The Heat Is On!

Writing the blog a day early this week as I am planning on taking some time off for the Father's Day weekend. The temperature here today is 104 degrees. I guess Summer has officially arrived. What I find crazy about this whole thing is that Mike rides his bike to work and back in this heat. Around 11 miles round trip per day at three days a week=33 miles per week. He shows no sign of letting up, and I feel like I should be following him home like they do the the Tour de France! Good luck, Mike!

Tomorrow, now that school is out, I'll be taking the day up with my son, Max, who wants to build a shelter to put inside the aviary for his quail. This will protect them from the extremes in temperatures when Winter comes and will also facilitate the laying of their eggs when the time comes. He's recently added more quail, parakeets, and finches to the aviary. All the birds seem to be getting along quite nicely and living happily, and Max couldn't be happier. He continues to think about and add things to the aviary as his Summer's project. Each night, Betty, Max, and I sit out by the Coi pond and listen to the birds sing. It's actually very relaxing, which is something I'm taking the time out to enjoy more and more these days...



As you know, Father's Day is this weekend, and since my daughters will be working on Sunday, we're going to switch it up and celebrate on Saturday night, which will be great! All my kids will be there, including Max, Cole, Aimee, and Renee. My mother is also joining us and we'll be having barbecue ribs, my wife's famous rice pilaf, and other treats. It will be good to share with the family the relaxation I enjoy near the Coi pond listening to the birds sing. That's livin'!

So if you're a father, Happy Father's Day to you, and make sure to take time and celebrate your father on Father's Day this Sunday.

Until next time,

Paul

Project Complete

This week, I wanted to talk about a project I am particularly proud of. A little over a year ago, we approached Harry Anderson about the prospect of producing what I think is his best routine of all: Cuff Links. Although this has been a previously-marketed product, I felt a revamping and updating of this particular effect was in order. After much discussion, Harry graciously agreed to allow us to produce a professional quality outfit, and Cuff Links Supreme was born! If you aren't familiar with this routine, it is non-stop comedy in a stand-up atmosphere that is guaranteed fun for all, including you!

Just to let you in on how the manufacturing process works, a part of this routine involves a special set of gimmicked handcuffs. We ruined over 100 pairs of handcuffs before we found the right style, the correct welding process, and the best quality handcuffs out there. The gimmick on the cuffs must be welded to insure lifelong durability and functionality. So challenge number one was finding someone who was willing to do the special weld on each set of cuffs. Now, as simple as this may sound, it's not as easy as you might think; after two months, we found someone who was not only willing to do the work, but did it exactly the way we requested.

The next obstacle was the two special wallets required to perform the routine as Harry does it. One wallet is a magnetic locking Himber Wallet and the other is a matching wallet that functions as a fire wallet. For these two items, the best person who came to mind immediately for this kind of work was my good friend, Tony Curtis, from overseas. After several months of samples being sent back and forth, the final approval was made, and the wallets were custom manufactured specifically for this effect.

The next part was the printing of the manuscript. Thanks go to Mike Caveney and Harry Anderson, for they allowed us to reprint a portion of Harry's routine, word-for-word from Harry's and Mike's original book, "Wise Guy." The manuscript turned out perfect, including photo illustrations and the necessary details.

The next step was including an actual live performance of Harry Anderson performing this routine. Thanks to Meir Yedid, we were granted permission to include a full DVD live performance from Harry's HBO Special, and it is FUNNY!

Last but not least, all the components were gathered and put together. The final product is, in my estimation, one of the best produced outfits that Hocus Pocus has ever been involved in, and we've had our share! It took many months to bring this project to fruition, and I am extremely proud to offer it to you.

The reason why I felt it necessary to give you a step-by-step procedure of this process was to show how much really goes in to creating and marketing a particular effect; it's not as easy as it may seem. There are many hours spent, money spent, and lots of trial and error to get it right. In the end, when done properly from start to finish, you have a product to be proud of and have complete confidence that those who acquire it will be just as satisfied as you are with the final result.

In closing, I guarantee that if you purchase this effect and take the time to learn and perfect it, you will have one of the strongest and most memorable routines that audiences will remember forever!

For all the details on Harry Anderson's Cuff Links Supreme, click HERE!



Now that you understand the creative process, I'm very excited to announce that the new Robert Baxt effect, Funny Money is now online for pre-order! All the components of this effect, again custom-made to Roberts exacting specifications, are here and being assembled. We are currently awaiting the live performance and instructional DVD, which, speaking to Robert, should be here next Tuesday or Wednesday, and immediately thereafter, all pre-orders will ship.

For all the details on Robert Baxt's Funny Money, click HERE!

We at Hocus Pocus take pride in every project we are involved in. We believe in 100% customer satisfaction and we'll continue to strive to give you the very best we can.

Until next time,

Paul

Home From School

Thanks, Mike, for taking over the blog last week. Betty and I headed north to the Bay Area to help our son, Cole, pack up his things and move out of the dorms for the Summer. Cole was lucky enough to land a resident assistant job for next year, so things are looking good for his return this Fall. After we helped him pack up, we all drove to San Francisco and had dinner at my favorite restaurant, Scoma's. The city was jam packed with tourists for the holiday weekend, and it took us over an hour to get over the San Francisco Bridge. We all had a great dinner, though, and Cole is now back at home where he's got a job as an assistant to a CPA.


Robert Baxt and his Funny Money

Last week, as Mike mentioned, my good friend Robert Baxt was here on his way to California Magic & Novelty Dinner Theater to perform for the weekend. While Robert was here, he and I worked out the details for manufacturing his latest release called Funny Money. Although at the moment I can't give out more information, I will say that it will be ready for release in the next few weeks. This effect will include all the props and a DVD of Robert performing this effect live at the Magic Castle. This is a great comedy magic effect that Robert has been using in his own show, and it's one of those great "packs small, plays big" effects that you will have with you at all times!


Tim Mannix always gets the chicks

My good friend Tim Mannix from Hollywood was here this week. Tim's an outstanding full-time family performer, and he always has the coolest stuff to trade with me. One of the treasures I got from him was a custom made Backgammon table decked out with card and magic designs! It is a true one-of-a-kind, and it sits in the middle of the showroom. He also brought with him a lot of antique and collectible props as well as custom Bob Mackie costumes from the Carol Burnett Show worn by Carol and her cast in a magic sketch. Tim spent most of the day here and had a great time roaming the place and checking out all the magic products here.


Doug Malloy's new Vanishing Radio

In case you haven't seen it yet, we are very excited to bring to you Doug Malloy's latest creation, the Vanishing Radio! Two years ago, Doug and I sat down and discussed the possibilities of updating this now classic effect! Doug put his nose to the grindstone, and after trial and error, has developed the best modern version ever offered in my opinion. If you ever considered adding this effect to your act or are even interested in this effect, this is the one to consider!



How many of you got started with one of these? This is an original Marshall Brodien TV Magic Kit. By the looks of Marshall on the box, he appears to be in his early 20s. I just received this in the mail today, and it's in perfect condition with all the original props intact. This will be a fine addition to my growing collection of magic kits which are "appearing" and growing steadily in my office:


Here are just a few of the kits in my collection



Some of my favorites are an original Doug Henning Magic Kit, several Blackstone Jr. Magic Kits, an original Mandrake the Magician Magic Kit, and Man from U.N.C.L.E. Magic Kit. I love looking through each one of them and the different tricks; it brings back so many childhood memories. If you have any old magic kits that you'd like to sell, please contact me at 800-407-4040 or email me at sales@hocus-pocus.com as I am interested.

This week, Mike has done an outstanding job listing a record number of new products. If you haven't visited the web site lately, do yourself a favor and CHECK IT OUT!

This weekend, I have no plans to travel or go anywhere. I'll relax at home with my wife and sons. Here's to hoping you have a well rested weekend as well.

Until next time,

Paul

A Magician's Life

Bruce Cervon (1941-2007)

I hate starting the blog like this, but I am very sad to report that magician Bruce Cervon passed away last night, May25th. I am especially morose about this as Bruce and I worked together at a couple of venues and had some great conversations and stories to share.

From the Whaley's Who's Who in Magic:

Cervon, Bruce, AIMC (Akron, Ohio: 20 Jun 1941-2007) Stage name of Andrew Bruce Cernava, a grandson of Yugoslav immigrants. Inspired around age 7 when father taught him a one-hand cut. Soon self-taught from Gilbert Mysto Magic set & the card section reprint from Hoffmann's Modern Magic. Pro close-up & stand-up magician since 1964 when he moved to Hollywood.

1971 AMA Best Lecturer.
AMA Best Close-up Magician 1973, 1976.
Expert court witness on gambling.
AMA Treasurer 1978-94 & Secretary since 1994.
Co-publisher (with Louis Falanga & as successor to Larry Jennings) of L&L Publishing since c1990.
Wrote The Real Work: Card Secrets of Bruce Cervon (1976, 64pp), The Cervon File (1987), Ultra Cervon (1990, 186pp, with Stephen Minch), etc.
See Mike Maxwell, Bruce Cervon's The Black & White Trick and Other Assorted Mysteries (1989, 151pp), and Stephen Minch, Bruce Cervon: Hard-Boiled Mysteries (1998m 192pp). Produced The Vernon Chronicles (4 vols, 1988-92), including as Vol.4 co-edited (with Keith Burns, He Fooled Houdini: Dai Vernon a Magical Life (1992, 308pp).
Tricks in Genii, Pallbearers, Epilogue, Ibidem, Cardiste, Hierophant, Talisman, Linking Ring, Magic & Spells, Magick, MUM, Richard's Almanac, & in books by others.
TV segments.
2 audios; 2 videos ("Ultra Cervon).

What an accomplished magician and an all around nice person. Bruce will surely be missed by us all.

In other news, Paul has taken a day out of the office to work with friend and magician Robert Baxt about a new project that they are being especially candid about. I had an opportunity to take a candid shot of them working and talking about something in the offices yesterday, but I can't make heads or tails of it:



And check out this video of Robert performing a levitation. While I'm unsure if this has anything to do with the above photo as far as a new project goes, it certainly is interesting and entertaining:



If the above embedded object doesn't work for your web browser, you can check it out here:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZMaQfosV1dI

Regardless, make sure you keep tabs on the web site for more details when this new project hits!

Until next week when Paul returns,

Mike

Private Collection Extravaganza

Boy, how I wish all of you could be here in person this week. Mike and I have been feverishly working on compiling a massive private estate and collectibles list. This is one of the things I enjoy the most. You never know what you're going to see or what's coming in the mail. Check out the photos below of just some of the things you'll be able to purchase is you are an online member as I am going to send out a private email listing this Saturday. It is a massive list with something for everyone, whether you are a children's entertainer or a stand-up comedy magician, and everything in-between. Make sure to click the pictures below to get a bigger and better view:


Just take a look at some of these gems!


Some of the larger items for sale




Items for as far as the eye can see!







A new feature of the web site we've created is the Clearance Product Category where you can save a bundle on various items. Many of you have already found it and grabbed up some major deals. Remember, all the products in this category are new, unused, but limited to stock on-hand. Check it out often as new products are added almost daily.

Hocus Pocus teams up with Jeff Hobson and the Lecture Network, which host live magic lectures over the Internet and so much more! Just another way the Internet brings magicians from all boundaries and backgrounds together directly to your computer! We urge you to check out this new service, and you can subscribe directly through Hocus Pocus by clicking the banner below:



It's back to work on this list for now. Remember, if you are not a member and want to get in on this weekend's massive estate and collectibles event, sign up here.

Until next time,

Paul

From the Magic Castle to Happy Birthday!

This week has certainly flown by! Last Friday, at 6:00 AM, Betty, Max, Aimee, and I headed south to Paramount, California where we spent the entire day with Chuck and Gerald Kirchner, owners of Magic City, one of our major suppliers. Around 5:00 PM, we all then drove to Long Beach, California to have dinner on the ocean at Gladstone's. Gerald's wife, Marilyn, and his son, James, also joined us. We all had a great time and a great meal as well. Then everybody loaded up and headed to Hollywood. We arrived around 10:00 PM, where we were met by my good friend, Robert Baxt, who helped us settle in. We sat up for several hours catching up and trading ideas.


Gerald Kirchner with his son, James and wife, Marilyn


My daughter, Aimee, my son, Max, and Gerald Kirchner


Chuck Kirchner and me


The Magic Castle


The Magic Castle Hotel

Saturday morning, Mike and Tony arrived with a van full of Hocus Pocus merchandise for Sunday's Dealer's Day at the Castle. After checking in, we all walked down Hollywood boulevard to our favorite hangout spot, Musso & Frank's where we were treated to a fantastic lunch. Afterwards, we walked across the street to Hollywood Magic and visited there with owner, Greg St. Pierre, Woody Pittman, and the rest of his staff.


The Virgin Megastore on Hollywood Boulevard

Time for shopping afterwards, where we accosted many stores, purchasing several Marilyn Monroe paintings for Aimee's birthday and then back to the hotel where we ran into Rafael Benatar, who was performing that evening in the Close-Up Room at the Magic Castle! Before we knew it, it was time to get ready to go to the Castle for dinner and shows. Because my daughter, Aimee, just turned 21 years-old, this was her first visit to the famous Magic Castle, and she couldn't be more excited. We enjoyed the shows after dinner, and Robert Baxt graciously gave Aimee an insider's tour of the Castle. Next was a surprise played on me as Mike gained access to my Magic Castle membership card and gave it to Robert, who had secretly uploaded my picture into a brand new digital picture frame hung in the hallway to the Palace of Mystery. He slid my membership card into a secret area and up popped my picture among all the legends at the Castle. This is a new gag recently installed for all members to take advantage of. This can also be your five minutes of fame. Around midnight, we headed back to the hotel to get some much-needed sleep as it was going to be a full Sunday!


My picture used on the digital frame at the Castle

Mark and Nani Wilson had invited us to be featured dealers at Dealer's Day, and on Sunday morning, we took full advantage of the opportunity and started unloading all the merchandise into the downstairs bar area of the Magic Castle. We used a full 12 tables to display everything, and it was a sight to behold when we were finished setting up (in record time, I might add, thanks to everyone involved). Mark and Nani showed up and were as gracious as ever as our hosts, making sure that our needs were attended to, from having enough tables to enough coffee for Betty and Mike! 11:00 AM came quickly and the doors flooded with people! Business was brisk and I was certainly happy to meet many of you in person. There was not a moment when people weren't flooding the tables taking a look at what we brought with us. I'd like to thank Mark and Nani again for inviting us to this great event and thanks to all of you who attended.


Tony, Mike and I are ready for the doors to open!


Tony and I look over the placement of the magic props


A view of one of the tables


Another view


Yet another view


Did we bring enough?

At 3:00 PM, we began packing up the van and, believe it or not, we were back on the road heading to Fresno by 4:00 PM! Everyone arrived safe and sound by 7:15 PM and couldn't believe we did so much in so little time!

Before I go, I have a special announcement: my son, Max, turns 15 today. I know this because he has reminded us continually on a daily basis. His laundry list of wants for his birthday goes from DVDs to a miniature pot-bellied pig! Guess what he WON'T be getting?! Tonight, he's already put in a special request for his birthday dinner: halibut with mashed potatoes and peas. Of course, for dessert, he wants Oreo Cookies & Cream from Baskin Robbins. Not a bad life for a kid.


My son, Max, at the Castle on Sunday

Mother's Day is this weekend, so Happy Mother's Day! Make sure you thank your mom, wife, grandmother for all they've done.

Quite a lot this week, so until next time,

Paul

Have Fun Stormin' the Castle!

Hi, kids! Mike Giusti here with another exciting episode of "From the Desk of Paul Gross," who has left for the Magic Castle a day early to help prepare and set up for Dealer's Day this Sunday! I'll be there after a gig tonight, Tony will be there as well, and this Sunday, May 6th from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, if you are a member of the Magic Castle, lots o' fun will be had. And, if you are not a member of the Magic Castle and wish to attend, check this little secret out:

Simply tell the Magic Castle receptionist that you are a guest of Hocus Pocus and you will be able to attend the event! How cool is that?

We hope to see many of you there, and please stop by and introduce yourself to Paul, Tony Blanco, and myself. There we will be showcasing and demonstrating some of our most popular products, signing autographs, and taking pictures!

We've been packing up for this event for a week (you know how Paul is), and we've even rented a truck to help us get all the merchandise over to the Castle. I hope my back can take all this action and excitement.

Personally, it's been a feast as far as magic gigs are concerned. My phone, all of a sudden, has been ringing off the hook with requests for appearances and performances. It appears (and I didn't even know this) that my MySpace page is the number-one ranked comedy page in the Central Valley, and I've already appeared on television to talk about it. It felt weird not performing in front of a camera for once.


Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco

The highlight of all these gigs was last weekend at the beautiful, famous Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill in San Francisco for the Board of Directors of a major hospital in this area. The gig was one of the best ever, and now the entire board of directors remembers a certain doctor who attended as "Dr. Viagra." Ask me about that some time...

Here are some pictures of that fantastic weekend:


A great hotel room offers all the comforts of home


Where, oh where do I set up my laptop?


The view through the window


Wow!


Wow again!


I can see the terrace from up here!

The next day, we took in the city. Now having grown up in San Francisco, both Jules and I knew where to go, but we decided to go to the tourist spots together for the first time, so the first stop was, of course, Pier 39:


On a clear day, you get a great view, and the weather was terrific!


End of the pier at Pier 39 with a shot of the Golden Gate Bridge


Another great view: Alcatraz Island

Although Ghirardelli Square was going through some major renovations, Jules and I decided to walk over there from Pier 39 and have some lunch at a restaurant both of us truly enjoyed! If you are ever in the area, make sure to stop by McCormick & Kuleto's (pictured below at the bottom right of the picture). The view was amazing, the atmosphere was incredibly romantic, and I recommend it highly!




Walking back to the car with a great view (the background, too!)



After lunch, I decided to take Jules on a tour through the Presidio, where she had never been. It's like the Central Park of San Francisco, and the views are spectacular!


What a great day after a stormy night!



What a great weekend it was, and what a great weekend it will be as the Magic Castle hosts Dealer's Day this Sunday, May 6th. We'll have lots of pictures to share with you next week, so stay tuned. If not, we hope to see you there!

Until Paul returns,

Mike