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darylrogers Regular user Wisconsin 130 Posts |
I work in the public library in the city of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Every year the city hosts a street festival called Fondue Fest. Last year I volunteered to perform magic for a couple of hours outside the library. The tricks I chose were mostly parlor tricks that could be performed close up.
I performed for the library at this festival again this year. I decided I wanted to use nothing but close-up tricks this time. I have lists of all my tricks and I was using the close-up list to sort through everything and decide what I wanted to bring. I have been playing around with the Haunted Key for a while and thought I would try that out in public for the first time. Among the other tricks I wanted to use was my Glorpy, because that always gets a good reaction out of people. I was trying to decide what I could do with the Glorpy other than the standard “make a little ghost appear.” As I was looking at my list, which is in alphabetical order, and noticed that Glorpy was followed on the list by Haunted Key. I thought to myself “Wow, that will make a great combination of effects!” It just so happens that there is a haunted hotel in Fond du Lac, The Ramada Plaza Hotel, which used to be called the Retlaw. Retlaw is the first name of the original owner, Walter, spelled backwards. I used this information for my routine. I started out with a ring with three skeleton keys on it, one of which works well for the haunted key. I asked people if they knew about the haunted hotel in town. I said, “I was staying there recently and I saw they were throwing away of this ring of old keys. I asked if I could have them and they gave them to me.” I said that I was messing with the other keys to see if I could get some psychic vibe off them, but nothing happened. Then I took the last key and started thinking about Walter, the man who originally owned hotel. As I was talking I was taking the key off the ring and placing it in my palm. I began saying the name over and over, then let the key slowly turn in my hand. Then I said, “When I show people this they think I have thread on the key or something, so I will put the key into this handkerchief to isolate it.” I would point to a spectator and say, “Now you say the name Walter.” When they say the name the Glorpy moves a little. I tell them to say the name louder, and when they do the Glorpy jumps. This really freaked out a few people. I finished by opening the Glorpy, picking up the key and putting it back on the ring, saying, “And that is why I don’t stay at the Ramada anymore.” I am always looking for ways to combine tricks into effective routines. I was very pleased with the way these two effects went together, and with the reactions I was getting from the spectators. |
hocuspocusjay23 Regular user 170 Posts |
I just read your routine, and I think that is a great combination. It's amazing to me how the simplest tricks with some great presentation, makes some wonderful magic. Good Job
Dinky Gowen |
darylrogers Regular user Wisconsin 130 Posts |
Thanks! That's very nice of you.
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motown Inner circle Atlanta by way of Detroit 6127 Posts |
Nice idea. Great combination.
"If you ever write anything about me after I'm gone, I will come back and haunt you."
– Karl Germain |
jimgerrish Inner circle East Orange, NJ 3209 Posts |
You might want to add a photograph of "Walter" mounted in a desk frame and set it on the table before you do Glorpy. When people begin to say the name, the frame topples over by itself. Jolyon Jenkins has a "do-it-yourself" radio controlled desk frame that topples on command. He also has a hanging wall frame that does the same, dropping off a wall. It's on his Magi-tronics page on The Magic Nook, along with a candle that lights itself and a spirit bell. More grist for your mill. Of course, there are non electronic ways of accomplishing the same things, but they take a bit more set up in terms of lighting conditions, etc.
While you are checking them out, you might want to check out Spellbinder's "Hank, the Ghost Hank" from The Wizards Journal #16 for more fun with a handkerchief gimmicked in the Glorpy way. Also see Qua-Fiki-s "Babushka of Baba Yaga" for how he performs an entire Sefalaljia routine around his hanky...er, babushka. That one is in The Wizards's Journal #21.
Jim Gerrish
magicnook@yahoo.com https://www.magicnook.com Home of The Wizards' Journals: https://magicnook.com/wizardsTOC.htm |
motown Inner circle Atlanta by way of Detroit 6127 Posts |
Eugene Burger and JC Wagner also have good ideas using Glorpy.
"If you ever write anything about me after I'm gone, I will come back and haunt you."
– Karl Germain |
Motley Mage Special user 572 Posts |
Ho Daryl--
I am doing a walk-around for the local hospital next month, and I have been looking for a fun way to work in the Spirit Key. My Haunted Hank is in mild disrepair, but I'm fixin' it up so I can steal your bit! (I'll work up my own version of the story to fit local lore, but the combo of effect is lovely. Thanks for sharing!) |
ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
I like the photo idea.
I bought a standing frame at Wal-Mart a while back, but the hinge was stuck and the stand wouldn't open far enough for it to be stable. It would sit there for a few seconds before the stand closed up and made the frame topple over. I returned it for one that worked, but I sort of wish I had kept it, because it would be perfect for a "haunted" routine.
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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darylrogers Regular user Wisconsin 130 Posts |
Motley, please do use it, and I hope you have fun with it!
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DaveGripenwaldt Elite user 487 Posts |
What if you used glorpy to build to the visual climax of having them see the ghosdtly movement of the key instead of the other way around?
Maybe you could show the keyring and keys without letting them see exactly how may key there are. Tell people one of them is haunted and it is easy to tell which one. Put the ring of keys under the glorpy hank as well as sneaking in the haunted key. Glorp does it’s thing and you show one key – the haunted key – has detached itself from the ring (that’s what was supposedly causing the glorpy movement). Then ask if they want to see the ghosts at work. Then do Haunted key as per usual. |
aviso New user 39 Posts |
Great thread Daryl. I've been using a homemade variation of (Bill Abbott's) 'The Thing' in combination with the haunted key for a while now. 'The Thing' on my construction has a magnet embedded allowing you to physically remove the key from the surface ....
You guys might be interested in my latest book 'Key Mysteries' of which Luca Volpe has posted a thread here : http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......orum=218 |
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