Greetings from all of us at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. As I write this, the Red Sox are either on their way home for the 6th and 7th game of the playoffs or calling it a season and going fishing. So far, the Cleveland Indians have been beating up on the BoSox, and unless the Red Sox’ bats come alive in the fifth game tonight, the season is over. Either way, it’s been a great season and a lot of fun. And, really isn’t that what watching baseball is about?
The change of season is in full swing here in New England. Just a few days ago, it was shorts and t-shirt weather. Now it’s long pants and don’t go out without a jacket weather. As I look out the windows, the leaves are already turning serious colors. Which means only one thing. Time to get the snow-blower tuned up. Snow is just not that far away! Don’t get me wrong, I can definitely wait.
On the home front, we are in full college application mode. Lucas is filling out applications, writing essays, re-writing essays, working on his audition CD and just generally having a delightfully stress-filled senior year. Sometimes I think that if he hears, “Lucas, did you...” one more time, his head will explode. But, head-exploding will just have to wait until after all the applications are mailed. No time for it right now.
On the magic front, I am really thrilled that we’ve had a chance to review all of the new Tenyo items for 2008. There are four items, and they all look really good. If I had to pick a favorite, I would go with the Fortune Donut. I think it is extremely clever, and a principle I have never seen before. I would really recommend ordering these soon, as the first delivery is at the beginning of December, and I know you don’t want to be left out!
And now, this week’s excitement.
BUY MORE GET MORE: Starting right now and running through Thursday, October 25th at midnight, we are having another Buy More Get More event. And, here is how it works. For each order you place during the event, you will get a coupon which you can use towards any future purchase here at Hank Lee’s. The value of the coupon depends entirely on the size of your order. Here is the breakdown:
• Order between $25.00 and $100.00: Coupon is for 10% of the merchandise total. (Orders less than $25.00 get our sincere thanks, but sadly no coupon)
• Order between $100.00 and $200.00: Coupon is for 15% of the merchandise total.
• Order between 200.00 and $300.00: Coupon is for 20% of the merchandise total.
• Order over $300.00: Coupon is for 25% of the merchandise total.
When you place your order online at www.magicfact.com, please put the secret phrase BUY MORE GET MORE in the Customer Notes Box of the online checkout. If you place your order by email or FAX, just include the secret phrase with your order. And, if you place your order by phone, toll free at 800 874 7400, please mention the secret phrase to get your coupon. The coupon will be sent along with your order and can be used whenever you wish, no expiration date. You will get a coupon for every order you place during the event. Just don’t lose the coupons, please. Unlike other sales events where certain items are not included, the Buy More Get More event includes every item we carry! This is your chance to, really save for the future.
And now, this week’s Hotlist!
Here I Go Again DVD Set – Bill Malone: One of the funniest magicians on the planet, Bill needs no introduction to the magic world and is still one of the busiest magicians in corporate entertainment today! His first DVD set, “On the Loose,” is regarded as one of the finest collections ever released. Now, from the shuffled mind of Bill Malone, comes more of the most entertaining magic ever caught on DVD. With everything from self-working effects to advanced sleight of hand, this incredibly funny series offers something for everyone.
Bill shares it all: the presentations, the secrets, the tips and touches that come from years of experience, plus discussions on business that will help bring your magic career to a different level! Sit back, relax and get ready to blast off! As Bill says: “Here I go again!”
Volume 1
Autographed Baby Gag! - A great opening for any stand-up act! Bill gives this comedy routine a clever twist!
A Small Card Trick! - A very visual close-up version of the Diminishing Cards!
Marlo’s Miracle Ace Cutting! - A sure-fire ending for Ed Marlo’s legendary Ace cutting routine.
Jumping, Changing and Vanishing Aces! - Enjoy Bill’s version of Larry Jennings’ “Slap Aces.”
Shuffling Off the Spots! - Bill’s “All Backs and Faces” routine, a nice interlude to perform anytime, anywhere, with any deck.
Lightning Fast Triumph! - (Marlo’s Simple Triumph) This version of Triumph will take you by surprise!
Rub-a-Dub-Dub/Cups and Balls - (With Special Thanks to Phil Willmarth) Worth the whole price of the set! Jack Bateman’s classic Cups and Balls poem with a knock-out finale by Lance Pierce!
Bonus Tricks: Bill’s Trademark Cards from Mouth - At last, Bill reveals the real work on the Cards from Mouth; Jack In a Box - A quickie using just one card and the card box.
Bill's Tips:Taking It to the Next Level;Situating Yourself in the Right Place;Secrets to Increase Your Quick Wit Abilities
Volume 2
Thinking Man’s Sponge Ball Routine! - A sponge ball routine you will use! Bill’s performed this routine for over 25 years!
Marlo’s Color-Changing Deck Routine! - Bill’s presentation and touches on another Marlo masterpiece!
Mind-Reading Magician! - Bill’s presentation and thoughts on the Chicago Opener/Red Hot Mama!
Keeping My Money Safe! - S.A.N.D.Y. This is an absolutely unbelievable Coins Across by Bill’s friend, Dave Neighbors.
Dealing A Good Hand!
The Six-Card Trick! - “Sorry for the Delay” - A Joe Riding effect with touches and additions by Bill and his old friend from the New York Magic Lounge, Terry Vecky!
Bonus Tricks:Ravelli’s Waterfall Shuffle - Ron Wohl’s brilliant false shuffle from the late 1960s; Steve Forte’s “No Look Aces” - From “The Man” himself!
Bill’s Tips:Putting Together a Stand-Up Show; My Trade Show Pitch; Drilling a Good Show Into Your Head; Following Up With Your Clients
Volume 3
The Old Rope Trick! - Bill’s friend, comedy magician Rich Purpura, shares one of his opening effects—a cut and restored rope that never restores.
Those Scary Cannibal Cards! - Bill’s incredibly entertaining “Cannibal Card” routine!
Shipwrecked! - Bill’s presentation of Daryl’s now famous “Diamond Bar” routine!
Ernie’s Sex Test! - Ernie Spence, the number one bar magician in Chicago, gives us this hilarious routine.
Which One’s Missing? An easy-to-do trick that packs a huge punch with adults and children.
A Tribute to Johnny Carson! - Bill’s “Cards To Pocket” routine.
Hands-Off Memory Test! - A three-phase routine using the Aronson Stack!
Come Back Jack! Bill’s prize-winning handling and presentation of the Homing Card plot!
Bonus Tricks: Collins/Lewis Vanishing Aces! - A true classic, Michael Skinner-style.
Bill’s Tips: Restaurant Magic— The Owner’s Point of View; How Much Should You Charge; Dealing with Meeting Planners
Special price for all three DVDs. $99.95 (DVD00780A)
Also available individually.
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9084&cat=0&page=1)
Ultimate Card In Bottle: As performed by Cyril on Japanese television! It's a mind-blowing stunt where a signed card from the audience appears inside a genuinely sealed plastic water or iced tea bottle!
This incredibly popular trick in Japan has finally appeared in United States!!
Ask a spectator to choose one card and to sign the card.
Put the signed card back in the deck and ask the spectator to shuffle the cards.
Take out a brand new sealed bottle from a paper bag and tape around the bottle with the sticky side facing out.
“Please throw deck of cards at this bottle and your card will stick to the bottle.”
The spectator throws the cards into the air and you hit the cards with the bottle. But the spectator’s card isn’t stuck to the bottle. All the cards just scattered on the floor.
Remove the label from the bottle. What ho! The spectator’s signed card is actually inside the bottle!
Have the spectator open the bottle and make sure that the bottle is brand new and never opened before
*Almost any plastic bottle can be used for this trick.
*Comes with special gimmicks. (30 gimmicks)
*It is possible to give the bottle to the spectator as a souvenir because the bottle is really a regular bottle.
Comes with instructional DVD $49.95 (30.1271)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9091&cat=0&page=1)
Balloon Illusion: From Tenyo’s 2008 line comes Balloon Illusion. It’s a classic effect using a brand-new principle!
Show the tube absolutely empty. Insert an inflated balloon into the tube, and pierce it with two solid spikes. The balloon does not pop, but remains inflated!
Show the inside of the tube. Your audience can see the two spikes penetrating through the center of the balloon! Remove the spikes and show the balloon completely unharmed.
Balloon Illusion uses a brand-new principle that defies detection! The method looks and feel absolutely fair, as if no gimmicks could be involved. This is truly the ultimate version of the balloon penetration effect. You will love it! $42.00 (60.1480)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9081&cat=0&page=1)
Hathaway Rising Cards: Hathaway’s remarkable contribution to the rising cards trick has become a classic of its genre. This astonishing effect is not only deceptive and practical but highly visible too, making it most effective for stage or parlor presentation. Three cards rise up from an examined Jumbo Deck which is inside a clear houlette suspended on ribbons held by you and a spectator - under seemingly impossible conditions - yet totally under your control. The self-contained apparatus is both sturdy and attractive and built to Martin Lewis’ exacting standards. Included is an instructional DVD by Martin Lewis, showing a live performance for an audience of 700. Martin explains in his clear and informative manner the working details and variations which “sell” the effect to the audience. And he should know, the trick having been in his act for over 30 years. $195.00 (60.1481)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9089&cat=0&page=1)
Fortune Donut: Of the four new Tenyo items for 2008, this one is my favorite! Show your audience a circular-shaped card that contains the pictures of many playing cards. Allow the spectator to make a completely free choice of one card.
Using a pair of scissors, cur o t the chosen card.
When you turn everything over, the freely chosen card is the only one with a red back. All the other cards on the ring have blue backs!
The spectator can keep the cut-out card as a souvenir.
A pair of scissors with rounded tips is included, so you can perform the trick immediately. You can also use scissors you already have at home.
You get enough Fortune Donut rings to perform this miracle 20 times. $34.00 (10.1419)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9088&cat=0&page=1)
Secrets of Torn & Restored Newspaper DVD – Worlds Greatest Magic By The World’s Greatest Magicians - A “tear-able” collection featuring one of the greatest tricks in magic!
One of magic’s most enduring effects has always been the Torn and Restored Newspaper, and for good reason. Newspapers and magazines are objects that almost everyone interacts with on a daily basis so when a magician picks up one of these seemingly ordinary items and performs a highly visual, veritable miracle with it, people immediately take notice.
On this DVD, you’ll meet six master magicians who each has their own take on this magical classic. Paul Potassy’s continental style of performing in no way prepares the audience for the diabolical trap he sets for them as he not only tears up and restores a newspaper, but in offering to explain how it’s done, leaves the audience even more baffled. Fielding West uses the Al Baker Newspaper Tear as a jumping off point for some great comedy and classic magic while Richard Osterlind actually has the newspaper signed before tearing it up and completely restoring it. Steve Dacri then passes along an underground trade show secret shown to him by Frank Garcia – a show-stopping trick with a page torn from a magazine that’s torn and restored and verified to be the original page by a piece entrusted to a spectator at the very start. Next, Alex Elmsley’s timeless newspaper tear is performed and then meticulously explained by the master himself. Finally, Terry Seabrooke shares a newspaper
tear gag that is a perfect bit for magical MCs or as an interlude in any comedy magic
act.
Almost no other effect says “magic” like the Torn and Restored Newspaper and you’re sure to find a version of this timeless trick here that’s just perfect for you and your style of performing.
$19.95 (DVD00781)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9092&cat=0&page=1)
Mystic Scope: With Tenyo’s new Mystic Scope. You can read your spectator’s innermost thoughts! Wow!
Show four coins and ask a spectator to secretly choose one.With your back turned, have her insert the coins into four separate frames.
Your turn around and peer through your Mystic Scope. Immediately you divine the chosen coin!
In another presentation, ask a spectator to secretly write a friend’s name on a slip of paper. Then write three other names on three more slips. She inserts all of the slips into separate frames. When you turn around and look through your Mystic Scope, you can immediately tell which of the four is her friend!
By peering through the Mystic Scope, you will always be able to tell which object has been mentally chosen.
A great concept with a ton of performance possibilities! $40.00 (10.1420)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9093&cat=0&page=1)
Del Ray Live DVD - Ask anyone about their memories of Del Ray and you'll be greeted with tales of wonder, amazement and unforgettable performances.
At home on the stage, close-up, or any venue, Del Ray was an expert card worker and simply dazzling with dice. Also an innovator of note, his numerous mechanical creations and the application of electronics to the art were years ahead of their time.
This rarely seen footage shows Del Ray in a mammoth 100 minute-plus performance. Here is a rare chance to see Del Ray in full flight. $29.95 (DVD00776)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9082&cat=0&page=1)
Ultimate Spoon Bend: One of the exciting new items in the 2008 Tenyo line. Show your audience a sold metal spoon. Focus your psychic energy on the spoon and watch as the spoon bends at your fingertips.
As a surprising finale, the spoon breaks in half! You can hand out the two broken pieces of the spoon for examination, and they will find nothing!
Spoon bending is one of the most popular psychic illusions in the world. With the Ultimate Spoon Bend, the spoon bends visually by itself without any cover or secret moves. Your audience will believe that you really do have the “power.”
Comes complete with the spoon, which may be used over and over again, plus the very special gimmick! $40.00 (40.595)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9090&cat=0&page=1)
Stage Up-ers – Two CD Audio Learning Set – Barry Mitchell
The rules of the stage that will help you rule the stage. Have you ever received a standing ovation? It’s a great feeling to know that your performance moved an audience. Did you know that ovations are seldom accidental? A polished and prepared performer knows how to control an audience’s emotions. They know how to bring an audience to their feet. Stage Up-ers will give you the tools you need to get that standing ovation. Improve your stage presence and appeal with this educational and entertaining CD Set. Written especially for magicians, clowns and variety artists. $30.00 CD0054)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9080&cat=0&page=1)
Reel Magic Quarterly DVD Issue 2 - November 2007:
Jason Alexander - Did you know that Jason Alexander won Parlour Magician of the Year at the Magic Castle? Listen to Jason as he to talks to John Lovick about how he created this award-winning act.
Kevin James - Talks to Tim Trono about life on a reality show and how Simon Cowell (American Idol) contributed to getting him ousted.
Columns:
• Andrew Pinard - Andrew goes to New York City and speaks with Bill Kalush, Executive Director of the Conjuring Arts Research Center
• Off the Shelf is proud to introduce Joel Givens’ new book “Session” written by Josh Jay. Josh interviews Joel and Joel performs his Karate coin routine.
• Reel Magic Quarterly is proud to welcome new columnist Jon Armstrong - Small Things, Big Difference.
• Simon Lovell - Simon said it! The ever-controversial Simon Lovell sounds off on magic and the internet.
• Garrett Thomas – Try This At Home
Reviews:
• David Regal - Tricks of the Trade
• Wayne Kawamoto - Choice Cuts
• Bonus Tricks: Geoff Williams "Ready to Link," a no-move get-ready for Linking Rubber Bands
• Joel Givens "Ninja Coin," Joel’s fantastic Karate Coin
• "Bar Room Blues," An amazing Color-Changing Deck from Big Blind Media’s "new" artist George McBride
$9.95 (DVD00777)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9083&cat=0&page=1)
PK Bill: Finally, a single ply ferromagnetic dollar, shim free and easy to use! The PK Bill Ferromagnetic Dollar looks like an ordinary U.S. dollar, but it sticks to magnets. Perform amazing PK magic under impossible conditions!
The strategic ferromagnetic pattern means you can hand the PK Bill out for casual inspection. Crumple it up into a ball and perform your favorite chop routine with a cup, glass, or mug!
• Packaged to arrive crisp!
• Looks like a real U.S. Dollar!
• Easily passes visual inspection!
• For use with all commercial PK devices!
The PK Bill doesn't come with instructions. While the possibilities are endless, the tricks are up to you! $10.00 (10.1418)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9079&cat=0&page=1)
And that’s all of the excitement for this week. And, it’s always so exciting when the new Tenyo items arrive! As always, I hope you will find some time to spend with us either online at www.magicfact.com or in person at 102 North Street in Medford. Either way, we love the company!
Hank Lee
