The 1982 Lecture by Steve Dushek

I created this video for my magician friends back in 1982. At that time, video recorders and cameras were quite expensive, costing over a thousand dollars, while blank tapes were around $25 each. I never intended to sell this homemade magic video, but after a few friends showcased it at a local magic club, I was surprised to receive numerous orders from club members, despite the video’s amateur quality.

Although my full-time job limited my ability to accept lecture bookings, I offered to lend my video lecture to magic clubs free of charge. The overwhelming response from magicians watching it led to many orders. Often, the videos weren’t returned promptly as some magicians wanted to make copies, with a few even asking for my permission. Over the years, many of my tricks were replicated by others, including magic dealers I once considered friends. Consequently, I decided to stop selling my magic to shops and only share new effects with trusted customers. Unfortunately, I lent my master tape to a friend who intended to make copies and sell them, but I never received the promised royalties or the tape back, which halted my ability to distribute videos to clubs or new acquaintances.

When I wanted to convert my old video to DVD, my friend Alan Molod provided me with a legal copy, which Scott R. Sullivan helped convert. My daughter Renee and her husband Chris completed the project, with assistance from my friend Tony Baronio, who created the cover caricature. The DVDs were sent to both old and new friends, and once again, orders for my magic began to flow. The goal of my lecture was to show magicians how to create the tricks themselves, but with time constraints, many prefer to purchase ready-made tricks. My affordable prices make this a practical choice for many magicians.

Encouraged by friends, I had a small batch of DVDs duplicated to gauge interest in magic tricks from a retired magician. It turns out, there is significant interest.

The DVD features 18 magic tricks along with several demonstrations. Each trick has been a top seller for me over the years, with no filler content. The DVD runs over an hour and forty minutes. I do not sell my magic through dealers, allowing me to pass savings directly to my customers. Being retired, I do not maintain a magic list or catalog, but this DVD showcases some of my available creations.

The Legendary 1982 Lecture DVD includes the following effects:

Waltzing Matilda: Discover the original Dusheck version of this iconic dancing, floating silk scarf trick. This self-contained gimmick keeps the silk under your control, delivering a truly magical experience.

Coin/Card: Perform your favorite coin assembly or use my routine. This special gimmick allows the audience to see the fourth half dollar under the playing card before it vanishes and reappears with the other three coins, enhancing the climax of your routine.

Surprise: Produce a jumbo 3″ coin at the end of your coin assembly or packet card trick without needing special clothing or a close-up pad. Perform it standing in short sleeves and amaze your audience every time.

Dusheck’s Dollar: Fold a dollar bill in half, place a letter opener between the folds, and cut it into two pieces. Show both sides to prove the bill was cut, then pull the sections apart to instantly restore it.

Coin & Cord: A Chinese coin tied to a loop of cord is magically removed and returned in a clean, natural manner. No shells are used, and the props can be examined before and after the effect.