"The Ring Thing" DVD by Tank
Suggested Retail USD$25.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

"The Ring Thing", the latest DVD by Tank, is one of those rare pieces of magic that is so simple, so power-packed, so fun, that it'll be hard to resist doing it at every opportunity.

That it's examinable, impromptu, practical as all get-out, and just plain different is just icing on the cake.

The effect is about as simple as you can ask for: the performer removes their finger ring, gives it to a spectator for inspection, and then puts it back on their finger. With the tips of the fingers plainly visible, the finger ring is then slowly and quite openly pulled off the performer's finger.

Told you is was simple. And a jaw-dropper.

I have to admit a love for finger ring effects so I was quite anxious to get "The Ring Thing" and see what was going on in Tank's mind. The video -- a short thing of ten or so minutes -- had me from the start. When I saw the working, I simply couldn't wait to show this one off. It's so diabolically clever and so sneaky I couldn't resist. When it produced one set of slack jaws after the other, I knew this one was going to be something I do for a good long time. "The Ring Thing" is just too neat not to whip out at a moment's notice, or even no notice at all.

As to the details, the ads are not exaggerating in the least. The ring is normal -- you'll need to supply it, of course -- and can be fully examined. There is no set-up or reset; wear the ring and you're ready to go. There are no difficult sleights, no palming, switching, or anything like that. In many respects, it's the perfect close-up trick.

The method is a bit gutsy, but just barely so, and won't make any but the most skittish of our number nervous. There is a certain property of the ring that helps this work, but it's trifling. In all fairness, Tank suggests that even a ring without that certain property will work, but for my money I'd look for the specific quality, just to be on the safe side.

And those are the only two downsides -- and I use the term loosely -- for "The Ring Thing". That makes "The Ring Thing" a solid keeper.

As a couple of extra bits, Kenton Knepper teaches a U.F. Grant ring vanish that is as good an example of Grant's genius as any and worth learning just for that. Tank also teaches the old "jumping finger ring" bit, just to round things out. Both of these are nice additions to the disc if you're not familiar with them and give you a couple of more interesting piece of finger ring magic to perform.

But "The Ring Thing" is the meat here, and it's a winner, a winner you'll enjoy doing and your audiences will enjoy watching.

"The Ring Thing" DVD by Tank
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

Material: 10
The titled effect is a wonderful, strong piece of magic that will plays powerfully and will have spectators' mouths open whenever its performed. The accompanying pieces, one a bit by U.F. Grant that is just plain devilish and another that is as ancient as it is fun, round out the disc, but it's Tank's idea that makes this one worth having.

Practicality: 10
It's your ring, with no gaffs, gimmicks, set-ups, resets, or pretty much anything else to worry about. There is a requirement on the properties of the ring, but it is minor (Tank suggests this is less a requirement than a nicety, but for my money it's pretty much a "must-have"). This really is about as practical as can be asked for.

Quality of Production: 10
The video is extremely well done, with no flaws in sight and a wonderful attention to production values.

Quality of Instruction: 10
Tank, assisted in the proceedings by Kenton Knepper, does a fantastic job of teaching his brain-child, including all the moves and subtleties. There'll be no problem learning this one.

Presentation: 10
It's all about the visuals and the cleanness here, and it's got them in abundance. Very, very nice.


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.