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are opened. This is shown in Figure One. The effect is uncanny! The black art, along with this slight amount of smoke hides the gimmick perfectly.
Figure Two shows the girl floating with the swords taken away. In Figure Three we see how the swords are cut. The arrow indicates that the bottom part of the sword is painted in, so as to give support to the bottom of the sword, and also to be able to use the pin-type support to make them stand alone. We made our swords our of the girl supports (Cleos) provided with the illusion. If you have this effect purchased from Abbotts (where else?) you will know what we mean,
The story is told about how an Indian priest hypnotised a lady and placed here upon two swords (usually it is three swords...in this case it is two). Then the swords were removed and the lady remained suspended in mid-air. Then mention that you will attempt to perform this right before the eyes of the audience.
The curtains part and the young lady enters. She is hypnotized(?) and caught as she falls backwards by an assistant. The magician and the assistant carry her by the shoulders and ankles to the illusion, as the smoke rises, adding just that touch of enchantment to the scene. Her costume is arranged to cover the board as shown in the illustrations. The sword at her feet is removed first and hands and arms are passed all around her legs. Then the magician makes hypnotic passes above her, making it look like he is controlling her suspension, as the assistant removes the sword from under her head. At this time the magician can walk to the footlights (ala Thurston) and mention that the little lady could remain in that condition forever since she is in a state of suspended animation. At this point the audience will want to applaud. Quiet them, stating that any disturbance could cause her to fall and thereby harm herself. (After all, you are the magician and are trying to make it look real.) Pass the hoop
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Yes, the Super-X levitation is one of the most versatile effects on the market. We were trying to keep costs down and effects big and we felt each illusion should pack flat and as small as possible. As presented here, the Super-X met alT of the requirements.
First you will need a black background. But please do not use just a large black curtain. A colorful archway or other opening in the scenery can be used, with just the black background hanging behind the archway. You can find several sign painters who would be more than willing to do this type of artwork for you, and at a very low price, since they are used to painting large spaces with large brushes and spray equipment. Anything painted on canvas should be rolled up and never folded.
With this black background you will also need a small floor cloth reaching from the illusion to the back black cloth, so that people in the upper balcony will not be able to look down on the gimmick. The entire gimmick is covered with the same black material as the background, board and all. With proper lighting, this apparatus should be invisible at stage distances.
Along with this black art idea, there is one more important item; a small smoke machine. This is placed under the girl and is working as the curtains
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