Topic: Blue Phantom

Message:

Posted by: charliemartin (Jan 14, 2010 1:35pm)

I remember my old roommate, a very experienced magician, performing this routine in all of his shows, I never asked how it was done. Never wanted to..it was pure magic for me. But I understand that there is a version using a building...I want to say "The Architects Nightmare" but not sure. Any ideas? Also, have not been able to find a copy, is it still being made?

Thanks,

Charlie

Message:

Posted by: Spellbinder (Jan 14, 2010 10:26pm)

http://www.martinsmagic.com/?html=full&key=4278

Message:

Posted by: Michael Baker (Jan 14, 2010 11:32pm)

One for sale here on the Café right now.
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=347158&forum=76&1

Edit... and one minute later it posted SOLD. Oh, well...

Message:

Posted by: Bill Palmer (Jan 15, 2010 1:44pm)

Here is some history behind The Blue Phantom.

It was invented by Hans Trunk, a Viennese director, sometime before WW II, possibly before WW I. I don't have the exact date. The method was revealed in Das Wunderbuch der Zauberkunst which was translated into English by J. Barrows Mussey (AKA Henry Hay) and published as Illustrated Magic. I've owned a couple of them. The ones made in the US by Thayer and Owen were, in my opinion, in my opinion, far less convincing that tne ones from Germany and Austria, because of a change in the method. The change allowed the magician to show a few of the checkers loose after the first transformation, but the gimmick was obvious from as far away as 12 feet.

My favorite is the one that was manufactured by ZZM. It was a close-up version of the original.

The name "Blue Phantom" is not an accurate translation of the original name "das blaue Wunder" which means an absolute miracle, a nasty surprise, or a real shock. It was probably named after the bridge in Dresden which bears the same name, although I see absolutely no connection at all between the two, other than the fact that the bridge has survived all sorts of disasters.

Message:

Posted by: charliemartin (Jan 16, 2010 11:36pm)

Thanks Bill for the info. I love the effect. My friend James Hamilton does an incredible version with his, everything is perfect, right down to the music.

Charlie

Message:

Posted by: GeorgeG (Jan 17, 2010 1:48am)

If the ZZM one is the small 6 inch tall "blue phantom with metal base, it's a beautiful one and am so happy to have one in my collection...reason I didn't buy the one by Magic Wagon as I thought it was no match to the German mini version.

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Posted by: Bill Palmer (Jan 17, 2010 9:40am)

I think it is the most convincing one of all.

The original Hans Trunk model worked basically the same way, just larger. And the internal mechanism was manual, rather than spring-loaded.

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Posted by: JL608 (Mar 22, 2010 11:49am)

I agree with Bill and George that the ZZM version of the Blue Phantom is one of the nicest ever made.

However, one of the most interesting I've ever owned is this mini version (from Germany I'm told).

At the end of the routine, the cover is lifted to show that the blue checker was indeed a "phantom".

I'm wondering if anyone is familiar with this version? I'd love to know the manufacturer and obtain a copy of the original instructions.

Many thanks,

Joe

Message:

Posted by: Bill Palmer (Mar 23, 2010 1:43pm)

I have never seen that one. It is very interesting. It looks like the base is the same that was used in the ZZM version, but painted with enameled rings. The colors are different, of course. The ZZM version used white checkers with a blue second checker.

I would be willing to bet that the person who came up with this version was actually an American or from England.

The Germans and Austrians never refer to this as "the Blue Phantom," so it wouldn't make any sense to them.

I'll be in Austria later this year. I'll see what I can find out about it.

Message:

Posted by: magic patagonia (Nov 3, 2010 7:21pm)

Quote:

On 2010-03-22 11:49, JL608 wrote:
I agree with Bill and George that the ZZM version of the Blue Phantom is one of the nicest ever made.

However, one of the most interesting I've ever owned is this mini version (from Germany I'm told).

At the end of the routine, the cover is lifted to show that the blue checker was indeed a "phantom".

I'm wondering if anyone is familiar with this version? I'd love to know the manufacturer and obtain a copy of the original instructions.

Many thanks,

Joe

wow...looks very beautifull...and with a surprising and different ending...did you get info about the manufacturer??

Message:

Posted by: Bill Palmer (Nov 4, 2010 1:43am)

No, I didn't. I actually have seen one of these before. Kenna Thompson had it in some photos he sent me. But he didn't know who made it, either.

There is a Chinese knockoff of the ZZM version. I purchased one at the TAOM convention over the Labor Day Weekend. The release is very stiff, and the tube is too rigid to do the necessary moves with.

Too bad.

Posted: Nov 20, 2010 1:36am
I saw a couple of versions of the Architect's Nightmare at NEMCA last week. Interesting.

Message:

Posted by: Marshall Thornside (Nov 21, 2010 7:58pm)

We found one amongst my father's stuff a few years ago.
and I never heard of it until he told my mom and I what it was.
we were going to sell but he said he wanted to keep it.

I think its because he made it himself.

Message:

Posted by: magic patagonia (Nov 29, 2010 4:44pm)

Somebody know who manufacture and sell the Blue Phantom today??

Magic Wagon is out of stock and Owen Magic Supreme is out of my budget...

Thanks for your help!

Message:

Posted by: Bill Palmer (Nov 29, 2010 7:43pm)

I don't know anyone who manufactures an inexpensive version of it. You don't want the Chinese knockoff, because it's a waste of money.

You need to consider your performing venue -- close-up or stage. The Magic Wagon item is close-up. The Owen item is stage.

Message:

Posted by: flimflams (May 4, 2012 7:53pm)

I love preforming the Blue Phantom.

Message:

Posted by: Bill Palmer (May 8, 2012 12:32am)

Update on the mini version that I thought was a Chinese knockoff of the ZZM version.

It's not Chinese. It's English. The newer ones are better than the one I purchased at the TAOM. Still, I prefer the ZZM version.

Message:

Posted by: Robert M (Feb 6, 2013 2:35pm)

Anyone have a ZZM or Magic Wagon Blue Phantom that they'd like to sell?

If so, please PM me. Thanks.

Robert

Message:

Posted by: Rick11 (Mar 18, 2013 10:42am)

Could someone give me advice on the Blue Phantom at emagictricks.co.uk. Is it of good quality?

Thanks for your help!

Rick

Message:

Posted by: Rick11 (Apr 2, 2013 8:08am)

Are the ones at emagictricks the English version that Bill spoke about? Does anyone have this version?

Thanks

Rick

Message:

Posted by: MagiChrisMitch (Apr 14, 2013 4:22pm)

Rick. It's a great one, go for it. Sent you a pm.

Message:

Posted by: MagiChrisMitch (Apr 29, 2013 8:16pm)

Rick, did you get your phantom yer?

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Posted by: Rick11 (May 5, 2013 10:22am)

Hi Chris, I decided not to because Paypal blocked the transaction. They wouldn't allow me to use a credit card because of possible fraud. However they would have allowed me to pay directly from my checking account. Paypal never gave me a full explanation as to why they blocked the transaction but I figured I didn't want to take the chance with money from my checking account if Paypal had a problem with the transaction.

Rick

Message:

Posted by: MagiChrisMitch (May 6, 2013 11:00am)

Rick, I didn't have that problem. I used paypal and selected one of my credit card accounts and transaction was completed as usual. If time allows, I would contact paypal and explain you would like to pay the invoice using your credit card linked to paypal NOT the bank transfer. They should explain what issue they might have so you can have another opportunity to acquire this. Like I said before, it's worth it and you will not be disappointed.