Greetings from all of us at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. If this is Friday, it must be Miami. As you know, if you have been following along, we are on the road with the 2008 Lucas Audition Tour this week. Maryland, Miami, Tallahassee, Gainesville and finally home. A real trains, planes and cars trip. It’s been a lot of fun so far, and it’s not over yet! I am writing this to you from our hotel room in lovely Coral Gables. I will say this. It sure is a lot warmer here than back home!
In other news this week, our very own Patriots won the AFC Championship game. I watched. Bonnie went to the movies. We observed Martin Luther King Day. And, the new Extra was delivered to our crack artist, Mark Wing. He will have it ready for the printer in about two weeks, and it will head out the door to all of you about a week after that. So, look for it around the end of February. I will give you plenty of notice, as always.
Nothing to report on the Conclave front, other than it is time to seriously think about registering. The Conclave is only two months away, and you don’t want to miss this one! Check out the new Conclave graphic to the left, if you are getting the email Newsletter in html format. If you aren’t, just let me know and we will hook you up!
Now, I am off for a dip in the pool, then it’s time to take Lucas to sing, sing, sing. Oh, you might want to check out this week’s excitement!
WINTER READING SALE: Winter is a great time for reading. What could be better than curling up with a good magic book in front of a roaring fireplace? Nothing, sez me!
Starting right now and ending on Thursday, the 31st of January at midnight, you can save 20% on every single book that we carry, except those published by Mike Caveney's Magic Words. All you need to do is enter the special code SAVEONBOOKS in the Discount Coupon Box of the online checkout at www.magicfact.com and we will automatically deduct the 20%. If you place your order by phone, toll free at 800 874 7400, just mention the special code, SAVEONBOOKS, and we will deduct the 20%. You can also place your order by FAX at 781 395 2034 or by email at magicfact@aol.com. No matter how you place your order, just mention the special code and save 20% on all the books!
Now, it’s time to check out this week’s Hotlist.
Overload Smoking ears on command!
Produces blasts of smoke up to five feet, from both sides of your head. You can repeat it as many times as you like, with no reset needed. Looks like a very expensive effect that you only see in the movies, but you can perform it whenever you want at an amazing price.
Plus extra bonus, Smoke From Anywhere: Produce smoke you’re your bare hands. With this addition, you can produce smoke from anywhere: bare hands, bottom, leg and even build it into props. Endless possibilities!
Very safe, no ignition, no heat produced and most important no hard to find hazardous chemicals.
Comes complete with:
* Full instructions
* Overload gimmick, suitable for any head, whatever size
* Delivery system
* Smoke from anywhere gimmick, will fit anyone
* One cartridge, these refill cartridges are available all over the world.
$160.00 (60.1502)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9241&cat=0&page=1)
Geoffrey Durham, Professional Secrets - A life in Magic: Geoffrey Durham is a consummate magic professional. In this long-awaited first book he explores the magical classics: Himber Ring, Selbit Blocks, Gypsy Thread, Asrah Levitation, Coin In Bottle , Koran's Gold Medallion, Magic Square and so many more.
His Prediction/Mind-reading Chest is worth 100 times the cost of this book to any professional that will take the time to master it.
In between the explanations of the effects, Geoffrey gives you insight into the how and why of things. He tips the real work behind the tricks. Not just the secret, but how he arrived at the routine he created. Something so important that many will miss out on the real golden nuggets hidden in this book, if they are just looking for effects.
All the routines come directly from his entertaining and original close-up shows, TV, theatre and cabaret performances. His streamlined methods and presentations are honed to perfection from thousands of live performances.
But this isn't just a book about terrific tricks; Geoffrey shares his innermost thoughts on showmanship, patter, audience handling, rehearsal and much more, in a series of well-written essays that aren't so much magical theory but true magical genius.
Drawing from his vast experience as a performer in many venues, Geoffrey helps you learn from his mistakes. He sets you on the road to real show-business success.
Over 240 pages of solid professional material; no fluff or fillers here. Hard bound, beautifully produced with colorful dust jacket. A book to be read over and over again. $55.00 (BK01558)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9240&cat=0&page=1)
“Attention Magicians of the World! If you haven’t heard of Geoffrey Durham, you soon will! Geoffrey shares his life’s work and insight on how to make Magic that is funny, amazing, and memorable. This book is filled with practical tips and effects that you will use. Read this book and enjoy the magical gifts that Geoffrey has to offer you!” - Jeff McBride
Falling For You - Andrew Gerard: A spectator is shown a small bunch of cards and is asked to remember one.
The cards are mixed and dropped to the ground by a spectator or magician one at a time landing in a neat little pile, except for one. One card takes off and flies towards the person that thought of a card! The card is named, turned over and shown to be the one they mentally selected!
* No elastic
* No reset
* No threads
* No magnets
* No wires
* Self contained/ self working
5 page booklet includes instruction, routine, tips and bonus ideas.
$24.95 (30.1299)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9239&cat=0&page=1)
"Finally a genuine breakthrough in plot and method! I know everyone will be doing this."
- Paul Harris
The Secret Life of Houdini & The Secret Life Laid Bare - William Kalush and Larry Sloman - Perhaps the most controversial book ever written about Harry Houdini. Today, a full year after its release, experts are still debating the claims put forth in this ground-breaking biography. Did Houdini really work for the Secret Service? Did he sometimes rely on confederates to accomplish his escapes? Were ardent spiritualists in some way involved in his untimely death?
The authors have now compiled all of their notes and sources into a beautiful companion volume. The Secret Life of Houdini Laid Bare provides a fascinating peek into the voluminous files that were collected from all parts of the world. Plus, all of the material that was edited out of the biography appears in Houdini Laid Bare for the first time. And scattered throughout the book are more than seventy rare photographs relating to the career of the Great Houdini.
Fans of magic history will find that reading both books together will bring each one to life. The books will be sold only as a set. Packaged in a beautiful slipcase you will receive a first edition of The Secret Life of Houdini with a colored frontis piece signed by both authors. The Secret Life of Houdini Laid Bare with 333 pages and a beautiful dust jacket, has a different colored frontis piece also signed by the authors. Each book is numbered and only 1,000 sets have been produced. $95.00 (BK01560)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9244&cat=0&page=1)
Amazing Mystical Vanishing Bandana: The Vanishing Bandana is without a doubt one of the funniest magic routines you will ever perform, and now it's completely updated for the times. It’s been redone, redone it right!
Explain to the audience that you subscribe to the Magic Trick Of The Month Club and that you just received a new magic trick in the mail and you were so excited about sharing it with them you haven't even opened it yet. Open the shipping box and remove a CD. Put the CD in your CD player and turn up the volume loud enough for everyone in the audience to hear. After a short music introduction, a voice explains that this is "The Lesson of the Amazing, Mystical, Vanishing Bandana." The voice tells you that you need two props for this trick. The first is a large dark colored square cloth and the second is a yellow bandana. After hearing these words, you reach into the shipping box and bring out a piece of dark fabric and a yellow banana, not a yellow bandana.
The voice continues to explain that this lesson is about "palming" and instructs you to fold up the yellow bandana and vanish it in the dark square of fabric. You really fold and mash up the banana (UGH!), which gets tons of laughter from your audience. The trick ends with you vanishing the folded and mashed banana in the dark fabric square!.
This routine is so easy to perform. The CD "talks" you through the entire trick which gives you time to really maximize the laugh factor. Supplied complete with everything you need for this effect (except the banana). This one is too good to pass up and perfect in any type performance.
Why this version??
Because it is about quality! Not only will you get a totally new, practical, re-worked script with much more comedy, but you’ll get two brand new scripts, totally free. As if that wasn't enough, you will also receive two free Magic Enhancer tracks that you can get nowhere else.
Here’s what you get:
* All Tracks come in both male and female voices.
* CD is perfectly timed to maximize laughter without interrupting the track.
* Two all new scripts you can use with the enclosed hank.
* 2 bonus tracks from the Magic Enhancer CD (Not available anywhere else).
* New Improved Devil's Hank with eye-appealing fabric. No hideous designs.
* Removable pocket liner to help you clean up your mess.
* New tracks with fun sound effects.
* A longer, more comical routine with an ending that is awesome! * A brief history of this effect written by Bill Palmer.
* Manuscript includes tips and cues for the funniest facial expressions to make!
$69.95 (60.1503)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9243&cat=0&page=1)
Good & Evil: A new twist on D’Lite’s classic routine, Salt & Pepper. Good & Evil enables the performer to completely mix white and black powder in a spectator’s hand, then magically separate the black powder from the white. Good & Evil includes the special powders, an Ultimate Sleeving Device, and a Flip Tip with insert. Because it includes these other products, Good & Evil is a great value for the price. $59.95 (60.1503)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9242&cat=0&page=1)
Premonition Box: This is an ingenious device for any mentalist.
You show a beautiful wooden box containing dice, pencil, papers and a deck of cards. Explaining that you had a premonition earlier in the day, ask a spectator to simply think of any one of the fifty-two cards. It is a completely free choice. She can think of any card. Explain that you removed one and only one card from the deck as a prediction. Without adding or taking away any cards, the deck is removed from its case by the spectator. The spectator herself counts the cards and notes that there only fifty-one. What is more amazing is that her freely thought-of card is missing.
Come complete with anything you need to perform this miracle.
Box Dimensions Approximately 6 7/16" x 4 5/8" x 1 1/2" (16.35cm x 11.74cm x 3.81cm)
$90.00 (40.607)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9246&cat=0&page=1)
Funny Business DVD - Niagara Comedy Seminar 2007 - David Peck:
If you are serious about being funny – this DVD is for you! Shot live at the Niagara Comedy Magic Seminar in January 2007, the DVD is packed with professional information, invaluable experience and hilarious performances. View clips from a public show featuring John Ferrentino, Dave Merry, and Bob Sheets. Following the performances are in-depth interviews, a post show Q&A analyzing performance techniques and an in-depth panel discussion featuring John Park, Doug Hunk, Bob Sheets, Dave Merry, and Larry Horowitz.
John Ferrentino: The Long Island comedian has been one of the most innovative forces on both the comedy and magic scenes for the last two decades. John has appeared on more than fifty television shows, including “The Pat Sajack Shows,” “Caroline’s Comedy Hour,” “Evening At The Improv,” and as a regular guest on “Comic Strip Live”, performing alongside such noted comics as Ray Romano, Eddie Murphy, Kevin James, and Rosie O’Donnell. Ferrentino is also a regular at TM MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Dave Merry: David Merry is a comedian, magician, TV host, actor, emcee and golf professional. Toronto born and raised, Merry is often referred to as “Comedy’s Mad Man of Magic”. Dave is a past recipient of Canada’s “Club Comic of the Year” Award, and his one man shows, “Don’t Panic Remain.com” was nominated Best One Man Show at the Canadian Comedy awards. David has performed at The Improv, The Comedy Store, The Laff Factory, and The Icehouse in Los Angeles!
Bob Sheets: Bob’s humorous presentation style is experience gained from one of the most diverse work histories in magic. Credentials in a variety of venues include Circus and Side Show performer, Magic Bartender/Owner, Street Magician, Renaissance Festival performer, Trade Show crowd stopper and Sales Meeting wake up artist! Bob lectures and performs for magicians all over the world. In 1996 Bob won first place in London at the prestigious “Ron MacMillian; World Closer-Up”.
Doug Funk: Doug is an award winning and two times nominated comedian. He is a seasoned performer with a fresh and contagious style, whose entertainment background has molded him into one of Canada’s funniest and most versatile comics.
John Park: John’s wide-ranging career has taken him from Hollywood, where he appeared on HBO’s award “Larry Sanders Shows” starring Garry Shandling, to Las Vegas, where he performed in “Splash” at the Riviera. He has worked with Huey Lewis and the News, The Grateful Dead, and the Jerry Garcia Band.
Larry Horowitz: Larry is widely regarded as an expert in the field of humor. He is the Director of the Humber College Comedy Writing and Performance program and was the first Canadian to win the $10,000 grand prize from America’s Funniest People. His TV appearances have included: The Joan Rivers Shows, Late Night with David Letterman, and Evening At The Improv.
$39.95 (DVD00822)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9238&cat=0&page=1)
Reflections DVD - Yigal Mesika & Finn Jon - In Reflections, leading masters of levitation and animation, Finn Jon and Yigal Mesika come together again to take you through the Dos and Don’ts of performing with invisible thread and Loops in any light condition. You will learn how to walk into any setting, from close up to stage and instantly know how to eliminate those telltale reflections that can ruin your act! If you're using levitation and animation at any level, this DVD is essential viewing!
You'll find inside tips and advice on the magic behind creating magic in the air. The riveting sequel to Loops Volume 1&2 contains in depth, explanation of how to create totally believable effects so that even skeptics will be convinced! Watch Mesika and Finn open up in candid conversations with each other about top secrets of how to foolproof your technique and work well with backgrounds to eliminate any suspicions of thread. Enjoy a rare, private lesson with the experts and watch them perform new effects never seen or done before.
* Jumping Cigarette
* One-hand Floating Bill
* Spinning Bulb
* Boomerang Card
* Secret Loop Move
$49.95 (DVD00821)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9237&cat=0&page=1)
Déjà vu - Dan Sperry
Within the pages of this book, bird manipulator Dan Sperry shares his secrets for successful return flight training of doves. Utilizing return flight birds in your act is a guaranteed way to give your audience a further sense of amazement and shows that you have a dedication and love for your animals.
Return flight training not only offers a visually pleasing additional flourish to your dove routine, it also is a way for you to personally bond with your dove.
Dan will share with you his three secrets to successful return flight training. The simple step-by-step break down is a program anybody can do.
As a special bonus section, Dan will also tip his work on sleeve toss techniques.
Dove leg band included.
24 pages. Saddle Stitched. $12.00 (BK01599)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9245&cat=0&page=1)
And that’s it for this week. I can hear Lucas tuning up his vocal chords. He’s got those little knobs on the side of his neck, like a guitar, know what I mean? And, that means, we are off to the next audition. I wonder if Caruso’s father did this?
Anyway, I really do hope you will find some time this weekend 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
