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George Hunter Inner circle 2013 Posts |
About a month ago, at age 75, I discovered how much I really like performing a Haunted Key effect. I watched Osterlind's #7 video again, I reread the relevant section of Burger's Spirit Theater, I bought several keys and several books on the effect. Casting any pretense of modesty to the winds, the backstory I invented is so stellar and propriety that I have NO plans to publish or share it!
Within this experience, I discovered that the Haunted Key apparently endows its merchants with unusual customer-service powers. For instance, I bought a couple of keys from Rich Hennesy's Mental Craft website. When I reported difficulty with the big key "flopping" on the back turn, Rich CALLED me and talked me through the difficulty. (Sometimes it still flops, but not as often: I'm still working on it.) I also bought Paul Prater's Secret Key and its related props. I was especially attracted to the very credible-looking old box in which his antiqued key rests. Alas, the box that I received was defective in several small ways. In an email, I mentioned the problem to Paul, requested another box, and offered to pay any costs. Paul responded with great understanding and is checking out and sending another box, at his expense. Somewhat earlier, I bought Ray Carlyle's aged key. He, too, responded to one inquiry with a very collegial response and, so far, I can control the "flop" with his key best of all. I now love to perform the Key so much that it is my opener in closeup mentalism performances. It really gets people on board for the rest of the performance. Perhaps it is time for more Café discussion around Haunted Key effects? George |
The Curator V.I.P. Beware Vampire, I have 3908 Posts |
I usually find my haunted keys at the flea markets for less than 50 cents. Sometimes, I pay a little more for a XIXth or XVIIIth century one.
I've my own scenario that plays wonderfully well at the Surnateum. |
Garrette Special user 926 Posts |
I have several haunted keys, too, and like The Curator, I got them at flea markets and second hand shops. One set, however, I got at a garden shop; they are oversized pieces meant for outside decoration; one of them works very well as a haunted key, but so far I have only figured out how to use it in a humorous "key from a giant's castle" type of routine. No customer service required or available for any of them.
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Frank Douglas Special user 555 Posts |
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KOTAH Inner circle 2289 Posts |
Frank, Ed Solomon has his book of haunted key routines which is excellent. He also sells / sold a key which worked well in a haunted key efect, but it was also attached to a length of string with a large skull bead on the opposite end, this allowed it to be used in an effect created by Stewart James.
Inquire with Ed if you are interested. Kotah |
Frank Douglas Special user 555 Posts |
Hey K...ltns
I have my key and routine |
Anthony Black Special user Tamworth - Albion 855 Posts |
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OnTiltSoon Special user Barcelona 543 Posts |
Professor BC's Haunted Inns of England is a haunted Key with a reveal Builtin.
http://www.lebanoncircle.co.uk/The%20Hau......and.html Mind that as it has a reveal you have to choose what hand you will perform it with before you place your order.
- JoaquÃn Gasa Thomas
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Ed Solomon New user Ed Solomon 70 Posts |
Leaping Lizards published my book of routines with the haunted key.
Quite a bit here on material and technique as well as some moving stories. The haunting can with be done with various sizes of keys and I see many at flea markets that work very well. Don't overlook the small , ornamental keys as they are powerful for intiment close up work. I use one in a routine that so moving that it has become a signature piece. It is one that will be remembered. |
george1953 Inner circle Mallorca (Spain) 5943 Posts |
I have the Lebanon Circle haunted inns key and its a great routine, my only critisism is that the cards are a bit on the small side, my eyes are not good, but I just scanned them and printed them out larger.
By failing to prepare, we are preparing to fail.
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armymagic New user Mesa AZ, USA 87 Posts |
Paul's secret key is definitely one of my "go to" effects, an item that totally draws the participants into the realm of bizarre. I especially like the extra effect that can be done with use of the box and cloth. Almost always get a double dose of WTF!
Love me or hate me, but you'll never forget me!
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George Hunter Inner circle 2013 Posts |
Ed:
I have your book, What Lies Behind the Doors. I have several small books on the subject of haunted keys. Yours may be the best. George |
Ed Solomon New user Ed Solomon 70 Posts |
George, thank you.
Back before the retirement of Dave Goodsell and Larry White from the editorial board of M.U.M., much of the key material was in a feature article I did at Larry's request. In the right environment, the turning key is still a strong magical tool. My original article was written as a response to someone's comment that the effect didn't fool anyone. As a storyteller, fooling people is not the purpose for which we should strive. Bewitched, botherd, bewildered, bored, touched,enchanted, amazed, bamboozled, but never fooled. Remember the line from the musical THE KING AND I that says, "The results of this deception is very strange to tell, for when I fool the people I fear, I fool myself as well?" The real magic is in the words. If the key even twitches, in the relativity of the story, the magic words have worked. No fooling! Ed |
RicHeka Inner circle 3999 Posts |
Well stated Ed!
Rich |
MRSharpe Special user Never a dull moment with 940 Posts |
I picked mine up in an antique shop in Southern California about 30 years ago at an antique shop. It's iron and looks like it could have been a key to a hacienda or old jail cell. It only cost me a couple of bucks and both looks and works great. Plus, the search for it was a rather enjoyable quest.
Custom Props Designer and Fabricator as well as Performer from Indiana, USA
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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The spooky, the mysterious...the bizarre! » » Haunted Key a key to great service? (0 Likes) |
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