Special Thanks to Kevin Connolly for alerting me to this item on Ebay!
Category: TV Specials
“Canadian Conspiracy” Documentary
Today is the site’s 600th post, and let’s have a laugh shall we to celebrate? I recently stumbled upon this little seen mockumentary from 1985, and had to put it up. The show originally aired on HBO, and almost makes you believe something is afoot with our neighbors to the North. It is only a…
“World of Magic VII” Newspaper Ad
Hey Guys! Sorry for the delay in posts. I’ve been up to my neck in our current Indiegogo campaign. Hey, so what better way to take a break with this vintage newspaper advertisement from “World of Magic VII?” The special, as you may remember, starred Doug and his guests Ann Jillian, Kaitlyn Jenner, Billy Crystal,…
World of Magic VII TV Listing
While I’m promoting the Indiegogo campaign for my documentary, I still wanted to still posts on the regular blog. Unfortunately, my written descriptions may not be as long for now. But, enjoy this newspaper TV listing from 1980! Special Thanks to Ken McCreedy Be sure to donate to my Indiegogo campaign for my feature length…
Never Before Seen Backstage Production Photos
The pictures featured below are a hodgepodge of never before seen production photos from “World of Magic 6 and 7,” as well as the filmed version of “The Magic Show.” All of them really give a nice snapshot (no pun intended) into what went into making these legendary specials. Special Thanks to Steve Zigmont-Doug Henning…
TV Specials Footage Needed
Hello All, I need to ask a bit of a favor. I’m looking for good quality footage from the “World of Magic” NBC TV specials (preferably the earlier ones.) It’s for an upcoming authorized project that I can explain more to you if you email or private message me on Facebook. Thanks so much and…
The $1,000,000 Illusion
As we close out the week, I wanted to showcase the “1,000,000” illusion from Doug’s penultimate special “Magic on Broadway.” The special itself, shot at the time of “Merlin,” serves as a kind of greatest hits special sprinkled with new takes on old illusions and a myriad of special guests. Reuniting with Doug on stage…
“The Magic Show” on Amazon Prime Streaming
John Cox of Wild About Harry was kind enough to let me know that the 1981 filmed version of “The Magic Show” is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime. While this production has been available on DVD for a while, this is the first time anything by Doug has been available on a streaming platform. Notably,…
Brian Lumley on Houdini’s Water Torture Cell
How did the First Special come about? Very early in The Magic Show’s run a very influential person came and basically fell in love with Doug’s performance. She asked him what he would do if he had a show at Christmas? Doug told her he would make people appear and disappear. He would do small…
Vanishing Elephant Illusion
While I had hoped to find a clip of the original “Vanishing Elephant” illusion from Doug’s second special, everything on You Tube is an inferior and grainy copy. Fortunately for us, Doug recreated the illusion for the 1981 filmed version of “The Magic Show” which is the origin of this higher quality clip. The elephant…
“World of Magic V” NBC Promo
There’s something to be said about this NBC TV promo for 1980’s “World of Magic V.” What it is I don’t know, other than that they don’t make commercials like they used to. That’s for sure. On that note, does anyone have a copy of the long lost gem “Valentine Magic on Love Island?
First Special “Torn Newspaper” Routine
Yesterday’s clip was a lot of fun wasn’t it? Continuing on in that vein why don’t we take a look at Doug’s presentation of Gene Anderson’s famed “Torn Newspaper” illusion. Doug’s enthusiasm combined with his expert handling of this illusion make for one of the most simple looking, but most memorable parts of the first…
The Return of Fridays with Doug!
This vintage “World of Magic II” newspaper advertisement comes courtesy of John Cox’s collection. It’s a great piece and it really shows off the spectacle of the special and the era very well. My personal favorite element is that Doug appears ten times larger than the elephant itself and his right hand, well, graphic design…
Disc Sawing Illusion
Happy New Year everyone and welcome back. Where was I? When last we spoke I was sick and in the midst of the holiday season. Well, since both of those are things of the past let’s get back to business with this vintage clip from 1982’s “World of Magic VII.” This special is notable for…
Gazebo Illusion
The following is the grand finale to “World of Magic VI.” The special originally starred such variety show luminaries as Marie Osmond, Ricky Schroder, and Shields and Yarnell. What’s a Shields and Yarnell you may ask? That’s another story. You can’t argue that Doug didn’t go all out with this one! In fact, it’s its…
Crystal Box Illusion with Ann Reinking
For all those looking for a little pep to their Wednesday afternoon check out this clip from Doug’s 1983 NBC special “Magic on Broadway.” This special, made during preparations for “Merlin,” is a lot of fun and worth checking out if you can locate a copy. In fact, you might even want to check out…
“World of Magic 4” Props For Sale
Welcome back everyone! Are we all rested from the long holiday? I know I am. Now down to business. Collector Steve Sprague recently contacted me in hopes of selling a prop from the “World of Magic 4” special starring Brooke Shields and Tom Bosley. So, rather than hearing from me about it, I’ll let…
Julie Newmar “World of Magic” Costume For Sale
Hello All and Happy Monday! I have a bit of a treat today as I’ve agreed to help magician Paul Driscoll sell the actual costume that Julie Newmar wore in Doug’s first “World of Magic” 1975 special. If you are interested in purchasing this one-of-a-kind item please contact Paul directly as he owns it. I’m…
Tony Slydini
On a day that is generally reserved for Harry Houdini, this Halloween “The Doug Henning Project” will be focusing on another “dini,” Tony Slydini. In his life, Doug had two primary teachers of Magic: Dai Vernon and Tony Slydini. Both were located respectively on the West Coast (Los Angeles) and East Coast (New York City). …
From the Collection of Michael Grandinetti
Well, the last few weeks have certainly been fun haven’t they? It’s still amazing to me how much of Doug’s life is left to be explored, and on the rare occasions I’m not quite what to put up something magically (pardon the pun) finds its way to me email.No better example of this are these…
A Concluding Chat with John Gaughan
As the day concluded, John and I went into his collection room which houses a vast and impressive array of magic artefacts stretching back over two hundred years. As you read this short interview, it’s important to note that Doug worked with the true best of the best in magic. It certainly was a team…
John Gaughan: More Trunk Illusion Videos
Hasn’t this been great? If you’ve been enjoying it so far, be sure not to miss tomorrow’s concluding sit down interview with John. See you then. Once again thank you for Jeffrey Chang for all his help!
John Gaughan: Trunk Illusion Insights
There’s really not too much that I can add to these proceedings, so I think its best if I just let John continue to do the talking. Collapsed Trunk under Tabletop
John Gaughan: Trunk Illusion
Last month, legendary magic designer John Gaughan was gracious enough to open his workshop doors for “The Doug Henning Project.” John was one of the website’s original interviewees, and at that time he had briefly mentioned to me that in his collection he owned Doug’s original Trunk Illusion from “World of Magic IV.” Never one…
Brooke Shields Trunk Illusion
On December 14, 1978 Doug Henning presented his fourth special “World of Magic” live on NBC. While this special is memorable for many reasons, one of the highlights was the reveal of his co-host for the evening Brooke Shields. For those who need a refresher please check out the first two minutes of the special…
1978 NBC Promo
What better way to start your Monday than with a Doug Henning 1978 NBC Promo?
Doug and the Origami Illusion!
While it has indeed been a light couple weeks of posts (unfortunately I went from one sickness to another), I haven’t forgotten you dear reader. I’ve been holding onto this fantastic clip for a while now, and what a clip it is! Doug, appearing on the short-lived “Joan Rivers Show,” performs Jim Steinmeyer’s famed “Origami…
Rare First NBC Special Publicity Photo!
Continuing from yesterday’s First Special publicity item, I thought this rarely seen picture of Doug and Julie Newmar might help to bring us all back to a strange and mystical place called the 1970s! Enjoy.
The First NBC Special: Houdini’s Water Torture Cell Conclusion
As we reach the end of this legendary moment in magic history, the seconds are counting down and down. Doug, sealed in, begins the almost impossible job of escaping from a seemingly watery grave. Would he make it out alive? Or would 50 million people watch a man drown on live television? All your questions are…
The First NBC Special: Houdini’s Water Torture Cell
What you are about to see are the introduction and preparations for Doug’s Grand Finale of Houdini’s “Water Torture Cell!” After another brief introduction by Gene Kelly and a Houdini history montage, Doug is introduced to a nervous crowd. The suspense is truly over whelming, and there is definitely a “will he or won’t he” feeling throughout the…
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 