Greetings from all of us here at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. We are back from Lucas’ first audition trip, and just in time, if you ask me. Spending five days in and out of airports and in and out of hotels, not to mention rent-a-car places, is not my idea of a good time. By the end of the trip, my head was spinning. I had no idea what day it was or where we were. Of course, I am easily confused, as you know.
Lucas overcame audition nerves and did really well. At his first audition, he started his first Italian piece, then blanked on the words. But, being a real trooper-in-training, he kept on going, singing the correct notes with made-up Italian words. After a couple of bars, the words came back to him and he was just fine. But, if there were any Italian speakers at his audition, they must have been shaking their heads. No more brain cramps for the rest of the trip, happy to report.
At the end of the trip, we spent a day with Aron, and it was totally fun. Now that he’s turned 21, he can order an alcoholic drink. Always responsibly, of course. At least while we’re there.
Speaking of drinking responsibly, I must mention that this is Superbowl Sunday. As you know, our very own hometown team, the New England Patriots are playing the NY Giants. I say, let the best team win. As long as it’s the Pats.
For those who have been following the saga of the Psychic Clipboard, it finally arrived in stock! I have it right here. And, it is an amazing piece of mental magic! Check it out in the Hotlist. And, if you act quickly, it can be yours!
As always I need to remind you about the Conclave. Just 8 short weeks away, and no one knows it better than me. This is our 20th Anniversary event, and should be a corker. The dates are April 4th – 6th. Register now, while registrations are still available!
Now, let’s take a look at this week’s excitement.
PRE-VALENTINE’S DAY SALE: February is the month for love. And, since we love our customers more than you can imagine, we offer this pre-Valentine’s Day Sales Event. For the next seven days, from the very moment you receive this email until Thursday, February 7th at midnight, everything (well, almost everything) is on sale at 25% off the retail price. All you need to do is enter the special code VALENTINESALE in the Discount Coupon Box of the online checkout at www.magicfact.com and we will automatically deduct 25% from your order total. If you are calling your order in to the Toll Free Order Line at 800 874 7400, FAXing your order to us at 781 395 2034 or emailing us your order to magicfact@aol.com make sure to mention the special code so you can save a huge 25%!
There are a few rules that apply, as with all things in life.
• The minimum order to use the 25% off discount is $25.00.
• The 25% is deducted from the retail price of the item. No intermediate discounts (such as HankoGram pricing) may be applied. In the case of sets, such as DVDs and Videos, the 25% is deducted from the retail price of each item and not from the set price.
• Certain items, due to contractual restrictions, are not included in this sale. All Joe Porper items, Paul Harris Prime Time Magic items, Viking/CW items, Kennedy Enterprises items, Colin Rose items, Mike Caveney Books, JB Magic, Martin Breese, Mikame Craft items, Greater Magic Teach-In DVDs, One Of A Kind Collectors' Items and a few other items are not included in the sale.
• If you place an order for an item that is not on this list or not noted in our online catalog, but is excluded from the sale, we will let you know before processing your order.
• Coupons will be deducted from the order total before the discount is applied.
• As the discount is automatically generated, you must put the special code VALENTINESALE in the Discount Coupon Box. You may have to scroll to the bottom of the page to find the box, but it is there. If you are not sure how to do this, please phone your order in to our toll-free order line at 800 874 7400, and we will take care of you. We cannot offer discounts retroactively.
And that's it. It could not be easier. So, get your order together and save yourself some serious money! But, act quickly. The sale ends Thursday at midnight!
Now, let’s take a look at the this week’s Hotlist!
Impossible Bill To Can: Paul Romhany is a seasoned professional magician who first performed his Impossible Bill To Can routine on live National Television ten years ago. He caused a huge uproar among magicians who accused him of using a stooge because the trick was simply too impossible!
What didn’t know was that Paul had been performing his routine for two years in Trade Shows and Cabaret venues prior to the TV presentation. Ten years on and Paul is still performing the routine exactly the way he did it on television and still fooling magicians and lay people around the world.
This is a Bill to Can routine that really does seem impossible, however with Paul Romhany’s clever thinking, he has created what must be considered the strongest and most Impossible Bill To Can routine ever
Effect:
A sealed can is given out prior to the performance and held by a spectator throughout the show. At the appropriate time, a bill is borrowed and signed. This bill is then placed inside an envelope and burned.
A second bill is borrowed and signed by another spectator and this magically changes into the first spectator's signed bill!
The person holding the tin can is now asked to open it up and inside they find the second spectator’s signed bill! Whoah!
Read the above again and notice the can is given out prior to the trick and that the magician never goes anywhere near the can!
• Uses an ordinary tin can – Paul will show you how to ‘gimmick’ your own can so you can perform it exactly as he does.
• No stooges – due to his clever presentation Paul does not need a stooge for this trick.
• Two variations – Paul explains how he can perform this in a Trade Show situation where he has repeat performances and also the version he uses on Cruise Ships and in private and corporate parties.
• You receive the DVD which includes a live performance of Paul’s routine plus full explanation. $125.00 (60.1505)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9247&cat=0&page=1)
Spook House Illusion: Based on the classic Arabian Tent Illusion, this Spook House is from the pages of Tom Palmer's popular book, Modern Illusions. It's an exact reproduction of Tom's house.
You won't find a more baffling illusion in that the prop is so lightweight, simple and innocent in appearance.
The magician explains that he has made a reproduction of the famous haunted Belasco house On the stage sits a folded, flat house. Piece by piece the sides and top are shown completely flat and innocent as the house is assembled. Once all is in place, the roof is opened and ropes are placed inside. Instantly, they fly out, knotted.
Bells and drums are dropped inside and are heard playing.
Blank slates are placed within, only to be found to have messages on them.
Finally, a full grown ghost appears within the tiny spook house!
With this prop you can also perform the Ghost Switch as described in Mark Wilson's Course In Magic and on his video.
The house is 28" x 28" X 38" tall and weighs about 5 lbs. This is not a flimsy cloth prop, but a rigid house that will fit in the back of your car and can be carried in under your arm. Truly the most practical illusion you will own and use at an extraordinary price. $175.00 plus shipping. (60.1507)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9259&cat=0&page=1)
Nick Trost’s Subtle Card Creations, Vol. 1 – Nick Trost: Nick Trost is well known for his simple, easy-to-do card magic. He uses subtle moves and principles rather than difficult sleight of hand to produce entertaining card effects. The entire set of volumes contain his best card effects, plus variations by his fellow magicians. Many of these card creations came from his series of notebooks and most have not been published previously. This volume alone contains 11 chapters describing over 100 tricks. Here are a few of the areas covered: • Coincidences • Transpositions • Court Cards • Special Decks • Gambling Tricks • Packet Tricks • Poker Tricks • ESP Cards Also included is an appendix of useful sleights and subtleties. Hard cover with dust jacket, 300+ pages. $39.95 (BK01561)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9248&cat=0&page=1)
Voracity – Corey Burke:
Don't just change their bill. Change their reality!
You now have the ability to borrow anyone's dollar bill and change it into a $25, then into a $50, and finally into a $100.
Terminal Voracity - A Dollar Bill slowly dissolves into a Five Dollar Bill that your spectator has been holding the entire time. A graceful take on the $1/$5 Transpo.
The Monocle Production - Three coins spiral into view and then vanish one at a time. With a final reproduction allowing you to go into any three coin routine you so desire.
Mercenaring - A highly visual, linking ring routine used to showcase the Ultimate linking-ring count. Imagine being able to show all four rings separate from one another before you start..
Vicissitube - If you perform Slow burn, Hundy 500, or 3-D Cash you are going to want to add this handling to your routine right away! This is priceless!
Homer's Odyssey - What do you get when you cross Four Coins and a Filipino With The Deep? The answer- a highly visual four coins across routine that can be performed anytime, anywhere.
Pennies From Down Under - An under-handed Tenkai Pennies routine for the brave!
$34.95 (DVD00823
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9249&cat=0&page=1)
Szechuan Sampler 2 - Larry Becker and Lee Earle:
The performer hands four authentic menus from different Chinese restaurants to a participant, informing, "We're going to take a virtual tour among these dining establishments, sampling selections from each place until we've ordered a four-course meal: an appetizer, main dish, side dish, and dessert. Note that each restaurant has a wide variety of selections and all at different prices, yes?" The participant agrees.
"You will be the host for our culinary caper," explains the mentalist, "so hand three of those menus to folks you will invite to join you. And this, (placing a letter-size card in full view) is our gift certificate for the expenses, tax and tip included."
Once the menus are distributed, the 'host' is instructed, "As our gastronomical guide, you may choose a dish from any course on the menu - we don't have to go in order. Which course shall it be? ("A side dish")"
The performer takes out a pad and marking pen and, after inquiring which item is being ordered, writes it down and asks, "How much is it?" The amount is openly written down on the pad.
All of the others each choose a different course and item from their menus with each name and price duly recorded in a column on the pad. "I'm certain that each of you will agree," reminds the mentalist, "that if you had chosen a different course, the selection ordered would have varied and the price would not be the same, correct?" All the participants agree.
"Let's determine the total bill," suggests the performer, holding the pad in full view as he adds the price of each freely selected item. "It appears the dinner will cost $23.45. Not bad for a party of four. Let's see how much of that amount the gift certificate covers."
The gift certificate is turned around and is seen to be printed with the amount $23.45!
This routine comes with professionally designed and printed menus, all of them (except the paper takeout menu) are glossy coated for years of use. In addition, each menu has hidden cues for some of the most outrageous gag lines you could possibly imagine, which turn the effect from mere mental magic into belly-spitting entertainment.
Szechuan Sampler is ready to go - no setup is required. The routine uses no forces, no gimmicks, no stooges, and nothing added or taken away. If you are working a repeat show, you may rest assured that the final total will be different. It's the perfect 'packs flat, plays big' presentation that you can perform right away. $69.50 (40.608)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9253&cat=0&page=1)
Our Best DVD Volume 3 - The Greater Magic Video Library:
The third time's still a charm.
The fine tradition of Our Best #1 and #2 continues. You'll enjoy six dynamic effects performed and explained by magic's finest entertainers. This material can't be seen anywhere else.
Video magic still doesn't get any better than Our Best.
More Legendary Legerdemain:
* Johnny Paul - Dice Stacking
* Jay Marshall - No Thumbtip Bill Switch
* Daryl - Jolly Jumping Jokers
* Bobo - Four Silver Dollars
* Johnny Thompson - Chink-A-Chink
* John Carney - Poor Man's Card Manipulations
$29.95 (DVD00826)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9252&cat=0&page=1)
High Visibility 52 on 1 Deck: A brand new idea for the 52 on 1 card.
The 52 on 1 card is a great joke, but it has a problem: It is too small for an audience to see in a close-up situation. By the time that everyone figures out what is on the card, the joke has fizzled.
The High Visibility 52 on 1 Deck offers you some unique advantages that were never available before:
* Audience can immediately see what is on the back of the card, so they get the joke right away. No explaining is necessary.
* In the past, magicians had to use whatever card happened to be printed on the back of the 52 on 1 card. So magicians were forced to use one of a few pre-printed cards. Now, you can choose to force any card. Just remove the card that is needed and place it into an envelope.
* There is no worry for table hoppers if someone sees the trick repeated because a different card can be used anytime.
* The cards also come with a booklet containing 10 different tricks using this deck. The booklet explains how to use it as a marked deck, or as a prediction deck. It also explains how to get the most comedy from using a 52 on 1 card. $16.00 (30.1300)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9254&cat=0&page=1)
Mike Rogers DVD - Greater Magic Video Library Volume 32:
"I hope this video helps trade show performers please: the person in the aisle, the person who does the hiring and that person's boss." - Mike Rogers
You’ll be pleased to learn how to turn magic into money. Mike shows you how to draw a crowd, weave a product pitch into sleight-of-hand effects, and generate trade show leads. Gleaned from a successful career of performing at thousands of trade shows, sales meetings, hospitality suites and conventions.
Trade Show Secrets:
* 3 Card Monte
* Card Sharp
* Force by Play
* Glom It Out
* A Strong Mental Force
* Card Across
* 2-Deck Effect
* Card in Envelope
* Vanishing Deck
* Linking Pen & Match
Additional sleights: Top Change, Bottom palm, Top Palm, Classic Force
$29.95 (DVD00825)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9251&cat=0&page=1)
Mindfreak 3 DVD Set- Season Three - Criss Angel:
Contains all 20 episodes from Season Three of the A&E Television series.
Whether levitating to the tip of the Luxor pyramid or getting steamrolled into a bed of glass, Criss pushes the limits of his body and reality further than anyone ever has.
In this amazing box set, Criss brings illusion and mind-blowing tricks to a whole new level! Packed with death-defying escapes, fearless stunts, and astonishing physical feats, as well as unbelievable up-close-and-personal sleight-of-hand, this season of Mindfreak raises the bar on magic to unprecedented heights.
A cross between Harry Houdini, Cirque Du Soleil and Fear Factor, each mind-boggling episode captures Criss at work, preparing and training for his death-defying feats.
Criss' new daredevil performances – all live and unstaged – include escaping from a racing truck filled with explosives, vanishing a speeding Lamborghini, and levitating 500 feet above the Luxor Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
DVD Features:
* Two Featurettes: Behind the Scenes of Season Three and Criss' Celebrity Guests
* Additional Scenes
* Text Biography
$37.50 (DVD00827)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9256&cat=0&page=1)
Classic Palming With Coins DVD - Reed McClintock:
Conquer the Classic Palm!
Mastery is finally within your grasp! Here is the first progressive training system ever designed to teach you the Classic Palm with coins. Previous books, videos, and even personal lessons have done little more than show you where the coins go, and then leave you to "practice." Finally, someone has developed a logical system of drills and lessons that actually shows you what to practice.
Convert your hands into "Cloaking Devices".
Reed McClintock developed this revolutionary approach as he mastered the Classic Palm for his own professional use. He guides you through the entire process, making sure you understand the reason behind each step. Curtis Kam interviews Reed, further unlocking the secrets of the McClintock System.
Chapters Include:
* Intro and interview with Curtis Kam
* The solid coin concept
* Multiple palming
* Various size coins
* Angles
* Producing coins
* Look mom, both hands
* The muscle pass
* Flashing/Moist & dry hands
* Flow and control
* Learning from Bobo
* Up close Miser's Dream
* Steve Dobson Performs!
$34.95 (DVD00828)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9255&cat=0&page=1)
More With Les DVD – Les Albert: The effects chosen for this DVD are rather simple to execute, fun to perform and have a great reaction from any age audience! We think you'll enjoy the magical teachings of Les Albert!
Coin Transference: Influences and inspirations from Lee Gray and Jack Chanin. Copper and silver coins jump back and forth several times; copper coins turn to silver, silver coins turn to copper, and then all returns back to normal.
Flushstrated Aces: Cutting the Aces by Patrick Reymond. Another great variation to a classic four ace production and then some!
Triple Prediction Revisited: Originally performed by Dai Vernon; made easier by Les.
515: A mentally selected card vanished from the deck and appears pretty much anywhere the performer desires.
Group Therapy: Variation on an effect written by Jean Hugard found in the Encyclopedia of Card Magic. A mentally selected card from a group of cards is found in a way that will fool magicians!
Coins Sleightly Grey: Lee Grey’s Traveling Coins. The name says it all! This is Lee Grey's routine taught to Les by Lee himself!
Magic Coin & Deck: A simply brilliant use for a coin set that you already own! The routine that Les devised is pure magic that incorporates coins and cards into a classy performance piece.
Die-Duction - Tarbell 7: This was the first trick that Les had published. It's perfect mentalism that works well with any gaming or gambling routine involving dice and cards.
The King’s Deal: An elevator card variation. Perfect for gambling or cheating at cards demonstrations. Les' presentation makes great use of the elevator card principle.
Paddle Hop: We've all played with the Money Paddle at some point in our magical lifetime, but not this way!
Couples Therapy: The magic happens between the two spectators.
Using a couple from the audience, he touches any card; she looks at the card, which is then mixed back into the deck. He is asked to slide a facedown card forward. She names the card he chose a moment ago. When he turns over the card, it's the one he touched and she saw! Sound confusing? That's why it's called Couples Therapy!
Coins Across: Performance only! While this coin classic has seen it share of printed articles, books, videos and DVDs, it is included on this DVD because of its strength in performance. It's a fun piece to perform and when the right spectator is chosen to help you, anything goes! $29.95 (DVD00829)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9257&cat=0&page=1)
Penigma – Russ DeSimone & Ed Bedrick: Write down a prediction and have a spectator select a card.
Search the spectator’s mind but you are unable to determine her card.
Instruct the spectator to open the prediction that simply reads, “I Will Make A Prediction”. She’s not impressed.
Try again and show her the side of the pen that is imprinted with “You will choose a red card”. Now she thinks the entire thing is a gag.
With pen in hand, you ask the name of the card. Click the pen several times only to have the name of her card appear on the pen.
The spectator remains un-impressed until she is invited to click the pen herself where she finds that her card is the only card that appears on the pen in several funny imprinted messages.
Great For Walk Around
Instant Reset
Easy To Do
Quality Working Prop
Fully Examinable
Repeatable
The Pen Does It All
No Switches
$34.50 (30.1301)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9258&cat=0&page=1)
And, that’s it for this week’s installment. I hope you take some time to check out all of this week’s goodies. They are all so very good!
As always, I hope you will find some time this busy weekend to join us either online at www.magicfact.com or in person at our very Patriot-ic Showroom at 102 North Street in Medford.
Hank Lee
