For those seeking new Doug content look no further than “Playbill’s” mini retrospective on the “Magic Show” that was posted this past Friday. It’s a quick rundown of the show’s history, musical highlights, and how it’s sadly one of the more unknown Stephen Schwartz scores. There’s even a great clip of Carol Burnett and Cher…
Month: March 2019
1965 Focus on Hocus Program
“Focus on Hocus” seems to be a little known and very early performance in Doug’s career. Taking place on September 4, 1965, an eighteen year old Doug shared the bill with many professional magicians of the day in a show rightfully billed as an “International Magicians Extravaganza!” It’s also worth noting that Micky Hades is…
Gary Brown Remembers Doug…
Some weeks ago, magic historian and writer Gary Brown reached out to me with his experiences of writing a 1997 Henning retrospective for “Genii.” It’s a fascinating tale of missed connections, and planting the seed in Doug’s mind that maybe just maybe he was appreciated. First, I’m part of what I like to consider the…
Rare Doug, Debby, and Shirley Henning Photo
The above photo was sent to me recently, and what a find it is! The exact year and circumstances are unknown to me, but it certainly is rare to find Doug in such a candid photo with Debby (Left) and his mother Shirley (Right). If anyone knows the background of this photo feel free to…
Vintage Pantages “World of Magic” Marquee Photo
The above vintage photo features Doug’s touring “World of Magic” stage show at the, you guessed correctly, “Pantages” theater in Hollywood, CA. However, what specific year this is is a mystery to me. Doug played there a couple times in the early 1980s in a “Best Of” show which highlighted his most famous illusions up…
Dave Collier Interview Part Three: Final Thoughts
WHICH OF THESE SPECIALS IS MY FAVORITE? THIS LAS VEGAS SHOW WAS MY FAVORITE! NOT ONLY DID IT GIVE ME A CHANCE TO TRAVEL, BUT… BEING BACKSTAGE GAVE ME A CHANCE TO SEE HOW SOME OF THE ILLUSIONS WERE PERFORMED… IF YOU ONLY KNEW SOME OF THESE SECRETS! WHAT DID DOUG HIMSELF THINK OF THE…
Dave Collier Interview Part Two: Meeting Doug and a Hungry Tiger
HAD YOU HEARD OF DOUG HENNING BEFORE THIS ASSIGNMENT? I HAD NOT HEARD OF DOUG HENNING BEFORE HIS SPECIALS. I DID PROVIDE PICTURES I TOOK AT HIS SPECIALS TO HIM… AND ACTUALLY VISITED HIM AND HIS WIFE AT HIS HOUSE. HE WAS QUITE BUSY MOST OF THE TIME, SO I DIDN’T GET TO SPEND MUCH…
Dave Collier Interview Part One: Rose Parades and Magic Castles
I think we can all agree that Dave Collier’s photos over the last four weeks have been truly memorable. So, if they say a picture speaks a thousand words, why don’t we go to the man who was responsible for them all in this multi-part interview? Take it away Dave Collier! HOW DID YOU GET…
Tonight Show: Full Interview and Double Sawing Illusion
Aside from the fantastic Double Sawing Illusion, the interview for this “Tonight Show” appearance is unusual in the sense you hear Doug talk about a venue you wouldn’t normally expect him to play: a rioting prison. His experience there, and how he handled it is a keeper and well worth the 12 minutes. Happy St. Patricks…
Dave Collier 1978 Photos: After Party with Dai Vernon
Well, all good things must come to an end folks. As much as I’d love to keep posting these fantastic and memorable photos, I’ve run out of my supply. Not to worry though because next week I’ll be posting an exclusive interview with photographer Dave Collier to give you more backstory on his life and…
Dave Collier 1978 Photos: Medieval and Ancient Egypt Illusions
In this special, Doug, Brooke Shields, and Tom Bosley seem to literally time travel to different points in history to perform illusions. Why? Well, these are the kinds of things that happen in 1970s prime time variety specials. Anyway, the concept leant itself to some really beautiful set pieces and costumes that are still memorable…
Dave Collier 1978 Photos: “World of Magic IV”
For this final round of photos from the expert lens of Dave Collier comes “World of Magic IV.” This special is notable for many reasons, not least of which is the eclectic team up of Brooke Shields and Tom Bosley as Doug’s co-hosts. This was the last special that Doug did live. So, in many…
Johnny Thompson Tribute
I’m sure that many of you heard over the weekend that master magician/comedian Johnny Thompson passed away. When someone this influential passes away, people are only left with their individual memories to go over and ponder. For myself, I was extremely fortunate to spend an evening with Johnny last May at his Las Vegas home…
“Magic Wagon” Newspaper Ad
The above newspaper advertisement comes from the “Monroe (Wisconsin) Evening Times” and ran on March, 13, 1984. It goes without saying that this was around the time of Doug being a spokes “magician” for the Plymouth Voyager. Doug Henning as a car salesman probably wasn’t the first thing that came to people’s minds, but hey…
Tonight Show 1981 Appearance in Full with Interview
The glass illusion part of this clip is widely available from the Johnny Carson You Tube channel. However, what makes today’s post extra special is that this is the full segment with the Johnny interview that followed. Doug was there to promote “World of Magic IV,” and regales the audience with tales of famed 19th…
Dave Collier 1977 Photos: Curtain Calls, After Party, and Friends!
Special Thanks to Dave Collier and Bill Goodwin
Dave Collier 1977 Photos: Sword, Cabinet, and Wall Illusions
My favorite part of these photos are the different angles and perspectives we get on well known Doug illusions and classic moments. It’s truly a birds eye view like none other! Special Thanks to Dave Collier and Bill Goodwin
Dave Collier Photos: World of Magic 1977
So, after a brief detour last week into You Tube land, we’ve now safely arrived in 1977 (the year of my birth by the way)! This is World of Magic III!” It’s the special that has such eclectic items as a very excited Glenn Campbell, child versions of Doug and Sandy Duncan, balancing on blades,…
Tenyo Magic You Can Do Advertisement
This is an advertisement for the Tenyo brand of Doug Henning “Magic You Can Do” illusions for aspiring magicians. The brand has since kind of become the Holy Grail of Doug Henning merchandise culminating with the full boxed set that goes for top dollar whenever it appears on Ebay. Collect them all! Special Thanks to…
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 