This particular clip, taken from the CBC Archives, seems to be one of the few filmed examples of Dai Vernon teaching Doug. The two had become close friends when Doug traveled from Canada to train with Vernon after being awarded his legendary $5000 performing arts government grant.

Their lessons, which took place at “The Magic Castle,” became marathon sessions where Vernon would run Doug through his paces until his young protegee had become as skilled as his teacher. In fact, when “The Magic Show” opened on Broadway it was Vernon who was flown in by Doug to be there on opening night.

Vernon, who was known to be cantankerous and hard to please, would later pay tribute to his student on “The Dick Cavett Show” when he said “Doug Henning is a genius at picking up magic quickly. He’s very adept.”