As we all have a little more downtime these days, I decided it was high time to tackle this superb article from 2013. Written by Jim Steinmeyer, it details the triumph and tragedy that was “Merlin.” Many people know Jim Steinmeyer from his work as an acclaimed author and illusion designer, however this first-person article…
Tag: magic
Orlando Tupperware Auditorium Ad
This ad was recently passed onto me, however I’m not really sure what the year was for it. As we all know, Doug toured almost endlessly in his career, and it’s sometimes hard to peg down when and where performances took place. However, with a name like the “Tupperware Auditorium,” you can guarantee this performance…
“World’s Greatest Magic” Book
While cleaning out my storage space recently, I came across this book in a long forgotten box of miscellaneous magicana. Written by Hyla M. Clark and with photos by Paul Levin, “The World’s Greatest Magic” is a who’s who of magic stars from the late 1970s. Houdini, Doug, Copperfield, Randi, Tomsoni, Shimada…everyone gets their just…
Rare “Magic Show” Australia Cast Film Footage
I stumbled across this gem of a clip recently and had to put it up. While it has no sound, it is footage from the 1975 Australian production of “The Magic Show.” As you can see, Doug was not a part of this production and had handed the reigns over to actor/magician Larry Anderson. It’s…
“Magic Show” Hexaflexagon
What’s a Hexaflexagon you ask? Well, good question. A Hexaflexagon is a paper polygon with many folded faces. It’s a novel and fascinating concept that was so novel and fascinating that Doug had them put one in the soundtrack album to “The Magic Show.” I must admit I haven’t had the time to fold this…
Original “Magic Show” Vinyl Cast Album
In 1974, Bell Records released “The Magic Show” cast album on vinyl. The album is rare in the sense that it is just as special, unique, and fun as the musical itself. The back cover really give you a sense of what audiences at the time must have felt seeing Doug perform his illusions upfront,…
“Magic of the Natural Law Party” from the CBC
The goal of “The Doug Henning Project” has always been to showcase all the elements of Doug’s life and career. Case in point is this rarely seen news story from the CBC archives. This news story delves into Transcendental Meditation’s Natural Law Party, and Doug’s involvement in it. While Doug himself is only shown speaking,…
Style from “The Magic Show” Movie
For all of you stuck at home for the foreseeable future (myself included), why not sit back, relax, and enjoy the lively number “Style” from “The Magic Show.” Originally performed by David Ogden Stiers on Broadway, this version features Jon Finlayson in the role of evil magician Van Zyskin. As mentioned before, the TV movie…
New Doug Henning T-Shirt
While perusing that vast oasis called the “internet,” I came across this new and stunning t-shirt for sale. Sometimes words aren’t necessary, and this is not an exception! Enjoy! For more information please visit: HERE
Ebay Item-1978 Performance Photos
I normally don’t post too much of Ebay items, but this one certainly caught my eye. Now keep in mind I have nothing to do with this sale, but really look at it. It’s not often that you see candid stage performance pictures taken of Doug that often. As the description explains, Doug’s shows didn’t…
Original Spellbound Newspaper Ad
Special Thanks to Magicpedia
1979 Minolta Newspaper Ad
I’m sure many of you have seen the Minolta camera television commercial that Doug did in conjunction with this campaign. The commercial itself is a lot of fun, while this newspaper caricature is a little, how do I put this, interesting to say the least. To compare the two, here’s the original once again in…
Montreal Expo Theater Tour Advertisement
The Gazette: Montreal, Canada August 20, 1985
Glenn Campbell Handkerchief Illusion
The above clip comes from “World of Magic II,” and features a somewhat awkward lesson in handkerchief magic from Doug to singer Glenn Campbell. Nobody would ever accuse the “World of Magic” specials to have the best dialogue. But, as we all know it was the magic that really counted…not the cue cards.
Potter & Potter: Silver Lightning Bolt Jumpsuit
The above item (Lot.72) is currently being auctioned by Potter & Potter as part of their Jim Rawlins collection. The costume itself is notable for many reasons. Not least of which, is that it is featured very prominently in the famous publicity photo of Doug walking through a brick wall for “World of Magic II.”…
The “New Houdini” Advertisement
The above ad certainly makes a bold claim in order to sell the soundtrack record to “The Magic Show.” Doug and Houdini were drastically different in terms of presentation. However, if there were similarities between them, it’s that they totally redefined how the public saw magic in their respective time periods. But, I doubt Houdini…
Doug’s Milligan Place NYC Apartment
On a recent trip to NYC I happened to be in Greenwich Village, and took the time to visit what once was the apartment of one Mr. Doug Henning. Not just any apartment mind you, but the one he occupied during his time at “The Magic Show” with his first wife Barbara DeAngelis. As the…
Liza Minelli Mismade Girl-Dick Cavett Show
The above clip, while poor quality, show’s Doug performing the “Mismade Girl” illusion on the Dick Cavett Show. The illusion itself has been performed many times over the years. But, it’s up to you to decide if this is indeed the first time Doug is performing it on TV as he claims. But, if seeing…
From the Playbill Archives: (New) Merlin Interview
Well, it’s not often that you get some new Doug Henning news in your Google feed. However, that’s exactly what happened today when Playbill.com dug into their archives for this vintage article from the opening of “Merlin.” As you would imagine, Doug talks enthusiastically about the show and its illusions. What else would you expect?…
1976 Magician of the Year Award
The above picture comes from the collection of Gary Mandleblatt, and is an extremely rare item if there ever was one. This is Doug’s 1976 “Magician of the Year” award from the prestigious Academy of Magical Arts. The award, still given yearly, honors the best practitioners of magic and their impact on the art form…
Potter & Potter Auction: Glass Wall Hanging
And I’m back… I sincerely apologize for the long delay in between posts. Due to a freelance design job, my spare time became few and far between resulting in an unplanned break from the site. Well folks, it’s a new day, and let’s get back to it shall we? The above item is a current…
1977 AMA Awards Banquet Program
The above items come from the collection of Mark Willoughby, and highlight the 1977 AMA Awards where Doug was crowned “Magician of the Year.” As you can tell Doug was in great company that year with other luminaries such as Johnny Thompson, Sid Lorraine, and Billy McComb. The second page gives a more in depth…
Potter & Potter Auction-Flaming Miracle Poster
Welcome to 2020 everyone! Let’s begin our third year on a high note with this auction from “Potter & Potter” out of Chicago! This current online auction will win you one of the most distinctive and flashy posters that was ever created for “World of Magic II.” In it, artist Seymour Chwast crafted Doug as…
Happy Holidays…and a NY Times Article!
Well folks, it’s that time of the year where I close up shop and reflect on the year that just passed and the one that is just upon us. As always, I wish you the happiest of holidays and sincerely thank you for all your support over the past two, almost three years. It’s everyone’s…
Kiel Opera House Advertisement
The above advertisement was printed on June 1, 1980 in the “St. Louis Post-Dispatch.” The Kiel Opera House, now known as the Stifel Theatre, was opened in 1934 and enjoyed a healthy and long life until it was closed under financial disagreements in 1991. Reopening in 2011, the theater seems to be back to its…
Derren Brown “Doug” Name Check!
Mentalist Derren Brown, whose current Broadway show “Secret” is smashing records, was recently interviewed by “Long Island Weekly.” In it, Derren discusses the show’s history, and a certain other magician is mentioned regarding their time on Broadway. “Recently, breaking the record as the longest-running magician on Broadway, Brown made his U.S. debut with Secret, which…
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…
Genii Online: Jim Steinmeyer Interview
In the annals of Doug Henning history, the name Jim Steinmeyer looms large. Having been discovered by Doug at the age of 16, Jim went onto help shape the latter part of Doug’s career from the specials, to Merlin, and beyond. In 2017, Genii Online sat down with Jim for a wide ranging six-part interview….
World of Magic III-Newspaper Article
In honor of this being our 500th post, here’s Doug levitating a motorcycle!
