This has been one of my favorite illusions ever since I read about it in Jim Steinmeyer’s THE COMPLETE JARRETT. Still, I had to take it on faith that it was deceptive since I’d never seen it performed. But the other day I got to view Doug Henning’s performance of the illusion from one of his old TV specials, and guess what? It looked great!

For those who don’t know what I’m talking about, 21 people are produced from a cabinet that’s obviously too small to contain that many people. DH actually produced 21 cheerleaders plus 1 Bruce Jenner. And it looked impossible.

Why do I love this illusion? Let me count the ways:

1. Jarrett created a specific presentation to go with it. The success of the illusion depends on following Jarrett's script, which stresses the impossibilty of the illusion before it begins. Otherwise it doesn’t even come off as magic.

2. The method is tipped to the audience during the presentation, only to be ruled out as a possibility. How often does THAT happen?

3. The cabinet isn’t even shown empty before or during the routine, yet the productions are still mysterious.

4. This is a rare one. Who has a cast big enough to perform it in a regular live show? Maybe S&R could have done it, but I can’t think of anyone else.

Anybody have any further thoughts on this gem? Opposing viewpoints? Better ways to produce 21 cheerleaders? (PM me on that last one…)

Will

I would love to see it performed. Something similar is Lance Burton producing girl out of a suitcase. It was only six or 8 girls as opposed to 22 people, but it was very surprising.

The Jarrett routine I want to see is the Bancock Bungalo. I thought the method seemed a little far fetched, but I have recently been studying a spirit cabinet routine that works by a similar method and I know this routine played well.

Richard

Lance can most definatly produce anything out of that briefcase. He can produce 100s if he wanted to. I think he chose that number so he does not bore the audience but amaze them.

Michael

Henning's 21 Person Cabinet was recently offered for sale on the martinka.com auction, but did not sell for lack of meeting the reserve price. It may still be available, if you're interested contact Ted Bogusta at martinka.com.

Richard, I know what you mean about the Bungalo routine - it's kinda hard to imagine it playing on stage. That's another one I'll take on faith until I see somebody do it.

By the way, are you studying Kellar's Spirit Cabinet? That used one of the principles at play in the Bungalo routine and is discussed in the new Kellar's Wonders book. I'd never seen that method for the spirit cabinet in print before, but it seems like a good solution.

David, thanks for the martinka.com source. That's the one, all right. Sweet.

Will

The Kellar spirit cabinet was first produced in the early 1900's by Maskelyne in a sketch called The Bloomsbury Proper-Ganders of Spiritualism. Later he revised it for St. George's Hall as The Spirits Are Here! Kellar aquired it after that and called it the Cassadaga Propergander. Carter the Great also used it in one of his shows.

I'm kind of at a dilema with the method now because one of the things that made it so deceptive was how the cabinet was contructed on a piece of plate glass set between two chairs. Maskelyne's solution to that is very good, but not very practical now days. I am trying to solve the problem of recreating the effect with a different solution, but I think it is the lightness of the cabinet that makes it deceptive.

Alan Wakeling had a couple of good practical solutions to the effect, but he finished both with a production of a woman. I want the cabinet to literally fall apart at the end showing it to be nothing more than some boards and empty space.

The whole thing has my head spinning for the time being

Richard

Producing a woman at the finish of the routine telegraphs the method, IMO. I like your idea of having the cabinet fall apart. Best of luck developing this. If your head keeps spinning, just change the routine to a twister illusion.

Will

Will,

I agree with you concerning the Jarrett cabinet. I have seen the video of Doug Henning one month ago and felt just like you. It is an amazing piece of magic!!!

Regards,

D

I have the actual cabinet and will be performing it live on ABC for the east coast coverage of the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade on Thursday. Had some help from Jim Steinmeyer with the technical/presentation points. If you're on the east coast check it out....it will also be streaming live on 6abc.com

http://www.phillytrib.com/entertainmenta......ars.html

Cool. Good luck with that event Scott.

Hopefully you can upload some footage for those who miss it. I know you'll do an amazing job!

Doug - 21 Cheerleader Illusion

That's the box!

That box was owned by Robert Reinhhardt in the 70's who lent it to Henning for his show.
The chain of ownership after that, was lost to me. However, Rudy Coby would have more info on that, as Reinhardt was his mentor.

Didn't Kirby VanBurch ended up with it?(and he probably sold it to Scott)

I know it belonged to Blackstone for a while as the crate said "Blackstone #39" on the sides.
Here is a link to todays performance.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/feature?sect......=8444012

I loved it, nice work as always Scott!

You rocked it Scott! Excellent job!

Great ... thanks for posting.

You bet...Its such an interesting piece of magic history.

It's funny, but when I was reading the Jarrett book, I looked at the pictures and thought to myself..."NO WAY!"