Richard Sander's "Ultra Gum" offers a means to implant a corner of a bill or playing card, or other small note, into the very blisters of a sealed pack of gum - the kind of gum that's individually packaged in tiny plastic bubbles. It's a brilliant idea and an application that has potential for lots of different effects and presentations.
While the kit's DVD teaches several variations, the main effect offers an object to an impossible place. You borrow a bill and tear a corner from it. The corner vanishes. You point to a package of gum that's sitting on the table and ask a spectator to open it. Amazingly, under one of the blisters that normally encases gum, there's a piece of a bill. Even more amazing is that the package is factory sealed and appears to have not been tampered with. The spectator pops the foil and removes the corner. It fits with the rest of the bill.
There's considerable preparation ahead of time. To start, you'll need gum that's packaged in blister or bubble packs. Sanders discusses the use of Trident, Dentyne, Juicy Fruit and Excel, all of which work. "Ultra Gum" is an effect that you take your time preparing ahead of your show and perform once with each gimmick that you prepare. One portion of the gimmick, which can take up to half an hour to initially prepare, may be reused. But with each performance, you will effectively be using up a pack of gum.
An accompanying DVD offers thorough instructions and teaches a variety of routines that change the presentation to a penetration, transposition and more.
Personally, I have never wanted to perform magic using a pack of gum, but I can see myself perhaps using this one for that special table or group. Put Ultra Gum into your arsenal and there's one more impossible place to put a corner of a bill or card that will truly baffle your spectators.
More Reading
Bubble Gum Magic by Coats and Byrd
Review of Function 9 by Calen Morelli
Comments
If you like bubblegum efects there is none finer than those performed by Tom Mullica – genius!