I'm currently rereading Ricky Jay's book Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women. It's a very fun look at oddball performers through the ages, such as the two and foot tall, flipper handed magician, illustrator and magician Mattias Buchinger, or the poison eaters and Jay's idol, the great magician Max Melini. Jay was the best card sharp of his generation, a fine historian and good actor who appeared in Boogie Nights, the X-Files, a couple David Mamet movies and Tomorrow Never Dies.
Reading the book got me back into watching some clips of Jay. Here's one from the David Mamet directed Ricky Jay and his 52 Assistants. Here's a clip that shows both his skills as a card sharp and his skill with old school patter.
Reading the book got me back into watching some clips of Jay. Here's one from the David Mamet directed Ricky Jay and his 52 Assistants. Here's a clip that shows both his skills as a card sharp and his skill with old school patter.