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MAGICTOM Veteran user Dallas, Tx 354 Posts |
Ok folks,
I have a big problem... I purchased this routine from the local magic shop here in Dallas and I am really bummed with it. It consists of a BUNCH of rope that is pulled first from the right sleeve until it snaggs, then it is pulled next from the other end in the right pant leg, (sucking back up into the sleeve) then the other end somehow ends up in the left pant leg... it is pulled from there sucking in the length of rope for the other pant leg until the end of the rope comes out with a pair of underwear attached to it... Sounds like a great trick huh? Well, my problem resides in the long piece of rope is actually about 4 pieces taped together by the ends with white electrical tape!! and the tape snaggs in the gimmick.. Another problem is that the sections of the rope are the wrong length according to the instructions and no matter how many times I try to do it, it never works right!! I am severely frustrated with it and I wanted to ask if any of you are experienced with this trick and how to make it work, or if I should take it back to the magic shop and explain it to them..would it be unethical to ask for a refund or replacement? I paid 20 dollars for it, you would think I could at least get a rope that was not taped together. Please advise. Thanks. Tom Defrange
No Man is his craft's master the first day!
J.B. Bobo |
Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
Well, I have performed this trick hundreds of times and gone thru several sets. I think that you were ripped off! I have never seen or heard of one made that used tape! I can’t imagine what the tape is needed for! I suspect that the shop ran out of rope and taped some scraps together just to make a sale!
You should have one long length of rope; say 10 or 12 feet long (minimum), a short piece of rope (maybe three feet long) and a pair of loud boxer short that have been gimmicked. The long piece of rope is an unbroken, regular length with a knot in each end. The short piece of rope has a knot in one end and a loop in the other. The shorts are gimmicked (enough said!). If you didn’t get all that, then you were ripped off! SEND IT BACK! Look at your instructions, go to the hardward store and buy some nice rope, hit a discount clothing store on the way home and buy the biggest and loudest pair of boxers they have and make your own!
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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MAGICTOM Veteran user Dallas, Tx 354 Posts |
You have confirmed my suspicions about the rope sections being the wrong length.
The short piect with the loop on it is only about 12 inches long... which creats a problem when you try to reach up that pant leg and find it... Thank you so much for the info.. Im headed up there today to throw a fit... You are right on with the tape as well.. the white electrical tape is used in 4 different places on the long section of rope just holding the ends of 5 pieces of rope together to make one... Thanks again!! Tom Defrange.
No Man is his craft's master the first day!
J.B. Bobo |
MAGICTOM Veteran user Dallas, Tx 354 Posts |
mumblepeas,
I have another question for you, I returned the bad set to the magic shop for a refund, and I am spending that money on some rope from the hardware store... I will make my own set now. (the correct way) My question is, do you ever have the kids or the spectator pull the rope for you??? it would be nice to include the audience in on some participation. Also, some have said the routine ending with the loud boxer shorts is too crude for kids shows.. what are your thoughts on this?? I personally think the kids will get a kick out of it, but I dont want to upset any parents. Let me know when you get a chance Thanks a million Tom Defrange
No Man is his craft's master the first day!
J.B. Bobo |
Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
Tom,
I am glad that the shop did the right thing and refunded your money! Did they offer any explanation for piece of crap they tried to palm off on you? I have performed Professor Cheers Rope trick in kid shows for years. Not at every show, to be sure, but at a fair number of them. The boxer’s I use are very cartoony in their appearance. That is, they are super large (I am a fairly short person) and very, very, very loud. They look more like swimming trunks (or maybe a tent). I had to cut the waist band elastic out of them to make them compress the way I wanted them to. The kids’ scream with delight when they pop out and I act embarrassed. To date I have not had a parental complaint. Most if not all of my kid show business if from referrals or are repeat business. I do discuss my show with the parents especially to find out what if anything might be offensive, if candy productions are prohibited, and who will be there to control the kids (I’m not the babysitter). I have fully explained the trick (and shown photos of the end) to potential clients and have offered to remove it. Funny story, I was hired by the local Catholic Diocese to perform for their spring fundraiser. A was strictly a family event. The Nun who was hiring me insisted that the “boxer trick” be included. Perhaps it is the rough and tumble demographics that I tend to work for but they do not seem to be offended by my pulling a pair of boxers out of my paints leg! You will have to explore what your demographic catchment area will allow. I do not use audience participation in this trick. I do not think that audience participation adds to the effect and in fact All that said, the main venue that I perform this bit in bars/clubs as part of a stand-up act. It is a funny bit and plays well. By the way, when I am asked to NOT perform this routine, or if I decide the venue is not right for it, I will do a more classical stretching rope routine. It goes in a different place in the act and the rope gets used for a couple of different effects (rope through the middle, cut and restored to Professors Nightmare, etc). So I do have good alternatives to offer. Hope some of this helps!
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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MAGICTOM Veteran user Dallas, Tx 354 Posts |
Thanks a lot Mumblepeas,
It helped tremendously!! And the magic shop was stunned by the "piece of crap" that they sold me, They felt really bad about it and I had no problem at all getting refunded. I went out during lunch and bought the rope and boxers..(extra large Scooby Doo boxers) I am planning on acting embarrased and ask the kids not to tell anyone else that I wear Scooby Doo boxers.. It ought to get a laugh.. Thanks again Tom
No Man is his craft's master the first day!
J.B. Bobo |
Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
Also, if some kid really yanked on the rope,you could get rope burns--or worse!
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
Thoughtreader Inner circle Calgary, Alberta, Canada 1565 Posts |
NEVER let the kid's pull the rope. You should always do the pulling. I will tell you why. I was doing it on stage one day and back then my assitant used to start to pull it for me as I hopped to the other side of the stage (spread across the stage, when they see the length of rope is a very funny visual). Anyway, the second time the rope was being pulled through by my assitant, it kinda slipped downward (if you are familiar with the set up then you will know what I mean) as I tell you that the pained look on my face was real. I really did get a nasty rope burn "down there".
The next day I had a doctor's examination (not for the burn, it was just my annual physical) and as he noticed the burn and looked at me, I just said "Don't ask", and he never said a word again. PSIncerely Yours, Paul Alberstat http://www.stores.ebay.ca/abstagecraft |
Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
OUCH! What did you say to her on stage? “Hey, what to pull my rope little girl?”
It’s never happened to me and it reinforces my thought that you and only you do the pulling!
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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MAGICTOM Veteran user Dallas, Tx 354 Posts |
Lesson learned huh?
thanks for sharing I will definately not make that mistake... OUCH!! Thank you all so much for the info on this trick, now I have only one final question for you... When performing, do you find it most effective (and humorous for the kids)to pretend that you did not know the rope was there? Im tring to come up with a theme for some comedic patter ideas to kill the silence that approaches while I am pulling out all of this rope.. Thanks Again Tom
No Man is his craft's master the first day!
J.B. Bobo |
Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
I think that the patter will come to you as you play with the effect. You will find that a lot of “mugging” (pulling faces) and broad movement will increase the level of absurdity inherent in the effect.
You can start with the end dangling from your sleeve (have it tucked under your watch until you need it. Try to push it back in acting slightly nonplussed (or embarrassed). Get frustrated and give it a yank. Flip the end into the hand of the sleeve that the rope comes out of. Then move the off hand over and grasp the rope as close to that hand as possible and spread the arms. It is a stretching rope move. Make a loop with your thumb and forefinger of the sleeve-hand to let the rope run through. You are standing there with a long length of rope stretched across your chest with your arms spread. It looks silly, and acting puzzled with gets laughs. Pause to let the effect sink in. The drop the rope with the off hand, move that hand as close as possible to the working hand and repeat the move (spreading the arms apart). This time you should be at the end of your rope (where have you heard that before?) and as you tug the rope lift your leg that has the end that you will pull! Tug several times and look as if you are tugging your leg off the floor. Drop the rope, lift your pants leg and find the end of the rope. Mumble something under your breath, bend way down and grab the rope stand straight up and lift your arm and hand above your head (the one pulling the rope)! This will take up almost all of your rope. Drop your arm to your waist and regrasp the rope and pull your arm above your head again. This uses the rest of the rope up and looks silly as heck! Now you will tug that rope (still held above your head) and your opposite leg will be pulled off the floor. Do this a couple of times and then drop the rope on the floor and lift that pants leg, pull the rope (again using large body movements) and end with the boxes/brief’s finale! Be extremely embarrassed! There should not be long pauses or silences if performed this way! This presentation lends itself to a lot of physical comedy, noises, and exclamations! Hope that this helps a little
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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Leland Inner circle St Louis 1180 Posts |
Great effect! I have been looking for a kid type of effect, I think this just might be it. I have a chruch show to do for Kids Day. Any idea where I can find the effect? Is it in a book or is it sold as a package trick? Thanks for any help you can give me!!
Life of Magic!
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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
It is sold as a trick and can be purchased or ordered through virtually any magic shop or dealer.
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
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