History was made from September 2-6, 1982, in a filming studio in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, as Dai Vernon’s life and magic were recorded for posterity. This venture, inspired by the one and only Bill Larsen, was brought to life by Videonics, helmed by Hans Zahn. Co-hosts for this magical expedition included Michael Ammar, Gary Ouellet, and Steve Freeman.
Now, L & L Publishing has taken this original footage, given it a digital facelift, and bundled it into 8 DVDs. We’re not just watching the Professor at work; we’re handing down wisdom that our great-grandkids will still be scratching their heads about centuries later.
Some key points to mull over:
* Think of it as a jam session where Vernon chats about his tricks, moves, and routines while holding court like the true legend he is.
* Every move, technique, and routine is demonstrated by Vernon or one of his merry band of co-hosts, complete with explanations that don’t leave you guessing.
* About half of the material relates to published work, while the other half was fresh off the press (or should we say, fresh off the camera?).
* Vernon often shares vital new techniques on his classics, including some cheeky improvements and hidden handlings, even for the renowned Stars of Magic effects.
* You’ll discover iconic routines like the Coins in Champagne Glass and the Fred Kaps Coins and Silk (which Vernon gifted to Kaps) getting their time in the spotlight.
* And let’s not forget the juicy insights into Erdnase techniques, which Vernon has obsessively studied for a lifetime.
The whole idea behind these videos was to capture Vernon live, so future magicians can experience his genius.
Honestly, if you call yourself a magician, you can’t afford to skip these videos. Dai Vernon, the Dean of modern magic, spills some absolute gems on these tapes. Plus, DVD magic means: Superior Picture Quality, Dolby Digital Sound, Interactive Menus that take you to every trick & explanation with just a click of your remote, and Multi-Region for Worldwide Viewing.
Volume 9
Gary Ouellet Intro
The Berg Move
Explanation of Berg Move
Story of the Trick That Fooled Houdini
Explanation of the Trick That Fooled Houdini
Vernon Tells Horwitz Story
Vernon Explains the Boat Trick
Vernon Performs Three Card Monte for Live Audience
Explanation of Three Card Monte
Preparing the Cards
Bent Corner
Tips on the Hype Move
Sucker Ploy
Explanation of Hype Move
The Torn Card
The Broad Worker's Story
The Double Flash
Removing the Bent Corner
Bobby Fischer Story
Volume 10
Gary Ouellet Intro
The Vernon Cone and Ball Routine
Basic Move for Cone & Ball
The Ball and Silk
Hand to Hand Ball Transfer
Vernon on the Dye Tube / Color Changing Silks
Loading the Silk
Palming the Tube
Start of Routine
Steal of the Tube
Routine Taught from Behind
The Chopstick Double Lift
Valuable Tip from Erdnase (Double Lift)
The Overhand Shuffle Technique
The Pinky Count
The Greek Break
Bottom to Top Transfer
Vernon's Simple Double Peek Control
Triple and Multiple Peek Handling
The Fan Force
