While not a television appearance in the traditional sense, this 1978 Minolta commercial highlights Doug in a different light: A commercial pitchman! Aside from its obvious kitsch value, the commercial shows how much of a name Doug was at that time. Think about it. Have you ever really seen a magician before or since be a…
Tag: Illusions
Doug and Dai
This particular clip, taken from the CBC Archives, seems to be one of the few filmed examples of Dai Vernon teaching Doug. The two had become close friends when Doug traveled from Canada to train with Vernon after being awarded his legendary $5000 performing arts government grant. Their lessons, which took place at “The Magic Castle,”…
John Cox: Part Four
What was your reaction at the time to his retirement from magic and his surprising death in 2000? I don’t remember it being an announced thing. It was just Doug Henning seemed to have drifted away, and David Copperfield had kind of replaced him as far as the annual television shows…But, at some point it…
John Cox: Part Two
How important do you feel “The Magic Show” was to the audience’s appreciation of magic? Doug Henning brought magic back to Broadway and back to legitimate theater…So, it really was “The Magic Show” that re-introduced the world to grand illusion…I wish I would have seen it…When you read about it, it was a good mix…
John Gaughan: Part Four
What was your reaction to when he gave up performing? John Gaughan: Well, he was always stopping performing…He only wanted to work for a couple weeks on the road and then come back and rest for four weeks…Doug didn’t care too much about money and then the transcendental meditation kind of overtook it. Then he…
John Gaughan: Part 3
Is there an illusion that you designed for him that is a highlight? John Gaughan: Well, they were all kind of wonderful things to play with. The big Japanese warrior that came to life (in Merlin) was a lot of fun, and I remember bringing that thing in because that was one of the last…
John Gaughan: Part Two
Why do you think “Merlin” isn’t looked up on as being as successful as “The Magic Show” was? John Gaughan: I think in reality it was more successful. The problem was you had a bigger theater and the cost at that time was close $275,000 per week. Then Doug didn’t have a lot of stamina…
John Gaughan: Part One
This week we have another treat in store for you with one of the art form’s most prominent and respected designers: John Gaughan. For over fifty years, John has been delighting audiences with his work for such artists as Siegfried and Roy, David Copperfield, David Blaine, Criss Angel, Mark Wilson, and Ricky Jay. However, most…
Friday with Doug
What better way to spend your Friday than with some totally random, but spectacular pictures of Doug doing what he did best? Join us next week for our extended round table interview with legendary magic designer John Gaughan and friends. See you then!
Jim Steinmeyer: Part One
For many in the world of magic the name Jim Steinmeyer conjures up fantastical visions of some of the greatest illusions of all time. As one of the industry’s premier designers, he is the man behind David Copperfield’s Statue of Liberty disappearance, Disney Theatrical’s “Mary Poppins” and “Aladdin,” and countless other iconic illusions for top magicians throughout…
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 