The following script excerpts comes courtesy of John Harrison, author of the excellent biography “Spellbound: The Wonder-Filled Life of Doug Henning.” I’ll be posting it over the next couple of days, but rather than talk about the script myself, I’ll let John explain it further. “It is Act I, Scene 6 (the final act prior…
Tag: magic
“World of Magic IV” Unseen Photos: Final Part
They say all good things must come to an end, and today’s post is no exception. Yes, dear readers, we’ve come to the end (for now) of Dave Collier’s impressive collection of never before seen photos from the first four “World of Magic” specials. It’s been a real honor and treat for me to be able…
“World of Magic IV” Unseen Photos: Part Two
Special thanks to Dave Collier and Bill Goodwin These and future photographs are copyrighted by Dave Collier. Any usage of them outside of this website, without his or The Magic Castle Library’s permission, will be considered an infringement of their use.
“World of Magic IV” Unseen Photos: Part One
Special thanks to Dave Collier and Bill Goodwin These and future photographs are copyrighted by Dave Collier. Any usage of them outside of this website, without his or The Magic Castle Library’s permission, will be considered an infringement of their use.
“Toronto Sun” 1973- Doug and Maya Zig-Zag Photo Spread
The above newspaper article comes from December of 1973. For anyone else that date may not mean much, but for all the Doug fans out there this is the month and year that “Spellbound” premiered. Doug, assisted by Maya, displays the well known “Zig-Zag” to bemused reporter George Anthony. Now I’ve gone into “Spellbound” in greater…
“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…
“World of Magic III” Unseen Photos: Part Four
1977 was a good year for wasn’t it? Besides being the year of my birth, it featured Doug’s walking through a wall illusion. Done in a blink and you’ll miss it fashion, this illusion still has the ability to grab us 42 years later. How did he do it? Well, that my friends is magic. …
“World of Magic III” Unseen Photos: Part Three
Special Thanks to Dave Collier and Bill Goodwin These and future photographs are copyrighted by Dave Collier. Any usage of them outside of this website, without his or The Magic Castle Library’s permission, will be considered an infringement of their use.
“World of Magic III” Unseen Pictures: Part One
For all of our U.S. readers Happy Labor Day! For everyone not in the U.S., let’s ease into this Monday with more never before seen photos from 1977’s “World of Magic III.”Hosted by Glenn Campbell, the special would feature Doug’s variation on walking though a brick wall, spectacular close-up magic, Sandy Duncan, and very. very…
1982’s “World of Magic” Newspaper Clipping
Both Doug and guest star Ann Jillian seem in various states of surprise in this promotional clipping from 1982. As you may know the special starred Ann Jillian, a then Bruce Jenner (Caitlyn) Jenner, Billy Crystal, and Cherish Alexander. Throughout the show, they all explored a big magical house, and you’ll just have to wait…
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…
Final Tonight Show Appearance Clip?
The above clip recently appeared on the excellent You Tube channel “Sleight of Direction,” and is quite possibly Doug’s final appearance on “The Tonight Show.” It really has something for everyone, and moves seamlessly from smaller to medium sized magic in a fun and breezy way. While I don’t have a list of all of…
“World of Magic II” Unseen Photos: Part Three
As I wrap up the photos from 1976’s “World of Magic,” it’s interesting to note that it has been brought to my attention that some of these may be from the on-air and live versions. While I wasn’t sure at the time, the first two from the metal ring illusion below seem to prove it. The…
“World of Magic II” Unseen Photos: Part Two
These and future photographs are copyrighted by Dave Collier. Any usage of them outside of this website, without his or The Magic Castle Library’s permission will be considered an infringement of their use.
“World of Magic II” Unseen Photos
Courtesy of Dave Collier and Bill Goodwin are some more amazing and never before seen photos from 1976’s “World of Magic II.” I feel each one is unique all unto itself, and very much gives us a taste of the electricity that is live programming. For all of you interested in reading my interview with…
Doug Henning and Learning How to Fly
It’s not a big secret that Doug Henning was really into Transcendental Meditation. REALLY into it. He was into it so much, that he devoted himself and his energies 1000% to the mysterious calming practice and organization. Magic was an after thought for him, and one that he soon left behind around 1987. For good…
Dave Collier Photos: World of After Parties!
As what happens with all great television productions there is that fabled and wondrous event called: The After Party! From the looks of it, “World of Magic’s” was no exception, and even had balloons! Enjoy these candid photos as we wrap up 1975, and head on over to 1978 next week! Special Thanks to Dave…
More Unpublished “World of Magic 1” Photos: Doug, Shimada, and the Torture Cell Drop
These and future photographs are copyrighted by Dave Collier. Any usage of them outside of this website, without his or The Magic Castle Library’s permission will be considered an infringement of their use. Water Torture Cell Special Thanks to Dave Collier and Bill Goodwin
Martin Short on “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee”
Just a quick heads up that if you’re craving a bit of Martin Short and Doug Henning, then look no further than the current season of Jerry Seinfeld’s”Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” on Netflix. The episode itself is focused on a day in LA with Martin Short. While I wholeheartedly suggest you watch the whole…
Doug Across America-Tour Clippings
In his career, Doug certainly got around. In between his immensely popular television specials, he kept up an almost constant touring schedule that included here, there, everywhere, and beyond. While we all know his famous stops on Broadway and the Pantages, the clippings shown below are a small sampling of Doug’s relentless travels through America!…
TV Time “World of Magic 1” Bubbles Cover and Article
What do you do when you have 60 million people about to watch you on live television? Play with bubbles of course. As you can tell, this 1975 gem of a cover and article hails all the way from the original “World of Magic” special. The cover is really one of those classic early Doug…
Doug Henning: In His Own Words (Part Three)
In this final part, Doug touches on Merlin, Veda Land, his retirement, and what brought him back to Los Angeles in the late 90s. While the interview itself ends on a high note with Doug proclaiming “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet,” sadly this was not to be. Doug passed away a short four months after this…
Doug Henning- In His Own Words (Part One)
For the rest of this week I’ll be reprinting Magic Magazine’s now legendary interview with Doug from October, 1999. Conducted by magician David Charvet, this lengthy interview would sadly turn out to be Doug’s last as he would pass away from cancer four months later. For those interested, the circumstances as to how this interview came…
Martin Short Tonight Show Appearance-May 14, 1992
In my never ending quest to find more footage of Martin Short performing his spot on impersonation of Doug, I came across this “Tonight Show” appearance from May 14, 1992. As Carson’s reign on the “Tonight Show” ended that month and year, this was more than likely Short’s final appearance on the show. What better way…
Admired from Afar-The Magic Show
It’s Monday folks. So, what better way to start the week than something else with the letter “M” in it…Anita Morris! This number features Morris recreating her role of Charmin from the Broadway “Magic Show” production. As the wife of its original director Grover Dale, she truly was a powerhouse performer who always lent the…
“World of Magic 1” Non-Doug Based Advertisement
Well, as promised I’m back and ready and relaxed from my travels. I’m sorry there have been some stop gaps over the last month, but some unexpected trips came up! Anyway, I have some great things in the pipeline, and I can’t wait to share them with you moving forward. I thought I’d ease into…
Genii-“Goodbye Doug” Issue-Final Part
So, in this third and final part we get some nice reprints of articles from earlier “Genii” issues. Both really bookend the tribute issue as a whole by bringing the readers back to a time in Doug’s career when things were less complicated and innocent. The article by Bill Larsen (co-founder of the Magic Castle)…
Genii-“Goodbye Doug” Issue (Zombie Article)
The featured article below continues where we last left off in the “Goodbye Doug” Genii issue, and it profiles a time when Doug was the editor of the “Young Magicians” Section of Mickey Hades’s “Zombie. “ As you will discover, Doug himself was only seventeen at the time, and was already an up and coming…
Genii “Goodbye Doug” Tribute Issue (Jim Steinmeyer Article)
When Doug died in February, 2000 there was naturally an upsurge of emotion within the magic community. So much so, that two tribute issues were put out in “Genii” and “Magic” magazines respectively. While it’s always hard to sum up someone’s life work in article form, both did an excellent job in spotlighting his impact…
Chip Romero Collection at the I.B.M Scottsdale Convention
For all those in the Scottsdale, AZ area and beyond, this July 10th-13th the “International Brotherhood of Magicians” will be holding their annual convention. While that is impressive in itself, what is certainly to be the highlight of the event will be magician/collector Chip Romero’s display of his many artifacts from the life and career…
