Published by StLouis Magic - Distributed by DownloadMagic.com with permission
The magician finishes taking a sip from a can of soda or beer and turning the empty can over to
show it is really empty. Still thirsty, the magician makes a magic gesture over the top of the
can. The can is seen to be unopened and apparently full. A spectator takes the can and opens it
proving it really is a new full can!
There are several principles that apply to this routine depending on how you want to present it.
This version was inspired from an effect in a 1974 set of lecture notes by Richard Stevenson, a
Texas magician. His effect involved the removal of the old pull tab that was commonly found on
cans back then. The pull tab was vanished and found to be restored on the can. His inspiration
of the fake hole principle is based on the "Sucker Silk to Egg" routine where a fake egg with a
hole is turned into a real egg - the hole being peeled off and the egg cracked to show it is real.
Principle
The first gimmick for this involves a fake hole made from either black paper or thin plastic cut
to the same size and shape of the opening in a can. A shiny thin black plastic is ideal for this as
the black will be a deeper and darker color and the gimmick will last much longer than paper.
The easiest way to get the shape correct is to either scan or photocopy the top of a can and use
that as your template. Cut out the hole and you're ready to go.
Copyright © 2002 St. Louis Magic page2
Setup:
Place the gimmick on top of the can, align it
with the sealed real hole. Slide a small
portion of the back of the gimmick under the
pull tab. The small part of the gimmick that
is under the tab and the condensation from
the can will keep the gimmick in place. If
you set the can away from yourself for a
moment and then glance at it, the illusion is
perfect, it will look like an open can.
First Presentation:
The effect is best presented as an impromptu, casual piece of magic. Take your last sip from the
can, remark that it's empty but you're still thirsty. Turn the can upside down. Turn the can up
again and make a comment that "I can fix that ." Hold the can in your left hand. Place the side
your right thumb on top of the gimmick and slide the gimmick back and towards yourself. As your
thumb with the gimmick beneath it are sliding back, move your right index finger over the hole
and create a rubbing motion as if you are "healing" the can. This short sequence should appear as
if you are just making a quick, magical rubbing motion.
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At this point the gimmick can be slide to the side of the can. The condensation will keep the
gimmick on the can so you can show your hand empty. Retrieve the gimmick as you hand the
can to the spectator to open.
An alternate handling to sliding the gimmick off of the can would be to use a napkin or tissue.
Just wipe the top of the can as if you were cleaning it and remove the gimmick that way. This
would make sense if you were to offer the spectator the can after you had just drank from it.
Second Presentation:
This presentation was designed for a can of soda and a straw. Again, in a casual, impromptu
situation, you take your last sips of soda through the straw sticking out of your can. Comment
that it's empty, turn it over, a trickle of soda drips out of the straw. Make a gesture, remove the
straw and the can, as above, is resealed.
The handling for this is even easier than the first method. The gimmick is the same, except the
addition of half of a straw glued to it. You want to cut the straw about halfway down and at a
slight angle so it looks like the straw is really sitting in the can at the bottom. The plastic straw
can easily be glued to the plastic fake hole and create a water tight seal. Use "Krazy Glue" or a
similar brand. You can preset a small amount of soda in the straw so when you turn the can
over, the soda will trickle out of the straw.
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As with the first handling, slide a small portion of the fake hole under the pull tab. The straw
will then be able to stand on its own and appear to be going in the open can.
Removing the gimmick is even easier then the first method. Hold the can towards the bottom in
your left hand, the straw between your right index finger and thumb. The rest of your right
hand should cover the top of the can. Gently dislodge the gimmick from under the tab. Your
right and left hands will now move in opposite directions at the same time. Your left hand turns
the can toward you while your right hand starts to turn palm up, up and away from you. You
want to create the illusion you are removing the straw from the can while at the same time
hiding the fact the can is really sealed and that you only have half of a straw. From the
spectator's view point your right hand is covering the nonexistent bottom half of straw. The
straw is easily disposed of in your pocket.
Finish the effect by making a magical gesture, appearing to seal the can. Have the spectator
open the can.
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This variation was inspired by David Harkey who wrote up a different effect in Genii Magazine
which involved a small can of food (like tuna fish, chopped chicken or ???) and a plastic spoon
or fork. He created the illusion he was eating and at the end the can was sealed and full. The
illusion of the plastic utensil was created with just the handle of the fork or spoon.
Variations on this effect have been around for over 25 years. John Kennedy has a version, Paul
Harris and Bill Herz published a version as well as several others. As with many obscure effects,
as soon as it is performed on TV, the effect becomes popular. As mentioned at the top of this
manuscript, I first saw this effect at a lecture in the mid 1970's with a pull tab being removed
and then restored. Although the method was slightly different, the effect in the audience's mind
is the same.
Tips and Suggestions:
With the straw gimmick it is easy to place a small amount of soda in the straw to prove soda is
coming out of the can. Without the straw, you may want to try a thumb tip or finger tip filled
with a little soda hidden behind the can. The illusion of the last drops of soda dripping out will
be perfect.
"When David Blaine did this wasn't there a dent in the can?"
The dent in the can is a great addition by a magician named Anders Moden. He has a very
popular manuscript called "Healed and Sealed" that you can get here.
"It doesn't look like an open can to me."
You need to experiment with different pieces of plastic to get the deepest, darkest black you
can. If you set it away from you for a few moments and then casually glance at it, the illusion
will be perfect.
You should present this casually. You do not need to call attention to the fact your can is
empty. Turning it over implies that. No one will be looking closely at the top of the can. The
illusion is perfect and is certainly small enough to carry around with you so you'll always be
ready.
Copyright © 2002 St. Louis Magic