The problem with all the Step Ladder , Flying Carpets, Super X is they are fixed suspensions, NOT levitations.
You can now pick up clips of new levis' even using spectators though again MANY of them have the Magician stuck to one spot, otherwise the support is revealed though if you have the Harbin Book there is a Walk Away Super X. pages 46 to 51. The plans however show the 2 trestles that initially support the plank as being filled in except for a rectangle hole in the middle. In the picture showing Harbin performing on stage(with a spectator) the trestles are simply hollow frames, making the suspension look impossible.
LEVITATION. We are all too old to have seen the Princess Karnak of Kellar's, Thurston's and The Great Blackstone's. However in more'modern' times there are definitely
Two levis' that knock all others for six. First there was Kalanag's Triple Levi ( performed 1950 to 1963) which combined the Chair Suspension with the Aga principle and then the Floating Lady. When Gloria, with no covering, (later his Mistress Angela Ferrari) floated down to stage floor level then up way above his head audiences gasped. Luckily you can still seee this on video.( It's on a tape issued by Bill McInhaney or come to my Kalanag Lecture, if it ever comes your way.) It took me 20 years to research the actual 'mechanics' and one facet has never to my knowledge been used before or since. Many British magicians didn't realise when Paul Daniels perfomed it in one of his TV shows that they were seeing Kalanag's version, rebuilt. Debbie floated so high I thought she'd go through the roof and the wonderful duo kept that lovely biz where the lady is apparently coming out of a trance at the end of this oh so clean levitation.
Then there is David Copperfield's 'Flying'. On TV it was astounding. In real life even more so. BOTH version were simple,uncluttered, performed at the right pace and two of the greatest pieces of Theatre
ever.
No, I haven't seen Rick Thomas's..yet.
(twice).
Allen Tipton
Posted: Jan 30th, '06, 13:55