Black Box Cinema

THE BLURB:
Bob Cassidy is one of the leading mentalists in the field.
When he speaks mentalists listen. On this DVD he gives a
crash course in mentalism techniques. You will learn
techniques using clever subtlety and subterfuge as well as
advanced sleight-of-hand.

Techniques covered include: The Medium’s Switch (2 methods),
The Al Baker Switch (2 methods), Annemann Switch (2
methods), The Squeeze, The Moldavian Switch, Switch Blade
Switch, Microphone Switch, The Impossible Envelope Switch,
The Cajones Shuffle, Henry Hay’s False Waterfall Riffle,
Gambler’s Palm Add-On, Erdnase Bottom Deal, and The Putty
Switch.

You will also learn Bob Cassidy’s ESP Envelope Switch which
Bob considers the most undetectable switch he ever came up
with. It is devious, versatile and practically works itself.

Among the highlights of this stylistically produced DVD are
the important tips and advice Bob shares about how to
perform mentalism. Bob also discusses the stagecraft and
psychology used to convince audiences you can read their
minds.

Special DVD Features:
Access to performances, explanations and commentary
Product Previews
DVD Trailers
Dolby Digital sound
Encoded for worldwide viewing

Running Time Approximately 45min

MY COMMENTS:
As of this writing, Bob Cassidy has a reputation of being a
brilliant mentalist whose works are highly influential,
practical, and must-haves. Unfortunately, getting these
works has been difficult as Bob's business practices aren't
always up to customer satisfaction, to put it politely.
Now, though, Bob has made arrangements to outsource his
material. And that's good news for those who may be
frustrated in wanting to support Bob and get his wonderful
works, but not deal with the hassle of actually getting
them.

Meir Yedid is now releasing this video compilation of
mentalism techniques that Bob released a few years ago. It
contains a mix of older and newer material. You can see a
younger Bob, an older Bob, and that Dr. Crow guy that
apparently is the bad influence on Bob's business practices
(I'm semi-serious with that last phrase).

The disc itself is short, but packed with many techniques
that Bob has developed, or has used, in mentalism. For
example, he teaches the incredible false waterfall shuffle
from Henry Hay's Amateur Magicians' Handbook. Mostly, there
are switches that allow mentalists to gain information.
And, the whole disc begins with part of a lecture that Bob
gave that discusses some of Bob's philosophies behind being
a mentalist. I should also mention that some of these
techniques have been discussed by Bob in other works of his,
but this is a visual teach-in of these methods. Also, though
I don't have the original disc I got from Bob years ago to
verify it, this appears to be a better disc transfer and
better quality than the original.

Obviously, if you're looking for a disc filled with Bob's
reknowned routines, or any mentalism routines, then don't
buy this. You'll be disappointed. But if you're looking
for some good techniques and good advice, there's plenty
here for you. This is certainly a welcome re-issue and
recommended.