Includes not only Tom Mullica’s famous cigarette act, but the Mullica Wallet, a cups and balls routine, and more.

Tom Mullica is an amazing performer on many levels. His performances are both shocking, amazing, riveting and often disgusting. This is the guy who put the “eek!” in Geek.

For nine years Mullica held court at the Tom-Foolery Magic Bar Theatre in Atlanta. It was his bar, his turf, and his home. Any guest who attended a show at the Tom-Foolery had an experience they would remember forever. Forever.

The Tom-Foolery is gone, Mullica has been busy globe hopping since his three-year engagement at the Crazy Horse Cabaret in Paris. All that remains of the original TomFoolery are memories and this amazing book.

Richard Kaufman can be accused of many things, but never could one rightfully accuse him of lacking persistence. Mullica told me he was badgered by Kaufman. Mullica agreed to let Kaufman hang around at the Tom-Foolery. Kaufman took hundreds of photographs and copious notes about every trick, joke, gesture and sightgag during Mullica’s shows. Years later, Kaufman cornered Mullica at Johnny Thompson’s home. More questions, photos, notes and video. More shouting from all concerned parties. The result is worth all of the trouble.

The book has Tom’s history in magic, it has all the details of the clubs which preceded the Tom-Foolery Bar, and it has all of the magic and gags Tom developed and refined over the years. As amazing as it may seem (on many different levels) it is all here.

The Table of Contents begins with a time table of an evening at The Bar. Details of what occurred every five minutes are listed (the Skeleton Timetable at the back of the book explains what happened every few seconds). Tom usually performed select items in each show, but his full repertoire is described, discussed and taught. Series photographs taken at the Tom-Foolery show the step-by-step progression of each effect and the show. The text explains every joke Tom used and every face he made. The detail is staggering and wonderful.

The layout of the book could not be described as beautiful, but it is perfect. It is the equivalent of a guided tour of the floor behind the bar after one of Mullica’s shows-it’s all there. In addition to being a great record of the Tom-Foolery show, there is a ton of workable, practical, amazing magic taught.

If you smoke, there’s material here you won’t believe (especially after you read the method). Only one bit of information has been withheld-the exact how, when and where the cigarettes and napkins go when he “eats” them. One guy in magic doing this particular effect is enough.

Those who aren’t so fond of smokes will find amazing card routines, a terrific “Cups and Balls” presentation, his “Bubble Gum to Balloon,” a great finish for the “Egg Bag,” and much more. The jokes, bits and sight gags alone are worth the price ofadmission.

Ton Onosaka’s drawings are so good Kaufman may hang up his pen. In all, this is a wonderful tribute to a one-of-a-kind performer and an amazing collection of A-l material. My highest recommendation.