Pig that Turns Around by U.F. Grant, Abbott’s

This was invented U.F. Grant c. 1928 in his book Super Magical Secrets and called A Bedtime Story. It is really a cute little item to introduce into almost any type of show. Sid Lorraine devised the popular patter story that goes perfectly with it in his Patter Book c. 1938.  It was marketed by Abbott’s with Grant’s supervision c. 1940.

Effect: The effect is that a square looking pig, drawn on a slate, looks round by slowly turning its head, in full view of the audience. This is obviously a magical adaptation of a very old chalk-talk item. However, the slight magical addition has made something worthwhile out of it and I speak from experience, when I say it registers well with audiences.

Here is Sid Lorraine’s routine which is most often associated with this funny effect:

ROUTINE: The pig is actually painted on the slate, in white paint. This isn’t revealed to the audience. I have the slate resting on the table, the drawing side up but covered with a piece of cloth, which is used as a duster (eraser). Pick up the slate, keeping the drawing toward you…rub the slate once or twice with the cloth, while reciting the first couple of lines. Show chalk and proceed to make the drawing, actually going over the painted lines as the patter is given. The head is made to turn on the word “politely” in the last verse.

PATTER: This is a story a boy once told to me…little boys do tell stories, you know. If you keep quiet, I’ll tell you that –

A boy once said
To his dad, so big,
“Will you draw for me
A little fat pig?”

His dad said “Sure!
Now, just you wait
And I’ll draw a pig,
With chalk, on your slate.

Four lines for the body,
Then two for the head.
A leg on each corner. I’ll try.
Next, a dot…and a circle
Placed about here,
That should make a little pig’s eye.

Oh, I mustn’t forget
The little pig’s tail
Nice and curly, but not too big.
That’s all!” said the dad to the boy.
“And here’s your little fat pig.”

(Slate is turned so audience sees pig).

But the boy said, “Dad,
That pig is too square.
I want a pig that looks round,”
His father said, “Oh!”
And what do you think?
The square pig…politely…
LOOKED ‘ROUND!!!

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