Greetings from all of your friends here at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. Now, that we are into the second week of the New Year, I hope you are all working hard on your New Year’s resolutions. The elves are whispering in my ear to remind you to resolve to buy lots of magic from Hank Lee’s in the upcoming year. Those elves are so clever.
Every year, for as long as I can remember, I have resolved to lose weight in the New Year. This year, I don’t have to make that resolution. Since last September, I have lost 61 pounds, and the weight just keeps on dropping. It is hard work and I have to keep at it every day, but the return is terrific. I have not felt this good for a long time. I can wear clothes that I haven’t worn for years. And, there’s no one “suggesting” to me that perhaps I should lose a few pounds. It’s all good.
Now that the holidays are over, work on this year’s Conclave is in full swing. My “to do” list is really long. But, having done it 19 times in the past, I have a pretty good feel for what needs to be done, and when. We’re not Conclave Newbies, right? If you have not already registered for this year’s big event, now would be the perfect time. Just check out all the info (and the snazzy new photo of James Dimmare) by clicking on the Conclave Button at www.magicfact.com.
I just want to take a quick second to thank my elder son, Aron, for being such a big help over the holidays. As you can imagine, we were pretty swamped with orders during that period, and as soon as he came back from college, he headed right to work. If you phoned an order in over the holidays, you may have spoken with him. He is very polite on the phone. Not a bad kid, for a college boy.
And, now to this week’s excitement.
FREE SHIPPING: Until Thursday the 18th of January at midnight, we are offering free ground shipping to anywhere in the US, including Alaska and Hawaii! Just enter the special code SHIPMEFREE in the Discount Coupon Box at the bottom of the first page of the online checkout at www.magicfact.com. We will happily pick up the ground shipping charges on your order. Of course, if you want your order sent Fedex Three Day (Express Saver), Second Day or Next Day, you will just have to pay the difference. Note: Your email confirmation from our online system will still list the shipping as free, but we will charge the difference when we ship your order. Overseas customers will save as well! We will pay one-half of the Air Post shipping charges on your orders until the 18th! Just remember to enter the special code SHIPMEFREE in the Discount Coupon Box, or let the person taking your phone order know when you place your order at 800 874 7400.
Now, let’s take a look at this week’s Hotlist.
World Renowned Magic Of Paul Potassy DVD Set: A master magician reveals a lifetime of secrets for the very first time on video!
Paul Potassy has been called “a master of magical minimalism with maximum impact.” He has performed for 66 years in 44 different countries, for celebrities, heads of state and even the Pope.
He speaks six languages fluently and has been called “the Maurice Chevalier of magic” and “Europe’s most successful cabaret magician of the last fifty years” by famed British magic producer John Fisher.
In this very special DVD set, you’re about to meet an extraordinary man and watch and learn the thoroughly entertaining and baffling material that came of his lifelong love affair with magic. Top-name magicians flew in from all over to witness this monumental event – Paul Potassy committing this material to video for the very first time – and you’re about to see why.
In Volume One, you’ll see the act that made Paul Potassy’s international reputation. Then, you’ll get to meet the man himself as you’re treated to an in-depth interview conducted by Max Maven.
In Volume Two, you’ll learn the diabolical details of the Potassy act as each trick, including every detail of its preparation and performance, is laid out in exacting detail.
Finally, in Volume Three, you’ll be treated to more magic from Potassy’s vast repertoire. Then, after you’re left shaking your head following the performance, you’ll be taken backstage and shown the inner workings of these extremely strong performance pieces. $99.95
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8629&cat=0&page=1)
Remote Control Candle: From Rick Haslett, this one is a beauty! It’s a Remote Control Candle that will light at your command with just the push of a button on a keychain remote-control. The audience actually sees the wick light before their eyes!
No matches. No lighters. You can be 30 feet away and light the candle over and over again, No resets.?The candle looks and feels like the real thing, wax and all. You will not be able to tell it from an ordinary candle. All of the electronics are built into the candle so that everything is self-contained. Silent in working.
Great for mentalists, stage and parlor entertainers. Comes with everything needed, including a regular wooden stand. However, any stand may be used. You supply the batteries. $260.00
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8630&cat=0&page=1)
Secrets of Thumb Tips DVD: World's Greatest Magic By The World's Greatest Magicians - This benchmark collection features just about all of magic’s most enduring and classic effects and routines. It’s a fabulous compendium with many of the top masters in the world of magic teaching their handlings and routines for some of magic’s classics. Each volume covers a specific subject and features new, old, and sometimes rare footage by some of the top video producers in magic.
The thumb tip is one of the most utilized and valuable gimmicks in magic but it also wins the title of perhaps the most badly used. However, the thumb tip, despite repeated exposures, can still create miracles when used properly and judiciously.
On this DVD, you’ll see ways to use a thumb tip that you’ve never dreamed possible. Michael Ammar presents a poignant story with just a few coins that your audience will always remember. Richard Osterlind tears open a signed packet of sugar substitute and miraculously restores it while Roger Klause conjures silver coins from thin air with just a borrowed dollar bill. If you think you know the traditional vanishing handkerchief, you’re about to be badly fooled by Alexander de Cova and Paul Wilson. Jeff Sheridan offers his versions of two classic thumb tip pieces while Ted Lesley and Dan Harlan demonstrate effects suitable for a stand-up performance. Larger stage tricks like 20th Century Silks and Blendo are turned into powerful close-up effects by Fernando Keops and Steve Dacri and Al Schneider performs a quaint mystery with nothing more than a borrowed dime. Rounding out this set is Paul Diamond with a post-graduate course in thumb tip work with finesses that will vastly
improve your own handling of this marvelous
tool.
Don’t be misled by those who dismiss the thumb tip as “old school.” There are a dozen performers and 14 performances and explanations here that provide conclusive evidence that there’s still a lot of magical life left in this wonderful utility gimmick. 1 hr 40 min. $19.95
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8631&cat=0&page=1)
Comedy Card Babies: Dave Devin’s Comedy Card Babies is the ultimate "Baby Prediction" plus much more!
A spectator selects a card and shuffles it back into the deck. You state that before you came to the show, you made a prediction which you placed inside of the envelope marked with a question mark.
Ask the spectator if she has any idea what was predicted in the envelope. The spectator answers "NO." You pull the prediction from the envelope with "NO" in large, bold letters!
Explain, "You're absolutely correct. In fact, you were "Right On". As you say, "Right On", you turn the prediction card over changing the word "NO" to "ON".
Further explain that you have a prediction on the other side of the "ON" card.
Ask the audience to name a very famous person. Someone everyone will recognize. When a name is chosen, you turn the "ON" card over revealing a baby picture, explaining that "Here they are at 6 months old."
"I know what you’re thinking. What if she had said Oprah Winfrey?" Open the small baby picture to reveal a different full size baby picture.
To get back on track, explain that you do in fact have a prediction of the spectator's chosen card. In a wink, the baby picture turns into a "52 Card Prediction". Explain that their card must be somewhere among the 52 cards. The spectator names her card. The "52 Card Prediction" makes one final transformation, revealing the selected card. A comedy miracle!
A quick comedy prediction that is perfect in all situations. Stage magicians, MC's, stand-up, even close-up workers will benefit from this fun, entertaining routine. $24.95
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8634&cat=0&page=1)
Fetsching Magic- Robert Spencer: It is safe to say that every magician in the world today has, at one time or another, performed an effect created by Hen Fetsch. That’s a pretty impressive statement, but I really believe it is true. Hen Fetsch was an inventive genius. Mental Epic, Symbologic and Quadroplets were only the tip of his creative iceberg! Read through this new book, and you will find over 100 brilliant items of magic and mentalism for both close-up and stage. It reads like a What’s What In Magic, and every item was created by Hen Fetsch. Harbound. Profusely illustrated. $49.95
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8627&cat=0&page=1)
Ne Plus Ultra: Harvey Berg's unbelievable new mental effect.
A group of three classic novels is offered to the spectator who freely chooses any one. (No force!)
The spectator merely thinks of a page number and turns to that page. No one else knows that number.
The spectator is asked to read the top paragraph or lines from either right or left side of the page.
No questions are asked, as you proceed to describe the scene or events written on the page. Not just one word, but a description of what the spectator is reading.
The three books supplied may be examined.
No extra guides, stooges, or keys.
Requires 10 minutes to learn the secret. $194.95
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8628&cat=0&page=1)
Secrets Of The Zombie Ball DVD: World's Greatest Magic By The World's Greatest Magicians - This benchmark collection features just about all of magic’s most enduring and classic effects and routines. It’s a fabulous compendium with many of the top masters in the world of magic teaching their handlings and routines for some of magic’s classics. Each volume covers a specific subject and features new, old, and sometimes rare footage by some of the top video producers in magic.
It’s been said that while others saw a block of marble, Michelangelo saw the figure of David. Similarly, Joe Karson saw a vision of a floating ball in a plumbing fixture and subsequently created one of the most popular magic tricks ever.
What makes Zombie such an appealing trick is that, while it looks like real magic when it’s performed well, it requires no assistants, rigging or other elaborate staging that previous methods for the Floating Ball required.
However, its one drawback is how easy it is to perform Zombie badly.
In this volume, you’ll meet three masters of Zombie, each with their own interpretation of this classic of magic. Al Schneider begins your post-graduate course with a short, punchy routine that’s perfect for those just learning Zombie to become acquainted with the basic moves and handling. He also provides some great tips on modifying the props for maximum deceptiveness. Jeff McBride is next with perhaps the most elaborate exposition of Zombie ever produced. Every move is demonstrated and explained in explicit detail, including ways to get into, and out of, the routine. He also teaches you ways to accomplish the illusion without the standard gimmick. Lastly, Tommy Wonder explains his revolutionary modifications to the apparatus and the astounding effects that are possible.
If you’ve always wanted to be among the select few who perform Zombie well, you’ll find no better resource than this DVD. Running time: 50 minutes. $19.95
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8633&cat=0&page=1)
Cyber Space Mental Control Watch: Cyber Space Mental Control Watch - by Karl Bravosky
Three of the best known “mental watches,” together in one beautiful timepiece. This precision watch contains three different action systems, so many different presentations and routines are possible! You can wear this as your everyday watch. It is a Swiss-made movement in a beautiful Japanese case.
• Without the spectator saying a word, you are able to name the mentally selected time, even while blindfolded! There is no force of any kind.
• A spectator mentally selects a time, but never writes anything down or says a word. Place your watch on the table, and without touching it, the hands start running like crazy and stop at the mentally selected time. You can also do this routine with the watch on your wrist.
• With the watch on a spectator’s wrist, you cause it to run like crazy and stop at the mentally selected time.
• Comes with full instructions for five complete routines with eight variations!
• Remember, the spectator never mentions the mentally selected time. It is kept secret in their mind! And, you never have to touch the watch to perform the effect!
• One year full guarantee.
$385.00
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8592&cat=0&page=1)
And, that’s the stuff that really matters this week, the good stuff if you know what I mean. All here, all for you.
I hope that you will find some time to spend with us during your busy week, either online at www.magicfact.com or in person at our downtown shop at 112 South Street in Boston. Either way, we love the company.
Hank Lee
