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Pen Through Anything DVD

Various

Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.

(Based on 1 review)
It's the perfect carry around pocket effect. But how many things can you do with it? This DVD includes 73 minutes of the best Pen Thru Anything routines from some of the top minds in magic.

Each routine comes complete with, presentation angles, comedy bits, handlings, techniques, and more! This DVD is hosted by Jim Krenz, and you will learn from John Cornelius, Michael Close, Mike Maxwell, James Lewis, and Giovanni.

The "Pen Through Anything" is a prop you can carry with you always. With this DVD, you can greatly increase the "power of the pen!"

Reviews

David Acer

Official Reviewer

Dec 27, 2004

Just in case you’re confused by the word “anything,” John Cornelius has sanctioned a DVD that essentially provides you with a list of things you can stick his pen through.

Many of these are inferior to his original, excellent effect, the “Pen Thru Bill,” if only because, unlike when you apparently pierce and restore a borrowed bill, there is absolutely no emotional investment in sticking a pen through a card, or a matchbook, or a napkin, or whatever.

Moreover, I’m not enamored with effects in which the pen apparently penetrates something that a pen could not actually go through. Tricks like the “Pen Thru Coin,” “Pen Thru Ashtray” or “Pen Thru Glass” put more heat on the pen, because the penetration itself is the effect. Tricks like the “Pen Thru Bill” put the heat on the object that has been penetrated, because there is nothing magical about the penetration - the effect is the restoration!

With that in mind, I DO like the “Pen Thru Spectator’s Tie” and the “Pen Thru Pocket,” the latter performed casually after you have something signed, then return the pen to your breast pocket, only to accidentally push it straight through. The pen is then removed and the pocket restored.

Also, be sure to check out Giovanni’s “Crazy Pen Thru Tie” in the Special Guests chapter, which offers a funny convincer using a cotton ball that really helps sell the effect.

However, if you still feel the “Pen Thru Bill” is the strongest possible effect with this gimmick, there are some moves and techniques on here that will no doubt be of interest.

Tom Allen’s “Push-Thru” is a slower, more deliberate technique for pushing the pen through a bill, and it looks extremely convincing, particularly with Jim Krenz’s “Rip Gaff;” Michael Close’s “wHole Penetration” is a rich, well-thought out routine that elevates the effect from the realm of “quickie;” and “James Lewis’s Penetration” is a technique that allows the spectators to actually see the tip of the pen emerge as you apparently force it through the bill.

In addition, you receive several good to very good methods for switching the gimmicked pen out at the end, including Lewis’s devious and subtle no-sleight switch that is the last item on the DVD.

From a grumpy, curmudgeonly stand-point, and at the price of the pen, I personally think all of this material should be included with the original gimmick, rather than sold separately. Moreover, this would further distinguish John’s pen from the glut of knock-offs.

But from a childish, juvenile stand-point, I’m thrilled I got to use the words “quickie” and “penetration” in the same review and there’s nothing anybody can do about it.

David Acer
(Top ▲)