Original Air Date: February 14, 1982
Category: TV Appearances
“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…
Telescope 1972-Doug’s Theory of Real Magic/Performing for Kids
Originally Broadcast: November 23, 1972 Special Thanks to Stuart MacLeod at: stuartmac.com
CBS Morning News: Doug and Maria Shriver
The above clip ties in nicely with the “BBC History of Magic” post that I had put up a couple days ago. In fact, it’s an expanded version of an interview clip featured within that original special’s segment on Doug. Found now on Bill Green’s You Tube Channel, Doug performs a whimsical illusion with a…
Barbara Walters Program: James Randi, Mark Wilson, and Doug
The above rare clips come from the James Randi Foundation, and features commentary from the Amazing Randi himself. The clips in question hail from his appearance on the Barbara Walters morning program “Not For Women Only.” While the program featured Randi and “psychic” Uri Geller predominantly, Doug is seen throughout observing on the side with…
Harry Shearer “The Magic of Live” HBO Special feat. Martin Short
The above clip comes from comedian Harry Shearer’s 1988 “Magic of Live” HBO special. Shearer, of “Spinal Tap, “Simpsons,” and “Saturday Night Live” fame, brings to life this detailed parody of a David Copperfield television special like no one else. If that weren’t enough, the finale of the sketch brings Shearer’s Copperfield to the mythical…
“Magic on Broadway” NBC Commercial
It’s a blink and you’ll miss it moment from TV’s yesteryear. In this brief clip, Doug’s final special “Magic on Broadway” is promoted on NBC. Anybody else out there miss commercials like these? Original Commercial Air Date: November 12, 1982
“World of Magic ’78:” Silk Illusion and Balancing Bowl with Brooke Shields
My apologies for some of the picture quality in today’s post. As you can imagine, after 43 years some versions of this special are going to have some “technical difficulties.” However, for all you eagle-eyed observers out there, I have a fun fact for you. At the time code mark of 2:15, you’ll be able…
World of Magic ’82- Ann Jillian Mirror Illusion
Original Airdate: February 14, 1982
The Walt Disney World Easter Parade with Doug: Revisited
A couple years back I featured Doug’s Easter, 1985 appearance on the Walt Disney World Easter Parade. Doug’s segments are stretched out throughout the show, and at the time I just featured the parade as it aired unedited. Well, cut to today being Easter, and I thought it was high time I fixed that, and…
World of Magic ’82-Chocolate Milk Illusion
When you think of magic, who doesn’t think of chocolate milk? In this clip from the final “World of Magic” special, Doug entertains guests Anne Jillian, Cherish Alexander, Debby Henning, and Kaitlyn Jenner while magically serving them ever expanding glasses of chocolate milk. The theme of the show was Doug’s magical house, and while magic…
“Telescope 1972”-Zig Zag Girl Illusion in Full
Originally Broadcast: November 23, 1972 Special Thanks to Stuart MacLeod at: stuartmac.com
“Telescope 1972”- Rings Illusion in Full
Just a quick note, that Doug’s voice oddly speeds up at the end of this segment. This was on the copy that I have, and may have been on the original broadcast. Originally Broadcast: November 23, 1972 Special Thanks to Stuart MacLeod at: stuartmac.com
“Telescope 1972”-Invisible Card Illusion in Full
I love everything about this clip because it’s really representative of Doug’s early performing in the counter culture coffee houses in the Yorkville area of Toronto. While we don’t have many photos of that bygone 70s era, this film footage is probably the closest we have to what that experience was like. Enjoy! Originally Broadcast:…
“World of Magic ’75:” NBC Rebroadcast Newspaper Ad
Special Thanks to Jim Klodzen
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 