I picked up a really nice item today called the "Haunted key" by Fun Inc. out of Chicago. When I first read the effect, I thought "well, ummmm, no thanks". But when I called my local shop, the fellow told me it's a solid, ungimicked, old fashioned looking skeleton key. He said if I didn't like it, I could return it. "What the heck, it's a sure thing" I thought.

I got it in the mail today with some close up props. By god, that little item is a fooler !! It can be examined at any time in the routine, and even though I know how it works...it fools my eye. The key slowly raises up on it's side and then down again at your will, it completly turns over if you wish and I came up with a way to make it do a half circle as it lays flat on my palm.

Do yourself a favour, get a "Haunted Key" it's an effect that never wears out, it's made of steel and it's done any where, any time, completely surrounded. Very nice, very nice indeed.

~Rick~

It is a very nice thing. My friend probably has one of the COOLEST presentations for the key that I can't share because it's his but man....what logic. I have a mondo nifty idea for the key as well.

It's even better when you do it in a participant's hand! See Eugene Burger's Spirit Theater for the method...

Lee Darrow, C.H.

Or you could see the Carlyle Touch DVD by Francis Carlyle who BTW also sells specially well balanced haunted keys for the effect.

Lee,
You hit the nail on the head that is exactly what I was going to try to add to this. But I have a few other touches like letting the spectator hold your hand and wrist to make sure that you are not doing anything funny. They actually end up doing the work for you. Or doing it on the side of a table at a restaurant.
Have fun with this one Rick.

Kris

I actually have the participant hold the key and do the whole thing in a completely hands-off manner. Ideomotor response (the body reacting to suggestion) does the rest.

This is one of my very favorite effects to perform, especially for skeptical people and for students. They will walk away thinking that you are some kind of Jedi Master! And that kind of thinking leads to more bookings!

Thanks for the kind words!

Lee Darrow, C.H.

I perform an haunted key routine with just my normal house key.

The HK has been in my drawer for some months now. When I bought it, I couldn't seem to get it to go without it speeding up toward the end and I thought the method actually looked obvious. You saying it deserves another go?

Then you surely live in an old barn LOL

"Then you surely live in an old barn LOL"

No just buy the Dixie Dooley Seance DVD for the methods.

gareth

Barrie Richardson has a very nice addition to The Haunted Key that makes the key turn around in your closed fist. It looks really creepy. He sold the special something at his lectures.

Absolutely, my friend! The real secret to doing this in your own hand is to actually try to keep your hand still. Just THINK about the motion of the key... picture it in your mind... feel how it wants to move...

That's the secret - don't try to consciously make it move, just think about it and be a little patient.

Hope this helps!

Lee Darrow, C.H.

It's like using a ouija board. Don't physically move, but think it. It will move.

Does anyone know of a manufacturer or company that sells a nice authentic looking Haunted Key. I love the effect and perform it. But I want a better looking key. The one I have is shiny and silver. I know I know I can age it, but would just rather find one made for this purpose...

Hit up a good locksmith for something called a "Mortice Key." You may have to shop around a bit. Also, check out antique shops. Often they will get in old keys that go with old doors, etc and sometimes people use them as decorator items in their homes.

Hope this helps!

Lee Darrow, C.H.

Thanks very much for the info Lee...

Locksmiths can be very helpful as they are always have old keys on hand. Often times they just dispose of them and are happy to give them away.