Sorry for the delay in posts folks. Little did I know that when I last signed off on Christmas Eve that in quick succession I would be sick for two weeks, and then have the the Los Angeles fires to contend with. Aside from a close call, my family and I are okay, and I’m…
Category: TV Appearances
1979 NBC “Time Out” Segment: Living Doll Illusion
Hey everyone, I’m not really sure what this segment was originally from. It definitely looks like an interstitial on NBC, but past that is beyond me. But, boy are we lucky to have it. As always, enjoy!
“World of Magic ’82”-Aquarium Bowl Illusion
Original Air Date: February 14, 1982
“Young Harry Houdini” on You Tube
Hey Everyone! I just wanted to alert everyone to a recent post by John Cox of the excellent Houdini website Wild About Harry In 1987, the Disney Sunday Movie aired the very rarely seen TV film “Young Harry Houdini” on ABC. The film itself was a fictional retelling of Houdini’s life as a teen, played…
Doug on “To Tell the Truth”
Today’s post is an absolute and unique delight. On May 20, 1974, Doug appeared on the venerable game show “To Tell The Truth,” and it’s hard to believe how unknown he was at the time. Aired eight days before “The Magic Show” opened on Broadway, this was a pre-internet age where if you didn’t have a…
“World of Magic ’82” NBC Promo
Original Air Date: 2/14/1982
World of Magic ’81-Sack Illusion with Ricky Schroder
Original Air Date: 2/15/1981 Special Thanks to Bill Green’s You Tube Channel: HERE
Tissue Paper Illusion
I found this little seen clip online today, and wanted everyone to take a look at it. When and where it originally aired is a bit of a mystery to me, as no descriptive information was paired with it. However, the host’s name sounded like “Mort,” so if anyone knows please drop me a line. …
World of Magic ’82: Appearing/ Disappearing Duck Illusion
Original Air Date: February 14, 1982
MuppetTrek Podcast: Doug Henning Episode
In my mind, The “MuppetTrek” podcast qualifies as one of the more unique mashup podcasts in terms of subject matters. If you find yourself ever saying “Hey, where can I find a podcast devoted to “The Muppet Show” and the animated “Star Trek” series?” Well, then you’ve come to the right place today. Episode 94…
“Magic on Broadway” Opening Credits
Don’t you wish every television show could begin with Doug Henning riding a motorcycle down Broadway? If you did, then you’re in the right place for today’s post! This unique and flashy opening could only have come from a Doug special, and ‘Magic on Broadway is no exception. In fact, it was actually Doug’s final…
Doug and the 1985 WDW Disney Easter Parade: Revisited
Happy Easter everyone! I very rarely repost items on this site. However, how could I resist doing it for today’s post? In 1985, the Walt Disney World Easter Parade featured Doug as its official “Grand Magical Marshal!” It’s a great moment in time for Doug as he’s about two years away from officially retiring. Also,…
“Double Dare,” Doug, and Charles Dickens
If you were a kid in the 1980s (myself included), there was nothing better each afternoon than watching the kid based game show “Double Dare.” From jumping in piles of questionable looking slop to rummaging around in giant nostrils, kids competed in what is still one of the most unique and gross out game shows…
“World of Magic ’82:” Canary Cage Illusion
Original Air Date: February 14, 1982
“The Greatest Adventure” by Geoffrey Williams: Part One
Magician Geoffrey Williams was kind enough to send me an excerpt of his autobiography, with a section devoted to Doug. It’s a fascinating story of how, as a young teen, he snuck onto the set of the first “World of Magic” special, and witnessed magic history. I’ll be breaking it up into two parts, today…
Close-Up Magic: World of Magic ’82
Original Air Date: February 14, 1982
1980 Osmond Family Christmas Appearance
The above clip comes from Doug’s appearance one the 1980 Osmond Family Christmas special. I had posted the full special in 2019. However, as we enter the first weekend in December, I wanted to just show the full seven minute clip of Doug performing with the kids. As expected, it’s fun, joyous, Christmasy, and pure…
Telescope 1972-Doug on Himself/Sponge Ball Illusion
Originally Broadcast: November 23, 1972 Special Thanks to Stuart MacLeod at: stuartmac.com
10 More Minutes of Dai Vernon and Doug on Dick Cavett (Revisited)
If 21 minutes of Doug on Dick Cavett wasn’t enough for you, how about 10 minutes more? In it, Doug and Dick introduce a performance and chat with the legendary Dai Vernon. All of this culminates with Dai demonstrating the famous Cups and Balls. I’d be more descriptive. But, why would I do that when…
Doug on the Dick Cavett Show (Revisited)
A couple years ago, a 21 minute vintage clip of Doug on the Dick Cavett show surfaced on You Tube, and in a blink and you’ll miss it moment, it was promptly taken down. Well, thankfully it will permanently be on the site this time. Included here, is my original post from May 8, 2020:…
World of Magic ’81-Floating Candle with Marie Osmond
In this clip from “World of Magic ’81,” Doug and Marie Osmond present a variation on the “Floating Ball” illusion last seen in “World of Magic ’76.” Only this time, it’s with a candle. Oh, and a rather, um, unique and trippy song courtesy of Ms. Osmond herself… Original Air Date: 2/15/1981
World of Magic ’81-Shields and Yarnell Levitation Appearance in Full
In continuing this week’s two-day festival of 1970s/80s guest appearances, I give you “World of Magic ’81” with Shields and Yarnell. It’s not often these days that mimes get featured on TV as much as this pair did. But, the 1970s and 80s were a unique time on television, and Robert Shields and Lorene Yarnell…
World of Magic ’76- Joey Heatherton Intro Appearance in Full
Original Air Date: 12/23/1976
“World of Magic 77”- Sandy Duncan Circus Sequence in Full
Today’s extended clip comes from “World of Magic’ 77,” and is lengthy. In fact, I wrestled with whether to show the whole thing as one, or break it up into separate clips. However, in re-watching the intricate nature of the whole sequence, I decided it would be a real disservice to it to show it…
World of Magic ’76: Re-Appearing Elephant Closing in Full
Original Airdate: December 23, 1976 Special Thanks to Brian Lumley
World of Magic ’76: Vanishing Elephant Opening in Full
Original Airdate: December 23, 1976 Special Thanks to Brian Lumley
MDA Telethon Appearance-August 31, 1975
Today’s video was recently posted on the MDA Telethon You Tube channel. It’s part of a playlist of magicians that appeared on Jerry Lewis’ eponymous telethon over the years. Of course, Doug had to make the cut! Originally broadcast on August 31, 1975, Doug appears with his “Magic Show” co-star Dale Soules. In it, the…
Alternative “Magic on Broadway” NBC Commercial
In another blink and you’ll miss moment, here’s a brief commercial for Doug’s “Magic on Broadway” special. Last May I posted another version that had different variations and scenes than this one. However, the best thing about it, in my humble opinion, is an appearance by David Hasselhoff (The Hoff) at the end. Can you…
World of Magic ’79: Walking Through the Mirror Illusion in Full
In this 1979 clip from “World of Magic,” Doug dazzles the audience with Jim Steinmeyer’s “Walking Through the Mirror Illusion.” It’s a truly impressive illusion, and one that Doug would take out in his various stage shows. It even appeared on a 1981 appearance on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show,” which can be found HERE If…
Doug Henning Meet The Golden Girls
You wouldn’t often associate Doug’s name with the beloved sitcom “The Golden Girls.” However, these two worlds did indeed collide in this vintage clip from 1990 where Sophia dresses up like Sonny Bono…or did she? It’s good to know that several years after his retirement, Doug was still getting name checked on his old network…
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 