AtDTDA: (13) The Chinese Gong Effect 355/356

[robinlandseadel at comcast.net]

[This passage is to be scored to the "Love" 
remix of "Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite"]

In addition to any references to kicking the gong around---"Bria can do 
that in her sleep"---it appears that stage magic of the era included a 
Chinese Gong Effect.

From:
             KOLLECTOR’S KORNER
             We’re going to look at some well-made apparatus 
             from my good friend Larry Wilfong!

             HARRY BLACKSTONE Sr’s
             The Chinese Gong Illusion

             The Chinese Gong Illusion was improved by 
             manufacturer/performer Clint Reidel. 

             The effect is a piece of paper is cleanly shown on both 
             sides and placed between two wooden rings (ala 
             embroidery hoops). This assembly is suspended on a 
             skeletal framework and a huge silk production follows. 
             Reidel’s improvement is that at the conclusion all parts 
             of the apparatus may be displayed and even examined 
             with no clue as to the method.

http://www.mazdamysticring.com/kollector.htm

>From the homepage of :
              Blackstone Magik Enterprises, Inc. 

              Blackstone History

              To multiple generations of Americans, the name 
              Blackstone conjures instant thoughts about the 
              finest most spectacular presentations of magic and 
              illusion of all time.

              Harry Blackstone, Sr. - The Great Blackstone - started 
              it all near the beginning of the 20th Century.  The 
              tradition was magnificently carried on by his son, Harry 
              Blackstone Jr., who was continentally celebrated for 
              the most lush and lavish stage illusion show seen since 
              his father's retirement. . . .

             . . . .Around 1904, the brothers put together a vaudeville 
             act entitled "Straight and Cr    ooked Magic."  Later they 
             appeared under the billing "Fredrik, the Great & Co.," 
             chosen because they were able to purchase, at cut-rates, 
             some fancy lithographs bearing that name.  As World 
             War I loomed, Germanic names became quite unpopular.  
             The Bouton brothers changed their names to Blackstone 
             and the rest, as they say, is history!

             Illusion Rentals

             If you are a stage magician looking for a functional piece 
             of magic to fit into your act, you've come to the right place! 
             We have several never-before-seen illusions, some of 
             which are for sale.  Qualified parties may make an 
             appointment for consultation and perusal of our warehouse. 

             Click on the links below to see some photos and descriptions 
             of specialized illusions which can be rented outright or 
             customized to fit your particular needs.  

                          Backstage
                          Cannon
                          Drum
                          Fire Cage
                          The Wrap
                          Modern Cabinet
                          Flash Modern Cabinet

[and this is so much cooler at the website, as each of these words is a link 
that takes you on a guided tour through the machinery of stage magic]
            
             Here is an inkling of some other items we have 
             for rent and/or lease:
                          Motorcycle Vanish
                          Table of Death
                          Opera Elevator
                          Stretching a Human
                          Balloonacy
                          Million $ Mystery
                          Feather Flowers du Jour
                          Tiger Cage
                          Duck Vanishes
                          Sawing a person in half
                          AND MUCH, MUCH MORE

[Sounds like a Firesign Theater Routine---a Peter Bergman 
late night television offer on radio!!!]

http://www.blackstonemagic.com/id28.htm