Bounce -No- Bounce Balls
Type: close up, parlor, stage
Skill Level: variable depending on routine
Retail Price: $12.95 (post paid)
Available from:
WREN Enterprises, Inc.
3145 W Monmouth Ave.
Colorado 80110
303-798-2778
Effect: A set of two black hard rubber balls; one bounces like a super ball, the other ball plops like ball of putty when dropped. They come in two sizes. One size for stage that measure an inch and a half, and a smaller size for close-up that measure about 3/4".
Quality: The balls look almost identical. The bounce ball is a little shinier than the no bounce ball, but no one will ever notice unless the balls are side by side. Also, there's a little extra rubber on the all of the balls I've seen where the two halves of the mold came together during the manufacturing process. Finally, the two half of the molds didn't line up perfectly on the no bounce ball that came in my set. None of these complaints is really a problem. They do perform well.
Mike Maione: I like these balls. They perform great. If you have small hands or want to use the balls for close up or parlor situations go for the small balls, they're much easier to palm. If, on the other hand, you want to use the balls in your stage show too, then get the bigger balls. Here's what I don't like about the balls....absolutely no routines or ideas come with the balls, making buying the companion book Bouncing Back almost a necessity.
So here's an idea for you that I use in my show, which takes very little talent to pull off. It goes into a whole routine in which the spectator (always an adult) tries but fails in his attempts to do as the magician does. Start by holding a small paper bag with you left hand. ... the fingers inside the bag the thumb on the outside. Conceal the no bounce ball under your left fingers inside the bag. With the right hand bounce the bounce ball on the floor so that it bounces up and into the bag. Retrieve the bounce ball with the right hand holding it at your finger tips. Demonstrate this two or three times. The last time you retrieve the bounce ball from inside the bag actually palm it and take the no bounce ball out from under your left fingers holding it at your right finger tips. Now, give ball (the no bouncer) and bag to the spectator and ask him to try. While he tries and the ball lands on the deck with a thud, pocket the bounce ball and end clean. This is just a short bit that gets a good laugh which you can use in all kinds of routines. Of course, you can't do it on a carpeted floor.
Dr. Mitch: I really enjoy this handy little fooler. It is simple. Easy to do. It's not much "magically", but when that ball hits the floor and just lays there "thud", it always gets a laugh. This is a must for MC's or for anyone who wants a good guarenteed little chuckle.
((NOTE-- the "dead" ball will pick up dirt really easy. It seems to act as a magnet for little bits of stuff on the floor. It makes the switch more difficult if one is clean and the other not. A little bit of windex will clean it up nicely when it gets dirty.))
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