Kids Can Master the Fun of Performing Magic With Broderbund's Learn the Art of Magic; Master Magician Jay Alexander Performs Intriguing Feats and Teaches a Variety of Amazing Tricks in this Inventive and Engaging Multimedia Program

Business Wire, Sept 11, 1995

NOVATO, Calif--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 11, 1995--Broderbund Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:BROD) has brought its own magic to multimedia by unveiling Learn the Art of Magic(TM), a new CD-ROM experience for ages 8-12 that entertains as it teaches magic with the humorous antics and helpful tips of master magician Jay Alexander.

Packed full of videos that amaze with illusion and teach as they entertain, Learn the Art of Magic is an introduction to 26 different magic tricks. It also features biographies of great magicians ranging from Houdini to Malini, magic slang and props no junior magician should be without and, of course, the magician's oath.

Presented in a circus atmosphere filled with colorful turn-of-the-century poster art and the sounds of calliope music, Jay entertains kids with his zany skits and tricks and then unveils the mysteries behind the magic. He also reveals performance tips to give kids confidence to put on their own magic shows so they can astound friends and family. Kids and grown ups will find Jay an entertaining showman and a patient instructor as they learn magic tricks that, in most cases, can be done with common household items such as thimbles, playing cards and salt shakers. Learn the Art of Magic even lets anyone with a color or black & white printer make their own posters and tickets for neighborhood magic shows. A certificate also can be printed out to allow young magicians to "enter the sacred order of magicians."

"Jay's zany personality brings his own brand of humor to all aspects of the product," said Richard Whittaker, Executive Publisher at Broderbund Studios. "To categorize Learn the Art of Magic as either just an entertainment or an education product would be to miss part of what's inside. It's a fun way to enjoy a magic show while learning what's behind the tricks. Jay discovered magic in a trunk in his grandparents' attic. With Learning the Art of Magic, kids can discover it through their home computers."

The five different modules in Learn the Art of Magic ensure kids come back for hours of fun and learning. In Famous Magicians, the histories of several world famous magicians from the past are covered in an interactive format. Magic Slang gives them the lingo to go along with the tricks. In the Box Office, junior magicians can print out everything from posters to tickets to an authentic certificate to add to their magic shows. Before learning any of the 26 tricks demonstrated in the Magic Tricks module, kids must take The Oath as they begin their journey to becoming a master magician.

The Magic Tricks module contains varieties of tricks from five different categories: Crazy Card Tricks, Radical Rope Tricks, Groovy Table Tricks, Magic Set and Money Money Money. Within each category, young magicians choose from several tricks they can first watch and then learn through videos. Inside the box, kids also find a magic set including props such as a Three Card Monte, Crazy Cube, Wish Box, Ball and Vase, and a Card Box.

Jay Alexander

When he was 11 years old, Jay discovered a trunk in his grandparents' attic. Filled with magic props and escapes from his great grandfather's vaudeville career, it inspired him to create his own magic performances every weekend in his family's shoe store. At age 14, he won the Society of American Magician's Gold Medal of Honor, and later the prestigious Oakland Magic Circles Bay Area Competition. Today, Jay delights audiences of all ages at concerts, festivals and television appearances.

"Magic and kids are two things I've always loved working with," said Alexander. "I think the fun we had working on this product really comes through, all the way from the opening magic oath through the closing credits. Both kids and adults will find Learn the Art of Magic full of cool tricks and laughs."

Pricing, Availability and System Requirements

Learn the Art of Magic is currently shipping to stores and will sell for around $35. The CD-ROM comes in a hybrid format that runs on most Windows or Macintosh computers. The Windows version requires Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, a 486/25mhz processor or faster, 4MB of RAM (8MB for Windows 95), Super VGA (640x480, thousands of colors and 256 color modes), a Windows compatible sound device, a double-speed CD-ROM drive or faster and 4MB of hard disk space. The Macintosh version requires a minimum of 256 colors, 68030/25mhz or better processor, double-speed CD-ROM drive, 8-bit mono sound, 2.5 MB RAM free; 4.5 MB free for Power PC version and under 1MB of hard disk space. Utilizing the experience of Broderbund's Print Shop(R) development team, Learn the Art of Magic works with most printers.

Broderbund Software, Inc. is a diversified consumer software company that offers a broad selection of fun, award-winning products for use in homes, schools and small businesses. Founded in 1980, the company is committed to creating imaginative personal computer software of lasting value for every member of the family.

Broderbund is a registered trademark of Broderbund Software, Inc. Learn the Art of Magic and The Print Shop are trademarks of Broderbund Software, Inc.