Hi all,

Do any of you know where I could find such a video?

Ive read about the effect lots of times and I get the gist of it, but it doesn't sound funny at all.

However, I'd love to see it performed!

Many Thanks

Gary

Just do it, they will start laughing as soon as you pull out the bananna. I don't know where to find it on video other than Copperfield's 1986 Great Wall of China special. But if you just act like it is all a big mistake and that there is supposed to be a bandanna in there instead of a bananna then you will do fine.

Sure,

Well firstly this would be very hard to pull of here in the UK without putting on an American Accent,

Secondly, I still cant see how it could be funny. I'm not saying it's NOT, that's why I want to see it for myself

Gary

The first time I saw this effect, I felt the same way. I guess I didn't "get it."

Then I saw another magician do it ... more importantly, I got how the audience reacted to it. I now close my show with it. Crazy as it sounds, "the banana trick" is the one everyone remembers. And even though you might not think so, I have had people come up after a show and ask "Where DID the banana go?"

If you have any kind of flair for comedy, it can be a big hit. Unfortunately, I don't know where there might be a video available.


Joe Libby
San Antonio, TX

Thanks for the reply.

Is the accompanying CD funny? Is it well produced or un-necessary?

Cheers

Gary

I beleive that joe pasquale has a few dvds/videos out on the market and on the extras of one of them there is a short clip of him doing this trick.........i think!

Gary, I still use the older version that came with an audio cassette. It is well produced; it isn't funny in itself, but it's all part of what makes the routine. I've told people it's my little nod to Red Skelton since it gives me an opportunity to do some pantomime in my show.

I should clarify that the first time I saw it performed (demonstrated, really) was at a dealer's booth at a magic convention. It took seeing it (years later) in front of a lay audience to realize what strong piece of entertainment it is.

Happy weekend!
Joe Libby
San Antonio, TX

You could watch it in one of David Copperfield's TV specials. I don't recall which one.

The original recording is accepetable. However, I have tweaked my by using a different voice and by addind a humourous sound track behind it. I have been using this effect for years, TRUST ME - IT KILLS! Someone annoying actually. I spend thousands on illusions, and the $35 trick is more liked.

Another way I have heard of doing this, is have a kid come on stage and read you instructions of how to do the effect. Comedy Gold.

Careful not to get Bandana all over your sport coat.

RSD, you've hit the nail on the head! What is it about this supposedly simple bit involving a cassette tape, a DH, and a banana that strikes a chord with audiences? I can knock myself out for 35 minutes getting big laughs with my vent act, or flooring 'em with mentalism, and what they talk about later is the banana. But why fight it?

I'm thinking even an absolute beginner could do well with this routine. But if you have any kind of acting ability, any flair for visual comedy and reactions, this could potentially be your showstopper.

See ya!
Joe Libby
San Antonio, TX

A few extra ideas...

1) Use an actual postage bag rather then the box it comes with

2) Put confetti or a yellow silk in the DH to draw attention away from

3) Don't react BEFORE the you hear the instruction.

4) Have a gift box in the audience for the whole show. Later on in your act when you
are meant be be reproducing a signed bill or ring etc reproduce the squashed banana.

5) Add longer pauses if you struggle getting the bag folded up etc.

Gary:

I also used this trick for a summer of shows last year and as a few of the others have said....it is a killer !!! The reaction is outstanding and it will most likely be the trick that your audience will remark or ask about. All you have to do is act it out as if you haven't a clue as to what is happening. People laugh so hard during this routine that I suggest you have the volume up on your player or recorder so they can hear the recording. If I could make a statement here, it would be " Stop all mental processing this moment. Go to the phone. Call your dealer and order it". After you get it and perform it you'll say " Now why can't there be more magic this great for les than $40?".
Hope you get it. It truly is a fantastic trick that you will love.

John

Thanks ever so much for all the replies and once again, thank you for forcing my wages out of my pocket and into the hands of that nasty magic dealer.

I'll let you guys know how I get on

Gary

Gary,

I have done a version of this trick as a skit (no magic involved)for about 40 years and it always gets laughs and is always remembered. Just remember it borders on slapstick. My version uses an assistant who mistakenly Picks up a banana instead of the bandana... Lots of by play and ends with the assistant smashing the banana on my (the world famous magician's)head. It is actually much easier now, 'cause when I started doing this I had a lot more hair and it was harder to get the banana out!

I have seen some very marginal performers do this trick (one using the CD version and one using the cassette tape version) and they both carried it off well. Any comedian will tell you, there is just something funny about a banana.

Do be careful with the banana...you don't want to send your tux to the cleaners after every set.

Tim

Hi Peeps!

The Vanishimg Bandana os one of my favorite comedy prop. I was able to purchase mine a few years ago and came with a cassette tape. You can only hear a voice but no background music.

So what I did was edit the whole thing and added some background music and sound effects and converted it into cd format. I've also adjusted the "gaps" to suit my timing and routine. Lately, they release an improved version of the said effect.

Hope this help!

Sal

I've watched people do it, I've listend to the CD myself. In my opinion it is a hidden prize for the entertainer challenged individual. There are only so many laughs you can get with this, whereas your own routine it is unlimited.

I think its a great routine but personally I wouldn't do it. for the above reason.
Here in the UK it has been done to death I know of at least 6 magicians who do the routine. I got to a gig in a holiday centre the other night and the entertainments manager asked me if I did in his words "the banana trick" when I said no he said "Thank god for that" and went on to tell me that nearly wevery magic act that works there does the same routine word for word.

I can think of nothing worse that having someone look at your routine and in their eyes think that you stole it from someone else.

I agree wholeheartedly

Found one!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj7CsypMx......%20magic

Hope this helps!

Hello everyone!

You can all see this routine done the way it should be done by watching my 12 year old son do it for a local telethon.

Just go to our club website at http://www.geocities.com/ibm_ring_332/

Click on the multimedia links and start the first video. The Bandana routine is the third effect on the video. Make sure you watch the video all the way through as I finish with "Celebritie".

S. Patrick