In my internet travels I came across this fascinating Chicago Tribune interview from June 16, 1985. In it, Doug speaks of holding off the encroaching competition with new ideas and illusions. I really enjoyed the article, and I think you will too. Doug Henning Pulls New Secrets From His Hat To Hold Off Competition By…
Doug’s Memorial Book: Part 2
As you look at the following pictures, it easy to note how much Doug affected people and continues to do so today. It certainly is a testament to what he accomplished in his short, but prolific life. Back Cover
Doug’s Memorial Book
Over the next couple days or so, I’m going to be posting pictures of the book that was presented to attendees of Doug’s memorial service which was held on February 20th, 2000 at the Bel-Air Hotel in Los Angeles. For more in depth information on this event please refer to Part Three of my interview…
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…
First Special Altered Poster
While I still recuperate I wanted to slowly get back into the swing of things with this first special newspaper ad from the Chicago Tribune. What’s unique about this particular piece is that the list of guest stars is updated to reflect who would actually be on the show. There are other color versions of…
Please Stand By…
Due to a rather severe bout of food poisoning, “The Doug Henning Project” will be on a short hiatus. I’ll be back up again next week. See you soon!
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.
First Special Cover Story
To brighten up our Monday commute, let’s travel back to 1975 and take a look at a great cover story of Doug promoting the first NBC special! Special thanks to David Sigafus for sending me this. I had been trying to find a good image of the cover picture for a while.
1984 Chrysler Voyager Commercial!
Happy Friday Everyone! Until Monday, enjoy this vintage and wonderfully dated commercial from 1984. Drive safe out there!
David Charvet’s Doug Henning Photo Collection
In addition to giving a great interview, David also provided me with a trove of pictures illustrating the process in setting up the interview with Doug, a gift Doug gave him, and items from Doug’s memorial service in Beverly Hills. All of these really do paint a unique and touching picture of David’s interactions with Doug…
An Interview with David Charvet: Part Three
Doug Henning died a short six months after David’s interview took place. Their friendship, albeit brief, left a large impact on David’s life. As you will read, all of this came to a touching conclusion at Doug’s rarely talked about memorial service. Do you believe he would have returned to magic? I don’t think he was coming back to do…
An Interview with David Charvet: Part Two
Getting to the interview, can you tell me the backstory on how it came to be? It came completely out of the blue. I was sitting at home one day in early August of 1999 and my phone rang, and when I answered I hear, “Hi David? It’s Doug Henning!” (laughs)… It caught me completely…
An Interview with David Charvet: Part One
All this week I will be featuring my recent interview with magician and magic designer David Charvet. David, along with being an esteemed magician, has the distinction of conducting the very last and only full length interview that Doug ever did. The story of how that came to be will be revealed in tomorrow’s post….
New York Times 1976 Toy Store Photo
I recently came across this photo originally published in the “New York Times” on November 27, 1976. In light of “The Muppet Show” clip from yesterday, I thought it was more than appropriate to feature it as I close out the week. It features Doug, at what looks like a toy store (FAO Schwarz?), entertaining children….
The Muppets Take Doug Henning!
While I’ve featured a previous clip of Doug’s 1980 appearance on “The Muppet Show,” you really can’t go wrong with Muppets, Muppets, and more Muppets! This clip, in particular, is notable because it gives us a full performance to marvel over and suggests that maybe The Muppets aren’t always the best magic assistants. For unknown reasons,…
TWA Airlines Commercial!
Even magicians have to get to their next location in a hurry! This amusing TWA Airlines television commercial from 1981 showcases Doug’s image in a very smart and funny way. While it wasn’t his only commercial it is, in my opinion, one of the best. Hey, you even get to see Doug in a suit! So,…
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 First NBC Special: The Best Bits!
It’s safe to say that everyone that is reading these entries remembers the first special in their own way. The program itself is so crammed with illusions and expert performances that it’s been difficult to decide what to include and what to sadly leave out. After Julie Newmar, the audience is treated to the umbrella and fire…
The First NBC Special: Julie Newmar
After some disappearing and reappearing birds and a little close-up magic with Bill Cosby, Doug gets to the nitty-gritty with this atmospheric box illusion. While shining a light inside and behind, it is revealed that absolutely nothing, I repeat nothing, is inside. Or is there? Ladies and Gentlemen, a totally random and 1970s avante-garde dance routine…
The First NBC Special: Part Two
In watching the special with modern eyes, it’s interesting to note how fresh, energetic, and groundbreaking it all still feels. Rather than doing an opening monologue, Doug dives into one of the things he truly excelled at… close up magic. None of the following scene has any dialogue, and that uniqueness makes it one of my favorite parts of the…
The First NBC Special: Part One
The night was December 26, 1975. Fifty-Million plus people were tuning in live for an NBC worldwide satellite broadcast. The star was a twenty-eight year old magician from Canada that had been taking Broadway and fans by storm in “The Magic Show.” His name, of course, was Doug Henning! Offered a TV special of his own by…
Doug Henning Meet Captain Kangaroo!
“The Doug Henning Project” will be taking a much needed vacation for the remainder of the week and will return rested and wonder-filled this Monday, July 31st. I have something special planned for all of next week, so be sure not to miss it. Until then, enjoy these great clips of Doug on the Captain…
“Magic Show,” Marie Osmond, and More!
As promised here are today’s group of pictures that again range from the making of the “The Magic Show” movie to more of Doug’s NBC specials. Included in the first picture is actress Didi Conn who played Cal, Doug’s love interest in the televised “Magic Show.” Those with eagle-eyes will also probably know her better…
More Never Before Seen Pictures!
Boy do I have a treat for you! Over the next couple days I will be presenting extremely rare and candid shots of Doug and his crew preparing for “The Magic Show” television movie along with various NBC specials. These photos not only show us the meticulous planning that went into every project, but also…
Alternate “Magic Show” Poster
This phenomenal and eye catching poster for the “Magic Show” television adaptation is truly, pardon the pun, a “wonder.” Rarely seen, it shows a totally different concept than the traditional poster that was used for the Broadway and television versions. If anyone has more information on this, where it was used, and the artist please…
“Magic Show” Movie Props!
Today’s images again come from Steve Zigmont’s impressive collection. What you see below are the bottles that the evil magician Van Zyskin uses in his act for “The Magic Show” movie. Filmed for Canadian television, this version of “The Magic Show” differs from the famed Broadway production. However, it is the only version of the play…
“Electric Company” Cover!
This famous picture taken at New York’s World Trade Center was for the June, 1976 issue of “The Electric Company Magazine.” At the time, this feat was billed as the highest levitation attempt in history and was submitted to the “Guinness Book of World Records.” Whether it won or not is anyone’s guess. However, most…
Martin Short is Doug Henning!!!
Although a website is based on words, sometimes they’re just not necessary. Enjoy this hilarious clip of Martin Short as Doug from 1985’s appropriately named “Martin Short Comedy Special!” Special Thanks to Willy Cheyenne.
Doug and The Washington Post: Part Three
“The Spellbound World of Doug Henning” By Richard Harrington June 9, 1982 The Heir to Houdini Henning is spending this week at Merriweather Post Pavilion with one of the last road shows he’ll be doing for a while. All his time and energy are going into “Merlin,” which he describes as a 6-year-old project about…
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 