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BLANK AND BLUE
This is a card trick I just developed, and I hope it interests you.
Let me show you the effect...
THIS DAY IN DARKNESS
A fascinating daily video series by magician and sideshow celebrity Todd Robbins, "This Day In Darkness" is a daily chat about notorious doings on this date in history.
Sometimes eyeopening, sometimes shocking, sometimes hilarious, each episode grabs your attention and makes you want to learn more.
So take a walk with Todd...
LANE GUTZ
Our customer and friend, the very talented Lane Gutz performs a quick and surprising SEE THRU version of SNAP CHANGE!
VINTAGE MAGIC CATALOGS
Before the Internet, there were the catalogs!
Here are my recollections of ordering from the giants of the mail order magic world...
My workday is never done!
Here is a clip of a recent project- building a new paddock area for our goats.
Yes, it was hard work, but Dirk and I love to play with the toys!
PYRAMID MADE FROM A $1 BILL
Great eyecatching item to include in any "mystic" routine.
The tutorial done by JEREMY SHAFER ORIGAMI on YouTube is very easy.
Give it a try...
YESTERDAY is one of the most recorded songs in popular music.
It is certainly one of my favorites to play...
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CONTROL YOURSELF
This is actually going to be a SERIES of Instant Downloads teaching specific card skills.
Let me show you a sample, and then please give me your ideas for skills that you would like me to teach you.
SHOW ORDER
Some tips on choosing the order of routines for your show, as well as selecting the best time slot for your show during the day's events...
THE MATCHBOX
Playing around with a vintage piece of English magic from my collection, called The Matchbox...
JOHNSON SMITH CATALOGS
The Wish Books of my youth!
Here are my recollections of ordering from Johnson Smith...
ROBERT HARBIN
Watch Robert Harbin perform his most famous magical invention, the ZIG ZAG GIRL...
SKULL MADE FROM A $1 BILL
This skull is crazy- it has eyes made from the "1"s on the dollar!
The tutorial done by KEVIN'S DOLLAR ORIGAMI on YouTube is very easy.
Give it a try...
HAPPY TOGETHER
The best-selling 1967 hit for The Turtles, "Happy Together" was written by Garry Bonner and Alan Gordon, former members of the Magicians, a NYC garage band.
My friend and musical director Nick occasionally jams with me, piano to piano...
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JUMPING JOKER
Let me show you one of my favorite original card effects...
ZIG ZAG GIRL
A VERY brief film clip sent to me by a friend who saw one of my stage shows in 1998...
RESPECTING OTHER MAGICIANS
Please remember to follow the Golden Rule when you watch another magician's show...
RING MADE FROM A $1 BILL
Everyone loves the Money Ring!
This excellent video tutorial by Rob's World teaches you exactly how to make this popular novelty out of an ordinary dollar bill.
Give it a try...
MAGIC 8 BALL
Though we know it as a fun novelty toy, the Magic 8 Ball got its start as an authentic spiritualist tool.
It is a fascinating story...
DAVE AND DUSTY VISIT THE MAGIC SHOP
This 1946 film short is from the files of British Pathe.
Dave and his puppy pal Dusty explore the mysteries of a magic shop.
Watch as the little boy's curiosity gets the best of him...
HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE
"How Deep Is Your Love" is a pop ballad written and recorded by the Bee Gees in 1977>
It's most remembered as part of the soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever.
In my opinion, Barry Gibb is one of the most talented songwriters who ever lived.
His compositions, like this one, are challenging to play, which makes it all the more enjoyable for me...
CARD DUCK
This one is always a crowd pleaser!
Especially when you choose a terrific volunteer...
POPUP RABBIT IN HAT MADE FROM A $1 BILL
Origami is a lot of fun, especially when you can do it with money!
This excellent video tutorial by Jeremy Shafer teaches you exactly how to make his realistic rabbit design out of an ordinary dollar bill.
Give it a try...
WARMING UP
Giving yourself a mental and physical warmup before your shows is as important as all of your rehearsal and practice.
Here's how I do it...
ORSON WELLES
The most revered actor was also an accomplished magician.
Enjoy this rare film clip of Welles performing his magic on The Merv Griffin Show...
MAGIC FRUIT CRATE LABELS
I get a lot of questions about how I decorate my back library, where I have been filming the demo videos.
A quick, easy to find and inexpensive choice is to use fruit crate labels.
Here are some colorful examples from my collection...
SEVEN SINGALONG FAVORITES
In my younger days, I used to hire myself out as a piano player, mainly to Elks and Moose lodges for their Friday night social gatherings.
I got a lot of work because I knew their favorites, the older songs that would get everyone in the place singing and clinking their glasses.
Whenever I had to audition for a different club, I would play this medley- and I'd get the gig every time...
TRIBUTE TO GEORGE
This week we lost a member of the MagicTricks.com family.
George has crossed the Rainbow Bridge...
ORGANIZING YOUR CLOSEUP CASES
You asked: "How do you organize for your closeup shows?"
Here's how I do it...
STEVE THE MAGIC GUY
"Steve the Magic Guy" is the stage name used by our friend and colleague Steve Pittella (aka Sideshow Steve), when he performs his kids shows.
He is a master children's entertainer...
PHRENOLOGY
Phrenology is a quirky pseudoscientific idea that personality traits can be "read" by feeling the shape of the bumps on the head.
A replica of that head is in my collection...
GEORGES MELIES
"The Vanishing Lady" is an 1896 French short silent film directed by filmmaker and magician Georges Méliès.
Based on the stage act of the famous Buatier de Kolta, the film is one of the first uses of movie special effects...
IMPROMPTU BITE OUT QUARTER
Always carry some quick closeup tricks in your pocket!
Here I am entertaining people on the street in Lexington VA...
YOUR MOMMA DON'T DANCE
And your daddy may not rock and roll, but Nick Andre and I got rockin' when we played this little duet during a break in our show rehearsal back in 2014...
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MIND FORCE KEY
Let me show you a fantastic closeup illusion, in the right hands...
RETIRING A TRICK
You asked: "Do you ever retire a trick from your show?"
Here's my answer...
ANTIQUE HANDCUFFS
After last week's post about the handcuffs used by Tony Curtis in the 1953 Houdini movie, I got several emails asking to see more antique handcuffs from my collection.
Here are a few of the hundreds of cuffs I have collected over the years...
BEING THE MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Performing as Master of Ceremonies means having a number of quick routines that will keep the audience enthusiastic and entertained between all the acts.
Quick and visual tricks like the Chameleon Silks are perfect, especially when you add a kicker like I did with the streamer at the end....
SLYDINI
He was a master of closeup artistry, mentoring and inspiring many of the great names in modern magic.
Not only was he an incredible manipulator, he was also a master entertainer.
My favorite routine is his classic BALLS OVER THE HEAD comedy classic...
BOB CARROLL
Our longtime friend, Bob always creates clever routines for his magic, especially classics like this Svengali Deck!
LOVE'S THEME
Written by the legendary Barry White, recorded by White's The Love Unlimited Orchestra, released in 1973 as a single- and another favorite of mine!
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CARD BOX PREDICTION
Let me show you a great INSTANT DOWNLOAD...
USING A FINGERTIP AS A DYE TUBE
You asked: "What can I use a false fingertip for?"
Here's an idea...
BOB CARROLL
Our longtime friend, the hilarious Bob Carroll performs a clever and surprising comedy magic routine- with a shoe!
JERSEY POLKA RICHIE
From time to time, I've performed in big shows with various other artists and performers.
The most memorable shows were the ones where I think I might have had a better time than the audience...
ALLAN CROSSAN
Our customer and friend, the very inventive Allan Crossan performs a unique and surprising version of FIND THE QUEEN!
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OCT-ICAL ILLUSION
Let me show you a very clever way to reveal a selected card...
CUSTOM FIT YOUR THUMB TIP
You asked: "Is there a way to make my thumb tip fit my thumb better?
Why, yes there is! Take a look...
ALLAN CROSSAN
Our customer and friend, the talented Michael Medvigy performs a jawdropping version of the CENTER DEAL!
ENTERTAINING THE QUEEN
Wherever I go I am always ready to entertain.
Strolling through the Lake Anna Renaissance Faire, I met the Queen of the Faire.
It was the perfect opportunity to entertain the entertainers...
ALLAN CROSSAN
Our customer and friend, the very clever Allan Crossan performs an entertaining version of ANOTHER HAT TRICK!
BLACKBIRD
"Blackbird" was written by Paul McCartney in 1968, and released on their legendary "White Album".
It is among the top ten most recorded songs of all time.
And here is another recording by me!
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THIS ONE?
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COINFOUNDING BOX
Let me show you a piece of closeup equipment that's quickly become one of my personal favorites...
CHANGING GEARS
You've spent loads of time writing and rehearsing the perfect show- and then IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR PERFORMANCE something throws a monkey wrench into the works!
>This does not have to spell disaster for you, if you are prepared for the unexpected...
Alexanderia the Great, Escape Artist
Alexanderia and I teamed up for a show called HOUDINI NOW in 2014.
Here are two clips from this show...
REHEARSING FOR THE UNDERWATER ESCAPE
It was late October, and Alexanderia needed a place to rehearse her underwater breathing control on the day before performing in our Houdini Now show.
But where to find a rehearsal spot, especially one where the media could come and watch?
DIRK'S POOL!
Our customer and friend, the clever Trey Paterson performs a stage version of the CHOP CUP!
What better way to show how big a giant is than to demonstrate how big his finger is in comparison to yours!
Let me show you some vintage giant's rings from my collection...
Our customer and friend, the very funny Bob Hargrave performs a lively holiday routine with the TRICK BOTTLES!
TORNA A SORRIENTO
An Italian classic! Here's the story about playing the song for Enzo, the Catskills club owner who was also Elvis' Number One Fan...
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STRUNG OUT
Let me show you a trick that's been around for over 100 years...
CARNIVAL OF WONDERS SIDESHOW
Here is the FULL one-hour production of the Carnival Of Wonders, performed in the intimate Gateway Theater in 2013.
The show was scaled down to fit the venue, but actually it is my favorite performance of this show...
BACKSTAGE before the CARNIVAL OF WONDERS SHOW!
Sideshow Steve gives Electra and me some important and much needed last minute tips on performance day.
Bloopers happen!
Yes, we DID have a big fire extinguisher ready!
LEMONS INTO LEMONADE!
It happens to all of us.
The performing situation is not ideal, or the spectator is not cooperating.
Time to think on your feet! And just maybe it will turn out better than you could imagine...
Our friend, the legendary ROCCO, performs his jawdropping manipulation act in this clip from a 2017 performance in Macau!
Broadly speaking, magic as a hobby embraces more than just the usual magic tricks and props.
Magicians are also fascinated by unusual and sometimes bizarre gimmicks, games and- stuff!
Let me show you some vintage novelty items from my collection...
Our customer and friend, the very entertaining Allan Crossan performs a great version of the PRINCESS CARD TRICK!
KANSAS CITY
"Kansas City" is a popular song composed in 1952 recorded over 300 times by many of the giants in the popular music world.
And it's probably my favorite song to play!
Our customer and friend, the talented Scott Orlando performs a clever routine called ELEVATOR CARDS!
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DICE GAME FLIP BOOK
This is a quick, colorful and portable trick that's simple to do, even while social distancing!
Let me show you a trick will seem to come to life in your hands...
FINGERTIPS TIPS!
Ever wonder why you are struggling when you are trying to learn a new card or coin move?
Maybe it's not you....
Our customer and friend, the very entertaining Allan Crossan performs a sly effect he calls THE INVISIBLE COIN!
This is what happens when you let your collection get out of hand.. or go to your head.. or something...
Our customer and friend, the very clever Kyle Brueggemann performs a unique mouth coil routine called THE PAPER CAPER!
Our customer and friend, the talented Scott Orlando performs a great routine called RESET WITH A HOOK!
STARDUST
"Stardust" is a popular song composed in 1927 by Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics added by Mitchell Parish in 1929.
It is one of the most recorded songs of the 20th century, with over 1,500 recordings.
And it's a lot of fun to play!
INSTANT DOWNLOADS!
Amazing, inexpensive and EXCLUSIVE effects you can learn immediately after purchase- no waiting!
Save time, save money, and let Peter Monticup teach you some terrific tricks you can't learn elsewhere...
IT'S WORTH NOTING!
Taking notes soon after your performances is an invaluable habit that is sure to improve your shows...
The 2011 Magic Day at Sideshow Steve's restaurant, the Boardwalk Cafe.
The audience sure enjoyed seeing Steve's fire eating act so close up...
The Ball Vase is one of those legendary magic effects that has been around forever.
Many vases were finely turned from exotic wood, and seem to only get more beautiful with age.
Here are a few vintage and antique pieces from my magic collection...
One of our first online customers back in the day, and now our very good longtime friend, Randy Forgaard performas a terrific SOCIALLY DISTANCED CARD ROUTINE!
A magician for over sixty years, Kazar creates most of his own effects and also builds props for other magicians.
Watch Kazar's really unique BALLOON STAB routine!
60s FLASHBACK MEDLEY
Oldies but goodie!
I really enjoy the vintage tunes, especially from this time period.
Go ahead- sing along!
Our customer and friend, the talented Scott Orlando performs a great CRAZY CARDS routine!
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This is a silly production item- but we think it has some potential.
Do you have some ideas to share on how you would use this hammer in a routine?
SAY IT AGAIN, SAM!
Make sure your audience can hear both sides of the conversation, so they will stay with you...
