Andrew Mayne is to magic as Lloyd Kaufman is to movies

Andrew Mayne is to magic as Lloyd Kaufman is to movies.

I know what many of you are thinking now. Stop that. Get it out of your heads. I do not mean that in a negative way. I have the highest regard & respect for both of these highly creative individuals.

Andrew has a natural way of original thinking. He comes up with the some outrageous ideas for illusions and tricks many that you can make or do easily and many of them on a land clammer's budget (Can collector's budget).

Take a look at The Secret Illusion Show. This booklet teaches how to make five full stage illusions that take a very short amount of time to put together and for little or NO, that's right NO money. $12.00 for 5 full stage illusions are you kidding me?

Andrew produces his own magic DVD's. Some of them have a Hollywood look and experience to them. See Wizard School.

His latest creation is Gut Buster. This is his Big Budget release. A Hollywood looking special effect done live. At only $75.00 this is a real bargain and comes complete with everything you need to get started.

For those of you who already own Gut Buster, I have devised a way to make it gory. I have not seen the entire DVD, so forgive me if it or something like it is already explained on it. I'll be vague as I do not want to tip the method. Silicone a rubber sheet or part of a rain coat behind, fill with whatever. Arm in between. Only the shirt may have residue when complete. Performer can wear a rubber glove.

My comparison to Lloyd Kaufman the independent film maker and president of Troma Studios should be a little more clear now. Lloyd Kaufman can write, direct, produce, act in and distribute some of the most entertaining feature films I've ever seen for a very modest fee. His biggest budget movie to date, Citizen Toxie, the Toxic Avenger Part IV cost under $250,000. (The cost for a few CGI shots in a studio flick). The rest of the Troma library of films from over the past 30 + years combined were made for fractions of that! Some at just a few thousand bucks and some no doubt with nothing more than time well (or if you don't like Troma time poorly) spent.

Mayne has the creative juices to let a children's imagination become a living comic book super character. See The Handbook of Super Powers.

Andrew offers you the power to freak people out in a way no other performer I have ever seen do. Mad Mojo is one of my favorite crazy books. The performance concept of Twister For One is worth the price of the book alone. If you ever learned The Twisting Arm Illusion, you'll want to know how Andrew makes this a hilarious piece.

Over the past several years, Andrew Mayne has released a slew of books, booklets, manuscripts, videos and props. Each are unique. All are exciting (to the intended client). A grown adult really has little use for the Superpowers Book (although there are a several things in here that are useful and can come in handy for any performer), likewise a child has no business for building Razor Wire.

At last the real analogy to Mayne & Kaufman or should I say Harter & Weil?

Andrew Mayne's real name is Andrew Harter. Andrew Harter completed an action movie from start to finish and he did it for get this only $99.00. The film Full Motion Blur was the official selection of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.

Are you interested to learn how to make a No Budget movie yourself? See Andrew's book How To Make An Action Movie For $99. The part about getting a wheelchair from the Salvation Army to get a steady rolling shot and then returning it is a hoot, bullet holes in cars made with tin foil and magnets a genius way not to ruin your vehicle! This is a great title and a little off our regular path for magicians but noteworthy for sure.

See also Kaufman's book entitled All I Need To Know About Filmaking I Learned From The Toxic Avenger.

We proudly offer the entire Andrew Mayne product line 28 in all at the time of this writing. Just search for MAYNE here. (and 1 if you look under Harter).

Not everything Mayne has put out will appeal to you. Some of his things are very diverse. We can say for sure, he has something to offer everyone and can't wait to see what he will think of next.

So long for now.

Pete

P.S. Andrew, Still waiting for Full Motion Blurr to be released on DVD. Please put it out soon?

Season 2: Mindfreak starts tonight

Hello all,

In case you didn't know the new season of Criss Angel Mindfreak airs tonight on A&E at 10:00 EST PM and a second NEW episode right after at 10:30 PM EST. (check your local listings)

Criss, We wish you the best of luck with Season 2.

Let there be a Season 3,4,5,6 and more. Mindfreak forever.

TTFN

Great Reads!

Many years ago, Ricky Jay had a TV special with the same name as his book, Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women. I was especially blown away by the Odic Force segment. I genuinely loved it. And it stuck in my mind for years.

I was talking about this show to a magician friend of mine couple of years ago, and he pulled out an historic book, The Autobiography of Lulu Hurst.

I borrowed it and it was an amazing read.

At the time, this was the only historic book that I ever read in the realm of magic, even though it is not a really magic book. The first half is a biography and the second half is methods.

Right after I read it, we immediately began selling all the Tom Jorgenson publications. Three titles on the Georgia Magnet and several other fascinating things from years gone by. All informative and interesting.

I won't go into details here but if you have some free time, search our site for these other great hard to find Jorgenson titles : Henry Hardin's Lost Manuscript, The Medicine Show Manual Red Light Mystery, The Arandal Code-x, Sectrets of the Magnetic Girl & The New Gerogia Magnet Act. Search by title here.

Some of these titles date back to the mid 1800's, some are more current but all are not readily accessible.

Anyway, I am getting off track back to the subject at hand, Lulu Hurst.

In 2004 Barry Wiley author of The Georgia Wonder hit the stores. This book is fantastic. The first portion of the book is a reprint of The autobiography of Lulu Hurst. With new type set and crystal clear reprints of the original photographs. 414 page in all and covers everything on the Georgia Magnet Act.

I am still off track on where I was heading with this Blog.

The point I was really trying to make is that I don't really ever read historic books but rather tricks and methods, showmanship but not history.

I am currently reading two books at once. Don't ask me how that happened, it just did. On top of that, they are both historic books. Love'em them both so far.

One is Jim Steinmeyer's Hiding The Elephant
and the other is Gabe Fajuri's Laurant: Man of Many Mysteries

I started the Laurant book and I wanted to find the chapter in the Steinmeyer book on Pepper's Ghost for an independent reason. That was it, caught between two books at once.

We'll talk to you soon.

Pete

Davinci Code Inspires?

Hello friends,

I am curious as to why there are so few magic or mentalism effects based on premises of popular books or motion pictures?

Perhaps it because the theme is short lived.

I am excited to see The Davinci Code. I am going tomorrow.

Hopefully someone will be inspired to create an effect based on The Davinci Code.

There has just got to be hundreds of ideas waiting to be realized.

I know someone is already selling an instant download for a Davinci Code Book test but for me that doesn't satisfy. I want a premise based on it and not using the book as a tool. Besides there are just way too many better book tests out there for example Larry Becker's Ultimate Flashback and better methods with any book such as the Hoy Book Test found in booklet, The Bold & Subtle Miracles of Dr. Faust.

Check out these other items Fraud by Terry Nosek, contains the now classic Star Wars routine and Andy Nyman's Killer Elite Pro with a story line using characters from Reservoir Dogs, Taxi Driver, Pulp Fiction & Scarface.

Take care,

From all at Ronjo

Memorial Day Weekend

Hello Friends,

We hope everyone has a pleasant three day weekend.

Life is short. So if you are able to, slow down just a bit and take the time to enjoy your life, your family & friends and your hobbies, please do so.

Have fun with whatever it is you are doing and whomever you are doing with it. Be it at a barbecue, going boating or fishing, a day at the state fair, playing poker or baseball or just relaxing in a hammock with a beer. Enjoy some quality time off with your loved ones.

For many us, we understand it is easier said than done. We may need to exclude ourselves from such activities and opportunities as many of us will be spending most of the weekend performing for other people's get-togethers; depriving ourselves of some R&R but this is what we live for. We need to see the jaw dropping expressions and smiles on their faces as we make a silk disappear, reveal the thought of word in a book, make a dove appear or escape from a mail bag. We need that or we don't feel whole.

And as entertainers, we certainly don't want and in many cases can't afford to turn away the income.

Our special weekends will come to us in the off time. We are just on a different schedule than the rest of our neighbors. But if we neglect to slow down and remind ourselves to take a look around once in a while or life will fly by us and that can't be good.

So don't forget to hug you parents, kiss you wife, call us grandma, put your kids on you knee and read them a story and find some quality time with you and yours. Go out and have fun. You will be happy you did.

Take care of yourself.

From all at Ronjo Magic

A conversation with Banachek

Hello friends,

Today we got a phone call from Banachek calling on behalf of Criss Angel.

They are in East Meadow (Criss's home town) about 40 minutes away from Ronjo Magic filming a segment for the new season of Mindfreak.

In need of a couple of items we are always happy to help all of our friends.

To protect the integrity of the show, I will not go into details of what they actually needed.

One of the items we have here and look forward to seeing it put to use on the program.

The other item as simple as it should be turns out is not quite so simple.

I tore our store apart looking through everything I could think of that might contain the thing that would fill their needs, a single playing card of a very specific type but to no avail.

Sorry guys too short of notice for that one.

The good news is that Banachek says he will be able to work it out without it.

There is usually more than one way to get things done.

Some one from the Angel production team is on the way here as I am typing this.

Gotta go now.

Update: They can't make it down. The shoot is taking too long and they can not get anyone down here in time to get the supplies. Even if they could the other shots need to be finished first and they are having difficulty. Banachek says they have the things they need in the warehouse in Vegas and will shoot it out there at a later date. Oh well.

What type of Swami Writer is best for me?

Hello friends,

There are lots of types of Secret Writers out there. Here at Ronjo, we offer you a wide selection to choose from. But I am going to try to help you narrow the choices to help you determine which one might suit you best.

First of all if you have never had one or are unfamiliar with some of the different types, I recommend 13 Steps To Mentalism by Corinda. He has a full chapter in on various types of Swami Writers as well as what to do with them.

Now we'll take a look at the types of writing tips that are out there.

Regular Lead gives the look of a mechanical pencil.

Thick Lead or Lead, gives the look of a regular pencil.

China, Grease or Listo Marker (also represents a Sharpie marker). Can been seen easier for large groups.

Some of the above models come in different choices of writing tips.

Writers can be fashioned as TTs or a curved metal wedge that fits under your thumb nail, a band that clips around your thumb or a disc that sticks to the base of your thumb.

Some are refillable, some are disposable but the disposable ones are inexpensive enough that they won't break your wallet.

All offer various pluses and minus for the individual and really all are a matter of preference.

In the end they will all get the same job accomplished.

Here is a detailed description to help you decide.

1. Swami Gimmick from Sam Dalal you get four metal C clips that go under the thumbnail has replacement lead and a booklet for uses. This is the traditional nail writer type our most popular seller and the least expensive of the group.

2. Jerry Somerdin makes the Eric Mason Boon Writer. This uses thick bold lead that is replaceable and the larger round gimmick sticks to the base thumb for more surface area. The gimmick is made of steel and can be stolen or disposed of quickly with a magnet nearby.

3. Next up is the Scarab by Ray Piatt. The Scarab comes in a variety of writing elements. The metal beetle shaped shell fits your thumb perfectly. The shell has a heel this aids in the stability of writing. The lead is off center to provide a natural writing angle. All of the Scarabs are designed to be disposable but can be re-leaded. The Black Beauty version is intended for refilling, though it takes some effort.

4. Viking Magic has the Swami Band Writer. This is a large C clip that goes around and under the base of your thumb. This shape enables you to slip it off easily but prevents rocking when using. Replaceable writing element.

5. Vernet has created two styles of Swami Thumbs. One in a lead, the other in a marker. This is best suited for larger groups because the gimmick is a tad bulky compared to the others. Replaceable writing element.

6. Guy Bavli has the Super Writer Pro consists of a Thumb Writer with replaceable writing element and a special clip board that contains a hidden feature to allow for perfectly legible and stable one handed writing. We will not tip that method here.

7. The newest style to date is Super Sharpie from MagicSmith. The boone type gimmick is built into a Sharpie marker. It is easy to obtain and ditch. This marker can be used at anytime throughout your show and even used by your spectators to sign cards and such.

8. We'll give special mention to the RTW (Retractable Thumb Writer). Unfortunately this item is currently off the market. If you are lucky enough to find one somewhere, grab it. It is a unique device. This product was mainly of interest because of the booklet, Rules Of Thumb that it originally came with. Rules Of Thumb has popular routines that were originally published in Vibrations, the official magazine of the Psychic Entertainers Association.

Now you have a whole lot to think about. I hope we were able to guide you and not confuse you even more.

Talk to you soon.
Team Ronjo

EVILDAN

Hello to all of our mentalist friends,

In case you were unaware, we are proud to tell you that Ronjo Magic is currently the only dealer stocking Terelmes Leather goods hand made by EVILDAN.

EVILDAN is a true artist. He hand makes everything the old fashioned way.

Ray Piatt sold EVILDAN Terelmes Leather several years ago. Mr. Piatt was truly impressed with EVILDAN's craftsmanship.

EVILDAN's products are very scarce.

Because he has a daytime job and because he is the sole worker, when we order from him we are put on a waiting list a mile long. It is often months before we get a small shipment.

Are his products worth the wait? Absolutely.

His wallets are of the highest quality and they are exceptionally sneaky.

The real good news is that try to keep in stock some of his most popular sellers, so generally you will not have to wait.

Have a look at our website, www.ronjo.com and type EvilDan in our search box. You will see all of the Terelmes items we carry, including The Double Agent Wallet (formerly the PJ II), Gyp-Pad Wallet and my favorite, the Vendetta Wallet.

Soon we will acquire other fine Terelmes Leather goods.

Take care,

Team Ronjo.

Attention: Tenyo Collectors

Hello to all our Tenyo Collectors,

Here at Ronjo Magic, we have something many of you are probably in need of.

A vintage Tenyo Magic trick released back in 1971.

We have a small quantity of Tenyo's Little Savings Box # T-46.

They are brand new in original packaging.

These are the "old style" cardboard box. The ones with the typed font on the back and the rabbit in the hat logo with the T y next to it.

Later editions had the fancy type set with illustrations on the back.

The instructions are printed on thin translucent paper not the more familiar thick high gloss sheets.

The only thing is that they have bar coded stickers that we put on them. Easily removable with a little Goo Gone.

Our asking price is only $50.00 each plus shipping. We know it's not cheap but we're not gouging either. I've seen them go for more on E-Bay in used condition.

Keep in mind, these are collectible antiques new in the box.

Come down to our store and pick one up or order by phone.

Please call us toll free at 1-800-41-Ronjo ext 17.

You may also mail a check or money order in the amount of $56.00 for shipping anywhere in the USA. Outside the USA, we'll need your address for shipping calculations.

Please make checks payable to Ronjo.com Inc.

Mail your payment to:

Ronjo.com
1651 Route 112
Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776

Have a great weekend.
Please note this product is not available for order on our website.

A New Routine.. For An Old Standby

Hello friends,

The Daring Spring Trap has been around for decades. It's always been an interesting and popular prop but it’s not magic, just an unusual "side show" stunt.

It's been embraced by magician's everywhere because it is cool and different yet frequently gets put in a "junk box" because it is not really a performance piece.

Harry Anderson came up with a nice routine for it that he explains in his book Wise Guy.
While Harry Anderson's routine is tense and very funny, it is still not magic.

It only took over 40 years for someone to figure out what to do with it. Actually what to do with three of them. Doug Higley routine entitled Traps-A-Monte-Mental is taking over the magic world by storm.

Todd Robbins, Doc Wilson, Bill Palmer, Bev Bergeron, Greg Arce, Jon Stetson, Kufffs, Harry Murphy, Tom Jorgenson and other top names are giving his routine the best reviews we've seen in ages.

For Mr. Higley's routine you'll need to buy three Daring Spring Traps (sold individually) for $25.00 each and of course you'll need to get a hold of Doug's exciting 5 star routine; a bargain at only 5 bucks. So for $80.00 total, you've got a show piece that will make them remember you forever.

Ronjo Magic is not affiliated with Doug Higley in anyway. We are just passing his information to you. For now, you can only buy the routine direct from him. Pay Pal him five dollars and he will email you the routine. To get Doug's routine, click here. You will be glad you did.

Until next time...

Abbott's Magic Jet Set Backdrop Stand

Hello to all our friends,

For those of you who have been waiting for the Jet Set Back Drop Stand, thanks for your infinite patience.

After a long absence we finally have some to offer you.

These are available in limited quantities and are indeed very hard to come by.

So get yours now.

The Jet Set stand, sets up in seconds. You supply the drapes.

This is an indispensable piece of equipment and should be part of your image as a professional on the go.

After you try one, you may never want to do another venue without one.

Take care,

Ronjo

Channing Pollock Memorial

An important message for all of our friends,

This Saturday, May 13th a celebration and joyous remembrance of Channing Pollock will be held at The Monte Carlo Resort in Las Vegas.

Everyone is invited.

Starts at 1:00 PM local time in the East Ballroom.

We will be unable to attend but wanted to pass along the information for those who are able to make it.

Channing was a great performer and creator of the modern dove act.

Our condolences go out to his friends and family.

Until our next Blog so long from your friends at Ronjo Magic.

How to Pick Up Chicks

Okay, that's a tacky title. But it got your attention didn't it?

Magician Lee Eun Gyel from South Korea has created an amazing romantic effect.

Rose From A Card is fast becoming a huge favorite by many of our friends.

Want to see a video of Lee Eun Gyel performing it live on stage for a huge audience? Click here.

Halloween, In May?

Hello Friends,

Yes that's right, its already Halloween here at Ronjo. Actually, we start to prepare for our busy season in February. Our orders are placed and believe it or not, some of out deliveries are all ready here. In fact we just unloaded a truck full of Make-Up, Wigs, Hats, Masks, Children's Costumes, Adult Costumes, Props, Decorations and accessories.

It will take a few days just to sort through it all. Hopefully we'll have it all put away quickly in order to make room for out next big delivery. We are very busy getting the store displayed and our warehouse stocked up with best Halloween products on the market.

In past years, in our brick & mortar store, we were forced to temporarily close down our magic shop for the Halloween season. Every October, we would get new magician's come into our store for the first time and they would be stunned. A magic shop that didn't have any magic in it?!

Let me explain. Our showroom was designed by Ronjo himself. He built the shop with custom revolving walls units.

On one side is the magic shop (opened 6 days a week from November- mid September), and on the other side of these special magic book cases is our Costume Store.

That my friends is our big trick.

Most of our new magician friends visiting in October are oblivious. They are in shock how busy the store is. And can't fathom the frenzy of people filling our showroom. They wonder to themselves, wow how many magician's there are? Not even realizing that we sold Halloween items in the first place. Blind are they to the display of witches and dragons and such. There eyes are only focused on finding the magic. Until we tell the bad news and they wake up quick putting it all together.

Our old time friends learned the hard way to stay away until the storm was over.

Whenever we would get a new magician in our store during this very busy time for us, we would always try to accommodate them by showing off a couple of fast and easy items we kept in one of our counters. That was all we would have time for. You all really have no idea what it is like!

We tell them to hang in there for a few weeks and then come back for another visit that they will never forget.

Right after Halloween, we flip the cases around and bam, we are back into what we love to do best: MAGIC! All our new friends have been happily surprised when they see our fully loaded magic shop. So much magic it makes them dizzy with excitement.

We are super happy because we get to breathe again and finally get to perform some magic!
We tend to get a little rusty as we haven't picked up a Sponge Ball, Coin or pack of cards in about six weeks. But get back into the swing of things fast.

Thankfully because of the internet, our magic store never closes. You can buy from us online anytime even on Halloween Day! Also a visiting magician can come into our store and we'll set them up on one of our many Counter Top computers. They can peruse our website in the middle of the Halloween frenzy, make educated buying decisions, make up a list up of the items they desire and we'll pull their order in minutes. In and out, no hassles. They see we carry thousands of magic tricks, mentalism items, books & DVD's and they can't wait to come back to us in November.

Anyway, I gotta go now. We've got a mountain of merchandise to stock.

Psychic Crayons

Hello friends,
Here at Ronjo Magic, we are learning as many new tricks as fast as we can. Some really good magic has been coming out after a dry spell of mediocre to good tricks. Chris Mitchell has recently released the small miracle Psychic Crayons.
It is oh so easy to do, it's laughable. Supplied with two full routines and some ideas. No doubt you will easily start to invent your own presentation once you are acquainted with method. Can be done in a as a stand alone, a full routine, comedy bit, or serious, for children or adults, for mentalists, magicians or clowns.

Just an idea: Instead of a tossed out deck, how about a Tossed Out Crayola box? Throw the deck to any spectator, Have one freely select any crayon, close the box and toss it to another audience member, have them pick one. Repeat the process on last time with another volunteer. Have them stand, concentrate on their color. Call out three colors and say, "If I called your color, have a seat." Then collect the box & three crayons. It could work.

Until next time.

Cesaral Melting Point

Friends, There are rare occasions when an effect is so powerful that it makes the performer flip out when performing it. Mariano Goni & Cesar Alonso have come up with an absolute killer!
Cesaral Melting Point
is far and away the best new effect I have seen in ages. We saw the demo video and decided to give it a shot. Today, I decided to open one up and have a look inside. Once I learned what the props were for and how they were used together, I immediately began to quake. Without even watching the DVD explanations, I was fooling around with the gimmicks. Seconds later I pulled out a Wizard PK Ring (with intent to just hold one of the gimmicks in place). I soon realized, that the gimmick while needed in the context of the actual effect is a necessity can be overlooked in a sort of impromptu way. Again while messing with the props and feeling like a child who just opened up an X-Box on their Birthday I accidentally made a make shift Miracle Coin Ring. I then pulled out a Steel Core quarter and began having even more fun. I intend to take a fresh new look at the ever popular Raven
and can't wait to learn the proper techniques on the Cesearal Melting Point DVD.

Many of you may want to stay away from this one because you feel limited in your abilities to show this effect because of the lack of access to a glass table. Your solution is a glass or acrylic panel or a car windshield.

Folks Cesaral Melting Point is one outstanding effect. It gets my highest recomendation.

Jim Steinmeyer's Matrix Poker

With the release of so many new products each week, it can be hard for us to learn even a small portion of them. When our friends come in to visit us, it is often difficult to show them a demo of that hot new trick they want to see. For that we are truly sorry. The truth is we are frequently too busy getting this weeks hot new tricks up on our website while simultaneously getting ready for next weeks new releases. Long gone are the days of having several pets (although I still do have my favorites). Of the virtually infinite number of items that have come out over the past year, I want to give a special mention to Jim Steinmeyer's Matrix Poker. I guess I was particularly interested in this one because I in fact play a lot of poker and I have been a fan of Mr. Steinmeyer's work for a very long time. This item was released over a year ago and I am still having tons of fun with it. It is completely self working, not your average packet trick and full of surprises. Three surprises in a row to be exact. If you are a swindler, this could indeed be presented as a real game where you will always come away $34.00 richer or $0.34 cents richer depending on how you decide to present it. It is rather funny to dump 34 pennies out of the coin purse. Excluding all of my absolute favorites and the insane amount of new items that come and go each month, Matrix Poker has had a real staying power with me and our friends seem to like it as well. So if you come into our shop, ask for a demo otherwise, you will just have to take my word for it. Now if he would only re-release The World's Thinest Deck. (Come on Jim, reprint them!)

Goodbye to a legand

We are sorry to inform you that magician Billy McComb passed away on Sunday April 29th about 9 PM EST.

Billy's Magic was always very entertaining.

I had the privilege of meeting him once during a break at a performance at the University of Stony Brook: The Staller Center for the Arts.

From the very short time we spoke, I could tell he was a really nice person.

If you don't know his work, do yourself a favor and get a hold of one of his videos . You will be glad you did. His patter is unmatched and his performance is flawless.

Our hearts go out to his family.

Sorry to say goodbye.

David Copperfield Mugged!

After performing at the Raymond F. Kravis Center in West Palm Beach Florida on Sunday April 23rd, David Copperfield and two of his female assistants Cathy Daly & Mia Volmut we robbed at gunpoint.

At 11:15 PM the group had just finished dinner and were walking back to their tour bus.

Copperfield had been signing autographs and assumed he would be asked for another when a black Malibu with Kentucky plates pulled up along side them and two of the four young men got out of the car with handguns.

One gunman ordered Daly "give me what you have." She gave him $400.00 in cash. The other stuck his gun in Ms. Volmut's face and took her purse, containing $100.00, 200 Euros, her passport, plane tickets and a cell phone.

Now with the gun pointed inches from Copperfield, he used his skills as a magician to do "a reverse pick pocket" and turn his pockets inside out, keeping his wallet, cell phone and passport.

The gunmen jumped in the car and took off.

Daly called 911 while Copperfield read the license plate.

Police pulled over the suspects on 45th & Broadway at 11:25 PM.

The robbers were identified and the stolen property returned.

Charge with armed robbery and held without bail are 18 year old Dwayne Reily & three un-named youths each 17 years old from Palm Beach Shores.

Police told Copperfield that these suspects fit the description of other armed robberies that took place that week.

After all that excitement, Copperfield says he looks forward to going back to Palm Beach.