Effect
The Chinese Sticks
Harlan Tarbell · The Tarbell Course, 1926
- Time
- 10 min read + 10 min practice
- Materials
- In the library
- Prerequisites
- None
Take care. Working with these objects and effects is inherently dangerous; anyone who attempts them does so at their own risk. Anybody under 18 is advised to undertake them only with a parent's permission and supervision.
An excellent Chinese “sucker” trick that permits of good comedy.
Performer shows two sticks, each about a foot long. He holds them parallel and shows that a string runs through one stick and across and through the other one. He cuts the string between the two sticks and shows the sticks separated. Suddenly he brings the two sticks together again and shows the string has been restored. Once more he cuts the string and separates sticks. He pulls the short end of string, and as it becomes long, the other
separated end becomes short and vice versa. If desired, one stick may be given to a boy to hold and above effect of shortening and lengthening string performed.
How it is done
The method, 13 drawings and all it needs, inside the library.
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