You must know that over time tapes deteriorate.

I have 2 of the tapes and his book. I'm a bit surprised if he includes an explanation of The Reformation in this set. Either way, I'll be telling Dan and Dave to Shut up and take my money!

What Guy can do with a normal paperclip still blows my mind. I watched him lecture twice (back to back) and was still fooled the second time. I wish he'd release a few new items.

Yes, Ray, tapes do deteriorate. The point being made here about 'The Reformation' is that when Guy originally sold this back in the early 90s, he only made 50 copies available with the promise that it would never be released again. However, one could say that perhaps it only applied to that particular format, as he did detail the handling, along with some new ideas, in 'Drawing Room Deceptions'. Since it is not being released on VHS, then I suppose, technically, he has kept his word.

I think over 20 years is a reasonable statute of limitations on a re-release especially when you think of all the people to whom "once in a lifetime" means "available again in 6 months."
I would love to see some new stuff also but I can't beleive this release would not include Reformation.

Agreed. Hard to believe the Reformation has been around so long. I remember when it came out...and now there are about 30 piece by piece restorations on the market. It will be great to have an updated dvd detailing the original and still the best version IMO.

I like to learn both from books and video. In the case if The Reformation, I think video will be much easier. I've leaned it about 75%, but it is sooooo hard. I agree though, the original is still the best.

I like to learn both from books and video. In the case if The Reformation, I think video will be much easier. I've leaned it about 75%, but it is sooooo hard. I agree though, the original is still the best.

Illucifer, I was just saying that that is a good reason to get the DVDs even if you have the tapes.

The Reformation is best when performed by Hollingworth, but I'm not so sure it's best for mere mortals, such as myself. I just love to watch the guy perform.

So the Reformation will be included at last, not limited to 50 copies back in the last century.

Pepka, 'The Reformation' isn't really that difficult and it's still the best piece-by-piece, real-world torn-and-restored card, in my opinion. All those that followed were either inferior in effect or method or both.
I think you'll have an easier time with it once you see the instruction given on video. It is a bit taxing to read the description, though not as taxing as some other things, to be sure.

I'll go out on a limb here (and likely get flamed) and say that I don't find Guy's performance of 'The Reformation' to be as smooth as it can be. It is very, very good, of course, but there are moments where he's tends to 'mug' the cards and move quickly, when a gentle touch and consistently paced movement looks much better and more graceful, and no less deceptive in the context of proper routining. I've been doing this piece since the early 90s and it really can be a beautiful piece, choreographed to music even, if one likes.

I love this trick and have spent a lot of time thinking about it.

It would be great to see a video of your performance. Even if it was just one that you pulled down after a couple of days.

You said you perform this trick to music? That is an interesting choice. Since I feel patter is essential to cover some of the moves in this trick.

The patter Hollingworth uses is cleverly designed to cover some awkward moments and to justify the exact actions needed for the method.

The presentation that Hollingworth uses fits his Hugh Grant/friendly persona. But it doesn't fit other people as well. So - the problem is how do you change the patter to fit your own style? It is trickier than it looks since the exact wording that Hollingworth uses really does help justify some of the moves in the trick.

It is hard to adapt the patter without losing the moments which help disguise the method.

And with those issues in mind - I long ago decided that performing the trick to music wasn't the best solution. Since the patter helps provide 'smoke' at certain moments in the method.

Which is why I am interested in your approach.

I should add that this trick is more of a parlour effect than a close-up effect. Some of the movements involved better fit a parlour environment than the more informal conditions of close-up magic.

These are just some of the thoughts I have had about the trick. But - I am sure others have solutions that I haven't considered.

Got the VHS's and the book. Would be nice to have them in DVD. Wonder what the DnD price gonna be

Hi Bob!

I do not perform this piece to music. Never have. But, I'm quite certain that I could do it effectively either silently or to music.
I agree that this is best as a spoken performance, though I'm partial to that with most things, even grand illusion. I also concur that it's best suited to parlor, or even stage, though I have done this in close-up, and even one-on-one, on a few occasions.

There's actually a really nice alternate take on the 2nd restoration in Guy's book. He doesn't use it (at least, I've never seen him do so, and he didn't when I saw his live show), but it's very nice. There is a trade-off in that you cannot show the back of the card after the piece is restored, as you can with the original handling, but I think it's a small point, really. And what's nice is that it eliminates what I consider to be the dodgiest part of the handling.
The 2nd piece restores and - bam! - you are immediately in position to do the final piece. I like it a lot, though I still often use the original handling.

I should rephrase myself a bit. It's not that I think it's extremely difficult, it's extremely difficult to LEARN from the book. I have learned it, but not to the point of performance, and then I put it aside and come back to it, and have to start over. I think this will be much easier to learn. VERY curious on the price.

I guess everyone will find out tonight at 8PM PDT.

$150

No surprise.

So, what do you guys think at $150 for this collection? I was thinking, perhaps if they threw in a copy of his book, Drawing Room Deceptions, with the collection it might have more buyer appeal in terms of its value. Your thoughts?



Roberto

Is Murphy's distributing this?

I think the fact that it's limited to 1,000 copies and has obviously had a fair amount of time and work put into the packaging and overall design makes the price tag reasonable enough. It's obviously something to kept out on a shelf and admired along with actually being of use. I'm thinking of picking one up but do really want to buy the book as well...so I can see where you're coming from.