Price$39.99
Media TypeTrick
CategoryStage, Childrens, Comedy
Date AddedMay 21, 2014

Wrong Way

Vernet

Vernet Magic

(Based on 3 reviews)
The magician shows a large traffic signal (12.5") that has a big arrow in each side. He explains that this signal is very important because the traffic must go in that way. One arrow is shown to be pointing to the left and the other to the right. The magician explains "this signal means that the traffic must go to the right and this other to the left". The comedy begins when the arrows begins to change and points the opposite way, both to the right, then both to the left, then up and down. Finally the magician says "... and if you don't pay attention to the traffic signals the police officer will give you a ticket" and at that moment the plaque drops open showing a police officer 38" high in full color, the face is cut out and the magician's own face shows through it.

Wrong Way is great for comedy and has a wonderful climax. This is a must for any magician working magic for youngsters. You get a special heavy board beautifully silk screened.
  • PLAYS BIG AND PACKS SMALL
  • PERFECT FOR THE M.C.
  • SUITABLE FOR STAGE OR CLOSE UP
  • COMPLETELY SELF CONTAINED
  • INCLUDES DOWNLOAD VIDEO WITH PERFORMANCE AND DETAILED EXPLANATION

Reviews

Stephan Sloan

Official Reviewer

Jul 27, 2022

Wrong Way by Vernet is another version of The Square Compass. Simple in design and concept the Square Compass allows the performer a wide berth when it comes to presentational concepts. The Square Compass has been used by Gospel magicians for object lessons as well as comedy magicians with clever story lines. The Square Compass is appropriate for virtually any venue because the prop itself is just a vehicle for the presentation. The prop has two arrows printed on it, and at one point in the routine the arrows starts to become uncooperative and the direction they point becomes uncontrollable by the performer. It truly is a topographical marvel.

Vernet's Wrong Way is designed to entertain children. The patter provided centers around the importance of following street signs. While explaining when driving a car you must follow the road signs, the arrows start to point in crazy, unpredictable ways. In the end the sign opens up and displays a illustration of a police officer with a cutout for the performers face.

Vernet's prop is very well constructed and I can't imagine it not lasting for years and years. The video instruction is in Spanish but with English subtitles. It is about 9 minutes long and covers all the handling needed to perform the routine. One nice thing about Vernet's version is the flexibility of the prop. You can present it as it was designed as a kid's routine but if you are do adult shows you never need to open the board up for the final reveal. If by chance you do have to entertain some kid's the option of the final reveal is always there.

(Top ▲)

Jeff Stone

Official Reviewer

Jan 08, 2015

Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Red by Taylor Swift


Wrong Way by Vernet Reviewed


One prop, one video download and $40 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.

Effect


This is a typical children's show prop/gag/effect. Basically you show a big sign with an arrow pointing left. Then you show the other side pointing right. Then every time you turn the sign over, it's pointing a different way. You, however, are oblivious to this as the children yell out the direction. But when you look down at the sign, it's always pointing the way you claim. The patter, all the while, is about knowing your traffic directions (right and left) so that the police won't "get you."Finally as a kicker, the big sign opens up to a cut out of a policeman with a hole in the face where you place your face.

Method


The method is a self-contained prop that simply changes based on the way you spin the prop around. It's very simple and within the grasp of all performers. The method is very reliable and totally doable. The prop unfolds into the policeman very quickly and easily.

Ad Copy Integrity


The ad copy is spot on. They make no outrageous claims. This is something that packs flat and [potentially] plays big. It's the kind of thing that, speaking as a former children's entertainer, kids and adults love.

Product Quality


The prop is very well made. It's sturdy and thick and will last a long time as long as you don't abuse the thing. The instructional video was about 9 minutes long with English subtitles. The performance and explanation is in Spanish. I always mention this on subtitled products: It's often difficult to read the subtitles and watch the performer at the same time. That means that you'll, likely, have to rewind a time or two if you don't speak Spanish and you were trying to read the English text. However, I can't fault a product because the creator doesn't speak English.

In fact, in this case, the explanation is very well done and very clear, and you could probably get away with watching it without looking at the subtitles. You can easily learn the method and the functionality of the gimmick without the text. However, the basic patter and presentational premise is important to understand. For that you'll, likely, want to read the text.

None of this is a complaint or a negative. It's just meant to inform you. Last, is the only complaint I have. The video is a .rar file that you must download from Vernet Magic. For the unfamiliar, this is a compressed file much like a .zip file. However, in order to unzip the file, you have to download a special .rar unzipper program.

Personally, this is annoying to me. I'm not a fan of downloading software that I'll only use once in my life. It would have been better to either create a streaming video or just a .zip file which is the much more common compression software. Though .rar is gaining popularity and is, arguably, a better compression system, it's still not as common. Further, the software is a trial software and depending on where you try to download it, you'll have to jump through some hoops to get there.

After I downloaded mine, I found some customer information on Murphy's website for downloading the software that is the least painful that I've seen, so as a service for y'all, here are the links:

PC: WinRar

MAC: Rar Extractor

Final Thoughts


This is definitely a solid product that is well made, well produced, well taught, etc. I believe that getting the training for the product should not require downloading extra software. It makes for a less-customer-friendly experience. The kicker is that the compressed .rar file is 87.3 MB and the uncompressed video is 87.5 MB. In other words, the compression only saved 200 KB but it increased the customer pain factor much more than 200 KB. The could have just had you download the video directly. That's not as good as having you stream it but it's better than downloading an extractor program. Other than that . . . SOLID!

Final Verdict:
4 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.

(Top ▲)

Fredrick Turner

Official Reviewer

Jun 22, 2014

Vernet’s “Wrong Way” is the latest in the long line of “Crazy Compass” props. It's been called “Crazy Compass”, “Tate's Compass”, “High Sign” and many other names. It's often found in beginners’ magic kits with the tri-color cups and balls, spiked coin and other plastic gimmicks and gaffs.

“Wrong Way” is a nice quality, highly visible prop. It's a kids show performer’s dream as it packs flat and plays big. It will get the kids reacting and interacting. This version has a ending which is a nice feature as most do not. It unfolds into a police officer with a cut out for your smiling face. The only downside is that you have to have high speed internet access or patience as the instructional video is a sizable download from a rather convoluted URL. But if you have experience with any of its ancestors, you may not need it.

Vernet’s “Wrong Way” is a well made addition to “Crazy Compass” lineage.
(Top ▲)