The Escaping Vampire by Ben Wallace

The Escaping Vampire is the original Vampire Block that started the entire lineage, created by Ben Wallace c.1945. This effect — known variously as The Escaping Vampire, Vampire Block, Vampire Die, or Visible Vampire — is one of the cleanest block penetrations ever devised, with endless patter possibilities. It has been recreated by nearly every major manufacturer and dedicated craftsman over the decades. I was able to track down the complete N.M.C. Presentation Routine for The Escaping Vampire, which I perform in my video. It completely reframes how this effect should be presented, and I think the new approach is a genuine improvement — I suspect you’ll feel the same. Even after all these years, this remains one of my favorite effects. It’s no surprise it has been copied so widely, and this original version from more than 80 years ago still works flawlessly. And unlike many later interpretations, there are no magnets, elastics, or rubber bands to wear out or fail over time. _EF Here’s the spookiest, eeriest and weirdest ghostly effect that ever sent the chills up and down the spines of an audience! A Vampire’s casket with a hole or window in front like that illustrated and measuring 6x3x3 inches is shown. The Vampire (a block of wood 2 1/4 inches square with a hole thru the center) is also shown—and a stick which can pierce the block through the hole. The magician tells the audience a weird story about the Vampire and how it roams around only after midnight. “There is only one way that a Vampire can be stopped from his midnight roamings and that is to pierce his heart with a stick.” Magician illustrates by piercing the block with the stick. He then drops Vampire into the casket and holds it in place by running the stick through both the case and the block explaining that the Vampire is now securely imprisoned in his casket. “There is now no way for the Vampire to get out at night because his heart is pierced by the stake and held in place in his casket.” Then for the mystery – “Under ordinary circumstances” says magician “there would be no possible way for the Vampire to get out.” “This particular Vampire, however, was a magician and being a magician he was not effected by the old superstition and nothing could imprison him.” Magician turns the case upside down and the Vampire falls out leaving the stick still in place in the case! There is apparently no solution for the escape as the audience plainly see the block through the window leave the stick and fall into the magician’s hand. The trick is a real puzzler and can be performed on the stage or right under the noses of an audience. It is very easy to do being self-working and comes complete with all apparatus, patter and full instructions.