Hey everyone! I just wanted to point you in the direction of Designer/Writer Extraordinaire Jim Steinmeyer’s recent blog entries. As many of you know Jim knew and worked for Doug for many years, and occasionally touches upon his time with him in his blog. The two entries focus on the forgotten Tunnel Illusion and Floating…
Tag: Illusions
World of Magic ’81-Sack Illusion with Ricky Schroder
Original Air Date: 2/15/1981 Special Thanks to Bill Green’s You Tube Channel: HERE
“World of Magic 77”- Sandy Duncan Circus Sequence in Full
Today’s extended clip comes from “World of Magic’ 77,” and is lengthy. In fact, I wrestled with whether to show the whole thing as one, or break it up into separate clips. However, in re-watching the intricate nature of the whole sequence, I decided it would be a real disservice to it to show it…
“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…
World of Magic ’75: Things That Go Bump in the Night
Original Air Date: 12/26/1975
World of Magic 75: The Sands of Egypt in Full
Similar to the Sands of Egypt themselves, I will be drifting away to Northern California over the coming week. I won’t be able to get back to posts until next Tuesday. But, I wanted to leave you with this classic clip from “World of Magic ’75” to pass the time until then. Enjoy! Original Air…
1985 Fox Theater St. Louis Dancing Handkerchief Photo
There’s a lot to love in this photo of Doug and Debbie performing the always fun “Dancing Handkerchief” routine. This was taken at St. Louis’s Fox Theater circa 1985, and really shows the fun the two were having performing this famous illusion. A dancing handkerchief, or a picture, really does speak a thousand words! Special…
Criss Angel Studio Sale
Sorry to interrupt our regular scheduled broadcast. I know I had started a Pantages performances retrospective yesterday. But, I’d be remiss in not mentioning that magician Criss Angel is currently having a studio sale of his many props and illusions. Notable among them, though I’m biased, are three of Doug’s more popular illusions: Water Levitation,…
“World of Magic” Fickle Nickel in Full
In tandem with last week’s post, I have a few more Fickle Nickel posts for you this week. Not least of which is the full routine which I was eventually able to find. For being one of his most famous performances, it’s not readily available on this thing called the internet. Rather than describing it…
TV Guide Barbara Walters Article Spread
The above article hails from the September 21, 1974 issue of “TV Guide.” Doug is in pure “Magic Show” form in this appearance sawing Barbara Walters in half. His appearance was on Walters’ then day time talk show “Not For Women Only, and the photos really showcase the spontaneity of the appearance well. My apologies if…
“Bump in the Night” Box Interview with Greg Gleason
As many of you may have seen, magician Greg Gleason recently and accidentally came to own Doug’s original “Things that go Bump in the Night” box. How that came to be is a fascinating story. It’s a story so fascinating that I’m going to let Greg tell it himself. How did you obtain the box?…
“CBS Morning News” with Maria Shriver Performance
The above clip was recently posted on the “Illusionist Munawar Muzaffar” You Tube Channel, and is from the collection of Bill Green. It’s a clip I’ve never seen, and maybe one that you haven’t as well. So, sit back with your morning cup of coffee, and watch as Doug astounds Maria Shriver and bleary eyed…
Doug’s “Bump” Box and “Cut in Half” Wheel Found!
Have you ever wondered what treasures from the world of Doug Henning are hiding out in the unlikeliest of places? If so, then the following was sent to me by John Harrison, author of the excellent 2009 biography “Spellbound: The Wonder Filled Life of Doug Henning.” Take it away John! I have always been fascinated…
Statue of the Pharaohs Today
If you ever wondered where a lot of Doug’s illusions have ended up over the years. Well, the short answer is that they’re mainly still around, just not always in one place as they used to be. In the case of Doug’s “Statue of the Pharaohs,” let’s get a bit of a refresher before we…
World of Magic V: Compressed Illusion
The above clip originally aired on February 14th, 1982 and is the final “World of Magic” special. As it goes with any magician, looks can be deceiving, and Doug had one more special up his sleeve called “Doug Henning: Magic on Broadway.” But, that’s another story. Now back to this one. While no one could…
Farewell Illusion Sale Price List
The above item comes from Michael Whitecar, and is the price list that was given to all interested buyers from Doug’s farewell auction in 1989. It’s interesting to note how the general common misconception is that Doug gave away his illusions for very little to nothing. My apologies for the small print in the document,…
Farewell Auction: Letter/Item Breakdown
The following advertisement appeared in “Genii” in March of 1989. In a lot of ways, this letter and item breakdown signaled what was the true end to Doug Henning as a magician and performer. As is widely known, Doug’s devotion to Transcendental Meditation had overtaken his interest in magic as a whole. In keeping with…
Vanishing Elephant Illusion
While I had hoped to find a clip of the original “Vanishing Elephant” illusion from Doug’s second special, everything on You Tube is an inferior and grainy copy. Fortunately for us, Doug recreated the illusion for the 1981 filmed version of “The Magic Show” which is the origin of this higher quality clip. The elephant…
Metamorphosis!
The above clip comes from the filmed and retooled version of “The Magic Show.” Shot in 1981, this version for television changed songs and even took some out. But, it is the only filmed version of the musical, and the only way to experience it today. The illusion in question needs no introduction! Doug’s version…
Original Merlin Playbill
Today’s entry comes courtesy of Nancy Henning, and is the original “Playbill” for “Merlin.” A few weeks back, I was fortunate enough to post the more elaborate commemorative program for the show, and it’s interesting to compare and contrast the two. However, in addition to being signed by Doug himself, this “Playbill” also is a…
Las Vegas Hilton Table Cards
In his career, Doug didn’t really like playing Vegas for moral and ethical reasons and eventually stopped altogether. So, that fact alone makes these Las Vegas Hilton promotional table cards all the more rarer. From their design to their color palette, you can’t argue with the fact that they are a snapshot into the glitter…
Nancy Henning Interview: Part Four
Hasn’t this been great? Before we start the last part of our interview I just wanted to once again thank Nancy Henning for taking the time to talk to me. I think we can all agree that her insights and observations only serve to make us appreciate Doug’s artistry even more. How do you think…
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…
A Lost Doug Illusion?
This request recently found its way to me from Doug fan Michael Ketchum regarding a potentially “lost” Doug illusion that needs identifying. If you have any information please contact Michael directly at the email address below. I AM THE CURRENT OWNER OF AN ILLUSION NAMED “THE MONKEY BOX ILLUSION” – WHICH WAS SOLD TO ME WITH…
Things that Go Bump in the Night!
“Things that Go Bump in the Night” became, over the years, one of Doug’s big crowd pleasers. Previously performed by magician Servais LeRoy as “The Three Graces,” Doug performed this over multiple TV specials and even in the film version of “The Magic Show.” This is a perfect example of Doug taking an older illusion…
Erix Logan, Doug Henning, and Mousetrap!
The following email was sent to me recently by renowned magician Erix Logan. It’s a fascinating read that gives us an insight into a famed Doug illusion that took on another life of its own, long after he retired. I have always been a huge fan of Doug and the way he thought about magic….
Crystal Gale Special 1979
Well, aren’t we on a television special roll this week? I particularly enjoyed this clip from a 1979 Crystal Gale television special because it sort of serves as a best of Doug Henning all wrapped up into one. Granted, a lot of these illusions had been seen on Doug’s previous specials, but the lighting…
Close Encounters of the Doug Kind
One of the great parts of running this website are the stories I have been sent via e-mail or Facebook from people that knew Doug. These first hand accounts really open him up in a way that magazine articles, You Tube clips, or books can not. So, for part of the week I’d like to…
Vault Treasures: Part Four
Well, that about takes us to the end of another one! Special thanks to Steve Zigmont for his spectacular collection! For all your effects needs please visit him at: http://www.effectspecialist.com See you next time!
Vault Treasures: Part Two
Welcome back for a just as exciting Part 2 as we continue to look at Steve Zigmont’s collection featuring many items from Doug’s famed NBC specials. Enjoy!
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 