Price$14.95
Media TypeTrick
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedFeb 12, 2005
Don Alan's Chop Cup Booklet
Ron Bauer
(Based on 1 review)
This is a comprehensive depiction of Don Alan's theories, handling, and presentation of the Chop Cup. It's his way of doing it, not merely a replication of a single performance.
THE REAL WORK on how Don loaded, got the laughs and set up for doing his classic routine. This is the first time all the subtle work has been published.
The 28 pages, with fabulous photos and drawings of "The Complete Don Alan Chop Cup" is all you could ask for and MORE.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Who knows why this booklet costs a few dollars more than other Ron Bauer books. Maybe it's the photos within which are not as easy to screen/print as Sandra Korts line drawings. Actually, this book is precious enough, that I wished it had been hardbound, and I wouldv'e gladly paid for that!!!
My only complaint about this, and other Ron Bauer books, are the covers. I am an illustrator and designer by trade, and when I first saw Ron's books, I almost kept going-this due to the low budget looking covers, the silly cartoons, the combination of different type faces...they just looked cheap and somewhat ridiculous. Sorry, thats the commercial artist in me talking.
As for the CONTENTS...Bauer, as with all of his books splits routines down in ways that only a master would. You barely if ever get a multiple step encapsulation from his books and this one is no exception. You DO get Don Alan's 'schtick', and insights that only a master would have. The load phase for example, is discussed later in the book, and includes insights from Marlo, when Don first showed him the trick. Details so fine, yet so utterly relevant that Bauer clarifies WHY the spectators eyes NEVER caught the final loads. The overall routine is quick, simple, but again, there are details here that priceless. Here's another: instead of asking the spectator a direct question, Alan suggests adding '...just guess' or 'just for fun'. Alan was sharp enough to
put the spectators at ease by diffusing the potential tension in a direct question. Brilliant understanding I think of putting people in a playful state (particularly the ladies), and flawless misdirectional devices.
Along with this all, Bauer includes the history/evolution of the chop cup, and includes photos of Alan on Hugh Hefner's 'Playboy Penthouse' t.v. show, as well as his appearence on the Ed Sullivan show. The book is that much more precious I think, as Bauer and Alan were great friends. Again, I'm surprised that this work doesn't cost more, and I think it DOES deserve a classier package/jacket-it's an homage as well as a master work of methodology.
My only complaint about this, and other Ron Bauer books, are the covers. I am an illustrator and designer by trade, and when I first saw Ron's books, I almost kept going-this due to the low budget looking covers, the silly cartoons, the combination of different type faces...they just looked cheap and somewhat ridiculous. Sorry, thats the commercial artist in me talking.
As for the CONTENTS...Bauer, as with all of his books splits routines down in ways that only a master would. You barely if ever get a multiple step encapsulation from his books and this one is no exception. You DO get Don Alan's 'schtick', and insights that only a master would have. The load phase for example, is discussed later in the book, and includes insights from Marlo, when Don first showed him the trick. Details so fine, yet so utterly relevant that Bauer clarifies WHY the spectators eyes NEVER caught the final loads. The overall routine is quick, simple, but again, there are details here that priceless. Here's another: instead of asking the spectator a direct question, Alan suggests adding '...just guess' or 'just for fun'. Alan was sharp enough to
put the spectators at ease by diffusing the potential tension in a direct question. Brilliant understanding I think of putting people in a playful state (particularly the ladies), and flawless misdirectional devices.
Along with this all, Bauer includes the history/evolution of the chop cup, and includes photos of Alan on Hugh Hefner's 'Playboy Penthouse' t.v. show, as well as his appearence on the Ed Sullivan show. The book is that much more precious I think, as Bauer and Alan were great friends. Again, I'm surprised that this work doesn't cost more, and I think it DOES deserve a classier package/jacket-it's an homage as well as a master work of methodology.