|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
marty.sasaki Inner circle 1117 Posts |
I'm relatively new to magic, seriously now for just 3 years. I've gotten to be friends with General Grant but never got a chance to see him perform. There are a few clips on YouTube, but I knew there was more to his act. He would occasionally just say something, you want to see something, and then just blow you away. I would be playing around with something, sponge balls, coins, etc. and he would ask me for them and just do something, smile and walk away.
So I was thrilled when I was invited to attend the New England Magic Collector's Association "picnic" with a show featuring Charlie Cambra, The Boudreax Brothers (local teenagers), and General Grant. The light was a little low for him (his vision isn't as good as it used to be) so he struggled a bit at times, but the show was great. He used 8 doves, all colored, including two double dove productions. The doubles matched in color (naturally) and were produced from similarly colored silks. His dove to silk was flawless. At one time he fumbled during his silk fountain production (he couldn't find the loop due to the light), but it was beautiful and non-magicians didn't see a thing. He finishes with the production of the "big bird", I don't know the kind, but this is a BIG bird. I'm sure he did the steal at one point, it's the logical point, but I didn't see a thing. Things were pretty spectacular. I'm looking forward to his next performance. I don't do doves, but I found his performance inspiring.
Marty Sasaki
Arlington, Massachusetts, USA Standard disclaimer: I'm just a hobbyist who enjoys occasionally mystifying friends and family, so my opinions should be viewed with this in mind. |
|||||||||
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4850 Posts |
Marty, to say Gen's eye sight isn't as good as it used to be is an understatement. He is almost completely blind. He is also a personal friend of mine and has helped me numberous times in my career. He's been doing the same act for years and I personally never get tired of watching him.
The big bird he uses at the end of the act is called a portugese pigeon. It's also called a runt but he'll tell you it's a pigeon. this is the second one he's used in his act. Being that he is almost blind and has been doing the act for so many years, I don't think the light had any effect on his steals but as you say, he's so good, no layman would ever see a problem.
Where the magic begins
|
|||||||||
Alexo Regular user Long Island, NY 112 Posts |
Dear Dave
Thanks to you I began purchasing items from him. I received the triple tier pockets and I gotta say they are the best I've ever seen. Since it's all in proper placement there's no guess work for overlapping unlike the single pockets. Not only that but per pocket the price is unbeatable. I recently sent away for a harness and a custom zombie gimmick which I know are going to be great. Thanks Dave for getting me in contact with the General. peace |
|||||||||
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4850 Posts |
I'll be sure to tell Gen he owes me a commission Seriouslly, I'm sure you'll like the Zombie gimmick. It takes a lot of the guess work out making the effect work.
Where the magic begins
|
|||||||||
Alexo Regular user Long Island, NY 112 Posts |
I actually didn't know what to put on the money order since I didn't know his real name is General Grant. I thought it was a stage name
|
|||||||||
marty.sasaki Inner circle 1117 Posts |
Gen''s eyesight comes and goes. He gets periodic treatments where his eyesight is great for a while and then it deteriorates. When his eyesight is good he goes to his workshop and builds his accumated orders and continues with his experimentation.
I talked with him with his show and he complained about the lighting. He has mounted littlt LED lights in the case which help during the show. Still a lot of life and magic left...
Marty Sasaki
Arlington, Massachusetts, USA Standard disclaimer: I'm just a hobbyist who enjoys occasionally mystifying friends and family, so my opinions should be viewed with this in mind. |
|||||||||
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4850 Posts |
General Grant is the name to use.
Where the magic begins
|
|||||||||
Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
It is his real name! It is not a stage name at all but rather the name on his birth certificate. OK, it is his first and middle name but banks cash checks and money orders made simply made out to General Grant. His family name is very, very, very similar to mine!
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
|
|||||||||
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
I really like General Grant's props. His DVD says it all.
|
|||||||||
magic mike New user Michael M. 88 Posts |
Hi Alexo,
I read above that you ordered a Zombie gimmick from Gen.Grant. I assume you know that the gimmick comes in various sizes and are available for right or left handed people, so you must specify. It helps a lot if the gimmick fits your fingers properly so be sure that it does, if not, you can always exchange it for one that does. General is very accommodating for his customers, that's why customers are always satisfied with his products and continue to do business with him. Also, let me mention for you or other potential Zombie Ballers, the Zombie ball must be one that Gen. sells since other balls do not fit his gimmick properly. In addition, there are various size balls to choose from, but the gimmick fits all of his Zombies. Best of luck in your endeavors in magic. Regards, Michael John p.s. General Grant is a good friend of mine. I first met him at Holden's Magic Shop in Boston, Ma. when I was twelve years old. That was over fifty years ago.
Channing Pollack is my idea of the perfect magician. For those of you that have not seen him perform, I recommend trying to get hold of a video of an old movie called "European Nights" made about 1959.
I was able to buy this video from Stevens Magic |
|||||||||
Alexo Regular user Long Island, NY 112 Posts |
Well I bought the gimmick for a prototype Zombie ball I'm trying to make. I came up with the idea of making a zombie ball out of the little plastic balls they make for dwarf hamsters and mice. I like the idea of a Floating hamster ball with a live hamster in it. But so far I'm having trouble making the ball. Any suggestions?
|
|||||||||
David Bilan Special user Clarksville, TN 714 Posts |
That's a lot of weight to make look gravity free and a transparent ball is another challenge when it comes to th gimmick.
Are you looking to have the hamster running inside the ball while it floats?
Yes, I am a magician. No I did not make my hare (hair) disappear... it just took early retirement.
|
|||||||||
Alexo Regular user Long Island, NY 112 Posts |
The type of animal would be either a mouse or a chinese dwarf hamster which weigh practically nothing so the weight ends up being about the same as an aluminum ball. Not really interested in having the critter running while floating, it'd be a nice effect though. I gotta find a way to camoflauge the stabilizer, maybe like a plastic shell with a mirror like material around reflecting it. The balls come in clear, yellow, purple, pink, blue, and green. With the animal inside it the connection is hidden pretty well but the problem is stabilizing it. I'm not really good with plastic so I'm trying to figure out how to make it.
|
|||||||||
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4850 Posts |
The weight should not be a problem. Remember Gen's gimmick is made a little differently than the standard gimmick reducing the strain. I use Gen's mirror ball many times for zombie and that is much heavier than a plastic ball with animal inside. I'd be concerned however, that the movement of the animal will through the ball out of balance somewhat. I think it's an idea worth exploring though.
How are you going to make the animal run inside the ball? If you don't have a wheel inside, it won't have anything to run on. The ball can rotate on the gimmick. I think you're going to end up with the animal sitting on the bottom of the ball. If you have to put something inside to hide the gimmick, it will also hide the tiny animal.
Where the magic begins
|
|||||||||
Alexo Regular user Long Island, NY 112 Posts |
I don't think I want the animal spinning on the gimmick. I just need something to stabilize the cork inside the ball. Who could manufacture a plastic shell with a mirror material inside it? the ball isn't clear it's a green color so it would just have to match the color in order to be hidden. Or is there anybody who could possibly make one based on my idea?
|
|||||||||
marty.sasaki Inner circle 1117 Posts |
The one thing about birds is that you can easily get them to flap their wings, they move around and are great to look at. Something like a hamster or a mouse is going to be hard to see beyond a few feet away unless it is moving.
Marty Sasaki
Arlington, Massachusetts, USA Standard disclaimer: I'm just a hobbyist who enjoys occasionally mystifying friends and family, so my opinions should be viewed with this in mind. |
|||||||||
aboycemagic Regular user 153 Posts |
Does anyone know where I can Buy one of his Doves Harnesess.
|
|||||||||
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4850 Posts |
You can only buy Gen's products from him. He does not have a web site but his email address is GGmagic@aol.com
Just email him with what you want and he'll let you know the current price. He's very good about answering emails. You'll get an answer the same day you send your request.
Where the magic begins
|
|||||||||
aboycemagic Regular user 153 Posts |
Thanks, Dave.
|
|||||||||
jlevey Inner circle Montreal, Quebec, Canada 2076 Posts |
General Grant was a real pleasure for me to deal with two years back when I ought his customized zombie gimmick. I spoke to him over the phone several times and he seems to have a rich and lively history.
BTW, I love his customized gimmick! Dave, if you speak to general grant, please remind him that he has a real fan in Montreal (and I don't mean a Break-Away Fan! Jonathan PS: Hope you and your family are well Dave.
Jonathan
Max & Maxine Entertainment Magicians with a touch of comedy! ___________________________________ www.maxmagician.com www.mindreadershow.com www.monsieurmagic.com |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Polly wants a cracker... » » General Grant (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |