Who Was Ford Kross?

Ford Kross was a pivotal figure in the world of mentalism, contributing to elite groups like The Legendary Thirteen, The Edison Group, and the Psychic Entertainers Association. His circle included notable names such as Bob Cassidy, Marc Salem, Ted Karmilovich, and Carl (Brother Shadow) Herron.

Kross had a discerning eye for talent; he often refused to sell his books to those he deemed mere dabblers in mentalism. His works were reserved for serious performers, and even then, they came at a steep price—his book, Suggestive Mentalism, was priced at $250.

Despite my Scottish heritage urging caution, I believe that professional material—be it a comedian’s joke or a musician’s original song—holds immense value when utilized effectively. Kross famously stated, “the most expensive effects are the ones you never do,” suggesting that his selective selling was a way to protect amateurs from investing in material they weren’t ready to use.

In his later years, Kross remained committed to his stringent philosophy but grew concerned about his legacy. He asked his close friend Millard Longman to ensure that his work would be available after his passing. Twelve years later, I was initially skeptical when Millard approached me about publishing Kross’s writings. Our personal rapport was minimal, and I found his style of psychic entertainment less appealing when I first encountered it years ago. However, out of respect for Millard’s judgment, I reviewed the material and realized the depth of Kross’s insights.

What’s In The Ford Kross Anthology?

• Suggestive Mentalism
• It Ain’t Body Building
• Suggestive Mentalism: A Continuation
• Kross on PSI Parties
• Out of the Deep Freeze
• From the Back of the Deep Freeze
• The MAGICK of Ford Kross

It Ain’t Body Building is subtitled “Suggestive Mentalism, Part II” for good reason. Kross shares his experiences with pendulums and contact mind reading, providing routines and scripts essential for incorporating these techniques into your performances.

In Suggestive Mentalism: A Continuation, he elaborates on various ideas and techniques that enhance the Suggestive Mentalism act, including insights on pendulum work and suggestibility demonstrations.

Kross on PSI Parties outlines his philosophy on persona, party themes, and routines tailored for PSI events, along with marketing strategies.

Out of the Deep Freeze is Kross’s comprehensive guide to cold reading, discussing the ideal atmosphere, psychological analysis of standard lines, and his unique technique, “The Talking Tarot,” for uncovering client questions.

In From the Back of the Deep Freeze, he reveals his preferred methods for divining client inquiries, his thoughts on The Michener Effect, and two routines he frequently performed.

The anthology also includes a Foreword by Millard Longman, a biography of Kross, and a collection of his insights from blog and forum posts. In The MAGICK of Ford Kross, you will find four articles based on Kross’s contributions to Bascom Jones’ publication, MAGICK.

Recognizing that Kross assumed his readers were seasoned professionals, we’ve added appendices to clarify references that may be outdated. These include an Al Mann billet technique, an Ormond McGill hypnosis routine, and Millard Longman’s “Secrets of the Pendulum.”

The Mindprobe Bonuses

Psychic entertainers will find value in segments featuring Kross performing Stanley Jaks’ version of The Haunted Key, psycho-kinesis with nails and safety pins, dollar bill divination, a Samhain ritual, two book tests, psychometry, clairvoyance, and key aspects of his Suggestive Mentalism. Additionally, you’ll witness Bob Cassidy’s classic Russian Roulette routine, Marc Sky’s Uri Geller-inspired psycho-kinesis, and Herb Arno’s thought experiments with cards.

While viewing these performances, keep in mind that the production quality reflects the technology of 1979 and the limitations of public access television. Viewers should focus on the content rather than the editing or audio quality. Despite the constraints, these videos offer a treasure trove of ideas for your own performances. Imagine the possibilities with today’s advanced resources!

Caveat Emptor

“What’s the downside?” you might wonder. The truth is, Kross’s material, much like the man himself, isn’t for everyone. He expected his readers to be professionals, often skipping detailed explanations in favor of a conversational tone with his inner circle.

We understand that this approach may frustrate some readers, which is why we included appendices that delve deeper into topics he touched on lightly. For some, Kross’s writings may require an acquired taste. However, like a fine whiskey, the effort to engage with his work can yield rich rewards—there is a wealth of valuable information in this anthology.

Regardless of your feelings toward Ford Kross, his influence on the mentalism community is undeniable, and his legacy deserves to be honored for future generations.