Literature Review by Bill Wells

Magic Literature Review
By Bill Wells

The School for Scoundrels: Notes on Three-Card Monte. 2001. Presented by Whit Haydn and Chef Anton. Written by Whit Haydn. 158 pages. 8 ½ x 11 inches with black and white illustrations and photographs. Spiral bound with heavy stock glossy color cover. Printer and publisher not listed. Available from Stevens Magic Emporium for $37.50.

As stated in the preface, "The School for Scoundrels Notes are a series of three books that were designed as class notes for a four-week course taught at the Magic Castle." This course has been taught annually since 1996 and covers the history, psychology, techniques, and application to magic of the three best known street con games; the three shell game, the loop throw, and three-card monte. Fast and Loose, covering the loop toss game, was released about eighteen months ago. Notes on Three-Card is the second in the series. I have not read Fast and Loose, but if it and remaining set of notes on the three shell game meet the same high standard established by this release on three-card monte, then we should all eagerly seek to acquire a copy of each.

The "notes" title is a decided understatement of the scope and content of this publication, which is very nearly sufficiently broad to warrant the description of "book" (in the sense of being a major treatise or literary work). The gathering together of highlights from existing sources into one volume is in and of itself sufficient reason to own these notes. As such, the notes are a valuable reference for the cognoscente and a tempting stimulus for the less informed to seek deeper study into the original source materials.

The preface also explains "...the central focus of our course (and thus these notes) is not on learning to perform these con games for entertainment. Our real purpose is to study the grifters' techniques for the sake of gaining a better understanding of our own art and improving our presentation of magic." It is the ability of the con man to attract, disarm, and control the attention of the spectator than these notes attempt to capture for use in magic performances. Indeed, it is unlikely that a presentation of three-card monte for entertainment purposes could produce the adrenaline high of a sucker putting his bankroll on a sure winner and the horrible hollowness of loss when the turned card is a loser. However, such emotional extremes are not necessary or desirable for successful magic entertainment. Acquisition of the con's understanding of his audience would greatly enhance a magician's performance of not only three-card monte, but their entire magic repertoire. But make no mistake - these notes also include a very complete explanation of the sleights, switches, moves, hooks, and patter involved in an expert presentation of three-card monte.

The notes begin with a fifteen-page history of three-card monte that draws heavily from Devol's Forty Years a Gambler on the Mississippi as well as other references from the late 19th century. Illustrations from this and other sources embellish this section of the notes. This history gleans the highlights and main characters from available sources and combines them into a short history that is frankly much more entertaining to read than many of the original sources. The "history" continues with a section on the two types of monte and introduces the first of a series of photos of actual monte workers taken by Ronald A. Wohl. These are remarkable photos taken in a number of countries and offer striking proof of the continuing existence of this ancient con. This section includes a description of closed monte from Clarke's The Autobiography of Frank Tarbeaux and an excellent contribution from Gazzo Osborne on his experiences with a monte gang in London. An eight-page section on the layouts used in monte hustles concludes the 34-page introduction to the history, types and implements of three-card monte. Illustrations from Wohl's collection of monte prints and lithographs as well as additional photos from actual monte pitches enhance this coverage of trays, boxes, tables, and umbrellas used by monte workers.

The sleight-of-hand section is the "meat" of the notes and encompasses 45 pages devoted to the basic monte sleights, magician moves and switches, turnovers, throws and patterns, hooks and come-ons. Particularly noteworthy in this last segment is Gazzo's Creased Lightening method for the corner hook and Bob Kohler's complete Knifed routine. For the monte technician, this section of the notes is an extremely valuable resource in that it compiles, if not all, certainly the best methods for the tosses, switches, and hooks used in three-card monte. Replete with 97 photographs and 3 illustrations, this is the most complete and understandable set of monte instructions in print. Without meaning to sound trite, this section is truly worth the price of the notes alone.

A short section on psychology and shills is next. While human behavior and how to use it against the victim is clearly understood by the monte mob and a magician can likely benefit from understanding how his spectators are likely to react, I don't believe many magicians are likely to employ a group of shills in the same manner as a monte mob. Indeed, there are seldom, if ever, one-man monte operations. As the author mentions, the techniques used by the monte con bear similarities to those of any salesman or motivational speaker. If I might be permitted a personal observation, I was recently stuck by the similarities of techniques employed by the "sales" team in a car dealership and those of a monte mob. I was surrounded by salesman, sales manager, finance man, chief finance man, sealant people, extended warranty person, and others who came and went - all telling me what a great deal I had and all directing me to put my money on a winner - albeit a car instead of a card.

Next is my favorite section of the notes. Entitled "Spieling the Broads: Monte Patter", this is the only collection of which I aware of actual monte patter. There are four pages of delightful drivel drawn from the published literature, routines, student's contributions, and the pitches of actual monte workers. If you have ever seen a real monte game, it is the spiel that draws you in and keeps the game moving. The monte worker's timing and rhythm with his patter is a powerful weapon in the game he plays. The is a priceless resource for any magician putting together a monte routine.

The remainder of the notes is a collection of monte-related items and articles varying from brief to substantial in content. They are in no particular order. These include: Three Card Monte in Film - a list of movies with monte games; Monte and the Law - interviews with law enforcement officials in seven major cities; Beating the Monte - an interesting account of a contemporary monte game by Chef Anton; Exhibition Routine - a entertaining monte routine taking the rather unique approach of creating a spectator shill and with a magic finish - This excellent routine is the creation of Whit Haydn and Chef Anton; Afterthoughts - comments on practice and presentation by Chef Anton - observations that apply not only to monte but to magic in general. The main notes close with "The Meaning for Magic", a three page expansion of the purpose stated in the preface. It is unfortunate that this excellent discourse on presentation of monte as magic and the value to be gained from a magician studying monte and other con games is buried in the back of the notes. I realize that most magicians will probably not read such an article regardless of it's placement since it isn't a routine or a sleight, but locating it in the front as an introduction to the notes might have resulted in a few more readers and the spreading of a bit more understanding of the excellent insights offered by the author.

The notes end with a 45-page appendix that is almost a book in itself. The appendix includes five descriptions of closed monte operations or experiences, four open monte encounters (why these descriptions are in the appendix rather the section on monte types is not explained), an L.A. Times article on monte games (a candidate for the Monte and the Law section), and an interesting piece on "How to photograph Three-Card Monte and the Shell Game" by Ronald Wohl.

Next is an excellent eight page "Scoundrel's Glossary" that offers applicability beyond monte routines. A bibliography and brief biographical sketches of Anton, Haydn, Gazzo, and Dr. Wohl close out the notes. An end note welcomes comments and corrections and provides contact information as well as a listing of other School for Scoundrels products.

All in all, Notes on Three-Card Monte was a joy to review. It has been quite awhile since I have enjoyed reading a magic publication as much as I did this one. There are a few typos that one hopes will disappear in future printings and a more logical organization might be considered, but these are but very minor criticisms. After all, these are probably very close to the actual working order of the notes used in teaching the course. While it may be outside the intended purpose of the course and these notes, expanded coverage of existing three-card monte magic routines is suggested. This could allow inclusion of gimmick cards and devices such as the Himber wallet in monte presentations. A listing of published and marketed magic-monte routines would be a valuable resource as well. These comments are not intended to in any way diminish these notes, but are considerations for potential enhancement of an already excellent effort. I readily admit to bias insofar as con games and three-card monte is concerned. Hopefully, this does not inflate my high opinion of these notes, but instead produces a more critical review. It is obvious that a great amount of effort went into the research of original source materials and the gathering of the highlights from available literature, interviews, collections, anecdotes, personal experiences, contributions, and other sources to produce this work. Considerable skill and talent is evident in the blending together of these researches and the addition of creative techniques and routines during the teaching of the course. It would appear that a good initial product was expanded and improved over a period of years with numerous contributions from a variety of sources. The result is an outstanding collection of materials on the monte con. Notes on Three-Card Monte is, without question, the finest available resource on three-card monte in print today. Magicians should be thankful that it has been made available to them. Very highly recommended.

Bill Wells - August 2001

Added note: The next session of the School for Scoundrels is scheduled to be taught at the Magic Castle this November. Gazzo will be lecturing at least one night and "Cookie" Riniti may also be a guest lecturer. The Board of Directors of the World Magic Seminar has recommended the booking of Gazzo and the "faculty" of the School for Scoundrels at the 2002 World Magic Seminar. Hopefully, artist availability and negotiations will allow the booking of part or all of this talented trio. Who knows?, attendees might be lucky enough to witness the actual performance of monte material from these notes.

waw

Republished with explicit permission from Gemini Greater Magic Network
September, 2001

To purchase The School for Scoundrels Notes on Three Card Monte