The Interlock Production

by Michael Pascoe

I first saw this years ago when I was a kid first starting out in magic. I use to love to watch magicians on
television and saw a young handsome manipulator from Italy named Silvan. He did very good card productions.
I enjoyed it because I read so much about Cardini producing cards from mid air and always wanted to do such
an act.

I had the basics down until I saw a move I was not familiar with. Silvan interlocked his fingers. Then he
showed them empty by moving them front and back. Then without removing his fingers, he proceeded to produce cards one by one. I was stunned because I could not understand how he could have moved them around.

Then I looked at the reaction of my dad. He was so dumbfounded by it that he laughed. I will never forget
this reaction and wanted to learn to do a move that completely fooled my dad.

I searched for this and found it in Hugard and Braue, Expert Card Technique. I learned so many moves
from this book including a second deal and a double lift. When I saw the interlock production, I was excited.
Could I learn to do the move that fooled my dad?

I found out that Cliff Green came up with it. I practiced and practiced and it was something of an obsession. However, I could never really get the move down like I wanted. Down the years I picked up the move here
and there from others who taught it to me. I studied and worked at it and came up with a few moves of my own.
Effect:

Even though the hands are interlocked and shown front and back, cards are produced singly. Then the
magician drops it either on the floor or in a hat. After producing a few cards this way, he is dismayed to find out
that his hands runs out of cards as he shows it front and back. He does this again and still doesnt have any cards.
Then the cards return as he produced them like this without unclenching his fist.

His hands move in opposite directions and a fan of cards are produced in each hand for a nice display
that frames the two hands and face.
The Sleight:

Hugard and Braue suggests practicing the move with one card. That is not a bad idea. I first learned it
from their book, Expert Card Technique. I never found it practical, but kept it in the back of my mind for years.

After playing with it for awhile, I realized that you really dont need to do a Classic Palm with the cards,
but Thumb Palm them. Of course you start off in the Classic Palm position and move it so you can clip the card
or cards between the thumb in the upper part of the palm like you would if you are palming a cigarette. See
figure 1.

This frees up the fingers so you can clench it together. We all know how to do. Its like praying but with
clenched fist. When you clench your fingers together, facing yourself, the left forefinger is first, then alternating
as in figure 2.

Fig. 1
The Interlock Production

Fig. 2

After you do this, move the left index finger from the back to the front. See figures 3 and 4.

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

The reason for this is to hide the card or cards during the routine. One card is no problem, but a bunch of
them will stick out and must be hidden. The other purpose is to free the right index finger to do one more set of
camouflage. This will be described in the instructions.

With the card Thumb Palmed, the other thumb also does the same move so the corners the of the card
sticks out at each end. See figure 5. This left thumb is only there temporary. Next, move this right index finger
over to the top of the card cradling the corner of the card with the tip of the finger. See figure 6.

Move the left thumb from the corner of the card over the left lower corner and under it as in figure 7.
Notice that the right index finger is still cradling the corner. It must stay there to hide the edge of the card.

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

Fig. 7

Rotate the hand so the palms are facing the audience. As it does, the right thumb comes under the card
and clips it just like the left thumb as in figure 8. Finally, turn the palm of the hands still interlocked towards the
audience as is shown in figure 9. It looks like the hands are empty. To bring it back, the right thumb goes back to
the top right corner. Then the hands rotate back.

Practice in front of a mirror to get the timing of rotating the hands so the card doesnt flash. The move is
actually easier with more cards, but we will get to that soon.

Fig. 9
Fig. 8
The Interlock Production

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Props:

About half a deck

If you use a half a deck, it might be too much for the trick, but I like the idea of producing two fans from
each hand at the end. To solve this, I use the Nielsen cards which are much thinner so more cards can be produced, but it doesnt take away from the finale.

To practice, use about ten or twelve to get the feel. Then work up to twenty six.
To perform:

During the course of a manipulation act, the magician palms about a half of a deck in his right hand. Interlock the fingers as you did when you practiced with the single card. Thumb Palming is easier because there are
more cards.

Remember to tuck the left index finger in and have the right index finger cradle the top left cards. This
is also easier and more important because this bunch will now be seen even from a distance. The index finger is
dead on to the audience and hiding the packet. In figures 10 and 11 the left hand is removed to explain the move
better. But during the performance of the routine, you of course use both hands.

Fig. 11
Fig. 10

When the thumb goes under the packet, it brings it up a bit. Turn the hands so the fingers are face up. Put
the right thumbs underneath while the hands rotate even more. The left index hides any cards peeking free.

Most magicians like Silvan would do this move over and over to show it empty, but I think this is overkill.
One time is enough. There is no reason for it. We get the idea, the hands are empty. From there, the production
of the cards should come.

With the tip of the left index finger, press the upper innermost part of the card near the right corner as in
figure 12 and buckle it back. Dont do anything with this yet. Now Thumb Palm the packet separating the crimp
card away. See figure 13.
Fig. 12

The Interlock Production

Fig. 13

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Now that the cards are clipped in the thumb, rotate these cards up as in figure 14 away from this single
card. Then the left pinky grips the bottom of the card. As the pack in the right hand moves away, the left index
wraps around the single card and traps it. See figure 15. (Figure 15 is exaggerated to show how the index finger
is craddled around the single card. In practice, you dont need to move the packet that far.) Now as before, move
the left thumb underneath as in figure 16. Once you do, then have the right thumb clip the bottom of the packet
joining the left one like you did in figure 8.

Fig. 14

Fig. 16

Fig. 15

Rotate both hands towards the
audience and display the produced
card as in figure 17. Pause for a second
to let it sink in that a card appeared out
of nowhere. I have seen magicians rush
this production, but, I dont think its a
good idea. You want the effect to sink
in before you dispose of the card.

Fig. 17

Drop this card either on the floor or in a hat. I like to drop into something like a hat because the cards
cost too much to let them fall to the ground.

When you do, the left index finger is in the way blocking the packet thus preventing the audience from
seeing them. Now you can just move the right thumb back like you did before in figure 8 and then move the left
thumb showing the back of the hand.

I like to produce about three to four cards. Anymore would be too much. Then I do a bit that Silvan did.
I show the hands empty again. Of course I am doing it to show that I do not have anymore cards, but in reality, I
am also using this time for a bit of comedy.

When I do the move, I am smiling, but when I show the hands empty this time, I am confused. What
happened? I must have missed, I think to myself. I would then go on producing another card. But, now I feel
that this should be repeated again just to let it sink in that, Damn, where did that card go.

Then, finally produce a card and you are happy again. Then I would produce another three more.

I like to end the routine with a fan of cards in each hand. Thats why I like to have so much cards in the
beginning. I dont want to deplete my supply too soon. Once you have the cards return to the beginning hold of
the packet being Thumb Palmed, I place the left pinky underneath the packet. Then I move the left thumb on top
of the long ends of it as in figures 18 and 19. Then the right thumb and pinky does the same thing and joins right
next to it.

Fig. 18
The Interlock Production

Fig. 19
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The reason for this is because the two thumbs are going to split the deck in half. See figure 20. Each
thumb will rest on the top of its packet as in figure 21.

Fig. 21

Fig. 20

The right hand and left hand moves away
so the two packets are in the Front Palm position
like in figure 22, but of course not really Front
Palmed at all. Then the index fingers of each hand
takes over as if you are about to Back Palm them.
However, you dont, but its the same feeling. The
two middle fingers push against the top of the
packets to help hold them as these middle fingers
Fig. 22
pushes them against the palms of the hands.

From there, I like to move the hands across the opposite arms until it reaches the elbows. Then I put the
thumbs from each hand behind the pack and hinge them forward as in figure 23 and fan them. Brush them together a few times as in figure 24, from top to bottom. This is a good time to do the S move as in figure 25 and
close out the packet.

Fig. 23

Fig. 24

Fig. 25

The Interlock Production

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