Friday, July 03, 2009

Happy Fourth Of July!

Greetings from all of us at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. Normally I don’t write about the weather (yes I do!) but we are in a really weird weather pattern here in the Northeast. It’s pretty easy to describe. Rain. Every day. Some days we get a little tease of sunshine, but then it’s back to rain. Plus, it’s dreary and cold. It seems there’s a weather system that moved in from Canada, and is stuck right here. There is some talk in the scientific community that this front may not move away until the end of the summer. Sounds like the house guest that decided to stay. As you know, I am always looking for the silver lining in the cloud of life. The best thing I can say is that we have not needed to water the lawn at all this summer. And, there’s a ton of mushrooms growing in the shade by the trees. Don’t worry, we won’t eat the mushrooms!

I looked around the house this morning, and it seemed that the herd was a little thin. Just Lucas and me. Aron is back in Florida for the second part of his summer of education. Bonnie has gone off to Martha’s Vineyard for her summer of solitude (except when I come down on weekends and work on the honey-do list). Of course, Bones The Dog goes wherever Bonnie goes. I think it’s the doggie treats she keeps in her pocket. Which leaves only Lucas and me. The old man and the kid. Having all kinds of summer fun.

Speaking of summer fun, this is the Fourth of July weekend. Or, as the British call it, Thanksgiving. I hope you all have some great plans for the weekend. Have lots of fun, and be safe!

Now, it’s time to take a look at this week’s excitement!

Fourth Of July 29 And Down Sales Event. This has turned out to be our most popular sales event. The early birds really love it! Save and save. More today than tomorrow, and certainly more than the day after.
Here’s how it works: No matter what day, from right now until Thursday, the 9th of July 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, you will save 29% on your entire order, subject to the rules below. We will hold that discount, 29%, through Monday, the 6th of July at midnight. We will reduce the discount by 1% each day after that until the 9th of July at midnight. All you need to do is enter the special code 29ANDDOWN 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 may not be used during this sales event..
• As the discount is automatically generated, you must put the special code in the Discount Coupon Box, and nowhere else. 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 9th of July at midnight!

And now to this week’s Hotlist!

Visions Of Ken Brooke DVD – Martin Breese: On this DVD are countless Ken Brooke movies showing him demonstrating and performing some of his classic routines together with many effects from Harry Stanley's Unique Magic Studio in London. But, best of all, Patrick Page has provided a remarkable and informative live sound commentary for this fabulous DVD
Martin Breese acquired the copyright to all of the Unique Magic Studio material some years ago. Amongst the many Unique Studio items were a number of silent movies, and many of these featured the amazing magic of Ken Brooke – one of the most loved British magicians of all time.
Patrick Page was kind enough to view all of these Harry Stanley films and has provided a highly informative voice-over commentary on everything you will see on this DVD. Patrick Page knew Ken Brooke very well and knew the tricks that Ken performed. Here you will not only see Ken Brooke at work but will also hear a great deal about the history of the tricks and routines he performed. There are many, many delightful Ken Brooke interludes that will take old timers down memory lane and which will inspire relative newcomers to magic as well.
It is all here from the Chinese Linking Rings KB ring count to the KB Coin Box plus many of the tricks featured over the years in the Unique Studio catalogs. As a very special bonus, Patrick Page also allowed us to include some additional sound material. The sound material filmed by Vic Pinto and Patrick Page includes Chase the Ace and The Chop Cup routine and even the wonderful Tamariz Rabbits. $42.00 (DVD01019)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=1989&cat=0&page=2)

Paranormal Pen – Jesse Feinberg: A regular Bic pen is held between your hands.
Slowly, the pen starts to move on its own. It moves eerily between your fingers, and even jumps out at the spectators.
This is a unique new gimmick with some interesting applications. Everything is taught in full details. This is unlike any other pen trick on the marke
No setup. Instant reset.
Immediately examinable.
Includes special gimmick, ready to go.
Easy to learn and perform
$20.00 (10.1526)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=2020&cat=0&page=2)

The Manchurian Approach – 3 DVD Set - Anthony Jacquin: Whether it is to satisfy a fascination with hypnosis, the desire to mix hypnosis with your magic or you want to be able to perform impromptu hypnotism, this DVD is for you.
Aimed at amateur and professional magicians and mentalists, this unique DVD is aimed solely at performance hypnosis. As well as interview-style explanations and training, we include footage of taking these skills to the street and public bars. You will gain the confidence, attitude, patter and techniques required to excel including:
* Handshake Induction
* Hypno Force
* Hypno Peek
* Covert Pre-show
* Reverse Mind Reading
Anthony Jacquin has over ten years experience as a hypnotist and is the author of the best-selling book: "Reality is Plastic – The Art of Impromptu Hypnosis." On "The Manchurian Approach" he shares a new genre of magical performance. Mixing his love of mentalism with his hypnotism skills, together with Kev Sheldrake he has created a performance style and technique capable of producing some of the most mind-blowing mental effects.
On this three-disc set you will learn, in detail, Anthony’s approach to impromptu hypnosis – no prior knowledge is required. The first part of this set will guide you through everything you need to know in order to become the hypnotist. The second part takes the format of a discussion forum where Anthony is joined by mad genius, Kev Sheldrake and fellow hypnotist and magician Amit Badiani.
Hypno forces and Hypno peeks are examples of the covert pre-show techniques that are available to a hypnotizing mentalist. The Reverse Mind Reading effect takes these concepts a step further, producing an unlimited ability to read a mind with the minimum of hypnotic pre-show work.
Concepts:
* Become The Hypnotist. Learn an observation/attitude-based hypnosis model.
* Learn how to perform with hypnosis. Apply it to magic and mentalism.
* No history and theory lessons. Just tuition and demonstration
* Mixture of interview-style discussions and public performances.
Contents:
Part 1:
Through clear demonstrations you will learn a solid but flexible approach to hypnotizing.
Part 2:
Further explanation and demonstration to cover more specialized knowledge and the applications of hypnosis to specific genres of magic and mentalism.
Also included are three bonus PDF documents that expand on some of the ideas covered on the DVD’s as well as some further techniques and routines.
With five hours of instruction, live performance and in-depth explanations, this three-disc set is bound to become a definitive classic for a new and exciting genre of performance that blends magic, mentalism and hypnosis. $79.95 (DVD01020)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=2021&cat=0&page=2)

Magic Of Al Koran – Martin Breese: This book was first published in hardback in 1983 and reprinted twice. Then it was released twice as a quality large format softback.
The book contains 93 pages and covers virtually every Al Koran effect as performed on TV. It analyzes the effect and the method, then provides the exact words of patter as used by Al Koran.
There is a listing of all the books in Al Koran's library by Terry Seabrooke and Jack Avis contributes material on Al Koran. Al Koran is introduced by Goodliffe. Billy McComb also provides a comprehensive article on Al and his lifetime.
Over 42 effects are detailed and described and the book is illustrated with drawings and photographs.
Only 100 copies have been released in this new printing so don't delay, place your order now to avoid disappointment. $39.95 (BK01655)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=2015&cat=0&page=2)

Eccentricks - Charlie Frye: A rich collection of over 70 tricks, gags, and stunts amusingly presented by one of the world’s leading eccentric performers, Charlie Frye. Colorfully illustrated; humorously taught.
Balancing stunts, sleight of hand miracles, hilarious gags, and eccentric approaches to everything from manipulation to mentalism.
Whether you’re looking for five minutes, or five seconds, the offbeat material presented herein is guaranteed to tickle the fancy of all those blessed with a fancy. Highly visual; thoroughly entertaining, this book is a treasure trove of extraordinary material. When the best in the business are looking for ideas, they turn to Charlie Frye.
57 pages - Spiral bound. $25.00 (BK01654)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=2014&cat=0&page=2)

Superstition DVD: A great new effect from the creative and slightly strange mind of Liam Montier! This is easier than a jigsaw with all the bits glued together!
Imagine offering your spectator the chance to choose a 'lucky card', which they do. Let’s it is the Five Of Diamonds. You comment that while that is not a bad card, you have a really good one that you keep with you at all times, attached to your key ring. It is trapped between two blank cards to ensure that nothing can happen to it. There are clearly only three cards on the key ring.
You then cleanly display your lucky card – say the Jack Of Spades. In a sudden display of goodwill, you offer to exchange lucky card with the spectator, as you know yours is so good. Suddenly the Jack on your key ring chamges into the spectator's Five Of Diamonds. Again, there are clearly only three cards on the key ring – the double blanks and the spectator's selection. Calling attention back to what the spectator believed to be their selection, they now see a small hole has appeared through the corner. That is because, when they turn it over, they find it is the Jack Of Spades, fresh off your key ring!
Bonus:
Superstition is so easy and visual that Liam knew there was more to be done with it, and he was right. Also included on the DVD are four bonus routines, all related to Superstition!
Sandwich – A simplified version of the original Superstition, this effect features a totally new presentation, an even easier handling and a 'regular card' solution to the plot of a transposition between two selections while one is attached to your key ring.
The Houdini Effect – An exciting, visual vanish of a signed 'Houdini' card, despite the fact it is clearly padlocked between two security cards
Twilight Zone – Four red backed prediction cards reveal a selected card from a blue backed deck, despite being locked together on a key ring.
The Hof Thing – The classic 'Hofzinser' ace problem is reworked when four kings are clearly displayed face up and then padlocked together. Despite these test conditions, the King matching the suit of a selection still turns face down, before changing into the actual selection! Everything can be examined in this true worker.
$25.00 (DVD01021)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=2022&cat=0&page=2)

The Essential Dai Vernon - Dai Vernon was the most influential magician of the twentieth century. His vision helped to define and raise the artistry of close-up and platform magic to a degree unequalled by any other magician, then or today. His thinking pushed magic into the modern era. His contribution to magic was essential to its refinement and growth. His own magic is perhaps the most important—indeed essential—body of work ever produced for the art.
Now you can have this book to guide, inspire and accelerate your progress in magic. This single, mammoth volume contains all the Vernon classics written by Lewis Ganson:
* The Dai Vernon Book of Magic
* Inner Secrets of Card Magic
* More Inner Secrets of Card Magic
* Further Inner Secrets of Card Magic
* Dai Vernon’s Ultimate Secrets of Card Magic
* Dai Vernon’s Tribute to Nate Leipzig
* Malini and His Magic
* Dai Vernon’s Symphony of the Rings
* And the remarkable, previously unpublished “Vernon Scrapbook,” more than 70 pages of rare photos, correspondence and memorabilia!
If you bought these masterworks separately, you would pay $225 or more, if you can even find them. The Essential Dai Vernon places them into your hands, in one beautiful hardcover volume with full-color dustjacket, for almost half that price.
$125.00 (BK01653)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=2011&cat=0&page=2)

Underhanded Delivery – Arie Vilner: From the Foreword written by Ken Krenzel:
Presentation and Method are inseparable, intertwined ingredients in creating entreating, “magical” magic. Magic is a most unique performing art, which, optimally, evokes astonishment, wonder, and an experience of impenetrable mystery.
Presentation style may range from serious to comedic. Berglas and Tamariz succeed in equally mystifying and entertaining their audiences.
Arie Vilner is an expert, creative magician who fully understands and applies those fundamental principles to his effects, techniques and performances. His work explores those areas in depth and introduces many breakthrough concepts and "sharp tools"
Underhanded Delivery and its variations will baffle and confound even advanced, knowledgeable magicians. Of course, the laity will be left standing at the starting gate.
It is an utterly devious truly 'underhanded' subtlety. Underhanded Delivery delivers! And as you will presently understand is a literal example of 'out of the box' thinking...
$30.00 (BK01656)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=2026&cat=0&page=2)

The Experience of Magic – Eugene Burger: Back in print! The mystical master of magic is up to old tricks, and new, in his latest work of wizardry. The Forces of Darkness take a bite out of a selected Tarot card in Bizarre Ritual. The Devil's Deck is the most devious handling of Brainwave ever. Amaze your audience with The Inquisition, Burger's version of Card Warp. In this latest version of his favorite trick, the fate of the universe hangs by a Cosmic Thread! In The Repeat Spectator Card Stab, a spectator wields the weapon. The New Corner in the Glass is a wonder of visual magic. Plus Magic Secret; The World's Fastest Card Trick; The Magic Crystal and more and more. 140 pages; Hardbound; beautifully illustrated. $55.00 (BK00703)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=6490&cat=0&page=2)

Mastering The Art of Magic – Eugene Burger: Back in print! The seven small booklets written by Eugene Burger and published in the early 1980s, Secrets and Mysteries, Audience Involvement, Secrets of Restaurant Magic, Eugene Burger on Matt Schulien's Fabulous Card Discoveries, Intimate Power, The Craft of Magic and Rediscoveries have been out of print for years. Thanks to Richard Kaufman, they are now available in a new 230 page hardcover book, with almost 200 illustrations by Earl Oakes. These hard to find booklets have been collected in a completely re-typeset format with new essays by Eugene commenting on his past writings, his current thoughts on his tricks and routines, as well as updated tricks. Many feel these are the best books Eugene Burger ever wrote. $65.00 (BK01149)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=6243&cat=0&page=2)

And that’s this week’s Hotter Than A Firecracker Hotlist. Some books. Some DVDs. Some tricks. Some really great stuff, for sure!
Don’t forget to take advantage of this week’s 29 and Down Sales Event.
And don’t forget to come and visit us either online at www.magicfact.com or in person at 102 North Street in Medford! Either way, we love the company.
Hank Lee