It’s been a couple years since I’ve had the fun of profiling Doug’s 1984 car campaign for the Plymouth “Magic Wagon.” The campaign itself was a fun way to promote a car and, of course, Doug himself. The best part of it was Doug didn’t have to be on stage in front of hundreds of…
Tag: 1980s
Doug Henning Official Envelopes
Inquiring minds want to know what Doug Henning’s stationary looked like! Well, then look no further than these fine examples from 1980 and 1986. Each year represents a pretty distinct time in Doug’s career, and the artwork on each represents that. The unicorn, in particular, was utilized frequently in Doug’s primary stationary of the time. …
Wonder Whims Two Page Ad Spread
The above rare image comes from the Panosh Place 1980s toy catalog, and features those masters of mirth and good cheer…The Wonder Whims. I’ve covered a bit about the Wonder Whims over the years, and I always find it’s always good for a relook when new items come to light. Below is the standard Wonder…
Wonder Whims TV Commercial
Hey everyone sorry for the long delay in posts. I’ll be easing back into things this week. So, I appreciate your patience, and let’s get back to things with a bang! A Wonder Whims bang if you will. I don’t think I need to go into the history of the Wonder Whims here. Only, this…
One Wacky 1980’s “How To” Magic Article with Doug!
Just when you thought you’ve seen everything. In my travels online, I came across this single page, and it’s a bit of a head scratcher to say the least. Alternately fun and frightening, the article clearly was a “how to” article for kids to learn “magic.” I love the design choices in this. Taken at…
Things that Go Bump in the Night-Magic Show Version
In his career, Doug did many versions of the famed illusion “Things that Go Bump in the Night.” While I have posted this illusion from the TV specials before, this version comes from the early 80s made for TV “Magic Show.” It’s a fun and lively version that is sure to send you into the…
Final Tonight Show Appearance Clip?
The above clip recently appeared on the excellent You Tube channel “Sleight of Direction,” and is quite possibly Doug’s final appearance on “The Tonight Show.” It really has something for everyone, and moves seamlessly from smaller to medium sized magic in a fun and breezy way. While I don’t have a list of all of…
The Merlin Understudy that Never Was
The above picture is of Doug with actor Andrew Hill Newman. If history had operated accordingly, Andrew was to have been the first understudy to take over Doug’s role in “Merlin.” However, many of you don’t need this website to tell you that “Merlin” was a somewhat tumultuous production with many ups and downs. Many…
Rare Peter Cunningham “Merlin” Photo
The photograph featured below was taken by well known theater and music photographer Peter Cunningham, and features a stunning image from “Merlin” that I’ve never seen before. As related to me by its owner Michelle Ainsworth, the photo was purchased from Cunningham himself, and was one of the first times he had photographed a Broadway…
“Merlin” Illusion Breakdown Sheet
Today’s post is a doozy, as it’s not often we get to see the actual illusion breakdown from “Merlin.” The document itself gives us a good idea of the order of the illusions themselves, and just how many there were within the show itself. Now, obviously I had to some redacting in the “How” column….
eBay Week: Wonder Whim Sunday!
What better way to close out “eBay Week” than with that toy of toys a “Wonder Whim?” While, Doug’s failed experiment with this 1980s toy line stands as a bit of an anomaly in his career…what an anomaly it is. A cross between a Cabbage Patch Kid and Rainbow Brite, this lonely and down and…
Vintage Pantages “World of Magic” Marquee Photo
The above vintage photo features Doug’s touring “World of Magic” stage show at the, you guessed correctly, “Pantages” theater in Hollywood, CA. However, what specific year this is is a mystery to me. Doug played there a couple times in the early 1980s in a “Best Of” show which highlighted his most famous illusions up…
Doug Live in Omaha (1981) Footage
For all those who weren’t around to see Doug perform live (like yours truly,) this footage is a nice, nearly fourteen minute slice of Doug in his 1981 prime in Omaha. As always, sorry about the picture and sound quality. But hey, it’s Doug, and his stage presence and energy brilliantly shine through thirty-eight year…
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 