Doug Henning was criticized when he did Houdini's Water Torture Cell because he performed it as a Magic Trick (a vanish) rathers than as an Escape.

@JasonBishopIllusionist

Ай бұрын

Hmm, interesting. I hadn’t heard that, good to know.

As a fellow Magician/Illusionist, that's super impressive, especially the clown makeup and the chickens! 👏😆

Hi, there is a lot to comment on the Moretti Sword Box. When I met Paul Daniels in 2014, we talked much about the Morettis (as I did the upside down escape hanging from a burning rope and after stopping that, shaved my head, the retired Hans Moretti was in an audience when I performed in Luxemburg, and we had a long pleasant chat especially about the escapes. We basically exchanged our experienced accidents with that act...). Hans and Helga were two very friendly, kind and humble persons. Great friends with Paul Daniels, who loved to feature them in his shows. About tossing the swords in the wooden boards: Moretti was a real world illusionist. He listened to his audience. When I saw him perform, they left the swords after the act in the boards, and several people examined them. As they thought, they were like a telescope. He got some extra reputation from the laypeople, because he let the sword on display on stage, and let them touch the swords. I would highly recommend to do the same if an illusionist uses real swords in a sword box illusion. Art? No, but it creates memorable moments. The chaining of Hans was a very clever idea, as this made the illusion different. This act was announced as an Escape Act between dangerous swords! How great is that idea! Hans was in my opinion a genius with the right feeling for drama. Using an unprecious cardboard box was also a great idea. A cardboard box is something familiar for laypeople, is per se ungimmicked and in this presentation it creates the effect that the guests can put the swords everywhere they want. And as Helga helps pushing them in with great power and fast, makes this very baffling. What a difference to a big glitter box and the slowly attempt to find the hole of the box on the opposite side with the sword! Moretti gave action, while some of the usual performers bored the audience with the sword box sometimes to death. Helga did always an excellent job to sell the stabbing of the swords, as well as keeping a fast-paced flow. This act was not about "art", it was about a working effect with a great impact for a lay audience. They talked about this act, for a long time, no matter who else was in the show. That act was the talking point. I wished most of the illusionist who are living in the delusion that their boring presentation is art would have just a fraction of Hans & Helga`s showmanship. Yes, they did this surrounded. They did a lot of Disco venues (now "club") when I met Hans for the first time in 1982, where they had to work surround under sometimes nearly close-up conditions. And it also worked on the hugest stages. The style is of the 70ies. Now you would present it a little bit differently. But when Moretti performed, it was always HIM fascinating the audience, not the box or whatever he did. There are just very few magicians and illusionists who can follow that. This is not only "pretty good" - this is a masterpiece, grown slowly over the years with so much care for numerous details. "It looks to be dangerous" - totally wrong. It IS freaking dangerous! Hans was once caught by a sword that split his hand. He had an impressive scar. No wonder with the power the swords are pushed through the box. Talking about him in detail- you forgot to mention that mostly all the illusions or special touches of the illusion he presented were his invention! Who else can say that his/her career is based upon own ideas? The swordbox, the paper tree suspension (another work of genius), the levitation on the candle, the crossbow act with the multiple Tell-Shot, the escape "Tibetan Cross", his Russian Double Roulette (you could not perform this nowadays - it took me a long time to figure it out. I say it again: Genius!)... all HIS! He was the hero of my youth, a great inspiration, and without him, I would have never started my international career. Also, I was luck enough to meet my hero. My deepest respect for him and Helga. R.I.P.!

@JasonBishopIllusionist

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to share all of that. That’s a lot of excellent and interesting points!

I suspect that the most dangerous part of this trick is that precarious moment when getting into the box, or just standing up there - a real 'topple-hazard'! However [and I watched that P.Daniels show as it aired] the worrying thing, to me, is that he went into the box very much bare skinned but emerged with just about all his skin covered, from gown to wig and even facepaint...mmm? The following day, everybody [in UK] was talking about this trick, it certainly launched Daniels' show. Thanks Hans & Helga for inspiring both magicians and magic lovers alike.

@JasonBishopIllusionist

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the insight about the original airing.

I saw Paul Daniels' Magic Show in the London theatre you mention. I was in London and near the theatre. It was 1981. More than 40 years ago and still remember it well.

@JasonBishopIllusionist

4 ай бұрын

That’s awesome! I really respect Paul, I wish I had gotten to see him live.

I was once one of the audience members who pushed the swords through the box. This was at an International Magic convention in London. Believe me they were very heavy.

@JasonBishopIllusionist

4 ай бұрын

Very interesting. That must’ve been a neat experience.

You would find “John Fisher’s Heroes of Magic” book and his chapters on Hans Morretti and Paul Daniels of interest. It might change some of your thinking on who gets credit for Daniel’s show.

@JasonBishopIllusionist

2 жыл бұрын

Sounds like an interesting book.

@negotiableaffections

5 ай бұрын

This appearance of the Morettis was the talking point for days after the show and it definately served the, Paul Daniels Magic Show - Publicity department well!

Great video

@JasonBishopIllusionist

3 ай бұрын

Thanks!

When you talk about Paul Daniels and how he cut his teeth in bars and pubs, you need to pay attention to the intro or ending of each of his shows and there is a little segments where he says "I l like your tie (or shirt) but not a lot". He used that line when he had to respond to hecklers when he was performing in those bars and pubs. I really didn't understand it myself at first until someone from those times explained it to me.

@JasonBishopIllusionist

Жыл бұрын

I can see where that line would come from doing pub shows.

This was very original when it first appeared. . .

@JasonBishopIllusionist

Жыл бұрын

It’s a strong trick

"Breaks down" rather mentally then, instead of explaining anything - aka breaks down what a click bait title is, got it.

@JasonBishopIllusionist

Ай бұрын

Well see… I’m an actual magician. I’m happy to share about performing but real magicians don’t expose tricks to the public. The fact you thought any real magician would do that speaks to a disgusting trend by a few expedient opportunists. My videos talk about magic at another level. If that’s not for you that’s ok.