"Mercury Matchbox" by Mark Southworth
Suggested Retail USD$40.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 6 Out of 10

"Mercury Matchbox", an effect by Mark Southworth, is a time-honored card-to-impossible location routine with a neat idea and a slick gimmick behind it, but with a handling that leaves too much to be desired.

The effect is quite clear and straightforward, as are the better takes on the theme. A card box is placed on the table in full view. A card is freely selected, signed, and shuffled back into the deck. The performer states that the card is no longer in the deck and that is has magically flown to the card box. The spectator opens the card box and finds inside a matchbox and nothing else. The performer takes the matchbox, opens it, and shows a playing card folded inside. Dumping it out, the performer unfolds the card and reveals it to be the spectator's signed card.

Sound familiar? Yeah, it's been done before, with arguably the best incarnation being "Kennedy's Mystery Box". And if you think about it, "Mercury Matchbox" is a neat idea. For those that like a less formal, more impromptu feel to things, using a matchbox instead of a handsome wooden box is an ideal fit. However, for that feel, you have to contend with a handling that is, well, too much handling.

Now I have to admit I'm a bit of a purist when it comes to the "card-to-impossible location" plot. It's a theme I love and I demand certain things from the ones I perform regularly. I'll save you the rather personal list and cut to the chase: I like my plots to be as hands-off as possible. I like the spectator to pull the card from my wallet. I like the spectator to retrieve it from the envelope. If, for some reason, I can't execute it that way, I'll limit my handling to something so minor no one will remember I was ever near the "impossible location", let alone touched it for a second or two.

Unfortunately, such is not the case with "Mercury Matchbox". You pick up the matchbox. You open the matchbox. You remove the drawer from the sleeve. You show the card in the box. You dump the card out of the box. That's way too many "yous" for it to be for me.

And to be fair, that is very much me. Others may find this to their liking. "Mercury Matchbox" is very much one of those "one man's meat, another's poison" kind of things. On the plus side of the scale, "Mercury Matchbox" is easy (if you've already got the titled fold down; a bit more difficult if you don't). It's small, resets quickly, and, though it's lacking to those in the know (that would be, well, us), it still plays for spectators regardless of the shortcomings. Will others play better? Very likely, yes. But for what it is and for what you get from spectators, "Mercury Matchbox" is a good trick.

Do I recommend it? If you think like me, then no, I don't. It just won't suit your tastes and style. If you're the more lenient, more forgiving type, "Mercury Matchbox" is a clever piece of work that you may find yourself enjoying and logging some hefty miles with.

Me and my ilk? It's just not enough to make us replace those similar, familiar things we already do.

"Mercury Matchbox" by Mark Southworth
In a Blink: 6 Out of 10

Practicality: 10
Taking up very little pocket space, with a quick reset and no real set-up to speak of, this is a very practical piece of work.

Workmanship: 10
The gimmick is very well made and will last for ages with a little care.

Documentation: 5
The documentation -- completely on disc -- suffers from a few production problems, notably some sub-standard video, but it's not too distracting and won't hamper learning the routine. Southworth does a credible job of teaching the material as well.

Effect: 5
It's a card-to-impossible location and that plot, even done just decently, can pack a punch. This is done better than that and, as such, does okay, though the presentation hurts it more than it should.

Presentation: 4
The handling is what it is and has been done by others, usually much better. With the prop at hand, the handling is cramped and appears awkward and rushed, which hurts this one. It can be done better and should be.

Shane

Available direct from your favorite dealer. Dealers, please contact Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc. toll-free at 1-800-853-7403 or visit Murphy's Magic Supplies website.