As we head into Halloween tomorrow, what better time to join David Sandy and Lance Rich for another installment of their excellent “Magic Collectors’ Corner” Zoom events? Tonight’s installment will be taking place live from Harry Houdini’s actual house in New York City. Last year, I had the pleasure of touring the house, and I…
Tag: Houdini
Houdini’s Pocket Jack Knife Re-Discovered
The above photo was sent to me this week by Brian Lumley. As you probably already know, Brian was one of Doug’s primary assistants in the early years, and today is a treasure trove of Henning knowledge of that time. Brian mentioned to me that he is moving, and recently unearthed this treasure that had…
Longview Daily News (12/19/1975)-World of Magic ’75
I like this vintage article for many reasons. Not least of which are the pictures which aren’t often seen. The one immediately below, and the two at the end, were taken while Doug was in rehearsals at 75 Ninth Avenue in Manhattan. I also enjoy how this article gives the show the gravity and respect…
“World of Magic ’75” Publicity Photo: Doug Torture Cell Rehearsal
The above 1975 publicity photo was used in the run up to the live broadcast of “World of Magic.” It does a nice job of bringing up the parallels of Doug and Houdini in their respective cells and, above all, places in history. We also get an ultra rare glimpse of Doug in the rehearsals…
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…
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…
World of Magic ’75: Water Torture Cell Finale in Full
Folks, as I teased earlier in the week, this is it! I present to you what is probably the most famous moment in Doug’s career, Houdini’s Water Torture Cell. Fifty million people tuned in live to watch the finale to Doug’s first special. To say they got their money’s worth was an understatement! It’s worth…
“World of Magic ’75:” Gene Kelly Intro
By starting the week with this particular clip, I’m sure you’ll suspect what I’ll be eventually leading up to. “World of Magic 1975” originally aired on December 26, 1975. Originally, Orson Welles was meant to greet the viewers standing side by side with Houdini’s Water Torture Cell. However, for various reasons Welles pulled a vanishing…
Doug and Debbie Houdini Plaza 1986 Performance
I’d be remiss in not mentioning that yesterday, March 24th, was Harry Houdini’s 147th birthday. In honor of that special day, I thought it would be appropriate to post the above photo of Doug and Debbie in May, 1986. Where was it taken you ask? Well, if the town of Appleton, Wisconsin means anything to…
New York Daily News Interview-Dec. 1976
Today’s article comes from the promotional blitz that surrounded Doug’s second “World of Magic” special in 1976. In it, Doug talks about the special’s main illusions, “The Flaming Miracle” and the “Disappearing Elephant.” However, the juiciest part of the article comes when Doug contrasts and compares how Houdini originally performed the “Elephant in the Room”…
“Lincoln Nebraska Sunday Journal” Interview-August 11, 1974
Today’s post is a very early interview with Doug from when “The Magic Show” had just opened, and was taking Broadway by storm. While Doug recounts some of the background information you may already know, what I liked about it in particular is reading Doug’s secrecy agreement with his cast and staff. Also, the interviewer…
Metamorphosis from “Magic on Broadway” Special!
Previously I posted Doug doing “Metamorphosis” in the filmed version of “The Magic Show.” However, something I like to do if possible is present Doug performing alternative versions of his illusions. With 1982’s “Magic on Broadway,” that is exactly what we get. A stand out for me is the historical background sprinkled in the introduction…
James Randi (1928-2020)
Word is beginning to spread throughout the magic world that “The Amazing Randi,” aka James Randi, has just passed away. In his 92 years, James Randi brought a lot, not only to the world of magic and escapism, but to the art of skepticism and debunking of fraud. In that respect, he certainly picked up…
“Houdini’s Magic Magazine” Mystery
For all intents and purposes there shouldn’t be a mystery surrounding this January, 1978 issue of “Houdini’s Mystery Magazine.” I recently purchased this issue off of EBay for many reasons. The number one reason, of course, is for the cover and article previewing Doug’s upcoming “World of Magic” special. However, as I began to flip…
The “New Houdini” Advertisement
The above ad certainly makes a bold claim in order to sell the soundtrack record to “The Magic Show.” Doug and Houdini were drastically different in terms of presentation. However, if there were similarities between them, it’s that they totally redefined how the public saw magic in their respective time periods. But, I doubt Houdini…
Wild About Harry: Doug and Houdini Article
For those jonesing for a Houdini/Doug fix this Saturday, may I divert your attention to today’s post on John Cox’s excellent website “Wild About Harry.” It delves into the impetus for John’s lifelong love of Houdini which is…well, visit the website to find out if you haven’t guessed already. While you’re there stay a while…
Houdini’s 100th Birthday Article
John Cox ‘s excellent website Wild About Harry recently featured a New York Daily News article from 1974 covering a Doug live event that even yours truly didn’t know occurred. In honor of Houdini’s 100th birthday, Doug and his “Magic Show” co-star Dale Soules performed one of Houdini’s signature illusions in front of the famed Plaza…
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…
Houdini Torture Cell Escape in Full
Clips from 1975’s “World of Magic 1” are a rarity on the internet. For some reason, every other one of Doug’s specials are available to find if you know where to look. But, “World of Magic 1” remains elusive at best…at least online (if you catch my meaning.) It’s a shame really because in my…
Nancy Henning Interview: Part Three
Can you talk a bit about the $5000 Doug was awarded by the Canadian Arts Council to study magic? Did he discuss that with you at the time? You know, I don’t really remember hearing anything about that until he got it. He was quite proud of it, because at the time, there had never…
Henning on Houdini Radio Interview
This audio clip comes courtesy of John Cox’s fabulous Wild About Harry website. In this radio interview from 1980, Doug discusses the first television special and the intense preparations that went into his escape from Houdini’s Water Torture Cell. While it’s brief, it gives the listener a peek into Doug’s rehearsal process and the mystery…
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…
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 DOUG HENNING PROJECT 