The following recently appeared as a Facebook post from Tannen’s Magic. As today is Thanksgiving in the United States, I think it’s more than appropriate we send a little thanks Doug’s way courtesy of this appreciative piece. What do you think? Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! In our second Wizard Wednesday, our new series where we show…
Category: Newspaper
Argus Leader Interview-5/1/1987
I was drawn to this article because of it being at a late stage of Doug’s magic career. It even begins with the interviewer asking about his opinion of Penn and Teller, and Doug’s view of them. Clearly they were the new kids on the magic block in the late 1980s. Times were clearly changing …
Earth, Wind, & Fire Thank You to Doug- Ebay Item
For all you collectors out there, I just came across this unseen item today on Ebay. As you can see, this 1978 trade magazine advertisement was from the popular band Earth, Wind, and Fire thanking Doug for creating illusions for their tour. It also works well as a double promotion for Doug’s then upcoming “World…
Baltimore Sun Interview-June 10, 1982
Baltimore Sun: June 10, 1982
“World of Magic II”-Los Angeles Times 1976 Interview
Los Angeles Times: December 23, 1976
Torn and Restored Newspaper in Full
I can’t believe I’ve never posted this before. There’s a lot I can say about this legendary illusion (created by Gene Anderson), and its place in Doug’s history. But, rather than writing about it, why don’t you let Doug do the talking…or rather tearing.
Two Dougs for the Price of One Article!
The above article comes from 1981, and details the time when Doug Henning met Doug Henning. Or was it when Doug Henning met Doug Henning? Now, even I’m confused. Perhaps it’s just best if you read the article. Originally Published in The Pittsburgh Press on Saturday, May 9th 1981.
Chip Romero Collection: Original Negative “Magic Show” Newspaper Reviews
When talking to Chip Romero recently, he pointed out how influential “The Magic Show” was, and how its initial reviews weren’t exactly glowing. As the expression goes, “Time Wounds All Heals,” and it goes without saying that “The Magic Show” has since become a classic of the Broadway stage and magic. Hey, if something ran…
Original Spellbound Newspaper Ad
Special Thanks to Magicpedia
1979 Minolta Newspaper Ad
I’m sure many of you have seen the Minolta camera television commercial that Doug did in conjunction with this campaign. The commercial itself is a lot of fun, while this newspaper caricature is a little, how do I put this, interesting to say the least. To compare the two, here’s the original once again in…
Montreal Expo Theater Tour Advertisement
The Gazette: Montreal, Canada August 20, 1985
The “New Houdini” Advertisement
The above ad certainly makes a bold claim in order to sell the soundtrack record to “The Magic Show.” Doug and Houdini were drastically different in terms of presentation. However, if there were similarities between them, it’s that they totally redefined how the public saw magic in their respective time periods. But, I doubt Houdini…
1974 NY Daily News “Magic Show” Review
Special Thanks to Michael Whitecar
Happy Holidays…and a NY Times Article!
Well folks, it’s that time of the year where I close up shop and reflect on the year that just passed and the one that is just upon us. As always, I wish you the happiest of holidays and sincerely thank you for all your support over the past two, almost three years. It’s everyone’s…
Vintage “Hendoo” Newspaper Article
Special Thanks to Ken McCreedy
Vintage “Hendoo” For Hire Advertisement
This unique and very rare advertisement is from a time where a young Doug Henning was known as “Hendoo” and he hadn’t taken the world by sensation. Not yet anyway. Rather than just doing a straight classified, Doug employed this nifty visual to draw potential customers in. Do you see it? Look one way and…
NY Times: World of Magic Broadway Review
Doug Henning only seems to dema terialize – and re-materialize – and levitation is a mechanical rather than a natural wonder. But it is beyond the ken of nonmagicians to understand how he performs his illusionary feats. As we know from his first two Broadway shows and his frequent television appearances, he is a genial…
Doug Henning: Birthday Performer?
The above newspaper clipping shows evidence that, yeah, if you had enough money Doug Henning would perform at your birthday party. Now, I have no pictures or evidence to corroborate that all the illusions described here occurred. However, if you look up Adnan Khashoggi online he was a pretty wealthy man. So wealthy in fact,…
“Toronto Sun” 1973- Doug and Maya Zig-Zag Photo Spread
The above newspaper article comes from December of 1973. For anyone else that date may not mean much, but for all the Doug fans out there this is the month and year that “Spellbound” premiered. Doug, assisted by Maya, displays the well known “Zig-Zag” to bemused reporter George Anthony. Now I’ve gone into “Spellbound” in greater…
1982’s “World of Magic” Newspaper Clipping
Both Doug and guest star Ann Jillian seem in various states of surprise in this promotional clipping from 1982. As you may know the special starred Ann Jillian, a then Bruce Jenner (Caitlyn) Jenner, Billy Crystal, and Cherish Alexander. Throughout the show, they all explored a big magical house, and you’ll just have to wait…
Doug Henning and Learning How to Fly
It’s not a big secret that Doug Henning was really into Transcendental Meditation. REALLY into it. He was into it so much, that he devoted himself and his energies 1000% to the mysterious calming practice and organization. Magic was an after thought for him, and one that he soon left behind around 1987. For good…
Doug Across America-Tour Clippings
In his career, Doug certainly got around. In between his immensely popular television specials, he kept up an almost constant touring schedule that included here, there, everywhere, and beyond. While we all know his famous stops on Broadway and the Pantages, the clippings shown below are a small sampling of Doug’s relentless travels through America!…
NARM Convention Giant Record Photo
This undated newspaper clipping hails from a private appearance Doug did at a NARM Organization event. The giant record is unique in the sense that it never appeared in any of his specials before, and it is the first time I’m aware of it. Though I’m sure many of you out there have more visual…
Doug Does Some Magic for the “New York Sunday News”
I wasn’t really sure how to title this post other than to say what it is: Doug Henning shows you how to do some really cool close-up magic! Enough said really. However, what really appeals to me about this article is that it was done at the height of the “Magic Show’s” popularity in December,…
First Special “TV Listings” Cover and Interview
Today’s post comes from the collection of magician Greg Gleason, and features more fabulous TV listings and interviews that were commonplace over Doug’s long career. The interview and article itself is a general rundown of the making of the first special, and give a nice window into Doug’s pressure filled life at this time. Can…
1998 “Globe” Tabloid Interview
The above article is from “Globe Magazine” and, if you do the math within the interview, it hails from around 1998. In it, Doug discusses what he has been up to in the ten years since he retired from the public spotlight. If you can get past the tabloid and slightly patronizing feel of the…
“World of Magic III” Sword Levitation Newspaper Clipping
In preparation for “World of Magic III,” Doug and special TV guest Sandy Duncan whipped up a little Sword Levitation publicity for the press. This undated AP photo (taken in front of someone’s house apparently), made sure that readers, as well as the press, got the point…so to speak. Special Thanks to Michael Whitecar
Sundays with Doug, Debby, and a Puppet
To lighten up your Sunday afternoon, I thought I would post this true 1980s gem of a picture. Whether this is a Wonder Whim or a distant cousin, the memory of its penetrating stare will certainly stay with you for a lifetime. Special Thanks to Michael Whitecar