By: Corey
I have always liked this effect, and have only seen it done on
stage. Can it be done close-up? It looks like something that is so
good that it can be done in almost any conditions.
By: Bob Brown
The vanishing birdcage was a signature trick of the late Bert
Allerton. He used it table hopping! His main venue was the posh Pump
Room of the Ambassador East Hotel here in Chicago. I understand Bert
would "set" the cage while reaching into his case beside his chair. It
has been done close up and done very well indeed. Go for it.
By: Corey
WOW! Table hopping! I'll definitely look into it. The only reason I
asked about the effect is because everywhere you go, the Vanishing
Birdcage is advertised is the "Stage/Parlor" section of the store plus
I have only seen the effect done on stage. This has always been one of
my favorite effects, but I have never looked into it, because of
that. Thanks a lot for the information, Bob!
By: Olde Rabbit
Actually, I've seen several parlor/stage props used in closeup
situation. Morrissey used to make a really exquisite Card Tripod of
copper, which would exchange one card for another. Worked on the olde
ball vase principle.
I have also seen very small square circles, and even had at one time a miniature Crystal Silk Cylinder, which worked rather well.
Most of the ones mentioned above would be better in non-moving closeup, but don't be put off if you see a trick in the parlor/stage section and want to adapt it to closeup. There's usually a way, and several here who can help you find it.
I believe there are a couple different Vanishing Birdcages. Both those permanently attached to the pull, and those you attach just before the vanish. Bob can fill you in better on these, who probably carries them, etc.
By: Corey
Thanks a lot for your response, Olde Rabbit. Like I said before, I
have always liked the effect, but didn't know that it indeed could be
used for strolling close-up/table-hopping. I knew that there were a
few different versions of the effect, I was most interested in the
small metal one imported from India I think. It's the one that Lance
Burton used at the end of one of his specials (I don't remember which
one.) I don't know if it is permanently on the pull or not. I have
looked around, and I found it for $45 at The Magic Warehouse. This is
the cheapest I've found it, and I'll probably end up getting it from
there.
By: houdiniking
Bert Allerton did indeed use the Vanishing Bird Cage Close-up in
Chicago's Pump Room and House of Murphy. The exact way he set the cage
up was by reaching underneath the table and remarking "It's amazing
what you could find underneath here besides chewing gum". He
originally used a ribbon cage made for him by Jay Palmer but then
switched to the Holmdale and Ed Miller models but then later on in the
60's and 60's exclusively used a Simms cage. The later two are of the
rigid variety. The Indian version made currently by Dalal is a copy of
the later three cages.
Good luck in finding a Holmdale Cage (later copied by Will Lindhorst) as I only have two in my vast collection of over 200 antique Vanishing Bird Cages. In my next book I will have a whole chapter or two on this great effect.
By: houdiniking
My previous post should have read that Bert Allerton used a Warren E
Simms (of Brooklyn) Vanishing Bird Cage in the 40's and 50's. He
passed away in 1958. See THE CLOSE UP MAGICIAN for some great effects
Bert used.
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