Magic Video - A Private Lesson by Larry Jennings
Description & Effect
An Intimate Glimpse into a Master's Mind
Step back in time to the early 1970s and experience a truly unique learning opportunity with 'Magic Video - A Private Lesson by Larry Jennings.' Larry Jennings was a titan of sleight-of-hand, renowned for his innovative contributions to card and coin magic. While many of his routines found their way into books and formal videos, this particular recording offers an unparalleled window into his genius. Unlike staged productions where Jennings often felt nervous, this digital download captures him in his most comfortable and natural element, delivering a 'private lesson' directly to a friend.
The Genesis of a Classic
The story behind this video is as captivating as the magic itself. After studying under Dai Vernon in Los Angeles, Larry Jennings relocated to Lake Tahoe to start his plumbing business. It was there he befriended Louis Falanga, who quickly became his devoted student. One fateful day in Falanga's living room, Jennings, completely at ease and in his prime, allowed himself to be videotaped demonstrating 12 of his all-time favorite routines. This informal setting, where you might even hear bacon sizzling in the background, created the perfect environment for Jennings to truly shine, sharing his work without the pressure of a formal production.
Unearthing Hidden Treasures and Nuances
At the time of this recording, many of these routines were not yet in print, and some never would be. Decades later, with Jennings' passing, this video stands as a vital historical document. It unveils previously unpublished gems like his unique Linking Rings, 'Lump Of Coal,' and 'Coins Through Table' using the Pop-Up Move. Even for routines that were later published, this video provides crucial details and fine points that were inadvertently omitted in print. His explanation of the Chop Cup routine, for instance, is considered among the best recorded versions Jennings ever gave, offering invaluable insights into his precise handling and presentation.
A Timeless Lesson from a Legend
While the video's technical quality reflects its 30-year-old home recording origins (originally a Beta master), it has undergone a state-of-the-art digital cleanup to ensure the best possible viewing experience. Any minor technical shortcomings are vastly overshadowed by the immense value of the content. This isn't just a magic video; it's a rare, intimate encounter with one of magic's most influential figures, a master at work, sharing his passion and secrets. Through Louis Falanga's generosity, you can now experience this legendary private lesson, stepping back in time to witness Larry Jennings knocking 'em dead, just as Richard Kaufman describes.
Original Specs
Larry Jennings was one of the greatest sleight-of-hand artists who ever lived. Over the course of his 64 years， he developed many classic plots in card and coin magic. Lots of Larry's magic has been described in books， videotapes， and DVDs. But， the books often failed to capture the nuances in his work， and he was usually nervous during the shooting of the formal videos and DVDs.
During the early 1970s， Larry left his home in Los Angeles-where he had moved to study with Dai Vernon-and relocated to Lake Tahoe， California， to open his own plumbing business. There he met Louis Falanga， who became Larry's student and friend. One day in Louis' living room， Larry allowed himself to be videotaped describing 12 of his favorite routines:
This was the perfect setting for Larry-he was relaxed and in his prime， just making a personal video for a friend. The quality is exactly what you'd expect from a 30 year-old home video made in someone's living room， and you can even hear someone frying up some bacon in the background. Considering that great material， we can forgive the technical shortcomings (though the tape-original Beta master-has been put through a state-of-the-art digital clean-up).
At the time， few of the routines on the videotape were in print. It is now a quarter-century later and Larry Jennings has been dead for a decade. Most of the items on the tape were later published， but some details and fine points were inadvertently omitted. Other routines， such as the Linking Rings， Lump Of Coal， Coins Through Table using the Pop-Up Move， were never published. All of the routines are superb examples of the finest in close-up magic and some of these， such as the Chop Cup routine， benefit from the best recorded explanations Jennings gave.
Having had the pleasure of watching a copy of this videotape many times over the years and now， through the generosity of Louis Falanga， you will too. So slip the DVD into your player and step back in time to when Jimmy Carter was President of the United States， men were visiting the moon on a regular basis， and Larry Jennings was knocking'em dead.
- Richard Kaufman
Running Time Approximately 67min
