There has been occasional discussion about Barry Mitchells' King Midas reading book. He had discontinued it a few years ago. The good news is that he is making about 100 more and they will be available at the...well read this:

Here's what Barry says:

[Barry Mitchell quote]
READING IS MAGIC IS COMING BACK  Briefly
A few years ago we retired the Reading is Magic (King Midas) product.  HOWEVER, so many magicians have begged me to produce just one more for them that I'm tired of telling people what a pain they are to make.  I'm tired of disappointing so many magicians who have seen the routine on one of my DVDs and feel it would be perfect for their school or library show.  I must admit it still is one of the best routines I feel I've ever created.

THEREFORE, I'm going to make 100 MORE and that's all.  They will be called Reading is Magic GOLD EDITION.  They will be a little nicer than the original with a nice leather cover and more special parts inside. The routine is exactly the same, just a little nicer stuff.  The price is $200 each and they will be made available at Mark Daniels' KIDABRA Convention in August. If you're interested please email me so I can put your name on the list and have one waiting for you at Kidabra.

[/Barry Mitchell quote]

John Cesta

PS: Even though I spent a few weeks of my life making one (I am NOT a good craftsmen) I will be purchasing one of these. This is a very FUN effect!

I had the normal edition, and it was a very great effect. The idea is you have many items appear from inside the book, and the story of King Midas is played which has a good message as Mitchell seems to like to always do. You can find my review with the search engine. And I believe it was around the same price if I recall, so if this one is better quality than I'd give this one a look.

Just my 2 cents..
Mack Magic

When you say that "...the story of King Midas is played..." do you mean that the effect is on tape or cd and you just follow along with the actions similar to the vanishing bandana kind of thing?

thanks for your help with this.

Yes, the story is narrated on a CD. You follow along by opening a book and start removing items such as large gold nuggets, a banana, a flower, spring bills, coins etc from the book. A few times the king speaks (that's you) and you simply lip sync (ala Mille Vanille).

It's pretty funny and entertaining.

John

Can it be used as a close up effect?

Closeup? I guess it really is for schools and libraries, church type shows I think.

By the way the narrator who plays the King is Terry Evanswood. You might have seen him on the cover of MAGIC a few months back.

I love mine. Hate to see Barry put it back out. I don't want anyone to have it.LOL

Ken

I thought I would bring this back from the past instead of starting a new topic. This product is obviously not on the market anymore (or I would buy one). Taking from what John said I would assume the construction of the book is explained somewhere. If this is a correct assumption could someone point me in the right direction.

Thanks

It's just a fake book with no pages.

This effect isn't really a trick per se, it's a story told with props that just happen to come out of a book.

There's a bit with a heart and the paddle move at the end, otherwise there's no "magic" in it.

The book is not a magical effect. The props coming out of the book is not magical. You can find this kind of cored out book at Michaels--and it's a REALLY nice one. They have different sizes too.

As for the routine, it's all about the story and acting and playing along as the CD narrates.

And for the younger set, it's a very good "effect".

Steve

I am aware that the book is just a empty book. I have seen the effect and since its no longer on the market I would of course have to create everything from scratch including the soundtrack to have something similar. I would buy it if it was still on the market.
I guess the real question is about how everything is placed inside. I would assume there is compartments. Not seeing one of the books I would of course have to figure out that for myself unless it is described somewhere. I have a few of Barry’s products and I am looking to get more. Does he talk about the effect in one of the books?

Barry may sell the audio track by itself, too.

Steve

Hello all - I just bought this book in brand new condition - never used. (From a magician who never used it) The problem is that it has a VHS cassette, and no CD soundtrack. The CD is the heart of the presentation, as I understand. Can someone in this thread please send me the MP3 file of this narration? I would be grateful. Thanks!

Hey Ryan Price and all - Here are some photos of the book in brand new state. I just bought it from a magician who never used it.

More photos

Okay - here are photos. They were too big too upload before.

More photos...

Click here to view attached image.