"This, That, and the Other" DVD by Stephen Tucker and Martin Breese
Suggested Retail USD$35.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

"This, That, and the Other", an effect by Stephen Tucker and produced by Martin Breeze, is a very good trick but unfortunately packing a price tag that is just too hefty for what you're getting and which seemingly boasts about its own overexposure.

I should say, right off the bat, I'm not going to go into the soap opera that serves as ad copy: ethicians in our number -- and isn't that everyone? -- can wage that war. You and me, we're talking tricks here and if they're worth the cash, right? So let's stick to that for a bit.

No, "This, That, and the Other" is not worth the price.

Okay, so that's a little too definitive. And I do like "This, That, and the Other". It's practical. It's entertaining. It packs small. It's a very good piece of work that is simple to do and with a very good presentation (take a look at the video and you'll see what I mean). It's had 15,000,000 views on YouTube...

Ah, there's the rub. Let's think about this one.

So for the princely sum of $35.00, you get a packet trick, a couple of ways of learning the routine, and the certain knowledge that it was extremely popular on YouTube. Now me, I'd prefer to pay for something a little less well-known, dissected, and probably badly-done for millions to see. But that's just me.

Okay, so I've got some gripes here. "This, That, and the Other" is still a fine trick, reminiscent of "Color Monte", with some nice touches that make it play very well. I can name a few performers that carry this one around, they love it so much, and these guys wouldn't lose the space unless every card in the packet was worth carrying.

So, yes, I can recommend it on its own merits because it is a fine, very fine, trick. It is quite possibly the finest trick I'll never do because the price is just too high (and you can take that a couple of ways).

"This, That, and the Other" DVD by Stephen Tucker
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Practicality: 10
Three cards, no gaffs or gimmicks, no resets or set-ups to worry with, and occupies so little pocket space it's not worth mentioning. This is as practical as it gets.

Workmanship: 10
The cards are printed on USPCC stock and look and feel great.

Documentation: 10
A well-shot DVD and a well-written booklet ensure you'll be doing this one in no time at all.

Effect: 8
This plays as a quick, magical, funny bit and hits a nice chord with audiences. It might not leave them stunned, but it does leave them entertained.

Presentation: 8
It's all about the punch line and the handling leading up to it, and it's all very good. If you're after a quick, entertaining bit, look not further.

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.