(Hank) Moorehouse 1934 – 2011 - The Society of American Magicians

This is a packet trick that is
a transposition. The performer
shows four cards, for example
two Fives and two Kings.
The two pairs change places
after the fashion of The Last
Trick of Dr. Jacob Daley. The
key word here is clean. You start
and end dirty, but it looks clean
– very, very clean. Dean Dill says it is
his favorite packet trick, as does another top
performer in the Philly area, who does it at every walkaround
gig. The trick is easy to learn and the DVD instructions
are very clear. It comes with the necessary gaffed cards. At this
price it is well worth the money.
plF esp collecTion seT book and esp cards
by plF
Available exclusively in the USA from: www.Tannens.com
Price $64.95
revieW by Joshua Kane
When I first started performing
mentalism, I bought several sets of the
actual ESP/Zener testing cards used by
Dr. Rhine of Duke University. They were
about the size of bridge-size playing
cards and had a one-way back design that
was composed of a field of white stars on
a blue background. While the scientists
may have been serious, the cards looked
as if they were designed for a kid’s magic
set. They were also finished and sized in
such a way as to permit them to be used
like regular playing cards, which, unfortunately,
tempted many performers into doing card tricks with an
ESP testing deck. The cards used to be packaged in a little blue
box that actually had an image of Duke University’s testing lab
on the cover. This added an air of authenticity. Over time, the
studies were abandoned, the cards and case went out of print, and
when the cards were reissued just for magicians, the box was gone
and the backs either retained the star pattern or were given clarity
as magic shop props as they were printed with backs to match
regular playing cards. I dropped ESP card routines from my repertoire
and boxed up the related books.
Recently, Tannen’s magic shop in NYC has become the
exclusive distributor in the USA for a series of well crafted
mentalism products produced by a company in Germany that
values secrets. They clearly want to make these cards available
to performers while at the same time taking great pains to keep
them secret from the public. The question is: can magicians keep
the secret? So long as the actual name of the product is not posted
in reviews that are stored electronically or on Internet forums that
can be Googled, the secret should remain intact. This is why I
refer to the company as PLF. I request that you do the same.
The first product of theirs I picked up is a new version of the
classic ESP cards. You receive two packets of twenty-five cards.
One set has blue backs with white print that clearly states the actual
PLF company name and the phrase “testing cards.” The second
set has white backs and blue print. Each set has the standard five
designs printed on the front of the cards along with a set of five additional
gaffed cards. The markings on the back can bear scrutiny,
68 M-U-M Magazine
but can be quickly read by the performer. The look of the cards is
a wonderful departure from playing cards, and the stock is thick
and deliberately lacks the air cushion finish of standard playing
card decks. The cards are cased in a white cardboard box with the
PLF testing cards phrase and a very official company logo. This
box is packaged inside of a plastic box of its own, which can be
used separately or in conjunction with the cardboard container.
The packaging reminded me of testing kits that I have seen being
used by psychologists who test children.
PLF has even gone to the effort of creating a Web site for
their imaginary testing company. This means that if a spectator
Googles the name on the back of the cards, they will be taken to
an official-looking Web site that will further confirm the cards as
scientific tools. Mentalism and magic literature has produced a
wealth of effects that can be effectively exploited with these cards.
A book is included with the PLF ESP Collection set and is also
sold separately for $35. In addition to several strong effects, the
book contains the necessary psychology and vocabulary needed
to portray the effects as experiments and not tricks. It is well
written, clearly illustrated, and required reading for those who
want to ratchet up their believability. I recommend you buy the set
and an extra deck while they are available. And sshhh... remember
to keep the secret.
personal FX dVd and gimmick
by wayne dobson and mark mason
Available from Mark Mason Magic
Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies
Price $25.00
revieW by norman beCK
I will give full disclosure
here: I am friends with
both Mark and Wayne, and
I like them both very much
as magicians and dealers.
Personal FX is a mental
effect in which you remove
a card case and place three
of your business cards
on the table. An assisting
spectator places his cell
phone on one card and his
keys on another. The last
card goes back in the case.
When the cards are turned over, all three match the choices made
by the spectator. The instructional DVD is well done, and the
routine is easy to learn. I like this very much. This is a good buy
at $25.
posTcards Trick wiTh dVd and gimmick
by hernan macagno
Available from: www.tangomagic.com
Distributed by Murphy’s Magic Supplies
Price $45.00
revieW by Payne
I recently attended a lecture by Doc Eason during which he
wisely advised that one should never start a set with a card trick
– a sentiment I wholeheartedly agreed with. Nothing is as potentially
off-putting as walking up to someone, cards in hand, to ask