"It really looked good, like it went up your nose."
 - DAVID ROTH

"Disgustingly beautiful!"
- PAUL HARRIS

"One of the greatest small illusions I have ever seen."
 - MICHAEL SKINNER

"Fantastic!  It fooled me."
- R. PAUL WILSON

"The only way to do it!"
- GEORGE SCHINDLER

"It's the most perfect trick of it's kind I've ever seen!"
- MAC KING

"Very nice, very nice."
- PENN JILLETTE

"Shocking and amazing!  Incredible craftsmanship!"
- TONY CLARK

"I want to buy one!"
- KEVIN JAMES

"Stupendous!"
- RICHARD KAUFMAN

Genii

Volume 67, Number 1 January 2004

 TRICKS

(Reviewed by Danny Orleans)

I was first introduced to the impromptu version of “Cigarette Up The Nose” by my friend Eugene Burger.  He has written about it in several of his books and lecture notes over the past two decades, creating different scripts for the effect as attitudes towards drugs and smoking have become more conservative.  I’ve seen him perform this many times for laymen and the reaction is a marvelous combination of shock, gasps, and screams.  This trick, when done well, forces a suspension of disbelief and creates a strong empathic reaction among audiences members as they feel the performer’s (apparent) pain and discomfort.

 Now what if you could do this trick without having to sit at a table or, if standing, without having to reproduce the cigarette?

What if you could push the cigarette into your nose much more slowly and deliberately so the audience sees every centimeter enter your nostril?  What if you could immediately show the hand that handles the cigarette empty after the cigarette has vanished?  Sound impossible?

Not if you buy Gary Kosnitzky’s “Cigarette Up The Nose.”  He’s created an exquisite gimmick that will let you do it all.  See the short  video  clip of this at the Murphy’s Magic website to believe it.

When any impromptu trick is “improved” by creating a gimmick to simulate the same effect, there are always some sacrifices we must make. This version requires that you wear a jacket. You also can’t do it with a borrowed (or a real) cigarette. Also, you must have the gimmick properly positioned on your person in order to perform it.

Despite these restrictions, most of you will really enjoy experimenting with this gimmick-over and over again in the privacy of your own practice mirror-as you fool yourself and hear the non-existent screams of your imaginary audience. If you like to go clubbing this trick will get you plenty of attention. Professionals who perform the impromptu version behind a bar should seriously consider this version (if you don’t mind wearing a jacket). The slow-motion fairness of the presentation will increase the “fool-em really bad” value of this trick. Finally, if you do stage or parlor work and this fits your personality, by all means check it out. I can hear your audiences screaming already.

Congratulations to Gary Kosnitzky for combining classic methodologies to upgrade a classic effect which is easy to do, packs small and plays big. The instructions are a pleasure to read and learn from. Buy one and stick it up your nose.

Trick Facts: “Cigarette Up The Nose”

Description: Vanish of an unlit cigarette apparently pushed up your nose. Setup Time: None after initial placement of gimmick. Guarantee: Varies dealer to dealer. Skill Level: Beginner. Ideal Venue: Anywhere you can wear a jacket with sleeves. Ad: Okay. Apparatus: Extremely well made. Instructions: Superb, 6 pgs., 15 illustrations. Inspection: No.

                                                                Copyright Ó 2004,The Genii Corporation                              Back to top of Reviews

MAGIC - OCTOBER 2003: "MARKETPLACE" Review by MICHAEL CLOSE *

Cigarette Up The Nose By Gary Kosnitzky

   Gary Kosnitzky stopped by the Houdini Lounge and demonstrated his version of Cigarette Up the Nose for me.  I had actually heard some buzz about this trick, because Gary had been showing it around at the SAM Convention in Las Vegas this summer.  The effect is the standard one that we are all familiar with. The magician holds a cigarette by the filter at his fingertips.  He apparently shoves the cigarette into his right nostril. Both hands are shown completely empty.  The cigarette is gone.

   In the standard handlings of this effect the cigarette is either reproduced from the magician’s mouth, or it is ditched by lapping it, or (if you are a magic bartender) dropping it behind the bar.  Gary’s method allows you to perform the effect while standing, and does not involve lapping (although you must be wearing a jacket or a long sleeve shirt).  The gaffed cigarette that is provided is extremely well made and durable.  It also allows you to push the cigarette up your nose very, very slowly.  The illusion is great.

   Obviously, this effect is not suitable for everyone.  But if it fits your style, Gary Kosnitzky’s Cigarette Up the Nose is the best version I’ve seen.  It is not difficult, but (as with everything) will require some practice.  Recommended.

                               * REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION FROM MAGIC MAGAZINE         Back to top of Reviews

REVIEW BY KEP IN VISIONS, THE ONLINE JOURNAL OF THE ART OF MAGIC

"Cigarette Up The Nose" by Gary Kosnitzky
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

The EFFECT: A cigarette is slowly (VERY slowly) and visibly pushed into the magicians nose. His hands and nose are then shown completely empty.

Mini illusions are a pet favorite genre of mine. As a rule, this means gimmicked devices that allow a synergistic bang of the buck. In other words there value far exceeds their price, and their impact far exceeds their value. This is one of those effects.

In 1988, Michael Ammar was touring the country selling a version of this trick (surprisingly un-credited in the directions however) but without the one little thing that makes this version sing. Your audience will swear you inhaled this cigarette completely. As Mac King described it "…it just looked perfect". And it does.

Take that a step further, and the craftsmanship this illusion is also perfect. This is a fake cigarette, and that's okay. Built to last, the parts that MIGHT wear out (there are two) are easily replaced. And in a fit of realism, tobacco has been added to the tip of the piece (as opposed to paint or foil on most fake cigarettes that absolutely throws off any suspicion.

Ben Harris designed the cover art and layout of the instructions (which I assume were done by Mr. Kosnitzky), and the care and attention to detail are appreciated. Also worth noting are the 15 illustrations by Tony Dunn that cover all aspects (and angles) of performance. These are easy to read, and go over all the problems you might encounter as well as tips to enhance performance.

The actual effect, if done at speed, will last about 20 seconds. And while that doesn't sound like much, be assured, the impact will last much, much longer.

"Cigarette Up The Nose" by Gary Kosnitzky
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

Practicality: 10
Anywhere and everywhere. You will need a jacket to do this effect (sorry) and that will turn a few folks off. But for the rest, you will find this very practical indeed.

Workmanship: 10
Outstanding!

Documentation: 10
As good as the best and better than most for a small effect. These directions are well thought out and well written.

Effect: 10
If you have ever performed "ashes" (particularly Eugene Burger's version), you know what the impact of this effect is on a bad day. This actually has the potential to be more.

Presentation: 10
In it's most basic form, this is very direct and doesn't need a lot of presentation. However, there will be someone out there who will figure out a way to present this has high theatre (I know there will be) and it will be the highlight of the night.

Originality: 8
My only gripe with this piece is I have been performing it for 15 years, since buying a similar product from Michael Ammar at a lecture. However, that doesn't take much away from the effect, or the additions made by Mr. Kosnitzky

Kep!

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