A Private Lesson by Larry Jennings

Larry Jennings is celebrated as one of the most exceptional sleight-of-hand magicians in history. Throughout his remarkable 64-year journey, he crafted numerous iconic routines in both card and coin magic. While many of Jennings’ techniques are documented in various books and videos, these sources often miss the subtle intricacies of his performances. Additionally, his nerves during formal recordings sometimes hindered the presentation of his genius.

In the early 1970s, Larry transitioned from Los Angeles, where he had studied under Dai Vernon, to Lake Tahoe, California, to start a plumbing business. It was here that he formed a friendship with Louis Falanga, who became both a student and confidant. In a relaxed atmosphere within Louis’ living room, Larry agreed to be recorded as he shared 12 of his cherished routines:

• Jennings’ Chop Cup
• Don Alan’s Lump of Coal (LJ Version)
• Peripatetic Coins
• The Chinese Connection (explanation only)
• Cigarette Manipulations
• Larry’s Linking Ring Routine
• Coins Through the Table (with Pop-Up Move)
• L.J. Four Coins Across
• Coin Through Spectator’s Fist
• Open Travellers
• Nowhere and Everywhere Again
• The Visitor

This intimate setting was ideal for Larry, allowing him to showcase his artistry in a personal video for a friend. The quality reflects the charm of a 30-year-old home video, complete with the delightful background sounds of bacon sizzling. Despite some technical flaws, the original Beta tape has undergone a meticulous digital restoration.

At the time of recording, many routines were unpublished, and now, over 25 years later, with Jennings having passed a decade ago, most of these performances have been documented. However, certain nuances and key elements were unintentionally left out, and some routines, like the Linking Rings and Coins Through Table with the Pop-Up Move, remain unpublished. Each routine exemplifies the pinnacle of close-up magic, with the Chop Cup routine featuring some of Jennings’ finest recorded explanations.

Thanks to the generosity of Louis Falanga, you can now experience this remarkable videotape. So, grab your DVD player and journey back to an era when Jimmy Carter was President, lunar visits were a reality, and Larry Jennings was captivating audiences with his extraordinary skills. – Richard Kaufman

Running Time: Approximately 67 minutes