Dark Room Effects

133 entries in Dark Room Effects
Creators Title Comments & References Year Source Page AA Categories
How to terrify such as are entirely unacquainted with the Nature of Phosphorus writing and drawing on walls, glowing in the dark, lighting a match
 		1784
Breslaw's Last Legacy
96
Das ausgetrunkene Getränk, genannt das Geisterwasser glass placed on table, isolated with paper strip construction, lights out, then glass is empty
 		Jan. 1896
Der Zauberspiegel (Vol. 1 No. 5)
77
Die Geisterstimme performer tied on chair, lights out, from different part of room comes a voice and talks or answers questions
 		Nov. 1896
Der Zauberspiegel (Vol. 2 No. 3)
43
Ein X-Strahlen-Zauberabend hand, violins and objects float and glow in dark room
 		Apr. 1897
Der Zauberspiegel (Vol. 2 No. 8)
123
Charles T. Jordan Satan's Trance No. 26, four cards removed from thirty-two-card deck and put in envelope, lights out, when lights are back on the names of cards are written on envelope
VariationsAlso published here 1919/1920
Thirty Card Mysteries
70
William Larsen, T. Page Wright A Dark Test light out, in dark two spectators pocket cards from one half each, performer names both
 		1928
The L. W. Card Mysteries
12
Theodore Annemann Help Wanted in the Dark ads are cut from newspaper and sealed in envelopes, light is out and content of two ads is revealed
 		1934
SH-H-H--! It's A Secret
4
Theodore Annemann Greta Annemann's Eyes of the Unknown writing of three face down cards is revealed in darkness
Variations 1935
Mental Bargain Effects
8
Theodore Annemann Get It! deck is handed to three spectators in the dark, everyone selects a card and when the light is on again, performer reveals all three cards, three forcing decks
VariationsAlso published here 1935
Mental Bargain Effects
15
Naming Cards in the Dark cards are divined by touch with lights out
 		1937
Encyclopedia of Card Tricks
33
Do As I Do In The Dark to be done with lights out
Also published here 1937
Encyclopedia of Card Tricks
72
U. F. Grant The Midnight Marvel four of a kind reversed itself in dark room, duplicates
 		1937
Encyclopedia of Card Tricks
295
Theodore Annemann Get it in the Dark deck is handed to three spectators in the dark, everyone selects a card and when the light is on again, performer reveals all three cards, three forcing decks
Also published here 1937
Encyclopedia of Card Tricks
297
Arthur Monroe Voodoo hole coin on string is put in box and hidden, lights turned out, in glowing light performer is seen to have box again and coin drops off cord, combined with card divination on blank card
Related toAlso published here May 1937
The Jinx (Issue 32)
208
Paul Curry Nyctalopia spectator writes name in dark with lights out, performer divines it, carbon paper
Related toVariationsAlso published here Oct. 1937
The Jinx (Issue 37)
245
Hen Fetsch Travel Thought cities on map are thought of and written on paper, divined by medium in the dark, carbon paper
Also published here Dec. 1938
The Jinx (Issue 51)
357
Eddie Clever Encore Voodoo card is put in envelope with ribbon band and hidden by spectator, lights out, performer suddenly has card and mutilates it, when spectator retrieves card it has same appearance, dressed up Chinese Laundry Ticket
Related toAlso published here Dec. 1938
The Jinx (Issue 51)
358
George Delaney A Magnetic Personality
  • magnetic/mesmerised cards
  • buzzing sound when touching metal
  • fire flash in the dark
 		Oct. 1939
The Jinx (Issue 61)
438
Henry Hardin Trance Vision flashlight in bag to put over head to read in the dark
 		1940
The Jinx (Issue 97)
599
Paul Curry Blackout deck is handed to two spectators in the dark who select cards, performer finds mates
Inspired by 1941
Something Borrowed, Something New
12
Guarding the Line rope tied on wrists of two spectators, knots appear when light is turned out
 		1941 ca.
Abbott's Encyclopedia of Rope Tricks
24
Syl Reilly Ghostly Card in the Dark card image appears in dark room, luminous paint
 		1942
Tarbell Course in Magic — Volume 2
373
Syl Reilly Date on a Borrowed Coin date appears as image in dark room, luminous paint
 		1942
Tarbell Course in Magic — Volume 2
375
Syl Reilly A Selected Word word appears as image in dark room, luminous paint
 		1942
Tarbell Course in Magic — Volume 2
375
Syl Reilly Spirit Answers word appears as image in dark room, luminous paint
 		1942
Tarbell Course in Magic — Volume 2
375
Edward Saint Spirit Lights under Test Conditions seance style, luminous paint
 		1942
Tarbell Course in Magic — Volume 2
383
Tom Sellers Through the Eye of a Needle needle threaded in dark while wrists held
 		1942
That's Good!
3
James G. Thompson Jr. Blackout Magic writing of three face down cards is revealed in darkness
Inspired byAlso published here Aug. 1942
The Phoenix (Issue 15)
61
Bruce Elliott Blackout Magic - Adam's Apple wrists of performer held by spectator's, apple travels from one hand to the other
Related to Aug. 1942
The Phoenix (Issue 15)
61
James G. Thompson Jr. Builder-Upper revelation of a writing, luminous paint
 		Aug. 1942
The Phoenix (Issue 15)
62
James G. Thompson Jr., Bruce Elliott The Coin Dowser coin is found with a dowsing rod in the dark
 		Aug. 1942
The Phoenix (Issue 15)
63
The Black-Out Switch forced card found with lights out, stuck to spectator's forehead
 		1943
25 Methods for Switching Decks
2
William S. Houghton The "Blackout" Double Prophecy two cards chosen in the dark are predicted, two one-way forcing decks
 		1943
The Magic 36
62
Paul Curry Nyctalopia spectator writes name in dark with lights out, performer divines it, carbon paper
Also published here 1944
Practical Mental Effects
59
Hen Fetsch Travel Thought cities on map are thought of and written on paper, divined by medium in the dark, carbon paper
Also published here 1944
Practical Mental Effects
118
Arthur Monroe Voodoo hole coin on string is put in box and hidden, light turned out, in glowing light performer is seen to have box again and coin drops off cord, combined with card divination on blank card
Also published here 1944
Practical Mental Effects
127
Eddie Clever Encore Voodoo card is put in envelope with ribbon band and hidden by spectator, light out, performer suddenly has card and mutilates it, with matching corner
Also published here 1944
Practical Mental Effects
129
Jos. Kellar Ghost Eyes cards and billets are put in a bag and read in the darkness
 		1945
Miracles in Mentalism and Psychic Experimentation
30
Paul Curry A Period of Darkness selection in the deck and a signed slate turnover in the dark, while spectator secures them on the table
VariationsAlso published here June 1945
The Phoenix (Issue 86)
348
Edward Clinkscale, Franklin V. Taylor Shades of Houdini selection is put back and deck hidden in other room, performer is tied to a chair and lights turned off, after some seconds the spectator gets the hidden deck and found the selection reversed and signed by the performer
 		Feb. 1949
The Phoenix (Issue 171)
684
U. F. Grant Cover Picture about U. F. Grant (on cover of this issue), image materializes in luminous paint in the dark
 		Aug./Sep. 1949
Grant's Inner Circle Magazine (Vol. 1 No. 11 & 12)
3
Robert "Bob" J. Gunther Dark Thoughts thoughts on the center tear, reading the piece in the dark
 		1950
Ireland's Yearbooks (Issue Yearbook 1950)
4
George Schindler Lights Out lit cigarette goes out
Also published here Feb. 1950
The Phoenix (Issue 196)
785
Ormond McGill Ectoplasmic Lights luminous paint, two versions
 		1951
Psychic Magic — Vol. 5
8
Nelmar Eyes in the Dark eyes glow in the dark
Related to
  • Nelmar's "20 Hypnotic Tricks"
 1951
Psychic Magic — Vol. 6
6
George Schindler Cigarette (4)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
burning end of cigar flares up in the dark to answer question
 		Sep. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 4)
840
Cigarette (24)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
secretly reading in the dark
 		Sep. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 4)
841
Bob Somerfeld, Eddie Clever Night Owl book test in dark room
 		1952
Pieces of Mind
15
Tony Corinda (3) Astral Signs signs in mid air in the dark, luminous paint
 		1959
Mediumistic Stunts
281
Tony Corinda (4) The Spirit Hand hand appears and tries to grasp at the audience, luminous paint
 		1959
Mediumistic Stunts
281
Tony Corinda (5) Carboard Skeleton luminous paint
 		1959
Mediumistic Stunts
281
Tony Corinda (6) Fire Balls table tennis balls and luminous paint
 		1959
Mediumistic Stunts
281
Tony Corinda (7) "It" luminous appearance, paint
 		1959
Mediumistic Stunts
281
Tony Corinda (10) Spirit Lights small sparks of light, wire wool and battery
 		1959
Mediumistic Stunts
281
Tony Corinda (8) Ectoplasm producing ectoplasm, luminous paint
 		1959
Mediumistic Stunts
282
Tony Corinda (9) Apports tapping noises in the dark
 		1959
Mediumistic Stunts
282
Tony Corinda (11) The Icy Hand weird touches in the dark, wet and cold
 		1959
Mediumistic Stunts
283
Tony Corinda (12) The Message in Mid Air writing appears in mid air then it vanishes, luminous paint
 		1959
Mediumistic Stunts
283
Tony Corinda (23) Corinda's Ghost Walk ghost appears, luminous paint
 		1959
Mediumistic Stunts
294
Tony Corinda (24) Spirit Moulding ghost mould his hand in wax, as a proof
 		1959
Mediumistic Stunts
295
Punx (30) Strike a Light match is marked an put back in matchbox, light goes out and performer strikes the initialed match and gives it to the right person, luminous paint
 		1959
Mediumistic Stunts
300
Loel Nelson Spirit Kisses spectators feel kisses in the dark
Variations 1959
More Miracles in Mentalism
20
Harry Lorayne Blackout! spectator finds card that is marked on back, can only be performed in totally dark room
 		1962
Close-up Card Magic
183
North Bigbee Dark Vision ESP cards inside envelopes, performer divines signs in the dark
 		Apr. 1963
The New Jinx (Vol. 1 No. 12)
53
Albert Sidney Dark Sorcery spectator signs card and selects number, light turned off, when back on the signed card traveled into sealed envelope numbered with number, luminous paint on back of cards
Also published here Oct. 1963
The New Jinx (Vol. 2 No. 18)
76
Karl Fulves The Black Room silk/tissue of chosen color travels from glass tumbler behind spectator's back to wrapped tumbler
Related to
  • p. 20 for idea by Sid Lorraine
 Nov. 1965
The Pallbearers Review Vol. 1-4 (Vol. 1 No. 1)
4
Paul Curry A Simple Spirit Séance
1965
Magician's Magic
224
Karl Fulves Method for Madness medium in other room, card cut to in borrowed deck in darkness with flashlight, medium divines card, then has actual card in hand
Related to Feb. 1966
The Pallbearers Review Vol. 1-4 (Vol. 1 No. 4)
22
Ralph Gironda A Stitch in Time small needle on black thread, big needle on white thread, change places after lights are out
 		Apr. 1966
The Pallbearers Review Vol. 1-4 (Vol. 1 No. 6)
32
Tony "Doc" Shiels Night of the Demon bright red flame appears then green light and sound in the dark
 		Sep. 1967
The New Jinx (Vol. 6 No. 65)
263
Tony "Doc" Shiels Hobgoblin small demon materializes and vanishes in dark room while performer is tied to chair
 		Sep. 1967
The New Jinx (Vol. 6 No. 65)
266
Victor "Astor" Jamnitzky Unmöglich spectator has another spectator pick a card and replace it behind the back (one-way reversal), it is located again in a dark room or without looking, whole deck corner-shorted
 		1967 (ca.)
The Astor-Deck
10
Don Nielson, Karl Fulves Time Out of Mind medium divines setting on watch in bag in dark room, then actually wears the spectator's watch
 		Nov. 1968
The Pallbearers Review Vol. 1-4 (Vol. 4 No. 1)
218
Ben Christopher Pendragon Rings rope rings move from spectator's arm to his head in dark room
Also published here Winter 1968
The Pallbearers Review Vol. 1-4 (Vol. 4 No. 2nd Folio)
226
Peter Alexis Triple Telepathy two spectators write word on face-up deuces in deck, "ghostlike piece of paper" appears in almost dark room from cased deck, performer divines words
 		Dec. 1968
The Pallbearers Review Vol. 1-4 (Vol. 4 No. 2)
231
Paul Maurer, Paul Curry Der Mitternachtstrick selection in the deck and a signed slate turnover in the dark, while spectator secures them on the table
Inspired by 1968
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 29 No. 2)
34
Jay Weiler Blackout box with two cards hidden in dark room, performer takes on out in the dark, flap box
 		Aug. 1969
The Pallbearers Review Vol. 1-4 (Vol. 4 No. 10)
275
Robert Gysel Lights Out way to prove that performer is standing at the wall in dark room when he is actually free to move around
 		June 1970
The Pallbearers Review Vol. 5-8 (Vol. 5 No. 8)
341
Stewart James Psycho-Dyne dark room, card travels to chosen location
 		1972
The Living End
26
John D. Pomeroy Spook Bat dark room piece, bat with luminous paint flies inside the room
 		1973
Mentology
29
Ben Christopher Pentragon Ringe rope rings move from spectator's arm to his head in dark room
Also published here Nov. 1975
Intermagic (Vol. 3 No. 1 & 2)
15
Charles T. Jordan Satan's Trance No. 26, four cards removed from thirty-two-card deck and put in envelope, lights out, when lights are back on the names of cards are written on envelope
Also published here 1975
Charles T. Jordan: Collected Tricks
223
Olof Jonsson, Al Mann Clairvoyance spectator puts cards in envelopes and those envelopes in a bigger envelope, light is turned off and performer names the cards
 		1976
The Third Ecstasy
31
Burling Hull Close Work or Clairvoyant Methods
  • Sealed and Burned
  • Hull Box and Ashes Reading
  • Hull Folded Question Reading
  • Clairvoyant Envelope Reading
  • Hull's Dark Seance Reading Method
  • The Dr. Q. Dark Readings
  • Clairvoyant Writing Table Method
  • Clip Board Method
  • The Cardboard Clipboards
  • The Hull-Pool Universal Sealed Reading Act
 		1976
The Amazing World of Mentalism
159
Jean Hugard Im Finstern to be done with lights out
Also published here 1976
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 37 No. 1)
21
Jean Hugard Dans l'obscurité to be done with lights out
Also published here 1976
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 37 No. 3)
88
Stage Method solo levitation in the dark with glowing shoes and hands, shoes stick together
 		1978
The Chronicles (Issue 2)
1080
Rolf Andra Black-Out-Bluff card is divined in the dark, then performer locates it and puts card into pocket
 		1978
Einfach Wunderbar — Wunderbar Einfach
117
C. L. Boarde Give Away - Variation A spectator opens book in the dark and looks at a page using a flashlight, luminous paint
 		1978
Mainly Mental Vol. 2 — Book Tests
110
Karl Fulves Darknot rope tied around table leg, people distributed around and on top of table, lights out and on, now rope suddenly around another table leg
Also published here 1979
The Chronicles (Issue 21)
1273
George Schindler The Darkroom Séance No. 64, lit cigarette goes out
Also published here 1979
Self-Working Mental Magic
108
U. F. Grant Ein Tip für Trickspiritisten spectators apparently hold on to both thumbs of the performer through a cloth
 		Aug. 1979
Intermagic (Vol. 6 No. 2)
69
George B. Anderson A Daylight Darkroom Seance routine for just one spectator on stage, à la Power of Darkness, Hermann rope tie to imitate a Dark room Seance
 		1980
Let The Audience Do The Show
9
Thomas Alan Waters Demon Key demon appears in the dark, monkey
 		1982
Mind, Myth & Magick (Issue Grymwyr)
290
Chris Kenworthy The Cicardi Mosaic ESP symbols drawn on business cards, chosen one is divined in the dark
 		Oct. 1982
Magick (Issue 311)
1552
Karl Fulves, Charles T. Jordan The Up-Down System out-of-room four spectators seal cards in envelope, performer divines them in dark room, featuring stacking system
Inspired byVariationsAlso published here 1983
After Jordan
7
Many Ghosts! No. 19, ghosts appear near mouth of bottle
 		1983
101 Psychic Tests
6
Fingertip Ghosts No. 20, luminous paint
 		1983
101 Psychic Tests
6
Diabolical Eyes No. 21, light shoots from eyes of medium in dark seance room
 		1983
101 Psychic Tests
7
Luminous Eyes No. 22, eyes on poster glow in the dark, luminous paint
 		1983
101 Psychic Tests
7
Al Mann Causing Beutifull Explosions in the Seance Room No. 25, glowing bubbles explode when set on fire
 		1983
101 Psychic Tests
7
Al Mann Apparitions No. 27, face of ghost appears, gets bigger and smaller and eventually disappears
 		1983
101 Psychic Tests
8
The Spirit Snooperscope! No. 29, using night vision goggles in a seance room
 		1983
101 Psychic Tests
8
The Tongues of Hades No. 91, flames are seen in dark seance room
 		1983
101 Psychic Tests
26
The Spirit Violin No. 96, violin starts to play in dark room
 		1983
101 Psychic Tests
27
The Spirit Harmonica No. 97, harmonica plays on its own
 		1983
101 Psychic Tests
27
The Spirit Trumpet No. 98, trumpet plays on its own
 		1983
101 Psychic Tests
27
Thomas Alan Waters, Sydney Bergson Glowsure spectator finds container with object, in the dark
 		1984
Mind, Myth & Magick (Issue Thynk)
604
Karl Fulves Darkroom Effect No. 52, napkin moved from one one table leg to another in dark room
Also published here 1985
Self-Working Paper Magic
91
Eugene Burger 17. The Dark Room with lists of seance effect examples
 		1986
Spirit Theater
107
Watch the Watch No. 65, borrowed watch appears on wrist of performer despite him being tied up
 		1990
Self-Working Rope Magic
138
Robert Gysel Gysel Spirit Tie No. 66
Also published here 1990
Self-Working Rope Magic
140
Bruce Elliott Adam's Apple No. 70, wrists of performer tied, apple travels from one hand to the other
Related to 1990
Self-Working Rope Magic
147
Michael Weber Sight of Hand reading in the dark
 		1991
Life Savers
110
Charles T. Jordan Satan's Trance No. 125, four cards removed from thirty-two-card deck and put in envelope, lights out, when lights are back on the names of cards are written on envelope
Also published here 1992
Charles Jordan's Best Card Tricks
156
Karl Fulves "Satan's Trance" Notes No. 126, out-of-room four spectators seal cards in envelope, performer divines them in dark room, featuring stacking system
Also published here 1992
Charles Jordan's Best Card Tricks
158
The Dark Seance at the Table things with tambourine, bell, and the like happen in the dark
 		1993
Tarbell Course in Magic — Volume 8
22
Docc Hilford Mephisto's Journey Spectator writes name of a card on billet, seals it with empty billet and deck of playing cards in envelope, envelope is hidden in other room, then light goes out and green light can be seen, performer holds envelope, reads slip and removes card. Everything vanishes again is back at the secret location, card is missing and message on empty billet. With borrowed objects.
Related to 1998
Mephisto's Journey
3
James G. Thompson Jr. Im Dunkeln ist gut munkeln writing of three face down cards is revealed in darkness
Also published here 1999
Intermagic (Vol. 23 No. 3)
100
Paul Curry A Period of Darkness selection in the deck and a signed slate turnover in the dark, while spectator secures them on the table
Also published here 2001
Paul Curry's Worlds Beyond
258
Docc Hilford Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper seance at private home, phone rings to answer questions, knife moves and note appears in pocket of spectator, Jack the Ripper presentation
 		2002
Band of the Hand
5
Docc Hilford A Study in Scarlet while performer is in other room a member of the audience is chosen to play Jack the Ripper and he writes his initials on a match, performer divines murder, while lights are out
 		2002
Band of the Hand
18
Docc Hilford The Last Experiment various effects to finish story presentation, paper wrapped in map is found coated with slime, pouch falls of table, amulet vanishes, appearing eyeball
  • The Map
  • The Pouch
  • The Vapor
  • The Stengh
  • The Broken Amulet Cord
  • The Sogoroth
  • Madness
 		2002
H. P. Lovecraft's at the Mountains of Madness
16
Steve Bryant, Leo Kostka Have Ghosts Will Travel: Leo Kostka's Portable Séance seance routine with various effects and manifestations
  • Rear View of Table
    • Tips for Performing Leo Kostka's Portable Séance
    • The Tracy Austin Ghost
 		Jan. 2003
Genii (Vol. 66 No. 1)
73
Robert Cassidy The Photon Phenomenon flash light for coding, eerie illumination of face
  • Using the Photon as a Secret Communication Device
  • Using the Photon Light for Special Effect Lighting
Inspired by 2003
Triple Edge
10
Burling Hull, Karl Fulves Mid-Nite Marvel performer finds a four-of-a-kind below table, those transpose with some card in the deck, changed from dark room effect to below table
  • Second Approach (involving the location of a selection)
Inspired by
  • "Mid-Nite Marvel" (Burling Hull, Clever Card Collection of 1932)
 2005
Latter Day Secrets (Issue 10)
403
Mark Levy Bux Vision random cards are named, can only be performed in totally dark room
 		2007
Best of Friends — Volume III
463
Mark Levy Pitch Black Triumph can only be performed in totally dark room
 		2007
Best of Friends — Volume III
466
Angelo Carbone Dark Transpo item in one hand, both wrists held by spectator who has to close his eyes, item then found in other hand
 		Mar. 2010
Genii (Vol. 73 No. 3)
66
Max Maven, T. Page Wright, William Larsen Materialization of a Rose rose appears on lap of spectator in dark room, with additional thoughts by Max Maven for alternative effect
Inspired by
  • "Materialization of a Rose" (Genii, May 1955)
 Oct. 2012
Genii (Vol. 75 No. 10)
30
Max Maven Poe-ltergeist
  • Lost Horizons
several manifestations happen in a seance in the dark, paw-prints of a cat appear on signed newspaper sheet
Also published here
  • Seance, issue 12, Summer 1991
 Mar. 2015
Genii (Vol. 78 No. 3)
15
Roberto Giobbi Dr. Rodolfo Roll Triumph presentation
 		2016
Hidden Agenda (Issue June 11)
167
Ben Hart A Shot in the Dark in a dark room a spectator lights the only fresh match from a matchbox of burnt matches
 		2020
The Darkest Corners
9