One hundred years ago this month, the magician P.T. Selbit ushered his assistant into an upright wooden box, sealed it, laid it flat, and got down to business, sawing the box right down the middle. The show, according to magic experts, was the first time a performer ever sawed someone in half. Why has this trick survived, when so many others haven’t? If you ask magicians, NYT writer Alex Marshall spoke with six — they eventually land on one answer. “It’s just the simplicity of it,” said Mike Caveney, a magician who’s writing a history of this trick. “Magicians say a good trick is one that can be described in a few words, and ‘sawing a lady in half’ is very few words,” he added. As for being the assistant, “When you’re doing it you’re not a passive person,” one magician said. “It’s claustrophobic, and quite noisy, but such fun!”
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” i believe your reality is what you make it, what you choose to see, and what you choose to allow yourself to do.
there are possibilities all around you – magic all around you – no matter what situation you’re in.”
-keke palmer
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Story credit: Alex Marshall, NYT- Image credit: Nolan Pellitier
Great post Beth. My day already feels more magical!
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great – and try not to get sawed in half
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😁
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One of my favourite Quotes Beth….
“He knew what he knew: that the real world was full of magic, so magical worlds could easily be real”. ..
Salman Rushdie
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I love that!
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Life is indeed a magical thing 💙🌏
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It sure is –
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“no matter what situation you’re in.” thanks for the reminder! ❤
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always
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That’s ONE experience I can live without 😉
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same here!
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Magic just needs to be believed in.
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Exactly
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💖
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If a magician leaves it out, Beth, I guess they only have half an act?
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Hahaha
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I believe in magic. But, also, not going to volunteer to be cut in half 🙂
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Same!
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“Wisdom is having things right in your life and knowing why.”
~William Stafford
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Oh, so right
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Attitude is reality, that’s for sure.
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It so is
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I’ve always wondered how many bad magicians had their careers and their lovely assistants cut short by poor preparation.
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Yikes!
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i could never look at this magic trick, i found it to be quite gruesome. and why is it always a lady they saw in half? just sayin’
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An excellent question- maybe because they usually have smaller bodies , and stage eye candy I’m guessing
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hmm eye candy if you can stand to watch 😆
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So true
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I find it likely that there are many men who fantasize sawing a woman in half. Would someone want a child sawed in half? Or a lumberjack? A car salesman? Okay, maybe a car salesman.
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Lol! car sales men are understandable.
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❤️
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Spot on!
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Scary too
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Do we have any car salesmen in the audience? Be a good sport and come up on stage. Now get in the box…. I can see it. 🙂 Maybe dentists, too.
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yes!
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One day, my wife was sawed in half,
Which made me happy as can be….
‘Twas the day that we got married
And became the better half of me.
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So perfect
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I have been fascinated by magic ever since I was about 10 years old. And while I’ve often been tempted to find out how a trick is done, I realized I’m just happier being clueless…
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I get that, don’t spoil the illusion
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exactly…
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I’m friends with a TERRIFIC Street Magician, Kid Ace…he has been on The Kelly Clarkson Show and wowed her with magic…so much fun to watch in action!
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What a cool friend to have!
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magic is endlessly fascinating: reminds me of Michael Rosen’s ‘The Skyfoogle’ poem; fortunately it’s online for any who want to check it out
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I’ll check it out – thanks
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I’ve found a poem I had written years ago, Beth, about a magician who used to live behind us; I’ll put it up tomorrow:; this poem reminded me of it; thanks
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Great
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I’m still fascinated by magic and illusions. One of my hobbies is card tricks, and I’ve gotten to teach a workshop on this to gifted students.
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That’s great, another skill set, Pete –
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Most miss the real magic in the world. It’s everywhere you look, listen, smell and feel. You are one who sees it. Children help to open us to it.
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They do !
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Indeed all around us. Awesome post, Beth, thanks and well done! I have seen a quote the other day that read; “Those who do not believe in magic will never find it”.
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so right!
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What is the connection between magic and imagination ?
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An open mind
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You are right. Have a good day beth. My best wishes to you and your family. ❤️
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thank you
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