The Hanson Kewpie Doll Illusion
By Herman Hanson

A large, lettered toy block is seen on the stage with a large toy balloon floating above it. It is tied to the box with a half-inch-wide silk ribbon. The ribbon runs through the top of the block and is fastened to the inside bottom with a small thumb tack. The front doors of the block are opened, and the cabinet is wheeled around to show it unmistakably empty.

A small kewpie doll is placed inside the cabinet, with one hand outstretched as if it is holding the ribbon. The doors are closed. The cabinet is again wheeled half a turn to show that nothing is concealed in the back. The block is seen to grow, or slide, upwards, as a second block comes into view. When the cabinet is double its original height it splits apart revealing a live girl, dressed as a kewpie doll, who still holds the end of the ribbon.

Modus operandi: An assistant, who wears a papier mache kewpie head and is dressed to match the doll, is concealed behind mirrors, Figure 4, A-A. The ribbon holding the balloon conceals the front edge of the mirrors. When the front doors are closed, the assistant immediately closes the mirrors flat against the side walls, and places the doll in back of the white elastic band, Figure 4, C. After the cabinet is turned to the rear, then back to the front, the assistant places her head exactly in the center of the top of the cabinet and takes the handles, Figure 5, A-A, one in each hand, and, at the cue, slowly pushes the outside shell, or block, upward until the hinges, Figure 5, E-E, are automatically closed. The assistant then opens the hook, Figure 5, D, and, at the performer's cue, pushes the two halves apart to reveal herself.

Construction: The inside block is made of solid wood, three-quarter inch stock. The outside block is made of frames of two-inch by threequarter inch stock with canvas glued on the sides and top. The canvas is sized and painted. The inside block should be lined with cretonne. Figure 4 shows the inside of this block. A-A are the mirrors. These are hinged and pull to a forty-five degree angle to conceal the assistant. B-B are the handles that hold the mirrors in position. C is the wide elastic band for holding the kewpie doll. D-D are large desk fasteners. which hold the blocks when split. E-E are half-inch metal bars, oneeighth of an inch thick, which hold the two cloths G-G at the bottom edge. I-I are hinges.

In the outside block, Figure 5, A-A, are the flat handles, kept against the top with small spring hinges. B is a metal dowel fastened to one half of the block, which must work freely in the hole of the other half block. C-C are buttons for locking the doors H-H. D is a flat hook on the inside, which keeps the two halves of the block together. D is also shown in the back view. E-E are spring hinges, with weak springs. made to close instead of open. Being between the inside and outside blocks, when the outside block is raised they open over the edge of the inside block, Figure 6, A. Figure 5, F-F, are the wooden blocks, which keep the outside shell on the inside block at the front, Figure 7. B. G-G are cloths tacked to the bottom of the frame of the outside shell and are fastened to the metal bars E-E of the inside block, forming the missing side of the inside block. In setting the illusion, the cloths are folded between the bottom frame and E-E. The cloth should be of the same material, which lines the inside block. H-H, shown in the back view, are metal bars one-eighth inch by onehalf inch fastened on the inside of the shell. They slide in X-X sleeves, preventing the falling of the halves of the outside block.

Remarks: I would suggest that the stage curtains be opened to show a child's playroom. with the block on the left and, perhaps, a large ball or hoop on the right. A girl assistant, in kiddie costume, is playing with the kewpie doll in the center.

For patter, the magician could find out from the child that, although she has plenty of toys. she is lonesome for a companion. The magician says that if she will let him use her doll and the block, he will create a playmate for her. This he does to the delight of the little girl and the audience as wen. Of course. any other doll could he used instead of a kewpie doll.