A Parlor Gag by Max Malini

by Mr Cheeseo

5.6K19

Intro: A Parlor Gag by Max Malini

Max Malini was a magician who entertained the social elite.  He performed for heads of companies and royalty (don't bring bailout money into this, he died over 50 years ago).  This trick or "parlor gag" was made by him.

STEP 1: Effect

The effect of this trick is that you are at a party and you are chatting with a (insert title here) about (Insert topic here).  Suddenly the man says that you have a loose button on your shirt and he thinks he can fix it.  Trusting your friend and not caring to check he reaches his mouth down to your cuff bites the button off and displayed it in his mouth.  Then he takes it out of his mouth and restores it to your cuff and moves on to chat with another guest.

STEP 2: Prep

Get a commen button and thread a string that matches it and put the string on as if you were sewing a button.  For those who don't know how to sew a button click here.

STEP 3: How to Do It

Walk up to a person and begin to talk to them.  Comment that a button on their shirt is loose and without pausing or asking for permission, grab the button and pretend to bite it while gently tugging at it.  Then display the button between your teeth as if you are crazy.  Put the button back in your mouth while pretending to grab it and commence rubbing the other person's button, comment that is is fixed and begin chatting with another person.

9 Comments

MagicofRowhan 9 years ago

this is also a good way to get punched in the nose .... thats what happened to the last guy I had seen do this

lemonie 13 years ago


You have never done this: how many people do you know who wear shirts (without a "t-")?

L

Mr Cheeseo 13 years ago

Not a lot, but when the situation lends itself (Bar-Mitzvah, Wedding, sweet-16, dance etc.) it is a fun prank to pull.

lemonie 13 years ago


Good point about the shirts.
However, with shirts these days you'd expend most effort on preparing your button to match someone's.
How did Max avoid getting the button wet in his mouth?

L

Mr Cheeseo 13 years ago

The last time I did the trick I didn't bother keeping it dry.

lemonie 13 years ago


OK, I guess people are distracted enough nor to think about it.

L

Mr Cheeseo 13 years ago

Yeah, everyone is just shocked because some nut bit the button off their shirt.

Mr Cheeseo 13 years ago

Typo should be chatting, thanks