New DVD by a guy I've never heard of before - Paul Gallagher. Anyone know him, or has anyone seen the DVD yet ?

I just ordered it from Hocus-Pocus. An interesting concept; I certainly have much more than a sock drawer of magic items I haven't used for years! Will be happy to provide some comments as soon as I receive it and have a chance to watch. 5 and 1/2 hours?!

* 5 hours and 48 minutes runtime

* 57 classic sock drawer props and effects are dusted off, revised, revisited, and given Paul Gallagher's professional touch

* 54 DVD chapters

* Card magic, coin magic, close-up magic, parlor magic , stage magic, children's show magic, and mentalism are all included

I also think it's a real fun and funny DVD to watch!

Ok,

I just picked got this one today! The box and dvd look nice, not a cheap DVD copied on someone's computer! The opening is kind of humorous too! The quality of the video is better than a lot of dvds that I have seen as well. The content is great. I'm just a hobbyist, and already I've found new uses for stuff that I bought over 10 years ago, and has been sitting in a box since about 9 years ago! My only complaint The only complaint about this dvd came from my fiancee who said I was spending too much time in front of the dvd!! I've already spent about 2 hours in front of the TV, and I'm going to be there for another at least 3 and a half more hours! And on a side note...I Love the sock!!!! he pops up every once in a while, especially in the explanation of "Fifi the great", and is a great addition to the dvd.

As far as I have watched, I think everyone can benefit from the wonderful ideas given in this dvd. As I said, I'm just a hobbyist, and I've already found many things that I can use! I'm sure everyone who picks this one up will love it! The time will go by rapidly while watching this one! I'll post some more comments when I'm done with the other 3 1/2 hours! And I look forward to hearing what anybody else has to say as well!!

Pez

Thought you might be interested in the "sock drawer" props and effects covered in this DVD.

Tel-A-Vision; Disintegration Chamber; Plastic Cups & Balls; Michael Close's "Pothole Trick"; Don Alan's "Ranch Bird"; Mene-Tekel Deck; Crystal Casket; Acrobatic Matchbox; Cigarette Through Quarter; Dan Harlan's "Card-Toon"; Multipying Balls; Thumb Tip; Folding Half; One Handed Change Bag; Mummy Mystery; Double Faced Cards; Needle-Thru-Balloon; Stripper Deck; Rainbow Deck; Blank Backed Deck; Marked Deck; Lota Water Jug; Scotch & Soda; Flash string; Finger Chopper; Buddha Money Mystery; Svengali Deck; Mirage Deck; Koornwinder Car; Coin Fold; Stodare Egg/Egg-Posure; Fan-Ta-Stik/Hotrod; Zig-Zag Pencil/Cigarette; Coin Cap; Mirror Box; Tony Curtis' "Night Out With The Girls"; Pearl Poodle; Glorpy; Pocket Spirit Slates; Vanishing Cigarette; Coin & Glass; Dime & Penny; Quarter Penetration; Plastic Rice Bowls; "Rocky" The Raccoon; In The News; Slush Powder; Rocco's "D'Lite"; Rip-Apart Change Bag; Dynamic Coins; Miracle Card Case; Mental Photography Deck; Invisible Deck/Brainwave Deck; Paul Harris' "Reality Twister"; Flash Paper; John Cornelius' "Thought Transmitter"; Photo-Coin; Crystal Casket; 2 Card Monte.

That's all folks.

Yendor, thanks for the detailed list!!

Chris

Sweeet. Even if I never perform half of that, it's a treasure trove of magical knowledge. Anything that stimulates new creativity can build your act.

Might I add Yendor is one wonderful guy to deal with.

Well, I haven't had a chance to finish the nearly six hours yet, but so far I really like it. I think the humor is a nice touch and really makes it very fun to watch. As for the tricks, I think most of them are very practical and overall very interesting ideas. I'm exited to try them out.

This DVD has also made me think differently about all the other really old tricks that I haven't used in years. I now find myself trying to think of new ideas for more old props.

-ZAM!

Your sock drawer will thank you. I also keep my passport in there

I was fortunate enough to watch the initial tapes from which the final DVD was culled. Paul is a great thinker and has some really really great ideas. If you look at Rodney Whitlock's list of covered items above you'll see they are props we all most likely have and are available in most any magic store. The real benefit of this DVD is that Paul has created routines and handlings to take these classic items to a new level. Paul's got some really creative ideas that will have you thinking "wow that's clever" and will most likely have you searching back in your magic drawer for items that were gathering dust. Highly recommended and a real bargain for the amount of material crammed in to this DVD.

Tim Trono

I especially liked the Svengali idea.

Paul Gallagher's "Miracles From the Sock Drawer" is without doubt, the best general magic dvd that I have ever seen. The information is great. The routines and presentations are professional, well thought out and completely entertaining. I am already using several of the routines in my own performances including "Identity Theft", the childrens' change bag routine and my own version of "Ranch Pig". The quality of the dvd is great and the amount of information (almost 6 hours) is unheard of in an instructional dvd. Especially a dvd with a price tag so low. One might expect to pay $29.95 for a dvd that teaches one routine...not 6 hours worth. Honestly, the explanation of the "Optical Revolve" is worth the price of the entire dvd. Paul's knowledge of the effects and their origins is right on. I have had the opportunity to see him perform live and he is wonderful. If you haven't bought "Miracles From the Sock Drawer" yet...what are you waiting for? Do yourself a favor and get this thing. It will give new life to your old props and new life to your performance!

Compare this with Ellusionist's "Inside Magic" or laughable "Street magic," with a few tricks each and lots of fluff, at a much higher price. Paul doesn't just teach the one trick, he mentions variations that expand the number of effects from 50 to about 80.

Paul is a storehouse of knowledge and was taught by none other than Derek Dingle.
quality and quantity ...who could ask for more?
The video is pretty cool.
Thanks Yendor for making it.
Mobius

This is great DVD on so many levels.

If you are just starting in magic Paul gives real world presentations for very basic props. So if your friends know the secret you will still be able to amuse them with the proper handling and patter.

On another level the intermediate performer will get a good reminder of those old tricks and how they can be used properly to fill out a long gig.

Even seasoned pros will like this disk to reminisce about how it was done in the old days when Marlo and Vernon worked carnies. Paul gives detailed references for the moves he describes.

With the amount of material and tips he could have made it two or more disks, and I have found several ideas that I can use, so I think the DVD is an outstanding value. Regardless of the sock puppet, it is actually helpful sometimes adding details to the explanation, and provides some comic relief to a long session with a pro.

I'd give this DVD Two Thumbs Up!
mjm

I told Yendor he was nuts for not releasing the change bag routine as a stand alone dvd. It alone is worth the price of the dvd. A 7 or 8 minute childrens routine with color, humor, audience participation, and a great trick that self resets for the next performance. What more could a worker want. If you don't buy this dvd you are missing the boat BIG TIME!

I love this DVD. I now have a new routine for the change bag that makes it very amazing the way Paul presents it. I am going to purchase a zig zag just so I can do his wonderful routine. My best purchase of 2006.

What are some of the other props he covers?

Scroll up to my post of 12-27-05 for a complete liat of the "sock drawer" props and routines included on the DVD.