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Of course, no illusion is perfect and there are a few drawbacks. Like other production illusions, there must be an offstage or backstage area to load the woman. And, this is a big illusion. It will take up space for packing, shipping and storage. Those of you who require all props to fit in a station wagon or smaller will have to pass this prop by. And, owners of the new mini-vans will find precious little space after you have loaded this in the back.
Abbotts built my first Costume Trunk back in 1971. It is truly one of the finest props they ever provided me with. The purchaser is supplied with a very, very thin base (not only deceptive; it is very, very thin) on wheels, three trays or drawers for the costumes and the trunk itself which is really a shell with a removable lid. There is no bottom to the trunk.
We always presented the illusion with the shell (the four sides which make up the trunk) standing on end allowing the audience to see right through it. The lid was similarly positioned. The trays were stacked criss-cross on the base. One by one they and their contents are shown and restacked neatly. The shell is dropped over, the lid affixed and the illusion spun around. After the audience selection of the costume, the lid pops open to reveal the woman in the chosen costume. Very simple, very easy. I do not know of an illusion that looked "emptier" at the outset. The deception is unbelievable.
And, I do not know of an illusion more adaptable. During October we temporarily applied a grand
Jack-O-Lantern face to the front of the trunk. Each tray had a decorative front placed on it. One became a witch, one a skeleton, and the third a black cat. What is more
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Your usually kind and always Interesting letters continue to arrive at my home in Milwaukee and I do enjoy hearing what you have to say. Well known international performer Bob Brown sent along his comments on my Impalement article and he thoughtfully included a copy of his performance of the effect at F.I.S.M. in Madrid two years ago.
A long letter from
performer/editor/publisher Stan Allen also arrived as a result of the Impalement article. It seems that I erred on some facts and that Ken Whitaker deserves more credit for the illusion than I gave him. Of course, I'm sorry for any
inaccuracies. Knowledgeable NEW TOPS readers should recognize Stan as the guiding force behind "Inside Magic", another important monthly publication. If you are serious about magic you cannot afford not to subscribe. You won't learn any new tricks or routines but you will always know who's doing what, where and when. Send Stan $21.00 for one year at Suite 322, Box 6022, Lakewood, CA. 90714.
This month's feature illusion is an oldie - The Costume Trunk Mystery. It's a particular favorite of mine and I think there's much to recommend it. As a production effect, it is one of the better ones as it is very deceptive with no bad angles whatsoever. And, by using the costume selection effect, there is added mystery.
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