* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #80 Date: Sunday 1st July 2001 Editor: Alan Watson www.magician.co.nz www.alan-watson.com e-mail AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. The story of Jasper Maskelyne 3. The Magic Castle Wall of Fame 4. Re: Mike Rogers 5. New Magic Infomercial Announced 6. The Laugh-Meter 7. Lecture Notes and Magic Effects 8. Videos on Bending Metal 9. The Orchante Saga #36 10. Diarise these events 11. MagicNZ e-zine archives 12. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One From Saturday 30th June through to Friday 13th June, school holidays I will be performing at the Bayfair Shopping Centre in Tauranga during the day and late shopping nights Thursday and Friday. In the evening (except for Thursday and Friday nights) will be performing close-up magic at Fahy's Motor Inn (Cobb & Co) 6pm to 8pm. ------------------------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ---------------------------------- 2. The story of Jasper Maskelyne ---------------------------------- Message from John Wade (UK) The programme I helped with as Consultant for the History Channel has now been aired in the USA. Titled 'The War Illusionist' it tells the story of Jasper Maskelyne's ventures during the Desert War in 1940, 'moving' the port of Alexandria, and generally discombobulating the German forces through deception. Lots of archive film of Jasper himself, both doing his magic and his inventions in the campaign, plus John Salisse and Eddie Dawes talking to camera. Two American pundits deal with the military side, and an actor plays Maskelyne in reconstructions. I have now seen the programme and think it to be very fair, and of great interest to magicians. ------------------------------------- 3. The Magic Castle Wall of Fame ------------------------------------- Message from Lee Jacobs (US) "Ted Salter, the initial artist for the Magic Castle Wall of Fame, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2001 after a lengthy illness. He was 86." If anyone is interested in his book, THE MAGIC CASTLE WALLS OF FAME, which contains all his caricatures from The Magic Castle and which was originally published by Norm Nielsen, we have all the remaining copies. And it is available both in soft cover and hardbound. http://www.LeeJacobsProductions.com LEEmail LJacobs@frognet.net ------------------------------------- 4. Re: Mike Rogers ------------------------------------- Message from Ken Reedy I had the great pleasure of meeting Mike Rogers once and I must say that he was one high class act both on and off the stage. He will be missed by all. ---------------------------------- 5. New Magic Infomercial Announced ---------------------------------- Message from Steve Dacri (US) (HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA) Magician and television personality Steve Dacri flies to Paris, then on to Monte Carlo to entertain at the opening event of the world's largest gathering of infomercial buyers and producers, ERA (Electronic Retailers Association) June 23-28, 2001. Dacri will be performing and showing highlights from his new infomercial, "Steve Dacri's Magic Secrets from Around the World", which was recently shot in Universal Studios Orlando, Florida. Produced by Reliant Interactive Media, the show is hosted by Home Shopping TV guru Mel Arthur. It features Dacri performing and teaching magic tricks to ordinary people. "There is absolutely nothing revealed on the television show, only performances of some of the 45 tricks that are included in the product videos", says Dacri, whose 30-plus year magic career has taken him around the world many times, with headline performances in Las Vegas, London and New York, among other places. In addition to the footage shot in Orlando, the show was shot in Lisbon, London, Dublin, New York, Las Vegas and Hollywood. Joining Dacri on the show are Guy Bavli, Fernando Keops and Aldo Colombini, all of who have contributed tricks and personal instructions on the product videos. Reliant Interactive says the show will begin airing in most major cities in the US in September, with a few test showings in August. "I am very pleased with this program and the product, which took me several years to create. I have assembled 45 tricks that appear to require long hours of practice, yet they can all be learned in a very short amount of time. It's a perfect way for anyone, young or old, to learn a few great tricks and become involved with our great Art." Dacri has been appearing on television and in major show rooms for over 30 years, and has been one of the regular performers at Caesars Magical Empire, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas since it opened six years ago. For further information, contact Tim Harrington, President of Reliant Interactive Media (813) 282-1717 or email tim@rimc.com. To contact Steve Dacri, Email steve@magicwebchannel.com. ---------------------------------- 6. The Laugh-Meter ---------------------------------- Message from Peter Marucci (Canada) Effect: In the course of his routine, the magician tells a joke (or does a humorous trick) and the audience laughs. The magi immediately whips out a Laugh-Meter from his pocket and bounces a ball in front of it to see how high the ball will bounce and, thus, how funny the joke was. This is repeated a couple of times during the act. Finally, the magus comes up with a gag that falls flat (on purpose -- we hope) and again whips out the Laugh-Meter. However, this time when he bounces the ball, the ball simply hits the floor and lies there -- as dead as the joke the magi just told. Working and Presentation: You'll need a set of bounce/no-bounce balls, available from most joke shops and magic dealers and who-knows-where-else. You'll also need a Laugh-Meter. This is just a strip of cardboard about two feet long and four inches wide, hinged in the middle to make two one-foot sections. (This way it folds up and fits in my jacket pocket without being too awkward.) From top to bottom on one side, I have letters spelling out LAUGH-METER; on the opposite side, there are gradation marks, like a thermometer -- supposedly to indicate the level of humor in the joke. The Laugh-Meter is in the left jacket pocket, the balls are in the right. (See Second Thoughts below for a different handling.) Proceed as above and I think you'll be amazed at the audience reaction. Second Thoughts: If you really want to carry this to its illogical extreme, have a BIG Laugh-Meter made up, that stands on stage with you all during the show. Naturally, for stage work, the little, dark balls won't be very visible. Not to worry! Did you think I'd take you this far, only to abandon you? Toy shops carry a range of balls, about tennis-ball size, that are very squishy. When you try to bounce them off the floor, they "die" when they hit, and just lie there. These are made up to look like big golf balls, small baseballs, and normal tennis balls, and come in a range of colors -- including a bright yellow that looks just like some tennis balls. Are you ahead of me yet? Get one of the squishy balls and a matching real (and very bouncy) tennis ball for your stage-sized Laugh-Meter and you've got a sight gag visible from the back of the biggest theatre you'll ever have to play. ---------------------------------- 7. Lecture Notes and Magic Effects ---------------------------------- Message from Peter Marucci (Canada) Lecture Notes and Magic Effects by award-winning magicomedian and Linking Ring columnist Peter Marucci SPECIAL: Real-Life Table Hopping: Everything you ever wanted to know about performing magic at tableside in restaurants and bars, from magicomedian Peter Marucci, who has been performing at tables and across the bar for more than 10 years. From how to get the job to how to approach tables to the act itself, this is everything you need to know to get into this lucrative field. All that - plus seven tricks that make up a working table act; tricks that have been proven in real-life situations hundreds of times. This is 20 pages of the most useful information you're likely to get. Only $10.00 NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! Wild West Wonders: The latest by magicomedian Peter Marucci! Eight fully scripted routines, each on a theme from the American frontier. What was Doc Holliday's Dilemma? Who's the guilty one in The Wild Bunch? What's the truth about Wild Bill Hickock? Seventeen pages of magic that you CAN do, each routine an audience-grabber. This is new - and this is good! $8.00 Bizarre Magic: Meet the OTHER side of funnyman Peter Marucci as he takes you on a tour of the occult world with seven fully scripted routines of bizarre magic. This will take your magic to a new, emotional level. (Includes routines - but not props - for Finger of Fate and Message from the Titanic; see tricks on other side) $8.00 "If you are looking for ideas on how to use some old (tried and true) simple tricks to weave a spooky story BUY THESE NOTES." - Larry White, magic editor, M-U-M magazine. "These notes are recommended." - Fred Rosenbaum, review, The Linking Ring. Bar Magic: Fourteen pages including how to get started in the lucrative field, what to do and how to do it. Routines that have been proven across the bar thousands of times. $6.00 "Six tested effects along with pithy and 'right on' advice. Well worth the money." - Phil Willmarth, Linking Ring review. Peter's Patter: Nineteen pages with eight comedy-filled routines, including Marucci's famous Snake Basket on a Budget. Plus how to write your own comedy routines. $6.00 "Some favorites from (Marucci's) popular Showtime column (in the Linking Ring). Highly recommended." - Phil Willmarth, Linking Ring review. Funny Business: Seven laugh-filled original routines, 12 pages; an audience-tested act in itself. All with that special Marucci touch. $6.00 "Typical, easy-to-do Marucci tricks and fun presentations." - Phil Willmarth, Linking Ring review. Bits O' Biz: More than 100 gags, routines, and bits of business for almost any occasion. Designed for magicians but ideal for emcees, clowns, comics and anyone who enjoys a laugh. $6.00 Magic Effects: Mirror Monte: Forget every other monte routine you've got; this will probably be your favorite! Show three cards front and back - two jokers and a face card. First the cards become all face cards, then all jokers, then a joker, a face card, and - A MIRROR! (Proving that the trick was done with mirrors!) Only three cards. No sleights, no "funny" counts, no rough and smooth, instant reset, and plays BIG! Perfect for bar magicians and table hoppers. $10.00 Houdini Speaks: Six jumbo cards are shown, the spectator has a free choice - and can even change her mind three times -- and the Houdini prediction scroll - that was in her hands before the trick began - is proven100 per cent accurate. (A stage version of Finger of Fate, below) $10.00 Finger of Fate: A close-up, bizarre version of Houdini Speaks, above. You predict which one of six cards the spectator will choose. The prediction is in the spectator's hands- held by a gnarled, "witch" finger - before the trick begins. $6.00 Cocktails For One: Ten cards are shown, with a different drink on each one. The spectator picks one drink - an absolutely free choice - and you immediately tell her which drink she selected. No sleights, it's all in the presentation! $6.00 Message From The Titanic: A spectator freely deals a number of cards from a deck and turns over three of them. The numbers on the cards match those on a ship's cabin key that has been isolated under a drinking glass before the cards were even taken out of the case. A mind-blower with a great story to go accompany it. Use your own cards. $6.00 With A Grain Of Salt: You show three packets of salt, the kind you get in fast-food restaurants; put two in your hand and one in your pocket - and magically show three in your hand! Repeat this, to a pile of gags, ending with a real "punch" line. If you think you can't be funny, this will change your mind. $6.00 A Touch of Tarot: A spectator merely THINKS of a number between 1 and 60 and, with the help of the Tarot cards supplied, the magus reveals the number - and tells the spectator's fortune. $6.00 Psychic Darts: A spectator throws an "invisible" dart at a dartboard and hits a freely chosen number (and it is truly a free choice). When the board is turned around, the symbol matching the freely chosen number is the same as the one predicted before the trick began! Complete with special dartboard. $10.00 All prices are in U.S. dollars. All items are shipped post-paid, the same day. Please make cheques or money orders payable to Peter Marucci. Send to: Peter Marucci 270 St. Andrew St. East Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 1R1 For more information, e-mail: showtimecol@aol.com ---------------------------------- 8. Videos on Bending Metal ---------------------------------- Message from Garry MacFarlane (Aust) Can any one help me! I need to know names of good books or videos on Bending Metal eg: spoons , forks and nails. Plus can you name any new and good props to use?. I have one book and video by Guy Bavli but they are not to impressive. Maybe your readers can help. ---------------------------------- 9. The Orchante Saga #36 ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) A 'Perfect Storm' is brewing in Paradise In 1969 I went through a terrifying ordeal that still affects me emotionally today! I was a little apprehensive writing this episode of my life, because I'm having to reach into the depths of my soul - some may find it difficult read - in 'Kiwi culture' as in many others I guess, it is not the 'done thing' for a man to bare his soul, or show too much emotion. Doing so somehow means that you are, less than a man! What bullshit!!! In situations of extreme danger, while some people panic, others become strangely calm, accepting what appears to be, at that time, FINALITY - a terrifying incident which caused such mind-numbing fear, and had such an impact on a young man's life, that years later, it would at times, reduce that same man to unashamed tears. I had better commence at the beginning - usually a good place to start. ('God, he's getting worse') I'm amazed how I have managed to keep 'things' together, considering how much I/we've travelled and put down what goes for 'grass roots' in this business. From Auckland to Wanganui, to Wellington, to Timaru, to Whakatane, then in 1976 emigrated to Fiji, then Sydney Australia, up to Brisbane (near the Gold Coast), then, departed in 1985, to the other side of the world, Edinburgh, Scotland, bought a 35foot Chevvy Cobra, American Motor Home, lived in that for 2 years - it had everything - 240 volt generator, full size fridge/freezer, full size stove/oven, central heating, air-conditioning, separate bathroom with bath, shower, hand-basin, flushing toilet - you name it, it had it. Absolute luxury - I loved it! DRAWBACK - 12 miles to the gallon - cost of petrol for one year, NZ$30,000. BIG OUCH! Got rid of that, and bought a house and now, here we are, in Doncaster, England - still - a total 16 years in the United Kingdom - about time we went home - I've had it itchy feet for some years now. From the depths of my bottomless aluminium trunk, I dredged up a letter dated - le 12 Novembre1969, from Hubert Wayliff, Societe Polynesinne d' Organisation Theatrale (they speak French in Tahiti). In brief it states; "I confirm you our phone conversation and the deal we made" (I just love the way they write) "We hire your talent for maximum 8 or 10 shows before Christmas. You leaving Auckland on Thursday 11th December by UTA Flight 2345 Auckland time, arrive Papeete Tahiti 6.30 am local time" - (6.30 am - bloody hell, in those days I was just getting to bed - entertainers hours - not so bad these days, around 3 - 4 am - old habits die hard) "We pay all expenses, Hotel food, no Drink!". Damn! - well, you can't have everything. My accommodation was in the latest, newly opened, luxurious Maeva Beach Hotel. Glad I wasn't paying for it - the prices were exorbitant, even by Tahitian standards, which isn't exactly the cheapest place on the planet to stay. Now, a temporary, but necessary, change of course. I was one of those 'nutters' who, when it came to 'exotic' sound systems, went - ever so slightly - overboard! (Excuse the pun). The money I spent on the latest hi-fi Stereo equipment over the years, is unprintable - buying just the latest needle/cartridge for my Turntable cost more than most would spend on an entire sound system - it's a wonder Veronica isn't bald. Fortunately, I'm out of that particular madness. Now, I've gone crazy with 'Home Cinema' - large, widescreen Television, and not one, but two surround sound systems - I don't go to the cinema/pictures any more, the cinema comes to me - the next step is to install an 'IMAX' system into the lounge room. (I am kidding). The gutwrenching bass that emanates from my sound system is so powerful that I've had to have the house foundations strengthened, and put a notice up with the warning 'beware of falling house tiles'. (I'm just kidding - again - but it is pretty powerful). The point I'm making is - when I'm watching Blockbuster movies/films, such as 'Titanic' or 'The Perfect Storm' etc., I'm there - it's real! I have a powerful imagination (developed through self-hypnosis). It is, right now, evoking such an intensive image of that incident which happened so long ago, tears of emotion are welling up in my eyes, even as I write this. I just hope I can find the words that will convey to you the full import of 12 hours of terror. Over the years, I have on occasion, narrated the story to friends, (Murray Hobson and his wife Margaret, being the last - I choked up, telling them the story - thank God there were only the four of us in the bar) but the full import of what happened, back in November 1969, really came home to me about 2 months ago, while I was watching a video of the film 'The Perfect Storm'. Those of you who have seen this movie/film will more fully comprehend the full impact of what happened - not just to me, but also, three others. There is a particular scene in 'The Perfect Storm, which hit me like a ton of bricks. My true-life 'adventure' rushed back - I went icy cold, and started sobbing my heart out. It came from nowhere - I was living in real time - or so it seemed (big screen, surround sound). The full, terrifying ordeal - I could even 'smell' the salty sea air. Continues next episode - Hungry Sharks and Raging Seas.!!! ------------------------------------- 10. Diarise these events ------------------------------------- Joshua Jay (US) NZ Lectures: Auckland Friday 10th August 2001 Christchurch Monday 13th August 2001 The 26th NZ Magician's Convention Auckland Friday 28th to Monday 31st December 2001. The registration form and information is now available on the web go to: www.magician.co.nz/convention1.html ------------------------------------- 11. MagicNZ e-zine archives ------------------------------------- Back issues of the MagicNZ e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain access. User Name: ezine Password: newzealand When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are coded. Eg 001nov0699.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (nov06) and the last next two numbers the year (99) If you want to print copies of MagicNZ e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine-archive ------------------------------------- 12. Subscription Management ------------------------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. To subscribe or unsubscribe from the MagicNZ e-zine: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html MagicNZ e-zine is published weekly, on Sunday. The opinions expressed in this e-zine are those of the individual contributors. Neither MagicNZ or Alan Watson can vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via MagicNZ e-zine. We reserve the right to correct any errors or omissions as we see fit. >> This publication may be freely redistributed to other magicians if copied in its ENTIRETY << © Copyright 2001 Alan Watson