MagicGizmo

This controversial book exposes some of the popular effects and illusions of famous magicians including Robert Houdin, Houdini, Thurston, Kellar, Siegfried and Roy, and Doug Henning. The most curious inclusion is how David Copperfield is billed as the "All-Time Greatest Magician" and yet Becker chooses only to expose his simple tricks with paperclips, rubber bands, and rope.

This is likely due to the lawsuit brought about by Copperfield where it has been reported that Becker signed a non-disclosure agreement when he was allowed backstage at the Copperfield show.  The publisher of the book apparently took out some material and made changes which was against Becker’s wishes.


The effects "revealed" by Becker include the Indian Rope Trick, Floating Lady, Walking through a Brick Wall, Houdini's Water Torture Cell, and Woman to Tiger. Robert Harbin's ZigZag illusion is explained although he only credits Doug Henning as making it popular without any mention of Harbin. Doug Henning's "Water Jet Suspension" from his television special is explained which was one of Henning's most memorable illusions ever performed.