Trick Review: 21st Century Phantom by Oz Pearlman

I frankly didn't have a hint as to the powerful magic to be found within 21st Century Phantom. I noticed as I opened the package that it was from Oz Pearlman, which is a good sign (I was very impressed with his Stealing Pips DVD (please click here to read our review). But I found the incredible effect that lay within to be an audience shocker and pleaser.

I've been performing it over the weekend for regulars at my gigs and found that it gets a fantastic response.

A celebrity is chosen from a stack of business cards and that celebrity is revealed in an amazing manner. It's hard to know how much to give away of the plot, but I'll write it down here and come back and edit if Pearlman or someone else asks me to not give away the conclusion (the ads for this trick are intentionally vague).

You bring out your business card and scissors and begin to cut away at the business card. You ask the name of the celebrity and when you unfold the cut-up business card, it reveals the silhouette of that celebrity.

The effect offers a powerful one-two knockout punch that is refreshingly different and somewhat out there. First comes the mental revelation of the celebrity. The second is your skill at translating this knowledge into the cut-up piece of paper. At the end, you give away the silhouette as a souvenir. And Pearlman shows how to turn the souvenir into a keepsake that will always remind spectators of you.

If you're familiar with Anneman, you'll recognize this effect as one that's been expertly adapted by Pearlman for close-up. It's not difficult to perform and quickly resets, however, there's some significant preparation ahead of time. Another plus, you can repeat the effect and have it result in different celebrities.

This one is too good to giveaway. If I were Oz Pearlman, I would have kept this one for myself. But I have to thank him for giving me an effect that has immediately taken a place among my best material.

One more thing, without revealing any secrets, this effect will be best for those who perform for audiences that they won't see again or don't see on a regular basis. It's so strong, you'll be fielding all kinds of questions, as I did this past weekend from my regulars. If you perform this for family or friends, I think that it will be awhile before you stop hearing requests.

It's hard to explain if you haven't performed the trick for an audience, but if you do, and mark my words, you'll understand what I'm saying.

-Wayne N. Kawamoto

MSRP: (US) $29.95

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