Silver Lining
Todd Karr
The Miracle Factory
Featuring the photography of Cambry Curry
A unique card effect with a surprise visual ending!
Eight beautiful postcard photos of a clear blue sky change one by one into dazzling photos of gorgeous clouds.
And because every cloud has a silver lining, you then produce eight silver coins from the clouds. A perfect surprise ending!
- Beautiful visual choreography
- A classy standout in any show
- All moves fully explained
- Optional Matrix phase
- Gorgeous photographs
- Includes an elegant drawstring pouch (Coins not supplied)
Reviews
(Top ▲)
I know I'm a tough critic. There! I said it. But I also think I'm a fair critic. So far everything I've reviewed by Todd Karr/The Miracle factory has been a 4, 4.5 or 5 star product. Ironically, however, the only effect that seems to have no silver lining is this one. I really tried to make this thing work, but as you'll see, it just ain't happening.
Let's look at a couple of things:
- Product Quality
- Handling
Product Quality
You get 8 postcards (4 of which are gimmicked) a few rubber bands, and a velvet drawstring bag . . . what's the deal with Todd Karr and velvet drawstring bags? I think he must have found a warehouse full of velvet drawstring bags and is trying figure out to get rid of them by including them in all of his effects. That said, the bag and the postcards are well made and good looking props. I have nothing bad to say about them other than the fact that the black back of the postcards tend to retain and show finger print smudges.
It's all down hill from here folks.
Handling
Although the instructions look nice with the full color printing, photographs and glossy paper, they are completely confusing. Based solely on the instructions, the effect is impossible. Essentially you need to do some playing card moves with a stack of postcards (e.g., Hamman Count, a sort of half pass, etc.). However, due to the size of the cards the moves are awkward at best. They're just about impossible. I have huge hands, and yet I still could not physically hold and handle the cards as explained in the instructions. Your hands would have to be much bigger than mine for the handling to work.
However, I gave the creator the benefit of the doubt and assumed that the trick could be done somehow. Thus I decided to see if I could modify the handling. However, nothing I could think of would make the handling and displays work in a smooth enough fashion that I'd feel comfortable showing a real audience. Further, due to the material (glossy thick card stock) that the cards are made of, they don't cooperate like a nice set of air-cushion finished Bikes do. The cards tend to stick together and just overall not handle well.
Final Thoughts
Presentationally, the concept has some merit . . . some blue skies get cloudy, but every cloud has a silver lining . . . then silver coins appear. But even that seems a little fragmented and contrived. The final line of the instructions is this: "Optional Ending - Use five of the coins and four of the postcards for a unique Matrix routine!" While that's an ok idea, I think forking over $30 bucks to do a matrix with nice looking postcards might be a bit much. If you like the sound of the effect and you think you'll have more luck handling the props than I did, then you may be ok with your purchase. Personally, I think that it's no coincidence that I couldn't find a live performance of the effect online.
Final Verdict:
1.5 stars with a Stone Status of Rubble
(Top ▲)
Silver Linings is from the Miracle Factory which has released many wonderful books, DVDs and occasional tricks over the last fifteen years. The products are always high quality and Silver Lining is no exception. The package includes the needed eight photo postcards, a draw string carrying bag, a well written instructions booklet and the coin holder gimmick. There are two close-up routines included: stand-up table side or sitting. The best description that I can think of to depict Silver Lining is a "postcard wildcard routine with a coin production kicker."
Since the instructions include explanations of all necessary sleights and handlings, Silver Lining is perfect for the intermediate to experienced performer. The only caveat is that Silver Lining may be best performed in a more formal close-up setting as the eight-card layout requires table space. It's territorial needs may be too much for a restaurant setting.
I like Silver Lining a lot. It appeals to my inner Mystery Schooler. This comes as no surprise as Miracle Factory’s Todd Karr is a Mystery School alumni too. If you are looking for a lovely, engaging set piece of close-up magic, then Silver Lining is recommended.