This is by far the best torn and restored newspaper I have ever seen. It looks so clean and visual; it's awesome! It will take some practice getting the moves down, but once you do, you have a killer stage routine! The only negative thing about this routine is that it does require a good bit of preparation each time you perform this effect. Nonetheless, Gene Anderson goes into very good and deep detail regarding this effect. He is very entertaining to listen to.

The instructions are not very good on this DVD. I loved listening to Gene, and watching him: he obviously is very comfortable handling newspaper. But after watching this three times I am still NOT able to say I know how to prepare everything necessary to preform this great illusion. It is not presented well at all. He loses his train of thought and skips about, and there are a couple of important assembly instructions that he completely forgets to show us specifically how to do! Do not get me wrong, this is a GREAT, fantastic trick, probably the best torn and restored paper illusion ever; Gene does deserve those accolades!! HOWEVER, this is supposed to be a TRAINING DVD. It could have been filmed as many times as necessary before releasing it to get it perfect, so nothing is missed. I get the distinct impression it was filmed only once. The trick is a 5 star effect, BUT, the DVD is a 3 star product because that is what you are buying. You will have to watch it many times, and experiment with things, before you figure out exactly how it is supposed to be done. If you have the patience to do that, well then, you will have the patience to do the routine properly!! Maybe that is why they did it the way they did! Who knows. Good luck. Clint

My first impression: Short explanation that is difficult to understand, even the people watching in the video itself looked confused.

After watching the video 3 times I ran into zero problems when I had actual newspapers in front of me. You have to think visually a little bit, but all of the necessary information is there.

In the end you will learn how to do this trick, however thank goodness for replay with the dvd. Gene seems a bit scattered and rushed while doing the explanation. I found myself having to replay portions of the explanation multiple times.
The trick is a great stage trick providing an impressive visual. I am still practicing this one, waiting to get it fail proof. There is considerable set up and you will have to purchase some inexpensive material to make up the gimmick, but the effort is well worth it. I perform the NO Tear newspaper trick, but this one raises your performance to a more professional level. If you are looking for another trick that is NOT a card trick, this one is a good one to purchase.

This is in my opinion one of many Great
classic illusions that can be performed
for children & adult spectators. While
Gene is a good teacher to magicians, he
leaves out the more finer details for
beginners and layman people. Maybe he
only wants magicians in the know doing
this, for fear of beginners & layman
folks messing it up with little or no
practice and revealing the secret. I've
been wanting to perform this since I saw
Doug Henning performing it on Television
and then again live on stage for a mere
four dollar student ticket at the Keith-
Albee theater in 1974! Buy this you will
be performing one of the Great Classic
illusions of all time. P.S. Always Practice
before performing live.