In bitter sweet, but also happy news, comes word last week that Broadway’s “Cort Theater” will be getting a rename in the near future. During COVID, the theater has been undergoing an extensive and long overdue renovation and expansion. However, once the construction is completed, the theater will be renamed for legendary actor, James Earl…
10 Questions with Carisa Hendrix
Today ‘s special guest is renowned magician Carisa Hendrix. Along with her alter ego, Lucy Darling, Hendrix has taken the magic world by storm over the last ten years. Awarded the 2019 Stage Magician of the Year by the AMA, Hendrix continues to breathe new life into magic through innovation and comedy. If that weren’t…
Original “Magic Show” Souvenir Book: Final Part
Special Thanks to Brigitte Marlt Splash Page: Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library. “The Magic Show, 1974 May” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1974.
Original “Magic Show” Souvenir Book: Part Two
To Be Concluded Tomorrow… Special Thanks to Brigitte Marlt Splash Page: Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library. “The Magic Show, 1974 May” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1974.
Original “Magic Show” Souvenir Book: Part One
A full scan of the “Magic Show’s” souvenir book recently came my way, and what a time capsule it is! From director Grover Dale’s introduction, to Kenn Duncan’s photos, to even the coloring book in the back, it all makes you feel like you were there seeing the show for the very first time. But,…
“TV Time” Cover: December 20-26th, 1975
“The Vidette-Messenger”-Porter County, Indiana Special Thanks to Jim Klodzen
New “Toronto Star” Doug Article: Up to His Old Tricks
Just a heads up for all our readers outside of Canada. This past Sunday the “Toronto Star” did a full page spread article on Doug. Titled “Up to his Old Tricks,” the article profiles Doug’s full life and career. The piece is definitely the most extensive non-magic based publication article on Doug in the last…
Maggot Brain Magazine #7-New Doug Article
The new issue of the music magazine “Maggot Brain” is out, and its 7th issue has an article about, you guessed it, Doug Henning. The article “Within You Without You” is a fascinating read by writer Robert Dayton, and tells the tale of Doug’s early years figuring out his path in magic with some of…
Jim Steinmeyer Reflects on Ivan Reitman and “Merlin”
Esteemed Author/Illusion Designer Jim Steinmeyer graciously agreed to share his thoughts on working on “Merlin” with Ivan Reitman and Doug in today’s post. “Merlin” turned out to be the last collaboration between Doug and Ivan. While the production’s troubles are well known, Jim reminds us of how Reitman brought joy to the rehearsal process, and…
Brian Lumley Reflects on Ivan Reitman
To reflect on the sudden death of Ivan Reitman, I asked two key people in Doug’s design team that worked with Ivan Reitman to say a few words. Today is Brian Lumley who was with Doug at the start of his career for “Spellbound,” “The Magic Show,” and the early TV specials. Brian is currently…
Ivan Reitman (1946-2022)
Today’s post was supposed to be the 39th anniversary of “Merlin” which occurred yesterday. While I’d still like to make note of that, late last night came word that film director Ivan Reitman passed away in his sleep Saturday at age 75. Which, as you can imagine, is much more important. You can’t talk about…
“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
“Nash the Slash” DOCU Needs Your Help with Doug Photos
Producer Colin Brunton reached out to me recently with a request for help. Brunton and his team are working on a documentary on the late Canadian musician Jeff Plewman. Plewman, better known as Nash the Slash, was a multi-instrumentalist pioneer in progressive rock music. The film “Nash the Slash Rises Again” will be the first…
Remembering Doug, 22 Years On.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that today, February 7th, marks twenty-two years since Doug passed on. With this website, my goal is to always focus on the positive aspects of Doug’s life and work, and how it affected people. Unfortunately, this final part of Doug’s story is one we can all very much…
“Telescope 1972” Clip-Doug on Practice Theory
Originally Broadcast: November 23, 1972 Special Thanks to Stuart MacLeod at: stuartmac.com
Ebay Alert: Lot of 6 Doug “Stage” Photos
The above six photos are being auctioned off currently on Ebay. While they highlight many of Doug’s frequently seen classic illusions, it’s always a treat to see them represented in a live setting such as this. Where they were taken or the year isn’t listed, but it’s a pretty sure bet it’s the late 70s/Very…
Sunday Post Tribune-December 21, 1975
The following comes from Northwest Indiana’s “Post- Tribune,” and has a lot to offer. Not least of which is the cover, which has Henning and Houdini sharing the same page together. It’s a great cover, and if you look towards the bottom they were still listing Orson Welles as the special guest mere days before…
“Earth, Wind, and Fire” Pyramid Illusion Photos
During his career, Doug consulted with many artists and bands to achieve their creative and musical ambitions. One of these bands was “Earth, Wind, and Fire” for their 1978 tour. Doug designed the floating Pyramid for the group as seen above, and by all the visual evidence it was pretty memorable. I mean the whole…
Houdini NYC House Interior: Part Four
So, all good things must come to an end, and this week’s tour of the Houdini house is no exception! One of the most fascinating items still remaining in the house rests in the basement. Nestled off to the side is an unassuming wine cask that once belonged to none other than Bess Houdini. As…
Houdini NYC House Interior: Part Three
There are some things of note in today’s post worth mentioning. The first photo is the top floor skylight which is original, and isn’t seen all that often. How beautiful and ornate is this? The last photo is a little fuzzy, but a fascinating fun fact of Houdini history. This is the steel sidewalk pull…
Houdini NYC House Interior: Part Two
The first thing you need to know is that Houdini’s house is very, very large. Rooms lead to rooms, other rooms, and beyond. It’s exactly the kind of cavernous townhouse you would expect Houdini to have lived in. Besides its ornate architecture and wood paneling, it’s a real sight to behold. I didn’t have the…
Houdini NYC House Interior: Part One
Sorry for the lack of posts last week. I got caught up with some professional matters that took all of my time. But, I’m back in action, and what a week I have in store for everyone. This past November I was visiting New York City over the Thanksgiving holiday, and had the great pleasure…
Telescope 1972-Torn and Restored Newspaper in Full
Special Thanks to Stuart MacLeod at: stuartmac.com
Magic Magazine-World of Magic 40th Anniversary Part. 3
The End… “REPRINTED FROM MAGIC MAGAZINE WITH PERMISSION © STAN ALLEN, INC. 2022.”
Magic Magazine-World of Magic 40th Anniversary Part.2
To Be Concluded Tomorrow… “REPRINTED FROM MAGIC MAGAZINE WITH PERMISSION © STAN ALLEN, INC. 2022.”
Magic Magazine Dec. 2015-World of Magic 40th Anniversary Article
Several posts this week will be dedicated to the December 2015 edition of “Magic Magazine.” The featured article, by the late Tod Gerard, commemorates the then fortieth anniversary of the first “World of Magic” special. It’s a fascinating and eye opening article with contributions by David Collier, Brian Lumley, Regina Reynolds, and Chip Romero. The…
World of Magic ’77-Artist’s Dream Illusion in Full
Original Air Date: December 15, 1977
“Vegetarian Times” Feb.1985-Full Article
Thanks to Michael Whitecar, I’m able to complete yesterday’s post with the full article from the February, 1985 issue of the “Vegetarian Times.” As you can imagine, it’s an article that checks off all the boxes from Doug’s early history, TM, his food habits, his love of animals, and Houdini. Yes , Doug even speaks…
Vegetarian Times Cover Story-Feb. 1985
Happy New Year Everyone! I hope your holiday season went spectacularly, and we’re all rested and ready for what 2022 has in store. Here’s hoping for good things as the website enters its fifth year! The above cover is one I sadly don’t have the article for. The magazine itself was up for auction last…
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 