This effect was very popular in the early 1900s. It was used in vaudeville, tent shows, and touring illusion shows. However, today, it is almost forgotten.
This secret has been sold in the past by Nelson Enterprises, Nelmar, Joe Ovette and Del-Ardo and is now being revealed again to modern-day performers, who wish to add this novelty to their acts.
If you have seen Devin Knight perform, you may have seen him do this feat. It is a regular part of his show. This can be used by magicians, mentalists, and metaphysical performers; but, be warned, Even though there is a gimmick. This is not for everyone. It takes a performer with a commanding stage personality to pull this off properly.
The effect can also be used in a hypnotism show with real hypnotized subjects, or as pseudo hypnotism in hypnotism shows. It is an excellent effect to use for those times when no one seems to go under. It does happen.
The effect is that the performer shows a four-foot metal bar and invites two members of the audiences to come forward and assist in an experiment. They are not stooges. Each participant grabs an end of the bar with both hands on top. They lift the bar off the table. The performer gently strokes the bar and in a short time, it rises in the air, still being held by the participants, apparently making an effort to hold it down!
Finally, after rising to the head level of the participants, it becomes very heavy and drops to the table with a loud thump or bang.
Can be done with one inch metal pipe you can get from most large hardware stores and easily gimmicked.
- NO Thread or Wires
- NO Magnets
Complete with full directions and patter. This can be done anywhere under any conditions, even outdoors. This is something audiences have not seen today.
"Devin Knight's "Uncanny Rising and Floating Iron Bar" is a clearly explained description of an entertaining effect for two participants who each hold one end of an iron bar while they attempt to handle it according
to the performer's directions, and they and the audience find out that the bar refuses to be held parallel to the floor. One end of the metal bar insists on moving upwards. Devin explains the preparation of the bar, and gives clear instructions and advice about performance. This is a good effect and Devin has revived another old effect so that it will be new and entertaining to any audience." - Ron Levy
1st edition 2015, 7 pages.
word count: 2107 which is equivalent to 8 standard pages of text
