The Clatter Box is a classic comedy magic prop. The magician asks a spectator to hold a beautiful small ornate box. The magician opens the front door of the box and removes a silk handkerchief. The door is closed and a spectator is asked to hold the box by the top handle. The magician then makes the silk handkerchief disappear using his favorite method, all the while explaining that the hank will reappear in the box. As the spectator holds the box with the handle and uses his other hand to pull the pin to open the box, surprisingly the box falls apart and pieces of the box clash to the floor! The spectator is left holding the lid. Attached to the underside of the lid is the missing hank!

This great classic comedic effect is close to 75 years old and yet it remains a staple family effect for many performers. It can also be performed in various other ways as well. For instance, the magician removes a silk hank with a picture of a dog on it. The hank vanishes and the box is opened to reveal a string of sausages (Hot Dogs)! Or the magician might vanish an egg and find a latex chicken hanging from the top. The magician might vanish a handful of flower seeds and when the box is opened, a bouquet of spring flowers is inside! There are of course many other ways to perform this great effect, and with a bit of imagination, the possibilities are endless!

The late English comedy magician Terry Seabrooke had a great idea. Rather than the pieces falling to the floor, some magicians attach all the pieces of the box together by some duct tape and nylon (or equivalent) cord. That way as the box clatters open, the spectator will be left holding the lid, the hank, and the pieces all strung together. This great effect is well-made and designed to last. 001CBMCLATTER