"The Amazing Twenty Dollar Bill Trick"
by Hal Spear and Paul Romhany
Suggested Retail USD$39.95
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

"The Amazing Twenty Dollar Bill Trick", an effect by Hal Spear and Paul Romhany, is a stand-up comedy routine that combines the classic "magician's instructions" theme with a "bill to impossible location" plot and yields something that is a delightful addition to the comedy performer's act but also carries an idea interesting enough for the more serious performer to contemplate.

The effect is fairly basic. The performer attempts a trick, following along the instructions on a CD. Things go wrong eventually and the spectator's signed bill ends up destroyed. In the end, after some by play, the envelope containing "The Amazing Twenty Dollar Bill Trick", which has been in the spectator's possession since the start, is opened and the DVD case removed. This is opened to reveal a sealed window envelope. Through the envelope the spectator's signed bill can be seen. The envelope is opened and it's the spectator's signed, restored bill.

As I said, this is basically a "bill to impossible location" routine, one funny enough to have replaced Paul Romhany's much-beloved and classical "vanishing bandana" in his act. If you're a comedic magician, that's saying something.

The problem is, simply, I can't do comedy like this for the life of me. I also don't find it funny. I like my humor surreal or ironic, I guess, so this one has about half the appeal to me it should have. Sorry, Mssrs. Romhany and Spear, no offense; my tastes are merely different. So as to the comedic value, I can't attest personally. To the magic, I can say that this is one great piece of work.

In fact, I was so happy to learn the method I'd have paid the money just for that piece of this; the comedy is an added touch comedic performers better than I can pull off.

Yes, it really is that good and I have become quite taken with it. It's a version of an older idea, but it works and the idea of putting the whole thing into a single package is just an irresistible idea. As I type this, I've got it set-up (and a presentation matching my tastes a bit better) sitting in my case, ready to go, for the next platform gig. But I have to warn you: this is me. I dig this method big time because I've used the aforementioned older idea for years and seeing it framed like this is just the icing on the cake for me. Your mileage will definitely vary on this one.

And I haven't even gotten around to how easy this one is to pull off. While it's certainly not self-working, it is very simple to do. A little gutsy, perhaps, but not overly so; it probably takes more nerve to pull off a double-lift. I hate to admit it, but it's also so conniving I love getting away with it.

So do I recommend "The Amazing $20 Bill Trick"? For comedic performers, yes. This honestly and truly deserves a look. Even though I don't get it, I've been around the block enough to know that it is funny and, if it suits your style and personality, this is most likely the solid winner you've been looking for. For the rest of us, make no mistake: the value here is in the comedy material. If you can supply a presentation that holds up and you like the plot, this actually may be worth the price to you as well.

"The Amazing Twenty Dollar Bill Trick" by Hal Spear and Paul Romhany
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Practicality: 10
For a stand-up comedic piece, this is extremely practical. Angles are great, the set-up is miniscule, and everything - except the pre-requisite CD player - fits inside an envelope that is itself one of the props. You'll have no pack-and-play worries here.

Workmanship: 10
Most of what you get is straight "off the shelf" store-bought material, so the real meat here is the CD and it's done excellently: everything from the sound quality to the script is perfect. You even receive three different versions - differing in length - as a plus. Great job here.

Documentation: 10
The documentation is provided on DVD and is excellently done. You'll have no problems picking up this effect quickly.

Effect: 10
It boils down to a comedic "bill to impossible location" which always plays big when done well. This is done exceedingly well.

Presentation: 10
It's all an "instructional" routine, and it's played strictly for laughs, so you've got to be into that level of comedy to pull this one off. Personally, this is not my thing but I can appreciate it going into a comedy act and doing very well. But that "bill to impossible location" working is almost impossible to resist just for the handling.

Shane

Available direct from your favorite dealer. Dealers, please contact Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc. toll-free at 1-800-853-7403 or visit Murphy's Magic Supplies website.