Bio-Vlog

My brain keeps replaying what Vernon said. “I don’t care how fine the brief is. When you deal like that, I know you’re up to something. It’s unnatural looking!”  It was only one line, but it came from The Master himself. So, I begin to analyze every movement of my different deals, and I don’t…

I have the Godfather mobster, Giorgio burning my hands. I want to turn and run when Wagner says, “Richard, show Professor some of your seconds.” Though scared and intimidated, I press on by demonstrating my two card push-off second deal.  Again Giorgio blurts out, “Won’t get the money!”  During the deal, I unknowingly rock my…

“Shuffling with me I have Michael Slaughter, President and CEO of The United States Playing Card Company. Mike share with us how you use Richard’s fingers in testing your pasteboards.” “First, Jon, I have to explain, over the last several decades there have been numerous technological changes to the equipment used in the paper making…

I am nervous as J. C. Wagner and I step through the Magic Castle’s secret sliding bookcase and quietly slip into the Castle’s Library. There are only two people inside, Dai Vernon and, at another table, Tony Giorgio. (Giorgio played Bruno Tattaglia in the classic film, The Godfather. If you are familiar with the film,…

I move the three cards back and forth, now and then flashing the queen, showing how easy it is to follow the lady. “But,” I explain clearly, “if you don’t get the queen, I get the coat for free.”   He agrees, and I throw the three cards and win the coat. I say compassionately, “Tell…

The thought of cutting high card for the coat sends thrills of excitement through my veins! With a passive poker face I say, “Okay. Sure. Why not!” The salesman holds up his open hands, nervously takes a step back and says, replacing his phony smile with his mouth wide open, “Hold it, I’m just kidding!”…

I need a coat and tie and I have only a few hours to acquire the strangling Sunday dress so, I think with a shooting dose of trepidation, “How am I going to get a suit?”  I cajole a friend of Bobby’s to drive me to a men’s clothing store at the Northridge Mall, where…

The inner circle of magic experts – and particularly playing card specialists – is truly a meritocracy. To gain entry, you must be an established expert or at least demonstrate that you have the “right stuff” to become one. The next hurdle (which is much harder) is getting an invitation to be assessed and accepted…

David Frederick Winfield Verner was born in Ottawa, Canada in June 1894 (exactly sixty years before my birth in June 1954).  Vernon moved to New York City at the start of World War I, where he changed his given name to Dai and billed himself as Dai Vernon – The King of Cards.  Vernon has…

It’s the Fourth of July, and I’m helping Yerkes set up a full blown circus show with a closing fireworks exhibition at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.  One of the elephants leaves a very large pile of “road apples” on the ground, a pile five times the size of my horse’s poop. And, of course,…

For my room, board, and compensation, Bobby insists that I learn to swing on the trapeze, walk a tight rope, and take 40-foot high falls into an air-bag.  Along with working the rigging, setting up, taking down, and acting as the over-all gofer, I set up gear and help Bobby train stunt-doubles for film, as…

Breaking into the magic meritocracy starts when Lamb’s Player’s director Steve Terrell sends me to Hollywood to train with stunt-man, Bobby Yerkes. (Yerkes’ career is impressive. In 1947 he appeared with Elizabeth Taylor in his first film, Julia Misbehaves. Everything afterwards was a non-stop, rough-and-tumble adventure. Yerkes served as a stunt double for many of…