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leondo Special user Las Vegas 759 Posts |
Castle Dracula Mentalism
For some reason I’ve neglected purchasing this book. I don’t know why. It’s author, Charles Cameron, has been mentioned in many respectable places including “Pentagram” and the monumental “Mind, Myth, & Magick” by T.A. Waters. While wondering through Denny and Lee’s in Las Vegas, there it was. Now was the time. Here’s the scoop..... As the author states, “Castle Dracula was a theater of weird and bizarre magic, mystery and the supernatural. A world of illusion from which reality was banished”. It was friend and family affair that was built on the top floor of a Wax Museum in Old Edinburgh and became an immediate success. Count Dracula, Daemon (a creature from the depths of heck), and Vampiress played their roles to packed houses for almost two years. It is from this venue that the all the effects were drawn. They were performed hundreds of times in front of live audiences. Subtleties were preferred over slights. The first section in the book is Solo Effects. ESP Foretold: After a prediction envelope is shown, five ESP symbol cards are displayed after the usual discussion of their origin. The participant is given a free choice of any one of the symbols. The miracle worker proves that he knew before hand which symbol would be chosen. As an added attraction, four times out of five you will also be able to provide a second surprise in that a duplicate of a previously selected playing card (I’d use a tarot or symbol card?) is found in the prediction envelope. The method is full proof and simple. Pure theater. A lot of room for showmanship. None of the ESP cards are gaffed. You could not, however, repeat the effect for the same audience. I’m quite sure this trick caused many a lay audience to do some serious head scratching. The Book Of Demons: A book of horror tales is displayed while explaining that in days gone by, witches would fashion wax dolls and stick needles through them. It was said that whatever they did to the wax doll happened to the person in whose image the doll was fashioned. The mentalist continues, “You will be glad to know that I do not intend to make any wax dolls but let me show you what could happen.” A page of the book is chosen ‘by the participant’ and all verify the page number. The page is torn from the book and on that page an outline of a human figure is drawn. While the page is held outstretched by the participant, the performer holds a needle aloft and suddenly plunges it down onto the page. The spectator is invited to hold the page up to the light and to tell the audience of the pin has penetrated through a letter in any of the printed words. It is verified that there is a hole through the “O” in the word forbidden. Once this is discovered, the participant is instructed to tear the page into quarters The performer now sets fire to the pieces, dropping them into an ashtray, while the events are recapped. The book is then handed to the participant being told that what was observed never really took place. The participant discovers that the very same page is now back in the book. The edges of the page are slightly singed and charred. The outline of a figure is drawn on the page. On holding the page up to the light, there is a pin hole through the letter “O” in the word forbidden. The book can be taken home by the amazed participant. This is a good variation of Zarkamorta ll from Corinda’s “13 Steps To Mentalism” and was performed at every performance of “Castle Dracula”. In this version the need to switch books has been eliminated. The method is again very simple. This won’t fit into everybody’s persona but, all in all, it’s a good piece of magick. Double Prediction: (You may want to read this description twice!) You place a small pay envelope on the table stating that it contains a prediction. Five small ESP cards are then laid, face-up in a row, on the table. Stating that just by chance you could possibly predict any one of the chosen ESP symbols To obviate this, you ask the participant to select two symbols. “Will you please take these symbols, mix them up and deal them out in a face down row.” The participant does this. “Now please push any two cards forward” The participant does as requested and the remainder of the cards are gathered up and placed aside. You open the envelope to reveal two prediction cards. The two chosen cards are now turned over and, of course, they match the prediction cards. The method for this is one of those, “I’m not sure this would fly” things. It’s full proof as far as it goes but doesn’t leave you as clean as many of the other effects. To be fair, this is not a pipe dream effect. Charles Cameron performed this effect hundreds of times in front of real live lay audiences. He states, “Do please try this effect out using the envelope and the prediction cards and you will soon realize how smoothly it works”. For the less than confident, he does provide a back up solution for the “being left less than clean” criticism. He also states, “I have never found this to be necessary”. I’ll take Mr. Cameron’s word for it. Red And Blue: (This is another “read it again description”) A sealed envelope is handed to a spectator. Next, the mentalist removes two packs of playing cards. One red backed and one blue backed. “Would you choose one of these packs? Whichever pack you choose will be the one we use”. The participant chooses, say, the red backed pack. You hand the other pack (the blue one) to another participant and ask him to place it in his pocket. You show the faces of the red backed cards to the first participant to observe their random nature. Turning them face down, the participant is allowed to choose a card. He may change his mind if he is so inclined. He shows it to the other spectators then replaces the card back into the pack which is then returned to the mentalist’s pocket. The participant who has the blue backed pack is now asked to come forward as the chosen card is named. While the participant is removing the cards from the box, all is recapped. “The gentleman selected one card from fifty two different playing cards. Cards with red backs. He selected the King of Hearts but could have chosen any card from the pack. Please look through your pack and remove the blue-backed King of hearts, the duplicate of the gentleman’s red backed choice.” Needless to say, the blue backed King of Hearts is the only card missing from the blue backed deck. The participant who has been holding the prediction envelope is asked to remove the contents of the envelope.....it is the blue backed King of Hearts! If effect is everything and method is secondary, this is the perfect trick! I think it’s a wonderful premise for a mentalism effect and could be turned into a stage miracle. The method is almost disappointingly easy (is that possible?). Wouldn’t it be cool with a tarot deck or, as I would prefer, picture/symbol cards? This is another of those effects that Mr. Cameron performed during every performance in Castle Dracula. It’s no wonder why! The Psychic Spectator: The mentalist shows five large manila window envelopes. Each envelope contains a large white card, the back of which can be seen through the window cut out of the envelope’s address side. Each card is removed to reveal a large ESP symbol drawn on it’s face. Five cards, five symbols. Each card is replaced into it’s envelope. The envelopes are then mixed so that no one knows which symbol is in which envelope. Also in view are five regular sized ESP card, each bearing a different symbol on its face. A participant is allowed to choose one of the symbols which is then dealt off, face down on the table and the rest of the cards placed aside. No one, including the participant knows which symbol was chosen. The participant is now going to have his psychic abilities tested. He is now allowed to pick any of the large envelopes containing the large symbols. The rest are placed aside. The small ESP card is now turned face up for all to see. We’ll say it’s the star. The large white card is now removed from the envelope the participant chose. It too bears the symbol of the star. I greatly enjoy effects which make the participant the star. This fits the bill nicely. I really love the method of this ruse. Two clever, different forces are used. One of them makes me smile. A nice piece of mental magic. Thought Foretold: A thoroughly shuffled deck of playing cards is ribbon spread, face down on the table. The participant is asked to push one forward out of the spread. The rest of the cards are replaced in the case. From inside the performers coat pocket comes a sealed envelope which is placed onto the table. The participant turns over his chosen card - Say the king of Hearts. The participant is no ask to open the envelope and to remove the contents. Inside the envelope is a duplicate King of Hearts. Good trick. You’ve seen this particular method before. Nothing new, you already know how to do it. Again Thought Foretold: Same effect as above but with a different, simpler method. I actually like this version better. ESP Ultimate: The same exact effect with a slight variation of the method as the first trick described, ESP Foretold. From Satan-With Love: After a discussion of the Black Arts, the bizarrist sets up a ritual that can invoke Satan himself. On a aged parchment there is drawn a large pentagram around which are inscribed mystical symbols. After these are explained, five small brass candle holders are set at each point of the five pointed star. Five candles are placed within the holders and each one lit as the proper incantation is recited. From a small wooden box six playing cards are removed and displayed. These are the Ace of Hearts, the King of Diamonds, the Queen of Spades, the Jack of Clubs, the Three of Diamonds and finally a card on which is written, “Satan’s Card”. Next, from your inside jacket pocket you produce a sealed envelope which is laid at the center of the pentagram. After mixing the cards, you invite a spectator to assist, instructing him to choose one of the playing cards using a roll of the dice. A single die is rolled and the participant is told that whatever number rolls to the top will the chosen card AND his chosen fate! Before the die is cast it is explained that should the AC be chosen the participant will be lucky in love. Should the KD be chosen, great wealth will be his. If the QS is the one selected, unexpected travel is in the future. The JC signifies that good news will soon be received. If the 3D is selected his plans will be successful. The performer states, “This is a game of Fate. Be prepared because you may choose Satan’s Card and if you do, then his infernal majesty may claim his own!” The participant throws the die, say, the three falls uppermost. You count to the third card and push it forward and gather the remainder of the cards and lay them aside. The participant opens the envelope and removes the prediction. It reveals the following message, “You chose to play the Game of Fate - so be it! Even with random choice you MUST select my own visiting card. Tonight I will come to claim my own!” When the participant looks at his card it, as predicted, is Satan’s Card. Wow! Spooky huh? Invoking Satan is not my cup of tea but for some bizarre acts, this may fit right in. The method used is one already used in the effects described before, just dressed differently. Simple and foolproof. Again, Mr. Cameron has chosen to use playing cards. I think Tarot of other Symbol cards would be more appropriate. In the book there are pictures drawn of the parchment, pentagram with symbols around it and sample’s of what the prediction and Satan’s card should look like. The second section of the book is called With A Partner. Telephone Telepathy: You hand the spectator a card bearing your partner’s name and phone number. Next you take an envelope from your pocket and remove five ESP cards. These are handed to the participant who is asked to mix them then lay them face up on the table. The participant chooses one of the designs and is then asked to telephone your partner. Almost immediately your partner reveals the chosen design. The author set up three criteria that he wanted to accomplish for an effective telephone test.. 1- Before the experiment began the participant was to be handed a card bearing the partner’s name and number 2- The participant himself was to telephone the partner and he was asked to use his own words when speaking to her. 3. The selection of the design, etc was to be a free choice. Those are some pretty strict, test conditions. For those of you that know me, you know that I love two person effects. Mr. Cameron details a very simple method that appears to all attending that the above criteria were met. There are many ways to pull this off. He offers one the most straight forward. Design Duplication: With your partner out of the room, you display six large cards each bearing a different simple design or drawing. A participant freely selects one of the designs. You now leave the room and are taken somewhere that you partner cannot see you.! Your partner enters after you are gone and duplicates the selected drawing on a blackboard. As in the above telephone test conditions, this effect also has some very stringent restrictions. 1-The choice of design is totally free. 2-You and your partner do not see each other or appear to communicate in any way. 3-Your partner knows the chosen design before entering the room. Annemann would have loved this. The method is very reminiscent of his thinking. Name The Name: With your partner out of the room, six ladies are asked to print their names on a small Post-It note. Each lady then holds up her slip of paper. Another participant chooses one of the ladies. All the slips of paper are then folded in half and then stuck to a large card. Your partner re-enters the room and picks up the card bearing the six small folded notes. After due concentration, she tears off one of the slips of paper from the board and dramatically points to one of the ladies. With the slip still folded, the mystic gives a wonderful cold reading, then hands the slip to the lady while telling her the name that is on the folded paper. Your partner is able to identify the correct slip of paper, give a personal reading, identify the lady to whom the slip belongs and reveal her name. All while you are out of the room! Mr Cameron says this is one of his personal favorite routines. I must admit that it seems to have a lot of things that are good mentalism; psychometry, readings, personalized presentation, etc. The method is a simple code that, again was described by Annemann and more recently being sold for a lot of money under separate cover. Also used is a nail nick and a touch of boldness. Could play very strong. ESP Supreme: An ESP symbol is selected while your partner is out of the room. When she enters the room , she is either holding the chosen design in her hand or she has drawn it on a pad of paper. Throughout the entire routine neither of you have any physical contact nor do you appear to communicate in any way. The method again uses a non verbal code that would be, under most circumstances, fool proof and after a small amount of practice, easy. Two Think As One: Your partner is taken out of the room. A random participant is asked to mix and then select a card from a normal deck. A genuinely free choice. This is shown to the audience. Another participant chooses one of five ESP symbols. You are then taken to another room or placed out of sight of your partner. She is brought back into the room and reveals the name of the chosen playing card, then names the ESP symbol. Mr Cameron says that he has shown it to magicians and lay audiences alike and has fooled them both. I’m sure that’s true. He teaches a very nice version of the non verbal code used in his previous effects. He mixes it with a completely different non verbal code for the second revelation. This could fool the vast majority of the wise one’s badly. Touch Telepathy: With your partner out of the room, six participants are brought forward . One of them is chosen by another member of the audience. Each of the six prints their name on a small slip of paper. Each now folds their slip and is then given a small white plastic pill box. The slips are placed inside the boxes and the lids are replaced. The boxes are dropped into a small cloth bag and mixed. The bag is then placed on the table and the six assistants return to their seats. Enter you partner for the first time. She picks up the bag and reaches inside. After a moment she withdraws one of the boxes. Without opening the box, she describes the owner. “I have the strong feeling that this belongs to a lady. A lady wearing a yellow bouse and grey skirt. A lady who possesses strong psychic abilities herself. Madam, this is your name.” Opening the box your partner removes the name slip and hands it to the correct lady. This method is again a variation of the above alluded to non verbal code. He also describes a simple method of marking the pill box. He also describes a method on how to actually tell her her name as you hand her the folded slip. I like this effect and method. Psychometry and a reading. How good is that? The Ultimate Book Test: (Read this description twice!) Prior to your performance a participant has been asked to bring along six books of his own choice. You do not, at any time, handle the books. Your partner is out of the room before the six books are revealed. The participant freely selects any book and, apparently by pure chance, selects a page in his chosen book. A word or line or paragraph, etc is read silently by the participant. Maybe it’s written on a blackboard and covered for later confirmation. Your partner is brought back into the room and dramatically reveals the chosen word, line, paragraph, etc. This is a hidden gem. Think about it. Six books brought to the event by anybody. At no time does your partner even see the books prior to one of them being chosen. I’ve not seen this particular method anywhere else. It does take some thinking on your (and your partners) feet and a bit of acting. This could be impossible to backtrack. Well, there you have it! I can guarantee that many who read this will be disappointed by the simple methods. The effects are straight forward and to the point. All too lacking in a lot of performances. If you are looking to add some two person material without years (believe me!) of work, this book deserves consideration. Recommended. Thirty dollars from Denny and Lee http://www.dennymagic.com For what it’s worth, Ted (Leondo) |
Logan Inner circle 2289 Posts |
Excellent review Ted!
Very descriptive and it sounds like a good buy! Thanx again, Logan
You've been hit by, you've been struck by, a smooth criminal.
Singapore's Hairiest Corporate Comedy Magician! |
Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
Yes, Ted, thanks for the in depth review,great stuff. It was a book I had considered at one point.
Paul. |
highmagic Veteran user 399 Posts |
Wow, great review Leondo! (and 30$ saved by the way)
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Turk Inner circle Portland, OR 3546 Posts |
Ted,
Thank you so very much for that excellent review. I certainly appreciate both the time you took witing the review and the in-depth review itself. The magic community "owes you one". Quote:
On 2003-08-08 07:39, highmagic wrote: Highmagic, You've got me curious: How the heck did yousave $30 after reading a review like Ted's? Are you trying to say that you did not go right out and IMMEDIATELY buy a copy of this book? Boy! What willpower!! Mike
Magic is a vanishing Art.
This must not be Kansas anymore, Toto. Eschew obfuscation. |
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