Greetings from all of us here at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. Bonnie and I are back from our sojourn to Oberlin, Ohio. We saw the Magic Flute Opera twice. It was really good. I give it two eyes open, my highest rating. On Saturday, we left Oberlin early in the morning to come back to Boston and celebrate Aunt Fynette’s 90th Birthday. She’s in great shape for 90, you should have seen her jump out of that cake. A sight to behold. After all the excitement of her birthday party, I needed a nap.
Around here, all talk is about the upcoming Conclave. Just four short weeks to go. All the last minute registrations are coming in now, and it is looking like we will have a full house! Will you be with us? I certainly hope so. For all the information and to register, just click on the Conclave Button at www.magicfact.com or call us toll free at 800 874 7400. Do it soon, before we sell out!
Lucas the singing son will be home on Saturday for his Spring Break. It’s kind of odd that colleges have different dates for Spring Break. They should standardize the dates so that the kids who go to different schools can see each other during the break. Just one person’s opinion.
Have you checked out magic1? You will find the link at the bottom of the first page of the Hotlist at www.magicfact.com. It’s such a good idea. One trick. One week. One amazing price. Click on the magic1 Button to get all the details and save some money.
Two quick reminders. Don’t forget to get your Spring EXTRA on Demand. Just go here: (http:www.hanklee.org/marchextra2009.pdf) and if you are still getting this Newsletter in text-only format, drop me a note and I will switch you over to the fancy shmancy html format. You will thank me for the change.
Well, enough blathering, let’s check out this week’s excitement!
11 Days Of Savings Sales Event. There are 11 days left in March (give or take). In light of this, we present, for your entertainment pleasure: The 11 Days Of Savings!
Here’s how it works: No matter what day, from right now until Tuesday, the 31st of March at midnight, when you purchase from us at Hank Lee’s, you will save money. But, as you may have heard, the early bird gets the worm! Starting right now, Friday the 20th of March, you will save 29% on your entire order, subject to the rules below. On Saturday you will save 28%. On Sunday you will save 27%. And on it goes. We will reduce the discount by 1% each day until the 31st of March. All you need to do is enter the special code ELEVENDAYS in the Discount Coupon Box of the online checkout at www.magicfact.com and we will automatically deduct the correct amount 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!
There are a few rules that apply, as with all things in life.
• The minimum order to use this discount is $25.00.
• The discount 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 discount is deducted from the retail price of each item and not from the set price.
• Offers cannot be combined.
• 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, MagicSmith, Martin Breese, Mikame Craft items, Johnson Products 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, Reward Points and Promotional Gift Certificates will be deducted from the order total before the discount is applied.
• As the discount is automatically generated, you must put the special code 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. It all ends on the 31st of March at midnight!
And now to this week’s Hotlist!
Lie Master XRG:
Performer explains that after years of extensive research and development in their labs in France, Singapore, Sweden and Jasper, Alabama, the Proof Positive Company has developed the Lie Master XRG. The first hand-held megaphone type voice analyzer using patented voice tension technology to determine if the user is telling the truth, or lying! (not really, but you get the idea) The performer fires up the LMXRG and it comes to life with several colored flashing lights, flip up telescoping gauges, exposed circuit board components and a super bright indicator light. The Lie Master XRG really seems impressive and state-of-the-art.
First a simple question to calibrate the Lie Master XRG. “What is your name?” The volunteer answers by speaking into the LMXRG. “Suzie Smith.” Her voice booms over the crowd loud and clear so everyone can hear (after all she is speaking into a megaphone!) Instantly the Lie Master XRG goes to work, analyzing the subject’s voice. The large light begins flashing and a loud OOOOO-AHHHH sound blasts from the LMXRG. That must be a lie. “You must speak your full name.” The volunteer answers “Suzie ANN Smith.” Once again the LMXRG lights up but this time a loud DING, DING, DING sound is heard! The truth was told! The unit is now calibrated, and your audience now understands the premise. The comical questions begin. “Have you ever picked your nose while driving?” “No” OOOOO-AHHHH, “Yes” DING, DING, DING. Laughter either way.
“Have you ever gone skinny dipping?” “No” OOOOO-AHHHH, “Yes” DING, DING, DING. Laughter either way.
“Have you ever peed in a pool?” “No” OOOOO-AHHHHH, “Yes” DING, DING, DING. Again, laughter either way.
You get the picture. Whatever the answer, laughter is sure to follow. You can even invite the friends of your victim to ask the questions. You won’t believe what people will ask each other, when given the opportunity.
But it gets even better. Put the Lie Master into XRG mode (X-treme Running Gag) and you won’t believe what happens. At anytime you desire, the unit will seem to short circuit, going into a completely chaotic state when analyzing an answer to a question. The light flashes and 7 very loud crazy sounds are heard (bells, alarms, coo-coo’s, buzzers etc.) This is guaranteed to send your audience into hysterics!
Next, set the LMXRG down in full view of your audience and continue with the rest of your show. Whenever you want, activate the XRG mode and once again the unit goes crazy with flashing lights and comical sounds. This forces you to stop what you’re doing, walk over and power down the Lie Master XRG while your audience roars with laughter. This is repeated several times, each time funnier then the last.
Or choose a young helper whose job it will be shut down the Lie Master XRG if (when) it starts to act up again. After showing them where the shut off switch is you send them back to their seat, stressing their responsibility to power down the unit, should it act up again! You know what happens now! During the rest of your show you set off the Lie Master XRG and this cute little helper comes running through the audience and up on your stage to quiet the noisy machine. But when they flip the switch, nothing happens! The LMXRG continues to scream and flash. It’s pure pandemonium because it’s loud, the lights are flashing, and you’re annoyed. Your show has been interrupted. You stop what you’re doing, walk over and once again show your helper how to turn the unit off! Once again he or she returns to their seat, and sure enough, after continuing with your show, the LMXRG goes off again! This happens as many times as you desire, guaranteeing laughs throughout your show. For the final Lie-Master XRG interruption, your helper leaps from their chair jumps on to the stage and is finally able to shut down the machine - making them the hero. Your audience will love it! Any experienced entertainer will realize the versatility of this commercial effect. It has been uniquely developed for ease of use, and mximum impact! It is a professionally produced prop that is loud enough for any venue without the need of an external P.A (It can be heard for up to 200 yards!) It gets attention and is sure to be remembered. From the trade show performer, to the mentalists, to the school assembly performer, the presentation and comedic possibilities really are endless - Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding
This electronic wonder is under your control at all times and comes with 2 very easy to trigger remotes (1 for True, 1 for False) designed to be undetectable when operating.
Remotes have over a 50’ range.
Batteries Included. $299.95 (60.1582)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=7155&cat=0&page=1)
Dissolve Deck – Francis Menotti:
What if you could do Dai Vernon's Triumph effect slowly, as if by some smooth and magical film-edit, the cards visually righted themselves? Now, you can!
In "Dissolve," a card is freely selected and returned to the deck. The cards are cleanly cut and then shuffled face-up into face-down.
You riffle through the cards to show about half of the cards face up, and half the cards face down.
Riffle through again, but this time more of the cards are face up than are face down.
One final riffle reveals that all of the cards are face up, except one. The cards visibly corrected themselves!
When the cards are spread face down, the single reversed card proves to be the selected card!
• Simple, no-sleights version taught.
• Instantly repeatable with moderate sleight-of-hand
• Can be used for a number of "normal deck" tricks Ambitious Card, Four-Ace Routines, etc.) $25.00 (30.1414)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=6611&cat=0&page=1)
Coinvexed 2.0: When David Penn released his Coinvexed gimmick to the magic fraternity in 2008 it was an instant hit with professional magicians and mentalists all over the world. The brand new Coinvexed 2 gimmick takes the original routine a step further by streamlining the handling and improving pocket management.
A spectator signs a coin, which can be borrowed, and then something very extraordinary happens as the coin seemingly bends within their own hands. The spectator can then keep the coin as a souvenir that freezes the moment of magic for them forever.
No switches! The coin that the spectator has signed is the same coin that bends. Only the coins and the Sharpie are seen and the Sharpie can be used by the spectator to sign the coin. No special chemicals! Just diabolically clever gimmicks that hide in full view.
Get ready to unleash the ultimate signed coin bend on your audience! $150.00 (40.618)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9310&cat=0&page=1)
"This takes the original (and great!) Coinvexed tool and gives it an extra 50%. The original was very clever but this just takes the biscuit!"
- James Brown - Winner of 'The Magic Circle Close Up Magician of the Year'
"I have to say Coinvexed 2 is a thing of beauty. It is a wonderful idea that makes the best coin bender on the market even better. (No, I didn't think that was possible either)."
- Simon Shaw - Leading Mentalist and the inventor of 'The Directors Cut'
School For Scoundrels At The Senior Pitchman’s Reunion – 3 DVD Set: What would it be worth to spend just ten to fifteen minutes with each of seventeen of the most experienced and successful pitchmen alive today?
The information, stories, and advice that is on this three disc (nearly 3 hour) set is invaluable to anyone in sales. You will learn how these diverse personalities applied proven sales techniques to build their fortunes. They will teach you the pitchman's formula for constructing any kind of sales pitch, known as AIDA (Attract, Interest, Desire, Action) as well as how to use your voice and body movement to influence and motivate your audience.
This also applies to any performer who needs to know how to call and hold a crowd, forge agreement with the spectators and sell them on a product or an idea, or get them to do what you want them to do. Ideal for Street Performers as well as Trade Show sales entertainers; anyone who needs to stand in front of a group, gain and hold attention, and sell an idea or product.
This is entertaining, enlightening and engaging material from the top people in the field. If you have ever wanted to do a demo or sell a product of any kind, including your own act or if you just want to learn how to talk in front of people and motivate them, this is a gold mine.
This is a unique opportunity to hear from many of the finest and most experienced pitchmen in the world. Funny and enlightening stories, as well as the wisdom of years of experience from this tight-knit and fascinating fraternity.
Seventeen men and women, many multi-millionaires and all extremely knowledgeable sales experts, talk about their lives and experiences and their love for their craft, and about the techniques of demonstrating and selling a product and what it takes to be successful as a pitchman.
Many of these people you may recognize from their ubiquitous television infomercials. They are the experts of the Knife Pitch (including the creator of the Ginzu Knife), the Svengali Deck and the Mouse Pitch, the Medicine Show, and of the Pen and the Watch Pitch, the sellers of Slicers, Dicers, and Graters, the amazing Jam Auction and all the other great live and televised pitches which have been so successful all over the world for the last hundred years.
But wait, there's more! We also include a bonus disc, a Pitchman and Jam Auction Forum with S. David Walker, Jerry Spalding, and Don Driver, another solid hour of important information and fascinating stores. Nearly four hours of information on the pitch and the jam! $35.00 (DVD00989)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=3121&cat=0&page=1)
The Michael Vincent Collection – 3 DVD Set: Once in every generation is born an individual whose work becomes known worldwide as a touchstone for excellence. With the hands of an artist and the soul of a poet, Michael Vincent is just such an individual. His sleight-of-hand is masterful, his presentations are inventive and his performances are the epitome of class and sophistication.
As the only magician in history to have won the prestigious title of "Magic Circle Close-up Magician of the Year" three times, Michael has spent the better part of three decades honing his skills to become one of finest magicians that Great Britain has ever produced.
This DVD collection showcases his world-class magic in front of a live audience and features some of the most stunning magic ever filmed. As you watch it, you will experience for yourself why Michael's stunning presentations are regarded by both audiences and fellow professionals as some of the very best in the world today.
Contents
Disc One - Michael's Parlor Show
The Intuition Speller.
Inspired by an original effect of Harry Lorayne's, Michael introduces you to a Machiavellian piece of misdirection which creates an impossible spelling effect.
Kismet.
Michael's impromptu handling for Al Koran's Double Thought.
My Card, Your Card, Everybody's Card.
The history for this effect can be traced back to Robert Houdin's "Secrets of Conjuring and Magic."
The Amazing Discovery.
This popular effect has made the rounds in the last few years. Michael share's his professional presentation. His handling and performance tips elevate The Multiple Selection routine to another level.
Plus bonus performances of: The Rhapsody in Silver, The Cups and Balls and The Knotted Silks.
Disc Two - Close-up Show in The Bar
Brainwave "My Way."
This routine is one of the highlights of this DVD. Michael has taken Dai Vernon's "Brainwave" effect and turned it on its head into masterpiece of construction and design.
Pandora's Paradox.
There is a world of difference between a card trick and card magic. This routine pushes the boundaries in terms of what is possible with a deck of cards.
Vincent's Aces.
Featuring: The Ace Production, "The Rising Aces," 21st Century Collectors, Cy Enfield's Aces for Connoisseurs and The Henry Christ Fabulous Four Ace Routine.
Foursome.
Featuring Michael's handling for the Spread Cull.
Match Made in Heaven.
Dai Vernon's "Matching The Cards" meets The Aronson Stack.
Prologue to Triumph.
If you enjoyed Dai Vernon's original "Triumph", then you will love Michael's build up to this classic effect.
Plus bonus performance only of: The Coins Across / Chinese Connection. Also a bonus pdf teaching the Wild Card routine featuring Michael's breathtaking color change.
Disc Three - Sleight-of-Hand Mastery - The Path Way to Excellence
A discussion of how to improve your magic, raise your own standards and how to master and improve the basic techniques in sleight-of-hand. Michael will share with you his practice drills for:
The Control of a Card
The Double Lift
The Palm
The Top Change
The Force
The False Shuffle
Plus bonus material: Michael's background and advice on mentoring. $70.00 (DVD00988)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=3154&cat=0&page=1)
"Your handling of the Brainwave effect is just about perfect, sleight of hand techniques have reached such a point that you will never need to perform the Brainwave effect with a gimmick deck ever again." Darwin Ortiz 2008.
"It is always a joy to watch you fluidly play with the pasteboards." Jon Racherbaumer 2009
Mesika Wax: This box contains 150 pellets of clear wax, perfectly suited for use with Yigal Mesika reels and other invisible thread products. This cleverly designed box puts the wax right at your fingertips. Just press on the top of the box to open, or squeeze the sides to close. $8.00 (70.970)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=7954&cat=0&page=1)
X Finger: Imagine being able to show your hand completely empty, then borrow a pen and write the word “coin” on your finger. With the shake of your hand the word transforms into a real coin.
Or, approach a group of spectators, show your fingers blank and normal and suddenly your name appears on your finger.
These are only some of the unlimited possibilities with the X Finger principle.
X Finger requires no gimmicks. It is completely impromptu and allows for some of the most beautiful and unusual vanishes, transformations, transpositions and appearances in all of magic. X Finger represents all that is good about powerful close-up magic. It's simple, visual, easy to understand, and easy to perform.
Add X Finger to your repertoire and you will be performing magic unlike anything your spectators have ever seen. It looks like trick photography, live and in the flesh.
With special guest Reed McClintock. $19.95 (10.1507)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=1010&cat=0&page=1)
Quarantine - Craig Petty:
By the creator of the Mirage Coin Set, Quarantine has been Craig's closer in his walk around set for years.
Begin by having a card selected and signed. Next, perform a visually astounding multi phase Ambitious Card routine. Towards the end of the routine the spectator is told that in order to make the effect more amazing, you will quarantine the deck. Show a piece of cellophane and magically shrink-wrap it around the entire deck of cards. Hand out the deck in its shrink-wrapped state for examination.
As an extra kicker the deck is taken back and the spectator's signed card is pulled through the quarantined pack right in front of their eyes. Once again the pack and the selection are freely examined immediately after the penetration.
As a final kicker the spectator is asked to put the deck away and finds that the box that has been in full view the entire time is now shrink-wrapped as well and there is no way to open it.
Points To Remember:
• Fully examinable
• Easy to Do
• Instant Reset
• No Table Required (perfect for walk around)
• Can Be Performed Totally Surrounded
Craig Petty sits down with Russell Leeds and together they discuss every aspect of Quarantine. A complete explanation of any sleights required is also included on the DVD. As a special bonus there is live footage of Craig performing Quarantine for a live bar audience so you can see the type of reactions this routine gets every single time.
$35.00 (DVD00990)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=7880&cat=0&page=1)
Election: A hands-off miracle. A crushing new enhancement to the 'You Do As I Do' routine or a shocking stand-alone effect with any deck. Two spectators are given two separate decks of cards. One red and one blue. They are normal in every way. They both freely select cards and immediately show that they have both selected the same card! This is all done in their hands with a normal deck that is completely examinable. Wait until you see the kicker on this one.
You also receive three Bonus Tricks that are simple yet powerful; not only in the methodology but also in the way they are perceived by your spectators. Great magic should posses certain qualities; something a spectator can connect with, something that is visual and something that is completely impossible. The four effects you will learn on the Election DVD are just that: simple, beautiful and powerful.
Twisted- A great routine by itself, but a better closer. Instead of a standard effect where a finger ring disappears, you make your finger disappear. It gets better. In a flash your vanished finger visually penetrates a solid finger ring.
Sucker- Visual, visual, visual. A bitten and restored lollipop. You'll love the method. It will be your favorite part of the effect.
Distorted- Eric's take on the card through bill illusion. This one is visual and impromptu.
$15.00 (DVD00992)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=2719&cat=0&page=1)
49 Seconds - Luke Jermay: Consultant for Criss Angel's Mind Freak show and Derren Brown's Tricks of the Mind, Luke Jermay has just released this piece from his personal repertoire. Listen as he talks to Alvo Stockman about memory based magic and why it's a different animal.
Not just an amazing 4 phase memory routine with a pack of cards -- this is the memory routine. Straight from Luke's repertoire, 49 Seconds is a hard-hitting experience that you can create with no-preparation, just a borrowed deck of playing cards.
20 pages. Saddle stitched. $20.00 (40.651)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=3671&cat=0&page=1)
Pentacle – Craig Petty: A collection of routines with a special custom made gimmicked card. Craig Petty, the creator of the Mirage Coin Set, and top rubber band magician Russell Leeds sit down and discuss the Pentacle gimmick and all its applications. There are eleven eye-popping routines ranging from packet tricks to full deck effects and more. Also, as a special bonus Craig has included a full explanation for his super commercial color changing deck routine which really has to be seen to be believed.
Red / Blue Transposition
A killer two deck routine with loads of built in spectator interaction. Four cards are freely chosen from a red deck and change visibly into their mates from a blue deck.
Twisting the Cherry
A slow motion handling of Dai Vernon's classic Twisting The Aces with a kicker ending that has to be seen to be believed.
NFW
Four indifferent cards magically turn face down one by one and as a kicker all turn into Aces.
Mental Blank
A combination of mentalism and magic that really makes your spectators eyes pop out.
Fast Hands
This effect has been an underground hit for years at Craig's lectures.
Whitewash
One of the most powerful packet effects you will ever perform. Four cards turn blank in slow motion, first on the faces and then on the backs.
Signed Card
A killer combination of Card To Impossible Location and the Hofzinser Ace Problem.
Underground Transposition
An instant classic which cleverly combines a four of a kind production with a super visual transposition.
Original Cards Across
Five cards jump from the magician's hands to under the spectator's hand under test conditions.
Cards to Pocket
Craig has kept this routine to himself for years and is finally releasing it to the magic community.
Skittles Pack
A closely guarded secret for years, Craig is now releasing his commercial color changing deck. A card is signed and lost in the pack and one by one the cards are changed on their backs until you are left with a full Rainbow deck. There is one card however that has a message written on it saying "This is Your Card", which is shown to be the spectators signed card.
$30.00 (DVD00991)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=6930&cat=0&page=1)
And that’s this week’s Hotter Than Hot Hotlist. Combined with our Eleven Days Of Savings Sales Event, you can really get some serious bang for your buck! Check all of this great new magic out!
As always, I really do appreciate your taking time out from your busy schedules 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
