Review by Michael Close 

You may remember Dean Dill's name from a card trick called "Blizzard" (Marketplace, January 1997). "Blizzard" was a trick that completely fooled everyone, and I have had a lot of fun performing it. Dean has a new trick out, and for the past 2 years he has been frying magicians and laymen with it. It is called "Dean's Box," and you can add my name to the list of people who have been fooled by it. 

Dean performed this effect for me at the Magic Castle, and I'm glad I saw him do it, because a description does not do this trick justice. Dean brought a beautiful cherrywood box, measuring 7 inches on a side. The entire front surface of the box is a hinged door that can be opened, allowing a complete view of the interior of the box. On either side of the box are two circular openings. Each of these openings is covered with a little curtain that opens in the middle. This allows objects to be inserted into the box, but does not allow spectators to look into the box from the side. On top of the box is a small, circular trapdoor. On either side of this little door are two notches. These notches allow loops of rope to protrude from the top of the box. Now that you have a general idea of how the box looks, here's what happens. 

Dean brings out two pieces of rope - a white rope and a red rope. The ropes and the box can be thoroughly examined. The box is closed. Dean makes a loop in each of the ropes and holds a rope in each hand. The hands enter the box through the side holes. The ends of the ropes are in view the entire time. Dean pokes open the trapdoor in the top and then removes his right hand from the box. His right hand grabs the loops of rope and brings them up through the trapdoor. The trapdoor is closed. The ropes are trapped in the notches and the centers of the ropes are concealed within Dean's right hand. Even though the ends of the ropes were in full view the entire time, when Dean opens his hand it is seen that the ropes are now linked together. Grabbing a rope in each hand, the ropes are withdrawn through the top of the box. The ropes are genuinely linked together and can be examined. 

In phase two of the routine the ropes link a second time, under even more impossible conditions. In phase three of the routine a 2-inch diameter ring links itself to a rope, even though the ends of the rope are in view the entire time. (This final phase has an added auditory aspect. Dean shows the ring in his right hand. The hand briefly enters the box through the right hand hole. You hear the ring hit the inside of the box. The box is immediately opened and the ring is on the rope.)

 As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, a description does not begin to do justice to how baffling this trick is. I knew how the first phase worked (it's based on a routine of Paul Curry's) but phases two and three completely nailed me. When you add in the fact that all the props can be thoroughly examined before and after the trick, you have a routine that is going to bother people for a very long time. 

Now, let's talk about the downside of "Dean's Box." This is not a cheap routine. With a price tag of $285, the merely curious need not apply. Table-hoppers would have to carry the box from table to table, which would be a minor hassle, but fortunately, only a small performance area on the tabletop is required. (I have been doing it at the Houdini Lounge, but I have the advantage of being able to store props behind the grand piano. Also, since I'm working a bar and not a restaurant, I don't have to worry about the table being too cluttered.) I would imagine that this trick would be of most use to those who entertain guests in their home. The box is very elegant, and would fit in with your other magic collectibles. The trick is not difficult to do - an added bonus for those who do not perform on a regular basis. Those expecting an intricate piece of apparatus will be disappointed. The box is nearly ungaffed. There is one small sneaky thing about the box, but this preparation will never be discovered, even under extensive scrutiny. 

For your $285 you get the box, all the necessary props, and a videotape of Dean performing and explaining the routine. (Since making this video Dean has altered the handling of the second phase. He is going to include his new work in a supplemental instruction sheet.) You will have to run through the routine a few times to get comfortable with it. (And please, don't perform this without sufficient practice. It's too good to ruin through lack of preparation.) 

I think "Dean's Box" is terrific. It is rare for me to be fooled by a trick, and this trick completely fooled me twice. Even if performed with a pedestrian presentation it would be an amazing mystery. Cloak this trick with a dramatic presentation and you've got something that people will remember