I truly enjoyed this lesson. I was jam packed with not only the tricks from this lesson but also a lot of tip and bits from Dan's creative mind as well. I’ll be going through this lesson effect by effect to give you a feel for it.

Chinese Paper Mystery (4/5)

Effect: In Dan’s version a dollar bill is torn and restored.

Notes: The effect is set to a meaningful story that was one of the most entertaining performance of the series so far. Dan’s work allows for the bill to be handed out after the effect! One of my favorites from the lesson.

Winter Time in China (5/5)

Effect: A candle it lit to set the mood for this routine. A rose is destroyed only to be restored in a fluffy of rose peddles.

Notes: Dan updates this routine in every way possible. He teaches his take on the vanishing candle, and paper rose and snowstorm loads. It will take a lot to make this routine happen but it will be worth it because this is one cool routine, Even with Dan’s bad dance moves.

Winter Time in China (Tannen’s) (4/5)


Effect: Similar to the first snowstorm effect. A snowflake it made, torn up and transformed into a paper snow blizzard.

Notes: Dan teaches this effect in good detail. In addition to the effect, Dan teaches how to make a snowstorm load and how to make the perfect paper snowflake. To be honest I really enjoy this explanation.

Chinese Paper Mystery (version 2) (3/5)

Effect: The performer and a volunteer tear up two paper hearts. Both hearts are restored in this heartwarming effect.

Notes: This trick is hybrid of the paper mystery and the Japanese torn and restored napkin.
Dan show us how we can elevate the material in this lesson by giving the things torn up by giving them substance and meaning. This could be a wonderful heartfelt piece.

Hindu Paper Tearing (3/5)

Effect: A dollar bill is set ablaze and from its ashes it is restored.

Notes: I personally don’t like the idea on brining a bill but if you are looking for a dramatic bit this could be for you. The teaching it great just as we would expect.

Milady’s Parisienne Hat (5/5)

Effect: Two sheets of tissue paper are torn up and transformed into a darling hat made to fit a spectator.


Notes: I loved this routine, and Dan teaches you how to make and customize the special something you will need to make this routine leap to life from the pages of Tarbell. I would have purchases this effect as its own download.

Overall magic with restoring torn papers didn't let me down. Dan’s updating of these routines has helped make them magical and in some cases memorable. If you like the sound of this lesson and liked the demo video, I urge you to buy it and give it a try.

~The Magic Of Conrad

Not sure why anyone would be unhappy about this download, especially if you got it for 4.95. This is the first of the Tarbell video series I've purchased, but I will be getting more now. I don't have too much interest in performing many of the tricks (if I'm not doing them out of the book already) covered here, but I just want to watch Harlan perform them. He's very entertaining and does an excellent job with wicked cool new takes on old material. He makes me look at the stuff from a different perspective which should be the goal here I think. If you want the latest packet trick or something, maybe this isn't for you. If you want to be a better magician though, it would be tough to do better for 10 bucks.

I really enjoyed learning this form of magic. Enough with Card tricks already. To have something unique like this to add to your shows, you offer something of interest, intrigue and wonder. I can only hope that future Tarbell lessons deal with larger, stage effects.

This lesson is particularly useful if doing stage shows and/or kids shows. I am glad that Dan takes the time to show us the DIY aspects of the paper effects instead of just assuming we will purchase the necessary items to perform.

The only thing I would not do is burn the dollar bill, but that is only a personal preference of mine. If you are going for "shock value", then I'm sure that method is what you will want to do.

The magic performance Dan gives is top notch, the instruction is first rate. As for the dancing … we can't be good at everything. LOL ;)

This is the first Tarbell Lesson I have purchased, and I'm glad I made the investment. I will certainly have less apprehension in the future purchasing more from this series of lessons. Dan is a great teacher.

This series of videos by Dan Harlan are great to watch. I love the updates and his nuances that he adds to every trick. Dan's justification for things that, when reading, may seem weird, are an excellent addition to these videos.

This is a good lesson as the tricks inside are easily attainable and can be done, as Dan notes, with napkins lying around.

Highly recommended!

This was one of the best lessons that I've had the pleasure of viewing. This particular set of Tarbell classics were taught with, not only the original Tarbell methods, but some highly refined methods and updated twists that made the performances updated and fresh. I'm more than pleased with this purchase! I give it my highest recommendation!

This was one of the best lessons that I've had the pleasure of viewing. This particular set of Tarbell classics were taught with, not only the original Tarbell methods, but some highly refined methods and updated twists that made the performances updated and fresh. I'm more than pleased with this purchase! I give it my highest recommendation!

There are two methods and routines for snowstorm in China. I was never a fan, but my wife has convinced me that it is a very magical effect. Having two methods, the ability to make ones own confetti, and Dan’s pointers on cutting a larger snowflake are very valuable. Likewise, whether one uses either of Dan’s routines in its entirely, they provide raw material for others.

The remaining torn paper routines using dollar bills are practical and at least one poignant, normally not seems in combination.

I just bought this for the Hat tear because I got sick and tired of buying them from Online Magic Shops so I thought the teaching was great and well worth the money even for just that one trick>>

This download is full of not just effects but full routines using either tissue paper or dollar bills... Dan Harlan is an excellent teacher and he pulls certain magic "embellishments" of his own only because back in Tarbell's time they didn't have very good TT's or other effects we may consider to be mainstays in our collections. Fully enjoyable download.

Great ideas for presenting the classic SNOW STORM effect.
Highly recommended.