test by Ted Annemann 10:49 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

    11 min

  10. FEB 2

    Exploring The Jinx: Issue #1 – Classic Magic Revisited

    In this episode of the Jinx Navigator Podcast, Jay takes listeners through the significant highlights of the first issue of The Jinx, a historic magic newsletter by Theodore Annemann. He discusses the first magic effect, 'Hallucination' by Eddie Clever, the 'Supreme East Indian Needle feat' by Ted Annemann, 'Two Papers and a Spectator' by Ted Annemann, and 'The Mystery of the Blackboard' by Paul Rosini. Jay provides insights on the relevance and adaptability of these tricks for modern performers, and offers resources for those interested in learning more. Tune in to discover the timeless art of magic from the 1930s and how it can still mesmerize audiences today. 00:00 Introduction to the Jinx Navigator Podcast 00:54 Exploring Issue Number One: Hallucination by Eddie Clever 02:52 The Supreme East Indian Needle Feat by Ted Annemann 04:08 Two Papers and a Spectator by Ted Annemann 05:42 The Mystery of the Blackboard by Paul Rosini 07:32 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

    8 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

The Jinx is packed with brilliant ideas for mystery performers—but finding what still works (and how to use it today) takes time. The Jinx Navigator Podcast does that work for you. Each episode explores a classic issue or source from magic and mentalism, uncovering standout effects, theory, and creative thinking—and then reimagining them for modern performers and audiences. This isn’t about preserving history for nostalgia’s sake; it’s about extracting usable ideas and turning them into practical, contemporary presentations. If you care about strong material, thoughtful performance, and making classic magic feel alive again, this podcast is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Jinx Navigator
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Jinx Navigator
  • Show Website
    Jinx Navigator

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