screeching violins

To appreciate this cut-paper collage postcard, it really helps if you've seen the movie "Psycho." Yes, that looming chrome object is the famous shower head. The well-dressed and decapitated man is Canadian-born magician Charles Andress, from a 1917 poster.

It puzzles me no end that nearly all the turn-of-the-century and early 20th century depictions of stage magicians include little red devils with wings and horns. I mean, I get the part about how they're supposed to be consorting with devils in order to do their tricks, but the devils all look so much alike! It's like all the magicians had the same publicity guy.