The above photo has been making the rounds on social media as of late. I’d seen it before, but not as clear as this version is. It was taken for a round of 1973 publicity photos in anticipation of Doug’s first show “Spellbound.” In an often told tale, the show had been booked at the…
Tag: canada
FISM 2022: Chip Romero Doug Henning Lecture
For those in the Quebec area, and are looking for a little magic and wonder Friday, look no further than FISM 2022. This World Championship of Magic will be hosting many magicians and lecturers from around the globe from July 25th-30th. Not least of which will be Henning collector extraordinaire, Chip Romero. Chip has the…
“Chou Chou” Signed Window Card
The above item is a signed window card from when, for a time, Doug was known as Chou Chou, the “Magical Little Shoe Maker.” Doug’s purpose in this 15 minute consumer presentation was to perform his various illusions at malls throughout Canada. All the while, a speaker would extol the virtues and benefits of Canadian…
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…
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…
Telescope 1972 Clip- Doug, Mars, and a Magic Wand!
The above clip once again comes from the CBC 1972 program “Telescope.” I have great love for this documentary overall, and one of the standouts for me in this scene is seeing Doug’s then assistant/girlfriend Mars Barrick on film. Mars is generally seen in a lot of early publicity photos of Doug in this early…
Telescope 1972-Close-Up at the Magic Castle
The above clip comes from the 1972 documentary “Telescope.” The series, broadcast on the CBC, profiled Canadians and their lives and professions. The majority of the documentary is filmed at the world famous Magic Castle in Los Angeles, and the clip above is a perfect example of this It’s worth noting that Doug is only…
Hendoo Movie Theater Ad
The above newspaper ad comes from 1964, and shows just how enterprising Doug, or Hendoo, was at just 17! Not only was he going to be opening that afternoon’s screening of “The Lone Ranger and The Lost City,” it was going to be a repeat performance no less. These were the early days where Doug…
Winnipeg Illusion and Reality Ad-Sept 1977
The above ad was when Doug took his “Illusion & Reality” tour to his hometown of Winnipeg, Canada for a September 16, 1977 appearance. The venue itself was the famed Winnipeg Convention Center. Built in 1975, a massive 180 million dollar expansion has since doubled the size of the building and rebranded it the RBC…
“Crackers” Magazine Cover-Early 80s
Well, there’s definitely only one way you can go with a magazine called “Crackers!” This 1980s Canadian publication was popular in schools of the time, and was similar in nature to America’s very own “Dynamite.” The cover photo itself is one that we’ve all seen before. However, when used in a different context such as…
Early Doug Henning “Chou Chou” Mall Tour Photo
The above photo comes from the collection of Canadian TV personality Mitch Markowitz. It was taken during Doug’s time as the mime character Chou Chou in an early 1970s mall tour. Mitch himself was the MC/Road Manager, and can be seen on the bottom right hand side with microphone in hand. It goes without saying…
Doug’s Canada Walk of Fame Star (Expanded)
For those looking for something to do the next time you’re in Toronto, here is all the available information there is regarding Doug’s Canadian Walk of Fame Star. Its history and location have their own pages on the Walk of Fame registry, and it’s really great to see Doug get the national respect he deserves….
Hamilton Place 1986 Program
Hello Everyone! It’s good to be back after a busy week away from the site. The images below come from magician Peter Wiltshire out of Hamilton, Ontario. Peter is a member of the IBM Ring 49 Doug Henning Magic Wand Club in Hamilton, and an all around Doug fan as you would imagine. Having seen…
Wes Barker Profiles Doug on You Tube!
I came across this fun and nifty eleven minute retrospective on Doug from You Tube. In it, Canadian magician Wes Barker talks about his love of Doug, and gives us an enthusiastic history of Doug’s life and career. All with a little live commentary on some of Doug’s most famous illusions. What struck me the…
1985 Doug Henning/Tom Jones Playbill
Special Thanks to Ken McCreedy
“Mismade Girl” from The Magic Show Movie!
To close off your Friday, why don’t we take a look at the “Mismade Girl” illusion from the “Magic Show” movie? Designed by magician Chuck Jones in 1968, the illusion has taken on a life of its own over the years, and was a frequent part of Doug’s act and stage shows! Enjoy! Have a…
“Veda Lost?” 1998 Article from the NY Times
New York Times Publication Date: February 22, 1998
Style from “The Magic Show” Movie
For all of you stuck at home for the foreseeable future (myself included), why not sit back, relax, and enjoy the lively number “Style” from “The Magic Show.” Originally performed by David Ogden Stiers on Broadway, this version features Jon Finlayson in the role of evil magician Van Zyskin. As mentioned before, the TV movie…
Original Spellbound Newspaper Ad
Special Thanks to Magicpedia
Vintage “Hendoo” Newspaper Article
Special Thanks to Ken McCreedy
Candada 150: Doug Pop Art Portrait!
The above art is called “Jumpsuits and Mullets,” and was made in conjunction with 2017’s “Canada 150” celebration . This year long event commemorated, you guessed it, Canada’s 150th birthday. The work itself is acrylic on wood panel and, if you’re like me, it’s now your wallpaper on your smart phone. The artist, Dan Springer,…
“The Magic Show” Movie-Up to His Old Tricks Opening Number
Happy Monday folks! The above clip comes from the opening of “The Magic Show” movie. It sets the stage (so to speak) for this televised version of the show to be a kind of “Doug’s Greatest Hits” package. In it, the “Mis-Made” and “Handkerchief” illusions make a welcome re-appearance to an enthusiastic audience. While the…
The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club
It just dawned on me that it wouldn’t be a proper Doug Henning website without mentioning “The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club”out of Hamilton, Ontario. The club itself was founded in 1927, but was officially designated by the International Brotherhood of Magicians as chapter “I.B.M 49” in 1947. While attending McMaster University, Doug himself was…
I.B.M. Plaque Unveiling Color Photos
The following photographs come from the collection of Dean Gunnarson, and feature Doug at the 1986 plaque unveiling ceremony commemorating the first location of the I.B.M headquarters in Winnipeg. For those unfamiliar, I.B.M. is the abbreviation for the esteemed organization the “International Brotherhood of Magicians.” While I have featured this event before, never have I…
1965 Focus on Hocus Program
“Focus on Hocus” seems to be a little known and very early performance in Doug’s career. Taking place on September 4, 1965, an eighteen year old Doug shared the bill with many professional magicians of the day in a show rightfully billed as an “International Magicians Extravaganza!” It’s also worth noting that Micky Hades is…
Canadian Walk of Fame Mishap
In 2010, Doug was finally inducted into the prestigious Canadian Walk of Fame. However, for some reason or other everyone involved in the planning and preparations neglected to invite or even ask his family to participate. Anyway, I digress! Here is the original article from the Canadian newspaper “The Star.” You can make up your…
Johnny Ould Remembers Doug
My Doug Henning Recollections by Johnny Ould During the mid to late 1950’s, there were two main places in Toronto, Ontario where local and visiting magicians would gather. (They were) The Arcade Magic & Novelty Store in the Yonge St. Arcade, and The Magic Counter in Eaton’s Toy Land that was run by Johnny Giordmaine. The…
The Chip Romero Collection: “Hendoo” Business Card
We all have to come from somewhere don’t we? Featured above, is an exceptional find in the history of Doug Henning. You see, way, way before Doug Henning was Doug Henning, he was “The Astounding Hendoo!” For more on this early phase in Doug’s career, here’s an except from John Harrison’s 2009 biography on Doug’s…
Natural Law Party Campaign Article
Today’s article comes from the collection of Joe Fox, and highlights a unique time in Doug’s life: his attempted political career. Not many magicians to my mind have successfully run for political office and won and, unfortunately, Doug was no exception. Under the TM based “Natural Law Party,” Doug attempted to bring peace to Canada…
The Magic Show-Celestial Elevator
There’s nothing like a brief snippet from the TV version of “The Magic Show” to start the day off right! If all elevator rides were this fun…
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 