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Nicholas Special user I predict that I now have 900 Posts |
On the ELMS site, they have the following add: Can anyone provide a review? http://www.elmagicshop.com/cgi-bin/webc.......86799.ac
Thanks! Nicholas |
Feral Chorus Elite user CA 495 Posts |
Nicholas,
I have been slowly plowing through the pages of this cd in chronological order (except for extracting the original Sacks dice routine). So far, I am through more than 300 pages of material and still have a long way to go before I reach the end, however I am enjoying every page on a number of levels. First, the cd is great as an historical document that chronicles the magic scene in the 1940's including the fueds, controversies, fads, and innovations of the day. Second, the material is interesting and holds some great thinking and real surprises along the way. My bottom line: Twenty bucks very well spent. ps - all of the above and more applies to the Jinx CD as well. |
pikacrd Veteran user Florida 387 Posts |
Nicholas,
I am not sure that I can offer much more than has been said but I can say that it is $20.00 well spent. I have been going over the material contained for almost a full year and carry the CD with me almost all of the time in my laptop case so that when I have a free moment I can pop it in and continue my studying. I have picked up some very useful bits from this collection that I have added to my close-up act to great success, I have also found a few that well just wont work for me. I think that what I have gotten the most out of it is a deeper appreciation for the history of magic and magic creation. Over all I think that it would be very difficult for someone to give a complete review of the material contained with in the pages of the Phoenix. But with that said from someone who has been spending quite a bit of time reading the pages I can say that no matter what type of magic that you do I am sure that you will find something on the CD that you can find useful. I would have no problem making the recommendation for someone to purchase this CD as I am convinced that no matter what your skill level is you will find something that you can use. By the way I also agree with the statement regarding the Jinx CD as well. I have glossed over my copy but have not started really studying it as I have not finished with the Phoenix.
“Indubitably, Magic is one of the subtlest and most difficult of the sciences and arts. There is more opportunity for errors of comprehension, judgment and practice than in any other branch of physics”. William S. Burroughs 1914-1997 American Writer
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Nicholas Special user I predict that I now have 900 Posts |
Feral Chorus and pikacrd,
Thank you both for your reviews and comments. I thought it might be good from a historical perspective and am interested that you confirmed that within your comments. It sounds like something I would enjoy. Thanks again! Nicholas |
NeoMagic Inner circle I have... 2017 Posts |
In anyone is still interested, here's a review I wrote a few years back...
Title: The Phoenix Publisher: Houdini Picture Corporation (2002) Format: CD-ROM (PC & Mac) Number of tricks & sleights: Hundreds (something for everyone) Illustrations: Yes, lots and lots Difficulty: 2-4/5 (for all abilities) Rating: 9/10 (i'd give it 10 if I had the actual magazines in my hand!) Here's what it says on the back cover: ------------------------------------------- The Phoenix [magazine] brought 3 to 5 well versed, practical tricks on a biweekly basis from 1942 to 1954. The most talented magicians of the time contributed their best ideas to The Phoenix; effects that fooled magicians and lay people alike. Houdini Picture Corporation is proud to present for the first time, the complete six volume set on CD ROM! Search through over 1,200 pages with our interactive index. Just type in the search word or phrase and the interactive Phoenix will find it. You can also browse through the searchable index sorted by type of effect. Usable on both PC and MAC computers! BONUS Michael Skinner's notes on Phoenix issues 1-300! EXTRA BONUS The New Phoenix from 1954-1965: As a bonus, we are including The New Phoenix! Over 420 pages of great magic effects complete with instructions and illustrations. ------------------------------------------- My comments: I hadn't heard of this magazine or its CD-ROM version until it was recommended to me. I can safely safe that this is one product that will not disappoint. The amount of material it contains is quite breathtaking - enough to keep you busy for months on end, if not years. And don't be fooled into thinking that it contains only old stuff which is now outdated - there are some very strong effects and routines here. As an example, I immediately headed for the impromptu card section and found Marlo's Miracle, a wonderful effect achieved with a minimum of ease. This CD-ROM has something for everyone. Here's what you'll find just in Volume 1 for example: Card tricks, impromptu (x39 effects) Card tricks, prepared or prearranged deck (x41) Coin Tricks (x33) Paper Money tricks (x10) Mentalism (x35) Book Tests (x5) Rope tricks (x4) Torn and Restored effects (x8) Tricks with Eggs (x4) Tricks with Handkerchiefs (x9) Tricks with Matches (x8) Cigarette tricks (x5) Tricks with Liquids (x14) Spirit/Supernatural effects (x13) Math tricks (x7) ... plus tips, reviews, press clippings, jokes, puzzles and cartoons. You get 6 volumes in total, plus The New Phoenix! The magicians who contributed or whose effects are taught include: Dai Vernon Ed Marlo Alex Elmsley Theo Annemann Walter Gibson (Editor) Robert Houdin Jean Hugard Howard Thurston Paul Curry John Scarne ... and many, many others. The pages are scanned direct from the magazine (i assume) but there is no loss in quality and the large and numerous illustrations give it all a very nice feel. I can highly recommend it.
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