Reviewed by Dustin Stinett

Genii the Conjurors’ Magazine, September 2008

We are in an era of downsizing. A "pound of coffee" now weighs 12 ounces and a three-disc set of magic DVDs can feature less than three hours of content (as you’ll see later in this column). The only thing not being downsized is the price of these products. So it is a great pleasure when I get to review a set of three discs with nearly seven hours of high-quality content.

We are also in the midst of a new era of superheroes and, when it comes to coin magic, the gentlemen behind the New York Coin Magic Seminars (NYCMS) are certainly superheroes. Dr. Michael Rubinstein, David Roth, and Mike Gallo, along with several guests, are videotaped during these gatherings and then these lessons are released on DVD. These DVD lessons cannot replace the personalized instruction attendees receive, but this is the next best thing. Perhaps you already have Volume One, "Coins Across" and Volumes Two through Four, "Copper & Silver" (if you don’t, I recommend you look into them). This latest project continues the tradition of plot specific focus by looking at "Productions, Vanishes, and Penetrations." Each disc has separate "Productions and Vanishes" and "Penetrations" segments as well as a "Bonus" section.

The 2007 NYCMS was held in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and features pieces not only by our three intrepid masters, but also by special guests Marc DeSouza (who hosted the event at his Magic Theater), Kainoa Harbottle (a superhero in his own right), and the very talented Giacomo Bertini from the small suburb of Florence, Fiesole, Italy. Not including bonuses, there is a total of 36 pieces of magic in this set. Like the previous discs, the range of material is wide, including relatively easy to very challenging and pieces that require the performer be seated and those that can be done standing. There are even a couple of tricks that include the selection of a playing card. There really is something for everyone here.

Volume 5 (like each volume) opens with the section on "Productions and Vanishes." These are pieces that feature the production of coins, their disappearance, or a combination of the two. Dr. Rubinstein opens with "Triple Play," a three-phase combination effect (production, disappearance, reproduction), "Bologna Debut (a production of four coins), and "Two Card Reverse Matrix," which brings an interesting premise to this familiar effect. David Roth performs his classic "Hanging Coins" and during the explanation discusses not only the technique, but the history of the Edge Grip. He also focuses on the Curl Palm. Mike Gallo offers the aptly titled "Four Coins Production," and Kainoa Harbottle shares two remarkable versions of the "Hanging Coins" plot.

The "Penetrations" section opens with Dr. Rubinstein’s handling of the classic Coins Through Table (CTT). David Roth shares his handling of the "Coin to Bottle." This is not his version with the inside-out bottle: It’s the standard version most of us mere mortals do, but with many Roth refinements and tips that should not be ignored. Mike Gallo’s "International Penetration" is a coins through card box (into glass) effect. This is done with different types and colors of coins which preclude the idea of duplicate coins. He follows this with his "Coins to Espresso Cup." It’s a one-at-a-time four quarters through cup bottom effect. The last coin "visibly" penetrates the back of a spectator’s hand. Giacomo Bertini shares his version of Ramsay’s classic "Coins and Cylinder" (C&C). The effect is the same, but his approach is different and—in my opinion—much more challenging. This added difficulty allows more opportunities to show empty hands than does the original method. (The inclusion of this effect in this section—which apparently caused some discussion among the producers—is my only quibble with this set of discs, particularly since a version of the C&C appears on each disc. With all due deference to our superheroes, the C&C is not a penetration effect: one or two coins penetrating the hand during the various disappearances aside. The coins vanish from the hands and reappear under the cork inside the cylinder.)

The "Bonus" section offers various events from the NYCMS. First is a complete performance by Dr. Rubinstein. Mr. Roth discusses the Classic Palm. We next become flies on the wall during a hands-on workshop on "Spellbound" with Rubinstein. Mike Gallo then performs a lovely effect called the "Bottomless Cup."

Mr. Gallo opens Volume 6 with his shamelessly clever "Clipless Clip" and "Smooth as Silk." Both use the same special something to perform remarkably clean and complete vanishes of four coins; one done seated with no cover, the other standing with a handkerchief. Roth performs and explains his "Portable Hole" which, in my opinion, is one of the greatest lessons in the construction of magic. "Case Solved" is an effect by Dr. Rubinstein wherein a signed coin and a selected card appear inside a card box. Mr. Bertini’s "Fort Knox" is a novel effect where three coins are produced from a "minting" device. The last coin appears as a blank disc and is shaped into a complete coin one side at a time. Kainoa Harbottle closes the section with a very clean vanish of four coins.

The penetrations on this volume include a version of the CTT by David Roth. It is a hybrid of techniques from Slydini, Benzais, Klause, Dingle, and Goshman that is easy to do and very effective. Roth then does a Han Ping Chien version of the CTT, but without the HPC move. Roth next performs and explains Fred Kaps’s "Squash," which has four coins penetrate the tabletop all at once. Dr. Rubinstein offers a solution to cigarette bans with his "Signed Bill Through Quarter" as well as a very novel effect titled "Penny Roll." Here a half-dollar magically slides into a paper penny roll much too small to hold it. Marc DeSouza closes the section with his rendition of the C&C. This version is closer to the original.

The bonuses include a David Roth performance of his fantastic "Tuning Fork." Workshop footage shows Mike Gallo teaching his late father’s tremendous "Gallo Pitch" as well as some work—attributed to Frank Thompson—with the Okito Box. He then performs his version of the CTT. Giacomo Bertini discusses his interesting "Pinky Technique" in some depth (Dr. Rubinstein acts as the English translator during all of Mr. Bertini’s segments). NYCMS attendee Eric Jones performs and teaches his "Tai Chi," a nifty routine with some "balls over-the-head" characteristics.

Volume 7 may be the shortest of the discs, but it’s not short on material. It opens with David Roth performing and explaining Larry Jennings’ "Coin Cut" (as taught to Roth by Michael Skinner). Mike Gallo shares a production of four coins from a purse frame that has some nice touches. He then performs and teaches (with permission) Bob Fitch’s wonderful "Circles" where four coins are produced from an ATM card one at a time (this effect first appeared in Harry Lorayne’s Apocalypse). "The Black Hole" is Michael Rubinstein’s take on Roth’s "Portable Hole" plot. This is revised version of one he released many years ago. Rubinstein’s "Mint Condition" is a novel signed coin to mint-strip container that walk-around performers will want to add to their sets. "Coins and Corners" is a four-coin production from Giacomo Bertini. "The Flying Wombat & Squishy" are two very different vanishes from Kainoa Harbottle. The first recreates a "Raven" style vanish using sleight of hand (no sleeves or gaffs) and the other is a visual disappearance at the fingertips.

The penetrations include Roth’s terrific "Coins Through Miniature Table" and Mike Gallo’s very nice "Three Times Through," in which three of six coins pass through the tabletop three times; the last coming up from beneath it. Dr. Rubinstein shares a standing version of the CTT and his version of the "Karate Coin" wherein the thumb penetrates the coin, which gives the effect an interesting look. Mike Gallo closes the section with his version of the C&C, which could prove suitable for walk-around work (and it automatically resets).

The Bonus section has a great clip of Roth riffing with coins and talking technique during a workshop. Marc DeSouza performs and explains Ramsay’s "Three Coins in a Hat," and NYCMS attendee Dan Watkins shares his "Inperceptual Purse."

Every routine in this set of discs is excellent. The explanations generally go well beyond a mere description of the trick, instead going into depth on the various sleights and other aspects of performance. These DVDs are indeed comprehensive teaching tools.

No doubt some will ask me which disc is my favorite. I have no answer for that. I found each one equally valuable. If you are a fan of coin magic and our superheroes, these discs are an absolute must have.

NYCMS Rubinstein, Roth, Gallo Vol. 5 approx 160 mins., Vol. 6 approx 160 mins., Vol. 7 approx 160 mins., DVD only Available from www.newyorkcoinmagic.net. Or send check or money order payable to Coin Champions c/o Dr. Michael Rubinstein 3616 Henry Hudson Pkwy. East, Suite 3BN, Riverdale, N.Y. 10463 $35 each volume (plus $5 domestic shipping or $11 for international postage)