This is a short and sweet review of a brand new product from Vanishing Inc. Shadow Thief is the brainchild of Bizarro that introduces a practical, easy-to-do method of manipulating a shadow. Here’s the breakdown of one version of the effect.

Two cards are selected and lost in the deck. The magician removes his cell phone. holds it face down, and uses a flashlight app (you could also use a real flashlight) to illuminate the floor. Waving his hand under the light, the spectators can see shadows dancing around on the floor. Suddenly the image of a playing card appears in shadow form. (Imagine a shadow of a playing card with the pips cut out). It is the first selected card. With focus still on the shadow, the magician waves his hand over the card once more. The cut out holes in the shadow transform into the second selection. The card is turned face up to reveal that not only have the holes transformed, but the actual card has changed as well. All may be examined.

This is a very practical method for a stunning effect. It is definitely a “right place/right time” kind of thing. This probably isn’t something you’re going to bust out at your next kid’s show, but it’s perfectly suited for walk-around or bar situations. Any dimly lit environment will work.

The package comes complete with two handmade, special cards. The cards are easily remade, so you’ll never have to purchase replacements. The instructional DVD is pretty basic with regards to production values, but Joshua Jay and Bizarro do a fine job of teaching the effect and its different handlings.

This is a unique card effect that your audience will remember for a long time. It would also make a great showpiece for a television spot. Overall, this is a fine product. If the effect sounds intriguing, I’m confident you will be satisfied with the method. Recommended.

-Available for $20 from Vanishing Inc. Magic

There are certainly no shortage of gaffed Three Card Monte routines in the magic marketplace. From the classic Skinner routine to flap cards and rough and smooth, it seems as if everything has been done. So why in the world am I reviewing yet another one? Well, because Switchblade is cool… that’s why!

Switchblade is a precision made utility gimmick built into a normal looking playing card. It allows you to perform vanishes, color changes, transpositions, and more. All of which can look quite good. Just take a look at the video.

The gimmick itself cannot be handled by the audience but will withstand casual scrutiny. There are no mis-indexed pips or flaps to hide. The card may be shown fully on both sides. That’s because the gimmick is built into the card. Also, the gimmick is never the card that actually changes. It is only used to effect the change of other cards. As a result, the audience should have no desire to inspect it. If they want to look at anything, it will be the card that has just transformed, which of course is perfectly normal.

There are two main routines taught on the disc (the other ones are just variations). The first is pretty much the standard Biddle Trick. However, the gimmick allows you to actually show the selection among the five cards in your hand before it cleanly vanishes and reappears face up in the center of the deck that the spectator has been holding. This is my favorite use of the gimmick discussed on the disc as it is used in a more subtle manner. The second routine is a multi-phased Three Card Monte effect where the money card never seems to be where it’s supposed to be. To make it easier to follow, the magician magically changes it to an odd back. For the finale, the card’s face changes into a Joker.

All of the tricks taught on the disc are relatively easy to do since the special card does most of the work for you. The only part that will require some experimentation is the manner in which the gimmick must be activated. Since the publisher gives this information on their website, I don’t mind telling you about the unnatural action that must be utilized to engage the special something. Basically, the cards are held at one index corner and tapped sharply against the performer’s other hand. The action takes place in an instant but it does look a little weird. Once the gimmick is engaged, however, there is no chance of it failing. It is very reliable as long as it doesn’t become bent in your pocket or something like that.

Carrying around a gimmick is always a bit of a hassle. And if you’re thinking to yourself that all of these things could be easily accomplished via other methods, you are absolutely correct. If you are a beginner to card magic, you will certainly get a lot of mileage out of Switchblade. Seasoned pros, however, will have to decide for themselves whether it’s worth carrying something extra to perform the kind of visual effects that this gimmick makes possible.

- Available for $24.95 from Paper Crane Magic