"Brilliant! This is excellent!"
- Jeff McBride
Did I just take a G.I. Joe apart? Well, sort of.
Not long ago, I found myself mingling with a wonderfully bizarre bunch of magic enthusiasts at Poe's Magic Conference in Baltimore. It was a right laugh—catching up with old mates and meeting some delightful new ones. A splendid time was had by all.
I also had the pleasure of lecturing and performing at the Parlor Show, and thankfully, it all went swimmingly. But one particular item from my lecture sparked endless chatter throughout the conference.
Enter the star of the show: The Spirit Pointer.
I've been using this clever little gadget for years, and it’s been a fabulous addition to many a performance. But back to that conference in Baltimore, where the buzz around it was palpable.
One standout comment came from my pal Rick Green, a talented performer and all-around gem of a bloke. His insight about The Spirit Pointer was so brilliant it nearly blew my mind. I knew right then that if I could bring Rick's idea to life, this nifty contraption would evolve from a quirky spirit novelty to a proper showstopper that every performer could get behind.
I had been toying with the idea of releasing this for a few months, just as I showcased it at Poe's—everyone loved it! But time had been a bit tight. However, once Rick dropped that gem of an idea on me in Baltimore, The Spirit Pointer shot to the top of my to-do list. First, though, it needed a bit of a facelift from my original version.
Upon my return to Denver, I spent a few high-pressure days trying to figure out how to make this project a reality. Honestly, it wasn’t looking promising. But then, as if the universe conspired in my favour, the perfect solution appeared! I couldn't be happier with the outcome of those frantic 48 hours. So here I am, eager to share it with all of you, pronto!
It’s simple, versatile, and a right laugh to use.
So what exactly is it?
For some, it’s a way for spirits to communicate during a show. For others, it’s a tool for locating lost items or revealing specific information. And still, for others, it acts as a conduit for some quirky revelation.
Enough vagueness. Let me introduce you to...
The Spirit Pointer by Mark Strivings
This splendidly simple device can be used in a multitude of ways.
As you can see in the picture below, the Spirit Pointer features a disembodied arm with an extended forefinger. And no, it’s not just a doll’s arm that’s been repurposed; it’s been meticulously crafted from the ground up for this effect. It’s tethered to the centre of a length of cord.
The Pointer is held by the ends of the cord, one in each hand as shown below. There’s no direct contact from the performer with either the arm or the hand.
The hand can point in any direction, both horizontally and vertically. And how you choose to use it? Well, that’s entirely up to you!
Use it to locate the deceased name in a Living and Dead test.
Point at someone in a lineup for a Kurotsuke style presentation.
Utilise it like a dowsing rod.
Find the location of the money in a bank night presentation.
Speaking of money, locate your cheque a la Kreskin.
And yes, you can even find a chosen playing card with it.
And that’s just scratching the surface! The ideas above are merely the tip of the iceberg!
But how you use it is entirely your call!
Here are some close-up shots of the arm/hand itself.
The arm measures just over three inches and is made from an incredibly robust resin. As you can see, it’s quite the muscular arm. When Jeff McBride saw it, he quipped...
"And what a great arm. Did you cannibalize a G.I. Joe?"
That had me in stitches, I must say.
This is a top-notch prop, crafted to the highest standards, and with a smidge of care, it will serve you well for ages. It’s unlike anything your audience has encountered before—unique, novel, a touch creepy, and undeniably weird.
It’s anything you want it to be!
Plus, it’s 100% under your control at all times! AND, it’s completely self-contained!
What’s included? The arm itself, attached to the cord, ready to perform right out of the box. You’ll also receive a manuscript with instructions and routine ideas.
This is a 'take it out of your case and do it' piece of magical entertainment. There’s literally no reset, and it’s perpetually ready to go. You can even carry it in your pocket for some impromptu strolling magic if you fancy. It’s a worker, and I reckon you’ll love it!
