Can you improve your card tricks by applying entertaining themes and stories? Cushing Strout’s "On The Other Side Of The Mirror" successfully dresses-up well-known card tricks with themes that are based on astrology, murder mysteries, lie detection, fortune telling and more. His plots indeed make the card tricks more entertaining, but the effects are limited to those that rely on stacked decks.
Stacking the Deck
Strout offers variations and treatments on Jim Steinmeyer's "The Nine Problem;" Gregg Webb's "The Unseen Force;" H. Nicholls Harley's "Aces for Connoisseurs Again;" Jack Avis' "To Lie or Tell the Truth;" Joseph Schmidt's "Further Than That;" George G. Kaplan's "Clock Trick;" Henry Christ's "Dead Man's Hand;" Aldo Columbini's "The Adventure of Six Napoleans" and more.
Since the effects are based on stacked decks, they require little or no sleight-of-hand and often involve spelling. Most of the themes are well thought out and good. I particularly liked the way that Strout uses fortune-telling, Alice in Wonderland and even Sherlock Holmes decks of cards to convert a standard card trick into an experience.
Reflections
The book will mainly interest those who are familiar with the standard versions of the effects and like to perform with prearranged decks. To get the most from this book, you should already understand the original effects as Strout only explains his variations and handlings.
You may find that the book offers inspiration to dress up your current effects with themes. It certainly made me consider some themes that I may eventually apply to effects in my current repertoire. But ultimately, “On The Other Side Of the Mirror” targets a specific breed of card magician. For these magicians, it can be worthwhile reading.
-Wayne N. Kawamoto
Dealers can purchase from Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.
