Can anybody suggest a book (or books) or magazine or notes or DVD where the "Haunted Key" effect is discussed in some depth? Thanks - Magic Nonno

A book entitled What Lies Behind The Doors by Ed Solomon. The Magic Warehouse has it.

Booklet been out since Fun Inc. Started making the trick, called "Presenting the Haunted Key" by Dick Williams.

http://www.trickshopmagic.com/rmhaunboo.html

Roy Johnson has some totally new handling for this trick in his last lecture notes.

Many Ring Off string effects can be done with a key as well.

Do you have Barrie Richardson haunted key. ?

Is this the same or similar ro the Spirit Key?

Actually answered my own question. Which I suppose is just as well since the OP seems to have vanished.

I got a spirit key from penguin magic last october- cool deal.
Fun around Halloween. I say I found it near the local cemetary. I believe it may be haunted. I'm Surprised people buy that, but they do. And then they shriek when it turns by itself.
I didn't think I'd like the key very much-kinda novelty looking. But its actually a pretty fun little device.

Check out Lebanon Circles haunted Innsof England, great routine.

Haunted key is described in Paul Zenon's Street Magic.

There's a chapter in "The Busch Factor" by Richard Busch.

Barry

Robert Neale has a great story for haunted key named "A key in the door" in his book "Tricks of the imagination".

Dick Williams' booklet, Presenting the Haunted Key is the best I know.
One of the nicest things about this effect is you don't need anything other than a standard mortice key. Use a back gate/door/shed key, preferably borrowed, and just do it.
There are other Haunted Key effects that need special keys, but I don't think these are what the OP is asking for.
Steve

To interject, without I hope, totally knotting this thread, I also use the Haunted Key as the gaff in the "voodoo effect" : Jack Tillar's "BLISTER". (TARBELL Vol. 7, Lesson 91, page 379.

This effect, is somewhat like Paul Curry's OOTW. --i.e.: There are situations where it's an absolute killer. I don't do it as part of a routine. For me, it's a "Single O".

Methinks an entire routine can be built around a Haunted Key. Perhaps others can contribute effects that could be done with the key -- even if that is not the original purpose.

for example, the Key on a looped cord is a necklace allowing for some ring on string effects. It is a pendulum. Many cigarette sleight might apply. It can be inserted into a falling cascade of cards to "randomly" select one. Use as a wand. etc.

Hey Funsway!

Thanks for reminding me!

I always have a shoelace (ring on string stuff) in the close up case. I have looped the lace through the handle of the key, and let it swing over someone's hand like the old "sex detector" bit.

Sam Dalal has a Haunted Key on the market. It is longer than the FUN inc version.

It works very well, so much so you may have trouble slowing its turn.