Review Book - More Reflections

More Reflections

by Tony Griffith MIMC
Reviewed by Barry Smith MMC

It is a real honour for me to be asked to review Tony’s latest book. He has been a good friend since 2008 when I first met him at the Bristol Society of Magic and his magic continues to impress, entertain and baffle me.

INTRODUCTION
Tony Griffith is a name that is well known among magicians throughout the UK, the USA and across the world. He has lectured extensively in Britain (including at The Magic Circle), North America (including The Magic Castle) and elsewhere, devised numerous tricks and routines, contributed articles for many magic magazines and written books on close-up, cards and children’s magic. He has been a full-time professional magician for the last 30 years and now in his early 90s, he continues to entertain and baffle audiences.

The review in 2020 of Tony’s previous book, entitled ‘The Essence’, ended by stating ‘This is most probably Tony's last book on his creative magic……..’. That has not been the case and Tony and has written yet another book! Having already published 4 ‘Reflections’ books over the years plus The Essence, he could not resist publishing yet another book which is full of magical gems, made highly entertaining by Tony adding his gift for making a trick entertaining whilst being straightforward to perform; magical excellence through simplicity. Tony continues to perform, entertain and capture his favourite tricks for all levels of magician from hobbyist to professional.

Tony has called on his vast experience to bring some of his best effects to the surface and to capture them in his 5th book in his ‘Reflections’ series called ‘More Reflections’.

Absorbing, easy to read and understand, brought alive with pictures and accompanying details of the origins of many of the tricks plus stories and the patter he uses. Whether you choose to perform the tricks or not, the book is a fine example of an experienced professional magician capturing the tricks he knows are entertaining and mystifying to not only the lay audience but also to fellow magicians. Tony embellishes the tricks by explaining the background, where they originated from and the patter he uses, to turn the trick into an entertaining and mystifying experience. This makes the book not only useful for learning the tricks but it’s also enjoyable to read.

THE TRICKS
In this, his latest book (and probably not his last book knowing Tony), he has once again assembled a varied selection of the following 14 entertaining tricks.

AT THE LOCAL - An illustrated card effect, based on a Bob Ostia idea, which is entertaining and humorous and is a fine example of how magic and presentation combine to magically amuse a spectator. The theme is ordering drinks at a bar with some funny play with the barmaid. A very entertaining routine using colourful cards.

DOWN, FLIP AND FOLD - A self-working card trick, based on mathematical puzzles, which involves the spectator selecting the order of events and mysteriously and amazingly has a startling kicker finish with a revelation of the 4 aces.

PSYCHEDELIC GEMINI - Based on Karl Fulve’s classic ‘Gemini Twins’ and Lennart Green’s ‘Stolen Cards’, Tony has some of the required different backed prepared packs of cards for sale. An extremely effective and visual trick.

OUT OF THIS UNIVERSE PLUS - A very powerful effect based on Harry Loyrane’s version, this adds a kicker of the spectator’s card being the ‘odd card’ in the final revelation. One of my favourites in the book.

WILL THE SOCKS MATCH – The trick ‘SOCKS’ by Michel Huot which Tony has successfully made much simpler (based on a Larry Becker mental effect) where you don’t necessarily need an odd pair of socks to wear!

COFFEE SHOP NUMBERS - A nice ‘number puzzle’ effect with spectator/audience participation and a nice line of patter that makes it entertaining.

WORLD’S GREATEST MAGICIAN - I really like this trick. Based on Steve Beam’s version, it is a clever, easy to perform trick with great comedy potential. It really made a mark on me when I first saw Tony perform it. No sleight of hand (as is Tony’s way), it is a winner which I’m sure you would enjoy performing.

BINARY KINGS AND QUEENS - A very easy to perform but baffling packet trick which involves the spectator making all the choices. Great finale with the revelation of their chosen card plus a visual separation of the colours.

THE MISSING NUMBER - This one is mathematical and based on the mysterious properties of the number nine. It is initially performed using a calculator and then a bit of mental arithmetic takes place. A bit of work required but it is quite baffling at the end when the magician announces the number that was missing from the seemingly random sequence of seven numbers.

THE TWELFTH CARD REVISITED - Based on a Dan Harlan idea using a Si Stebbins stacked deck (the setup of which is explained), this is very powerful (and made personal for the spectator using their name) where they will find that their chosen card is at the exact position in the deck when their name is spelt out.

THE FINAL HOUDINI SÉANCE - Whilst you might not actually perform this routine, it is an excellent example of how a few tricks combined with a compelling and interesting narrative can generate a high level of entertainment. This is an example of Tony’s attention to making magic entertaining and much can be learnt from this routine which he presents and explains in detail.

THE CLIFTON ACES - This trick is one of Tony’s ‘on the spur of the moment’ creations made back in 1990 when he was performing during one of his 100 or so performances at Christmas Party Nights at the Avon George Hotel in the 90s. It’s a simple trick but with the background story, it makes for an entertaining read and you will also have a simple but powerful effect at your disposal on any occasion which is even better with a borrowed deck.

LIFE, UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING – A very baffling outcome of the number 42 after seemingly random mixing of 16 cards by the spectator’s choices. Performed with a story about the origin of the number 42 as in ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy’, the ending always guarantees surprise.

BECTON CARDS AGAIN – This is a personal favourite of Tony’s and it has been around since the 60s and in his repertoire for a long time. A packet trick, full of gags, where you correctly announce the spectator’s thought of card. It’s an entertainment winner!

Consisting of 14 different tricks, it is very difficult to pick out the real winners as each one is both entertaining and baffling, but I particularly like performing ‘World’s Greatest Magician’ ‘Out of This Universe Plus’, ‘Down, Flip and Fold’ and ‘Life, Universe and Everything’. I guarantee there will be many gems in this book which you will enjoy performing.

In summary, this is an excellent book containing great tricks with high entertainment value.

PURCHASE DETAILS

FURTHER REFLECTIONS is a 50-page comb bound book with a laminated cover. There are over 100 illustrations most of which are in colour.

Price in the U.K is £20 plus £4 p&p.

Obtainable from Tony Griffith, 13 Church Road, Norton Malreward, Bristol.
BS39 4EX. 01275 835463. Email: tonygriffith@btinternet.com

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