Review: Close Up Magic #2 (World's Greatest Magic)

L&L's "World's Greatest Magic" DVDs compile routines from the instructional videos of famous magicians and each title follows a theme. As the name implies, this DVD features close-up, non-playing card routines taught by well known performers such as Eugene Burger, Daryl, Banachek, J.J. Sanvert, Gregory Wilson and Doc Eason. This is the second in a set of three great titles.

Eugene Burger and David Parr teach "21st Century Bill Transposition," a version of U. F. Grant's classic bill transposition that was published in Tarbell. A spectator provides a bill and you provide another of a different denomination. The spectator holds both bills and you remove one and show it. In a flash, the bills have changed places.

The DVD provides a strong mentalism routine with Banachek's "Word of the Ring." This is a book test that relies on an unusual and intriguing method.

Mixing a couple of well known routines and applying a theme, in "Bill and Pen," J. J. Sanvert mysteriously removes the metallic thread that's found in a bill and then punches a pen through the bill and restores it. This routine relies on the usual gimmicks that you'll need to purchase from your magic dealer.

I thoroughly liked Gregory Wilson's "Foreign Affair." By simply folding a one-dollar bill, you turn it into various currencies from around the world and ultimately into a one-hundred dollar bill. This one is based on method developed by Bill Goldman.

In "The Mystery of the Little Piece of Cork," Paul Wilson teaches a streamlined version of John Ramsay's classic "Cylinder and Coins." You show a tube and a tiny piece of cork. You produce four coins and then cause them to vanish. At the end, the coins are found in the cylinder.

A commercial routine that is a variation on "two in the hand, one in the pocket," Doc Eason's teaches his excellent "All Screwed Up." A series of nuts continually appear in your hand and then, one nut is replaced by a bolt. At the end, in your hand, the nuts are found to be screwed onto the bolt.

In "Cup and Ball," Daryl teaches an impromptu one-cup routine. A borrowed bill is crumpled and continually passes through and appears in a borrowed coffee cup. At the end, the inverted coffee cup contains a tomato and then a potato.

Unlike the other World's Greatest Magic DVDs that tend to focus on an area of magic, this close-up collection features a wide variety of effects. I like the mix and you can learn an entire close-up routine on this DVD.

MSRP: (US) $19.95

If you have any questions about this or any other product that we have reviewed, please feel free to post a message on our forum by clicking here. (You don't have to register to visit our forum, simply click on the link for "Guest Access.")

Dealers can purchase from Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.