Magic Tricks

Mind reading Mysteries Part 1 buries excellent methods beneath ponderous, profanity-laced performances. Buy this lesson for the principles and pitch the presentations. Presenter Dan Harlan’s teaching is excellent - the performances - not so much.

Profanity is inappropriate in a video aimed at a worldwide audience of all ages. It’s unnecessary here since the outbursts (2:41 and 1:06:06) are not germane and the audience includes children. Mr Harlan also “jokes” about misusing medication (2:28), disconcerting given the current epidemic of prescription abuse. He later mockingly insults a spectator by telling him to “shut up” after baiting the crowd to participate, sad because Dan always makes a big deal about respecting his audience.

As for the principles, most seem more suited as “quick tricks” or as elements of larger presentations, rather than as standalone performances.

Parrish's Telepathic Drawings is a modernized slate trick. It’s a great principle bogged down by a needlessly complicated presentation. This could be done almost impromptu with great impact but is dragged out for 7 minutes. The helper is asked to draw a picture based on a book of 3,000 corporate logos! Mr Harlan drones on about these boring designs and the participant twice looks at the voluminous volume before choosing one that Dan will duplicate. Listening to Mr Harlan discuss tiny logos and then watching someone leaf through a book is hardly entertaining.

The Sterling-Tarbell Astrological Mindreading Act runs 19:30 (including Dan’s booty shake). It features an awesome switching envelope with a clear front. The trick is designed for a big audience. It involves handing out two sets of cards – one for information to be predicted and another assigning a number to each person. The two-card method is confusing with only four people involved (though this is tied to the method). It probably works better if you randomly draw a dozen predictions out of a jar and need the numbers to keep track of who hasn’t been called. The envelope is an outstanding tool.

Sydney Bergson's Thought Anticipation is an updated telephone book test. It employs a devious method and has widespread applications if you need an index.

Royal Message Reading is a 10-minute three-digit prediction set against a poker routine. The presentation is poor since the outcome of the poker games are unrelated to the actual revelation. The prediction is the same no matter how many hands the participant wins or loses. What’s the point of spending almost 10 minutes on something that does not influence the ending? The actual peek is very useful and can be used in card routines.

Sid Lorraine's Dictionary Message Reading is a dictionary test that uses a clever method to reveal a chosen word inscribed on a card.

Tarbell "Wrapped Card" Message Reading shows you how to get an easy peek from a folded piece of paper.

Long Strip Billet Reading is a 7-minute centre tear variant. Mr Harlan plays a crotchety customer service agent and insults an audience member (2:14:38). He muddles the presentation and diminishes the climax by constantly drifting in and out of character. It’s hard to “get into the moment” when Dan constantly drops character.

Gerald Kosky's Prediction is an add-a-number routine using four randomly created 4-digit numbers. The method is daring and can be better utilised for something beyond predicting a meaningless number.