Thumb Tips (World's Greatest Magic)

Another in L&L’s great series of “World’s Greatest Magic” DVDs that compile lessons from noted magicians and their earlier videos, “Thumb Tips” presents various effects that use the well known prop.

Unlike the other titles in the series that deal with specific effects such as “coins across” and “zombie,” “Thumb Tips” isn’t as focused because there are so many effects that may be performed.

With “coins across,” for example, you learn several methods that allow you to perform the named effect. But with “Thumb Tips,” on the other hand, you learn tricks with money, handkerchiefs, sugar and more. The theme isn’t as strong because it’s the prop that’s driving the collection and not the end effect.

Despite this, “Thumb Tips” is a worthwhile DVD, particularly if you like any one of the effects. You can learn your desired effect and then pick up a few tips for others that use the same prop.

As I mentioned in an earlier review of Alexander De Cova’s excellent DVD on the thumb tip (click here to read our review), I’ll never forget the time that I was talking with a clown at an event that I was working. The clown said that she also did “magic”and listed off the usual coloring book, ball in vase, coin in sliding box and more. What caught my ire was her mention of “the stupid trick with a handkerchief and a thumb thingee.”

I managed a small smile and nod--I wasn’t going to waste the effort of an explanation–I could only think about how this well known trick is only “stupid” in the hands of incompetent hacks. There’s a reason why this “stupid” trick appears in lots of professional acts. In competent hands, it’s a good one. It’s a shame that the prop is so openly sold to the masses. That said, here’s a rundown of the effects.

Michael Ammar and Al Schneider offer some fun effects where they vanish coins in their “41-cent Miracle” and “Vanishing Dime,” while Roger Klause’s “The Miser's Cornucopia” offers a production of coins from a dollar bill. Richard Osterlind presents “Torn and Restored Sweet and Low,” a trick where a sugar packet is seemingly torn and restored. Fernando Keops offers an unusual 20th Century Silks style effect that is performed with colored strings.

There are classics that include Jeff Sheridan’s “Cigarette in the Coat” where a lit cigarette is vanished into the fabric of a spectator’s jacket and “Vanishing and Reappearing Water” where a small quantity of water is vanished and later produced. And while we’re talking the vanish and production of liquids, Ted Lesley’s “Coin Through Sleeves” is actually a coin trick that ends with a production with milk.

In “Purse Swindle,” Alexander De Cova offers a couple of vanish and productions of a handkerchief that involve a coin purse and purse frame. De Cova’s technique, in particular, offers a fresh approach where the silk appears to diminish in size in the fingertips before the vanish. It’s visual and stunning. The silk is first produced in the coin purse and in the second phase, a purse frame. This was my favorite routine on the disc. By the way, this one is explained on De Cova’s own DVD, Treasures Vol 1 (please click here to read our review).

Steve Dacri’s “Mini Blendo” is his close-up take on the classic effect where four small silks that are placed into the hand become blended together into a single, multi-colored silk. All presentation, Dan Harlan’s “World’s Saddest Trick” is simply the vanish of a handkerchief with lots of humor. Finally, Paul Diamond offers solid tips on using a thumb tip. Here, you’ll discover a nice acquitment and useful handling techniques.

List price for this DVD is a reasonable $19.95. If any of the tricks sound appealing, it’s worth the price of this DVD. By the way, if you want to learn in-depth technique on using the thumbtip, check out Alexander De Cova's Examining The Thumbtip (click here to read our review).

-Wayne N. Kawamoto

MSRP: (US) $19.95

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