Frances and Jay Marshall on the Cover of Genii Magic Magazine. Jay held the record for being the act that appeared the most times on the Ed Sullivan Show. Dick was a close friend of the Marshall's and he spent his free time working in the shop and he hung out with Jay and accompanied him and drove Jay to many of his shows. They were great friends who shared many laughs and good times together. |
Dick Oslund - Comedy Magician, Inventor & Funny Guy!
Dick Oslund traveled millions of miles to bring his comedy show to Audiences across the U.S. He was a full time school show entertainer working with the various lyceum bureaus across the U.S. He averaged 40-45 thousand miles a year so in less than 20 years he drove a million miles bringing his laugh filled show to audiences of elementary and High Schools. Many schools had 400-500 kids and often the show was for K-12th grade at the same time.
Dick is a versatile entertainer who knows what makes them laugh. In the summers he was a dedicated Scout leader and worked at a Scout Camp teaching knots and many other scout skills. Here is the article 1969 from Abbott's Publications - The New Tops. |
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Dick Oslund's Lecture Notes from the 1970-80's
He appeared at many magic clubs across the U.S. and had magician friends in every city. As he traveled he would connect with his cherished friends and pick up where they left off.
These notes also include Dick's complete
Ecology Magic Show - called The Puzzling Environment.
Contents:
1 Parasol Production
2 Foulard Production Technique
3 Feather Flower Bouquets (Tips on handling)
4 Co-Operation (Or Else!)
5 Mouse Stomp
6 Wonderful Watch Vanish
7 The Lek Trik Deck
8 Kismif!!
9 Adult Club Opener
10 Rapport - Getting the Audience With You
11 Casket of Pandora
12 Rising Coin Through Handerchief
13 About Dick Oslund (Francis Marshall)
14 The Puzzling Environment: 22 pages covering Dick's Ecology Show with magic
Dick was a regular at Abbott's Get Together in Colon Michigan and was good friends with Jay Marshall, Karrol Fox, and Duke Stern. He was very active in the Chicago Magic community. Dick was a part of the Foxy Follies Team on the final gala show at the Abbott's Get Together each year.
Dick currently lives in Wisconsin on the 17th floor looking over Lake Michigan. He is 83 and still gets out and makes magic for audiences of all ages.
Update: We are sad to announce that the beloved Richard "Dick" Oslund has passed away. He delighted many people over the years with this clean comedy magic show.
We hope you caught Dick's performance and lecture during the summer 2015 at
Colon Michigan, the Magic Capitol of the World!
Wisconsin Magic Show - This site was prepared by Magician who tours in Wisconsin: Magician-Minneapolis.com
Disc Oslund Performed across the U.S. and now Lives in a lovely spot overlooking the Great Lake in Michigan
A segment from Dick Oslund article by Norm B. that was used in Rubber Chicken Comedy Magazine in England
Learn more about Wisconsin Magicians and entertainers at https://wisconsinmagician.wordpress.com
For Entertainment in Wisconsin Please check this site: http://www.entertainmentmn.com/wisconsin-magician.html_
For Entertainment in Wisconsin Please check this site: http://www.entertainmentmn.com/wisconsin-magician.html_
K.I.S.M.I.F. “KEEP IT SIMPLE, MAKE IT FUN!” By Dick Oslund
In 69 years of performing, 20 as a part time professional, and almost 50 as a full time professional, I’ve been an “itinerant mountebanc. I travel “light”.
Most of my work has been in school assemblies, which requires a 45 minute program that is suitable for Kindergarten through Senior High school audiences. The props for my assembly program are carried in a 13” x 20” x 8” case that weighs just over 20 lbs. The program sets up in 4 minutes, packs up in 2 minutes, and can work almost anywhere.
In the off season, I would book “casuals”. I accepted children’s parties, including birthday parties. Most of these are held in private homes, therefore performing space is limited. They are, generally, “close up/parlor” shows
These parties are generally low budget affairs. Twenty-five children are a “big” audience. Therefore, fees are not as high as for a show in a school of a thousand youngsters.
My “commando show”, as Jeff McBride called his act, could be carried in a “shoe box”. (It wasn’t. It traveled in a neat leather case.) My friend, Karrell Fox, who worked the automobile show “circuit” every year, at $1,000 per day + “per diem” (hotel, meals and air fare) and I discussed this at length, and, he agreed that to be successful, the logistics had to be practical! Oh! He also worked birthday parties at $100.
Another friend, Jay Marshall, who had worked the Ed Sullivan TV show 15 times, and the Palace Theatre in New York (AND, “a” theater in London) did birthday parties in Chicago for $100.
To a pro, a hundred bucks for a half hour’s work, is better than sitting at home watching day time TV!
My party show was guided by my slogan: “KEEP IT SIMPLE, MAKE IT FUN!”
Two tricks needed set up. The color changing silk, and the 20th Century silks. (30 seconds) I could open my case in the car and do that, before moving in!
The show ran 30 minutes (+/-) which is, IMO, the optimum length for this type of show. Here’s what I do/did:
Color change silk
Golf ball routine
“Illusion” routine (Boomerang Sticks)
*Rope routine (knots), & Nightmare
*“Square Knot” vanish (some call this the Slydini Knots)
*Egg Bag
**Comedy balloon pump (snakes!)
**20th C. Silks
***Misers Dream
(* -- girl up--**boy up--***many kids up)
This plays for elementary age kids. If the audience is over 11 years of age, I cut the Balloon pump, 20th C. and the Misers Dream They are replaced by one or two card bits (fancy shuffles, 10 Cards Across, and paper napkins over the head.
I realize that some readers may think, “That isn’t very much.” but, I point out that ENTERTAINMENT does not “come” by the yard or the pound!” Entertainment comes by the smile, chuckle, laugh, “oooh!” and, “ahh!” I firmly believe that the performer is more important than the prop. --And, I “proved” that, with 69 years of success. I am comfortably retired, after years of “playing the knowledge boxes on the kerosene lamp circuit”!
www.Oslund.Weebly.com Dick Oslund toured the U.S. for Over 50 years
Here is how to Get your Copy of Dick Oslund's Book on Amazon
Click here...
This site prepared and maintained by Comedy Magician Mr. Norm - I first met Dick Oslund in 1974-75 at the International Brotherhood of Magicians Conference in Little Rock Arkansas. He was so kind to me and help mentor me over the years. He had a great wit, was a very kind and generous magician and had a great lecture that he did for almost every magic club across America and at the national International Brotherhood of Magicians convention many times. He was much loved at Abbots Magic Convention in Colon, Michigan. He did comic bits with Abb Dickson, Karroll Fox and Jay Marshall. Enjoy this website and learn from a top professional Magician in Wisconsin and Michigan who performed in thousanmds of schools across the USA.
To learn more about Wisconsin Magicians for corporate banquets, family parties, county fairs and schools please check out:
CleanComedyGuys.com Wisconsin Magician at www.entertainmentmn.com/wisconsin-magician.ht ml
To learn more about Wisconsin Magicians for corporate banquets, family parties, county fairs and schools please check out:
CleanComedyGuys.com Wisconsin Magician at www.entertainmentmn.com/wisconsin-magician.ht ml