Originally Broadcast: November 23, 1972 Special Thanks to Stuart MacLeod at: stuartmac.com
Tag: Magic Castle
Doug’s First Letter to Dai Vernon
The above letter, as featured in “The Essential Dai Vernon,” is Doug’s initial contact with Vernon to inquire if the esteemed magician might mentor Doug during his time at Los Angeles’ Magic Castle. It goes without saying that Vernon accepted, and due in no small measure to Vernon, Doug blossomed under his tutelage. The rest…
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…
Chip Romero at the Magic Castle
For readers living in the Los Angeles area, I wanted to let you know that magician and Doug collector Chip Romero will be performing at the Magic Castle from October 12th-17th. Chip’s collection of Doug Henning artifacts is amazing, and a sight to behold. Do yourself a favor, and look up some of the tours…
Linking Ring- March,1972 (Doug in Hollywood)
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Many of us have read about Doug’s early days in Hollywood studying with Dai Vernon at the “Magic Castle.” However, this my friends is the real deal. Written at the time it was happening, this article gives us a first hand account of the whispers and rumors surrounding this Doug Henning….
Doug and Mars at the Magic Castle-Genii Magazine (Feb.1970)
Originally appearing in the February 1970 issue of Genii, this article was from the era when Doug would frequently travel between McMaster College in Toronto to perform at the Magic Castle. His girlfriend and assistant, Mars Barrick, is seen by his side decked out in timely hippie garb. Mars was an important part of Doug’s…
Doug and John Ritter
Most people are probably familiar with the traditional picture of Doug and John Ritter that I used for today’s splash page. However, I recently came across this alternative shot that was taken on the same night. The event in question occurred on Halloween 1978, and was taken at what I assume is the Magic Castle…
Magic’s Greatest Illusions Documentary-1999 Interview with Doug
I came across this three-part documentary today while deep diving into You Tube. “Magic’s Greatest Illusions,” narrated by Jason Alexander, originally aired on TLC in 2000. A great documentary unto itself, however, what immediately caught my attention was an extremely rare and largely unseen interview with Doug recorded in 1999. His interview, clearly recorded at…
Dave Collier Interview Part One: Rose Parades and Magic Castles
I think we can all agree that Dave Collier’s photos over the last four weeks have been truly memorable. So, if they say a picture speaks a thousand words, why don’t we go to the man who was responsible for them all in this multi-part interview? Take it away Dave Collier! HOW DID YOU GET…
Larsen on Henning: Part Three (Revisited)
Is there an illusion for you that stands out as a personal favorite? I don’t think there’s any particular thing. His showmanship and some of the illusions he did on his shows were really old stock illusions. But, the way he did them and the approach to it he did them all in his own…
Larsen on Henning: Part Two (Revisited)
In part two of our interview, Milt Larsen discusses Doug as a person, the magic community’s reaction to him, and the impact Broadway’s legendary”The Magic Show” had on the craft as a whole. Milt take it away… It’s been said that his enthusiasm for life and his work always bubbled up at the surface. What were your…
Larsen on Henning: Part One (Revisited)
Believe it or not, this May will be the one year anniversary of “The Doug Henning Project.” So, in honor of that occasion I thought it would be fun if I reprint the first four interviews that launched the very first month of the site. I’ll be doing this once a month, leading up to…
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…
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 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…
From The Magic Castle:
In the spirit of Milt Larsen, Doug, and “The Magic Castle,” please enjoy a selection of pictures highlighting some memorable moments over the last 54 years!
Larsen on Henning: Part Two
In part two of our interview, Milt Larsen discusses Doug as a person, the magic community’s reaction to him, and the impact Broadway’s legendary”The Magic Show” had on the craft as a whole. Milt take it away… It’s been said that his enthusiasm for life and his work always bubbled up at the surface. What were your…
Larsen on Henning: Part One
For many in the magic community, Hollywood’s “The Magic Castle” has been the headquarters of the craft for close to fifty-four years. As the brain child of brothers Milt and Bill Larsen, this private club has entertained professionals and audiences in a way that can only be seen to be believed. Doug’s first exposure to the Castle…
Why Doug Henning Matters…
What we know as modern magic would never have existed if it wasn’t for this simple and unassuming Canadian who had the vision to bring magic to the masses in a unique and totally different way. Without his influence on modern pop culture, the idea and concept of the “superstar” magician would never have existed…let […]
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 