The Genii Forum

Psyche by Andrew Gerard DVD 26 minutes running time - $44.95. Dealers may purchase from Murphys Magic Supplies, Inc. (916) 853-9292 www.murphysmagicsupplies.com .

The effect is that a coin is borrowed and begins to bend in the spectators hand. The bending halts and the spectator initials the coin which then continues to bend visibly immediately in front of the spectator until a 90 bend is achieved. The coin may then be given to the spectator.

The thinking and psychology of the entire effect is thoroughly covered in great detail. A demonstration of a performance is given. No bending device or other devices are used during the performance. The handling is simple and straightforward and not difficult to do.

While I have not tested this effect in performance myself, I do believe that it would be very convincing and effective. Production values are good with appropriate eerie background and music. Mr. Gerard is an effective performer. If it is worth $44.95 to you for 26 minutes of instruction to learn a coin bend that you can do without employing a device during the performance, then this is for you.

Bill, is the borrowed coin the one you bend initially?

Richard Kaufman wrote:Bill, is the borrowed coin the one you bend initially?

Richard -

Geeze ... you are supposed to read between the lines.

No, there is a coin switch involved. I mean ... how else?

Bill

Just looking for a little clarification that might be helpful to potential purchasers. I like the general idea.

I'm afraid I'm going to display my ignorance with this question but...You say you can allow the spectator to keep the coin at the end of the effect? is there anything to replace?

That's why you need to switch: out goes the gimmicked coin that can be bent without a "device" and in comes a normal coin bent in advance, with which you can continue the visual bending process.

Oh ok, I see. Thanks.

Gentlemen -

I don't want to completely tip the entire effect as I don't think that's fair to the people selling this DVD, but I don't want anyone getting the wrong impression either.

... Richard is correct in saying "in comes the normal coin bent in advance" but he is not correct in mentioning a gimmick coin. There is no gimmick coin. The routine is based on some very good handling and psychology. You may indeed give them the signed bent coin at the end of the routine. You will, of course, need to have another bent coin should you wish to do the routine again ... so if you give the coin back to the spectator you will need to replace it (but you still have the coin you borrowed from him so you aren't out the money).

As a reviewer I have tried to pose what I believe to be the key question here. Is having a very good bending coin routine in your repetoire worth $45 to you? There is no bending device used DURING the routine. This is more than the common price for a video and it is a rather short (26 minute) one routine video, however, it is difficult to pass judgement on the value of any item if it is truly something you want or need and that will be of value to the magic you do. All these items are of different values to different people. I do not feel it is correct for a reviewer to reveal how effects are accomplished if possible to avoid doing so and I am uncomfortable in feeling that I have probably gone too far on this one.

Bill

I hope this helps.

Sounds like a decent method! I'm always more intrigued when my guess is incorrect.
You're right about not revealing the method, but I don't think you've done that here.