"World's Greatest Magic: MacDonald's Aces" DVD
by L&L Publishing
Suggested Retail USD$19.95
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

"MacDonald's Aces", another in L&L's "World's Greatest Magic" line of DVDs, is yet again the ultimate compilation of material on one of the true classics of card magic, of magic itself and, again, it's wonderfully done throughout and worth much more than the modest price would indicate.

I'm biased. I'll admit it. To my mind, there is no stronger card trick so easily accomplished as "MacDonald's Aces". Sure, we can argue that point, you and I, but there's a simple reason I include a version of the Ace Assembly in every performance: spectators go ga-ga over it. Done well, meaning with all the presentational bits in place, you can't match it for sheer simplicity and magic. Now, looking at it from a worker's standpoint, it's a plot with flexibility built into its DNA: it's waiting for stories and presentations and plots enhancements and pretty much anything else you can throw at it.

And this disc is a collection of what some of magic's best have thrown at it and it's marvelous.

It begins with Michael Ammar who performs and explains the "standard", the original of the effect. Four Aces are shown, placed on the table, and covered with three other cards. One by one the Aces vanish from three piles, assembling together under the fourth pile held by the spectator.

Johnny Thompson's up next with his version, "Automatic Aces". In Thompson's version, a more "open" one, with the cards being shown repeatedly front and back just before the transposition happens, simple sleights are introduced to add to the visuals of the effect.

John Mendoza follows with his "MacDonald's Four Aces". Like Thompson, Mendoza throws just the right sleights into just the right places, with each vanish taking on a different appearance. Don't hold it against me if I call this one beautiful.

Alexander De Cova's "MacDonald's Aces" follows. In De Cova's routine, almost a full act, everything begins by magically cutting to the four Aces in as simple a fashion as you could ask for. Next, the Aces are lost in various parts of the deck yet, when the deck is spread face down, the four Aces are found face up together. After those pieces, the Assembly begins. In De Cova's version, the Aces are placed face up in each packet, then turn face down, and then transpose. It's a nice way to reach the classic climax with just a tad more magic thrown in.

John Guastaferro's first of two appearances follows as he performs his "Famous Aces" and you'll scarcely recognize the classic here. Guastaferro's routine begins by pulling the four Aces out of the deck and placing the Ace of Spades inside the card box, which is then closed and set aside. The other three Aces are covered with three cards but, instead of the Aces transposing with other cards, they vanish entirely, leaving only three cards in each pile with the Aces gathering together in the card box. Along with the moves, the presentational touches here are splendid; this is a gorgeous version.

Guastaferro appears again, this time with his version called "Vino Aces". Here the routine becomes larger, suitable for platform/living room work. The Aces and twelve other cards are removed from the deck by a spectator. The Aces are placed in four wine glasses, facing outwards. Three other cards are placed behind each of the Aces in the glasses. The glass containing the Ace of Spades is given to a spectator to hold. One by one, spectators call out the names of the remaining glasses where each Ace is moved to the middle of the packet quite slowly, glasses clinked together, the Ace is gone, replaced with another card. This is a great way of making this play bigger and perfect for larger audiences.

Finally, we're treated -- and it is a treat -- to Martin Nash performing his version, "The $10,000 Ace Routine." This is a full-deck version of the plot and is without a doubt one of the more elegant variations on the classic. In it, the packets are made as usual, with one packet going to the spectator. Each packet is picked up and plainly shown, with each card put onto the deck except for the Ace, which is shown and held over the spectator's hand. A magical gesture later and the Ace has changed to an indifferent card. This is repeated until all three Aces have gone; the spectator turns over their packet to reveal all four Aces. This is a pure sleight version and takes a bit of work, but it's some else (but then, that describes pretty much everything Nash does).

So there you have it: the material on the disc. And if that were all you got, you'd be in good shape with this disc. But L&L went the extra mile, as they rightfully should, and even included the necessary gaffed cards so you can get right to work learning and blowing people away with these routines.

If you're into card magic and you're not already doing a version of MacDonald's Aces, then forget the latest and (probably not) greatest thing everybody's talking about and get this. Now. For what is certainly a lot less money than that thing, for about the cost of a few decks of cards, you'll learn one of the strongest routines in card magic and tons of ways of doing it and you'll be knocking people's sense of reason into the middle of next week. Beginner or pro, the material here fits everyone and should satisfy anyone who works with pasteboards.

I can sum things up with "World's Greatest Magic: MacDonald's Aces" easily enough: if you work with cards, you need this disc.

"World's Greatest Magic; MacDonald's Aces" DVD by L&L Publishing
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

Material: 10
The "MacDonald's Aces", a.k.a. Ace Assembly, has always been a powerful plot, a classic as soon as it was created. The variations taught here show why, in no uncertain terms. This is grand, magical card work at its finest.

Practicality: 10
Oh, you get picky and point out such drawbacks as needing some table space and using gimmicked cards, but those requirements are minor and easily dealt with with "MacDonald's Aces". Essentially, put the gaffs in a deck, get some spectators around you, and you're ready for action.

Quality of Production: 10
This is an L&L release, a compilation of previous releases, so everything is of the highest quality. No problems here (and a big thumbs-up for the simple and actually useful navigation).

Quality of Instruction: 10
Masters teaching masterful material... While the teaching styles may vary a bit, the thoroughness and the completeness of the instruction is always there.

Presentation: 10
Whether you begin with a magical production, end with a mystifying vanish, or "settle" for the classic plot, the cleanliness, the directness, and the magic is there in all of these routines.


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.