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Wayne Dobson: Early Dobson Review

One DVD, 8 effects and $25 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.

Effect/Method/Ad Copy Integrity

Let's quickly get this out of the way: There's nothing much to say about the ad copy. It is what it says it is.

On this DVD you'll see live performance footage of 7 effects all performed by Wayne Dobson 25 or so years ago. The 7 effects are taught by Mike Sullivan along with an eighth effect that was not performed.

The effects are pretty standard familiar effects: a couple of sandwich routines, coins and cylinder, do as a I do, matrix, coins to glass, etc. The effects were Dobson's minor modifications on the original concepts. Nothing revolutionary here. In some cases I feel that the routines are close enough to the original (or other similar stuff) that I'm not sure they warrant publication.

All of the methods are pretty standard sleight of hand techniques. I'd say the level of skill required is intermediate. Some of the effects had a few additional touches that made the magic seem more magical. For example, the Coins in Glass routine had a clever visual idea with a magic wand that complements the audio of the coins landing in the glass. Also, Razor & Invisible Card is a lot less of a familiar plot that has a simple method and has the potential to be a solid closer. Also, the Continuous Do As I Do had a good method that allowed for a pretty clear and clean handling of the effect that may interest you.

As you know, I judge the method, not the effect. However, I do have to consider if the effects are same-old-same-old or if they're new and/or innovative. These are neither new now innovative. However, the methods are absolutely solid and if you like these kinds of effects, you'll be happy with the methods.

So when the effects are not very original, the next thing I would look for on a DVD like this is learning from a master how to perform for people. I was very much looking forward to that. However, I was slightly disappointed. He was funny, for sure, and there were a few bits of business that were funny, but I was hoping to see better presentations of the magic. Instead, it was the same old "I'm gonna put this here and do this next; then I'll take your card here and put it over here," ad nauseam.

Product Quality

The DVD is well produced, well lit, well mic'd, etc. Even the 25 or so year old footage was surprisingly good. The teaching segments by Mike Sullivan were pretty good. There were a few parts where he sort of rushed through things making it a little difficult to learn, but for the most part, it was pretty easy to learn. There were also a couple of bonus videos. One was a video of Dobson doing the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. The video was hilarious. Then there was a 5ish minute "interview" with Dobson being "interviewed" by Sullivan. It was more like a funny conversation between the two rather than an interview.

Final Thoughts

Usually, the presentation (good or bad) does not impact my star rating. However, when evaluating this product as a whole, I have to ask, "what are you getting?" The answer is: first, you're getting 8 effects. Second, you're getting the privilege of seeing a true working pro in his element. With being said, the methods are good, but the 8 effects are probably, in some form or another, in your repertoire, or at the very least, you're familiar with them, so you really wouldn't be getting anything new.

So then at least we get to see a pro in his element. There's a lot to be learned from that, namely, presentation, audience management, patter, stage presence, etc. However, we don't even really get that. with the standard stock-line bad jokes, the sleep-inducing "put and take" "patter," there's not a whole lot to be learned here either. On the positive side, there were a few original (as far as I know) bits that were clever and funny as well as some teaching by example on general stage presence and audience management, but for the most part, there was not a lot to be gained here.

If the goal was to give the magic community some footage of Dobson, mission: accomplished. If the goal was to give the community some new/original/innovative magic, mission: failed. If the goal was to learn presentational skill from a pro, mission: undecided.

Many of you know that I'm a fan of Wayne Dobson, and I've seen some of his performances from back in the day, and they were incredible. I don't remember what effects I saw, but I remember that the presentation was original and FREAKIN' HILIAROUS, but mostly: original. For the most part, that is not what you'll find here.

Final Verdict:
3 Stars with a Stone Status of gem (little g).

6 Comments

  • Dr. J. says:

    Michael Vincent credits his version of the Invisible Card as being inspired by the version in the book, ‘The Secrets of Brother John Hamman’ by Richard Kaufman. I have never seen or heard him mention inspiration from anyone else.

  • RLFrame says:

    Thanks again Jeff,

    I do have an observation and perhaps a lesson?

    “I don’t remember what effects I saw, but I remember that the presentation was original and FREAKIN’ HILIAROUS, but mostly: original.”

    That observation matches my experience with much of classic TV. I saw about every episode of The Carol Burnett Show. I can remember almost none of the skits, but I do remember Mrs. A Wiggin, and Tim Conway with an Albert Einstein ‘do’ shuffling around the stage, cracking up the other cast members. I can’t remember any of specifics of how Eddie Haskell got The Beav in trouble, but i do remember that he was very polite to adults and a sneaky, somewhat mean, conniver the rest of the time. Etc.

    The question is, if we are to create memorable performances, as magical ‘artists,’ shouldn’t developing a compelling character be of prime importance?

    Just an observation and likely not the right place. But we do have a kind and tolerant overlord at this place…

    RLF

  • Mark Paulson says:

    Mr. Dobson is a magical genius, but your review really seemed fair. Watching a pro at work can be inspiring in and of itself! Lessons to be learned here, for sure.

  • george says:

    Hi,

    What are the eight effects on the DVD?

  • Mark Paulson says:

    According to Jeff’s review: a couple of sandwich routines, coins and cylinder, do as a I do, matrix, coins to glass, etc.

    Like he said, pretty standard stuff, but with Dobson’s handling. It’s nice to see a “worker” at work.

  • Paul Preager says:

    To be fair these close-up items weren’t Wayne’s regular scripted material but were one off performances, hence the lack of presentation and very descriptive patter although the vent bits proved as useful as ever! I’ll also bet his time was very limited and it had to be kept quick and to the point for the short spots he had on the TV show. Sometimes you just have to say what you are doing to make sure the audience understand what’s happening. If you distract them with too many lines instead of telling them what you are doing, when you get to the end of a trick an audience can have little understanding of what you’ve just done, no matter how simple it was! I don’t think he had enough time in these spots to make them into lengthy comedy routines and the mission certainly isn’t about presentation!

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