Happy Face by Paul Romhany

Alright, let's take a look at some of the pros and cons. First let's discuss what you receive then we will get into the routine and the accompanying DVD.

When you purchase Happy Face you receive a 5 cards, printed on very thin stock, that measure about 5.5" by 8.5" semi-glossy on one side only. The lack of coating on both sides means that some cards with faces on them have a semi-glossy face on one side and the same card changes to have a new face with a dull side. Perhaps a small detail but something to consider nonetheless. I would have opted for the extra few bucks to produce the cards with semi-gloss coating on both sides it just lends a better feel and look. I'm also bit concerned with the durability of these cards. They are very thin. I was hoping for something a bit thicker or possibly even something plastic coated or laminated for longer lasting props.

Alright, the cards are a very nice size, easily handled and the provided routine is dead simple. Unfortunately we do not see Mr Romhany performing this for a real live audience. It would have been nice to see what Mr Romhany gets out of this item in a real paid performance.

The effect is this, 4 cards with sad faces are shown, and placed on display. Two of the 4 cards placed down are faces towards the audience and two have their backs towards the audience. The last remaining card is a smiley card! By rubbing the smiley card against the frowning cards they each change into smiley cards as well. This is of course a variation on the classic Wild Card plot by Peter Kane.
Nothing particularly spectacular is taught in this trick, you are really paying for the cards and the smiley/sad idea. I tried this out for a few youngsters and they were quite receptive to it. I'm sure with a little work you could make this a good routine in your children's program.
Mr Romhany mentions on the back of the DVD that he uses it for his Humor Seminars, which is all nice and dandy, except he never teaches it, explains about it, or performs it! This was a let down. For those of you looking to purchase this item for any humor seminar, don't expect to get a presentation from this Trick/DVD.
Onto the actual DVD, which is shot in Mr Romhany's living room with a handheld camcorder. That being said, the video quality is quite good. Mr Romhany presents the trick and uses an artist's easel to hold his cards up, this is great but unfortunately they are expensive and the only solution given on this DVD is take a piece of cardboard and putting a section along the bottom for the cards to rest on. I suppose it would work but I would hope for something bit better than a piece of cardboard or two.
The presentation is fine, but basic, it is clear that this has been performed for audiences before by Mr Romhany. One this that did bother me was the errors made during the explanation. Mr Romhany apparently didn't prepare a script for the explanation and it is clearly seen when he flubs up a few times. Why didn't he just shoot it again? I'm really not sure but the errors seem significant enough to me to do a second take.

All in all, this routine could be good for the children's performer but I would not consider performing this for an audience of adults, especially considering no routine for adults is really given despite the mention of one on the package.

The DVD is short and the routine could be learned in a one or two viewings at most. The sleights involved are a glide and a double lift. Mr Romhany teaches both, part way through the whole packet is turned over which is made out to be a move. I thought this drew too much attention and could easily be replaced with a gentle turn of the body or lowering the cards down and lifting them back up reversed.

For the $29.95 price tag I think your money could be better spent on other items. If you are looking for a piece for your children's shows, this might be worth taking a look at. I'd recommend viewing the demo which is taken right from the DVD HERE .

If you find this routine might be right for you then 30 bucks might be worth it but it seems like a 15-20 dollar item at most especially considering the low quality cards provided. For the 30 dollars I would hope digital files of the card be included in case you wanted to make more cards when these wore out, which I assume would be within a few months for any working children's performer.

Not recommended for anyone but the children's performer and only if Mr Romhany were to provide a link to download the files and print your own cards as well.

Happy Face sells for $29.95 from Hocus-Pocus Magic or Paul himself at http://www.paulromhany.com/

On a happier notes, the music on the DVD was very pleasant! I would have liked to have that in a format I could use, it sounds similar to most royalty free music but you'd have to confirm with Mr Romhany