I seldom perform at Halloween-themed events; this year, I have been asked to do a few things, both close-up and one effect on stage. I am looking for something quick and amazing. I don’t mind spending a few dollars for it.

Thank you for any ideas you may have.

Steven

Really depends on what you are going for. I do family-oriented shows for civic clubs so less bizarre/scary and more fun of the season.

For grand illusion: Head cremation is one rarely seen these days but is really terrific. Switches are really good, the grandest being Bump in the Night. Girl Without a Middle can be done on theme. And, of course there are guillotine and choppers which can play pretty quickly. Stock switches can be really neat too.

Here are some ideas for other settings:

In my last rotation, BEKOS 4.0 proved to be really great. It plays for any audience in any condition including surrounded. Plot is simple and gets great reactions.

Ball animations are really well received: original Karson Zombie, Bill Abbott's The Thing, Losander's Bubble Zombie, Jimmy Fingers' Zombira. Same for dancing hank. I am currently working on a routine with Sean Bogunia's Ultra Hank for this season. I have also used Puck's Handout Hank for walkaround to great response.

A Fantasio vanishing candle is really great for an opener as its blend right into the spirit. Start with the candle lit. A little flash paper, maybe augmented for sparkles grabs attention. Then transformation into silk or flower is a huge surprise.

For closeup, Lewis Chaney recently released his Jack Knife through Kranzo magic. It really is a great idea and you can go right into a card stab, etc.

If you do want to go down the bizarre route, it is really hard to be Harry Anderson's Needle Through Arm. Trevor Duffy recently performed at our IBM Ring and one of the things I picked up from him is his The Magic Blood Trick. It is fun and gets much of the same type of reactions as needle through arm but in closeup conditions. And, of course, swallowing pins or razor blades is another idea along these lines when used with fake blood.

From the Little Darlings area (kids and family magic), here's a previous thread discussing Halloween Magic tricks.

Magic Cafe thread titled... Halloween Magic Show

- Donald

I think John Bundy has an entire book on Halloween magic. Somewhere back I recall him doing sponge balls with sponge bats.

Bundy's book will give you a lot of good ideas to adapt stuff you already have either by patter or slight cosmetic changes. I reccomend it highly.