Day Vernon and the Kangaroo

Discuss the historical aspects of magic, including memories, or favorite stories.
John McDonald
Posts: 380
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Chester, UK

Day Vernon and the Kangaroo

Postby John McDonald » January 10th, 2016, 3:55 pm

On a magic news wire podcast David Roth tells a story about Dai Vernon and a Kangaroo on a trip to Australia. It is a very funny story. Wondering if it is true or apocryphal?

Apparently a photo was taken of the professor and the thief.

Does anyone know any more details.

Funny story.
Best John

David Kaplan
Posts: 66
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Boston

Re: Day Vernon and the Kangaroo

Postby David Kaplan » January 10th, 2016, 4:32 pm

It's a great story! I was told the tale by a friend who said he knew the person showing Vernon the Australian countryside. If only it were true!

http://www.snopes.com/critters/malice/kangaroo.asp

Leonard Hevia
Posts: 1951
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Dai Vernon, Frank Garcia, Slydini, Houdini,
Location: Gaithersburg, Md.

Re: Day Vernon and the Kangaroo

Postby Leonard Hevia » January 10th, 2016, 4:39 pm

It's an urban legend called The Kangaroo Thief:

http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/humor/ ... .htm#step4

Hollywood put it in a film:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0257568/

MagicbyAlfred
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Joined: June 7th, 2015, 12:48 pm
Favorite Magician: Bill Malone
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC

Re: Day Vernon and the Kangaroo

Postby MagicbyAlfred » January 10th, 2016, 4:52 pm

Wonder if there's any connection to Vernon's Kangaroo Coins from Stars of Magic.

El Mystico
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Location: Leamington Spa
Contact:

Re: Day Vernon and the Kangaroo

Postby El Mystico » January 11th, 2016, 6:42 am

Pretty sure there is no connection; Kangaroo Coins was in Stars of magic - so came out in 40s/50s. My (distant) memory of the kangaroo story was that it involved Larry Jennings - who didn't come into Vernon's life until the 60s.
Plus, as has been pointed out, sadly the kangaroo story is an urban myth.

MagicbyAlfred
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Joined: June 7th, 2015, 12:48 pm
Favorite Magician: Bill Malone
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC

Re: Day Vernon and the Kangaroo

Postby MagicbyAlfred » January 11th, 2016, 10:46 am

OK makes sense, thanks. Well, got to get back to practicing my very challenging, knuckle-busting, but amazing, version of the Kangaroo Coins now. (Using real kangaroos)

observer
Posts: 342
Joined: August 31st, 2014, 5:32 am
Favorite Magician: Harry Kellar - Charlie Miller - Paul Rosini - Jay Marshall
Location: Chicago

Re: Day Vernon and the Kangaroo

Postby observer » January 11th, 2016, 10:56 am

MagicbyAlfred wrote:OK makes sense, thanks. Well, got to get back to practicing my very challenging, knuckle-busting, but amazing, version of the Kangaroo Coins now. (Using real kangaroos)


As featured on the Australian $1?

(But if you do please reserve those for magician get togethers.)

John McDonald
Posts: 380
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Chester, UK

Re: Day Vernon and the Kangaroo

Postby John McDonald » January 11th, 2016, 5:14 pm

Thanks everyone :)
Best John


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