Unleashing the magic of Willy McBean's contrivance

"Willy McBean and his magical contrivance" is a classic children's book that tells the story of a young inventor named Willy McBean and his remarkable invention. The main idea of the story is that with determination, imagination, and a little bit of magic, anything is possible. In the beginning of the book, we are introduced to Willy McBean, a young boy who loves tinkering with machines and gadgets. He dreams of creating something incredible that will astound the world. One day, Willy comes across an old, dusty book filled with spells and enchantments. Intrigued, he begins experimenting with the spells, hoping to find one that will bring his inventions to life.

I was working on a cards across routine once with a time travel theme. I was woking on Ammar's routine where two selected cards travel from one sealed envelope to another. The selected cards were a sort of proof.

The only other things I can think of at the moment are a postcard from the future idea I saw the ad once in a magic magazine, but if memory serves me, it s just a straight-up word prediction , and then Lance Burton s time machine illusion with the kids and the donkey. Jay Sankey has a routine named, Back in Time where at the end of the routine, the magician and his audience are supposed to have traveled back to the time when the routine was started.

Intrigued, he begins experimenting with the spells, hoping to find one that will bring his inventions to life. After many failed attempts, Willy stumbles upon a spell that promises to create a magical contraption capable of granting any wish. Excited, he gathers the necessary materials and begins weaving his magic.

Willy McBean and his magical contrivance

I'm working on a routine with a signed bill, that has a "back to the future" time travel, letter from the future, slant to it. Basically I return the borrowed item to the volunteer "after the show", but because of another time machine glitch, it arrives in the "present time," saving the day.

I was wondering if any of you folks know of any performers who use a time travel premise for a borrowed object routine? I'm certainly not looking to rip anybody off - I just want to be sure I'm not stepping on anybody's signature routine or anything.

The only other things I can think of at the moment are a postcard from the future idea (I saw the ad once in a magic magazine, but if memory serves me, it's just a straight-up word prediction), and then Lance Burton's time machine illusion with the kids and the donkey. Are there any others out there?

I hope not - I'm seeing this routine and myself being together long into the future.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Nathan Allen, The Maniac of Magic
www.maniacofmagic.com

To buy a prop is nothing.
To write a good routine is something.
To really entertain an audience is everything.

I was working on a cards across routine once with a time travel theme. I was woking on Ammar's routine where two selected cards travel from one sealed envelope to another. The selected cards were a sort of proof.

I've been working on a bill to impossible location routine for my stand up show for quite some time and I rather like your Back To The Future idea, you wouldn't mind if I went my own way with it would you?

Nathan Allen, The Maniac of Magic
www.maniacofmagic.com

To buy a prop is nothing.
To write a good routine is something.
To really entertain an audience is everything.

If you came up with your own presentation using the time travel theme, I think it's very, very, unlikely you'd be stepping on anyone's signature routine. I also have used the time travel theme.

Darwin Ortiz's "Psychotronic Card" from his book, Cardshark fit the time travel theme perfectly. It's a part of the presentation I use for that routine. I announce that I sent the card back in time after the card is vanished.

I don't think that theme is as good with a typical presentation of Brother John Hamman's "Your Signed Card," or Alan Ackerman's 76 trick, because the "prediction" card is put out before the spectator signs it. I suppose it could be used, but then there would be two magical effects that I suspect don't fit well together, i.e. instead of supporting each other, one effect diminishes the credibility of the other. I haven't tried it though, and so I might be completely wrong about that.

As Mac_Stone already mentioned, Michael Ammar does a time-travel presentation.

Jay Sankey has a routine named, "Back in Time" where at the end of the routine, the magician and his audience are supposed to have traveled back to the time when the routine was started.

Someone gave me three decks of Bicycle cards that look aged. They've been sitting on the shelf for over a year. Just last week, I realized those are perfect for a time travel theme, i.e. the spectators card is lost, and then recovered from the distant future, where it has aged a lot.

With Google, I found The "Time and Space DVD" by Justin Miller, which has, among other things, a time travel presentation. I do not own this.

The web page for this advertisement of Wizard's Manual recommends time travel as a presentation. I do not own this either.

I'm pretty sure I've read of others routines that involve time travel.

I also found a work of fiction, The Magician’s Nephew , with a magician who performs time travel. There's an animated kids movie, "Willy McBean & His Magic Machine!" which involves Time Travel, although in the story, a professor made the time machine, so I'm not sure it's really has a magic theme.

By the way, Psychological Implications of Time Travel seems interesting. There might be presentation-related ideas there. Granted, that site is about children's stories, however, in my experience, psychological themes for children can work very well for adults, whereas the reverse is often not true.

Humans make life so interesting. Do you know that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to create boredom. Quite astonishing.
- The character of ‘Death’ in the movie "Hogswatch"

To buy a prop is nothing.
To write a good routine is something.
To really entertain an audience is everything.

In a puff of smoke and a whirl of gears, Willy's creation, a small robot-like device, comes to life. With his new magical contrivance, Willy embarks on a series of adventures, each one more fantastical than the last. He travels underwater, flies through the sky, and even journeys to outer space. Along the way, he meets interesting characters and learns important lessons about perseverance, friendship, and the power of imagination. Throughout the story, the main idea shines through – that with determination, imagination, and a little bit of magic, anything is possible. Willy's journey of discovery and invention teaches young readers the importance of believing in oneself and never giving up, no matter how challenging the task may seem. Children who read "Willy McBean and his magical contrivance" will be inspired to embrace their creative sides, to dream big, and to pursue their passions with unwavering determination. The story serves as a reminder that imagination and hard work go hand in hand, and that the possibilities are endless when we dare to think outside the box. In conclusion, "Willy McBean and his magical contrivance" is a delightful children's book that encourages young readers to follow their dreams and believe in the power of their own minds. The main idea of the story – that with determination, imagination, and a little bit of magic, anything is possible – resonates with readers of all ages and serves as a timeless lesson in the importance of perseverance and self-belief..

Reviews for "The transformative power of Willy McBean's magical contrivance"

1. Jenny - 2 stars

I found "Willy McBean and his Magical Contrivance" to be a lackluster children's book. The plot was confusing and hard to follow, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story and the characters. The writing style was also quite bland and didn't engage me as a reader. Additionally, I found the illustrations to be unimpressive and uninspiring. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.

2. Mark - 1 star

In my opinion, "Willy McBean and his Magical Contrivance" was a complete let-down. The storyline was predictable and cliché, lacking any originality or creativity. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, and it was difficult to feel any emotional connection to them. The plot progression was sluggish, and the pacing felt off. The language used was also overly simplistic, making the book feel more suited for very young readers. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and engaging read.

3. Rachel - 2 stars

"Willy McBean and his Magical Contrivance" failed to capture my attention. The concept seemed promising, but the execution fell flat. The dialogue between the characters felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to become immersed in the story. The book also lacked depth and failed to explore any meaningful themes or messages. The plot twists were predictable, making the reading experience quite mundane. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others seeking an enjoyable and thought-provoking read.

Willy McBean and his magical contrivance: A gift from the gods?