Price$20.00
Media TypeDVD
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedJul 16, 2008
Cannibal Cards
Various
L&L Publishing
(Based on 2 reviews)
The Cannibal Cards plot was devised by Lin Searles in the late 1950's and this decidedly unusual plot has been capturing the imaginations of card magicians ever since. The original Searles approach utilized special cards. However, on this DVD, you'll see seven pasteboard masters, each with their own individual spins on this now-classic effect where a succession of playing cards seem to disappear when placed between other cards, apparently eaten by the "cannibal" cards - and all use ordinary cards.
Michael Ammar begins with the classic plot combined with Frank Garcia's "Apex Aces" and a "collectors" finish that provides three minutes of solid entertainment while Bill Malone follows with a typically hilarious presentation and a few red herrings thrown in that are guaranteed to even fool magicians. Juan Tamariz turns the trick into a piece of magical theater, complete with audience sing-alongs while J. J. Sanvert follows the classic plot right up until his amazing surprise ending. Larry Jennings, as would be expected, offers a classic and elegant handling while Michael Skinner demonstrates the version he used for over 25 years while he was the magician in residence at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas. Finally, Eugene Burger presents a streamlined rendition that will, again, mystify everyone but particularly those who are familiar with the original, classic handling.
Since its conception, the Cannibal Cards plot has been a favorite of magicians and their audiences. As Dan Huffman observed in The Linking Ring, "And, why not, when one considers the delightful combination of snappy card magic and the consumption of raw, human flesh."
- Cannibal Cards - Michael Ammar
- Those Scary Cannibal Cards - Bill Malone
- The Cannibals - Juan Tamariz
- Cannibals - J. J. Sanvert
- Cannibal Kings - Larry Jennings
- Cannibal Cards - Michael Skinner
- Cannibals - Eugene Burger
Reviews
(Top ▲)
If you read more reviews from me regarding the "World's Greatest Magic" series, you will find that they all start with these first few sentences so that each review will have the same background and foundation. So on to this particular DVD: Cannibal Cards.
This is a routine that requires you to have a bit of a fun personality, so it makes sense that a guy like Bill Malone or Juan Tamariz or even Michael Ammar would have a spot on this DVD, but Larry Jennings? Michael Skinner? Eugene Burger? These guys are all killer magicians, but it's hard to tell a goofy story about cannibals and pygmies in an cardboard jungle when you are a serious and stiff as Larry Jennings was... then references to "gastric juices..." yucky!
I found Eugene's presentation a decent variation and rather interesting, but the presentation just appeared to be something out of his element. It felt very contrived. But again, his take on it was much different from the standard plot, so it's definitely worth watching.
My favorite, no big surprise, was Bill Malone's. He added a few little flourishes and his amazing personality to make it super flashy and fun performance piece. Michael Ammar's was my second favorite... It was just a simple straight-forward fun handling.
I also liked a few really cool touches that Juan Tamariz added to his presentation... the guy, as crazy as he is, is a brilliant thinker.
Overall, if you're interested in the collector's theme, you need to take a serious look at the cannibal cards handling of the collector's theme. If you're going to look at the cannibal cards theme, then this is a good source and recommended simply for Bill Malone's handling. It lost a point for having old rough footage of a very stiff and borderline cranky Larry Jennings.
(Top ▲)
Magicians are sometimes thought to be rather generic with many of us using the same lines, presentations, and even tricks. The truth behind this adage becomes evident when you watch The Cannibal Cards. Aside from differences in handling, most of the performances are very similar; it's almost funny, really.
Eugene Burger and Juan Tamariz are exceptions, as you'd expect, and Jean-Jacques Sanvert has a non-standard approach too. Otherwise, unless you're looking for every possible version of this trick, you'll find it redundant and a little boring. I know I sure did. But if this is a trick you're dying to learn, you'll definitely understand it by the time you're done. For that, it's a good value.
Eugene Burger and Juan Tamariz are exceptions, as you'd expect, and Jean-Jacques Sanvert has a non-standard approach too. Otherwise, unless you're looking for every possible version of this trick, you'll find it redundant and a little boring. I know I sure did. But if this is a trick you're dying to learn, you'll definitely understand it by the time you're done. For that, it's a good value.