This recent purchase of mine was too good not to post on the site. The Orpheum Theater, located at 1192 Market Street in San Francisco, was originally built in 1926. It still stands today as one of the city’s premiere places for theatre, music, and culture. For those keeping track, this particular run of the…
Tag: magic
“It’s Gonna Take A Magician” from “The Magic Show!
Happy 4th of July everyone! Tying Doug into this holiday has always been, well, difficult. The only examples that I have found are these photos that have been featured in past posts. There’s this one! And how about this? So, rather than just leaving you with recycled posts, let’s just watch “It’s Gonna Take A…
GQ “Grand Illusions” Article
Today’s post comes from the Winter 1975/76 issue of GQ magazine. This 6 page article,”Grand Illusions,” featured a who’s who of magic including Harry Blackstone, Jr., Mark Wilson, Walter Gibson, and the Amazing Randi. But, as it was pointed out to me, Doug was the only one who received two pages. Go Doug! Special Thanks…
Magic Week Video Archive-World of Magic II
For all those looking for some relief in the lockdown, look no further than this current edition of the Magic Week Archive featuring “World of Magic II.”Culled from Duncan Trillo video collection, this UK broadcast of the special is a truly crisp and immaculate version. Even if you’ve seen the special before (which I’m sure…
Doug’s Muppet Show Shoes
In terms of the Muppets, characters have come and gone over their rich 65 year history. However, if you’re looking for one of the most obscure creatures to ever grace “The Muppet Show” stage, then look no further than Doug’s shoes. These bug eyed creations were featured at the opening of his episode where he gleefully…
Potter & Potter July Auction-Costumes and Posters
Today’s post once again comes from the fine folks at “Potter & Potter Auctions.” While their July 25th auction services a vast array of magic history, Doug is represented very nicely as well. As you can see, there’s a selection of classic Doug magic posters to be purchased. But, the real highlight are the touring…
Las Vegas Hilton Showroom Card
Sorry for the long gap in between posts folks. As I mentioned, I’ve been recovering from a pinched nerve in my neck, and today’s been the first day I can sort of type. So, what delights do we have today? Oh, how about this gem of a postcard from the Las Vegas Hilton Showroom? Is…
Merlin-Original Marc Hellinger Theater Photos
Due to a pinched nerve in my shoulder, I’m not able to write extensively until it heals. However, I wanted to give a special thanks to writer Michelle Ainsworth for sharing these original photos taken by her father during the original run of “Merlin.”
Doug’s Shoes by Mike Caveney
The very first Doug Henning auction took place at Doug’s warehouse right after he retired from magic. I was there bidding on some larger items and curtains for Abb Dickson. Because things were selling for crazy, low prices, Abb got most of what he wanted. One of his boxes of assorted magic also contained this…
“Magic Collectors Corner”- Doug Henning Zoom Chat
For those that missed it (and I nearly did), this past Sunday a very rare and special treat was presented via the Facebook group “Magic Collector’s Corner.” For one night only, Doug Henning was back via the Zoom platform. In a three hour online talk, visitors were treated to memories from such people as Jim…
Shia LeBouf SNL Sketch
In what has since become a very popular online MEME/GIF, Shia LeBouf appeared in this 2008 “Saturday Night Live” sketch as magician Doug Denston. Yes Doug Denston, not Doug Henning mind you. A parody of 1970s celebrity filled games shows, LeBouf does an admirable job of concocting the look of an extremely magical Doug for…
“It’s an Illusion” T-Shirt!
Let’s face it…there’s not a lot of new Doug merchandise out there these days. So, when something new pops up it’s definitely worth a mention. Not least of which an “It’s an Illusion” t-shirt! Designed by Blair Gauntt and available via the website Redbubble, this t-shirt highlights Doug at his absolute and wonder filled best….
Haversat & Ewing Auction-Doug Egyptian Collar
For all those Doug collectors out there, another piece of magic history is going up for auction this weekend at Haversat & Ewing Galleries. Straight from the 1978’s “World of Magic,” is Doug’s Egyptian collar as featured in the special’s time travel theme. This online auction runs from May 15th-16th, and the item itself is…
A Letter from Doug to Greg Gleason
The above letter made its way to me via its recipient magician Greg Gleason. In addition to owning Doug’s “Statue of the Pharaohs,” Greg is a die hard Doug fan true and true. If you need any more proof, check out this very cool correspondence from Doug to a young Greg Gleason. How about that…
Doug on the “Today Show” with Bryant Gumbel (1984)
(ED. Note: Due to legal reasons this video was apparently removed by You Tube. Sorry about that) This 1984 “Today Show” appearance comes from when Doug returned to Broadway with his “World of Magic” show. After the perceived failure of “Merlin,” Doug was able to cleanse the palettes of many critics with this, by all…
13 More Minutes of Dai Vernon and Doug on Dick Cavett
(ED. Note: Due to legal reasons this video was apparently removed by You Tube. Sorry about that) If 21 minutes of Doug on Dick Cavett wasn’t enough for you, how about 13 minutes more? I actually wasn’t expecting to find more of this broadcast but, wouldn’t you know it, the second half came to my…
Roy Horn (1944-2020)
I’m sure many of you have heard by now the sad news of the death of magician Roy Horn. Roy, of course, was part of the legendary magician duo, Siegfried & Roy. There’s not much I can really say to add to the legacy that these two gave Las Vegas and, most importantly, magic itself….
21 Minutes of Doug on Dick Cavett
(ED. Note: Due to legal reasons this video was apparently removed by You Tube. Sorry about that) This twenty-one minute slice of heaven is Doug on “The Dick Cavett Show.” It’s not the full show, but just enough to get your heart racing. The only drawback, as you can probably hear, is the static over…
Doug and Shankar Junior
I recently had the pleasure of corresponding with magician Shankar Junior from India. He related to me an endearing story of meeting Doug as child. At the time Doug was studying Transcendental Meditation and…well, I’ll let Shankar tell it as he told me. I met Doug Henning in the late 80’s when he came…
A Bit of Doug Art
A piece of original Doug art called “The Magic Returns” recently came my way via Gary Brown. The quarantine has certainly made people work out their creative juices in varied and unique ways. Here’s Gary’s thought process behind his most recent work. It shows how in these polarizing times, Doug’s message still continues to shine…
Happy 73rd Birthday Doug!
I’d be remiss in not mentioning that today, May 3rd, would have been Doug’s 73rd birthday. For someone who is generally frozen in time in the 1970s and 80s, it’s hard to imagine what a 73 year old Doug Henning would be doing in this very different world of 2020. Whatever it would be, I’m…
Muppet Show: Tough Pigs 40 Years Later Article
Two questions! 1) Did you know its been 40 years since Doug first appeared on “The Muppet Show?” 2) Have you been dying for a scene by scene breakdown of the episode? Well, then look no further than the Muppet tribute website Tough Pigs, and their analysis of this beloved episode. However, I have to…
Happy Third Birthday to “The Doug Henning Project!”
Three years ago today I started “The Doug Henning Project!” At the time, I wasn’t sure how well it would be received, or if people would even find it at all. Needless to say, the website has exceeded my initial expectations and 543 posts later we’re still here. The support and kindness of Doug’s fans…
A Collector Needs Your Help!
This message came to me recently from collector and reader Michael Ketcham: “I’m the owner of 3 Doug Henning costumes: these include a long robe identified as a “Wizard Robe,” along with a bright red jacket with over sized gold metal buttons along the collar and shoulders. With regards to the “Wizard Robe, I bought…
“Magic Show” Mystery Footage Solved
Well, so much for wishful thinking guys. After speculating (and hoping) last Friday, that the grainy image below may have been a video image from the original Broadway production of “The Magic Show”… As seen below once again, we are left with the undeniable proof that it isn’t. What sealed the deal was that some…
“Magic Show” Original Cast Footage Video Still?
I came across this intriguing still while searching the internet recently. While there are many photos of the original production of “The Magic Show” to be found online. What stands out is that this grainy image features Doug and actress Anita Morris in what appears to be video footage from the original show itself. However,…
Two’s Company from “The Magic Show:” Cast Album and Live Version
What better time than self-quarantine to cross compare the two versions of “Two’s Company” from “The Magic Show?” While there isn’t a proper filmed version of the original production that is widely available, we do have the out of print cast album. Which is basically the closest we’re going to get to seeing the show……
Norm Nielsen
I’m sure you’ve all heard, but, famed respected magician and poster collector Norm Nielsen passed away yesterday. His act, along with his massive collection of magic posters, was legendary. It should be no surprise that among his vast collection were some original Doug gems from “Merlin” and the “Magic Show.” As you can see from…
