Magic in The Movies

Hello friends,

We are accustomed to seeing magicians portrayed on TV as either goof balls who can't do anything right, evil criminals or beings with actual supernatural ability.

So when the film The Illusionist was released in theaters, I wanted to see it. There was one strike against it before it even came out, I hate period movies and that is what this was. On the other hand, a film about magicians. So I just had to go.

Was the last real movie about magicians really Houdini with Tony Curtis? Of course there was also Magicians with Alin Arkin but that was an indy film and a goofy comedy.

I know many of you absolutely loved The Illusionist. I thought it was fair at best, a boring & predictable love story with a frame up.

I turned my attention to The Prestige released just after. However when Michael Cain says in the trailer, "Its not a trick, it's real." I was immediately turned off and had no intention of seeing it at all.

Then they released Smokin' Aces (more magic) and I wanted to see that, until I heard the horrible reviews, so I'll wait for DVD on that one.

The Prestige just came out on DVD and I didn't even want to rent it. It's a period movie about a magician who does real magic. Ugh.

Clients in our shop stared talking about it and the exposure of Vanishing Bird Cage as well as a couple of other things exposed (Bullet Catch. & Cung Ling Soo's Fish Bowl Production. I was now intrigued and David from our shop, loaned me his copy and I took it home.

By the way the "exposure" a mixture of Hollywood stuff with some more credible things but harmless.

I loved every second on The Prestige. It is unlike any other movie I have ever seen. It is brilliant and weird. Not since Donnie Darko have I seen a movie so unusual.

Spoilers if you haven't seen it. "You're the lucky one today." I hated the fact that the birds had to die but that is a very important clue to the real underlying story.

Have a closer look at the Vanishing Bird Cage used by Harry Blackstone & Billy McComb . Be smart and use a Norm Nielsen Latex Canary for stage use, and if spectators are touching the sides, use and empty cage just as Blackstone did in each show. Don't believe what you see in the movies!

Thanks for reading.

Pete

The absolute best tripod stand & table top!

Hello friends,

For many years we here at Ronjo have been offering you our high quality Magician's Choice Performance Tripod with precision flange as well as several other stands & table tops in various price ranges & qualities like the Black Art Table Top & Stand or Bazar De Magia's Magician's Table with Tripod. We are proud to offer you these and the other similar items and each fits different needs as well as budgets.

But there is a new kid on the block and his name is insTand. This is the Rolls Royce of Tripod & Table Tops. Neither pictures or descriptions can do it justice. One must see this up-close to fully appreciate it's style, quality, size, portability & mechanics.

For you magicians, we supply the tray top to you in a custom size of 12" x 18" and not the familiar 11" x 13" top. The top is same style & quality of the original insTand top only bigger.

If you are local to our showroom, come on down and see for your self. If you like many of our clients do not have the luxury to visit us, please take my word for it! We know how much you wil love how small it gets, how fast it sets up & how sturdy it is. If it is not everything and more than you had expected, contact us to return it for a full refund (less S&H). We know it will exceed your expectations. It certainly has exceeded mine.

This insTand lets you stand or sit at will. High-tech materials provide a stable platform free from wobbling or vibration. The non-skid 12" x 18" tray-top connects instantly and securely to the fully adjustable tripod. Black anodized aircraft-quality aluminum and composites.

• Model CR3 adjusts from 19" to 41" high.
• non-skid 12" x 18" tray-top
• Sets up in seconds
• Durable construction - designed for years of daily use.
• Folds really small - like a small umbrella. Folds to 2" x 18 1/2"
• Ultra-light tripod weighs just 26 oz.
• Anodized aircraft-quality aluminum tripod
• Easily and quickly adjusted for maximum comfort.
• Includes tripod, jumbo 12" x 18" tray, and carry bag.

INCLUDES - sturdy tripod with handy leatherette carry bag and 12 x 18 jumbo tray

Add a Sidekick Combo to your Instand and get extra performance space. No blots or screws. Glide the arm over the pole and pull the lever to attach. The vise like grip keeps it in place, fast & easy.

The clever sideKick tray holder lets you attach an additional tray to your instand tripod. This combo package includes both the CSK tray-holder and a CT1 11" x 13" tray.

The sideKick-combo

* can be adjusted vertically and horizontally.
* can be rotated to the most convenient position.

Thanks for reading,
Pete

"I got blisters on my fingers."

Hello friends,

"I got blisters on my fingers."

Beatles drummer Ringo Starr screamed these words out at the end of the 18th take of recording of Helter Skelter. These words now imortalised for eternity.

We have heard that the origins of a blister on your fingers date back to the 1940's.

There are several blisters on your fingers magic effects on the market.

I believe the first to the market was Mark Strivings' Blistering.
This is an eerie effect that is simple to perform. Very powerful, if not the most powerful "blister" effect to date. Read on.
Blistering, one of Mark strivings' most closely-guarded secrets can now be yours! We've seen him devastate people with this routine because it's one of the strangest and most powerful close-up mentalism/bizarre demonstrations of physical magick that you can possibly do!

It's also a classic effect.

Performer draws an outline of his hand on any piece of paper and invites a spectator to hold a lighter over any one of the fingertips in the picture. He then holds his hand directly over the picture and suddenly winces and jumps back in pain!

Upon examining his hand, there is now a massive blister on the very finger that the spectator heated up mere moments ago! Unbelievably, the performer is then able to make the blister vanish with only the power of his mind!

This is unbelievable magick that can be done anywhere at anytime! Perform it surrounded, close-up, or in parlor situations; it's always ready and very easy to do. Completely safe, this one's a killer!

Only $15.00

Ickle Pickle later released Finger Blister
You draw the outline of your left hand on a sheet of paper. A spectator takes a lit match (or cigarette) and freely selects to burn any fingertip. Once he's done so, and you've made proper facial expressions and groans of pain, YOU then show him that the fingertip on your actual left hand that corresponds with the fingertip he burned has a large blister.

(Special Order $5.00)

Matthew Johnson's Voodoo Trick
Yet another, however I feel the card makes it go from believable to hokey.

The futuristic looking card (included) is used as a 21st century voodoo doll. The spectator selects one of the fingers on the card and then touches it, a huge blister appears on the corresponding finger of the magician!

Do the trick over and over again with a blister appearing on s different finger every time. The logical patter and preselection means you no longer have to use fire or cigarettes. Don't worry about drawing your hand on the paper! Everything is self contained. The blister work happens right in front of them yet is absolutely invisible! (Special Order $15.00)

As we are more than satisfied with the mechanics of Marks Strivings version, we decided to stick with his and his only for the single realistic Blister.

David Blaine offers an impromptu version in his book Mysterious Stranger

Other modernized Blister effects were also released.

Brent Walske's Pyro Perception Only $21.00
You walk up to a group of people with a deck of cards and a burning confidence in your ability to utterly amaze them with powers they have never imagined possible.

Anyone removes a card from the deck and conceals it. A lighter is ignited as you thrust your thumb and forefinger into the fire. Reality melts into rising tension as you slowly withdraw your finger tips from the flame. Turning that hand toward the onlookers, they are stunned to see two distinct blisters. Even more shocking is the fact that they are in the shape of the chosen card!

There is more to the effect because of a selected card and the mark of the rank & value appear on two fingers. Again this is powerful magic and can be repeated with a different card. And I do like it. But sometimes, less is more this is why I like the Striving's take on it better.

Next came Blistered by Precision Magic. We do not carry this version because it is a direct knock off from Pyro Perception. The only difference is that the gimmick rather than being placed in your pocket is your key chain. Interestingly enough one could actually put a chain through the center of Pyro Perception and put it in their key chain.
The thought process of Pyro Perception in your pocket is wild. You will never to fumble to get there correct Pip & Rank blisters after a bit of simple memory work.

The latest is Jason Palter's Third Degree Burn

You approach a group of people, and ask someone to think of a card, and then name it aloud. It can be any card they wish. There is no force. The subject is asked to truly visualize the card in their head-to burn this into their mind, you give them a lighter (or just borrow theirs). After igniting the lighter, they are asked to visualize their card in the dancing flame. You briefly thrust your fingers into the flame, wincing with pain. For the jaw-dropping climax, you slowly turn your fingers around, to reveal the skin on your thumb and finger is now blistered in the shape of their freely-chosen card! You've just given'em the third degree!

Some key points to remember:

• No deck of cards required.
• No forcing; works with any card named.
• Can be carried with you at all times, fits in your pocket, and is always ready to go.
• No reset (again, it is ALWAYS ready to go)!
• Harmless—but it does look dangerous!

Comes complete and ready to go with the professional custom gimmick (made to last a lifetime), instructional DVD, detailed manuscript, full routine, and bonus effects (including ideas that DO NOT require the use of fire!). (Special Order $55.00)

We have decided not to stock it in our line onlybecausee I feel that it is not necessary to have. The lack of an actual card selectionturnedd me off to the effect. I feel it takes away from whatPyroo Perception laid thegroundworkk on. Pyro Perception is repeatable with several outcomes and for the spectator, they feel that any card would have the same outcome.

We are certain that other version are still to come. But so far in myopinionn. Blistering & Pyro Perception are the two best to date. And I like the simplicity &believabilityy of the Strivings one more than the more trickystylings of Pyro.

Thanks for reading.

Until next time,
Pete

One of my all time favorites was just re-released!

Hello friends,

I am very excited to tell you that one of my all time favorite effects, Dominique Duviver's Printing is back on the market.

I just found out, ordered more and had our webmaster get them online.

They are not in stock yet but we should have these in house on or about 2/27/07.

This has been released several times over the years, each with something a bit different about it. (different handling, alternate handling, VHS tapes, Atlantis brand cards, Bicycle Cards, negative image back design, reverse image design, Black fabric instead of a green back print and maybe some others that I am not aware of). Anyway, all of those variations are long gone now.

Printing, is based on the classic, Wild Card but to state that it is far superior is an gross understatement. On a side note, Wild Card was so good that many versions other than the ones that I am talking about have come over the years and to this day, still continue to emerge. By the was if you ever get a chance to see Peter Samuelson perform Wild Card, do it. He is the best at it and his routine is brilliant.

Early on Daryl released Printing for Dominique Duviver and it included a simplified handling created by Daryl as well as Dominique's original handling. There was some falling out between them and Daryl went on to release his own take on it with an effect called Presto Printo. Presto Printo is still available and very popular in and of itself. While the effect is essentially the same, Darly's handling is completely different and from the spectator's point of view, visually impossible. All blank cards and one selected card. Touch the selected cards to the blanks and in turn each black becomes the image of the selection. Not like Wild Card because the cards reverse image themselves, get smudge marks on them, print back designs on top of face designs. All taking the image from the one selection.

I still have my original printing of Printing and it is well worn after many years of usage. I am glad I can get a chance to replace it now.

The new release of Printing is on Bicycle Card Stock not the more usual custom made Atlantis cards.

So check back next week to get your hands on this wonderful trick!

Thanks for reading,
Pete

Special orders, our pleasure!

Hello friends,

We carry 10,000 + items and add new items to our line each week.
But there are so very many items on the market that it is physically impossible to carry them all.

And as we have said before, so many of the products that are not in our line are just not up to par, so we do not carry them for a reason.

Mixed in there are many good ones that we just do not have the capacity (at this time) to "find" them and stock them.

We have loads of clients that love to shop at Ronjo (we hope you do too) and they frequently ask us for items we are unaware of or have not gotten to yet.

Folks if there are things that you desire that are not part of our regular product line and if we are your dealer of choice (we want to be your dealer of choice), let us know what you are after.

Chances are that in about 1-5 business days we can get what you need at a competitive price.

In many cases we can let you know within minutes, if the item is available for immediate delivery.

We often will order more than just one, and it will be next in line to be added to our website.

Here are a few recent items clients told us to get for them that we in turn are happy to offer to you.

Nosferatu Nail by Mephysto Magick Studio
A great piece of bizarre Magick with an interesting story line and necessary props.
Nosferatu had a stake thrust through his heart and his coffin burned. You have a nail from his coffin. The curse remains as smoke arises from the nail, you can even smell the burning flesh! Just $20.00

Packet Trick Wallet (Tri-fold) by Jerry O'Connell
A real leather wallet with six pockets for cards & coins. A must have. A steal at $30.00

Spun by Morgan Strebler
Been around for a while but until now was only available direct from the manufacturer. One of our clients pointed out that it has finally hit the streets. A levitating, spinning, bending coin. Only $19.95

Once again, if you don't see it here, just ask us. If it is an item that we are familiar with we'll give you our honest opinion about it before we order it for you! We want you to keep coming back to us. We don't want to take your money, sell you something that sucks and never hear from you again. But also keep in mind, with the sheer amount of things on the market these days, there are a good number of them that we have not seen yet or have never even heard about. Also keep in mind everyone's opionion is different and the same things I like, you may not and vice- versa.

Until next time. Thanks for reading!

Pete

Mindfreak Store @ Ronjo

Hello Friends,

We are pleased to announce that Criss Angel - Mindfreak merchandise is available in our showroom and our website.

So come on down to the shop! All is on display.

Criss Angel's complete DVD collection, music CDs , shirts, hats, poster, cups, jewelry & more are all available here.

The majority of the goods have been put up on our website. However many of the pics have not yet been added.

Click this link to go the page one of the Criss Angel store.

The most popular non-magic trick sellers are.

Angel Logo Heavy Cable Chain - Swarovski Crystal Necklace
Yup, this is a replica of the one you see him wear much of the time. Only $35.00

Angel Logo baseball Cap Just $19.00

Criss Angel Hoodie Comfort and style Only $45.00

I can't tell you how hard this stuff is to get a hold of. The wait was excruciating for us. It's our Christmas order and here it is almost the end of Feb. So anyway, act now as so much Angel's merchandise is continuously on back order. I am still waiting on Criss Angel Playing Card Decks since October and some other things that have never arrived at all since last year. Grab it while its here. Because if you miss out, it could be several months before more come in.

We'll' talk to you again, real soon.

Thanks for reading,
Pete

5 Tanks

Hello friends,

While I was away, some changes have been going on on the Ronjo website.

One of the new things I noticed was that the review icons had changed from stars to tanks!

I was like wow, does this mean the item is a tank, like it tanked. Or does it mean like a tank as in kills.

My webmaster corrected me and said these are fists and thumbs up not turrets on a tank.

As they are tiny & grey so I was confused.

These "tanks" will soon have a color change on them.

Please keep reviewing the products you get or have seen. It only helps our other clients decide on a purchase and reviews by other help you decide on what is right for you.

So don't tank on us. Give some reviews in your spare time.

Here are some wild things for you to consider:
Saw by Sean Feilds - Some will love, others may become ill. This is a sick & twisted effect. Check out the video!
Change Cap - Well made, good idea! Nice booklet. Includes a great routine for a spit ball, "bullet catch" by Andrew Mayne
3" Jumbo Chrome Plated Half Dollar - bright & shiny with knurled edges
Plus after a long absence, Mark Strivings books & props are back in stock. (Mark has discontinued two of his popular products but we do have limited stock. Both Lover's Voodoo & Technicolor Miracle so act soon!

Update: 3-5-07 - The TANKS are gone now. Changed back to stars. Rather than altar the post, because I found it ammusing and other content is listed, I just added this notation here.

Until next time.

Thanks for reading!

Pete

Hello Again!

Hello friends,

I'm back and it is nice to be back too. Really!
So I am busy trying to catch up on what I have missed these past two weeks, and It is a lot.

New stuff is all over the place. Boxes are piled up everywhere down here. They tried to run a tight ship while I was gone, but could not keep up with it all.

So now I have to sort the new stuff from existing stuff and tell my Webmaster, so that these can be put on our site.

Ann did a nice job covering for me, handling orders and emails, while Dave & Ron handled the showroom.

But the warehouse, is a real mess. Besides all of the product, we have loads of trash. There are piles of empty cardboard cartons stacked to the ceiling.

Plus we are recovering from a small flood, from the remnants of the mega ice storm we had here on Valentine's Day. All the ice melted and the water found it's way through the side of the building and onto some merchandise. Ouch!

So I am almost caught up with my regular work and almost ready to dive into this mess.

I wanted to make a quick note to say that in a past Blog way back I made about the History of the Vanishing Bandana Plus I said was made by FAB Magic company. Not the case. We had been getting the Original (not the plus) from one of our distributors but all too often, it was sold out over there. So I found another supplier that offered the Plus version. I was under the impression that the new model was also made by FAB. Our site was updated and all was fine. This new supplier also had problems delivering to us, so before I went away, I ordered them direct. Well I got back today and noticed they were the old style. And called FAB on this.

So here is the real deal, the Plus version is a knock off of FAB's made in India for more money. The box for the plus style which is something that I did notice but didn't think much of, is cheap cardboard box, just waiting to be torn. The kind made from I guess recycled paper. If you saw what I am trying to explain, you might know what I am getting at. (Paper & plastic made in some parts of the world, just isn't the same). The Devil Hank, while visually appealing, is stiff and hard to clean. And according to FAB, hard to operate. The big question, that I do not have an answer to is what exactly is on that Indian CD?! The make the banana reappear part in the box, is not really a big deal and certainly not part of the original routine. So my webmaster is busy getting the Original Vanishing Bandana back on our site. We've got a bunch in stock but had to remove it for a little it till we can update. We here at Ronjo, want to carry the originals only. Thanks to FAB for setting us straight on this.

One more quickie that I thought you might find interesting. My folks were in Vegas recently. I arranged for them to go to the Mindfreak office and meet up with JD for a possible tapping of a segment for Season 3. As it turns out, JD had to be back here in New York at that time, so their paths did not cross. Here is the kicker, while they were in Vegas, they stopped at the Criss Angel store and bought me a souvenir, a Criss Angel T-shirt. They did not realize, even after I told them more than once, that we know Criss and JD was his brother. They did not make the connection for Criss Angel and Mindfreak, even though they have seen the show before too. We all had a laugh once I told them that not only do we sell the Criss Angel shirts, that we get them fro JD, the same person they were supposed to meet with. Anyway Mom & Dad, thanks for the shirt. You could have got it here, employee discounts :)

Keep on the look out for the new 4 door die box that we just got. Very interesting!

You will also see a few new things on our site.
It will be more clear to you on when an item you order will ship. And if you click availability on that item more details are explained to you.

Our rewards Points program is now very easy to understand. Every item listed shows you exactly how much cash back you are entitled to and athere is a direct link on each item how to get your points and how to use them.


Take care,
Pete

A temporary goodbye

Hello friends,
Well it's time for me to get a little R& R. I'll be away for the next week and a half. And when I get back I probably will not be able to make a new blog until I catch up. So there won't be anymore a while. Sorry.
I will miss you guys while I am off, but I really need to take a break, so.
In my absence Ron, Dave & Andrea will be covering for me so we'll still get your orders out to you and you will still have a good time coming into the showroom.

Just arrived today
Five different style refill packs for Bruised. Each pack comes with 8 BRUISED sheets including your favorite bruises as well as additional bruises not found with the DVD release. Also, just for fun, each refill comes with a trading card with even more ideas of how you can used BRUISED, collect all 15!
Large Card - now with a full size queen of hearts
Plain Bruises - 3 different sizes
Small Cards - new jack of spades
letters & Numbers - every letter and number possible and all four pips
Coins & ESP - a new esp symbol

Change Cap
Not only is it the most innocent looking and un-suspecting change bag ever, it's also something that can be used by close up performers as well
.It looks just like an ordinary baseball cap, and you can wear it just like a baseball cap (one size fits most), but it can be used for endless change bag effects for stage workers, mentalists, kids performers and street performers.
PLEASE NOTE: the Change Cap works differently than most change bags, the gimmick is not mechanical it is a manual change that happens when you "close" the hat.

Imagine throwing two safety pins in the cap, shaking it around and, just like that, they are linked. If someone asks for change for a dollar, just take off your hat, throw the dollar in and, before you know it , coins are rattling around.

Perfect for restoring a torn card or forcing any number or object.

A natural way for a mentalist to collect slips of paper with personal information! And the list goes on and on.

Our webmaster will try to get these on the site so you can pick order one fast. These are all ready for in store pick up.

See you next time,
Pete