Goldfinger and Dove (SAM Article)

Great artists often tend to take their first cues from great artists. In Jack Vaughn's case, he credits Mark Wilson and "The Land of Allakazam" as the primary impetus for setting his sights on a career in magic. Add that to a set of simple magic effects learned at age 11 from a Parish Priest, and significant seeds are planted in Jack's fertile mind. Later, he studied for a time under the famous "Chandu", who taught him some of the allied variety arts such as fire eating. Armed with an entertainer's heart as well as Uncle Sam's orders, Jack later served in Vietnam in the Army and was transferred into the USO to entertain troops and special groups. He met a beautiful dancer named Dove while on a leave in Hawaii, and she became his life partner as well as his magic partner.

Vaughn turned a significant corner in his road to international stardom after meeting Channing Pollock. Vaughn introduced himself to Pollock at the Magic Castle, and Pollock traveled to Magic Mountain to view the Goldfinger and Dove act. Pollock provided both encouragement and technical assessments that lifted the act into new levels of professionalism and commercial success. Other strong influences upon Vaughn included Ron Wilson, Jules Lenier, Peter Pit, Les Smith and Owen Magic Supreme, Marvyn and Carol Roy, Johnny and Pam Thompson, The Shimadas, and Max Maven.

Goldfinger and Dove began experiencing escalating notoriety in the 1970's especially in Hollywood, where Milt Larsen's "It's Magic!" featured their wonderful act, and the Magic Castle (Academy of Magical Arts, Inc.) bestowed its coveted "Stage Magician of the Year" honor upon Goldfinger and Dove in 1979. The award, suitably so, was presented my Mr. Channing Pollock. Goldfinger and Dove repeated in winning that honor, and our understanding is that they are now ineligible to compete in order to allow other artists a fighting chance!

Originality, style, and creativity set Goldfinger apart. The act cannot be copied. Audiences long remember the sleek Goldfinger adorned with a turban, impeccable card skill, smooth dove productions, and his transformation of the classic newspaper tear into an unforgettable magic memory. Dove weaves her own magic throughout the act, seasoning the magic with beauty and glamour, yet never taking away from the moment. The unique blend of captivating personality, movement, music, highly skilled manipulation, and crisp presentation of illusions form an indelible mark on the minds of audiences. Goldfinger and Dove have graced the stages of Las Vegas and international nightclubs in places like Puerto Rico, Tokyo, Monte Carlo, and Rome, as well as appearing on such television shows as The Tonight Show, Dinah Shore, Sammy Davis, Jr. Show, and network specials such as "Like Magic", and "World's Greatest Magicians".

Goldfinger has made his mark on the world of magic -a mark that has raised the art of magic another few notches in terms of skill, style, and creativity. Yet amid the international status and perfection in performance, Goldfinger -Jack Vaughn -remains a perfect gentleman. Society of American Magicians Past National President, Michael Douglass recalls, "As a young man moving around magic circles in Los Angeles in the late 70's and 80's, I had the opportunity to stage manage a gratis performance by Goldfinger and Dove. While I vividly recall the beauty of the act the first time I saw it, I retain equally impressive memories of Goldfinger being tremendously gracious and encouraging -hallmarks of the complete character of a "Hall-Of-Famer."
It is my pleasure to announce that Jack Vaughn ("Goldfinger") is elected a member of the Society of American Magicians Hall Of  Fame.

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