Greetings from all of us at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. I don’t know about you, but I had the best New Year’s Eve ever. It started early on December 31st, just the way I like it. We were invited to brunch with all the family members of the original Tracy Strangelove band. For those of you who have been reading this blog for many years, that’s Lucas’ band from when he was in 8th grade. All four kids have remained friends, and the families have also become friends. So, despite the fact that the band has been disbanded for many years, the friendships continue. Brunch started at 1:00 PM and was over around 5:00. Just in time for a nice nap.
The rest of the evening was very low key. Lucas and his friends were off to a party. The rest of us had a nice quiet dinner at our favorite seafood restaurant, Legal Sea Food. Then, it was back home to watch the ball drop in Times Square. Some of us saw it, some did not. Then, it was a hearty “Happy New Year” and off to sleep. The kids managed to make it home by about 4:00 AM, which is far better than their original plan which involved a three-plus mile hike and then several hours in an all night pancake house waiting for public transportation to start up in the morning. Ah, to be young and carefree!
Honestly, I like the idea of celebrating early. In fact, I am told it’s the new hip thing to do. Staying up late is so last year!
I hope you New Year’s Eve was the best ever for all of you as well.
The new year has begun with a bang! We are coming close to wrapping up the talent lineup for the 2012 Cape Cod Conclave. It looks like one of the best ever. I know, I always say that. But, this year looks oh, so good. And, to tell you the truth, with this lineup, you should really consider registering early, while there are still great seats available! You can read all about the Conclave by going here: (http://www.hanklee.org/conclave/conclave12.html). Then, while you are there, you can register for the 24th annual!
All kinds of new stuff is arriving in stock. And, the best of the best is in this week’s Hotlist.
But, before you check out the cool stuff, check out the biggest bargain in town in this week’s magic1.
**** 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 Pocketed. Regularly priced at $24.00, yours until next Monday for $16.75!
To learn more about magic1, go right here: (http://www.hanklee.org/magic1/hm.html)
Now, let’s take a look at this week’s Hotlist!
(1) Haunted – Peter Eggink: Paul Harris presents the hands off, no touches, no thread work, fully examinable Haunted Deck you will really use!
Anytime in your performance with a normal, unprepared deck, a friend shuffles then cuts to a genuinely random card (signed if you want).
You place the card back into the deck, which is then placed on the table or floor.
She can even cut the deck again and complete the cut, so that she's the last person to touch the deck before the haunting starts.
The deck is sitting face down in the middle of the table. There is no secret stuff connected between you and the deck or the table. You can even put a clear bowl over the deck to completely seal it off from outside influences. Yet, while you're completely away from the deck, after about 7 seconds, the upper half of the deck ever so slowly begins to move. Slowly. Hauntingly. Sliding itself, cutting into two halves! The spectator slides out the card just cut to. It's the one! And if she has the urge, she can once again examine the normal deck.
Then, whenever you feel the spirit you can do it again. Haunted is always ready to perform!
No Loops or thread work.
Normal deck can be examined before and after.
Perform surrounded, in all conditions.
All natural actions. No secret moves.
Instant reset. Always ready to perform.
Very easy to do.
Complete with two gimmicks and instructional DVD (use your own deck).
Includes Mark Traversoni’s bonus Haunted handling pdf download.
$35.00 (30.1652)
Note: This is a non-discountable item.
(2) MIC-MOUTH – Steve Axtell: MIC-MOUTH® is a new hilarious comedy prop created by Ikkokdou and Steve Axtell.
It is simple to operate, an easy to use moving mouth on a fake microphone.
Make anyone in your audience talk; instantly without any set up!
The MIC-MOUTH measure 10.5" long and is 5" wide.
Hundreds of uses for MIC MOUTH®!
Make anyone or anything talk without strapping on a mask!
Use it to introduce or M.C. your own show!
Quickly lip sync to any song!
Small prop that plays big
Karaoke on steroids!
Interview the Invisible Man!
Note: This is a non-discountable item.
$149.95 (60.1808)
(3) Pirate Box – Mikame: Available once again, in very limited quantities!
A coin is borrowed from a spectator, marked, vanished in the blink of an eye, then found in a small locked box!
Despite thorough examination by the spectators, they will never figure out how the coin got into the box.
Ask a spectator to sign a bill, put it into the box, and lock the box. Then, in a wink, you are able to remove the bill from the locked box!
Beautifully made by Mikame. Available in limited quantities!
Dimensions: 4" x 1 5/8" x 2 3/4" (10cm x 4cm x 6cm)
$35.00 (10.1678)
(4) The Dove Whisperer – Two DVD Set – James Dimmare: One of the greatest performers of dove magic of our time, Dimmare shares his most precious insights into dove magic and working with birds in this new 2-DVD set!
Never before have so many intricate details been revealed about dove work! You will not only learn to perform more startling and effective bird productions but also techniques that will make you a better all-around performer!
Volume One focuses on health, care, and basic techniques of working with doves and parakeets. This is the most complete collection of essential dove information ever assembled! You'll also enjoy Dimmare's many tips and stories about his dove-work mentors, including Channing Pollock, Johnny Thompson, and many others.
Volume Two presents an array of powerful methods, effects, and utility props that will make your magic look cleaner and more magical:
Channing Pollock's First Bird Production: The basis of all dove work. The thought process and skill behind it will make you a better dove worker. Includes Pollock's personal touches, and Dimmare's inner work on loading, bags, preparing lines, blackening wire loops, and more.
Channing Pollock's Third Bird Production: Channing's famous production. Everyone used to wonder where the third dove in his act came from...now you'll know!
The Silk Winder: Dimmare shows you the proper, dependable use of this essential gimmick!
Dimmare's Invisible Harness: Dimmare finally lets the world know what has actually become the industry standard in dove harnesses, including the correct technique, performance, and construction.
Doves from Gloves: The Shimada classic refined by Dimmare, with an analysis of Shimada's technique, plus Dimmare's own version, which has become a modern miracle.
Portable Small Cage: Imagine a cage that folds flat for easy storage on the road and backstage!
The Traveling Pop-Up Aviary: This brilliant device allows your doves ample flying room inside a cage that assembles in minutes but breaks down into a tiny bag!
Over two hours of material!
Note: This is a non-discountable item.
$60.00 (DVD01314)
(5) The Tongue: This specially designed tongue looks incredibly realistic!
Perform as comedy, bizarre, dangerous or just to gross out your friends (ah, to be 16 again).
You can:
Pull it (8 inches long)!
Stretch it (5 inches wide)!
Twist it
Pierce it!
Smash it!
The possibilities are endless!
$18.00 (60.1810)
Note: Coming in stock really soon! Pre-order now and we’ll pay the shipping.
(6) Rabbit Ta-Dah Silk: Meet the new rabbit on the magic block!
This new original rabbit was designed to compliment any magic or clown act. He's got pizzazz and personality! Just look at him waving that magic wand and the hand posed for applause. That's the applause you will get when you make this professional magic rabbit silk appear in your show!
Pure silk. 45” square.
$35.00 (60.1809)
(7) Bill 2 Can – Pro Series Vol. 6 – Paul Romhany: In this 50 page book Paul reveals two different routines and methods for his Bill To Can routine, which have been a feature of his comedy show for the past twenty five years. The book contains the two versions that Paul has performed on television, cruise ships, trade-shows and for private stand-up functions.
Fifteen years ago Paul Romhany caused a stir in the magic fraternity when he performed his original Impossible Bill To Can routine on national television. He was accused of using stooges because the routine was that impossible. However, what magicians did not know was that Paul had worked out a routine that did not use stooges, and he had been performing it live for many years prior to the TV appearance.
The book also contains another version which is an alternative to the original Bill To Can routine, and different in method, making it very practical for all working conditions. Paul has given his complete scripted routine. Each and every gag has been placed in this routine for a reason, to gain maximum amount of laughs per minute. You are not only buying the method but also the complete eight minute routine as performed exactly by Paul Romhany around the world. Anyone looking for a strong, commercial and hilarious routine, this is it!
Version One: At the beginning of the show the magician brings out a can of Baked Beans, and places it in full view of the audience. They can see it is sealed, and the magician continues with the show. At a certain point, he has a bill signed and placed in an envelope, where, after comedy by-play, it is burned (or shredded if fire is a problem as on cruise ships). The magician then shows his hands empty and opens the can to find the signed bill.
Version Two: The magician brings out a can of Baked Beans and hands it to an audience member where they hold on to it until needed. At some point in the show a $100 bill is borrowed, signed and sealed in an envelope. The envelope is held close to a flame for all to see, however it 'accidentally' burns. Not one to give up, the magician asks to borrow another bill. This time it's a $10 bill and signed. It is folded a few times and visibly changes in to the previous signed $100 bill. The spectator holding the can is asked to open it up, and inside is the signed $10 bill. The performer never goes near the can once the spectator holds on to it from the start!
50 pages. 8" x 5." Softcover. Black and white photos
$20.00 (BK01831)
And that’s this week’s First Of The New Year Hotlist. Not the longest one ever. But, one of the best. Some excellent items, for sure.
As always, I thank you for spending some of your valuable time with us. Whether you visit us online at www.magicfact.com or in person at 102 North Street in Medford, we love the company!
Hank
