The above newspaper clipping comes from Michael Whitecar, and shows Doug as he won the Entertainer of the Year Award for 1978. While the quality is a little fuzzy, it’s the picture itself that counts, and shows Doug at a time in his career when he was at the top of his game. I wonder where…
Month: June 2018
“Merlin” Golden Key Chain Ticket
As it’s been a while since we’ve talked about “Merlin” on the site, I figured what better time than with today’s post. This commemorative key chain ticket was part of a package deal that you could get along with an expanded program (for an extra charge of course.) That expanded program was featured on the…
Doug’s Santa Monica Workshop
The above photo is a screen grab from Doug’s segment on “Life Styles of the Rich and Famous” in 1986, and features his Santa Monica warehouse and workshop. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of this city, buildings over time get torn down and disappear altogether. Well, not this building. Michael Grandinetti was kind enough…
Brian Lumley Recollections: The Final Round
When he saw how embarrassed Doug was when his PR plan didn’t work, Ali agreed to a similar shot. We tried a couple of stationary positions on the cliff edge with the three of them. But for personal and professional reasons Ali did not like to get close to the cat. If he did get…
Brian Lumley Recollections: Cougar Chaos in the Ring
Once Rebel saw he was going into all the smells and noise he was into it. He dragged Doug through the door then followed him onto the ring and in front of the audience, which he loved. He knew what applause was. The next thing I remember was Muhammad standing on the other side…
Brian Lumley Recollections: Doug, Ali, and a Cougar
Ali’s main ring was inside a low building with folding chairs set up to watch. The champ went in and did a show of workout moves, skipping, punches, jabs, foot work, dodges, dancing around the ring…all fast and powerful…Unbeknownst to Doug; Ali, a truly seasoned and master showman, used these kinds of moments to seize…
Doug at Ali’s Training Camp by Brian Lumley: Part Two
On stage in front of the Broadway audience Ali invited Doug to come to Africa as part of his entourage. Doug did a massive sputter not knowing what to say; there was so much going on that others did not know about. Then Muhammad saved the day when he invited him up to his training…
Doug and Muhammad Ali by Brian Lumley: Part One
Today’s multi-part story comes to us from Doug collaborator and website friend Brian Lumley. Brian has been kind enough to share a first hand account of when Doug met another legend in his field, the great Muhammad Ali. As you would expect, it’s a riveting story, and I’m very excited Brian has decided to make…
Micky Hades “Spellbound” Letter
This letter comes from Michael Whitecar’s collection. It is remarkable in the sense that it features correspondence from Doug to (now magic publisher/book collector) Micky Hades conducting business. All this occurs just as “Spellbound” was due to head to Broadway that Spring. While the talk may sound mundane, the impact of what is being said…
Doug Henning CSPAN Talk on “The Natural Law Party”
I though I’d start this Monday on more of a tranquil note with Doug discussing the “Natural Law Party” and the benefits of Transcendental Meditation. This short video, as you can imagine, is old and rare. So, if you’ll pardon its technical glitches, you’ll get a glimpse of Doug Henning at the time of “Veda…
White House Easter Egg Roll Photos
These incredible photos show Doug performing for the “White House Easter Egg Roll” on March 30th, 1986. They give a great candid view of Doug and Debby behind the scenes before and during the performance. As pictures go, these are certainly a find and one that illustrate how much demand Doug was in well into…
“World of Magic VII” Newspaper Ad
Craig Schwarz was kind enough to send me some vintage Doug TV special newspaper pieces. This one is from the final “World of Magic” special in 1983, and as you can see is a, well, very unique design. While Doug did indeed conjure up the Rams Cheerleaders on this particular special, I’m not quite sure it…
Pictures, Pictures, I Need Pictures!
Hello All, “The Doug Henning Project” is on the hunt for new and possibly unseen pictures of Doug for the website. These don’t have to be totally rare, but it would be great to show people images other than the standard ones we always see online such as this one: Or this one: We all…
Tour and Show T-Shirts: Part One
Enjoy this plethora of vintage Henning T-shirt swag courtesy of Michael Whitecar. As you can see, each one truly represents a unique era and phase of Doug’s career. Collect that All!
1982 Cheerleader Cabinet Illusion
This illusion hails from the final “World of Magic” special, and features a variation on Guy Jarret’s original 21 person cabinet illusion. However, it wouldn’t be Doug Henning without some tweaks and flourishes courtesy of cheerleaders and a then Bruce Jenner. So, before the weekend starts, enjoy this very Doug Henning magical moment from 1982….
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 