You Turn by Wonder Imagery

 

Now available at www.magiciansmagicshop.com 

New / Unopened

A fun, visual piece of magic that gets a great reaction while using a familiar everyday object!

You Turn features a double-sided road-style sign that seems to have a mind of its own. You explain that the sign should always be displayed right-side up—but every time you turn it over, it somehow ends up upside down!

No matter how carefully you turn the sign, it just won't cooperate.

After several increasingly funny attempts, you finally make the sign behave. Then, just when the audience thinks they know what's happening, you reveal the surprise ending: the sign has magically changed into a picture of a top hat!

For the finale, you ask the classic question:

“What do magicians pull out of top hats?”

You give the sign one final turn and reveal an adorable rabbit, bringing the routine to a magical finish.

This is a colorful, easy-to-follow routine that's especially well suited for:

• Kids and family shows
• School and library programs
• Birthday parties
• Comedy magic
• MC/emcee bits

The large, colorful sign makes the effect easy for an audience to follow, and the built-in comedy gives the performer plenty of opportunity for interaction.

Condition: NEW — unopened in original packaging
Manufacturer: Wonder Imagery
Effect: Comedy / Children's / Family Magic

Retail Price $29.00 

Our Price $25.00 

Hundred Fingers Makes AGT History With Howie Mandel’s Live Golden Buzzer

 Magic supergroup Hundred Fingers has officially advanced to the finals of America’s Got Talent Season 21 after receiving Howie Mandel’s Live Golden Buzzer during the first night of the quarterfinals.

The South Korean ensemble delivered a fast-paced performance filled with visual magic, perfectly synchronized choreography and nonstop transformations. By the time the routine ended, Mandel had seen enough. He dramatically threw himself across the judges’ table to reach the Golden Buzzer, showering the group in golden confetti and sending them directly to the finals.

“That’s the best thing I’ve seen,” Mandel declared after the performance. “One word: magic.”

Ten Magicians Performing as One

Hundred Fingers is a project team consisting of 10 accomplished South Korean magicians. The group is led by internationally recognized magician Yu Hojin, a former America’s Got Talent finalist and the winner of the Korean television competition The Magic Star.

Their name reflects the unusual concept behind the act: 10 magicians combining their 100 fingers to perform as though they were one perfectly coordinated artist.

During their quarterfinal routine, the performers produced, vanished and transformed cards, fans, masks and other objects at remarkable speed. Confetti filled the air, fire appeared in their hands and each magical moment flowed directly into the next.

Rather than presenting 10 separate magicians taking turns, Hundred Fingers created a unified act in which every performer contributed to one continuous piece of visual magic. The precision required to keep that many hands, objects and movements perfectly synchronized helped distinguish the group from a traditional solo magic performance.

The group reportedly rehearsed for approximately 15 hours a day, six days a week, while preparing to raise the difficulty and theatrical scale of its live-show performance.

Howie Mandel Gives Hundred Fingers a Second Golden Buzzer

This was not the first time Mandel used a Golden Buzzer to support Hundred Fingers.

Earlier in the competition, their dazzling card-magic audition impressed him enough to secure their advancement to the quarterfinals. Hundred Fingers became the first team composed entirely of Korean performers to receive an AGT Golden Buzzer.

When the group returned for the live quarterfinals on August 18, Mandel once again became its biggest supporter.

He remained on his feet throughout much of the performance and led the audience’s cheers at its conclusion. Before the judges could offer their critiques, Mandel lunged across the desk and hit the Live Golden Buzzer.

His enthusiastic dive accidentally activated his red buzzer as well, but there was no confusion about his decision. The golden streamers came down, and Hundred Fingers secured an automatic place in the Season 21 finals.

Host Terry Crews described it as one of the wildest Golden Buzzer moments the show had ever witnessed.

A Direct Trip to the AGT Finals

The Live Golden Buzzer carries even greater power than the version used during the auditions.

During the quarterfinals, most acts must receive enough viewer votes to advance into the semifinals. Hundred Fingers will now bypass both the public vote for its quarterfinal group and the semifinal round, advancing directly to the Season 21 finals.

That decision places a magic act among the final contenders competing for the show’s $1 million prize.

It also continues magic’s impressive history on America’s Got Talent. Magicians including Mat Franco, Shin Lim and Dustin Tavella have previously won the competition, while many others have used the program to introduce their work to millions of viewers.

A New Kind of Magic Act

Hundred Fingers represents an exciting development in televised magic.

Most magic acts are built around a single featured performer. Hundred Fingers instead combines sleight of hand with the scale and precision of a dance company. The performers must not only execute difficult moves but also maintain exact spacing, timing and coordination with nine other magicians.

The result is an act that can be appreciated even without dialogue. Its visual style crosses language barriers and makes the magic accessible to audiences around the world.

With Howie Mandel placing his confidence behind them twice, Hundred Fingers will now have an opportunity to create an even larger performance for the finals.

Can 10 magicians and 100 fingers become the next magic act to win America’s Got Talent? Their biggest performance is still to come.

Remembering Dai Vernon: “The Professor” Who Transformed Close-Up Magic

 August 2026 marks 34 years since the magic world lost Dai Vernon, the legendary sleight-of-hand artist affectionately known as “The Professor.”

Vernon died on August 21, 1992, at age 98, leaving behind an influence that can still be seen in nearly every deck of cards handled by a serious close-up magician today. He was far more than a skilled performer. Vernon was a teacher, an innovator, a historian and a lifelong student of magic who helped shape the way modern magicians think about their craft.

From David Verner to Dai Vernon

Dai Vernon was born David Frederick Wingfield Verner on June 11, 1894, in Ottawa, Canada. He discovered magic as a young boy and quickly became fascinated by card manipulation and sleight of hand.

Vernon eventually moved to New York, where he immersed himself in the world of professional magicians, gamblers and card experts. He was not satisfied simply knowing that a technique worked. He wanted to understand why it worked and how it could be made more natural, deceptive and beautiful.

That obsessive pursuit of perfection earned him the nickname “The Professor.”

The Man Who Fooled Houdini

One of the most famous stories in magic history involves Vernon’s encounter with Harry Houdini.

Houdini reportedly claimed that no magician could fool him with the same trick three times. Vernon responded by repeatedly performing a version of the Ambitious Card, in which a selected card placed into the middle of the deck mysteriously returned to the top.

Even after watching the effect several times, Houdini was unable to explain it. Vernon later used the memorable promotional title “The Man Who Fooled Houdini.”

Although that story helped build Vernon’s reputation, his lasting importance extends far beyond a single encounter with Houdini.

Vernon’s Lasting Contributions to Magic

Dai Vernon devoted his life to improving the art of sleight of hand. He believed movements should appear natural and that technique should remain invisible beneath a strong presentation.

Among the routines and ideas closely associated with Vernon are Triumph, Twisting the Aces, The Travelers, his celebrated Cups and Balls routine and his work with the Linking Rings. Many of these creations remain part of the working magician’s repertoire decades later.

Vernon also traveled in search of gamblers, card cheats and little-known sleight-of-hand experts. If he heard that someone possessed a particularly deceptive technique, he wanted to meet that person, study the move and preserve the knowledge.

His endless curiosity helped prevent valuable secrets and techniques from disappearing.

The Professor at the Magic Castle

In 1963, Vernon moved to Hollywood and became closely associated with the newly opened Magic Castle. He spent much of his later life there, sharing stories, demonstrating techniques and advising generations of magicians.

Young performers traveled from around the world for an opportunity to sit with Vernon and learn from his lifetime of experience. The magicians he influenced then carried his ideas to their own students, allowing his philosophy to spread throughout the international magic community.

At Vernon’s memorial at the Magic Castle, 52 red roses—one for every card in a deck—were placed onstage in tribute to the man who had devoted his life to card magic.

A Legacy That Lives in Every Deck

Dai Vernon never became a household name like Houdini, David Copperfield or Harry Blackstone. Within the magic community, however, his influence is difficult to overstate.

He taught magicians to value natural movement, careful construction and simplicity. He demonstrated that the smallest details could separate an ordinary trick from a genuine moment of astonishment.

More than three decades after his death, magicians continue to study Vernon’s books, routines and philosophy. Each time a performer practices Triumph, turns over the four aces or attempts to make a difficult sleight look effortless, a small part of The Professor’s legacy returns to life.

Dai Vernon may have left us in 1992, but the lessons he gave the magic world are still being passed from one magician to another—and they probably always will be.

Aaron Crow Risks His Hand in Terrifying Knife Routine on America’s Got Talent

 Belgian danger magician Aaron Crow brought genuine tension to the America’s Got Talent stage with a frightening game of chance involving paper bags, a knife, and the decisions of judges Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel.

Crow is known for performing without speaking, allowing dramatic music, carefully controlled movements, and the reactions of his volunteers to tell the story. This performance was no exception. From the moment he walked onto the stage, the atmosphere shifted from entertainment to suspense.

A Dangerous Game of Chance

For the routine, a sharp knife was positioned beneath one of several paper bags. From the outside, the bags appeared identical, making it impossible for the audience to know which one concealed the blade.

Crow then placed his safety in the hands of Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel. The judges were asked to make choices that determined which bags would remain in play. After each decision, Crow forcefully brought his hand down onto one of the selected bags.

Every successful strike eliminated another apparently safe option—and brought him closer to the bag hiding the knife.

As the number of bags decreased, the tension inside the theater continued to rise. The judges visibly struggled with the idea that one incorrect choice could result in a serious injury. Crow, however, remained completely calm and committed to the performance.

Aaron Crow Keeps the AGT Judges on Edge

Crow’s silent presentation is a major part of what makes his performances so effective. Without dialogue to reassure the audience or release the tension, every movement feels more dangerous.

Simon and Howie’s decisions appeared to be entirely their own, making the outcome seem impossible to predict. The audience could only watch as Crow continued slamming his hand onto the bags, narrowly avoiding the knife until its location was finally revealed.

The routine ended successfully, but not before leaving the judges and audience visibly shaken.

Danger magic presents a unique challenge for any performer. The audience must believe the threat is real, while the performer must maintain control over every detail. Crow’s deliberate pacing and intimidating stage presence turned a straightforward premise into a memorable television moment.

Who Is Aaron Crow?

Aaron Crow is an internationally recognized Belgian magician, mentalist, and danger performer. He has appeared on talent competitions around the world and has also performed as part of the touring stage production The Illusionists.

His signature style combines magic, suspense, unusual weapons, and audience participation. Crow rarely speaks during his performances, instead creating a mysterious character whose intentions are revealed through action.

During his 2018 run on America’s Got Talent, Crow repeatedly placed the judges at the center of dangerous-looking stunts. His performances included swords, blindfolds, hot wax, and other intimidating props, making him one of the season’s most unforgettable variety acts.

When Magic Feels Truly Dangerous

Whether presented as magic, mentalism, or a highly calculated stunt, Crow’s knife routine succeeds because it gives the audience an easy-to-understand danger: place your hand on the wrong bag and the consequences could be immediate.

The trick does not require a complicated explanation. Everyone watching understands the risk from the moment the knife is introduced.

Aaron Crow once again demonstrated that powerful magic is not always about making something disappear. Sometimes it is about creating a moment in which an entire theater holds its breath and waits to see what happens next.

Kayla Drescher Wins Teller’s Heart on Penn & Teller: Fool Us

 Magician Kayla Drescher proved that a performance does not need to fool Penn and Teller to create an unforgettable moment.

During her appearance on Season 4 of Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Drescher invited Teller onto the stage for a charming routine built around the idea of two people falling in love. With music, expressive acting, and plenty of playful interaction, she transformed a classic piece of magic into a miniature romantic comedy.

Because Teller famously performs without speaking, he was the perfect partner for the largely silent routine. Drescher used gestures and facial expressions to guide him through the story, while Teller fully embraced his role as her unlikely love interest. His reactions and comic timing made the performance feel less like a traditional television magic audition and more like a scene from a silent movie.

A Magical Love Story Without Words

What makes the routine so enjoyable is its simplicity. Drescher does not bury the audience beneath complicated instructions or an endless series of tricks. Instead, she allows the magic to support a clear and entertaining story.

The chemistry between Drescher and Teller becomes the centerpiece of the act. Teller follows her movements, responds to her flirtatious gestures, and helps bring the routine’s romantic theme to life. By the conclusion, Drescher has apparently captured a piece of Teller’s heart—both figuratively and magically.

Teller’s enthusiastic participation and affectionate reaction at the end make it clear how much he enjoyed the performance. Meanwhile, Penn jokingly admits that he may be feeling a little jealous after watching his longtime performing partner fall for someone else onstage.

Did Kayla Drescher Fool Penn and Teller?

Drescher did not receive a Fool Us trophy for the routine. Penn indicated that he and Teller understood the methods involved, but that did little to diminish their appreciation for the performance.

In fact, the act is a wonderful reminder that the real purpose of magic is not always to create an impossible puzzle. Sometimes the most memorable performances are the ones that make an audience laugh, smile, or feel something.

Drescher took familiar magical ideas and gave them personality, structure, and emotional meaning. Instead of simply demonstrating a trick, she created a complete theatrical experience. That is an important lesson for every performer: audiences may eventually forget the details of an effect, but they will remember how the performance made them feel.

Kayla Drescher’s “Magic in Heels”

Kayla Drescher is known for combining magic with comedy, storytelling, and a distinctive performance style she calls “Magic in Heels.” Her work has helped establish her as a talented and engaging voice in modern magic.

Her Fool Us appearance remains a fan favorite, with the video accumulating more than one million views on YouTube. Viewers continue to praise the routine’s warmth, Teller’s committed performance, and the way Drescher used magic to tell a story without relying heavily on dialogue.

Although Penn and Teller were not fooled, Teller may have walked away missing a small piece of his heart—and Kayla Drescher walked away having created one of the show’s sweetest and most memorable performances.

The Idea Bag by Barry Mitchell – Six Box Production – NEW OLD STOCK

 Now available at www.magiciansmagicshop.com

What happens when you put a great idea into an empty bag?

The Idea Bag by Barry Mitchell is a colorful, visual production effect designed especially for children’s entertainers, school shows, library programs, family performers, and church magicians.

The magician displays an apparently empty paper bag and talks about how ideas can seemingly come from nowhere. Suddenly, a gift box is produced from the empty bag! But that’s only the beginning.

One by one, the magician continues reaching into the bag and producing six gift boxes from what moments before appeared completely empty. It’s a surprising production that builds as more and more boxes impossibly appear.

Barry Mitchell designed the effect to be much more than simply producing boxes. The routine lends itself to presentations about ideas, creativity, imagination, gifts and inspiration. It can also be adapted for school and library programs or given a Biblical/message-based presentation for church performances.

You can even incorporate silks or other small production items along with the boxes to customize the routine for your own show.

Includes:

* The special Idea Bag

* Six appearing gift boxes

* Presentation/routine ideas

* Original packaging/instructions as supplied

The original advertising compared the effect to the classic Dream Bag concept while giving it Barry Mitchell’s creative presentation style.

Retail Price $29.00

Our Price $25.00

On This Day in Magic History: Three Magic Stars Formed “The Triple Alliance” — August 28, 1898

 On August 28, 1898, three prominent magicians joined forces in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the debut of an ambitious new magic act known as The Triple Alliance.

The performers were Servais Le Roy, Frederick Eugene Powell and Imro Fox—three entertainers with very different styles who were brought together with the idea of creating something much larger than an ordinary magic show.

More than 125 years later, all three men hold interesting places in the history of magic.

Three Magicians, Three Different Styles

Part of what made The Triple Alliance such an intriguing concept was that each performer brought something different to the production.

Servais Le Roy supplied the large-scale illusions. The Belgian-born magician would become one of the great innovators in magic history and is particularly remembered for developing the famous Asrah levitation, in which a covered person appears to float into the air before mysteriously vanishing.

Frederick Eugene Powell represented a more traditional style of conjuring and became a highly respected American magician. Powell enjoyed a remarkably long career and would eventually receive one of American magic's greatest honors when he became Dean of the Society of American Magicians.

Then there was Imro Fox, who brought comedy into the equation.

Fox was known as a comic conjurer, using humor and personality to distinguish himself from the more serious presentation styles commonly associated with magicians of the period.

Put them together and audiences essentially received three different approaches to magic in one production.

The Triple Alliance Debuts in Milwaukee

The idea of combining the three performers reportedly came from theatrical manager M.B. Leavitt.

The concept was simple but ambitious: instead of presenting a single magician as the star attraction, why not combine three established performers and create a magic supergroup?

On August 28, 1898, The Triple Alliance made its debut in Milwaukee.

Le Roy handled spectacular illusions, Powell presented classic magic, and Fox provided comedy.

The combination offered audiences variety while allowing each performer to showcase his individual strengths.

The act went on to tour in the United States and Canada, with surviving theater programs providing a fascinating glimpse into an era when full-scale magic productions were an important part of popular live entertainment.

An Idea That Influenced Servais Le Roy

Although The Triple Alliance wasn't destined to become Le Roy's permanent act, the basic idea of combining different magical personalities apparently stayed with him.

Le Roy eventually developed the much more famous partnership of Le Roy, Talma & Bosco.

His wife, Mercedes Talma, became an accomplished sleight-of-hand performer particularly celebrated for her coin manipulation. Leon Bosco supplied comedy, while Le Roy continued presenting the larger illusions.

That combination became one of the most important magic acts of its era.

In some ways, The Triple Alliance can be viewed as an early version of a formula Le Roy would later perfect: combine spectacular illusion, skilled manipulation and comedy into a single theatrical magic experience.

A Fascinating Chapter in Magic History

It's easy to think of famous magicians from the past as isolated stars, each traveling with his or her own show.

The Triple Alliance reminds us that magicians were experimenting with different ways of packaging and presenting the art more than a century ago.

Bringing Le Roy, Powell and Fox together was essentially the 1898 equivalent of assembling three established magic stars for one touring production.

The personalities and partnership may not have lasted forever, but the concept was certainly memorable.

And for Servais Le Roy, the experience helped precede an even more influential chapter in his remarkable career.

So on August 28, we remember an unusual moment in magic history:

The day Servais Le Roy, Frederick Eugene Powell and Imro Fox joined forces as The Triple Alliance.

For more stories from magic's fascinating past, along with the latest news from today's world of magic, keep checking Magic News Daily.