Johnny Thompson – Routine For The Balls And The Net

The magician skillfully makes three balls appear to transfer from one hand to another, incorporating humorous interactions. This routine progresses as he places two balls in one hand and a third in his pocket. With a snap of his fingers, the ball from his pocket magically reappears with the others. This sequence builds to an impressive climax featuring the dramatic disappearance of all three balls.

This classic effect has its roots in Chinese magic, originally performed with marbles in the magician’s mouth. Silent Mora (Louis McCord) adapted it for Western audiences by removing the unappealing mouth action, instead executing the routine entirely with his hands. He utilized a handkerchief held by two spectators, allowing for impromptu performances. Dai Vernon further refined this effect by recommending a close-meshed net for enhanced visibility.

This rendition of the Balls and the Net draws inspiration from Oscar Pladek’s “Pop-up Move” (Pallbearer’s Revue, April 1973, “A Modern Chinese Marvel,” page 611) and Ed Mao’s “Double Rollout,” a two-ball variation featured in Linking Ring, Vol. 37, issue #4, “Silver Spheres,” page 82. The concept of using the “Double Rollout” to achieve the Mora effect was developed by David Roth, while Billy McComb introduced the idea of using a black chiffon scarf instead of a net.