
            >>>>  Secrets of Magic With Dikki Ellis  <<<<
                     Magicians' Secrets Revealed!

                       Review by John M. Hebert

   First of all, I am not going to show this CD-ROM to Katherine, one of 
our granddaughters -- at least, not right away.

   You see, she still believes the things her grandmother and I assist 
her in doing now and then is real magic, not just a trick. She even has 
a "magic wand" made of a Lincoln-log roof piece with attached 
sleighbells that she "charges up with magic" on various household items 
before using it on coins, supposedly empty hands and such.

   So why disillusion her at the age of 7? She already knows that her 
magic works better in our house than it does at home.

   Even though this CD-ROM program, Secrets of Magic With Dikki Ellis, 
is supposedly designed for children 6 and up, I wonder if a parent or 
grandparent shouldn't wait just a little longer. However, buy it now; 
don't let it get away. This is a jewel.

   To begin with, after installation there is a built-in test of your 
audio and video drivers so you can adjust/recover from possible 
difficulties. Aside from the fact that occasionally the audio wasn't 
exactly in sync with the video, it ran fine on my machine. Besides, 
you're supposed to be paying attention to the material, not trying to 
imitate C.B. DeMille.

   There are two magic rooms, each loaded with props (normally a common 
household item or one easily constructed). Clicking on a prop brings up 
a short video of how to use it to produce a magical effect. This makes a 
total of more than a dozen instructional videos.

   In addition, the Encyclopedia of Magic (available through either 
magic room) contains 10 diagrammed table tricks and 10 "standup magic" 
(parlor) tricks. It also has a very short history of magic and some 
general performance hints.

   Magician Dikki Ellis also provides some of his philosophy of magic, 
stating that presentation is the key ingredient. Without that -- 
according to what I call the Gene Burger School of Magic Philosophy -- 
you have nothing more than a collection of puzzles, which is not very 
entertaining. Ellis stresses the importance of practice (the movements), 
followed by rehearsal (the movements and what you'll say) and finally by 
trying it out on close friends who can provide constructive criticism. 
He adds 10 handy tips, which are good practical advice for a magician of 
any age.

   This is not magic of the level of Harry Blackstone and David 
Copperfield. There are no appearing doves or wandering elephants; if you 
think feeding a cat or dog is expensive, try supporting an elephant. 
Neither is it designed to turn people into close-up magic wizards like 
Paul Harris, Frank Garcia or Mike Powers. This is good, practical 
beginning magic done with things you just might find in the middle 
drawer of the desk, either at home or at work.

   It's not just for kids, either. An adult just starting out in magic 
could benefit from this as well. In the process of learning and 
performing the many effects (some magicians object vehemently to the 
word "trick"), you just might discover the kind of things you like to do 
and avoid spending a small prince's ransom for things that are good but 
don't fit your style. Lord knows there are a few drawers of magic 
apparatus and tricks (there, I said it!) in my den that could be better 
used by somebody else. That comes from visiting regular magic shops and 
attending magic conventions, where the temptations to buy are extreme 
(editor: insert acquisitive, maniacal laughter here).

   Included is a 30-minute videocassette, which covers several of the 
illustrated effects shown on the CD-ROM. The videocassette in itself 
might be worth the purchase price for somebody who wants to help a child 
(or himself/herself) start out in magic. Dikki Ellis mentions more of 
his magic philosophy and discusses presentation and misdirection as part 
of the instruction.

   If a person had to rate this on a scale of 1 to 10 , this person 
would give it a 10.

   And I can barely wait to show it to Katherine.

   She's gonna love it.

{Secrets of Magic With Dikki Ellis: Villa Crespo, 1725 McGovern St., 
Highland Park, IL 60035, (800) 521-3963 or (708) 433-0500; $49.95. 
REQUIRES: MPC Level 2 system with a 486 or better CPU.}

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