Paul Daniels Magic Show(1985): Geometrix Illusion

[@97channel]

Earlier this year, I saw Paul and Debbie perform this live on stage. I studied that box from only a few feet infront of me, and every single theory I had on how she could position herself was thwarted by an obstruction which made it impossible. We all know, in essence, how it's done. But the beauty of it is, that Paul acknowledges that fact and systematically kills every solution you come up with, leaving you with a very complex puzzle to mull over.

[@elvisburgerking8675]

Paul Daniels and especially Debbie McGee, superb performances

[@sarahharling2639]

As a child, i loved this show! :)

[@ChopperRead]

use to love watching this show on YTV when i was a kid!!!

[@danmcdaid]

It's a pretty nice trick, but the business with the circle/square is even more impressive, and so beautifully, casually tossed off at the beginning. Great stuff.

[@ianpaternoster1396]

There is only one Paul Daniels, the greatest magician ever. RIP

[@aguscao]

I am more impressed with small magic tricks that require you to practice with your hand rather than big tricks which require big tools.

[@davidmerlin3344]

Who cares?

[@Th3GPR]

@AgentBacon117 No mirrors ... My guess is she's lying on top of the bars in the middle (with the square orange heads), between the triangle and the circle. He puts those middle bars in early so she can climb up. If you look closely, there is more room on the right side of the box than the left (see 0:40). Those metalic borders around the outside of the shape holes and inside the black frame of the cabinet help complete the optical illusion that there isn't enough space.

[@danmcdaid]

The most obvious solution is a trapdoor, but I think there's another sneaky element here. The key is that odd 3/4 turn he does with the box, apparently for the "viewers at home"- unnecessary, as the cameras can go pretty much anywhere- but in fact to obscure the angle at which Debbie is standing. I think she steps out of the box, then moves in tandem with it (probably crouched) as it's rotated. The shots which show the back of the box are filmed after the fact, and shown only to the TV audience.

[@vivaseussonhos]

she's lying on the bottom of the box. notice the extra space below the square.

[@eddherring4972]

Sitting in the bottom of the box notice the amount of room, the green box, the metal square and there is some of the black between the square insert and silver, plenty of room for petite Debbie to sit and just move her body slightly to allow the cross spike to pass by

[@RadagonTheRed]

Wonderful illusion, absolutely fantastic, but the presentation was a bit dull at parts.

[@Elex127]

I have a pretty good idea of how the box trick was done, butam stunned at the first one where the circle becomes a square

[@Lasvegasflight99]

i think the crowed is in on this trick because i didn't hear anything from the crowd and there is always a space away from the camera that debbie can be standing behind at all times. hence the audience is in on it and the cameras are never showing that one space. (i'm talking about the your right hand side space behind the box.)

[@davidmerlin3344]

That is what an idiot would think

[@miakaal]

Good trick. Baffled. Will leave it there...

[@shazamtizzy]

Was this a trick or dealer dem??? The circle to square at the beginning wasace though.

[@chriswatson7965]

She's out of the box by 2:40. It wobbles around too much pushing the rods through. The only way this can work is a trap door through the floor. The box is put back into position for her to re-enter at 6:04. There is a mark on the floor. She starts re-entering the box as the last of the rods are removed at 6:12. In at 6:26. Door opens at 6:30, Debbie holding her breath. Repeat viewing on videos almost spoils magic tricks.

[@davidmerlin3344]

What an idiotic explanation.

[@chriswatson7965]

@@davidmerlin3344 Please explain

[@aguscao]

I have a brother that owns a magic shop. From him I know that in every magic tricks that involved a box that pretends to cut or pierce through a human body, don't ever believe black paints or black linings because they deceive your eyes into thinking that the box is smaller than it really is. All I can say that she was inside the box the entire trick. Pay attention to the black linings and you'll know where she positioned herself. Sorry for ruining magic tricks for you.

[@tangelorajan]

the box size and borders of the shapes are the illusion. Combined with the fact that she's actually much smaller than she appears. Shackles fake for sure; she moves in there.

[@edwardszzz]

Debbie McGee is a midget , and a trained ballerina. She can twist her body into special positions, unlike people who have no ballerina training.

[@mygodDYLAN1]

but how is she just behind it when he turns it around and u can see through it as it is turning?

[@JovicaTotoKarapeovski]

she isnt there... she is bellow the stage. there is double floor. watch pen and tellers reveal of this trick

[@davidmerlin3344]

That is not true.

[@FenrirWolfganger]

My 8 1/2 year old son has just watched this for the first time and is on the floor screaming How did he do that? Why did he do that? The second I can answer, the first I've no idea

[@aguscao]

Oh, and tricks that require you to learn complex mathematics formula.

[@gwensmith7560]

Debunkers below make me laugh

[@jeffreyschoonover8566]

Why do magician. Used for scarfs to put down the ladies blouse and pull the scarfs out with the ladies bras on it

[@GelenosOak]

Ballet Imaginaire Ballet Imaginaire Ballet Imaginaire Ballet Imaginaire

[@Lasvegasflight99]

@Lasvegasflight99 i mean left

[@BANGKOKPALACE1]

It just goes to show how times have changed. Paul Daniels magic tricks now seem so primitive in comparison to some of today's tricks done by illusionists such as David Blaine and Dynamo. He has certainly been upstaged. There is no way Paul Daniels would get a show on tv nowadays with tricks like this.

[@michaeldineen8324]

I have to disagree. He could still get a time slot on telly, with this type of magic trick. There is still a place for the old style magic. His method of magic, is still important. I hope someone, will carry it on. He paved the way, for the fellows who are doing magic today. He is the daddy of them all.

[@JiveDadson]

+ithlane weaver David Blaine is a hack. Never heard of Dynamo.

[@elvisburgerking8675]

I think i've finally managed to work out how this was done, i'm not going to say how, because only lowlife cockroaches and worms would ever attempt to reveal how magic tricks are done, regardless of if they have the right or wrong solution, anyway I think i'm right and both Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee deserve equal credit for their superb performance of this magic trick.

[@richardlloyd2589]

Elvis Burgerking 👍 Part of the fun is working out how it may have been done.