Before I developed an allergy to rabbits, I had a wonderful blue-eyed white Netherlands dwarf rabbit, who weighed just over 1 kg. I produced him from a hat using the following method.

I had an Owen mirror box -- the kind with a dropping gaffus -- that served as both carrier and actual production device. I had a piece of doweling that I stuck between the bars, which went under the gaffus, so that just before the production, I could lift the gaffus into position. This was upstage, with the bars facing away from the audience.

When I got ready to produce the rabbit, I would explain that I was going to cause a wild beast to appear. I picked up the cage, engaging the gaff at the same time, and placed it on the table. The rabbit was invisible at this point, even close-up.

I took off my top hat and waved a wand over it. Then I produced a white handkerchief from it, and said, "Behold, THE WILD RABBIT!" and formed a rabbit by weaving the hanky around my hand. I said, "not impressed, eh? Watch this!" I dropped the hanky into the hat, waved my wand over it, and picked up the hat by gripping the brim and the sweatband at one side. This gave me the opportunity to grab the hanky. I apparently poured the contents of the hat into the box, lifting the top of the box at the same time.

It looked for all the world as if the rabbit had fallen out of the hat into the box. Then I could close the bars so the kiddos could look at him, but not harm him.

I sometimes used the rabbit to make extra money on kid shows. If the parent asked about the rabbit, I would say, "Yes, for an additional $ 50, I will produce a rabbit." After a pause, I would say, "For $25.00 more, I will KEEP the rabbit."

Great thank you kindly.

Produce a rabbit from my hat .... no sorry never



A hair .... many, many times

:magicrabbit:





Everyone one else showed the good taste not to post that but .....

I once pulled a hat out of a rabbit. Not much fun for me or the audience, and the rabbit didn't enjoy it one bit, either.

I have pulled an egg out of a chick.

Bob Solari has a walk-around version of this effect, using a small chopped top hat, a mini-bunny and small white fuzzy balls that look like cotton-tails. It's a fun routine. I added the production of a small rubber duck, in the second-to last phase, which I give away (you can buy the mini-ducks by the bagful as party favors at Party City).

I'd like to try a real rabbit production, but don't know about taking on the responsibility of taking care of the animal.

Anyone used this new top hat for livestock productions? http://www.stevensmagic.com/index.php?ma......d=112247

Emotionally and cognitively ... oh yes

As far as livestock - again it's really a matter of what do do right after. Using a live animal in the same way a prop comic using equipment seems less than appropriate or respectful to me.

They did not have video tape when I was doing kid shows. (T.G.)

There is a dog toy available shaped like a top hat with three rabbits inside that your puppy can pull out.

I'd love to, but the inherent problems of working with livestock have thus far prohibited me from doing so.

I see no real point in producing a stuffed animal unless you are under 12 years of age...

I learned from my friend Tom in Michigan the opposit trick. I pull a hat out of the rabbit, and it gets great laughs especially among magicians.

I start with a rabbit puppet dangeling out of my real top hat. I announce that I am going to surprise the audience with my next trick, I pull the dangeling rabbit out, then I reach up his butt, pull out a crushable dress hat, put it on, and take a bow.

No, I never have pulled a rabbit out of a hat.

I read the method in Tarbell long ago and immediately thought that if I ever did that, I would pull out a stuffed bunny and possibly give it away. It might not be quite as magical as a real live animal, but I wouldn't have to feed it.