Greetings from all of us at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. And suddenly it was quiet. We went from having a houseful of kids to just Bonnie, Bones and me and I can tell you that the quiet is deafening. It’s like two different lives. One with all the kids and all the noise and all the excitement and one with just us. Honestly, there’s something to be said for both lives.
Lucas, the Singing Son, auditioned for the role of Candide in the Oberlin College production of the opera by the same name. The cast list was posted the day after the kids returned from Thanksgiving break and he got the part! We’re very proud of him. Honestly, we’re very proud of both of our boys. We’re also proud of Bones, The Dog. Lucas, tell Julia that Bones ate the whole bag of chocolates that she left us as a gift. He must have thought it was for him. And, it was.
There is all kinds of buzz over the new Ultracinese nut and bolt effect. At this point, the method is being kept under very tight wraps, and everyone is trying to figure it out. Once you read the list of methods that it is not, you are left with nothing. According to our inside sources, the method is one that has never been used in magic before. Which makes it all the more exciting. You want to check it out in the Hotlist. Here’s a link for you:
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=1035&cat=0&page=1)
I want to mention two other items that I am very excited about. From our friends at Viking Magic, U-235. This is a fabulous penetration effect, which looks amazing. As a spectator it will fool you. And, as a magician, the method will thrill you. Honestly. It is so old-school, you just have to love it. I give this one my highest recommendation. You can find it here:
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=7884&cat=0&page=1)
I cannot think of a better gift for someone on your list, or for yourself (you know you deserve something nice!)
The other effect is brand new from John Kennedy. So new, it will not be released until late December. We have watched John’s video of Mojoe, and it’s a fooler, for sure. The effect is absolutely astounding. And, knowing John, the method is terrific as well. You can pre-order MoJoe from us, and we will send it off to you the very day they arrive in stock. And, we’ll pay the shipping!
As I’m sure you know, the holiday shopping season is well underway. The great thing about shopping here at Hank Lee’s is that you will never have to deal with traffic going to the mall, driving around trying to find a parking spot or long lines in the stores. Just a few clicks of the mouse, and you can get all of your magical shopping done right here! But, I think you already knew that.
That’s all the news for this week. Don’t forget to register for the 2010 Cape Cod Conclave. April 9-11, 2010. A great time will be had by all! It’s a perfect gift for that special someone on your holiday list. ‘Nuff said.
Now, let’s check out this week’s Excitement. I’ll give you a hint. It’s Free Shipping!
FREE SHIPPING: Our holiday gift to you! Until Thursday, the 24th of December at midnight, we are offering free ground shipping on any order over $30.00 to anywhere in the US, including Alaska and Hawaii! Just enter the special code SHIPMEFREE in the Discount Coupon Box at the bottom of the first page of the online checkout at www.magicfact.com. We will happily pick up the ground shipping charges on your order. Of course, if you want your order sent Fedex Three Day (Express Saver), Second Day or Next Day, you will just have to pay the difference.
Note: Your email confirmation from our online system will still list the shipping as free, but we will charge the difference when we ship your order.
Overseas customers will save as well! We will pay one-half of the Air Post shipping charges on your orders until the 24th! Just remember to enter the special code SHIPMEFREE in the Discount Coupon Box, or let the person taking your phone order know when you place your order at 800 874 7400.
Now, let’s take a look at this week’s Hotlist
(1) Ultracinese is one of the most amazing PK effects ever.
Pick up a nut and bolt (both may be borrowed), thread the nut on the bolt, and upon your command, the nut slowly starts threading itself off of the bolt!
You can reverse directions upon your command and the nut can wind back up on the bolt.
You immediately give the nut and bolt (no switching) to the spectator to keep as a souvenir.
Now get this... no thread, no magnets, no reels, no rubber bands, nothing attached to the nut or bolt, nothing hidden in your hand, no switching, no kidding. Sounds too good to be true, sounds impossible, sounds like hype? It is not. It is Ultracinese created by Leonardo Milanesi with the support of the Netmagicas company.
Ultracinese is one of those rare effects where the method will not disappoint but will inspire you and make you feel like you are doing real magic. You will even do this for your own amusement and amazement.
There are many other uses limited only by your imagination. Imagine having one card slowly crawl along in sympathy with another card. Imagine a deck of cards creeping out of it's case to be immediately examined
Includes the hand made gimmick that works on a simple AA battery (not included), thorough written instructions, and a bonus DVD giving handling details. $249.95 (10.1552)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=1035&cat=0&page=1)
(2) Mojoe: From John Kennedy, one of the coolest tricks we have seen this year!
Picture yourself in a coffee shop, relaxing with friends and sipping your favorite cup of coffee. You wait until the moment is just right for some Mojoe.
"Watch," you say as you hold the cup between your hands. All of a sudden you turn it upside down and crush it!
Total shock and fear ensue as everyone tries to escape the eruption of hot liquid. Moments later, in a stunned condition, they realize that the coffee has completely disappeared and that they have been very, very badly fooled!
With Mojoe you can make coffee vanish or even change into something else, like coffee beans! It works with paper cups (like Starbucks® coffee cups) and also ceramic coffee cups.
Mojoe also works with different drinks like Coke®, milk, etc.
You will receive the revolutionary Mojoe gimmick along with a DVD video teaching John Kennedy's favorite vanishes and changes.
BONUS: Gregory Wilson has some brilliant ideas with Mojoe.
It doesn't get any better than this!
Shipping (hopefully) by late December.
Pre-order yours now and we will pay the shipping anywhere in the world! $59.95 (10.1553)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=1028&cat=0&page=1)
(3) Snow Animator V: This is the latest in Kevin James’ Snow Animator line. It is a folding chair that literally sets up in 2 seconds. It packs up just as fast. You perform the illusion while sitting on the chair. This has the same great interior components as the Animator IV. The snow soars over 20 ft. high!
Comes with chair, battery, charger, confetti, instructional DVD and a vinyl travel bag. Kevin tours with it folded in his hard shell suitcase along with his personal items.
Chair back designs may vary. $2000.00 (60.1638)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9946&cat=0&page=1)
(4) Connected DVD Set – Paul Stockman: For over a decade, Paul Stockman has been extremely busy performing his unique and fascinating style of psychological entertainment all around the world. Paul is in constant demand and is a consummate professional entertainer.
This is Paul’s DVD debut and showcases some of the finest modern mentalism, seamlessly blending deviously clever methods and engagingly entertaining plots
Shot in front of a live audience, the DVD opens with a fifty-minute stand-up show that features some of Paul's favorite routines and ends with a revelation that is destined to go straight into the act of many performers
On this DVD, Paul shares with you his wealth of experience and knowledge that can only be gained over hundreds of performances. Not just a collection of effects, it is a professionally structured show that is taught in full detail from beginning to end and includes tips and advice on scripting the show, structuring routines and keeping it entertaining as well as captivating.
Contents:
Pick a Chair
A direct and baffling chair routine that audiences love and establishes your abilities straight away. Paul discusses the fundamental elements that make a chair routine such a popular feature for many mentalists, as well as the importance of keeping the effect clear and understandable for the audience.
Hands-Off Bank Night
This popular effect gets a dose of the Stockman treatment when Paul puts the entire effect into the hands of a spectator. The spectator hides the money in one of six envelopes and then makes all the decisions while you stand back, guilt free, as each envelope is eliminated and destroyed…will they avoid the money
The Pendant Curse
A beautifully scripted routine revolving around a tale of four women, a murder and a sinister curse that captivates the audience with its intriguing mystery.
Back to Becker
Larry Becker's fabulous "Casino Royale" is a true classic of modern mentalism and is part of many leading performer's repertoires. With Larry's kind permission, Paul explains his variation of this brilliant routine that focuses on chance, influence and luck involving money, blackjack and some imaginary dice.
The Sweet Jar
A large jar of sweets that has been on display throughout. Paul invites three audience members to join him on stage to try to guess the number of sweets. Each one of them has a totally free choice and at the climax, not only does one of the spectators manage to guess exactly right and finds a prediction buried inside the sweets but unbelievably, Paul has also managed to predict in advance, which of the spectators that would be
My Luckiest Day
The concept explained in this show-stopping finale is a beautiful way to end any mentalism performance. The Confabulation plot has always been a firm favorite within mentalism and Paul's tray revelation can be applied to almost any plot or performance.
Throughout the entire show, right in the middle of the stage is a small table that holds a tray that has a large candlestick and candle standing upon it. At the start of the show the candle is lit and remains in full view and untouched throughout. During the course of the show, Paul has various free choices made by different members of the audience and has them keep a mental note of each one.
At the finale of the show, the candle is extinguished and removed from the tray and Paul turns over the tray to show a written prediction securely taped to the underside of the tray on all sides. Impossibly the prediction matches every single one of the free choices made throughout the show!
No fancy boxes or backstage assistants are required - this is the ultimate one-man Confabulation for stand-up and stage. The final image of the prediction taped to the underside of a tray is a truly stunning climax to the show!
Paul Stockman Interview & Discussion With Peter Nardi
Join Peter Nardi as he delves into Paul's background in performing and how it all began for him in mentalism. You will also learn the fascinating processes that go into formulating routines, scripting them and rehearsal techniques. Advice on handling audiences and clients as well as discussing his love for interesting narratives and presentations are also addressed. $49.00 (DVD01078)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9945&cat=0&page=1)
(5) Experience: The Magic Of Jon Allen – John Lovick: Jon Allen is a man of many talents: he is a first place winner in close-up magic at both the International Brotherhood of Magicians and The Magic Circle. He is also the creator of “The Silent Treatment,” one of the best-selling and most innovative stand-up magic effects marketed in the last decade. And he is one of the busiest magicians in the United Kingdom.
For the first time ever, Jon Allen is tipping his most prized routines, and ideas—fifty effects packed into more than 200 pages of polished, performance-ready magic. More than 400 photos are included to make your learning experience a pleasurable one. Written with the inimitable style and wit of John Lovick, this important book will challenge and delight any lover of magic.
Learn the brand of magic that Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander called “Brilliant”:
Jon’s full Competition Act: including a solid two-foot cigarette from jacket and the show-stopping borrowed ring in sealed party popper.
Freddy’s Dead: Jon’s devastating version of Professor’s Nightmare brings many new developments to this classic plot; suitable for close-up or stand-up.
The Wedding Trick: destined to become the definitive wedding trick for happy couples around the world.
A full rubber band routine: finally a routine to showcase all the best effects possible with elastic bands.
Schrödinger’s Card: Jon’s controversial card effect that leaves participants with an impossible object and a memory they will never forget.
And dozens more! You’ll learn five stand-up effects, suitable for large crowds and even theater work—all of which pack in your pockets.
Within these covers you will learn professional routines honed over thousands of performances. And you will learn ways to improve the experience of magic for your audiences.
Experience the magic of Jon Allen. $65.00 (BK01680)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9947&cat=0&page=1)
(6) Soft Soap: Show three handkerchiefs, all of which have been soiled in various ways - one has multi colored paint stains, one is covered with ink spots, and one has lipstick smudges all over it (who were you with last night?).
Available once again! A box from powdered soap is shown and the silks are pushed into the box. After shaking the box and turning it over, the silks are removed.
Wonder of wonders! They are now all pure white - totally clean, Of course, they all know that the stained silks are still inside the box.
After lots of comedy by-play, you finally tear open the box and show it to be totally empty and devoid of trickery! Self contained and easy to do. $35.00 (60.004)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=3531&cat=0&page=1)
(7) Carderfeiter – Ron Frost: A wild looking routine with a great premise. This very visual routine revolves around the adventures of one of the first Carderfeiters. In an attempt to print his own marked cards, he encounters a barrage of mistakes where cards are printed without pips, without a middle, with multiple images and even completely warped. As a finale he discovers that the machine he is using is out of order.
Comes complete with very special Bicycle Poker-size cards printed by the U.S. Playing Card Co. and photo-illustrated instructions. $15.00 (30.1457)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9953&cat=0&page=1)
(8) Vintage Magic Films: Silent Films Of Early Magic Stars: Featuring rare performances by Houdini, Cardini, Annemann, Blackstone, Thurston, Al Baker, T. Nelson Downs, Winston Freer, John Mulholland, Jack Gwynne, Frakson, Tenkai, Bert Allerton and dozens more!
- Over three hours of silent film from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s
- Classic illusion show movies of Blackstone, Thurston, and Jack Gwynne
- Cardini in 1928 manipulating cards at close-range
- The only existing film of Ted Annemann performing a card effect
- Home movies of Okito and Fu Manchu
- Rare footage of David Devant, Horace Goldin, Will Goldston, Bess Houdini, and more
- The only movies of performances by the brilliant Al Baker and Winston Freer
- Houdini in the 1920s demonstrating card flourishes and productions
- Early manipulation by Dai Vernon, Tenkai, T. Nelson Downs, Frakson, Bill Baird, Cliff Green, Arthur Buckley, and others
- Over 100 performers in all
- Over three hours of footage
- Digitally remastered on DVD
Vintage Magic Films is the most incredible array of early magic performers ever collected on DVD.
All films have been remastered for this 3-DVD set, which was created in collaboration with William H. McIlhany and the Society of American Magicians. $100.00 (DVD01079)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9952&cat=0&page=1)
(9) High Spots – Caleb Wiles: Over 70 pages of diabolical new magic. Rarely does thinking so fresh and so mature surface from a new name in magic. This is a collection of eleven completely fleshed-out card routines. It ranges from completely self-working to intermediate level.
Reswindled is worth the price of the book alone. Paul Harris says, "Caleb Wiles' Reswindled is my new favorite version of Reset." So the creator of the plot acknowledges this version as the best. Why? Because in addition to cards transposing, at the conclusion, they change into Aces. It's such a simple, logical addition!
Everything included in this book is a showpiece worth learning, and there are so many little things built into each one that you can't help but marvel at the creativity. Effect listing:
Offbeat Aces: An easy but visual production of the four Aces from between three Jokers.
ReSwindled: The best version of Reset ever!
26! A spectator is subliminally influenced to shuffle one half of the deck to match the order of the other half. No switches!
Word Perfect: A stand-up trick that you will use to fool audiences everywhere.
Make a Wish: A birthday-themed card effect strong enough for a working pro but easy enough for a relative beginner.
Blackjack Be Quick: A spectator shuffles a deck and you instantly locate a winning blackjack hand, even under test conditions.
Crystal Cut: A versatile false cut and control that will infiltrate your repertoire. Say goodbye to the double undercut!
Little Fella Grows Up: A false dealing demonstration that does not require any false deals. Your audience will give you much more credit than you deserve!
iDeck: A geeky but fooling card trick with a topical presentation.
Replicator: A topical presentation of color-changing deck that makes for a great follow-up to iDeck.
Here-a-Move, There-a-Move, Everywhere-a-Move Move: A finger-flinging, eye-popper using four ungaffed Aces.
Semi-Automatic Luck Test: A participant deals and cuts to the four Kings and Aces in this self-working stunner.
$20.00 (BK01683)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9950&cat=0&page=1)
(10) Fight Dirty – Andy Nyman: Andy's brand new set of lecture notes available exclusively from Alakazam contain 5 sure fire mentalist tricks. If you know Andy's mentalism you'll know these are easy to do, high impact mentalist effects.
The Dead Zone
Chair Swindle
Kick in the Head
Danny Rose Cigar Trick
The Hidden
28 pages - Saddle Stitched
$19.95 (BK01682)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9951&cat=0&page=1)
(11) Clockwork Apple – Chris Mayhew: You don't yet know about Chris Mayhew, his unique approach to card magic, or his wacky sense of humor. All that is about to change. In this anticipated debut effort, Chris unveils eight brand new, visually arresting card effects. Playing cards will change and exchange in ways that will surprise everyone, even you! His specialty is creating card tricks that are simple in plot with a clear, visual element. And, his love for cult films and zany personality emanate from every page; this book is pure fun.
In A Clockwork Apple, you'll learn the following effects:
Dairy Queens
McDonald's Aces has just been kicked with a million jigawatts, straight into the future. This handling of the classic Assembly plot is both easy and incredibly deceptive.
F.D.S.
The Asher Twist meets the Hofzinser Ace Problem meets the Fockers. Consider Hofzinser's Ace Problem solved.
Casino Royale with Cheese
A surprise transposition of the Kings and a selection. Don't say we didn't warn you!
Tainted P.O.D.
This is the latest handling of Chris' now famous "Holes" concept. Two cards visually transpose while trapped between two Jokers with holes cut in the middle of them.
Whole Warp
An amazing handling of the classic Card Warp plot. The entire routine is done without the need to ever fold or tear a card.
Lazy Rise
A selected card slowly rises from the bottom of the deck to the top while angle jogged. This is a new, doable approach to one of the most challenging plots in card magic.
Cardsexchange
A visual color change of a card that is outjogged in the center of the deck.
The Schwartz
A simple, clean, utility card force. If Ferris Bueller was a magician, he would have used this force.
$29.95 (BK01681)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9949&cat=0&page=1)
And that’s this week’s Hotlist. Some great new items, that I hope you will be very excited about!
As always, and especially in this busiest of times, we appreciate your finding the time to visit 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
