Price$15.00
Media TypeTrick
CategoryGeneral, Mentalism
Date AddedFeb 02, 2006
Out To Dinner
Doc Eason
(Based on 2 reviews)
Congratulations! You are now the proud owner of Doc Eason's "Out to Dinner Clip." This elegant accessory allows you to perform effects based on the "Out to Lunch" principle while maintaining your image as a classy performer. Just follow the simple directions, and soon you too will be wowing them with style.
History: The "Out to Lunch" principle comes from the 1800s, and was originally applied to slates by spirit mediums. Often attributed to Bagshawe, it was actually William Larsen Sr. who first published a magic version with paper cards. His effect, "Finger Prints" can be found in the July 1923 issue of "The Jinx." Our literature is now littered with effects based on the simple principle of a half card covering a whole card in a stack.
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It is a question of style.
"Out to Dinner" is a specially designed clip for your business cards that is functional as well as fashionable. It is an elegant accessory that makes the "Out to Lunch" principle work like a charm and won't diminish your image as a class performer.
Along with his custom made "Out to Dinner" clip, Doc Eason is releasing one of his favorite routines, and several other cutting edge ideas for its use.
Clip Length Approximately 2" (7cm)
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Overview
The “Out To Lunch” principle as it is called today, was first written about in William Robinson's book, Spirit Slate Writing and Kindred Phenomena (1898), entitled The Interrupted Flap. Over several decades it went in and out of favor. It was revitalized in 1947 when Clare Cummings and Bob Ellis marketed a packet trick under the name “Out to Lunch”. After "Out to Lunch", the effect once again slipped into quiet obscurity only to be revived by such notables such as Paul Romhany and Gregory Wilson. The main objection to the trick was the necessity to use a wide rubber band to wrap around the business cards. For many, the rubber band was flimsy at best and lacked class in a formal setting. “Out to Dinner” is Doc Eason’s answer to the weak and unsightly rubber band. Not only is it functional but fashionable as well.Effect
A spectator is shown a stack of business card backs. There might be a picture on the top of the card with the lower portion blank. They are asked to sign the lower portion to “validate” the card they originally saw. The card is placed face down on their hand and after a short while, the card is turned over and the picture on top had changed but the card is clearly marked with their signature. This is only one of dozens of routines that is possible with this technique.Method
The “Out to Dinner” clip by Doc Eason is a utility item. The clip is made to allow you to conveniently execute the Out to Lunch principle. The Out to Lunch principle is basically a half card that remains stationary over several lower full cards. The clip conveniently covers the juncture where the top card and lower card meet. This visual break obscures the fact that the top card is only a partial card. Because of the spatial illusion, the top card appears to be whole but it is not, which allows for a multitude of presentational possibilities.Product Quality
The clip is very finely produced out of brushed stainless steel. Standard business cards sized stock produced here in the United States fits the clip perfectly. The look of the clip is elegant and will not appear out of place no matter where you perform. You get one single page of instructions with basic handling and a simple routine.Ad Copy Integrity
There is not much to espouse over this item. The ad copy is accurate and the clip is superb. As this is a utility item, you will have to do your own research on Out to Lunch routines to use with the clip.Suggestions
Only one routine is provided with the instruction sheet. I highly recommend looking into The Stockholder by Gregory Wilson which is an Out to Lunch card case (versus a clip) which comes with a booklet of 20 routines and Paul Romhany’s Lunch Date (DVD) and Lunch is Served (Book) which has numerous Out to Lunch routines. I myself cannot act well enough to pull off many of these routines so I personally like to use Flash Squared by Doug Dyment which can be found in Calculated Thoughts. I also use a piece of double sided tape to hold the top half card in place so I don’t have to worry about it moving as I draw the bottom card out.(Top ▲)
I'm glad Doc Eason came out with this prop. I own one, and have used it for a few years now. It's a detail, that can matter, if you pay similar attention to your accessories-and I do. The clip, besides matching the silver I wear on my wrist and fingers, is a heck of alot smoother to handle than rubber bands. So far as the 'ideas' that come with this-it won't be anything earth shattering, if youv'e been doing magic for awhile. Cute, visual tricks that may charm a lady or tickle the lay person: draw a black rose (accompanied by a bad joke about types of roses...including Rose Kennedy)-ask a lady to lay her hand on the card-and viola, the rose has turned red. Another, is actually an effect that Astor has out on the market. It involves the O.T.L. principal, but the cards have a champagne glass on them-which changes at the effects conclusion. Astor's cards are very classy looking, and this clip would go well with them. I'm a visual artist, so I've no shortage of ideas. One effect I do uses business cards, and heat sensitive ink. So my only 'sigh' of negativity regarding the 'routines' that come with the clip had to do with their sparsity. I recommend this prop-which I think could have sold for a few less $-but, don't expect anything too thought provoking so far as Doc's 'routines'. Greg Wilson's 'The StockHolder', has some fine ideas; and then there is a book that came out a few years ago called 'Lunch is Served'.
I don't own it, but it is an entire book of routines from current day master performers, using O.T.L.. I was also tickled to see an effect on the market that deals with cutlery, a magician's choice, and a stack of photo cards-which eventually show the spectator's chosen item, bent. Spoon bending, ala O.T.L.. My last thought on this item, is that it recharged my interest in the principal, and the many things that can be done with it.
Ten dollars I think, would have been enough.
I don't own it, but it is an entire book of routines from current day master performers, using O.T.L.. I was also tickled to see an effect on the market that deals with cutlery, a magician's choice, and a stack of photo cards-which eventually show the spectator's chosen item, bent. Spoon bending, ala O.T.L.. My last thought on this item, is that it recharged my interest in the principal, and the many things that can be done with it.
Ten dollars I think, would have been enough.