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Drawing on December 1st, 2024
Details

Price$35.00
Media TypeTrick
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedJul 29, 2021

Houdini's Niece

Wayne Dobson

Alan Wong

(Based on 1 review)
"Houdini, perhaps the most famous magic name in history.

Houdini and his wife Bess did not have children of their own. However, Houdini was close to his niece; for some reason she never had her birth name registered as a baby, so Houdini later named her in this rather strange way.

Amongst Houdini's many interests was Numerology, so he called upon that to determine her name. He had a book of 100 popular girls' names of that time. He took his grandmothers birth year - added together the two digits - then simply subtracted the total from his original number. The number he was left with, he looked on that page in the book of names and took that name for his niece."

The audience is asked to guess his grandmother's birth year and do the same numerology ritual to get to a random number. The book of names is given to the spectator to look up the name on that page of the chosen number.

"Houdini gave this pendant to his niece as a gift: does the name MARIE mean anything to you? It must have meant a lot to Houdini: look here..."

Finally open and show inside the pendant a real photo of Houdini's niece and her name MARIE!

Houdini's Niece is based on true character. The set include the full presentation script by Wayne Dobson, an examinable antique book of 100 popular girl's name, a chained brass photo pendant with Houdini's photo and open up to reveal the photo and the name of Houdini's only niece, Marie Blood as a young girl.

A true story telling masterpiece and strange coincidence.
Can be performed in both the real and virtual world.

Reviews

Elliott Smith

Official Reviewer

Jan 04, 2024

Overview

The premise of this prediction effect is to have your Spectator find out Houdini’s nieces name. As Numerology was one of Houdini's interests, your Spectator randomly guesses his grandmothers birth year, adds them together and then does a calculation. They then use this number they are left with and look on that page in the book of "100 Popular Girls’ Names" of that time and find a name for his niece. You can flip through the book to show all the different names form 1 to 100. That being done you now present a pendant that Houdini face to his niece as a gift that has been in full view. Once opened, you show inside the pendant a real photo of Houdini's niece and her name that was selected by your Spectator!

Effect

The premise of this prediction effect is to have your Spectator find out Houdini’s nieces name. As Numerology was one of Houdini's interests, your Spectator randomly guesses his grandmothers birth year, adds them together and then does a calculation. They then use this number they are left with and look on that page in the book of "100 Popular Girls’ Names" of that time and find a name for his niece. You can flip through the book to show all the different names form 1 to 100. That being done you now present a pendant that Houdini face to his niece as a gift that has been in full view. Once opened, you show inside the pendant a real photo of Houdini's niece and her name that was selected by your Spectator!

Method

There are no sleights, no fancy moves or handling, no switches, no guessing, no memory work, no angle issues and nothing to make or add to this effect. What you receive will do everything for you. This is a very easy effect to learn, very minimal skill is required, it is pretty well self-working, you will be able to do this within minutes of reading the instructions. You will have to work on the routine and presentation but do you not have to do this with most all effects you perform?

Product Quality

You will receive a very nice antique looking pendant on a chain with a photo of Houdini on the front, a cloth bag to store/carry it in and the "100 Popular Girls’ Names” book which measures 3-1/2” X4-3/4”. It is hinged and opens to reveal the photo and name of Houdini’s niece that was chosen by your Spectator. The pendant is completely examinable. All the props are well made and will last. You also receive a link to download the .pdf instructions which print out nicely - three 8.5” X 11” pages.

Ad Copy Integrity

What is described in the ad is very accurate. The printed instructions include the full presentation and script by Wayne Dobson and are very clear and concise. This will not be hard at all to learn, it is almost self-working.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for something a little different, this is it. Houdini and his wife Bess did not have children of their own. Houdini was close to his niece and for some reason she never had her birth name registered as a baby, so he later named her a rather strange way. If you are good at writing and/or storytelling, you can embellish this as much as you want - go ahead, make it your own. This is perfect for parlor shows, strolling and virtual online presentations. There is no reset to be done, immediately ready to go for your next performance. Please know that it is not repeatable to the same audience. I highly recommend this and for the price paid, well worth the investment for this highly presentational routine.
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