"World's Greatest Magic: Stand-Up Magic Volumes 1-3"
by L&L Publishing
Suggested Retail USD$19.95 each
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

"World's Greatest Magic: Stand-Up Magic", a three-volume DVD set by L&L Publishing, continues to live up to the promise the exceptional series set, re-introducing a collection of some of the best platform routines in a single collection.

For those in the dark, L&L Publishing hit on a grand idea: scour through a rather immense video library of magic, pick out the best of the best performers explaining their best of the best routines, organize them into themed sets, and re-release that material on DVD. That, in a nutshell, is L&L's "World's Greatest Magic by the World's Greatest Magicians" line of videos and, remarkably enough, they all appear to be living up to their grand title.

Now, normally at this point I'd start reciting all the material and giving you my thoughts on it and pointing out details here and there. This is one time where doing that is nothing if not redundant.

I mean, really, take a look at just some of the names that appear on these three discs and you'll know just what kind of magic you're dealing with on these disc: Tommy Wonder, Richard Osterlind, Johnny Thompson, Bill Malone, Steve Draun, Terry Seabrooke, Dan Harlan, Al Schneider, Karrell Fox... The list goes on and on.

As for the effects, they run the gamut of platform/stage work. Classics such as "Bank Night", "Koran Medallion", "Professor's Nightmare", "Invisible Deck", "Linking Rings", and "Six-Card Repeat" are there, of course, but each with a unique light on presentation and entertainment. There are comedy routines, such as Dan Harlan's "Hold It, Buster", Harry Allen's "A Day at the Circus" and Steve Dacri's "Sucker Egg & Hanky". If you're looking for something really different, there are Petrick and Mia's "Linking Silks" and Tommy Wonder's "Ring, Watch and Wallet". There's even an escape routine courtesy of Falkenstein and Willard.

And I'm leaving out a lot more greats because to list them all and give each of them and their work the attention they deserve would make this one hideously long review.

Let's just say that, if you perform in a cabaret, platform, or stage venue, this collection is a must-have. Besides all the great routines, this collection is remarkably valuable for all the different lines of thought these performers have, based on their personalities and their experiences. Hearing Terry Seabrooke talk about how his gags come about, or Richard Osterlind talking about tension, or Tommy Wonder dissecting his own creative process... those thoughts, I'd argue, are the real magic on these discs, above and beyond the great effects these entertainers teach.

I'll give just one word of warning here, and it's only because of the lawyer-like semantics we're given to of late. "Stand-Up" in the title doesn't refer to magic simply done while standing; forget about doing these routines at somebody's dinner table or while strolling. These are routines designed for and best done in what is often referred to as "cabaret" or "platform" settings: in larger room for a larger number of people. True enough, a lot of this is suitable for a large stage show, but for the most part, the stuff here is meant for smaller rooms and venues. I mention this explicitly so it's not purchased thinking there's material here for strolling.

I honestly can't say enough good things about this collection. Sometimes it's difficult for performers who work these venues to get top-notch material; there's a lot of turning over logs and looking under rocks to find true gems. With "World's Greatest Magic: Stand-Up Magic", the problem isn't locating excellent material; the problem is deciding which material to work on first.

"World's Greatest Magic: Stand-Up Magic Volumes 1-3" by L&L Publishing
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

Material: 10
All you have to do is take a look at the names on these discs and you know you're dealing with a lot of top-of-the-line, entertaining magic. If you perform in stand-up situations (think platform or cabaret venues, or the stage), it's easy to say this collection is one you have to have.

Practicality: 10
With so many performers and so many varied routines, the issue of practicality becomes trick to quantify. Suffice to say the material here is all extremely practical for platform work with hardly a glitch.

Quality of Production: 10
Everything here is just perfect, even down to the navigation (which is a model for other DVD creators).

Quality of Instruction: 10
Without exception, the material here is very well taught. You'll have no problem learning even the more complex pieces from these masters.

Presentation: 10
The presentations run the gamut here, but they are all excellent and entertaining. This is cream-of-the-crop work in magical entertainment.

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.