School for Scoundrels

Jim Riser and School For Scoundrels' Chink-A-Chink - $150

This set comes with four solid brass weights as used on Chinese balance scales in the 19th Century. There is also one "shell" weight. The beautiful brass 'antique' weights add a touch of the Old West or the Orient to your performance--it is perfect for any period act, from the 1500's to the present.

Under cover of the hands, the "heavy" weights jump about like snail darters. You will be surprised at the reactions you get with this effect, which makes a nice interlude in any act, but also works well to draw a crowd at a trade show booth. The fast and amazing jumps draw the eye, and the trick can be repeated until the crowd has gathered.

This reproduction of the classic Chink a Chink set is based on the set that Dai Vernon always carried in his close-up case. That set is owned by Whit Haydn, and this new Chink a Chink is an exact replica of Vernon's set.

Whit Haydn's Comedy Four Ring Routine - DVD

For reviews of Whit Haydn's Comedy 4 Ring Routine, click here.

This dvd includes a live performance of Whit’s award-winning routine, and instruction that includes all the moves, patter, and presentational tips that make it easy to add this masterpiece to your repertoire. Along with an introduction by Earl Nelson, and Billy McComb's interview with Whit, this dvd includes twenty minutes of video clips from Whit's performances over the last twenty years on cruise ships, at the Magic Castle and at Magic Island, and on large theater stages. These clips illustrate how to handle various types of spectator volunteers, and various reactions and comments from the volunteer. This routine, originally developed for Whit's street magic act in the 1960's, is considered by most experts to be the most commercial version of the linking rings available for any venue. Dai Vernon claimed that this routine had "the first completely new comedy premise I have seen in magic in thirty years."

"If you don't have a linking ring routine and you want to add one to your stand-up repertoire, Whit Haydn's Comedy 4 Ring Routine is the place to start. Ring routines don't get much better than this."
--Michael Close, MAGIC Magazine

Whit Haydn's The Teleportation Device

Hocus Pocus, in association with The School For Scoundrels, is proud to bring you one of the funniest, most amazing and entertaining routines in magic: Whit Haydn's Teleportation Device!

Think of this complete 10-minute routine as the "Bill in Lemon on steroids!" It's actually two sensational performances in one!

First, you borrow a dollar bill from an audience member. Then, tear off a corner and hand it to your volunteer, pointing out that bills all have differing serial numbers. Next, you toss a volunteer a couple of lemons, from which they select one and hand it back to you.

Now, you introduce your amazing scientific invention (?), the Amazing Teleportation Device! As you tout your invention's tremendous powers (while your audience snickers), you wrap the volunteer's torn bill in tissue paper and affix it atop the Device's antenna.

Next, you begin to adjust the many fine settings on the device. Strange noises, beeps, and buzzes begin to emerge. You aim the Device at your volunteer's lemon, announcing that the teleportation is about to take place (by this point, your audience is certain that you're completely whacked)! As you take aim and adjust the knobs, the weird noises get weirder. Suddenly, FWAP! The wrapped bill on the end of the antenna bursts into flame and completely vanishes! You confidently announce that the deed is done as you cut open the lemon FREELY selected by your spectator, revealing that inside is a torn bill which your spectator confirms is theirs: the shape and serial number are a spot-on match!

But wait! Not satisfied that your audience is convinced, you do a second exhibition of the Teleportation Device's amazing powers! You ask another spectator to take the original torn, burnt bill and sign it. Next, you open a carton of fresh eggs and invite them to select and hold one. Placing the bill atop the antenna's clip IN FULL VIEW this time, you operate the controls and aim the antenna at the egg your spectator is holding high in the air. FWAP! Another explosion, the bill vanishes, and you announce the teleportation has taken place. You crack the egg open and dig around inside with a surgeon's hemostat. Slowly, you pull out what appears to be an extremely gooey, torn bill, obviously singed about the edges due to the explosion. Little by little, your audience's wonder builds as it becomes clear that the bill is the EXACT SAME bill that has been in front of your audience the entire time! It evenhas some writing on itthe spectator's own verified signature!

Whit Haydn has put many years into refining and time-testing this great effect, and it comes complete with the hilarious "Teleportation Device," hemostat, gimmicks, and step-by-step performance & instructional video with complete professional routines and patter.

Whit Haydn's Color-Changing Knives

For reviews of this product, click here.

This beautiful set of knives is perfect for the Whit Haydn routine for the color-changing knives – The Intricate Web of Distraction. The set of three knives includes one that is black with a ‘stag horn’ type finish, and one that is a ‘white pearl’ smooth finish, and the gimmicked knife. These three knives have the ‘rough and smooth’ textures that are so essential to this routine. They are manufactured for us by Joe Mogar.

"Bottom line: If you are looking for a set of terrific black and white color changing knives that look like you bought them at a fine hunting and fishing store (without the novel red/yellow colors), these are the best I've seen in a long, long time."

--Danny Orleans, Genii Magazine

Gary Frank's Color Changing Knives

We found a quality knife 2 7/8" long that is perfect for our two or three set color changing knife routine. As a BONUS we are including a copy of Dr. Merrill's Classic Color Changing Knives and Paddle Routines (a $15.00 value!) while supplies last! This is for a limited time and you will be amazed how great this book is for almost any close up effects you perform.

Dr. Merrill's Classic Color Changing Knives and Paddle Routines is a large, 64 page volume, in perfect binding, with a plastic coated, two color board cover. It contains 62 illustrations, most of them unique mirror photographs of Dr. Merrill's hands, showing both what the audience sees and what the performer see. The book represents the work of a lifetime, and it is bound to become a classic. If you have ever saw Dale Merrill demonstrate the knives at a convention, you require no convincing. And, if you didn't see him work, you really missed something. And he told all in this big book. Not only does he explain the basic moves, but also gives many fine effects and routines that have never before been in print. And he discusses all aspects of his art including the psychology of knife effects.

$69.95

Whit Haydn's The Intricate Web Of Distraction DVD

This high quality video explains all the theory, moves, patter, and presentation for this incredible routine, plus a live performance by Whit Haydn. This routine is perfect for walk-around in restaurants, private parties or at the bar, but plays big enough for more formal venues. Whit has performed it thousands of times at the Close-Up Gallery of the Magic Castle as well as in the Secret Pagoda at Caesars Magical Empire in Las Vegas. He always includes it in his performances at Trade-Shows and Hospitality Suites.

"I like this routine because it is simple to follow, is practical under a variety of conditions, and needs no reset time. It has been honed under fire for more than 20 years. If you are looking for a Color-Changing Knife routine, The Intricate Web of Distraction certainly fits the bill and is worth your serious consideration. Recommended."
--Michael Close, MAGIC Magazine

Whit Haydn's The Intricate Web Of Distraction - Booklet

For reviews of this product, click here.

This booklet includes all the moves, patter and presentation for Whit’s color-changing knife routine. The book contains plenty of photos to illustrate the moves.

Whit Haydn's The MongolianPop-Knot Booklet

For more information on Whit Haydn's The Mongolian Pop-Knot, click here.

This is Whit Haydn’s comedy routine for the cut and restored rope. Photos illustrate all the moves, and complete patter and presentation are included. This routine was part of the act that won Whit the award “Stage Magician of the Year” and “Parlour Magician of the Year” at the Magic Castle. It was originally developed for his street act in the 1960's, but has played for audiences on cruise ships, nightclubs, amusement parks, and television all around the world.

Whit Haydn's The Mongolian Pop-Knot Video

Whit Haydn developed the Mongolian Pop-Knot while working as a street performer in New York City back in the 1960's. This wonderful cut and restored rope routine has been a staple of his famous comedy "teaching act" ever since. It has been performed in nightclubs, on cruise ships, for corporate banquets - in almost every conceivable performing situation. This routine works surrounded at a private party, or on the largest stage (Whit has performed this routine for eight thousand people in an amusement park when opening for Conway Twitty.)

What makes this routine unique is that every sequence is justified by the patter. It is not a series of unrelated tricks with a piece of rope, but a true routine that has an internal consistency and intelligence that draws the audience in and keeps them involved and interested throughout the performance.

While supposedly explaining to the audience how "that old trick" of cutting a rope and restoring it is accomplished, the magician cuts a rope and ties it back together with a special knot. The knot "pops" off the rope and the rope is restored. At this point things get more complicated as the magician seems to lose control of events. The rope is cut in three pieces which changes sizes and then are stretched and shrunk back into correct sizes. The three ropes are tied together, the two knots are "popped" off and tossed into the audience, and the rope is shown back together again in one piece. It can even be left for audience examination.

The video not only teaches a powerful and entertaining routine that "packs small and plays big" it is a real lesson in magic from a great thinker and performer. Whit explains what goes into creating a routine, the subtleties of performance and presentation, and the little moves and details that can throw the spectator off and make it impossible for him to figure out the secrets. You will not only enjoy performing this routine, but learning it will help make you a better magician.

Whit Haydn's The Chicago Surprise

For reviews of this book, click here.

For excerpts from this book, click here.

This is a thirty-plus page book on Whit’s unique and powerful version of the Chicago Opener, or Red Hot Mama card trick. This is the version used by many of the top close-up workers--power hitters such as Bob Sheets. Including the full routine and patter, this booklet goes into great depth on the psychology of magic, and theory of magic. It is intended only for the intermediate or advanced card handler. It also includes Whit's Patter for Brainwave. This routine is one of the most powerful opening effects in close-up magic.

"The Chicago Surprise meets all my criteria for what a superior magic product should be: 1) an audience-tested, professional-caliber routine, 2) well written, 3) both handling and theoretical information (in other words, the how and the why) are included. Many professionals use Whit's routine. I'm sure you're going to want to as well."
--Michael Close, MAGIC Magazine

"This entire manuscript is a marvelous piece of work, and if it does not cause you much thought about magic, then something is terribly wrong."
--Jamy Ian Swiss, Genii Magazine

NEW - Whit Haydn's Street Magic

Street Magic is a thirty-six page book of fascinating accounts of Whit Haydn's street-performing career in the 1960's and 70's. Including stories from the streets of New York, Washington, DC, London, and Paris, Whit explains how his philosophy of magic changed through his experiences. He gives the first in-depth description of the history and psychology of his routine The Impromptu Card Routine/A Routine for the Blind, and includes the ESP Survey, a routine for working the streets when it is too cold to perform or the police won't let you draw a crowd. He discusses the various methods for developing confidence, calling and holding a crowd, and enlarging the take. He discusses what can be learned from working the streets that can be applied to all magic venues. This booklet is a re-working and enlargement of the previously published notes from an August 1997 lecture at the Magic Castle.

$20

Chink a Chink

This set comes with four hollow brass weights as used on Chinese balance scales in the 19th Century. There is also one "shell" weight. The production of this set has been a combined effort of School for Scoundrels and Chris Reesman of Encore Magic in Flint, Michigan.

The photo-illustrated instructions teach the original routine that all the other matrix type effects were based on, and that was a favorite trick of Dai Vernon's and Fred Kap's--among others. The beautiful brass 'antique' weights add a touch of the Old West or the Orient to your performance--it is perfect for any period act, from the 1500's to the present.

You can see a clip of Fred Kaps performing chink a chink with wooden weights Here. You will need Windows Media Player.

Temporarily Out of Stock

Whit Haydn's Killer Epic

The School for Scoundrels, in cahoots with Hocus Pocus Magic are proud to bring you an incredible mentalism prop and devastating routine: Whit Haydn’s Killer Epic!

The board measures 17"x26". It is easy to travel with and plays to a large audience. This is definitely not your father’s Mental Epic -- it's the best on the market. Bar none! That's it! End of story! Killer Epic is bigger, better, funnier, more baffling, involves your entire audience, and features a finish that is nothing short of spectacular! Yes, Whit Haydn has taken the old Mental Epic to the next level and beyond! Allow us to elaborate:

Performer announces that his mentalism skills are actually somewhat limited, that he will be depending on the ESP of the audience members instead! Using the jumbo slate, he first writes a three-number prediction and covers it. Then he asks three audience members to choose a digit, each of which he writes down underneath his prediction.

Next, the performer makes a second prediction, writes it on the slate and covers it. He then tosses a coin to the audience. While his back is turned, the audience is instructed to pass the coin back and forth randomly until they hear him say “Stop!” The person who ends up with the coin is asked to toss it and call “Heads” or “Tails.” Performer again writes the results on the slate below his prediction.

Performer writes a final prediction, covers it, and throws a banded deck of cards to three audience members and has them each peek at a card, memorize it, and stand up. (They do not disclose their card!)

The performer then proceeds to reveal the covered panels on the slate. The audience is understandably impressed when the first two predictions match, right down to the initials of the individual who tossed the coin! But the audience is flabbergasted when performer reveals the names of the three cards and says, “If any of you standing sees the name of your card, sit down!” –– and they all sit down!

Typically, the old Mental Epic had none of this kind of build-up, none of this suspense, none of this brand of routining, and no killer finish: The final prediction was revealed and that was that. With Killer Epic, Whit Haydn introduces his crowd-pleasing total spectator involvement and spectacular finish that leaves audiences breathless!

Just look at the features of this sensational effect: The jumbo-size slate can easily be seen from the back of the house and yet is perfectly suitable for parlor work. The slate features a Dry-Erase writing surface –– no messy chalk! What’s more, the reverse side of the slate is a full-sized, ungimmicked writing surface suitable for any mentalism effects! (Using the slate for other routines takes the “heat” off, and convinces any skeptical onlookers that it’s just a slate!) The slate is quality constructed, framed in durable gleaming metal, and the gimmick is smooth and quiet. The best news is, of course, that Killer Epic features Whit Haydn’s time-tested routine and patter featuring his no-force, killer ending (hey, that’s why we call it “Killer”)! Whit Haydn’s Killer Epic comes with jumbo slate, colorful numbered frame covers, marking pen, deck of cards specially prepared for this effect, and Whit’s complete Performance & Instruction Video that includes special tips on handling, audience involvement and patter.

Temporarily Out of Stock - $350

Billy McComb Stage Table

Includes Custom Carrying Case

The School for Scoundrels and Hocus Pocus team up to bring you another exceptional product you won't find anywhere else!

Introducing the Billy McComb Table! Personally designed by Billy and used in his shows for cruise ships and stand-up performances, it can finally, after all these years, be yours!

Whit Haydn and Chef Anton have teamed up with the master himself to give the most durable and practical stand-up table on the market. Made to pack down to almost nothing, this table comes with a custom made zippered carry bag with a shoulder strap. You'll be able to take it with you everywhere with no limitations! Travels light and small, this table enables you to carry it on airlines as a carry-on bag. It even fits in the suit compartment of a Samsonite Suitcase. If space is an issue, the problem has been solved!
Professionally manufactured by Encore Magic, the specifications of the Billy McComb Table are as follows:

Poly Honeycomb core skinned with black Haircell ABS and 3/8" thick panels
Top Size 10.5" deep x 20" wide
Closed position: 4" X 15" X 20"
Weighs 18 pounds.

A limited number of these are being produced, however, so you must act now and reserve your very own Billy McComb Table

$995

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