I think that the paper balls over the head is a great routine. Are there any other routines out there that use the same idea? Anything Similar?

I have seen it done with various objects. Please note somebody has to catch them.
Ash trays
Wallets
Pack of Cigarettes
Lighters
the list goes on . . .

Here is my version of Paper balls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkd2_KTFW90

The next best thing to it would be "Mike Caveney's Powers of Darkness Out of the Closet"
http://www.mcmagicwords.com/
It is very good and along the same lines with the type (Ie; Audience Knows but not the Spectator)

Just,
Larry

Take a look at Billy McComb's paper balls over the head. It is pure gold and is completely different from all the marketed versions of the trick that are influenced heavily by the Slydini routine.

I think the Slydini routine (as well as most of the variations put out by other performers) are wonderful, but uncle Billy really put a great twist on it.

I believe Billy's booklet can be purchased here for seven bucks it is one of the best buys in magic.

Best,

Dan-

Thanks guys I really appreciate it. I will take a look at all of the material you requested. Thanks again.

Steve Bedwell has a version I believe with rope....

M:C

Well it was Corrinda's Powers of Darkness before Mike made special coat hangers. The booklet sold for about $3.00 at most. I am not saying Mikes routine is bad, heck it is great actually, I just want to be accurate. He did purchase the rights.

As for doing it, yea it works great. I did it in comedy clubs with linking rings for 10 years. The combination of the genuine mystery the one person feels, and the laughter everyone else has is absolutly fantastic. Great call.

I used to do PBOH for a long time. I used to watch Slydini all the time and he always killed. Now there are some clever young guys out there who can throw almost anything over the head. But I changed to a hook coin and it gets a really great reaction. (I don't throw it, I stick it on their body) Now I do POD but only for those really special shows.

Heck, do "Goldfish Bowls Over The Head (Goldfish Included)"

you don't really need a guy to catch the bowls ...

just Strong Misdirection ....

^That would be herculean misdirection.

That aside, I seem to remember seeing Copperfield doing it with eggs. The catcher was funny with the reactions, like when he learned he was going to have to catch multiples at one time. It was good stuff.

Slydini was seen by this nearly normal guy sharing it at one of the earlier Desert Seminars..(81??)

On the same bill was a French Magician (Philippe??) who did a parody using real rocks..... Hillarious...He also did a funny matrix using a wild mechanical box...

Harris

Dan Harlan presented something similar in concept to PBOTH on his "Birthday Show in a Suitcase" DVD. It used some of the same comedy concepts, but utilized a paper bag, sponge balls and Goshman's "Color Changing Ball to Jumbo Square."

I use my own version of the PBOTH for kid's shows, but if I were to make a change, I'd use something similar to Harlan's idea.

Dan Wolfe, aka. "EARL"