On a day that is generally reserved for Harry Houdini, this Halloween “The Doug Henning Project” will be focusing on another “dini,” Tony Slydini. In his life, Doug had two primary teachers of Magic: Dai Vernon and Tony Slydini. Both were located respectively on the West Coast (Los Angeles) and East Coast (New York City). …
Month: October 2017
Dai Vernon on “Magic Circus!”
At “The Doug Henning Project” the daily focus is on, rightfully so, Doug Henning. But, for part of this week I’d like to focus on some of the master magicians that taught or influenced Doug in his formative years. The first on our list is Dai Vernon. If you aren’t aware of him, and how…
Close-Up Magic with Doug!
While Doug always excelled at grand illusions it was the moments on his specials that focused on close-up magic that have always fascinated me. For the most part, these would always take place with children in the audience, and thirty-five years on they still speak volumes to his skill and ease with this very unique…
Things that Go Bump in the Night!
“Things that Go Bump in the Night” became, over the years, one of Doug’s big crowd pleasers. Previously performed by magician Servais LeRoy as “The Three Graces,” Doug performed this over multiple TV specials and even in the film version of “The Magic Show.” This is a perfect example of Doug taking an older illusion…
Doug’s Oakhurst Drive Home
One of the things things that I’ve been meaning to check off on my Los Angeles bucket list for some time is paying a visit to the last house that Doug ever lived in. For various reasons I’ve never quite had the time…that was until last Friday. Upon his return to Los Angeles in 1999…
NY Times “Merlin” Interview: Part 4
So, as we wrap up this week on “Merlin” it’s interesting to think of what could have been had it run longer. But, the fact that we are still talking about it means some of the “magical musical’s” incantations and spells might just still be lingering. See you soon! FOR HIM, MAGIC IS MORE THAN…
NY Times “Merlin” Interview: Part 3
FOR HIM, MAGIC IS MORE THAN TRICKS By GLENN COLLINS Published: February 13, 1983 Television newsmen have tried to bribe Mr. Henning’s stagehands – unsuccessfully – to learn his secrets. ”I could patent the illusions,” he said, ”but then anyone could find out how it’s done.” Instead, through the years, the hundreds of people who…
NY Times 1983 “Merlin” Interview: Part 2
FOR HIM, MAGIC IS MORE THAN TRICKS By GLENN COLLINS Published: February 13, 1983 Some of the ”Merlin” magic, like the horse and rider that vanish in midair, or the monster robot that mysteriously comes to life on stage, is new. Other illusions are updated variants of necromantic classics, like the elegant disappearing-duck stunt, based…
NY Times 1983 “Merlin’ Interview
I’ve been thinking recently about “Merlin.” Well, actually I’ve been thinking about how we only really know of it through pictures and some brief You Tube Clips. There was no cast album, and it only really exists through the veil of people’s memories and recollections. While we can’t travel in time, what we can do…
Canadian Walk of Fame TV Event
The above segment was broadcast on Canadian television in 2010 in honor of Doug’s induction into the Canadian Walk of Fame. While the sync and picture quality are off, the segment itself is really well done and the narration by David Copperfield is truly rare indeed. Doug’s legacy is not something that is always recognized, and events…
Erix Logan, Doug Henning, and Mousetrap!
The following email was sent to me recently by renowned magician Erix Logan. It’s a fascinating read that gives us an insight into a famed Doug illusion that took on another life of its own, long after he retired. I have always been a huge fan of Doug and the way he thought about magic….
Original Unicorn Costume and Pin
Daniel Guerrero was kind enough to pass on these photos from his collection. If anyone can help fill in the gaps on where this costume was originally featured I would greatly appreciate it. Another point of interest is the close-up of the pin featuring Doug and Debby in the second picture. I think the world…
A Little “Magic Show” Music!
This 2010 clip is from a concert series called “If It Only Even Runs a Minute.” The series itself explores obscure and often overlooked Broadway shows such as, you guessed it, 1974’s “The Magic Show.” The play, if you already didn’t know, was Doug’s big break into the public spotlight and reignited the public’s fascination…
From the Collection of Michael Grandinetti
Well, the last few weeks have certainly been fun haven’t they? It’s still amazing to me how much of Doug’s life is left to be explored, and on the rare occasions I’m not quite what to put up something magically (pardon the pun) finds its way to me email.No better example of this are these…
Fan Mail Mystery!
Magician Pat Darienzo of Long Island shared with me this article he wrote soon after Doug passed away. What you are about to read is truly a Doug Henning mystery…and living proof that our mail system may be a little slow. The Greatest Trick Doug Henning Never Did By Pat Darienzo Doug Henning, to whom…
Even More Rare Photos from Ken McCreedy!
Ken McCreedy’s collection continues today with these great shots of Doug with his early assistants, his childhood home, and his high school (which unfortunately has seen better days). The one thing “The Doug Henning Project” loves to do is post rare pictures. Feel free to send them my way if you uncover some hidden gems!…
Vintage After Performance Photos!
Recently I had the pleasure of having magician Ken McCreedy send me some candid photos that he snapped in the 1970s and 1980s. Since I started the website, I’ve really enjoyed having Doug’s fans send me after performance photos. No two are ever the same, and they really speak volumes to how available Doug was…
Genii Online Interview
Hey Everyone! Are we all rested from the weekend? I wanted to let you know that I was recently interviewed by “Genii Online” regarding “The Doug Henning Project.” “Genii Online” is the online version of the esteemed magazine of the magic industry called, you guessed it, “Genii.” David Roberts did a great job with questions,…
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 