Greetings from all of us at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. I am just loving this winter. Monday night we had a couple of inches of snow. Before I could get Aron to shovel the front walk, the snow was gone! Today, it’s in the 40s. This is my kind of winter.
Last week, do you remember last week, I asked what you all thought about sending the email Newsletter on Friday and the Weekly Excitement on Monday. I didn’t expect a tremendous response, because I didn’t think people had strong opinions either way. Boy, was I wrong. I got a ton of emails from all of you. And, everyone who responded was of the same opinion. Combine the two parts and send them on Friday. My mother raised no fool. If I am ever going to win the People’s Choice Award, I really have to do what the people want. So, starting this week, we go back to the old way. The Friday Newsletter will contain the Weekly Excitement. And, we will do a re-run of the Newsletter on Monday for those who might have missed it on Friday. Just so you know, if you ever have an opinion about something we are doing, whether you are in favor of it or against it, please let me know. Your opinion really does matter to me.
If you thought that the Instant Backdrop we listed last week was cool, you are so right! It is a beautifully made backdrop frame, and is priced really low! We have just one of these left, and we are not sure they will be available again in the near future. So, a word to the wise should be sufficient. If you want one, now is the time!
Lucas the Singing Son is in Maryland this week to audition for the University of Maryland Graduate Opera Program. He’s staying with Bonnie’s sister Daryll. Daryll reported a case of laryngitis. A bummer indeed. So, Bonnie had Daryll go out and get some face masks (the kind that Michael Jackson used to wear) so as not to spread her malaise to any budding Opera stars. Bonnie has the power.
Bonnie, Aron and I are off to Concord, New Hampshire tonight to see the Intergalactic Nemesis. I didn’t know what it was either. Turns out it’s a live-action graphic novel.Aron says it’s a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience that mashes up radio drama with comic-books. Sounds like fun, yes? I hope so, because it’s a long shlep to Concord. I will let you know next week.
Oh, and one last thing. Don’t forget to register for this year’s Cape Cod Magic Conclave. It will be a doozy!
And, that’s it for now. Make sure and check out this week’s Excitement!
DVD GIVEAWAY: One of our most popular excitements! What could be better than an old-fashioned DVD Giveaway! For the next five days, from right now until Tuesday, January 24th, at midnight, you have the opportunity to get DVDs for free! But, you have to get them the old fashioned way. You must earn them.
Here's the way it works: For every order of $100 or more, you get one free DVD (your choice of any single DVD that sells for $35.00 or less). If you spend $200 or more, you get two free DVDs (again, your choice). $300 or more gets you three free DVDs. And on it goes. The more you buy, the more you get for free! It's an incredible deal when you figure that the average price of a DVD is $35.00! In order to claim your free DVD, just put the name of the DVD in the Customer Notes Box at the bottom of the second page of the online checkout (after you fill in your name, address, etc.) at www.magicfact.com. If you phone your order in to our toll free number at 800 874 7400, just let the order-person know what free DVD(s) you want. If you FAX the order to us at 781 395 2034, same thing. Just let us know which ones you want. Remember, the giveaway ends on Tuesday, January 24th, at midnight!
Now, let’s take a peek at this week’s Hotlist!
(1) KerPLUNK Wand – Tommy James: A new comedy wand that will get loads of laughs in your kid-shows.
It’s wacky, hysterical and klutzy! It’s the Tommy James KerPLUNK Wand!
A blue drawstring bag is tucked under your arm.
Tell the kids you can’t find your magic wand and that you always keep it in a blue bag.
The kids will shout that it is under your arm. You look under the other arm, but the bag is not there. The kids tell you to look under the other arm! You state “This IS my other arm!”
After some more antics, you eventually discover the blue bag but, are disappointed because the only thing in the blue bag is a red bag.
Remove the red bag. The kids tell you to look inside the red bag.
Out of the red bag, you pull a green bag. Once again the kids will tell you to look in the green bag. Finally, remove the wand from the green bag.
State that this wand is the most powerful wand in the whole world.
Wave the wand to make some magic happen, but to your surprise kerplunk!. The tip falls off the end of the wand and onto the floor!
You replace it but it falls off again and again.
Then the tip is stuck to your finger. You don’t see it, but the kids do and are quick to let you know. You pull the tip from your finger but, oh no, you pulled your finger off! (Don’t worry, you replace it. Whew!)
Now you can’t find the tip but the kids inform you it is hanging off the end of the wand, dangling from side to side!
Finally you have all the kids wiggle their fingers at the wand and say the magic words. To everyone’s surprise, in an animated motion the tip moves and pops up and back onto the wand all by itself! The kids have done the magic and fixed the wand!
You may now use the wand in your favorite routine.
KerPLUNK Wand is 15” long and 3/4” diameter, black with silver prism tips. Very easy to operate. Complete with three satin drawstring bags, magic wand and Tommy’s full routine. A guaranteed hit at your next kid show!
$52.00 (50.976)
Note: This is a non-discountable item.
(2) Dai Vernon's Revelations - 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition Box Set – 8 DVD Set:
It's been 30 years since the initial release of Revelations, the monumental video set that immortalized the life and work of perhaps one of the greatest magicians who ever lived - the Professor himself - Dai Vernon.
The Revelations 30th Anniversary Box Set features all 17 volumes of Revelations digitally re-mastered on 8 DVDs.
Also included are three bonus DVDs that contain extremely rare footage of Vernon lectures from the 1970's - almost six hours of material that almost no one has ever seen before.
Included also are four audio CDs of Vernon lectures from the 1960s and two commemorative booklets. The first is a facsimile of the original Videonics Revelations catalog with comprehensive commentary on each volume by Sid Lorraine while the second contains Dr. Gene Matsuura's original notes made at Dai Vernon's farewell lecture in 1976.
Everything is packaged in a full color slipcase that is sure to make this set one of the most desirable magic keepsakes ever released.
The contents of this incredible DVD Set takes up an entire page! In order to view the details, Click Here.
$179.95 (DVD01316)
Note: This is a non-discountable item.
(3) Menage A 3: Michael Afshin and Roy Kueppers present Menage A 3 with gaffed coins from Roy Kueppers and the routines taught by Michael Afshin!
International 3FLY - An elegant routine using three very different coins. Each coin visibly travels from one hand to the other. Michael teaches his beautiful '3FLY' handling performed right at the finger tips.
International Matrix - Using only his bare hands the performer causes three international coins to magically collect together under one hand and then instantly return again. Great magic and very easy to perform
Envelope Matrix - A very baffling matrix routine using the same three coins and three sealed envelopes to cover each one. The three coins magically collect together underneath one envelope. The final surprise kicker with all three coins vanishing then appearing inside the three sealed envelopes is a real fooler.
Bonus Routines.”
In The Hand Two Coin Transpo - Clean & baffling coin magic right in the hand of the spectator. A wonderful routine for the walk around performer.
Ashfin's Retention Vanish - Michael teaches his personal handling of this beautiful coin sleight
The DVD comes with all coins needed to perform all of the routines above. You will receive 8 coins in total (5 High Quality Gaffed coins & 3 Regular Matching).
$250.00 (20.476)
Note: This is a non-discountable item.
(4) Pentagon – Patrick Redford: Pentagon boasts five impromptu routines and a few hidden surprises, all featuring some of the coolest super powers around. This is the fourth book in the series of five.
Contents:
Super Hearing -A Sound Phone Call
Using super hearing you're able to tell the exact number of coins your subject is shaking in his hand over a phone line.
X-Ray Vision - X-Ray Vision Coins
Using the power of x-ray vision you're able to tell which hand a borrowed coin is in, it's date, and whether its heads up or tails up.
Mind Reading - Shade Drawing Duplication
An incredibly clean close-up Drawing Duplication combining a clever peek and legitimate muscle reading.
Psychokinetic Power - Staring Sensation
With their eyes closed, two people step into each other's mind and body and think and feel exactly as the other person thinks and feel. Two people can sense when the other is starring at the back of their head, they sense when the other person moves their arms, and anticipate when the other is about to stand. One subject may even think of the exact same word that the other has freely thought of.
Time Travel -The Time Traveler
An entire room notes the time on their watch only to experience the physical sensation of time travel as a business card with the current time written across the face is ripped and burned only to visually un-burn, un-rip, and finally go blank. When everyone looks at their watch again time its verified that somehow the room traveled back through time a full five minutes.
48 pages. Soft cover. 10" x 6.5." Full-color and black-and-white illustrations
$40.00 (BK01833)
Note: This is a non-discountable item.
(5) Bunny Tear Surprise: You and a volunteer from the audience each take a piece of paper.
One piece of pink paper and one piece of white paper.
You each tear your paper into small pieces.
The torn pieces are crumpled into a ball.
The pieces are magically restored to reveal a cute bunny mask, which your volunteer can wear and keep as a souvenir!
A perfect routine for your Easter shows! Great any time of the year. Every magician should have a bunny, right?
Comes ten to the package. Really easy to do. An audience pleaser!
$20.00 (50.977)
(6) Collateral – Diamond Jim Tyler: Diamond Jim Tyler teaches his award-winning borrowed Ring & String routine, step by step, with some thought-provoking nuances. The audience witnesses a spectator's ring penetrate a leather lace, then vanish from the lace lace time and again.
This has been a feature of DJ's act since 1986 and used in thousands of performances and hundreds of lectures all over the world. This is a visually stunning routine that transcends the language barrier.
Dan Fleshman and Gregory Wilson, who are experts on the subject, say it is one of the best routines they have ever seen. Unlike most ring and string routines that become predictable, this one ends strong with an effect that DJ likes to call Collateral:
The magician removes his ring and asks to borrow a spectator's ring. The magician places his own personal ring into a small coin envelope and asks the ring-less spectator to place it into their pocket as collateral. After performing DJ's Ring & String routine or any borrowed ring effect, their ring is made to vanish! The spectator hands over the envelope, only to discover that their own ring is inside! Includes two leather laces and the other necessary props.
$25.00 (10.1682)
Note: This is a non-discountable item.
(7) Flash – Chris Webb: Flash is a visual bill change. It’s 100% self-contained and easy to do.
Show a blank piece of paper and, in a flash, it changes into real money, a lottery ticket or anything else you want to make your gimmick turn into!
Once your gimmick is set-up, you are good to go. Flash is extremely simple and effective. You receive a gimmick which is made from a lottery ticket. This shows you what the gimmick will look like when you have made your own. Not only that, you can use the gimmick supplied, if you wish; it will turn a blank piece of paper into a lottery ticket.
On the accompanying DVD Chris Webb shares the details of how to make your gimmick. The DVD also includes a method where you can hand everything out to a spectator for examination at the end of your routine
Flash is really easy to perform, very visual and fun to use.
You get an in-depth, step by step DVD which shows you how to perform, and make up, the gimmick in whatever version you want.
No sleight of hand needed.
$22.50 (10.1681)
(8) F1 Wallet Nitro Edition:
The fabulous F1 Wallet, supercharged! The folks at Alakazam have been working on this new breed of wallet for over a year!
They started by taking Jason Rea's best selling F1 Wallet, stripping it back and giving it a total make over. By sourcing a higher grade of leather they have given the F1 Nitro a more luxurious look and feel.
They then stripped and redesigned the F1 gimmick. Making it stronger, faster & more accurate than ever before.
Then, they added several new features: Peek, an Index and an Out-to-Lunch feature. All making the F1 Nitro a true multi-purpose wallet for the working performer.
The F1 Nitro Wallet comes complete with a full in-depth training DVD, where Peter Nardi takes you step by step though his personal handling and multiple high impact routines.
The F1 Nitro allows you to perform miracles with almost no sleight of hand!
The F1 Nitro is so easy that even a magic novice can perform incredible card to wallet routines like a pro. Yet it so incredibly versatile that no professional would want to leave home without it.
The instructional DVD is crammed to the brim with high octane routines, including Peter Nardi's Phantom Card (plus bonus ideas), Peter's Thought Of Card In Wallet and 3 Play. There are well over 10 mind blowing routines described on the DVD as well as ideas and thoughts on the Peek, Index & Out-To-Lunch sections!
$160.00 (30.1571)
(9) Heptagon – Patrick Redford: Powerful mentalism performable over the phone or in person!
As part of a 5 comic book series, Heptagon (preceded By Triangle & followed by Square), this is a comic devoted to mentalism over the telephone. This stuff doesn't suffer from your usual transparent mathematical or psychological methodology.
Artist Jesse Rubenfeld's art is beautiful, the page layout is stellar, and overall the product production is top notch.
Imagine being able to perform strong, commercial mentalism remotely over the telephone without having to resort to contrived mathematical feeling procedures, or having to rely on traditional psychological forcing techniques. These routines are just as impressive over the phone as they are in person.
Dead Phone - Divine and predict the location of three weapons hidden in three different pockets of your subject.
Drinks on Me - A 100% Safe Acid Roulette Game.
The Call - Successfully call the winner of three rounds of RPS & know the exact objects thrown in the last play.
Memory Prison - Memorize the subject's deck of cards in 30 seconds then teach the subject to memorize a deck of cards in under one minute all over the phone.
Coin Claw - Feel exactly what the subject feels and identify which of four coins is being held at seemingly any given time.
Coin Cast - Perform a which hand is the coin in effect and also be able to call if the coin is heads or tails up in the subjects hand. Yes, even over the phone!
Lie Detector - The performer is able to correctly spot when the subject is lying or telling the truth without fail.
Remote Composition - A different presentation of the previous routine with a psychic theme rather than a psychological. This works well as a fail-safe for Joshua Quinn's Duplicity.
Subliminal Persuasion Kicker - Have the subject write down an open prediction about a physical set of actions he or she will do only to have him or her cause it to come true moments later without being aware of it.
Tracing Dick - A drawing duplication for the phone
52 pages. Soft cover. 10" x 6.5." Full-color and black-and-white illustrations.
$40.00 (BK01834)
Note: This is a non-discountable item.
(10) Tri-Color Rope and Knots: Imagine displaying a bright and solid, tri-colored rope (Red, Yellow and Green) to your audience. Then, as you slowly pass your hand down the rope, a knot magically appears in each of the colored sections!
The colored knots do not match the colored sections of the rope in which they appear (red knot in yellow section, etc.).
You again pass your hand down the rope and to the amazement of your audience the colors of the knots match each section of the colored rope! Lastly, you untie the knots and hand the rope out for complete examination!
BONUS! A fun-filled Traffic Light routine with a fantastic children's safety message. This routine is great for getting booked into schools. Teachers and staff love it just as much as the students!
Comes complete with tri-colored rope and 12-page instruction booklet.
$22.95 (60.1813)
(11) Travel – Martin Adams: Anytime. Anywhere. In the mind. On the streets.
You introduce a laminated card which is covered in standard recognizable places from around the world. Places like the Eiffel Tower, Niagara Falls or the Stonehenge.
You ask the spectator to take an imaginary trip to any of the nine famous sites. You ask them to imagine themselves being there. You then slowly reveal their thought of place.
Now you probably ask from yourself: What's new? The good news is: no memory work at all!
This is an effect you will use, and carry with you all the time!
The detailed booklet teaches you everything you need to know to start performing this amazing effect right away.
Includes full-color, laminated 'travel card' to use as much as you like!
5 pages. 5.5” x 8.5.” Soft cover.
$25.00 (40.814)
"Travel is a technically a very simple effect; you can go out and perform it pretty much straight away, it's strength is in this simplicity, it's an ideal opener for any mentalist or magician" - Dee Christopher
And, that’s this week’s Hotlist. Just long enough and filled with a fabulous collection of magical goodies! Check them all out. I know you will something that you just can’t live without.
As always, I want to thank you all for taking the time to spend with us. Whether it’s online at www.magicfact.com or in person at 102 North Street in Medford, we do love the company!
Hank
