Greetings from all of us at Hank Lee's Magic Factory. I hope you all had a terrific Fourth of July. And, I know you are just chomping at the bit to know what I did for the fourth. On Friday afternoon (yes I know I left the office a couple of hours early; just not early enough) I picked up Bones The Dog and we set off for the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard. What kind of fool drives to Cape Cod on Friday afternoon of a holiday weekend? Even Bones realized that it was a mistake, and he kept whining all the way. It normally takes an hour and a half from home to the ferry at Wood's Hole. On Friday, it took four and a half hours. I can only say that you did not want to be in the car with me. Bones had to cover his ears. Once we got to the ferry, everything went smooth as silk.
And then, we arrived on Martha's Vineyard. Immediately on arrival at the homestead, Bonnie presented me with a honey-do list. My weekend of relaxation turned into cleaning the deck, scrubbing the woodwork on the front of the house, a little touch-up painting, a little weeding, a little auto repair, some picture hanging, just a touch of plumbing and then a chance to sit on the deck and put my feet up. On Monday, the in-laws arrived. On Tuesday I left for home. So much work to do at the office, I just had to go. After a weekend away, it is so relaxing to come back to work. No joke.
Now, let's take a look at the Hotlist at www.magicfact.com.
Cash On Call - A visual transformation of two one dollar bills into a ringing cell phone!
Direct from Jay Mattioli's award-winning act. Show the audience two real $1.00 bills, fairly on both sides. With a slow wave of your hand, the two bills visually transform into a ringing cell phone! The phone can then be shown on all sides!
This is visual magic for both stage and close-up. It looks like a camera trick, it's that convincing!
The specially constructed gimmick does most of the work for you, and the phone even rings when it appears!
Comes complete with phone, two real dollar bills and detailed instructions. $39.00
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8378&cat=0&page=1)
Thoughts So Far - Kennedy - Over 30 effects, routines and essays from Kennedy's mind. All of the effects within have been tried and tested on real, paying audiences. This material has gained great praise from top professionals around the world. This book contains "no filler" according to Richard Osterlind. Inside you will find: chair predictions, playing card mentalism, dual reality and pre-show principles and subtleties, two person telepathy effects and metal bending. 239 pages.
"Obviously someone who knows how to respect and entertain an audience." - Leo Boudreau
"When it comes to creating effects, Kennedy's ideas are always fresh and inspirational. Within these pages there are some real gems; a lot of thought has been put into this work." - Michael Murry, creator Beyond ESP
$69.95
Rose From Cards - Spread a deck of cards face-up and show the spectators that the cards are normal.
"Say stop when I flip through the cards." When the spectator says "stop," you cut the deck and show the card. Ask the spectator to remember the card.
As the spectator puts the card back, you say, "I'll find the card you just chose by its smell."
Bringing the deck in front of your nose and making a gesture as if you are smelling the fragrance of the card, you cut the deck in the middle and place the lower half on the top of the deck. The top card is flipped over, and the spectator's card is revealed!
"Is this your card? Give me your hand." Rub the card on the spectator's hand, and when you flip the card over, there is a rose on the back of it. Spreading the entire deck, it is revealed that a rose has magically printed on the entire deck!
Finally, you spread the deck over the spectator's hand, and, as you split the deck in half, a real rose drops out onto the spectator’s palm!
Comes complete with cards, rose, and detailed color instructions (with photos) explaining how to perform this charming illusion!
$25.00
Yin Yang Sticks - From Mephysto Magick comes Yin Yang Sticks, the first new idea in the classic Chinese Sticks we have seen in a really long time!
Explain that in Chinese culture, all energy or "chi" is balanced and regulated by the forces of "yin" and "yang".
Bring out two bamboo sticks. One stick is white with a corresponding white tassel. The other is black, with a black tassel on a black cord. These two sticks are held side by side and explained to be "Yin-Yang" sticks. They can demonstrate a very simple yet profound principle of human existence.
Pulling on the white tassel, a white cord extends from the end of the bamboo stick. At the same time the cord of the black stick shortens and the black tassel rises up to its respective stick. In other words, every action in this world is met with a parallel reaction!
The tassels are pulled several more times to further demonstrate this principle. At this point you point out the obvious to the audience. The action and the reaction must be connected somehow (just as the tassels and cords must also be connected).
Hold the sticks in a variety of positions (first side by side, then like a "V", then like an "X") to demonstrate their "separateness." Finally, the sticks are placed one in each hand. One of the tassels is lowered, and as it is pulled down the tassel from its partner stick rises of its own accord! It must be the "chi" or mystic cosmic energy which connects the Yin and Yang sticks and keeps the cords and tassels moving!
Comes complete with black and white bamboo sticks and instructions sheet.
Dimensions Approximately 14" Long and 1" Diameter (35.5cm x 2.5cm)
$89.95
Party Time Chop Cup Tumbler - Nothing says “Summer” like the Party Time Chop Cup Tumbler. It’s a real plastic tumbler nicely made into a Chop Cup. Great for the strolling magi. This custom-quality prop blends perfectly with backyard barbeques, picnics, outdoor parties and other informal settings where your audience might think another type of Chop Cup looks out of place. $45.00
Sessions With Terry LaGerould DVD #1 - Close-up entertainer extraordinaire for major casinos for over 25 years. Over 100,000 live performances and counting! Those who know him dub him the 'King of Presentation'. His unique and distinctive style will compel you to watch his performances over and over! These extremely entertaining routines selected from his vast original repertoire will stimulate you to learn and perform them too!
Casino Shuffle - A quick triumph with the perfect psychological approach.
No Holds Barred - When cheating is permitted, four Aces easily become a royal flush in spades.
Ten - An instantaneous card change that you will want to learn immediately.
Target Practice - A snappy four Ace discovery with an inexplicable ending.
Cross Country Coin - See how presentation can create interest and excitement during a simple flourish.
Misdirection - A brilliant handling and presentation for 'Twisting the Aces'.
Dolly - Guaranteed to get a laugh as a playing card becomes three dimensional in all the right places.
Fourgeries - After four Queens are transformed into four Tens the Queens are surprisingly discovered reversed in the deck.
Butterfly - A beautiful and entertaining flourish set to classical music.
Rap Artist - The most unique topsy turvy triumph concept extant
$34.95
Incredible Self-Working Card Tricks DVD #5 - MichaelMaxwell - Best-selling author, DVD producer and all-around swell guy, Michael Maxwell, has painstakingly researched and compiled what he considers to be the most amazing "self-working card tricks" ever created. Amazing card tricks requiring no skill! These are killer card tricks to have in your arsenal for those special occasions when someone hands you a deck and says, “Hey Mr. Magician, show us a trick." Even if you have never handled a deck of cards you can easily master these diabolical effects. Special care has been taken to include effects that are not generally known, even to knowledgeable cardmen.
• Stolen Cards
• Hummer of a Trick
• Hummer's Revealed Mystery
• Mind Mirror
• Flight of the Knave & Queen
• Torn
• Follow the Leader
• 10-Hand Poker Deal
• Cards Across
• Absolute Zero
• Spectator Cuts the Aces
• Super Closer
$34.95
Black Widow Coin Purse - You're a magician. You want to make a great impression with the people you are about to approach. Take out this coin purse and open it. Don't say a word, just open it. Let it catch on fire, then close it. Open it again and take out the coins that you intend to use for your coins across routine. Or take out a red silk that you intend to vanish? The possibilities are limitless. The Black Widow needs no patter - it's the perfect silent attention-getter! $22.50
And that's the newest of the new, the best of the best, the tip of the top for this week. Some really fun new stuff.
As for me, I will be heading to the Vineyard again this weekend. I can't wait to see what fabulous household projects await. In the meantime, I hope you will some time in your busy schedules to visit us online at www.magicfact.com. We do love your company!
Hank Lee
