SYNOPSIS:
Close-Up Entertainer is one of Paul Harris’s classic early works and a precursor to many of the ideas later refined in his acclaimed Art of Astonishment series. The book features twenty-nine inventive routines using cards, coins, bills, cigarettes, wax lips, and other everyday objects, all presented with Harris’s signature blend of offbeat humor, strong visual magic, and audience interaction. Rather than relying on traditional plots, the routines emphasize surprise, creativity, and memorable moments, making the material feel fresh decades after its publication. Many effects in this volume became favorites among professional close-up performers and helped establish Harris as one of magic’s most influential creative minds.
BOOK DETAILS:
Author/creator: Paul Harris
Publisher: Chuck Martinez Productions
Edition: Unknown
Publication Year: 1979
Subjects: Close-up Magic, Cards, Coins, Money, everyday objects
Pages: 171
Skill Level: Intermediate
Availability: Out of Print
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• THE FIRST CHAPTER
• Peeler (p. 1)
• Side-Winder (p. 10)
• Blackjack Challenge (p. 24)
• The P.H. Switch (p. 37)
• El Warpo (p. 44)
• PAUL & LOOY
• Drop-Shot (p. 52)
• “A Force” (p. 55)
• “A Subtle Poker Move” (p. 60)
• THE KIDD
• Kinky-Pinky (p. 66)
• Streaker (p. 69)
• Blind Peek (p. 72)
• COINS
• The Silver Elevator (p. 75)
• Quarter Caper (p. 86)
• P.D.Q #2 (p. 96)
• Four Finger Finale (p. 101)
• The Betz Poker-Roll (p. 104)
• Free-Flight Revisited (p. 107)
• GUEST STARS
• Looy’s Sooperman (p. 115)
• Daniel’s Butterfly (p. 119)
• King Solomon’s Drink (p. 123)
• Ackerman’s Face Lift (p. 125)
• Okawa’s Cellophane Surprise (p. 134)
• THE LAST CHAPTER
• P.U.S.H. (p. 139)
• The Acapulco Thinker (p. 143)
• A Card in the Hand is Worth Two in the Deck (p. 146)
• Stretch (p. 148)
• The Castle Conspiracy (p. 152)
• Instant Castle (p. 160)
• Wax Lips (p. 164)
• The Pinochle Solution (p. 169)
