Ok, I really didn't know where to put this topic so I figured I'd ask here. I'm looking for the effect where the magician inflates a twisty balloon and swallows it ala sword swallowing. First off, NO I AM NOT DOING THIS FOR KIDS! I would never do something that dumb I'm only going to do this to attract crowds sometimes. I haven't been able to get in touch with my friend who actually HAS this so I'm asking everyone here if they know what the gimmick is called that allows you to do this.

It is not a gimmick. All you have to learn is how to prepare for the effect. I wouldn't perform it on the streets, there will be a kid or two around and parents won't appreciate you doing this in front of their kids. It might be OK at a Bar or at a Disco at nite.

Mago Mai

There is not gimmick (although the balloon is prepared). It is remarkably easy to perform.

A juggler invented the bit ago and used it as part of his street act almost two decades (or longer). Johnny Fox has included the bit in his regular Festival and street act for about 20 years. During a summer at the Maryland Renaissance Fair he is seen by hundreds of kids of all ages. I have never seen one kid try to do the balloon-swallowing bit. Fox is a skilled magician but his main act is that of sword swallowing.

The trick was made popular with magicians by Steve Bidwell and can be found on Bidwell’s tape “No MD Required”.

Be careful with this - I've seen it performed a few times and well, EVERY TIME I've heard some rather crude comments from the audience.

Just another thing to consider...

Dennis

I think that you can anticipate the crude “responses” to almost any trick you do.

With this trick you state, “This next bit is rude, crude, and disgusting, but you’ll watch! Please understand that I am a bit of a health nut and respect my body. I am in no way harming myself.

Also, I don’t have an oral fixation and (pause three beats) I’m straight!”

Believe me this gets a laugh and heads off any rude comments.

Harry, That's thinking ahead! No, really that is a good set-up. Though I've heard a couple I wouldn't have thought of myself.

The best one I heard was some 'drunk' who yelled out to the magician...

"How long were you in prison?"

That got a HUGE laugh!

I'm not putting the effect down; I just wanted people to think about what they're doing and be prepared!

Dennis

I love it! Now I'll figure a way to put it in! "and...HEY! I didn't learn this in prison!"

That's GREAT !!
Be Well!

Dennis

I was performing this in front of roughly 2000 people at Notre Dame. The audience was dead silent until someone yelled out "Hey, do you know Monica Lewinsky." It was priceless and got a better reaction that metamorphosis. Great trick by the way. I handle the prep of the balloon differently and it is much easier.

That's another great line! You just can't make up great lines like that! I think that one of the beauties of this trick is that it can garner these kind of responses!

Yeah like the time a spectator yelled out to me " Hey! I would of volunteered for that!

I agree with Harry...I really don't think that you have to worry about kids imitating you on this one. If you're real concerned, you can say something like, "What you're about to see is just an illusion...it's not really happening." Or something like that.

I had the opportunity to speak to a well-known magician who says he's been performing the razor-blade in the mouth trick for kids for 30 years...never an incident.

Ron Reid

The tape can be found here M.D. Not Required

Or you can just tell the spectators "dont try this at home!" That usually works in order to calm the parents.

I have been doing this in my show for about five months and it's the one effect that drives everyone crazy.

After I swallow the balloon, I tell them if all goes well I'll be making the balloon reappear at tomorrow night's show in <enter city here>...in a slightly different way of course.

It's gross but gets lots of laughs.

Cashetta

This wonderful mini illusion has been in my act for years. When I was taught it I was sworn to secrecy and didn't let anyone know how it was done for a long time. I got called up on stage at a World Magic Convention once by Dave Williamson and got to perform it on stage and get on the highlight tape of the convention. (A highlight for me!!!) When I saw that Bedwell had it on a tape I wasn't so protective of the effect.

Talk about packs small and plays big!

I use it in walkaround even. I talk about being a little boy and going to the circus with my parents when my dad grabs me and takes me to the sideshow—"Come on son, I'm gonna make you a man"—where I saw many wonderous things. The one that impressed me the most was the sword swollower and when I went home I went to the kitchen and got a knife out of the drawer when my mom came in the room and stopped me....It's a longer story with some good lines.

Sure I get some rudes and crudes. But they are said in fun and sometimes there are some good lines to steal from the audience.

For kids I emphasise very strongly that I am the magician and never, never attempt anything I do during the show...and even then I don't always use it depending on circumstances.

Cahetta,

Add a squeeker and you can do a few contortions as if twisting the balloon and then add the line about seeing the finished product.

Great idea Christopher!

Thanks!

You could even go so far as to pull a giraffe out of the back of the your pants.

I always end with the line "and if you think that was amazing, you should see the balloon animal that comes out in about three days."

A little gross but always gets a great reaction.