ZOMBIE Hand-Little Hand New Version

[Bob Farmer]

Since I invented the Little Hand trick, there have been numerous rip-offs. The latest is by Ellusionist with something called "Cat's Paw." They didn't ask my permission. They didn't pay me for a licence. Apparently, unable to invent their own tricks, they have to take mine. Michael Ammar and Hanson Chien put out licensed versions of my trick. They did the right thing. Ellusionist did not and they deserve blacklisting. Maybe they should read my new book, "How To Invent Your Own Trick Even If You're An Idiot."

[Michael Close]

I read that book in 1973 and it changed my life.

[Bob Farmer]

I live to serve.

[Bob Farmer]

Adding insult to injury, the dopey guys at Ellusionist used a cat's paw, rather than a little hand, thus completely eliminating any humor in the trick. Dumb is bad enough, but the trinity of defalcation, dumbness and humorless is rare.

[Richard Kaufman]

I like cats.

[Bob Farmer]

Me too, since there is one in the house--I meant no disrespect for our feline friends, only for those Neanderthals at Ellusionist (where magic evolution never happened).

[kkelly]

I like cats.

with apologies to everyone...richard just tossed that softball right down the middle. i give you, the cat lady...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTTwcCVajAc

[I.M. Magician]

She certainly appears to be well adjusted.

The cat paw and ball of yarn is certainly a good take on the effect!

[Brad Jeffers]

Here's the latest version ...
Cat Burglar by Davio Wu

[Bob Farmer]

Another ripoff. It's actually a ripoff of a ripoff. And who is David Wu? Never heard of him.

[Bob Farmer]

Here is the text of my email to TCC:

David Wu's "Cat Burglar" is a rip-off of my effect, the Little Hand, made famous by Michael Ammar on the David Letterman show.

I don't know David Wu, but I can assure you he wasn't around when I invented this trick. If he can't invent his own tricks, why is he stealing mine?

It's actually a double rip-off because a British magician has an authorized version with a cell phone and a baby hand and a baby.

So, if you want to sell this trick, there will be a license fee of $2,000. That's higher than I usually charge but since you're stealing from me I thought I'd steal from you.

Otherwise, trash your inventory and stop stealing from me.

Since you're in China, you might be familiar with this Chinese curse:

“Poverty and misfortune will fall upon you and your family should you steal from me."


Best regards,

Bob Farmer

[Bob Farmer]

I haven't heard a word back from TCC Magic. They are still selling the trick:

https://tccmagic.com/products/cat-burgl ... 19c5&_ss=r

If you value creativity in magic, boycott all TCC Magic products.

[kkelly]

bob, i copied the text of your email and posted it in the question section below the description of the trick and requested they send you a response. we all know that the range of my influence is vast so... don't hold your breath.

[Brad Jeffers]

I don't see anything in the question section, but they have added this ...

History:

Bob Farmer was the first we know of to use this small hand in a similar way, around the very early 1980s or late 1970s, he invented "The Miracle of Life." His inspiration came from “Flash Fold by Paul Harris.” In that trick, Paul used a small doll’s hand as a gag, it published in The Magic of Paul Harris. (1976)

Darryl Harris created a routine with the hand using a coin, and Derek Dingle used this gag to explain the vanish of a coin with a surprise finish. Derek’s routine appeared in The New York Magic Symposium - Collection 3. (1984)

This trick was then popularized by Michael Ammar when he performed this feat on The Late Show with David Letterman and renamed it "The Little Hand." (2010)

[Bob Farmer]

The life blood of magic is creativity. The progression of the art is dependent upon its ability to continually reinvent itself to reflect current social, technological and other trends.

This progression doesn't happen automatically; it happens because there are people who invent magic effects.

Unfortunately, as has been my experience over decades, there are those with no respect for magic inventors. In pursuit of a few measly dollars, they take what is not theirs.

Which brings me to TCC Magic, the latest dishonorable operation to use my Little Hand trick my permission and without any compensation to me.

Who are these people?

Do they have no sense of honor, no sense of fair play and no sense of right and wrong?

How were they raised? When did they lose their way? Were they ever on a righteous path or were they born this way?

I have written to TCC Magic several times and to date have received not even the courtesy of an acknowledgement let alone an explanation or justification for taking my trick, making a few inconsequential changes and crediting it to some guy named David Wu (David Who!?).

Magic has always been a positive place for me but these continual attacks on my creativity for what is really just a stupid gag, make me want to just abandon it and pursue some other interest.

I've sent a copy of this post to TCC Magic but if previous experience is any guide, they probably won't respond, so let's give them a taste of their own medicine and when they contact you, don't respond, keep your money in your pocket.

[Dustin Stinett]

I must admit that I am disappointed by TCC Magic. I have done some business with them and found their product quite good. This, though, crosses a long line. Of course, it's not the only thing I find disappointing. I'm glad to see that our new moderators are doing their job. (But it was not just Chris's post that was deleted, and we cannot make that note disappear.)

[Bob Farmer]

On a more positive note, Hanson Chien has a great licensed version. See:

https://www.hanson-chien.com/products/mummy-hand

[Chris Aguilar]

On a more positive note, Hanson Chien has a great licensed version. See:

https://www.hanson-chien.com/products/mummy-hand

I just watched the official demo video and it seems that this new variant (Cat Burglar) is also a Hanson Chien produced item.

https://www.hanson-chien.com/products/cat-burglar

[Richard Hatch]

It looks to me also like TCC is not the producer of this but Hanson Chien. So I’m confused about who is the “bad guy” here, since Hanson Chien also produced an authorized version. Did that license include possible future variants? Here it is on their site: https://www.hanson-chien.com/products/cat-burglar

[Chris Aguilar]

It looks to me also like TCC is not the producer of this but Hanson Chien. So I’m confused about who is the “bad guy” here, since Hanson Chien also produced an authorized version. Did that license include possible future variants? Here it is on their site: https://www.hanson-chien.com/products/cat-burglar

Even other retailers (like Vanishing Inc.) are selling this as a Hanson Chien produced item.

https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/close ... t-burglar/

And reviewers mentioning that it's a Hanson Chien product.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPvnE9D9tlk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G38RtAnFqLc

Tho' the other retailers seem to be missing the crediting information that TCC has posted on their site.

[Tom Stone]

On a more positive note, Hanson Chien has a great licensed version. See:
https://www.hanson-chien.com/products/mummy-hand

A closer look at the packaging reveals that "Cat Burglar" is produced by Hanson Chien. It is not a TCC product, they just sell it.


https://www.hanson-chien.com/products/cat-burglar

[Bob Farmer]

It looks like I owe a huge apology to TCC and I will speak to Hanson about this.

[Tom Stone]

It looks like I owe a huge apology to TCC and I will speak to Hanson about this.

Everything else aside... this is exactly the kind of mistake I could have done. It's a terrible feeling...

[Leo Garet]

It looks like I owe a huge apology to TCC and I will speak to Hanson about this.

It might have helped if TCC had responded to your first email.

[Chris Aguilar]

It looks like I owe a huge apology to TCC and I will speak to Hanson about this.

It might have helped if TCC had responded to your first email.

True, but I would note that TCC went a step beyond other retailers (like VI) in (at least) ensuring that Bob's crediting is posted very prominently on their purchasing page.

Here's hoping that Bob and Hanson have some quality discussion and get this hammered out.

[GJohnson]

This whole adventure caused me to do a deep dive that led me to Michael Ammar's performance of "The Little Hand" on David Letterman in 2010. That effect was pretty funny. They both seemed to have a good time.
https://youtu.be/ptGQb7NQp0w

[Bob Farmer]

Yes, I sent numerous emails to TCC and got no response which of course made me assume, based on my previous experience, that they were guilty.

[Brad Jeffers]

I'm glad to see that our new moderators are doing their job.

Yes indeed, the new moderators are right on top of things; which is why I check the forum early and often, so I can catch the more popcorn worthy exchanges before they get moderated into oblivion.

[Leo Garet]

I'm glad to see that our new moderators are doing their job.

Yes indeed, the new moderators are right on top of things; which is why I check the forum early and often, so I can catch the more popcorn worthy exchanges before they get moderated into oblivion.

Nice One!

As a late-riser, I'm sure I've missed some sweet stuff over the years.

[Dustin Stinett]

I am pleased to know that TCC is only guilty of not communicating.
And Brad, your comment is indeed funny. The Genii Forum has always aimed to please ...

[Jon Pendragon]

Not something I normally like to admit, but I loved the "Baby Hand" since I heard about the overhead luggage bin and baby gag. The peat moss bit is EPIC.

[Bill Mullins]

Bob -- we hosted Michael Ammar for a lecture last week, and one of the tricks he featured was the Baby Hand (with credit to you).

[Bob Farmer]

Yes, Michael single-handedly made this trick a classic. And we do a licence for it every year.

[PressureFan]

Single-handedly. Good one.

[KHC]

I am pleased to know that TCC is only guilty of not communicating.
And Brad, your comment is indeed funny. The Genii Forum has always aimed to please ...

Dustin: I, too am please that TCC was not in violation with Mr. Farmer's creation...well, except for non communication. I personally have had great service when dealing with TCC customer service. They typically get back to me within 2 business days and will continue to communicate until they know I am happy. Moreover, they are quick to send me out a new one if I am not satisfied. As you have probably noticed, they started out bringing out "luxe" versions of many of the classics in magic. While I do not know if any licensing is involved, they seem to have the crediting/history down in most of their tutorials. I am sure they want to purge that notorious notion that all magic coming out of China are knock offs...and by the looks of it, they seem to have sloughed that stereotype. This is apparent, as during the past 1-2 years they seemed to have gained the trust of many current creators by co-producing products of Craig Petty, Axel Hecklau, David Penn, Wayne Fox, David Jonathan, to name a few. I hope they continue to produce high quality magic for years to come...psst, while my last name is Chinese in origin, I am not affiliated with TCC, only that I (to the chagrin of my wife) have been buying/collecting a lot of their products lately.