Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Take it All by Adele

Pre-Review 'Disclosure'/'Disclaimer':

Ok many of you probably know that Jay Sankey and I are good friends and that we've worked together on a project or two in the past, and we also are consultants to one another.

I get feedback from him on my stuff, and he gets feedback from me on a lot of his stuff. Additionally, I do not receive any sort of compensation whatsoever for reviewing or 'pitching' his products (I was not involved in this particular project).

I tell you that up front just to sort of clear the air and to let you know that when I give Jay feedback, I'm brutally honest with him. I tell him if I think he has a crappy idea or a good idea. He wouldn't have it any other way, nor would I. So I want to make it clear that Jay's products get the same level of scrutiny as any other products I review.

On to the review:

DVD Quality and Overall Value 5 out of 5:

  • The cost is only $25.00
  • It comes with a few pieces of the gum
  • It comes with everything you need to make the gimmick
  • The DVD Includes 12 different handlings (one for just about every performance venue)
  • The Quality of the DVD was excellent and the instruction was very detailed and thorough

There are several versions of the handling; some are ungimmicked and some use gimmicks. There are three different gimmicks. The one you use will, of course, depend on which handling you use. Here are the Various handlings and my rating and opinion of each. Also, note that my critique will be based on the venue that I perform in (table-hopping and strolling magic), so those that don't fit my venue may be given a bit lower rating than those that do:

The Snap Handling (5 out of 5):

Uses the main/original gimmick from the 1985 lecture notes - we'll call it gimmick #1. This is very visual and very practical. You show the piece of chewed gum on the wrapper, close it in your fist, snap your fingers and open your hand to reveal a fully restored and wrapped piece of gum that can be handed out, and you are clean. There?s no ?funny? moves it looks like real magic. This would be most suited to table-hopping.

The Mid Air Handling (5 out of 5):

This also uses 'gimmick #1.' This is the same effect as 'The Snap Handling' however, the chewed gum and wrapper are thrown into the air. The restoration appears to happen in mid air. Although this handling would work well in strolling situations, it's perfect for a bit larger crowd where you're performing a set in front of a group. It would also be perfect for children's shows.

Table Drop (5 out of 5) / In Their Hands (5 out of 5):

Again we have 'gimmick #1.' This has the same illusion as 'The Mid Air Handling,' but rather than in the air, it happens as the piece of chewed gum and wrapper fall to the table (or audiences cupped hand). Both, of course is perfect for table-hopping. However the 'In Their Hands' version is particularly well suited for working in a strolling situation like a cocktail party or something where people are just mingling and you really don't have a table.

Appearing Wrapper (4 out of 5):

This uses 'Gimmick #2' which is really a modification of 'Gimmick #1.' This is the same effect as 'The Snap Handling' in the sense that the magic happens in the closed fist of the performer as the fingers are snapped. The effect is great, and I like the presentational idea of pretending to take the gum from the bottom of the table (granted you have to read your audience a little before using that presentational hook). The reason I gave this an 8 is because I think that the gimmick is not as convincing as 'gimmick #1.' It's still a killer effect, but I just like the other gimmick better.

Thumb Tip Handling (6 out of 5):

This is my favorite handling and is the one I'll be using the most. It of course uses 'Gimmick #3.' You can figure out what the gimmick is by reading the title of the handling. This one is one of those, 'Why didn't I think of it' deals. Plus the cool thing about this handling is that you really could use any kind of gum. Whereas some of the other handlings, you'd have to use the 'bazooka' style hard bubble gum, with this one you could use pretty much whatever kind of gum you already chew. This is best suited for strolling in a bar, but would work in just about any venue.

JC's Handling (4 out of 5):

Don't get me wrong; I love JC Wagner, but I never get to perform in that venue where you have a bar and the built in advantages that come with that kind of performing venue. I love this trick, and I love the handling, and best of all, it uses no gimmick. However, you must be either seated or working from behind a bar. I just happen to never perform this way, so I'd never use it. However if you perform seated or maybe do magic when your out to dinner with friends, etc, then this is actually one of the best handlings.

The Slydini Way (3.5 out of 5):

If you're familiar with Slydini's work then, of course, you know his primary M.O. which is an M.O. that I don't use. Most big (that's code for fat) magicians don't use this technique. You know who you are and you know why. :)

That, however, doesn't mean that this isn't a good effect. It's just not as practical for me. It does not use a gimmick which is a plus, but you do have to tear up a wrapper which is a minor bummer. The effect, of course, is beautiful and was (as Jay mentions on the DVD) inspired by Slydini's torn and restored cigarette which is also a beautiful piece of magic. I gave a bit of a low rating because most people don't get the opportunity to perform under these circumstances, and it is a bit messy in the end.

The Transposition Sequence (3 out of 5):

This was probably my least favorite handling. Even so, it's still a nice piece, but just not my style. Again, no gimmicks are used, but you must be seated or behind a bar. It does have a nice rythm and flow to it and is a bit sort of poetic in it's style, but it's not as practical as many of the other handlings.

Impossible Restoration (45 out of 5):

This one is awesome. It combines one of Jay's way-back-when effects called 'The Price of Admission,' which I used to do back in the day, with the restored bubble gum. The effect is that the torn up wrapper turns into a fully wrapped piece of unchewed gum. The beauty of this is that you don't have to mess with the chewed up gum, plus there are no gimmicks (although a little prep work is needed on the wrapper). This is a very visual and clean vanish of the torn pieces which you could do naked if that's your thing. The only reason I gave it a 9 is because it's a little bit complicated to get in and out of the effect. But it's worth the time. It's especially good for when you're performing a set for an audience rather than strolling or hopping.

The Lo-Tech Handling (5 out of 5):

This is my second favorite version. Again, there are no gimmicks employed and it's just a very straight-forward two phase restoration. First you take the chewed gum out of your mouth and change it cleanly into an unchewed piece of gum. Then another pass of your hand over the piece of gum and the wrapper suddenly appears around the gum. It's just killer, and it's instant reset and can be done over and over again all night. This is perfect for strolling and hopping venues, and of course would work well behind the bar and at most other venues.

Oral Fixation (3.5 out of 5):

If you're a street guy, then this one's up your alley (get it, street . . . alley . . . get it . . . ). This is so far removed from my style, but I can still appreciate a good effect when I see one. The idea is simply that you're chewing a piece of gum, then you tear up the wrapper and put it in your mouth with the gum. After a moment or two of facial contortions, you spit out a piece of wrapped, unchewed gum. Very Angel/Blaine-ish. A little gross for my taste, but still a cool idea, and I'm sure that there will be a ton of street-style performers who will use this one.

I think that the best effects on this DVD are the ones where you simply take the gum and simply restore it to an unchewed wrapped piece of gum. Any thing more than that is a little bit more than I would want to do with chewed gum. You may notice, therefore, that the ones that stuck to that simple plot had the best ratings. Notice however, that even the ones with low ratings were still good effects, just not my style. Overall, I highly recommend this. There is a handling style for every venue. No matter where you perform, you'll be able to find a version that works for you. The majority of the handlings are instant reset and repeatable, and all of the handlings are very visual and very magical looking. Watching this video reminds me of how I felt years ago when I first saw the demo video for the 'Raven.' It was like watching real magic. It was like watching magic as a 'lay person' again.

For the price and everything that you get with it, you can't beat it.

Final Verdict:
5 Stars With a Stone Status of Complete Gem!

1 Comment

  • Jimmy Mulkern says:

    Hi Jeff. I love your reviews!!! But one thing that I’m confused about is how you gave Jeff Prace’s “gum” a below average rating due to the fact that when you’re in a restaurant setting nobody wants to see chewed gum. It’s disgusting, gross, etc,etc. but with Sankey’s “wrap it up”, you give it such a high rating considering you are doing the same thing- pulling already chewed gum out of your mouth and showing it to the spectators. You even say some of these wrap it up effects are perfect for table hopping. Am I missing something here? Thanks!

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