Friday, January 13, 2012

Friday With Hank Lee - Just a Little Snow!

Greetings from all of us at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. This has been a terrific week, the kind I like!  When I looked out the window on Tuesday morning, what to my surprise, but a delightful coating of snow on the trees and the ground. It was just a light frosting, and was gone by mid-morning. It’s snow the way I like it. Here for a couple of hours, then gone. I know that we will be getting more,  sooner rather than later. But, for now, I enjoyed it and then I didn’t.


Today, the 13th of January, is Aron the Elder Son’s birthday. He is 25 years old today. He is most certainly a young adult. But, he’s still my big kid. Know what I mean?


I need your help, oh exalted readers of our weekly email Newsletter. As you must have noted, we are not including the “Weekly Excitement” in our weekly Newsletter. Instead, we are sending a separate Newsletter on Monday with just the weekly Excitement. And, we are not-rerunning the Friday Newsletter on Monday. So, I need to know, “What do you think?” Your opinion is really important to me. Do you like the new plan? Did you like it better when the Excitement was included in the Friday Newsletter? Did you like the rerun on Monday? Tell me what you’d prefer. Send us an email to magicfact@aol.com and let your voice be heard.


Wait until you see this week’s Hotlist! There’s a huge list of new items, all very exciting! I think the “New Magic” producers took a week off between Christmas and New Year’s, but have now re-opened the flood gates. Yippee, says me! Make sure you check it out.


I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the 2012 Cape Cod Magic Conclave. This one is looking mighty-fine. The dates are April 13th – 15th, and while there are still good seats available, new registrations are showing up every day! You should look at the Conclave News and get yourself hooked up!


That’s all the news from here, but do keep reading!


**** magic1: ****
Your chance to acquire the very best in magic at the very best price. Every Monday, we will offer a modern magic miracle. You'll have only one week to order it. 10,080 minutes to make up your mind. 604,800 seconds to decide to get your own reputation maker. Then what happens? Then, we will offer another special, enabling you to build your show of shows, one week at a time.
This week’s magic1 is Warlock. Regularly priced at $32.00, yours until next Monday for $22.50!
To learn more about magic1, go right here


 


Now, let’s take a look at this week’s Hotlist!


(1) Ignition: Ignition is a key that can penetrate any borrowed object: a bill, a sugar packet, even a spectator's sleeve. Yet, when you rip the key out, there's no hole, no rip and no damage! You can pass the key and the borrowed object immediately for examination - there’s only one key. They won't find anything because Ignition is a real car key that can withstand the closest inspection, even by a locksmith!
Ignition is always with you. When not in use, it travels inconspicuously on your key chain. But, when you're ready to perform, there's no fumbling, just detach it from its quick release carabineer (included) and you are set to perform.
The handling is so easy, anyone can learn it in minutes. There's even a quick start method that will get you performing immediately.
Ignition can be performed anywhere, even surrounded. It's good for table hoppers, magicians on-the-go, and those spur of the moment situations when someone asks to 'see something'.
Ignition comes with an instructional DVD that teaches all three routines:
$60.00 (10.1680)
Note: This is a non-discountable item.


(2) Silkola – Wack-O-Magic: Silkola has been around for a long time. The effect is basic. A handkerchief is made to disappear and then reappears inside a sealed soda bottle hidden within a tube.
What makes Wack-o-Magic’s Silkola different?
The Wack-o-Magic version has several significant improvements over every other Silkola sold before.
#1: It comes complete: Ungimmicked Plastic 1/2 Liter Bottle, a Super Smooth-Laser Cut Bottle Cap, Special Tube (it matches the one from the Topsy Turvy Soda Bottle, and it’s open on both ends!), Two 12” x 18” specially printed silks, and a xustom designed Silk Vanishing Bank Bag.
#2: The special gimmick has a beaded end. There will be no more poking holes in your silks. This also allows the use of the much larger silk.
#3: The routine makes sense.
Magician/ Consultant Walt Anthony has written a perfect routine that follows a couple of thieves during their Great Big Cola Heist. Watch as the secret recipe is stolen, vanishes, and reappears back in the Cola Vault!
$69.95 (60.1811)
Note: This is a non-discountable item.


(3) Back Twist – Mathieu Bich: Four blue cards change into four red cards! One by one, in full view!
Back Twist is easy to perform. If you can turn a card face up, you can perform Back Twist!
Three different handlings are explained on the DVD. You will learn the Easy Handling (no sleights), the Standard Handling, and the "Advanced" Handling. You'll get the DVD and special USPCC cards you need to be able to perform this amazing effect
Includes gimmicked cards, instructional DVD and 4-page booklet.
$30.00 (30.1655)
Note: This is a non-discountable item.


(4) Room for You – Jim Kleefeld: Room For You is a clever and well-produced close-up trick that does not use playing cards.
Show a Realtor business card and a Realtor Postcard with a beautiful new home on one side and a floor plan of the house on the reverse.
Ask someone to "walk through the home." Have them choose any one of the four entrances and walk their fingers through any number of rooms.
When they stop, you flip over the business card and a written prediction matches the exact room in which they stopped. No matter where they start or how many rooms they choose, you know exactly where they will end.
Includes two different methods of revealing your prediction.
Comes with two sturdy full-color glossy postcards, ten business cards, and two envelopes.
Beautiful saddle-stitched instruction book with full directions and routine. Fun to use and different! Perfect for walk-around or restaurant work.
$22.50 (10.1679)


"The props look authentic and are very attractive. The spectator does almost all the work and the result is amazing." - Dave Goodsell.


"I really like it! I love what you've done with the concept, and the quality of the items is very professional. I think you've got a winner here.!" - Mark Piazza.


(5) Woes Of A Wizard – David Devant: Essential reading for the serious illusionist and historian
Maskelyne and Devant dominated the world of English magic for decades during their heyday in London with their resident shows at Egyptian Hall and St. George’s Hall. Their elaborate stage illusions and original effects entertained generations of audiences and puzzled magicians as well.
This is a fascinating book of stories as told by David Devant during his travels and performances. Insightful and entertaining.
Limited to only 200 copies.
Contents include:
The Great Court Conjurer
The Hot Pudding
Other People’s Woes
Pistol Stories
Deadheads
The Lady Who Would Not Vanish
The Man Who Makes Money
Some Queer Requests
Confederates and Mesmerists
A Real Romance
A Few Pupils
Minor Woes
My Note Book
Sells
Some Compensation
$40.00 (BK01832)
Note: This is a non-discountable item.


(6) Warlock – Andy Nyman: A beautiful organic routine using a stack of blank business cards.
Each card has an interesting word written on it (your word of the day list if you like)
Two spectators each choose a word without you looking.
Not only can you reveal the words, but you predict one of them in a truly unforgettable manner!
Classic Andy Nyman: simple, utterly baffling, deadly and direct mentalism!
$32.00 (40.813)


(7) Birthday Card Surprise: A modern update to the classic Temple Screen!
The panels each show a present on one side and cake on the other and are then folded into a triangle. Magic, Magic, Magic and all kinds of  items are produced from inside the triangle.
The panels are shown to be un-gimmicked again and as a kicker, one of the panels changes to say "Happy Birthday!" on it.
Features a large load area and brightly colored panels!
$29.95 (60.1812)


(8) Instant Backdrop: Check this price. It’s way too low! Here is the "scenic backdrop" perfect for the magician who wants to convey professionalism in an instant. The structure, made of aluminum, is assembled (and disassembled) in a few seconds with just one person to do it.
* The backdrop open measures 79” long x 90” tall x 10” wide.
* In addition to the bag containing the backdrop, you are supplied with a rolling-bag trolley. The trolley is 36” tall with a diameter of 15.”
* The trolley, which fits smoothly into your car, is stiff and has a large capacity. You can use it to carry, along with the backdrop some of the equipment you need for the performance.
The fabric to cover the structure is not supplied, but you can easily get one of your choice in a fabric store.
$450.00 (70.1019)


(9) The Box – Phil Tilston: We bring to you a real world, working effect. Without doubt this is a killer routine that builds to an impossible climax. Two cards are selected, signed and lost in any deck. In the blink of an eye the 1st card appears inside the box. The card box is flipped over to reveal, in bold permanent black marker, the name of their signed card. Under impossible circumstances, the second card appears inside the box. The spectator actually removes the card from inside the box!
The kicker comes as you again flip over the box and now, the bold black ink says the name of the second signed card.
The box is immediately fully examinable. Reset and ready to go again in seconds.
Comes complete with the precision made Box and DVD.
Works in any language, you write any cards on the box yourself.
Points to note:
No flaps
No switching card boxes.
Only one box used.
Spectator removes the signed card
The Box is fully examinable
Resets in seconds
5 magical moments built into the routine.
DVD Features:
The Box Full Routine – Mark Mason performs The Box routine and then takes you through every step of the effect.
$30.00 (30.1653)
Note: This is a non-discountable item.


(10) Big Reaction – Andy Nyman: The magician has several spectators "create" a card by naming each piece of the card, such as the color, suit and value.
They are told that if the magician gets the effect wrong, they can "Boo" him and if he gets it correct, they can all "Go Crazy" with cheers and applause.
The magician then goes thru the face up deck and finds the card that was named and it is placed aside.
The backs of all of the other cards are shown to have the word "Boo" written on the back of each one. The attention is returned to the chosen card and in a different colored ink, the words "Go Crazy" are written on the back of the chosen card.
$39.95 (30.1654)


(11) Twisted Sisters 2.0 – John Bannon: A diabolical effect from the creative mind of John Bannon, it is one of magic's all time best-sellers.
No skill or sleight of hand required!
Show two packets of face-down cards, each packet containing four cards. One packet is red-backed; the other is blue backed. Place the packets on the table. Ask a spectator to select either packet, red or blue. Whichever packet he chooses you use. No force.
Ask the spectator to imagine that his packet consists of four face-down Queens. Ask him to merely think of one of the Queens: Hearts, Clubs, Spades or Diamonds. A totally free choice.
Ask a second spectator to concentrate on the remaining four-card packet. He is to think of a different Queen than the first spectator's.
Now, without touching the cards, you claim that you have caused the two selections to change place! The first spectator names his card. You spread the packet. There is one card face up. It is the selected Queen!
Do the same with the second packet. The second spectator's card is the only one face up! It's an absolute miracle. But, it's not over yet!
Explain that if the cards really changed place, the backs of the selected Queens would have also changed place. The face-up Queen in the red packet is turned over. It has a blue back! The face-up Queen in the blue packet is turned over. It has a red back! Unbelievable. But, it's not over yet!
Point out that it is very interesting that the two spectators selected the Queens they did, because the rest of the cards are all Jokers!! Turn them all face up to prove it! Yikes! A killer effect!
How many moves does the routine require? None! Not even one! No sleight of hand required. Everyone will be fooled by Twisted Sisters, even the wise guys who've seen it all!
The method is simple and elegant. The plot is clear and concise. The effect is as close to real magic as you can get!
Now, for the first time, John Bannon takes you for an in depth look at this modern day classic filmed live in Las Vegas.
Includes the thorough instructional DVD, a downloadable PDF of the original detailed instruction booklet, and all of the necessary cards in US Bicycle Mandolin backs so you can immediately perform and amaze your audiences with John Bannon's Twisted Sisters.
$15.00 (30.445)
Note: This is a non-discountable item.


(12) Elmsley Count Project – Two DVD Set - Liam Montier: Within the art of card magic there are a small group of 'moves' that are considered essential. They are the cornerstones of great magic. The basic sleights you need to perform astounding feats with playing cards. The Elmsley Count is undoubtedly one of them. Master this one simple technique and you can perform some of the most amazing magic tricks of all time.
Most famously used to hide the face of one or more cards as you count through a small packet, the Elmsley Count is actually much more versatile and useful than many people realize.
This is the first dedicated DVD set to teach you how to do this classic move correctly, regardless of whether you are just starting out, or are an old hand ready to take this sleight to the next level.
It is a collection of techniques that combine to give you the most natural and deceptive 'bomb proof' Elmsley Count possible. It looks natural, works smoothly and with cards in absolutely any condition.
Once Liam has helped you perform a perfect Elmsley Count, you will move on to the enormous section on related variations.
Learn the Opec Count, the Outjogged Elmsley, the Split Elmsley, the Pinch Grip, the Vertical Elmsley, the Outjogged Elmsley, the Underground Elmsley and the Twist Grip!
And there's even more: the Siva Count, the Jordan Count, the Spirit Count and John Bannon's Discrepancy City Display and the awesome Bullet Party Display.
Finally, armed with your new arsenal of Elmsley Count techniques, you are ready for a collection of classic tricks using this wonderful move, from the best card men in the world, including Alex Elmsley, Peter Kane, John Bannon, David Solomon and George McBride. These are tricks you will be doing for the rest of your magical career!
So, whether you are learning for the first time, or you are a magician looking to advance the technique you have been using, join Liam Montier and explore all the possibilities.
$35.00 (DVD01315)
Note: This is a non-discountable item


And, that’s this week’s Ooh, Ooh, It Almost Snowed Hotlist! Fine magic brought to you by your friends at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory.
As always, I thank you personally for coming to visit us during your busy week. Whether it’s online at www.magicfact.com or in person at 102 North Street in Medford, we love the company!
Hank