Hank Lee's Magic Factory Blog: It's Free DVD Week!
It's Free DVD Week!
Greetings from all of us at Hank Lees Magic Factory. Its been a trying week here at Hank Lee Central, to be sure. In an effort to improve our computer networking and our Internet speed, we changed service providers. It all looked so easy on paper. New routers, new hubs and switches, all done in a few hours. Right. Not. Because of the way the new ISP distributed the IP addresses, we needed to make changes in every single computer in the building, plus every printer that used an IP address, plus the order entry system, which network using IP addresses. And, just when it looked like we were good to go, we needed to update the shipping system because of the changes in postal rates. It took two days of constant work with the Pitney Bowes tech department to get things back to where they were before the upgrade. Finally, everything is back to normal and hopefully will stay that way!
Some great books have just come back in print! Check these out: Card Magic of Nick Trost, Apocalypse Volume Two, Magic Menu Years 6-10, Carneycopia, Dai Vernons Inner Card Trilogy, Vernon Chronicles Volumes Two and Four!
There is a DVD currently on the market describing how to make your own Flash Paper. Im sure the DVD is well produced and has some good information. But, I can tell you that making Flash Paper is an extremely dangerous process. I absolutely do not recommend even attempting to make Flash Paper at home. It is simply not worth the risk. Better safe than sorry, if you know what I mean.
And, that brings us to this weeks more than exciting excitement!
DVD GIVEAWAY: With the sheer volume of new DVDs hitting the market, what could be better than a DVD Giveaway! For the next seven days, from right now until Thursday, May 22nd, 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 Thursday, May 22nd, at midnight!
Now, lets take a peek at this weeks Hotlist!
Numismatic - Tim David:
Borrow a coin, have it marked and drop it somewhere near the center of an unprepared glass table.
Show both hands cleanly and clearly empty.
Press on the coin and it visibly passes through the table and into your waiting hand below. One second it's above the glass, the next it just drops right through. You can hand the coin (and table!) out for examination; they will find nothing.
It's that simple. The way real magic should be. Quick, visual, hard-hitting, high-impact, and utterly impossible, leaving the spectators with no hope of ever figuring it out.
Works on any unprepared glass surface. Use any coin. No magnets. No "jewelry" required. Resets instantly. No funny moves. Just push and it's through. The special gimmick makes it all extremely visual and super easy to do.
If you do close up magic of any kind, then Numismatic belongs in your arsenal. Everything in the description is absolutely true. Tim David has come up with an ingenious method that fools people even if they're "in the know".
You get the gimmick and a full-length, professionally produced DVD that clearly explains every tiny detail of the effect.
Card Dice: Show the audience six small cubes. Each cube has six sides, each side showing one segment of a playing card. The faces are all different.
Stack the cubes on top of each other forming two stacks of three dice each. Their faces are mixed up and do not show any particular card. Place the two stacks of dice side by side and show from all sides. Their faces are all completely mixed up.
Now, cover up the dice with a handkerchief. A spectator selects a card from the pack. Let's say the spectator picks the Jack of Spades. Explain to the audience that, for some reason, the cards feel drawn towards each other and remove the handkerchief from the dice set-up. Unbelievably, all six cubes are now rearranged to form a complete image of the chosen card.
Offer to repeat this experiment.
Cover up the cubes again with the handkerchief. Another spectator is asked to select a card, but this time, the card is not shown.
"The cubes have once again rearranged themselves under cover of the handkerchief, thereby forming the value of the card you just chose," you say dramatically before removing the handkerchief.
At this point, the expected applause does not come. When you at the card formed by the two stacks of cubes, the image on their face does not resemble any particular card. All six faces have a different index and the image is thus completely muddled..
The audience will assume that you have made a mistake. But, fear not.
Ask the spectator to look at his card and to now show it to everyone. He will realize, together with everyone else, that his selection matches exactly the image on the dice set-up! Both are identical. Six different card segments in random order. This random order is identical to the random order shown on the spectator's selection!
Easy to do. No sleight-of-hand necessary. The props are constructed in such a way that they do all the work for you. This lets you concentrate entirely on the presentation.
Superb workmanship, made by a master craftsman.
Total Dimensions Approximately 3 7/8" x 2 5/8" x 1 1/4" (9cm x 7cm x 3cm) $99.95 (30.1338)
Smoke Signals  G. Sparks: A spectator freely picks a card and returns it to the deck. Place the cards back into the card case, as you explain a very old way to reveal the chosen card, by smoke signal.
As you say this, a steady stream of smoke begins to come out of the card case held in one hand. Your other hand reaches into the smoke and produces the chosen card.
Comes with DVD, Smoke Signal Generator (activated by an included magnet) and enough fluid to produce the steady smoke signal over 800 times. Operates on a 9v battery. Fits into any card case.
Smoke Fluid Ingredients: Propylene Glycol, Glycerin and Distilled water. Commonly used in food, drugs and cosmetics. $65.00 (30.1340)
ProPick Ice Pick: The Comedy Ice Pick is one of the funniest visual gags we ever carried. We were all so sad when it became unavailable. Now, Steven Dick has resigned the classic prop for improved visibility and improved versatility! Perfect for the time-honored "Milk From Elbow" routine; but there's more. Four new and original routines are included with the ProPick: A dollar bill penetration; a screwdriver through coat routine; a destroyed and restored handkerchief sequence and a very funny card trick!
The ProPick was designed to eliminate the flaws found in other models. It is visible from a distance, and looks like the real thing. It doesnt look like a magic prop, which increases its effectiveness.
Most audience today dont have any idea what an ice pick is No problem. With a Sharpie marker and a few minutes time, you can make it look like a Philips Head screwdriver. And, everyone knows what one of those looks like, even Bonnie!
* Lathe-turned hardwood handle
* Polished aluminum shaft, ¼ in diameter
* Custom-milled compression spring for reliable operation
* Stainless Steel hardware and accents
* Equally effective close-up or on stage
* Works really well in a routine with the Milk Pitcher and Comedy Funnel!
Shellraiser DVD  Troy Hooser: Learn the basic techniques needed to master the most deceptive gimmick in coin magic: The Expanded Shell. This secret weapon makes visual, eye-popping magic possible -- and easy to do.
Underground legend Troy Hooser demonstrates over 10 routines with the shell, as well as all necessary moves, tips and sleights.
Among the effects performed and explained are:
* Coins Across
* Coins Through Table
Each DVD includes a precision-made Expanded Half Dollar Shell, absolutely free! $24.95 (DVD00875)
Inked  Jordan Johnson:
A spectator's chosen card shows up as tattoo in the most unusual of places.
From the creator of Holy Grail, one of the greatest visual advancements to the torn and restored card plot, Jordan Johnson brings you a tattoo reveal like no other on the market.
A deck of cards enters play. A spectator picks a card and checks it. The magician rubs the card against his cheek and one of the pips vanishes, only to end up on the inside of his mouth tattooed into his flesh. Everyone can see it. It's right there. There's stunned silence.
Striking and bold, this is the kind of in-your-face magic people never forget.
Then the magician forcefully blows onto the face of the card and the pip instantly reappears. They break into applause. But there's more. The pip is now gone from his cheek. $24.95 (30.1339)
Cell - David Stone:
Its the Kennedy Mystery Box for magicians who don't want to carry a box in their pocket.
High quality gimmick for professional use. $49.95 (30.1336)
Jumbo Bicycle Gaffs:
All the most popular gaffed cards are now available in Jumbo Bicycle Rider back. Printed by the U.S. Playing Card Company, the quality of these cards is consistently high.
* 52-on-1 (Red or Blue)
* 14 of Spades (Red only)
* 3 1/2 of Clubs (Red only)
* Tree of Diamonds (Red only)
* Blank Face (Red or Blue back)
* Blank Both sides
* Double Back (Red/Red, Blue/Blue, or Red/Blue)
Please specify. Price is per card. (30.1337) $2.50
Dramatic Magic  John Booth: Packed into this book are countless refreshing ideas for those who seek something new! Tricks based on music or sound; the bios and routines of pickpocket magic experts; a variety of escapes before and after Houdini's era; and a complete gambling lecture ready to use! Included are two knockout mentalism/spirit effects from Booth's celebrity platform lecture-shows. Close-up magic anyone can do. Special chapters surveying the ideas and genius of magic masters. The latest detailed revelations identifying the mysterious Erdnase as M.F. Andrews, murdering gambler! To enhance table routines, a modified palmistry course in one easy lesson. Truly a book with something for everyone! Two years in preparation. Hardbound; beautifully produced. 257 pages. $50.00 (BK00644)
B.S. Board  Jeff Stewart: Since the original release of the B.S. Board thousands of magicians and entertainers have used it on stage, up close and during casual encounters. This new B.S. Board has been redesigned and manufactured using special plastic. It folds to 4½"x7" (11.43x17.78cm) and can fit in your shirt or jacket pocket.
Anytime you want to get a quick laugh, take it out of your pocket and in your most sincere voice read it out loud; "Being an entertainer is a unique opportunity which lets me bring joy into your lives
" Once you finish reading the sentiment fold the B.S. Board as you say, "And I mean that sincerely." The spectators will slowly begin to notice what the first letter of every line now spells, which will cause hysterical laughter.
It is ideal for close-up, walk around, bars, comedy clubs, emcee work and between friends. Don't underestimate the great reactions this memorable gag gets. $15.00 (50.358)
Professor's Nightmare, The Awakening - Ron Dayton:
The Professor's Nightmare- Everyone knows it and does it, and audiences still love it. One of the biggest challenges is finding a presentation that is both unique and interesting, particularly when you know of other performer's in your market using the same old patter.
Which is where Ron Daytons new book comes in. You won't find special slick moves, or any methodology in this book. You will find 20 new routines for the Professor's Nightmare, everything from gospel to bizarre, comedic to serious. Ron has variations using chains, Dr. Frankenstein flowers, dog leashes, tape measures and more!
Within the 20 routines, the brief directions or notes are given parenthetically, while the rest of the text represents spoken words. Much of Ron's writing must be read aloud and approached as prose to get a feel for how it is to be delivered.
Some of these routines will fit your taste as is, others will be springboards for your creativity. One thing is certain, you will never look at the Professor's Nightmare the same way again!
Pages 40  Softbound $25.00. (BK01580)
Technical Dove Tosses DVD - Dan Sperry:
In this whimsical DVD the mercurial Dan Sperry takes you backstage to learn the inner secrets of return flight dove training. You will learn step by step how to properly train your birds for a near 100% successful return toss rate in literally any condition!
Dan begins by giving you a little background into the training process and his secrets to developing this method. He will then take you backstage to where he performs nightly in Las Vegas with two untrained return flight birds and you will see the steps he takes day by day to train his birds to return with incredible accuracy. Within one week Dan had two doves returning; by day 8 you get to see him use them in a live performance.
Once you are ready to learn some new ideas in dove tossing, Dan teaches his acclaimed tossing techniques for a more natural looking dove toss for maximum impact of your productions. You will also learn Dan's incredible handling of these eye-popping effects:
* Dove in Balloon Technique.
* Ball to Dove Technique.
* Dove from Silk Toss Technique.
And thats another week of brand new magical excitement! Lots of very cool items, for sure. Take your time checking it out, and look around the rest of our online catalog as well! Its shocking how much great stuff we carry.
As always, I hope you will find some time to spend with us either online at www.magicfact.com or in person at our showroom to the stars at 102 North Street in Medford. Either way, we love it when you visit.
Posted by Hank Lee's Magic Factory at 7:19 AM