Friday, August 17, 2007

Tom Mullica - for a new generation....

Hello friends,

I am very happy to tell you that two of my personal favorite videos from 20 somewhat years ago were just re-released on DVD.

I know many of you can't wait to see what's NEW but sometimes you need to see the old stuff.

And as they say, everything old is new again.

Last year the David Williamson DVDs (Sleight of Dave & Dave 2) were reissued this year Tom Mullica's (An Evening At The Tom Foolery & Steven's Magic Emporium Greater Magic Video Library - Tom Mullica) were reissued.

Collectively these four volumes will inspire and entertain you like no others can. These are the four great treasures in my magic library. These are the videos that kept me in magic all this time.

If you don't get these, you are missing out on REAL entertainment and high impact magic.

But I can tell you to buy stuff and some of you will. A lot of you will be like, umm videos from the 80's, no thanks. That's sad.

These really truly are the best I have ever seen.

I blogged about the Williamson videos before and I am really just ranting and raving about Mullica now.

Both Mullica items WILL be in stock very soon. I just found out about these and will be placing an order quickly.

Here are synopsises of both Mullica videos. One is performance only, that's right folks, performance only. You won't learn a single trick but you will learn how to be an entertainer & you will enjoy watching this over and over again.

An Evening at the Tom Foolery
An Evening at the Tom Foolery
Tom Mullica is the world's greatest living bar magician. With his mile-a-minute comedy, magic and slapstick he presented more than 3,000 sold-out shows during his eleven year run at the famed Tom-Foolery Magic Bar Theatre (1976-1987) in Atlanta, Georgia.

This DVD features the only existing record of Mullica's frenzy-filled act presented in the theater that was built around it. This is your only opportunity to see this comedic genius on his own turf perform his laugh-filled show full of dozens of sidesplitting gags, jokes, and routines. The show features his hysterical Apple Trick and his trademark routine, Nicotine Nincompoop, where he eats a pack of lit cigarettes with a stack of bar napkins as a chaser.

The next time you have a party just play this DVD and your guests will never laugh so hard. You just can't watch this show once. It's gets funnier every time you see it.

A Meir Yedid Magic product. Original release date: DVD: August 2007, VHS: 1984. Running time: Approximately 60 minutes. (Performance Only).
Oh my God…oh my God…good lord…I've never seen anything like it.
…David Letterman, on Late Night

Tom Mullica, master showman, is the best in his field. He is real theater.
…Red Skelton

Tom Mullica Greater Magic Video Library- DVD
Tom <span class=
"My goal as an entertainer is to be remembered... PERSONALLY, not magically! When they love YOU... you can get away with anything!"

When's the last time you had a good laugh? Been too long? Well, this will quench your desire to chuckle for a long time.

Welcome to the madcap adventures of Tom Mullica, who reigned as magic's comedy king. For years Tom held court nightly at his Tom Foolery bar in Atlanta, treating spectators to his gum chewing, cigarette swallowing chicanery.

He's recreated the act here, complete with off-the-wall witticisms, death-defying acts with matches and aerodynamic magic.

It's Tom's style that captured the grand prize in the 1984 Desert Magic Seminar's close-up contest. And it's certainly that same style that's won him a following nationwide.

Spend 90 miutes with one of magic's leading entertainers. You will learn:

-4 Cards
-Torn & Restored Card
-Cigarettes and Napkins
-Gozinta Boxes & Gum
-Bill Tear
-Egg Bag
-Card in Mouth
-A.E.R.O.B.I.C. (explanation only)




Well I am off to Las Vegas, for Magic LIVE! If you'll be there come to the Ronjo booth & say hello. I will be back Friday August 24th.

Thanks for reading,
Pete

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Napkin Rose: The gift you make, a treasure they'll keep.

Hello friends,

Like myself, there is a very good chance you've made bar nap roses at one time or another.
Whether you have or have not is irrelevant.

A little more than a year ago, Micheal Node created these custom printed napkins designed for one thing and it's not to wipe your face.

Napkin Rose is a regular but custom printed paper napkin that you turn into a beautiful full color origami rose right in front someone. This is a cute gift that the receiver will keep forever.

It all started out with a DVD & a dozen pack of Red/Green napkins.
For just $19.99 you would learn a new skill and have enough napkins to practice with and give away. If you don't have this DVD yet and the subject intrigues you, I highly recommend it. Not familiar? Read on!

Napkin Rose by Michael Mode
This instructional DVD Comes with 12 custom printed red and green napkin rose napkins FREE!

Magician Michael Mode will teach you how to easily twist a napkin into a realistic origami rose. In addition to the basic napkin rose twist, you will also learn several cool tips and tricks developed by Michael over the years and taught on this DVD for the very first time.

Contents:

  • Introduction
  • The Napkin Rose
  • Making The Rose Glow
  • One-Ply Napkin Rose
  • A Rose By Any Other Name - Learn how to print your name or logo
    right on the rose!
  • Smells Like A Rose - How to make a scented napkin rose
  • Tea Rose - A really great miniature version of the napkin rose!

Extras - Learn the best way to carry the roses, give the roses away,
teach the napkin rose and much more!

Bonus Magic Tricks - DVD Exclusive!

  • Rose And A Kiss - Bonus magic trick with a really sweet ending!
  • Torn and Rose-Tored - A visual way to pull the flower off the stem
    and magically restore it right before you give it away.
  • Final Thoughts
  • Credits
Refill packs were eminent. After all he started a new craze. Napkin Rose Refill by Michael Mode
These red and green napkins are custom made for creating the origami napkin roses described in Michael Mode's "Napkin Rose DVD." Each pack includes 50 napkins ready to be transformed into beautiful roses. Only $9.95

Next came 50 packs of new color choices (Yellow, White, Pink & Purple). We'll be happy to special order these for you upon request. Just ask us. Not part of our regular line at this time. Each color pack, Only $9.95.

And here my friends is the best: Introducing the brand new Napkin Rose Cube! Soon to be added to our what's new section on the www.ronjo.com website. But for now, these may be picked up in our shop or ordered by phone 1-866-41-Ronjo.

What's you're favorite color? We couldn't decide either. Now you don't have to.

150 Napkin Rose Refills - 30 each of Red, Yellow, Pink, White and Purple - all in a modern carrying case that you can use over and over again. Only $25.00.




Napkin rose is the perfect giveaway item. Like Balloon Animals but with a touch of class and just for the ladies.

Great for walk around magician's, fun at parties, wedding favors, cruise ships, arts & crafts, the perfect bartender's accessory. Great for Valentine's Day or just to try get that number.

Treat yourself to this wonderful bit of business, you can't go wrong!

Thanks for reading,
Until next time,
Pete




Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Paul Richards' - What's Mine Is Mine

Hello friends,

Paul Richards from Elmwood Magic released What's Mine Is Mine back in 1997. And then in in 2000 came the revised edition.

For just $10.00 you can own an a self working effect with comedy & mystery that is instantly repeatable and always set to go. This is a gem of an item. Not to be overlooked!

We just got in a bunch more and even though all my stuff was shipped to the Magic LIVE already, I am adding some to my regular luggage to take a long. It's that good!

See below for the manufacturer's accurate description.

WHAT'S MINE IS MINE fools that pants off of magicians and laymen alike! It's a fun, ultra easy, quickie that you can carry with you all the time! Not to mention it's a steal at this low price!

You display a small packet of cards and ask that someone touch the back of any card they would like, it is a free selection and they may change their mind as often as they choose.

The selected card is removed from the packet and placed on the table. You then explain, "I'm glad you took that card because these are all MINE!" With that the cards in your hands are all turned to reveal the word MINE in big, bold letters! "But the card you took is YOURS!" The spectator's selection is turned over to reveal the word YOURS printed on it in bright red letters! You can also add the YOUR card back to the packet and instantly repeat it thus proving that what's mine is mine and what's yours is yours!

This is a knock out effect that requires no special counts or sleight of hand. There is only one YOURS card in the packet; all of the others truly say MINE. It uses absolutely NO rough & smooth! There is NO force and the effect can instantly be repeated! Comes with special silk screened cards, wallet, and full instructions.

Thanks for reading,
Until next time.
Pete

Monday, August 13, 2007

John Kennedy's Mind Power Deck

Hello friends,

With all the construction going on here, Halloween deliveries, conventions to pack for, magic shows & company picnics to do, its amazing we still have time to bring in new magic. But we are!

We just got in John Kennedy's Mind Power Decks in stock.

Mind Power Deck

Mind Power Deck

Spread a deck of cards face up on the table and ask a spectator to look at any card. No one else could possibly know the card because he never touches or names it. You concentrate, then slowly but surely "read his mind" and name the card!

You can repeat it immediately and it will become even more baffling. In fact, even if several people simultaneously look at different cards you can read each person's mind and name his card correctly every time! John Kennedy's Mind Power Deck is so eerie, so impossible, your audience will be convinced that you possess a sixth sense.

Why is it so good? John Kennedy collaborated with master magician and mentalist Tim Conover to create the ultimate mind reading deck. It can be shown as a normal deck of fifty two cards and even be handled by a spectator without them noticing anything unusual. Yet you'll be able to "read their minds" correctly every time. And there's no system to memorize because the deck does the work for you. You'll absolutely love this trick!

Made in red-backed Bicycle playing cards.


We've had these years ago and I always loved it. But they weren't printed on Bicycle Cards. They were his own custom brand created just for the effect. Even though you could disguise the original Mind Power Deck to appear as Bic Cards, they were a deterrent in sales. So we switched back to the original Koran Decks.

John later had the U.S. Playing Card Company re-create his Mind Power Deck with a couple of updates. So it is better than ever.

It took us a while to bring in this prop for you but it is finally here and we are very proud to offer this classic deck to you.

This deck along with the rest of the brand new stuff are not yet on on our website. You can come down to the shop and pick one up or call us toll free at 1-866-41-Ronjo and order by phone.

The Mind Power Deck is a brilliant effect that packs a punch. Only $39.95.

Sound too good to be true? It's not! They spread, they think, with a slow build, you reveal. You are going to love this one!

Note the photo is of the original Mind Power Deck. See the colorful card (joker). New model is a custom Bic Joker that looks just like the regular Guarantee Cards.

Other new products will be on our site soon or talked about in my next Blog.

Thanks for reading,
Pete

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Have you been watching the master at work?


Hello friends,

Derren Brown on the Sci-Fi channel.


Sci-Fi's airing Episode #3 Mind Control tonight.

Remember the US series is only 6 episodes for the season.

I really hope you got the chance to see the first two shows but if you missed them, thanks to You-Tube & Scifi.com you can still watch the master at work.


Some of his demonstrations are excerpts from the UK show aired for the first time in the US, others are re-shoots of things he has done in the UK in the US with similar results, others may or may not be new ideas (if they are not new, I just didn't get to see the UK airings). He has been on for 6 years (I think) now.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, get yourself a hacked DVD player & hunt down the UK DVDs of Derren Brown and you will see things that even the most skilled and experienced performers stumped.

Alot of you guys out there think he uses stooges. And while many performers have used and do use stooges. He assures us and I really do believe Derren that he does not use stooges. It would be too simple and you can tell from the way he works and presents himself other methods are work. What those methods are are a mystery. We may have to wait until he and Andy Nyman (MindControl consultant) go to the grave before we get any tips about what has been going on.

He really is the best there is. We have a long way to go an a lot of catching up to do as entertainers in the US. Brown makes us all look like babies.

I hope Sci-Fi will continue his series and turn him into an American Icon.


Take care,
Pete

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

After my big dissappearing act, I'm back.

Hello friends,

Where have I been? Well let me tell you it has been so crazy around here, I don't really even have time to do this. In fact I'll probably get in trouble (for wasting time) if I got caught typing away so I have to be quick.

Our Halloween season is fast approaching and costumes are literally coming in by the truck loads. In fact many truck loads one or two a day sometimes.


In between the mayhem, I was able to sneak away for a week. I really needed it! Next Monday, Dave is sneaking off for a week and Ronjo, well he split for about a month (he really needed it).

Anyway, Ronjo's back and we are all caught in a labyrinth of cardboard cartons stacked 7 feet high and strewn all over the place.

We are clearing out the opened store (which severed as warehouse space for some of the 10,000 plus items we carry. Clearing it out? Where are we putting it. Good question, not an easy answer.

We are setting up the empty store, warehouse now. Soon we blow a hole in the wall and bam, the biggest magic trick we've done so far, an all new Ronjo Magic twice the size. We will be done just in time for Halloween and for Christmas, you'll see the sickest biggest most fully stocked Brick & Mortar Magic Store you can imagine. Wow it is going to be something!

In between all this stuff, I'll be in Las Vegas for Magic Magazine's Ad Fair Magic Live. I just finished shipping out cases of new stuff, old favorites & Ronjo exclusives, so if you'll be at Magic Live!, don't forget to stop by the Ronjo booth and say hello. For this convention, almost every item I am bringing will be on sale for 20% off our already low prices. This promo will be for convention shoppers only. We'll also have a few surprises for you there too just for saying hi!

This week, lots of new stuff has been added to the What's New category.
Highlights of the 24+ items include

Bisection Unlimited by Andrew Mayne - DVD
n the blink of an eye half the magician’s body vanishes... A stage illusion small enough to fit in a briefcase - Astounding enough to be performed on world-wide television.

Now on DVD, Andrew Mayne presents his incredible one-man illusion that’s been on stage and television around the world. For the first time Andrew presents several Bisection variations for different situations, including Bisection 360 - a totally surrounded presentation of Bisection.

Basic: The original incredible one-man illusion 360: The surrounded presentation Trench coat: A spooky presentation using a long coat Bisecting a Friend: An alternate presentation using an assistant
Includes video plans that show you how to put together Bisection using simple materials in under 30 minutes.

Shot in HD - Presented in anamorphic widescreen (16:9)
- Running Time Approximately 29min

Silk Worm Elastic Thread
Engineered to dependably retain its elastic properties, Power and elongation, flex life, resistant to discoloration from atmospheric contaminants.

Comes in Clear & Black - Single Strand, over 500’ Spool

Maurice Fogel - In Search Of The Sensational
When magicians caught a bullet in their teeth...
He caught six!

When magicians did spook shows...
His ghosts were nude!

When magicians did rope tricks...
He put a noose around his neck and jumped!

When magicians predicted a chosen number...
He predicted which of six rifles should be aimed at his forehead!

He was Maurice Fogel, the twentieth century’s most audacious mentalist and one of its greatest showmen. His feats of mind reading captured headlines around the world—when he wasn’t predicting them. He dared death, he read minds and he became a legend in his own time.

Here is a taste of a typical Fogel performance:

Six volunteer marksmen were invited on stage to operate six legitimate, loaded and fully functioning rifles. One man chose a rifle at random and fired at a saucer, shattering it to smithereens. The discharged rifle was set with the five still-loaded ones in a rotating rack and the rack spun until no one could know which was the empty weapon. Each marksman was assigned a random number and took a random rifle from the rack. Fogel next revealed a predicted number that had been in full view and isolated from the start. The marksmen were all told to aim at saucers over Fogel’s head—but the man assigned the predicted number was to aim directly at Fogel’s forehead. Then, on his command they all fired!

To some he was a mental wonder; to others, an enigma. For years he strode the stages of the world, reading minds and using his strange powers to defy death. Maurice Fogel: In Search of the Sensational is the chronicle of the life of a master mentalist whose like has never been seen. He baffled the world and his peers. He defied death for years on a near nightly basis. He created an extraordinary body of professional mentalism that has remained among the most coveted material in the field. This book contains that material, along with the advice, experience and stories of a lifetime of professional performance by one of the world’s most acclaimed mentalists.

Maurice Fogel: In Search of the Sensational is the story of an amazing life and the mental secrets of an amazing man— The Amazing Fogel.

Written and collected by Chris Woodward, an award-winning magician and Fogel’s son-in-law, in collaboration with mentalist and Fogel confidant Richard Mark, here at last is the definitive work on Maurice Fogel, the man and his secrets.

Pages 440 in elegant hardcover with book ribbon.

Refraction by David Penn

Whilst holding a borrowed wine glass in both hands your spectator gets to witness the impossible as the stem bends visibly before their eyes. The glass is then given to the spectator to keep as a souvenir that freezes the moment of magic perfectly.

Bonus Material:
David’s Cabaret handling presented by Rodney James Piper and a method to bend the spectator’s own key which can be used to enhance the REFRACTION effect.

Features three live performances and a two camera, studio style explanation filmed at ’The House of Illusion’ in Spain.

"This is the ultimate finale to a metal bending routine".
- Marc Oberon, European Close-Up Magician of the Year ’05

"I love performing Refraction knowing the spectator will remember that moment for the rest of their lives".
- Chris Priest, Millennium Champion of Close-Up Magic

"I love the way they look at me in compete awe when I hand them their signed glass".
- Jamie Alan, Leading European Illusionist

"I have received more repeat bookings due to this effect than any other in my repertoire. The effect is simple in plot, connects with the audience and freezes the moment of magic forever".
- David Penn, British Magical Champion & British Champion of Illusion ’02

NOT TO BE SOLD TO ANYONE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE

Running Time Approximately 41min

Multum In Parvo Deluxe


This classic effect, invented by Benson Dulay, has been updated using modern plastic glasses that resemble crystal cut glass. The glasses are durable and easy to care for.

Multum In Parvo literally means Much In Little.

he magician starts out displaying five differently sized glasses, which are lined up from smallest to largest and are all shown to be empty. The smallest glass is picked up and filled with milk from a pint size milk carton. The small glass is displayed, and the magician looks at the glass and shakes his head, because he wants a bigger glass of milk. Unfortunately, there is no more milk in the milk carton. So instead, the magician pours the milk from the smallest glass into the next bigger glass in the line up. The milk fills the glass to the top!

The magician takes this glass and fills up the next biggest glass in the line up, and it also fills the glass to the top! The milk is seemingly multiplying from glass to glass. This is repeated all the way up to the largest glass. The magician has filled up the largest glass from a tiny glass of milk!

Now with the largest glass filled, he gives a big smile and then starts to fill the four empty glasses up from the largest down to the smallest. The largest glass fills up the other four glasses!

Small Glass Height Approximately 2.75" (7 cm)
Large Glass Height Approximately 6.5" (16.5 cm)

Spirit Theater by Eugene Burger

If you’ve ever wondered what kinds of things went on at spirit seances during their 19th Century heyday, this amazing performance will illuminate some of those mysteries - and leave you puzzling over how the mediums did it.

The history of seances, essays on seance performance, 6 close-up effects with spirit themes, Eugene’s own seance Hauntings, interviews with Tony Andruzzi and Max Maven, a reprint of the complete Sylvestre catalog of spirit paraphernalia from 1901, plus an annotated bibliography.

Table of Contents:
# Part One: Setting the Stage First Words
# Point of Departure
# Spirits
# Spirit Theater
# Seances for Fun and Profit

Part Two: Ghostly Visitors in the Nineteenth Century
# Mesmer, Imagination and Suggestion
# The Summer-Land "One of the Great Points of Psychic Evolution"
# Manifestations from Beyond the Grave
# A Shooting Star
# Master Mediums

Part Three: Performance
# Character and Claims The Man of Mystery: A Conversation with Tony Andruzzi
# Building a Better Performance
# A Central Principle
# Seance Presenation: A Conversation with Max Maven
# The Dark Room
# Hauntings: A Conversation with Eugene Burger
# Spirit Theater for the Close-Up Entertainer

Part Four: Wanderings in the Spirit Field
# History
# Investigation
# Manifestations
# Performance
# Last Words

Pages 192 - Hard Bound

Anyway, It may be a while since I can make a new blog, sorry but for now that's the way it has to be.

Thanks to all of you for your continued support. I hope to meet some of you at Magic Live! They tell me 900 magicians will be in attendance. That is a pretty big convention.

Take care,
Pete