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Just watched this and laughed the whole way through. The guy is a great performer. He is so quick (mentally and with sleights). I just thought that Paul Daniels fans, actually everyone, would enjoy this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBR6ZatHbWE

Wow, Paul Daniels with hair.

Very nice effect that he does beautifully. I've actually used that line "not only have I found your card, I've turned it into a different one" a couple of times.

Very entertaining and witty, but unfortunately hardly any magic or "an effect" in this clip. It is about the worse "Card to wallet' I have ever seen though technically the load was done nicely etc. Daniels emphasis (in this clip) is entirely on the comic side of things not on the magic.

In this version it is obvious - even to laymen - that he just somehow put the card in the wallet. There is so much activity and commotion around that trick that the spectators falsely will get the impression that there were amble opportunities for the magician to put the card in the wallet.

In a magical version of card to wallet the spectators have to be CONVINCED that there is NO possible way the card could have arrived in (a sealed envelope inside) the wallet. Yes, the magicians hands got near the wallet but it is crucial that the spectator are convinced that the hand when approaching the wallet to open it clearly is empty (which it also of course is).

Good magic is not just about concealing the actual method, but also making sure alternative (but false) explanations are ruled out. In this effect Daniels fails heavily on that count. What is the point of using a technically correct method, if there are millions alternative ways the effect could have been done. The task of the magician is not to conceal the method, but to conceal any potential method.

Anyway, I always learn something from watching Daniels, and he is a great entertainer, but in this clip the jokes completely destroys the magic.

A great clip and well worth watching

In this version it is obvious - even to laymen - that he just somehow put the card in the wallet.

Maybe, but you have to remember that this was first aired some 25 plus years ago when these tricks were at the forefront of magic. These days, almost anyone could perform this but back then it was cutting edge.

Right at the very end of the clip did I catch a glimpse of David Nixon?

Soren Riis wrote:Anyway, I always learn something from watching Daniels, and he is a great entertainer, but in this clip the jokes completely destroys the magic.

I think part of his appeal was that he did magic very well, and entertainment very well. He didn't chuckle his way through producing an elephant, he usually set the right mood for the trick.

This is why we have comedy routines and serious routines. If I have an audience who want to see some "serious magic" I present tricks with patter about test conditions and make sure they watch closely, to keep an eye on all movements and angels, make sure I can't cheat. If I'm just trying to entertain some friends, i'll be all jokes and giggles, very very witty asides and comedy revelations.

And yes, you can be entertaining without comedy.

Beauty is, afterall, in the eye of the beholder / horses for courses and all that

I just met one of my relatives yesterday that I haven't seen for forty years. He informed me that one of his friends was very upset with Paul Daniels and there was all sorts of legal goings on back and forth. It seems that Paul put out a language course some years ago and my relative's friend thought that Paul had thieved all the ideas from him.

I remember Paul advertising the course but I saw absolutely no evidence that Paul could speak any other language except for the Middlesborough version of English.

hes a bit of an 80's icon so I love him.

im sure ive seen him doing an absoloutely breathtaking cups and balls routine....il try and find it and post

It's here and it is incredible!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kkPaXm13BOY

Yes that is a very famous clip. I have the a video of "the best of Paul Daniels" that my Daughter and I have watched at regular intervals since more than 10 years ago when she was 3 years old! At that time I improvised parts of the effect Daniels is doing with the tubes (without the table). I still remember how my Daughter dropped her jar with a long "how......" when the two empty tubes she just saw empty suddenly were full of toys!
She loved it and she really got hooked on magic.

If more Daniels shows were available, i would buy them straight away!

I agree. I think Paul Daniels basically became 'un-cool' but when you look back at some of his effects, he has to be admired in my opinion. I certainly remember loving him as a kid.

That was great. There's absolutely no "dead air" at all.

Paul Daniels brought to magic what George Best brought to football (apart from the alcohol). He entertained (still does up here in the North East), brought it fahionable (although these days his clothes are questionable), and most of all, and perhaps most importantly he made it new and different and exciting. His wit, humour and enthusiasm for the art, and the way he projected it made him loved by millions (especially Debs).
If you are lucky enough to see him perform today you will see he still keeps his audiences entertained.