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Faster New user Texas 57 Posts |
One of the things I like to do is go through old books or magazine articles and pick out effects that might seem dated but perhaps I can find new life for them. One that intrigues me, especially for Hallowe'en, is "Voodoo" by Arthur Monroe as written in Annemann's "Practical Mental Magic."
The effect requires 2 Petrie & Lewis card boxes. Well, OK, fine for its day but: 1. I'm not laying out 100 samolians or more for each of 2 collectors' objects in silver. 2. I prefer to have my props (few as they are) look a little more rustic or homemade. I avoid nifty looking containers that scream "I'm the way the trick is done!!!!" to the audience. I took a look at the Brainbox and Benedict's Box (even the Baby Benedict) but these are more utilitarian than I want and far too big to be kept in a jacket pocket. I also looked at Cosmo's Card Box but I don't think this is going to work (don't actually own one). From watching demos, it looks like it must be handled by the performer only. No letting a spectator open or even handle the box. It also looks like the inside of the box cannot be shown, which is rather a show stopper for this particular effect I'm interested in trying. Seeing the inside of the box is rather important. I've seen a black plastic version on eBay but--and get this--the fool thing actually has "MAGIC BOX" moulded into its outer cover in huge letters. OK, if your audience doesn't read English, then maybe they won't be tipped but otherwise.... (Who comes up with this kind of stuff, anyway?) So, is there another modern offering of the P&L card box? Plastic is fine provided it lasts and has good functional precision and reliability. Wood is also fine, or aluminum or steel. Anyone have a recommendation? Richard |
Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
Hi Richard
You might check the Viking/Collector's Workshop site for a couple of reasonably priced and very functional wooden card boxes. Julie |
DrTodd Inner circle 1976 Posts |
Check out smoke and mirrors uk for the baby benedict, which would look great if you had two of them..
http://www.smokeandmirrorsuk.co.uk Cheers Dr T |
Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
There is so much sleight of hand involved in the original effect that to accomplish it you ought to have the skills to continue the sleight of hand to include dropping the stuff in the first box only to have it end up being palmed away as you go to your pocket to get the rubber bands (rather than have them on the table). In this way, you could make do with two cardboard card boxes, ungimmicked, and be able to accomplish the same effect. If you feel the need for a proppy looking trick, head for the craft store and get any two identical boxes that meet your expectations and can be made antique looking with a little work.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
Faster New user Texas 57 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-05-21 06:44, Spellbinder wrote: I'll have to give that some in-depth thought. You seem to know the effect as written, so you should also know the first box, which is carried away but seems to reappear all by itself, must have some controls to prevent the "hostess" (as described in the original effect) from opening it while enroute and seeing what's inside. If everything were always under my control I could certainly do as you suggest but the problem here is there are 2 long periods in which the box is entirely out of my control and may very well be opened by the "hostess." More likely, I would think, she will be tempted to open it on the 2nd journey to fetch it back, having seen 90% of the effect already presented. Two regular boxes aren't going to work, methinks, but I'll give it some creative thought. Thanks for the idea. I will mull it over. Richard |
Faster New user Texas 57 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-05-21 03:45, DrTodd wrote: Thanks Dt T, but as I wrote above, it's far too big. I need to have 2 but to the audience it should seem there is only 1. It should be something I can otherwise hide on my person without the audience pointing at my coat and saying, "What's that bulge in your coat, there? Are you hiding something?" The effect is obscure and of limited commercial value. It's designed for cozy situations, such as living rooms or dining rooms for a small group of friends. As written (and that's what I'm trying to work with--as written) the effect cannot be pulled off on the stage, so-called "street mentalism," trade show booths, etc. It requires a very small room with small number of people, all of whom know each other (except the performer) and it's a very relaxed atmosphere. What I'm looking for is something roughly the size of a card box which I can palm long enough to get it between my coat pocket and tabletop without it being seen. It doesn't actually have to be a card box, though, as long as it isn't bulky in the pocket, it has the necessary gimmick and I can palm the thing in my hand during a sweeping motion of my arm without it being seen. Richard |
Faster New user Texas 57 Posts |
Quote:
You might check the Viking/Collector's Workshop site for a couple of reasonably priced and very functional wooden card boxes. Thanks, Julie. It looks like their "Euro" box might work, but it also shows they are out of stock. (Unhappy face goes here). I've written to them to describe my need and ask of the box fits the bill. If it does, I guess I'll just have to wait until they make more. Thanks! Richard |
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