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kris attard Elite user Malta 437 Posts |
There is an effect advertised by some dealers called Magic Mirror. It's basically the old penetration effect, where a framed mirror is placed in a cloth bag, penetrated by a needle and then bent double. However this one is made by Mikame, so it's a precision item. It cost $140. I know the method, but is there anyone who has this item, or has seen it closely, who can tell me whether it is so precision made as to be (relatively) examinable, as far as the frame goes? Thanks, input appreciated!
Update: Since the last post, I have actually obtained the item. |
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Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
Kris, now that you have it, what do you think? I would like to know the answers to your questions! Maybe even a review of the prop. Thanks in advance.
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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kris attard Elite user Malta 437 Posts |
Mumblepeas, I am pleased with the item, but I'm also glad that I bought it at an opportune discount rather than its standard high price as I would not have considered it as great a buy for my money as the ads led me to believe. Unfortunately, as with some other Mikame items, the advertising hype is not totally upfront and correct. Contrary to what some ads say, the item can NOT be examined. I understand 'examined' in a magic ad context to mean handing the prop out to someone. No, you cannot do this with the Magic Mirror. You're OK though to go up to a spectator and show him the mirror closely, and have him knock on it and touch it to satisfy himself that it's solid. The workmanship is good enough to help hide what you don't want to show, although I still feel the need to position my fingers at the right places to be 100% secure when I'm showing it to people up close.
When I bought the Magic Mirror, I already had the classic effect, which I featured successfully in my cabaret act for years, and I only bought the Mikame model to upgrade. In this sense, I achieved my objective as the prop looks very elegant and classy, apart from hiding its fake aspect fairly well. Its neat wood finish makes it look like a mirror frame you might buy at a good furniture shop, not like a magician's prop which some other models tend to look like, sometimes including silver glitter finish to hide the fake bits, etc. As I said, I was led to expect some kind of Brema nut type of precision locking parts that could withstand at least a cursory examination in a spectator's hands, which is not the case. To be fair, at the end of the day, the audience are more intrigued as to how the mirror could withstand all the penetrations and bending, and everyone's eyes are more on the mirror at the conclusion of the effect. Since the mirror is totally unfaked and they can knock on it to their heart's content, you're alright there. Working is OK, however I found it very difficult to use it with the cloth bag supplied. For those unfamilair with it, the effect is that the framed mirror is put in the bag and a long needle is then pierced repeatedly through the cloth, impossibly penetrating the mirror. This look good, and so far performs well. The climax of the effect is when you proceed to fold the mirror lengthways into two. Naturally, you then restore it to its rightful condition and bring out the mirror totally unharmed. Now when folding it back to its original position, I found a tendency for the cloth to get pinched between the hinged parts. This not only looks bad and can 'tip' observant audience to the working, but can also strain the frame, not to mention fray the cloth itself. On my second practise try, I ended up almost damaging the prop. So no more cloth for me, I'll present it as I have always done by wrapping it up in a newspaper or in a manilla envelope, which lends itself to good patter possibilities as well. I also find it more natural than a cloth bag. After all, would you get a frame from a shop wrapped in paper or in a suspicious looking cloth bag? Someone who is new to this effect will be rewarded with a powerful stage/parlor/cabaret item with lots of comedy patter possibilities (mot supplied). Those who already have the old prop would do well to consider this upgrade to an elegant model. But the question is, whether you are prepared to pay that much for it. By the way, a dealer pointed out to me that the long needle supplied with the effect could also be used for the visual (Boretti type) balloon penetration, possibly combining the two in a good effect. |
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Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
Thanks! That is a good review. I have an old version that had a fairly cheesy paint job. I repainted it using a Fax wood technique. I don’t know the make; I bought it at a magic auction held at a small magic convention years ago. It came without instructions. It may be an Old MAK or even Abbotts. Even after all the work cleaning it up, I never included it in a show. It is in a box somewhere! Perhaps I will have to rethink it’s utility!
Again, thanks for that good review. Direct and honest!
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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kris attard Elite user Malta 437 Posts |
This effect is a good one. You might want to take a trek into the attic to find that prop and get to use it! If it is the same effect, and you need any help with instructions on using it, PM me.
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Devils Advocaat Loyal user London 248 Posts |
Just my opinion, but doesn't 'bending' the mirror seem like overkill? When I had the chance to perform the thing I just left it at the 'penetration' aspect of the trick. Everybody knows you can't bend glass, but several small holes in the mirror?
Frank.
"My Karma ran over my Dogma..."
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kris attard Elite user Malta 437 Posts |
Interesting thought, Frank, tks for sharing that. I tend to go for routines with a climax, so would not had performed the mirror without the bending. I did it not as a big thing, but almost in a tongue-in-cheek way, and it got the laughs and applause. So yes, I see your thinking... but I still want my bend! This trick seems to appeal to magicians very differently. I've seen routines where people actually took the mirror out to have it examined. I don't like that. Anyone else feel the same about not bending the mirror?
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Devils Advocaat Loyal user London 248 Posts |
Take the mirror out!!!??? No way! But on the same lines, why hasn't anyone come up with a locking version, one that *can* be given out for examination, mirror, frame and all...?
Frank.
"My Karma ran over my Dogma..."
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kris attard Elite user Malta 437 Posts |
Good point! That's exactly what I thought Mikame had done, given the price of the item and the advert hype. Alas, we have yet to wait for some craftsman to do this for us.
(Brian, quick question...I may have a day in london soon, any good dealers there?) |
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Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
I thought much as Kris and Brian did until someone pointed out some things to me. I had made my own Flexible Mirror, with the hinge visible in the back. I planned on making one with the hidden barrel hinges, like the Owen version.
I saw an Abbott's version on eBay and thought it was interesting. When I e-mailed the seller about whether the hinges were visible or not, he gave me the following information: He said that Oswald Rae, who invented the trick, used to not only remove the mirror from the frame but he also showed the audience that the frame was hinged. His reasoning was that he didn't want people preoccupied with how the frame could be folded. He wanted everyone to only be concerned with the mirror. I had noticed that people would often say to me after I performed the effect, "well I know the frame has to be hinged." After getting the explanation of Mr. Rae's presentation, I, too, began showing people that the frame was hinged and that the mirror could be removed. It really improved the response to the effect! Now, they were only interested in how the mirror could be penetrated and folded. Much stronger. Just thought you might be interested in these thoughts. Michael |
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magicbyswh Inner circle North East Tennessee 1548 Posts |
Can you please share how you present this effect above.
Creator of Cereal Brainwave, Creator of the Tossed out Book
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Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
I begin by showing the mirror in the wooden frame. I show it front and back and point out that there are hinges on the back of the frame. I then remove the mirror and demonstrate how the frame folds. After that, I replace the mirror in the frame and take them out to an audience member to tap on the mirror with a wand. I have the audience member tap several places on the mirror to show that is solid, but also pointing out to be very careful to not break the mirror. (I have actually replaced the glass mirror with a piece of plexiglass mirror. No one has ever noticed and its considerably safer.)
After the examination, I place the framed mirror into the zippered bag (explaining that the bag is a precaution in case something goes wrong - the broken fragments will be caught by the bag.) I then proceed with the standard demonstration, i.e. piercing the mirror several times in different places and then "folding" the mirror. By the way, I think a properly fitting knit bag helps tremendously. It appears that the bag fits too tightly to allow any monkey business, greatly adding to the effect. I hope this helps. |
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Fredrick Loyal user Seattle 248 Posts |
Quote:
On 2002-08-07 14:37, kris attard wrote: Kris, I have recently resurrected my flexible mirror when a new "frame" for the presentation came to me. (Pardon the intentional pun ) I must admit that while the thoughts of the originator, Mr Rae, are intrigueing, I agree with you. Taking the mirror out of the frame - for me - tips the gaff. I recently polled some magical friends and mentors about the removal of the mirror for examination. All said the same thing - leave it in the frame, there is no need for handing it out for examination...
"Try to find the humanity in the magic and maybe you'll come up with something of your own. It's the humanity that gets you there, not techniques." Michael Moschen on Creativity
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kris attard Elite user Malta 437 Posts |
Thanks for your thoughtd, Magicmikey, I'm intrigued by your ideas about the presentation. It's not always easy for us magicians to see what the audience sees, since we know the secret, but it seems to me that once the hinging has been so openly shown, is not the audience just one step away from figuring how the mirror might 'dodge' the penetration and folding? I don't know how often you've performed it this way, but have you had anyone suspect the working?
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Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
Kris,
Actually, the only time anyone ever suggested they knew how the trick worked was when I didn't show them the hinges. Then, they would say "the frame has to be hinged." They weren't even concerned about the mirror. When I show the hinges first, it allows the audience to be focused solely on the mirror. Once that's out of the way, the audience seems much more impressed. In my earlier presentations, where I did not allow anyone to see the back of the mirror, I didn't get nearly as strong a reaction. It could just be my presentation. While I don't use the Flexible Mirror in every show, I have used it enough to be comfortable showing the hinges and removing the mirror from the frame. It does seem odd that no one has noticed what should be a dead give-away of the method. I will say I think that using a knit bag is a key. The bag I put the frame in fits very snuggly, which would seem to preclude the actual method. Of course, the bag stretches easily when the mirror moves. Before I switched to the Rae presentation, I was using a Flexible Mirror that I made myself but I didn't make a bag for it. I was using a large manilla envelope. I feel the bag really improves the effect. If you choose to try out the Rae presentation, please let me know how you think the audience response is compared to your current presentation. Michael |
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Magicduck Elite user Washington State 484 Posts |
Hi all,
I am playing with my flexible mirror again. I am working on building a frame that looks more natural than the one I got 20 some years ago. I am curious, I assume that my mirror is not that different than others in that it DOES NOT bend in the center. It bends just a bit off center. If so, just thinking that in displaying the hinges on the frame, it might seem a bit odd to have it off center hinged. Any thoughts. Also, if anyone is thinking of patter on this, to make it logical, just check out all the hits on the internet where folks argue whether or not glass is a liquid or a solid. I was thinking it would be fun to work that in, with the scientists all stating that it is more solid than liquid. Then, you question that theory with your glass mirror. Seems that with some thought it would be fun. quack |
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ufo Inner circle Phoenix, Arizona 1185 Posts |
Hey,
Thanks very much for the product review. I did the effect years ago and always loved the effect, the method, and the reaction I got with it. Another question, the bag that is supplied in one picture I saw was a rather odd looking pattern thing kinda like Billy McComb's egg bag. Errrr...yeah? The old one I had was just black. What came with it? As to the bend; I love the bend but you have to present it with a bit of mime and acting to make it work. Cant imagine doing it without the bend. Removing the mirror: I read that and tried it one time. While I don't think it tipped any secret I felt (feely feely touchy feely) that it diminished the overall presentation. Thanks again for the reveiw. Most useful!
"What's your drug?" she asked. "Hope" he said, "The most addicting one of all."
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kris attard Elite user Malta 437 Posts |
LU, the bag does not look so bad, it's a one color slightly glittery material and it also has a strip of wood inside it along one end that can be used to help you if you hold the bag dangling down by its width prior to inserting the needle. But as I said in my earlier post, I shun the bag presentation because one time it almost messed up the prop for me when cloth got pinched in the hinged parts.
As for the bend, I usually prefer a tongue in cheek approach where I apparently fold the wrapped up frame for some other reason. This gets the laughs not just the amazement. |
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Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
I have an Ickle Pickle Mirror and had the problem with the cloth getting pinched. I solved it by applying self adhesive nylon, the kind that's used as tent patches, to the inside of the bag, at the pinch points. It works pretty well.
I never reveal that the frame bends, because I think that sets you up to reveal how the entire thing is done. When I first saw Doug Henning do it, when I was a kid, I was amazed. Then, when I saw someone show that the frame would bend, years later, it was obvious how the trick worked. |
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Ron Reid Inner circle Phoenix, Arizona 2732 Posts |
Hello:
Concerning the bag, the Mikame bag is really unuseable. I don't know why they decided on that particular material, but they did. I contacted Owen Magic, and bought a bag from them for $25.00. No problems at all with the Owen bag - it's some type of loose weave that allows the needle to go through without showing a puncture hole. Best of all, no pinching of the material. Ron |
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