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JVHarrison Regular user 105 Posts |
I'd like to do an informal survey here as a prelude to a research project. What would you consider the top 10 classic stage illusions in magic. The only ground rule is that the illusions on your list have to be "public domain" (which, for this purpose, means that they can be freely built without paying a licensing fee to the inventor). Thanks in advance for your input!
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Jay Mahon Special user 983 Posts |
Sub Trunk
Thin Model Sawing Assistant's Revenge Palaquin Cabinet Hindu Basket Impaled Broom Suspension Zig Zag (Although one should really own The Magic of Robert Harbin) Disembodied Princess Dekolta Chair That's my list off the top of my head. J |
Oliver Ross Inner circle Europe 1724 Posts |
JVHarrison,
What do you mean by public domain ? Do you mean as long as you've purchased the plans or books you can build it for your own ? Other question : Do you mean the most presented illusions by magician or the most appreciated by the audience ? Here's what I think of, from the top to the weak : 1) Lion's Bride (Fire Cage Appearance if no wild animal available) 2) Crystal Casket 3) Metamorphosis (Sub Trunk) 4) Zig Zag 5) Hindu Basket 6) Chair Suspension 7) Mismade Girl 8) Sword Cabinet 9) Asrah Levitation 10) Things go bump in the Night With your answers of my questions there might be some changes. Jay, I'm not sure that Ken Whitaker's Impaled Illusion went into publlic domain. Oliver. |
Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
You're going to run into semantic problems here. For example, there is no such illusion called "Things that go bump in the night." That is a presentation, not an illusion, and the presentation is possible with many different illusion cabinets, or even without a cabinet at all, as Jim Gerrish explains in his "Garden Gate Illusion" in his PVC Pipe Illusions Book 1. Do you intend to include presentations in your list, or just physical boxes and props?
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
For the purpose of this thread, I think semantics, is secondary to getting the point across. I fully understood "Things that go bump in the night." , even though it is technically called a "Modern Cabinet".
Dennis Michael
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Aaron Smith Magic Inner circle Portland, OR 1447 Posts |
1.) Charles Morritt's OH!!!
2.) Dekolta Chair 3.) Broom Suspension 4.) Wakeling Sawing 5.) Proteus Cabinet 6.) The Levitation of Princess Karnak 7.) MDM 8.) Spirit Cabinet 9.) Water Torture Call 10.) Orange Tree automata I don't know if my list meets your criteria, these are just my all time favorite classic Illusions. More than anything, I wish I had a delorean time machine with a flux capacitor so I could go back in time to this era of magic. Oh how wonderful it must have been.... |
Aaron Smith Magic Inner circle Portland, OR 1447 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-10-08 18:17, Spellbinder wrote: I too understood what the poster meant. No semantic problems here. Seems to me like it's simply another opportunity for you to plug the PVC pipe illusion book, that's on your site. I'm not hear to offend, or attack anyone, but to offer my advice to other magicians. Advice that I wish I had when I started magic. I just happened to notice that your posts contain more about PVC pipe illusion books than actual advice. My two cents. Best, Aaron |
Christopher Starr Inner circle Heart of America 1850 Posts |
In no particular order:
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Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
I am always aware that many young and less experienced magicians read these posts to increase their knowledge of magic, and that it's not just for those who have learned the jargon but know little of the history behind the props, and which are simply presentations that apply to many props. Rather than ruffle the feathers of those who believe everyone "knows what they are talking about" when they use initials like "MDM" instead of "Million Dollar Mystery" and don't realize that "OH!" is a presentation for a "Spirit Cabinet" which is a prop, I will simply offer my services as a translator for anyone who wants to know what's in the lists that will be thrown up here. I'll be in my office. PM me if you want me.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
Zaprig1 Elite user 470 Posts |
Also in no particular order:
1-Sawing- Harbin or Thin 2- Walk Away Super X 3- Fire Cage 4- Modern Cabinet 5- Sword Basket 6- Zig Zag Girl 7- Head Chopper/Guillotine 8- Metamorphasis 9- Crystal Casket 10- Asrah Sorry Chris, I just realized I stole most of your list! Funny thing is, I do 8 out of the ten now! Tried and true! Christian |
Dr. Delusion Special user Eugene, Oregon. 733 Posts |
1. Sub Trunk.
2. Zig Zag. 3. Modern Cabinet. 4. Doll House. 5. Asrah. 6. Broom Suspension. 7. Selbit Sawing in Half. 8.Sword Basket. 9.Guillotine. 10. Sword box. Bob. |
maharajademagia Regular user 127 Posts |
Just consolodating the list in alphabetic order for ease and adding a few more one:
1. Aga 2. Asrah Levitation 3. Assistant's Revenge 4. Broom Suspension 5. Chair Suspension 6. Charles Morritt's OH!!! 7. Crystal Casket 8. Dekolta Chair 9. Disembodied Princess 10. Doll House 11. Fire Cage 12. Guillotine 13. Head Chopper/Guillotine 14. Impaled 15. Lion's Bride (Fire Cage Appearance if no wild animal available) 16. MDM 17. Metamorphosis (Sub Trunk) 18. Mismade Girl 19. Modern Cabinet 20. Orange Tree automata 21. Palaquin Cabinet 22. Proteus Cabinet 23. Sawing Thin 24. Sawing in Half - Selbit 25. Selbit Sawing in Half or Thin 26. Spirit Cabinet 27. Substitution Trunk 28. Hindu Sword Basket 29. Sword box. 30. Sword Cabinet 31. The Levitation of Princess Karnak 32. Things go bump in the Night 33. Wakeling Sawing 34. Walk Away Super X 35. Water Torture Call 36. Zig Zag 37. Dekolta Chair and 38. Temple of Benares 39. Vanishing Elephant |
KelvinCardician New user Tegal,Indonesia 4 Posts |
1. Vanishing Animals
2. vanish Liberty Statue (hoho) 3. zig zag woman 4. (my favorite) guillotine 5. doll house 6. sword box 7. head drop idk more.. =) |
Thatoldblackmagic New user 67 Posts |
What is MDM?
Scotland's first winner of the Edinburgh International Magic Festival's first place award. ~ Allen Tipton's magic Student. ~ Magic Historian and Collector ~ Built magic for Scotland's top Pantomimes ,Cats ,The Wizard of Oz and a few other shows. ~ As seen on TV theatre and film Aged 17
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DougTait Elite user Sebring, FL 492 Posts |
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [and women] to do nothing."
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
I can't believe no one has mentioned David Copprfield's Flying.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Matt Adams Special user Harvest, AL 827 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-01-06 00:42, Pete Biro wrote: :)
Website: www.MattAdamsMinistries.com
Instagram: @mattadamsministries Facebook: www.facebook.com/mattadamsministries |
Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
But would davids flying fall under the rules of "classic" illusion and Public domain??
although I have read teh patent and seen all the details of the illusion I don't think its intention is to be public domain. I seem to recall david sued some one in Europe I believe for performing the very illusion. the guy was even wearing the same sweater. I don't have a list for you but will mention a few subtrunk - best illusion ever created in my opinion Wakeling sawing - best version out there thin model sawing - nice as well sword basket- hate this thing and don't understand the fascination with it. (although my daughter wants me to get one now I cant see the value in it.) while not a box type illusion I have come to love the Mummy illusion or as I call it the wrap up. updated and it is simple direct and magical every time that's all I got for now. sam
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
Dennis Loomis 1943 - 2013 2113 Posts |
A small quibble about terminology. The phrase "Thinks that go Bump in the Night" harks back to the Spiritualists in the days of Houdini. The triple exchange illusion was done for many years using the Modern Cabinet Illusion. I recall seeing David Seebach doing it many years ago. Doug Henning was probably the first to do the Triple Exchange using the Million Dollar Mystery principle. He added a Tiger production to the end and the routine is often cited as one of the greatest stage illusions of all time. I certainly consider it as that.
I'm sure that David Copperfield does not consider his "Flying" illusion to be in the Public Domain. Although the basic principle is the same as the Kellar Levitation, David took it light years ahead. I've been involved in magic since about 1950 (when I was seven years old.) And yet I still don't understand how certain illusions get into the public domain. If you create an illusion and one other person rips it off, they are branded as a thief. But it 15 people rip it off, suddenly you illusion is considered to be in the public domain and available for any magician that wants to use it. It's not entirely clear to me what is meant by "Top" illusions of all time. If you're talking about how often it's been performed then the Guillotime, Sub Trunk, and Hindu Basket are probably the top three. If you're talking about great illusions then Henning's "Bump" and the Copperfield "Flying" certain should be at or near the top of that list. Dennis Loomis
Itinerant Montebank
<BR>http://www.loomismagic.com |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
While "Oh!" is a remarkable illusion, I don't think it qualifies to be on a list of top ten classics, simply because of its relatively small circle of exposure. Not that many magicians have performed it, let alone the number of people who have seen it.
Others, as named above may be somewhat splitting hairs... Aga, and the Levitation of Pricess Karnak are both uncovered, rising levitations, as are also Gamolo, Abbott's Astro, and others. I think for the sake of clarity and simplicity that such illusion be placed under a single heading. There are far too many detail distinctions to fuss over. Asrah however, should fall under its own heading, as the effect has a distinctive difference over other levitations. Guillotines and all manner of Head Choppers should probably be lumped together, too. There is not enough distinction to matter to an audience. "Things That Go Bump in The Night", as far as I recall, is the name given to the illusion as performed by Doug Henning, which uses The Million Dollar Mystery" as it's primary method, with Triple Exchange as its secondary. "Spirit Cabinet" should be very near the top of the list, alongside levitaions. Here is an illusion made popular by the Davenport Brothers prior to the Civil War, and it has remained in the programs of magicians (albeit in some more travel-friendly forms) ever since. The term "public domain" is too much a catch-all, seeing that both older (sawing a woman), and more modern (Zig-Zag) illusions have managed to use the term, and both were essentially stolen and duplicated by others. The example of sawing may be somewhat controversial in this regard, as the well-known conflict between Selbit and Horace Goldin basically involved the same effect concept, even though the methods were different then, and ever-changing as years went on. Temple of Benares is best known by that name, but was arguably stolen from from Jack Gwynn, and marketed by Percy Abbott. Gwynn's original name for the illusion was "The Temple of Angee". (see my notes on Doll's House below) Houdini is probably the first to use the name, "Metamorphosis" for the Substitution Trunk, which is simply an extension of a Packing Box Escape, the underwater presentation likely a Houdini original, as well. I do not know if he pioneered the Box Escape itself, or not. Here again, there are a number of detail variations in method and mechanics. In most cases, the true public domain classic illusions can be found in old Thayer catalogs, unless Owen has expressed claim to rights on them. Many of these are detailed in Byron Wels' fine book set. Modern Cabinet is surely on the list, as that particular illusion can be seen performed well outside the realm of typical magic shows, including at least one performance in a Three Stooges film. I would also place "Doll's House" on the list, as it not only fits the criteria, but by method is also the basis for other illusions. Regarding Zig Zag, and Mismade Girl, both are what I would definitely consider classic illusions, even though much more modern by comparison to those from the early 20th century. They are also probably at this point to be considered public domain. However, neither became public domain except by unethical channels. I suspect there are several others that have followed a very similar path... Thin Model Sawing be one. In some case, what appears to be "classic" is simply the expressed opinion of any particular person, and based upon their own knowledge and the popularity of the illusion at the time the listing is made. The Indian Rope trick was certainly a buzz term at one time, even though not so much these days. Illusions like Blammo Box are in my opinion, only extensions of smaller versions that go back decades. Think, U.F. Grant's Indian Dove Chest, which was well before any other Doves to Rabbit device. I'm not sure I'll honor much claim for that on an illusion scale. One more note... as referenced above Quote: This can be found in "Greater Magic" under the name "Transmogrification", and credited to Charles Waller.
"Mummy illusion or as I call it the wrap up It helps to read.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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