MINDSHOT.

When Polaroid Land instant picture cameras first arrived in Britain, Al

Koran performed a stunt that did much to enhance their reputation. It is not strictly a
cabaret trick, but it can be used for the more intimate gatherings where the audience is a
trifle too large for close-up magic.
The effect is startlingly direct. The performer gives a pack of cards to a
spectator, or spreads the cards in a ribbon across a table. Having shown the cards to be
all different, the performer turns the spread face-down and invites the spectator to take a
card. The man is now asked to look hard at the card, then pocket it, keeping a firm
mental image of it all the time. The performer then takes up a Polaroid Camera, says,
"Keep thinking of your card please!" and takes a picture of the spectator. In ten seconds,
a print is peeled from its backing. It is a clear picture of the assistant, and on his
forehead there is a clear picture of the card he was thinking of! (See FIG. 5).
Little explanation is needed. The Polaroid cameras are capable of giving
double-exposures.
Set up a card on a black background, as large as possible. The
double-exposure facility now comes into play. Take a shot of the card, of a size and in a
position that will approximate to the forehead area of a person photographed at the
camera's closest distance. A little experiment will make this an easy matter. The picture
thus taken is not developed immediately, but left in the camera in its latent condition.
The card you have photographed is, of course, the card you will force. The
force is left up to the individual, but a delightfully straightforward forcing pack is
described in the section on Gimmicks. This could be used to advantage in the present
trick. When the card is forced, a second picture is taken on the same piece of film; this
time it is the spectator, thinking intensely of his card, who is photographed. Take care to
get the picture so aligned that the card will appear on his forehead. A spot of clear
nail-varnish applied to an appropriate part of the viewfinder will assist in this direction.
Pull the tab, wait the required time (longer for colour], and produce the magical souvenir.
It isn't great magic, but it is always well-received.