Month: September 2003

Well look at the Flocking on these!

So the Tricky bottles trick, invented by James Swoger, has been around since the late ’50’s and there are some good and bad versions out there. This latest version, by the master craftsman Jay Leslie, doesn’t use bottles it uses Bowling Pins.

Not only is the method different from the bottles the tubes are very high quality and lovingly made. Jay even Flocks the interior of the tubes with this black, felt like material that really adds a nice smooth finish to the tubes. The tubes are very nice indeed – great paint job, solidly constructed, and will last a lifetime. Did I say I liked the tubes? They are so much better than the tubes you normally get for this sort of effect.

The other nice thing about this version is that not only can either Pin be chosen and examined by the spectator but also either tube too. But from even close-up with the easy to learn handling that never becomes apparent. The routine is pretty much the same Do-As-I-Do, but with wonderful apparatus. Its easy to do too!

Great Job Jay! Certainly Recommended!

Click here for more information.

Simple is normally the Best!

As I wean myself from high priced electronic miracles, it becomes obvious that so many seemingly impossible effects are possible with very simple props, that don’t require eight batteries and two transmitters!

Paul Richards has a real winner here for the casual or strolling performer, it is simple to do, easy to remember, and reset, and works every time. There is even a presentation that doesn’t require a table or the dice. All in the mind.

Very nice!

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Great Trick with Comedy and Magic Potential

This trick has great potential to play well for kids. There is some byplay to be had with making up funny names for the two animals chosen and showing the animals in the first place, some laughs to be had as you show your sketches as predictions, and some killer magic as you do in fact successfully predict both choices without any funny business.

I knew how this effect was going to work when I ordered it and was hoping for a nice stand to spin around. The makers credit the idea to Burling Hull’s Radar Vision, I am not familiar with that effect but would say that this effect is exactly like Ultissimo – I am not sure which came first.

For $39 don’t expect the best props in the world – note to self if its less than $100 don’t expect too much! However, these props are certainly workable and as long as you’re not trying to impress the local Magic Collector’s club you’ll be fine. The stand, unlike Ultissimo does not spin around but its a big stand so that maybe just as well. There is a smaller version of this effect and I think for most performances the smaller one would be better. But if you’re doing big shows to 100’s of kids then this will be perfect for you.

Click here for more information.