Bear Hands is an entertaining packet trick for kids (or adults) where a bear jumps from a card onto a spectator's hand. Three blank cards are shown along with a “bear card,” a card that has a picture of a bear. With some manipulation, the bear is shown to disappear from his card and is found stuck on the back of the spectator’s hand. It’s a visual card trick for youngsters that is reminiscent of the “ash” trick and the picture can easily be changed to accommodate just about any theme.
In The Hat Trick, Williams creates a close-up version of pulling a rabbit out of a hat, but in this case, the “hat” is a handkerchief that has “hat” written on it and the bunny is made of foam. At the end of the routine, the bunny disappears into the handkerchief. This one is good for restaurant workers.
Now Hear This
In the astounding Everything's a Radio, a spectator draws a picture of a radio on a blank card. When the magician presses a button on the drawn radio, it plays music-the spectators actually hear music playing and it’s completely under the magician’s control. The magician can do the gag where the card is torn in half and when reattached, music plays. It’s an incredible effect and while there’s quite a bit of preparation and gimmicks that are necessary to make it happen, it’s worth it. And once you have this setup, you can make music sound by touching anything.
As the name implies, If Thine Eye Offends Thee is bound to offend someone. The magician makes his eye fall out. After picking it up, he places it into his mouth to clean it. To put it back into his eye socket, he takes out some glue, seemingly places it on the eyeball and pops it back in. What could be more natural?
Furious Coin Work
Furious, Jr. is a fantastic "penny to jumbo coin" routine that’s inspired by the Gary Kurtz original. It’s great for restaurant workers and walkaround. The magician causes a penny to turn into a giant, jumbo penny, and then performs various productions and vanishes, and ultimately makes the jumbo coin disappear in the end. It’s an entertaining and confounding routine.
Hairballs is a multi-phase, 2-ball sponge ball routine. The key difference here is that Williams offers advice on preventing spectators from opening their hands prematurely after the surprise has been loaded.
Great DVD
Williams is an engaging and entertaining performer and he offers thorough and excellent explanations. There’s also lots of advice and insight on this DVD that show that Williams has long performed these routines. The video is well shot with first rate audio. The only downside, the performance segments are done for the camera and don’t feature any spectators or audience reactions. But this doesn’t detract from a great DVD that features some strong routines.
-Wayne N. Kawamoto
Dealers can purchase from Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.
