> I only saw bits and pieces of Phenomenon last week and meant to post
> this earlier.
>
> If anyone is interested in the spirit writing trick the girl did with
> the Polaroid camera, it can be found in the following book:
>
> ENCYCLOPEDIC DICTIONARY OF MENTALISM Volume 3
>
> This publication is available only from Abbott's Magic Company.
>
> The trick requires a Polaroid SX-70 camera, which I doubt is even
> manufactured anymore.
>
> The female performer on Phenomenon, while she is lots of fun to look
> at, didn't do this effect justice in my opinion.
>
> This is a very powerful trick when played right.
>
> About 12 or 13 years ago there was a show on late Saturday night
> called "Sightings", which dealt with things like UFOs, ghosts, and the
> paranormal. It was presented in a somewhat documentary style format.
>
> In one episode they went to a haunted house with some guy who was
> passing himself off as a psychic. He said he could capture messages
> from these spirits with his Polaroid camera.
>
> Well, these spirits weren't in a very good mood, as the messages
> written on the pictures scared the people so badly they had to stop
> filming.
>
> This is an excellent example of a well execututed effect. Not played
> as magic, but as a genuine paranormal event.
>
> There is a world of possibilities awaiting the right presentation.
> I'm not sure the best place to pull something like this off is in a
> standard magic act--unless you're presenting your act with a
> paranormal bent.
>
> Spirit writing on a stage is interesting, but done in a cemetary,
> haunted house, or the gas chamber in a federal prison is an event.
>
> -Leary-